Chapter 42 133 Emperor Xiaowen of Wei reformed customs

Since the death of Emperor Taiwu in the Northern Wei Dynasty, political corruption, Xianbei nobles and big businessmen oppressed the people, which constantly aroused the resistance of the northern people.In 471 AD, after Emperor Wei Xiaowen came to the throne, he was determined to take reform measures. Emperor Xiaowen of Wei stipulated the salaries of officials and severely punished corrupt officials; he implemented the "land equalization system" and allocated wasteland to farmers, with 40 mu for each adult man and 20 mu for each woman, allowing them to grow grain. Distributed to Sangdi.Farmers had to pay rent to the government and serve in military service.When a farmer dies, except for the mulberry field, all must be returned to the government.As a result, more fields were reclaimed, the production and life of farmers were more stable, and the income of the Northern Wei regime also increased.

Emperor Wei Xiaowen was a politically accomplished person. He believed that in order to consolidate the rule of the Wei Dynasty, we must absorb the culture of the Central Plains and reform some backward customs.For this, he decided to move the capital from Pingcheng (now northeast of Datong City, Shanxi) to Luoyang. He was afraid that the ministers would oppose the idea of ​​moving the capital, so he first proposed a large-scale attack on Southern Qi.Once when he went to court, he proposed this plan, and the ministers opposed it one after another, the most violent being Tuoba Cheng, the king of Rencheng.

Emperor Xiaowen got angry and said: "The country is my country, do you want to prevent me from using troops?" Tuoba Cheng retorted: "Although the country belongs to His Majesty, I am the minister of the country. I know that using troops is dangerous, so how can I not say so?" Emperor Xiaowen thought for a while, then announced his withdrawal from the imperial court, returned to the palace, summoned Tuoba Cheng alone, and said to him: "To tell you the truth, I got angry with you just now to scare everyone. What I really mean is that Pingcheng It is a place where military force is used, and it is not suitable for political reform. Now I want to change customs, and I have to move. This time I sent troops to attack Qi, in fact, I want to take this opportunity to lead civil and military officials to move the capital to the Central Plains. What do you think?"

Tuoba Cheng suddenly realized, and immediately agreed with Emperor Wei Xiaowen's proposition. In 493 A.D., Emperor Wei Xiaowen personally led more than 300,000 infantry and cavalry to the south, starting from Pingcheng and arriving in Luoyang.It happened that the autumn rains continued for a full month, and the roads were muddy everywhere, making it difficult to march.But Emperor Xiaowen still rode out of the city wearing a helmet and armor, and ordered to continue marching. The ministers didn't want to send troops to attack Qi, but they came out to stop them again taking advantage of the heavy rain.Emperor Xiaowen said solemnly: "This time we mobilize teachers and mobilize people. If we give up halfway, it will be a joke for future generations. If we can't go south, we will move the capital here. What do you think?"

Everyone listened, looked at each other in blank dismay, and did not speak.Emperor Xiaowen said: "You can't hesitate anymore. Those who agree to move the capital stand to the left, and those who disagree stand to the right." A nobleman said: "As long as Your Majesty agrees to stop the Southern Expedition, we are also willing to move the capital to Luoyang." Although many civil and military officials did not approve of moving the capital, they had no choice but to express their support for moving the capital when they heard that the Southern Expedition could be stopped.

Emperor Xiaowen made arrangements for Luoyang, and sent Tuoba Cheng, king of Rencheng, back to Pingcheng to publicize the benefits of moving the capital to the princes and nobles there.Later, he went to Pingcheng in person to convene nobles and veterans to discuss the matter of moving the capital. Not a few of the nobles in Pingcheng opposed it.They moved out one reason after another, which was refuted by Emperor Xiaowen.In the end, those people really couldn't make sense, so they had to say: "Moving is a big event, whether it is bad or good, let's make a divination." Emperor Xiaowen said: "Divination is to solve unresolved matters. There is no doubt about moving the capital, so there is nothing else to do. Those who want to govern the world should take the four seas as their home. Go south today, go north tomorrow, there is no fixed The truth remains unchanged. Besides, we have moved the capital several times in the previous generation, why can’t I move?”

The noble ministers were rendered speechless by the refutation, and the matter of moving the capital to Luoyang was decided in this way. After Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, he decided to further reform the old customs. Once, he discussed government affairs with ministers.He said: "Do you think it is better to change the customs or follow the old ways?" Xianyang Wang Tuobaxi said: "Of course it is good to change customs." Emperor Xiaowen said: "Then I want to announce reforms, and you must not violate them." Then, Emperor Xiaowen announced a few decrees: to change to Chinese, it is difficult for people over 30 years old to change their mouths, and they can be postponed. Those under 30 years old who are currently officials in the imperial court must change to Chinese. If they violate this rule, they will be demoted Or dismissal; require officials and civilians to wear Han clothing; encourage Xianbei people to intermarry with Han gentry and use Han surnames instead.The royal family of the Northern Wei Dynasty was originally surnamed Tuoba, but it was changed to Yuan from then on.Emperor Wei Xiaowen's name was Yuanhong, which is the surname of the Han people.

The drastic reforms made by Emperor Xiaowen of Wei brought great political and economic development in the Northern Wei Dynasty, and further promoted the integration of Xianbei and Han.