Chapter 54 Section 4 Conspiracy and the Lonely Old Man

In the sunny spring of March, the state of Qin became very lively. Bai Xue Hou Ying had already returned to Liyang in February, and Xiang Liqin, one of the "Four Sages of the Mohist School", also came with him.They brought back Qin Xiaogong's letter, and Xiang Liqin also announced to the people of Qin in Liyangnan City that the misunderstanding between the Mo family and the State of Qin was clarified and the newly repaired proclamation was made.When the news spread, the city and the countryside rejoiced.The old Qin people began to plan their own life early.Before the commencement of plowing, the urban and rural areas of Qin State were already busy.As soon as the waking sting passed, the rural farmers went out of their homes to their fields one after another, and the spring plowing of the whole field began quietly.After the crown prince performed the plowing ceremony on behalf of the county officials, the county officials went to the countryside to supervise the plowing. The fields had already been plowing cattle all over the field, and the spring songs were answering each other, which was very lively.The craftsmen and merchants in the city ignored the mud that had just melted from the ice and snow, and drove ox carts to send farm tools, salt, cloth, and other sundries to new villages one by one for sale.In the past, businessmen couldn't do it even if they wanted to.Farmers live scattered in the well fields blocked by ditches, carrying people on their shoulders, and they can't leave several houses in a day. How can they do business?Now the farmers have moved out of the well fields and live together in villages. When the ox carts drive to the village to yell for a while, the women who stay at home come out one after another to buy or trade.The merchants and craftsmen were happy, the farmers were happy, everyone was happy, and they praised the new law.

The ex-slaves who are no longer slaves are the most excited. In the villages where they live together, in addition to the busy spring plowing, a new content has been added, which is to send their young men to the county government to join the army!The simple and honest new freedmen feel that they have become "Chinese people" and deserve the dignity and honor of "Chinese people".At that time, the greatest honor of the free people of the country was to have a knight who fought in the battlefield at home.In the past, when slaves joined the army, they could only be pawns, not knights, let alone the possibility of being promoted to generals.The best ending for a slave soldier is to return home as an old soldier.Now, the peasants who are no longer slaves take action in the village, led by the village officials, and send the young and strong men to the county magistrate in groups.The Qin State has always been at war, and everyone knows that the government will always need knights.One spring, this trend spread, and young people were surrounded by torches at night in front of almost every county government gate.

The counties reported the news to Liyang with flying horses, and Wei Yang discussed with Jing Jian Che Ying to plan to realize the training plan of the new army ahead of schedule.The general plan was agreed, and Wei Yang ordered: order Che Ying to be the chief general of the new army, and carefully select 10,000 young and middle-aged men to join the army. The original 50,000 infantry has been reduced to 20,000; the sick, old and weak who were eliminated will all return to the countryside to work in agriculture, and the old horses of the cavalry and the old cattle of the heavy soldiers will all be allocated to the villages that send young and strong into the army for farming. livestock.

At the beginning of April, Wei Yang had already arranged the training of the new army, so he was going to pay a special visit to Yingqian, and wanted to discuss a way to change the law of the nobles' fiefdoms.Not wanting to make the trip, Yingqian has already come to visit. "Master Zuo Shu, you've got a lot of friends. I waited for three days to see what's going on today." As soon as he sat down, Yingqian was filled with emotion. "Zuo Fu doesn't know, I'm about to go to pay a visit, and I came unexpectedly. Yang is really gratified." "Looking for me? The truth? Is there something wrong?" Yingqian laughed dubiously.

Wei Yang smiled, "I have a problem, please help Zuo Fu, how dare you be fake?" "Okay, let's talk about state affairs and private affairs, Yingqian's gang." "It's a matter of state." Wei Yang opened a scroll of bamboo slips, "This is the decree to abolish noble fiefdoms. I would like to make a slight amendment to this decree. All fiefdoms will be banned, and hereditary fiefdoms except the crown prince will be banned; at the same time, The land will be granted to future meritorious persons; however, the fief has no right to rule, and only 30% of the fief tax will be reserved. In this way, the monarch rewards his ministers for their meritorious deeds, and the public and nobles can also be at ease. What does Zuo Fu think?"

"Okay!" Yingqian slapped the table and laughed, "Good reform! Zuo Shuzhang is worthy of being a famous person with far-reaching thoughts. These bird nobles in Liyang are nothing more than sticking to the banning of the prince's fiefdom and making their own articles. Such a change will make them dumb. Eating Coptis chinensis is wonderful! There is no reward for meritorious deeds, and there is room for rewards for those who have made great achievements. In fact, the power of governance belongs to the country, and most of the power of taxation belongs to the country. Good! Yingqian wanted to say it a long time ago, because he was afraid that those bird nobles would borrow me. Noisy. Zuo Shuchang changed himself, and drew the salary from the bottom of the pot!"

Wei Yang shook his head, "Zuo Fu, the stability of laws and regulations is the most important thing. If you want to amend it, you need a reputation. How can I change it myself?" "Ah, are you afraid of ruining your reputation? Well, tell me how to change it, and I'll take the lead." Yingqian laughed. "Let Zuo Fu submit a letter to the monarch, and the emperor will directly issue an edict to revise it. If this is the case, it will be unimpeded." Yingqian teased and smiled, "Master Zuo Shu, Mr. Zuo Shu, you gave me some credit for nothing, why bother?"

Wei Yang laughed loudly, "For me, what I want is the reputation of doing what I say. Losing trust with the people is like a landslide." "Okay, everyone has their own gains. I have said this before, and I have a matter." "National and private matters?" Wei Yang replied with a smile. "What state affairs does Yingqian have today? Private matters. Happy events." Yingqian smiled quite mysteriously. Wei Yang was stunned, "What's the matter of selfishness, to work for Zuo Fu?" Yingqian couldn't help laughing happily, "Let me tell you the truth, the queen mother has chosen you as a son-in-law. Princess Yingyu also admires you very much. The queen mother sent me to propose marriage to you. Isn't it fate that you are alone in Qin?"

Wei Yang was very surprised, he quickly waved his hands and said: "Zuo Fu is on the way. Although I am alone, I am engaged, and I dare not lie to the Queen Mother." Yingqian smiled and said: "You, don't talk to me. Your parents are dead, and the countries are wandering, who will be the one to decide for your engagement? Even if you know a few women in Anyi, they are also famous and romantic, how can you take it seriously? Aha Ha ha……" "No. Zuo Fu, Wei Yang is speaking the truth, not prevarication." Yingqian pondered for a while and said: "Okay, let's not talk about this matter now, let you think about it for a few days. Mr. Zuo Shu, Yingyu is the princess of Qin, you have to think twice...Okay, Yingqian said goodbye .”

Wei Yang was stunned for a long time, not knowing how Yingqian left. That night, Wei Yang came to Weifeng Inn to visit Bai Xue and Hou Ying.Hou Ying happily solved a case of Qin cuisine, and the three of them drank heavily. When they talked about the adventures of the Mo family's trip, the deep mystery of the old Mozi, and the great wisdom and bravery of Duke Qin, they were deeply moved.Finally, when we talked about Liyang, about the inn, and about Xiaoheya who had left with the innocent black pillar, the three of them sighed again, and even Meigu who was next to him was moved to tears.Wei Yang wanted to talk about Yingqian's visit to propose marriage several times, but finally felt that he should refuse it, and there was no need for everyone to worry about it, so he never mentioned it.Nearly four o'clock, the three of them finished the small banquet, and Bai Xue helped Wei Yang, who was already drunk, back to the quiet small courtyard...

Yingqian was quick and quick, and the next day he sent the elders of the mansion to send the draft of the letter to the monarch, and asked Wei Yang to review it and correct it.Wei Yang made two minor revisions, and asked his elders to bring them back.On the third day, Wei Yang sent an urgent messenger to send Yingqian's letter together with his own long letter to Qin Xiaogong who continued to patrol Longxi.Ten days later, the urgent messenger brought back Qin Xiaogong's edict.Wei Yang immediately issued the edict of the monarch to the government and the people of the counties and counties, and in the name of the Zuoshu Changfu, he issued the amendments to the fief laws.For a moment, the upper nobles in Liyang seemed to have been beaten with a sap, and they were silently surprised. Only the young prince Ying Si was very happy.Now, he can own a fief again! Ying Si's longing for the fiefdom began with the association with the old patriarch of the Bai clan.Based on his youthful nature, every time the old patriarch comes, Ying Xi feels fresh and friendly. One is those rural gifts, or a piece of animal skin, or a few baskets of mulberries, or a white fox, or a black cat, which makes Ying Xi feel fresh and friendly. Can't put it down.The second is that the old patriarch can tell a lot of anecdotes about the countryside every time, which makes Ying Si know many things that he didn't know before.The old patriarch had already agreed to invite him to hunt in the fief after the autumn harvest this year.Boring in Liyang all day studying, Ying Si was really out of breath.Father-in-law had already been on the battlefield when he was his age, but he hadn't fought in the past few years, so he had no chance to fight the enemy if he wanted to.Therefore, hunting in autumn became a long-awaited dream in his heart.Who would have expected that it was at this time that Wei Yang reformed the law and banned the fiefdom, and the old patriarch of the Bai clan was also killed.He really couldn't figure it out, and he was full of resentment towards Wei Yang, thinking that this Zuo concubine was really cruel and lenient!Not only will all the official offices be banned, but even whoever lectures to him must be controlled.You Fu Gongsun Jia asked the old grand master Qian Long to give lectures a few times, Wei Yang urged his uncle and son Qian to interfere, making You Fu and the old grand master boring, really is this unreasonable?He originally wanted to call Wei Yang to the Prince's residence and give him a severe reprimand.But for some reason, he always has an inexplicable fear of this unsmiling old master who always wears a white coat and shakes his head when talking about him.In terms of temperament, Uncle Yingqian is the God of Fire and Thunder, everyone is afraid of everyone, but Ying Si is not afraid of Uncle at all.This Wei Yang has never lost his temper with anyone once, and even met Ying Si very rarely, but Ying Si has an inexplicable alienation and fear towards him.It just so happened that the father-in-law was not in Liyang, so Ying Si had to hold his breath in the palace, not daring to talk or move, for fear that Wei Yang, who would dare to kill anyone, would catch him for some reason and kill him too... Right here During the uneasy days, the crown prince's fiefdom was suddenly restored, and Ying Si was so happy that he wanted to jump up! Zuo Fu Yingqian came to read out Zuo Shu's long decree: the prince's fiefdom was restored, 30% of the tax was paid, and he had no right to rule; in view of the far distance of Mei County, the prince could choose half a county west of Lishan as a fiefdom. "No. I want the original Bai family of Mei County to be my fief." Ying Si did not hesitate. "The land of the Bai family in Mei County only has three townships, but it's much less." "I don't want so much, and I don't really live on the fief." Ying Si said very flatly. Yingqian murmured, "Si'er, Mei County is an old land of the Qin State. The fiefdoms of Grand Master Gan Long and You Fu Gongsun Jia are also in Mei County. The situation is complicated. You should choose Lishan." "So what? Mr. Zuo Shu only said that Mei County is too far away, but he didn't say anything else. Ying Si is not afraid of being far away." "Okay. After all, it's not a big deal. I'm the master of Zuo Shu, the Bai family of Mei County." "Thank you Zuo Fu." Ying Si smiled happily. Wei Yang received Yingqian's report, and wanted to force a correction, but after thinking about it, he finally approved a "yes".After the order was issued, the county magistrate of Mei immediately summoned the village officials who had been restored to the prince's fiefdom to the county government to issue an order, clarifying the method of governing power and tax distribution.These villages belong to the Mengxi Bai tribe, so they are naturally very happy.For a while, they had a special status of "nobility" compared to ordinary peasant households, especially the new free citizens who were expelled from Bilinong. The decree to amend the fief surprised Qianlong.He didn't expect that Wei Yang, who was aggressive and indomitable, had such a flexible ability to look back?In the situation of Qin State, changing the law is a dead end, and no one can oppose the reform.As a veteran of governing the country, Qian Long didn't know the pros and cons.However, when people like Wei Yang came to reform the law, Qian Long harbored deep hostility.There is only one reason. Wei Yang's political reform in the Qin State forced all the old veterans and important officials of the Qin State to an embarrassing dead end. All fell into the disgraceful situation of conservative nobles.In the Warring States period, it was the trend of the world to seek change and innovation, and the old and retro were cast aside by the world.Otherwise, why would such famous people as Confucian Confucius and Mencius be as panic-stricken as a bereaved dog?The Qin family was not conservative at all, but without Wei Yang, the Qin family seemed extremely pedantic.The power of Qin State was originally stable and balanced, but Wei Yang unexpectedly experienced turmoil and overturning.Wei Yang was like a huge wedge stuck in the Qin Kingdom, squeezing the temple frame until it creaked and almost burst, and the one who was squeezed the most was Qianlong!Although Yingqian lost Zuo Shuzhang, he was still the crown prince Fu, the general, and the eldest brother of the monarch, after all, he still had some military power.Although Gongsun Jia and Du Zhi lost their real power, they finally entered the ranks of temple ministers.Only myself, the senior official of the third generation, a senior official, and a minister in charge of politics, only got the title of Grand Master!It's jaw-dropping.Taishi, this is an ancient name that has long been forgotten by the world. The so-called "assisting Yin and Yang, connecting heaven and man, and appeasing the four kingdoms" has long been scorned in the six kingdoms of Shandong, and no one cares about it.Now, he has just become such an old grand teacher, how can Qian Long not feel useless? Although wimpy and filthy, on the outside Qian Long is calm and calm, doing what he should do, saying what he should say, without any embarrassment.For example, when he lectured to the prince, he did not avoid suspicion.He knew very well in his heart that the contest with Wei Yang would be a long one, at least until Qin State was not strong and Duke Qin did not lose trust in Wei Yang, it would be very difficult for Wei Yang to be overthrown.However, he firmly believed that a capable minister like Wei Yang would make mistakes sooner or later.Every time there is a flaw and attack, over time, Wei Yang's foundation will be eroded bit by bit.This is the "silkworm attack" strategy realized by Qianlong, which is to bury the soil that devours Wei Yang in the long years, and it will grow infinitely like Gun's "breathing soil", filtering the flood of Wei Yang's reform into his own dam. Gun was Yu's father, who was ordered by the Emperor of Heaven to control the floods in the world.The Emperor of Heaven bestowed Gun with a bag of magical soil called Xiyang, and told Gun to use it only as a last resort.When he came to the world, Gun saw that the flood was so overwhelming that there was no way to stand, so he immediately sprinkled a handful of breath soil.Who would have thought that the soil is so miraculous that the water is high and so is the height, which keeps increasing until it becomes a mountain and encloses the flood.Gun was overjoyed and felt that this was the best way to control the water!So the soil was continuously sprinkled out, blocking the flood in countless mountain dam circles.However, as the flood increased, countless people who hid in mountain caves were also drowned!The water is blocked, but people are trapped struggling on all the hills.As the soil was sprinkled, the soil suddenly disappeared... The Emperor of Heaven was furious and killed Gun, and only then did Dayu control the water. Qianlong wants to turn his "silkworm attack" strategy into a magical "breathing soil", competing with the water and never stopping! This is an ambitious goal that requires Qianlong to have a long life and a keen eye for finding gaps.Qianlong is not worried about these two points.He was born in an aristocratic family, with a strict personality, no bad habits, no hidden diseases, and never tired of the saddle horse.Over sixty years old, no deafness, no blurred eyes, no tooth loss, no hair loss, Tong Yanhe is light and healthy, confident that he will never die within thirty years.As for insight and missed opportunity, that is Qianlong's profound skill.Right now, he is thinking about this subtle opportunity. The prince's fief is in Mei County, and the fiefs of Qianlong and Gongsun Jia are also in Mei County, and they are lands connected by the canal.With such a pattern, there must be articles to do.What Lao Qianlong thought was whether to do this article alone, or to do it together with Gongsun Jia?After thinking for a long time, Qianlong decided to do it alone.Although Gongsun Jia has deep plans, he is definitely willing to work together to rectify Wei Yang. It is very easy to pull him.However, one more person means more risk. Wei Yang is by no means easy to deal with, once he finds out, it will be death.A great plan must be arbitrary, and arbitrary can be unexpected, and only when it is practiced in the world can it have a mysterious reputation of "heaven's tolerance", and it can also encourage the Qin family to threaten the monarch with "the destiny" and "the way of heaven", forcing Wei Yang to fall! But more importantly, Qian Long has a mission established in his heart-the one who sows the seeds of "inverted martingale" in Qin must be him, and it must not be someone else!Only in this way will he have a real sense of victory on the day when Wei Yang falls from power. In the evening, Qian Long summoned his eldest son, Gan Cheng, and put a volume of Confucius' "Spring and Autumn" in the study, and another volume of Li Kui's "Fa Jing", and began to speak eloquently.At the middle of the night, Qianlong finally put aside the bamboo slips and talked about the state of Qin, the present, and Mei County. The father and son talked more and more deeply, until the battle at the Liyang City Tower ended, and Liming's trombone blew.