Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3797 The sky is like a stone
As the autumn wind swept across the sprawling camps of Hanoi, Fei Qian stood proudly outside the central command tent.

Generally speaking, given Fei Qian's current status, there is no need for him to greet anyone, but now Fei Qian is standing outside the tent to welcome Jia Qu.

Jia Qu came from Shangdang this time, crossed the Taihang Mountains, and brought soldiers, provisions, livestock and other supplies to replenish Fei Qian's army.

Taiyuan and Shangdang are known as Little China.

This land has witnessed the birth, expansion, crisis, and rebirth of Chinese civilization. As the saying goes: "To know China, one must see Shanxi; to understand Chinese civilization, one must understand Shangdang."

The reason why Taiyuan and Shangdang are so important is that they are not only a "miniature of China" in terms of geographical environment, but also the "birthplace" of Chinese civilization and a "backup area" in the historical process.

During the periods of division, such as the Sixteen Kingdoms and the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Taiyuan served as the capital of separatist regimes for a long time, becoming a place where Han culture in the north was preserved. Shangdang, due to its strategic location, repeatedly served as a refuge for refugees and gentry, preserving the flame of Central Plains civilization and becoming a haven for Chinese culture in turbulent times.

Jia Qu saw Fei Qian standing outside the main tent to greet him from afar, and hurriedly stepped forward, kneeling on the ground: "Qu greets Your Majesty!"

Fei Qian looked at Jia Qu, who had arrived travel-worn, and a genuine smile appeared on his face. He stepped forward and personally helped him up, saying, "Liang Dao, you must have had a long journey!"

When the two met, they were momentarily in a daze.

Back then, Fei Qian was merely a minor military officer, while Jia Qu lived a life of poverty and dependence on others...

Fei Qian looked Jia Qu up and down, noticing that Jia Qu had completely shed his youthful naiveté and naiveté, now displaying a shrewd and capable demeanor. He couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion, "It's been years... How have you been?"

Jia Qu, noticing the weathered marks on Fei Qian's face, asked, "My lord... how have you been?"

"Alright, alright!" Fei Qian took Jia Qu's hand and they walked together into the main tent.

After walking a few steps, Fei Qian finally came to his senses and subtly released Jia Qu. He then gestured for Jia Qu to sit down and had a guard pour tea.

Fei Qian influenced the Han Dynasty, but was also influenced by it.

He used to find it awkward for men to hold hands, but now he unconsciously gets used to some of the etiquette from the Han Dynasty...

People in the Han Dynasty placed greater emphasis on expressing emotions through physical contact, especially among men. Actions such as linking arms and shaking hands were considered part of etiquette. However, compared to the ancient Roman etiquette of embracing and kissing cheeks among men, the Han Dynasty's "linking arms" focused more on spiritual connection than on physical contact itself.

The tea steamed gently.

Jia Qu accepted the teacup with both hands, but did not rush to drink. Instead, he bowed solemnly and said, "I am deeply grateful for the trust and trust placed in me by my lord in me to lead the troops to Bingbei. I dare not slacken my efforts for even a moment. Today, having the opportunity to see my lord, I have many political matters to report to him in person."

Jia Qu spoke earnestly, and his demeanor revealed the composure of a pragmatic official.

"Alright, speak slowly." Fei Qian gestured for Jia Qu to relax and drink some tea first. "The land north of Bingzhou is the foundation of our army and the testing ground for our new policies. Liang Dao has governed here for several years; I would like to hear the details of the hardships and joys he has experienced."

Jia Qu took a couple of sips of tea to moisten his throat, then placed the teacup on a side table. He took out a scroll of mulberry paper, newly made by the cavalry workshop and easier to write and carry, and had a guard deliver it to Fei Qian.

Fei Qian unfolded the booklet, which was filled with densely packed yet clearly organized data.

"My lord," Jia Qu said slowly, "since your policies of valuing the people and their skills, the northern prefectures, especially Shangdang and Taiyuan, have seen a remarkable improvement, far surpassing what they were before."

"I'd like to hear the details," Fei Qian said, glancing at the pages.

Jia Qu was clearly confident and very familiar with the situation in the areas under his jurisdiction. "In Shangdang and Taiyuan prefectures, over three thousand new artisan households have been registered, all due to the needs of workshop customization, military equipment manufacturing, and water conservancy repairs. Previously, artisans held a low social status, faced heavy taxes, and their children had little chance of advancement. Now, not only are artisan registrations managed separately, but taxes have also been reduced. Outstanding artisans, such as the Feng family who improved the iron-smelting bellows and the Li family who developed a new type of seed drill, have been awarded the title of 'Master Craftsman' due to their superb skills, enjoying a salary of one hundred bushels of grain, exempt from bowing to officials, and their children can also attend engineering schools. With such role models, the spirit of craftsmanship among the people has been greatly encouraged. Last year, in Taiyuan prefecture alone, as many as seventeen suggestions for improving various machines and processes were proposed and adopted by artisans, applied to agriculture, mining, metallurgy, and textiles, with significant results."

A look of admiration flashed in Fei Qian's eyes. "The power of the people is boundless, and so is their wisdom. The old Confucian scholars who viewed craftsmen as mere frivolous skills were utterly mistaken. Only by valuing their practicality and respecting their labor can their creative potential be truly unleashed."

Jia Qu nodded and continued, "Secondly, in the past, officials in the prefectures and counties of Taiyuan and Shangdang often held multiple positions, including collecting taxes, judging cases, apprehending thieves, and promoting agriculture. While they appeared to be all-rounders, in reality, their energy was inevitably scattered, and they failed to fulfill their duties."

This problem was originally difficult to solve, especially in the context of war.

The so-called popular election of officials is bound to have various problems even in later generations, let alone in the Han Dynasty.

Without sufficient checks and balances, even the smallest amount of power can create a huge loophole for corruption.

Fortunately, the Taiyuan-Shangdang region was geographically advantageous. In the early and middle periods of the war, the duration was short and the losses were minimal. Furthermore, the intensity of the war was not high, and the region also attracted some refugees to replenish the local population.

Therefore, in the Taiyuan and Shangdang areas, a foundation was laid for the recruitment of new officials...

Jia Qu continued, “In the various prefectures of Bingbei, specialized officials have been gradually established for agriculture, industry, markets, and education. Agricultural officials are responsible for promoting new agricultural tools, selecting superior grain varieties, and repairing dikes and ponds; industry officials are responsible for supervising the construction of government-run workshops, assessing the ranks of artisans, and managing mineral resources; market officials are responsible for stabilizing prices, managing markets, and collecting commercial taxes; and education officials not only teach classical texts but also add practical subjects such as mathematics and law. With clearly defined responsibilities and performance evaluations, officials are able to perform their duties effectively, greatly increasing efficiency. Last autumn, Shangdang Prefecture, thanks to the promotion of new plows and the alternating field system, coupled with effective water conservancy repairs, saw its grain production increase by nearly 20% compared to three years ago.”

"Excellent!" Fei Qian clapped his hands. "Only by dividing responsibilities and assigning specific tasks can everyone make the best use of their talents and specialize in their respective fields. It seems this strategy has already begun to show results in Bingbei."

Jia Qu continued his report, "In the past, the path to officialdom was narrow, and those who were not well-versed in the classics and laws had little chance of advancement. Since Your Majesty established the imperial examination system, anyone skilled in agriculture, crafts, mathematics, medicine, or even business and translation, as long as they have proven their abilities and pass the examination, can enter officialdom or be granted corresponding titles and benefits. Last year, among those who took the imperial examinations in the northern prefectures, only 40% were well-versed in the classics; the remaining 60% were all practical talents with specialized skills. A veterinarian skilled in treating livestock diseases was appointed as the stable master; an experienced official proficient in arithmetic and accurate in surveying land was promoted to the position of Revenue Clerk; and even a merchant skilled in trading with the Xiongnu and Wuhuan tribes was appointed as a market official due to his familiarity with border affairs and his contributions to promoting trade. This measure has allowed many talents who previously had no hope of officialdom to shine and serve the country." The social atmosphere also changed. Elders taught their children not just to focus on those few volumes of scriptures, but to let each person develop their own strengths and find their own use.” Fei Qian nodded repeatedly, “This is truly a system where all professions can produce scholars. Selecting officials from various professions is not to belittle the classics, but to broaden the path for scholars, so that all talented people in the world, regardless of their background or expertise, have a way to serve the country and a path to advancement. Only in this way can we gather the strength of the nation and achieve extraordinary feats. Liang Dao, what changes have occurred in the social landscape since the implementation of the imperial examination system?”

Jia Qu bowed respectfully and said solemnly, “Your Majesty’s question resonates with me. Having governed Bingbei for several years, I have deeply observed the people of China. Their resilience is like that of reeds and rushes, their diligence surpasses that of Yu and Ji, truly unparalleled throughout the land. The common people are not incapable of poverty, nor are they inherently defiant of order. In the past, when Guan Zhong governed Qi, the granaries were full, and people knew etiquette; Han Fei, in his political discourse, used beheadings to determine rank and titles. What the people worry about now is not the existence or absence of rank and order, but rather, like Shang Yang’s hanging and moving of the log, they are concerned about the obstruction of rank and title. If only through hard work one could obtain grain, and through war one could be ennobled, then the people would naturally be content with food and drink and follow Your Majesty’s rule…”

Fei Qian sighed softly and nodded.

In feudal dynasties, the most crucial issue was not the elimination of social classes, but whether there were ladders to climb between these classes, and whether one's own efforts could lead to improved circumstances and hope for one's descendants!
Ancient feudal dynasties needed both social mobility mechanisms and political stability; one cannot take only one of these aspects to make a one-sided argument about the institutional problems of feudal dynasties.

Eliminating class barriers directly through the stomach was unrealistic in the feudal agricultural era with limited productivity.

Old Ma stated that the economic base determines the superstructure. The existence of classes is closely related to the level of development of productive forces. In feudal society, agriculture was the main mode of production, and the low level of productivity meant that the total social output was limited, only enough to maintain basic survival, and there was not enough surplus product to support a classless society.

To concentrate this 'limited' total social output on 'major undertakings,' a strong 'centralized' political system is naturally required. Attempts to eliminate classes and implement equal distribution may lead to widespread poverty and social chaos due to insufficient surplus products to meet everyone's needs.

Therefore, the most crucial aspect of a system that requires both "centralization" and "distribution" is to create a "ladder of hope."

Since class distinctions cannot be eliminated temporarily, or even for a considerable period of time, how can we prevent this rigid structure from exploding due to internal pressure? The answer is to build a relatively fair upward mobility channel, allowing the lower-class elites to see hope.

Don't deprive ordinary people of the opportunity to wear long robes!
In a completely closed system, pressure will only continue to accumulate.

When the elite at the bottom, who are also the most capable and ambitious group, find that all their efforts are meaningless, their talents and energy will be transformed into hatred and destructive power towards the existing order.

Conversely, if there were a path that tells people "excellence in studies leads to officialdom" and "military merit earns titles," instead of giving them a long robe to wear for a few days as a pretense, and then openly declaring that they shouldn't be reluctant to take it off...

As long as there is hope and change is possible, the social elites at the bottom will devote their energy to competition within the system, thus becoming maintainers of the system rather than gravediggers.

The rise of Qin was due to its military meritocracy system, which ensured that "the bravest warriors must rise from the ranks," giving ordinary people the opportunity to change their fate through military achievements. As a result, the Qin army was a fierce and powerful force that swept across the six kingdoms.

The prosperity of the Han Dynasty began with Emperor Wu's establishment of the recommendation system, which allowed talented individuals in local prefectures and counties to bypass the restrictions imposed by the nobles of the six former states. This enabled the government to continuously draw talent from the common people, maintaining its vitality. The early Western Han Dynasty saw a reshuffling of social classes after major upheavals, resulting in relatively wider upward mobility and contributing to the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing and the golden age of Emperor Wu.

The Tang Dynasty's strength stemmed from the Sui Dynasty's implementation of the imperial examination system, which gave grassroots elites, especially those from humble backgrounds, the possibility of rising from a peasant to a high-ranking official overnight. Emperor Taizong of Tang, seeing the newly appointed scholars filing in, exclaimed with delight, "The heroes of the world are now within my grasp!"

Once social classes become rigid, the ruling class may attempt to deprive the common people of the opportunity to wear long robes, as seen in the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties when powerful clans monopolized the Nine-Rank System, creating a situation where "the upper ranks had no commoners, and the lower ranks had no nobles." With such rigid class structure, the upper class becomes arrogant, extravagant, and complacent, while the lower-class elites, unable to serve their country, harbor resentment. This ultimately leads to prolonged division and instability. Those who cannot find effective channels for advancement within the country naturally turn to the Five Barbarian tribes!
Those powerful clans that clung to their privileges were also wiped out in the war, leaving China in turmoil and the people destitute!
Every major disaster in China has not been caused by a single external factor or ethnic group, but by a combination of internal and external forces!
A healthy dynasty will strive to keep this "ladder" open, using "hope" to tame "dissatisfaction" and "flow" to prevent "stagnation." When this ladder becomes narrow, corrupt, or even broken, it means that the dynasty's "mandate of heaven" is coming to an end. The social elites will no longer try to improve their situation through efforts within the system, but will choose to overturn the table and reshuffle the deck with violence.

When the "ladder" disappears and "hope" is extinguished, then the "soldier's cry" and the "Chu man's torch" are only a matter of time.

After listening to Jia Qu's words, Fei Qian remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Looking at the system of the Nine Tripods, though it establishes rank and hierarchy; looking up at the cloud ladder, it truly connects heaven and man. In the past, Ning Qi knocked on the horn and Duke Huan of Qi was promoted; Fu Yue raised the tablet and the Yin dynasty was renewed. Wei Qing herded pigs and eventually achieved great merit; Han Xin faced famine and eventually wore the seal of a marquis. If there were no path to heaven, how could a poor family rise to prominence?"

"Shang Yu hung a wooden sign to demonstrate his trustworthiness, and Guan Zhong opened the gates to welcome the virtuous. When the steps are unobstructed, both farming and warfare flourish; when the roads are paved, even commoners can attain high office. Thus, the Zhou dynasty's schools promoted the talented, and the Qin court's military merits elevated soldiers to high ranks. If only through diligent study and practice, why worry about the Jixia Academy remaining empty?"

"The social hierarchy is not fixed, yet it can be climbed; the Milky Way is distant, yet a raft can traverse it. I only wish that the celestial path would always be open and clear, so that no precious gem could be trapped in weeds..." Fei Qian's tone grew heavier, carrying a profound understanding of the world's ways. "In the past, recommendations were based on nepotism; even talented sons from poor families found it difficult to rise. Ordinary people toiled year-round, most of their earnings going to the powerful, their descendants forever bound to tenant farmers or slaves... Seeing no hope for advancement, the common people either schemed against each other, exhausting their strength; or they gave up on progress, merely seeking to survive in this chaotic world... This is not the people's laziness, but rather the flaws of the system!"

"What you say is very true, my lord," Jia Qu nodded in agreement. "Under the new policies, farmers will work diligently, improve their tools, and thus earn more for increased production. Their children can also be recommended for schooling based on their merits and skills. Craftsmen will hone their skills and gain respect and generous rewards for their expertise... Merchants and soldiers will also benefit, striving for excellence and perfection, without the need for constant urging and emphasis from officials... In this way, officials will achieve their goals, the people will benefit, and the nation will enjoy peace..."

Jia Qu pointed to the books on Fei Qian's desk and said, "Last year, the number of newly reclaimed fields in Bingbei, the number of small ponds and ditches spontaneously built by the people, the orders for new farm tools and furniture received by workshops, and even the market transaction volume all far exceeded those of previous years. This was not achieved by the government's coercion, but was truly the result of the people's spontaneous hard work, seeing hope for the future!"

"What Liang Dao said resonates deeply with me." Fei Qian nodded and slowly began, "Those who till the land will have food, those skilled in crafts will be rewarded, those who fight bravely will be honored, and those with talent will be put to good use. In this way, the people's strength can be restored, and the nation's power can be strengthened."

Fei Qian stood up and walked to the huge map hanging on the tent wall. His gaze swept across Bingbei, Heluo, and even the wider world. "Guanzi said, 'When the granaries are full, people know etiquette.' But how can the granaries be full? It's not just about favorable weather and location, but also about people giving their all and resources being used to their fullest potential. And for people to give their all, they need to see the fruits of their labor and have hope for the future. Liang Dao, everything you've done in Bingbei is putting this principle into practice. This achievement is no less than slaying generals and capturing flags."

Outside the tent, the autumn wind blew as usual, but inside, an in-depth conversation seemed to infuse the impending battle with even greater power.

This power comes not only from the sharpness of swords, but also from the vitality of a system that gives hope to countless ordinary people and makes them willing to fight for it.

Jia Qu rose, bowed solemnly, and said, "My lord's vision is boundless; I have merely followed orders and fulfilled my duties. The current state of affairs in Bingbei is entirely due to my lord's new policies. Without vigorously recruiting refugees, cultivating border lands, and promoting new technologies, Bingbei would lack the manpower and resources; without using trade and alliances to subdue the Xiongnu and Wuhuan, gradually leading them to agriculture and trade, the borders would be difficult to maintain, and this stable environment would not exist. I have simply refined the regulations and supervised their implementation."

Fei Qian waved his hand and laughed, "A merit is a merit, Liang Dao, there's no need to be so modest. If you continue to be modest, then I truly wouldn't have deserved this merit..."

Jia Qu quickly replied, "Ah, my lord should certainly be fair in rewarding and punishing!"

Fei Qian and Jia Qu looked at each other and smiled.

"The current battle between the Yellow River and Luo River is crucial to the fate of the Central Plains. Cao Mengde's scorched-earth policy is destroying our efforts to restore the Yellow River and Luo River; we must not allow him to succeed!" Fei Qian said, taking Jia Qu's hand and leading him to the front of the main tent. Gazing at the endless autumn scenery, he couldn't help but recite aloud, "In the past, I slept in the wind and snow, a lone shadow riding a cold donkey; today, we gather in the Yellow River and Luo River, together we will forge a path to the heavens... Liang Dao, please rest for a while; many important tasks ahead will still require your help."

"Qu, I will certainly not fail in my mission!" Jia Qu replied with his hands clasped in respect.

Just as Jia Qu was about to leave, soldiers rushed towards the main tent, shouting, "Report! We've discovered that Cao Cao's army has set up a roadblock at the ferry crossing! And they have hidden soldiers within the valleys and hills!"