Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3898 First, officials should recommend virtuous and talented individuals.
Fei Qian issued an order that after Sima Yi recaptured Taigu Pass, he and Li Yuan would advance into the Nanyang Basin and eventually remain in Nanyang to temporarily serve as the Prefect of Nanyang, responsible for pacifying refugees, reforming the bureaucracy, restoring production, and connecting Jing and Luo, among other things.

Of course, Nanyang is now largely abandoned, and resources are obviously scarce. Public facilities and water conservancy equipment are probably also severely damaged. Therefore, it is still necessary to raise funds and provide assistance from Xiangyang, Luoyang, and Guanzhong.

These related orders also need to be issued in advance so that all regions can start preparing. Otherwise, it would be very awkward if we waited until Nanyang had already set up the pot before urging them to tell us where the rice was.

Fei Qian had been considering sending Sima Yi to garrison Nanyang for a long time, and since Sima Yi had taken the initiative to propose it, he naturally went along with it...

After writing down Sima Yi's orders, Fei Qian pondered for a moment, then continued writing and issued several more orders.

First, he ordered the infantry under Jiang Jiong's command to be transferred to Zhu Ling's control, and to immediately lead his personal guards and cavalry back to the main camp in Gong County to await further orders.

Jiang Jiong and Zhu Ling's collaboration in attacking Yique Pass was successful, but their troops had been fighting for a long time and needed rest. Moreover, Jiang Jiong's personality was relatively cautious, so he was transferred back to the core area for another assignment. At the same time, Jiang Jiong was good at commanding cavalry, while Zhu Ling was good at commanding infantry. The Songshan area of ​​Yique Pass did not need too many cavalry. It would be better to leave Zhu Ling and the infantry to attack Taigu Pass and then the Nanyang Basin together with Li Yuan and Sima Yi.

Zhu Ling was ordered to lead his troops and infantry to join forces with Li Yuan's forces to attack Taigu Pass and Guiku Pass. Zhu Ling was appointed as the commander-in-chief, Li Yuan as his deputy, and Sima Yi as his military advisor. The priority was to quickly open the passage through Songshan Mountain and eliminate Xun Yu's remaining forces.

After breaking through the pass, apart from leaving necessary troops to garrison key passes and follow Sima Yi's coordination to maintain order in Nanyang, the main force would seize the opportunity to move eastward, cooperate with Gan Ning and Guan Yu's troops, deter Yingchuan, and support all sides.

The third order was given to Hao Zhao...

Fei Qian ordered Hao Zhao's troops to move to Luoyang to assist Zao Zhi in defending Luoyang and surrounding key areas, suppressing illegal activities, and maintaining public order.

Hao Zhao is good at defense, and his injuries have not yet healed, so he is not suitable for fighting on the front lines.

Luoyang has just been recovered, but undercurrents have not yet been quelled. It is precisely the presence of a general with both prestige and military prowess like him that is needed to reassure the people.

The fourth order was to dispatch Du Ji.

Du Ji resigned from his post as Military Advisor of the Central Army and immediately went to Luoyang to serve as the Assistant Governor of Henan Province, assisting Zao Zhi in charge of important civil affairs such as household registration, land survey, tax planning, and resettlement of displaced people in the Heluo region.

Du Ji was calm and meticulous, but among the strategists of the central army, he was somewhat cautious and did not fully utilize his strengths.

Returning them to their local areas to handle the specific and complex civil affairs is precisely using their strengths, which can greatly reduce the pressure on Zaozhuang and accelerate the recovery of the Heluo region.

The fifth order was given to Huang Xu, transferring him to the position of Prefect of Pingyang, in charge of the military defense of Pingyang and ensuring the stability of Bingzhou.

Huang Xu was loyal and brave, enough to guard the area.

As a member of the Huang clan, Huang Xu and Fei Qian are essentially in a system where one's fate is the same as the other's, and their fortunes are the same as each other's. Huang Xu can serve as an important balancing force in Hedong and prevent any unnecessary problems from arising within Hedong.

The sixth order was given to Xun Chen.

The emperor ordered Xun Chen, the governor of Hedong, to immediately return from Shanxian County to Anyi, the administrative center of Hedong, to preside over the administration of Hedong and to coordinate the transportation of grain and fodder via the Fen River and the Yellow River.

The river is about to freeze over, and ice floes are gradually damaging the waterway. Before it freezes completely, transportation will be essentially paralyzed. Therefore, the allocation of supplies and the transport of personnel must be completed within this timeframe; otherwise, it will take one or two months before it can be bypassed by navigating the frozen area.

Xun Chen was originally the governor of Hedong, and his southward journey to Shanxian was a temporary strategic necessity. Now that Heluo has been recovered, he must return to his post as soon as possible to ensure the stability of Hedong, this important logistical base, and the efficiency of material transportation.

The seventh order was to appoint Kan Ze as the governor of Shangdang, replacing Jia Qu in his vacant post, to pacify the local area, guard key passes such as Huguan, connect Taiyuan and Hedong, and secure the southeastern gateway of Bingzhou.

Kan Ze has been in the Ministry of Personnel for quite some time now; it's time to send him to a local area for further training.

Kan Ze is also quite capable, more than qualified to serve as a prefect, which would allow Jia Qu to focus on advising on military affairs at the front lines. There had been rumors of Kan Ze being transferred away from Chang'an, and now it seems perfectly justified.

The key point is that the general trend has been basically determined now, so those petty scheming people in Chang'an are less likely to dare to show their faces, and the pressure on the Wen Si is naturally reduced, making it the best time for rotation and change of shifts.

The eighth order was given to Wang Chang, ordering him to go to Chang'an to replace Kan Ze as his deputy and take charge of the work.

Wang Chang is cautious and strict. Whether in Heluo or now assisting with military affairs, he has always been calm and unhurried, never vying for anything. He is very suitable for a position like the Youwensi, which requires a calm and focused approach to work. Therefore, we will let Wang Chang fill in for a while and see how it goes...

The orders issued by Fei Qian were largely based on considerations of personnel characteristics, injuries, strengths and weaknesses, local conditions, and strategic needs, resulting in corresponding adjustments. These included strengthening frontline assault forces as well as consolidating the rear base; ensuring the proper care of the wounded while deliberately arranging for those needing training; leveraging strengths while addressing weaknesses…

From a certain perspective, this personnel change is not merely a tactical personnel reshuffle, but rather an adjustment and strategic layout by Fei Qian from a holistic perspective, concerning the future political structure, local governance, and strategic rear construction.

Only after the final order was sealed with an official seal and delivered by trusted messengers of different ranks did Fei Qian finally breathe a long sigh of relief.

Outside the tent, the sky remained dark, but new deployments had already begun.

These commands, like chess pieces being placed, work together in the grand game of heaven and earth, propelling the world's trends steadily toward the direction Fei Qian hoped for.

……

……

The night was deep, and inside the central command tent, a huge candle burned brightly on a bronze multi-branched lampstand.

The red-hot charcoal in the brazier beside them was quietly radiating heat, dispelling the chill inside the tent.

After a brief rest and washing, Zhuge Liang went to the central command tent and had a late-night talk with Fei Qian by candlelight.

Who knows, there might even be a smooth little combo of sleeping side by side...

The shadows of the two sitting opposite each other were cast on the tent wall, swaying slightly.

On the one hand, Zhuge Liang had been away from the central government for too long, and there had been some changes in the relevant systems, so he was basically unaware of the changes in Zhuge Liang's thinking. On the other hand, Fei Qian was also quite interested in Zhuge Liang's experiences and gains during his years of wandering...

There were some things that Fei Qian had discussed briefly with Zhuge Liang before, but they hadn't gone into much detail at the time.

Now, we need to get to know each other better and determine each other's strengths and weaknesses...

The maps and documents on the table have been temporarily moved aside and replaced with two cups of tea.

The aroma of tea rises gently with the steam, appearing like clouds and illusions in the candlelight.

Fei Qian and Zhuge Liang sat facing each other, both having removed their daytime armor and wearing only deep robes and cloaks. They were less austere in their military duties and more relaxed, having a heart-to-heart talk.

Fei Qian raised his teacup, sipped his tea, and gazed at the candle flame. His voice was clear and deep. "Kongming," he said, "the Han Dynasty has lasted four hundred years. From Emperor Gaozu's slaying of the serpent and his rise from Pei, to Emperor Guangwu's restoration of the dynasty, to the decline of Emperors Huan and Ling, the empire has crumbled to this day… What are the reasons for this decline? Many wise men in the court and the countryside blame the empress's relatives, eunuchs, powerful ministers, and border conflicts. Is this true?"

Fei Qian trusted Zhuge Liang's abilities in military and civil affairs, but now he was asking about the big picture, about strategy...

Fei Qian believed that with Zhuge Liang's wisdom, he could naturally integrate quickly given enough time. However, the new system, new ideas, and new future direction were things that Fei Qian needed to first give Zhuge Liang a comprehensive overview of.

Fei Qian did teach Sima Yi, but Sima Yi didn't take it seriously, so he naturally had to bear the consequences. Fei Qian hadn't properly discussed Zhuge Liang before, so now it was time to talk about it.

Only when our thoughts are unified can we achieve unity in action.

From Qin Shi Huang's standardization of writing to the Ming and Qing dynasties' eight-legged essay, it was easy to create a unified ideology on the surface, but achieving a core consensus required more complex strategic maneuvering.

Fei Qian needs to reach a certain consensus with Zhuge Liang and push for the implementation of future systems...

Zhuge Liang replied solemnly, "My lord, I have pondered this matter. The decline of the Han dynasty is evident in the omens of powerful relatives of the empress dowager, such as the Dou, Liang, and He families; and the corrupting influence of eunuchs, like the Ten Attendants who brought disaster. This has led to the collapse of imperial authority and the ineffective implementation of imperial edicts. However, internally, powerful families in the prefectures and counties have seized power, leading to widespread peasant uprisings, the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and ultimately, widespread chaos and devastation. These are all deep-seated problems that are difficult to cure."

Fei Qian nodded slightly, put down his tea, and then slowly said, "What Kongming saw is something that everyone in the world has witnessed. However, merely knowing the facts is insufficient; one might see a patient with fever and cough and immediately diagnose it as a wind-evil, without delving into how the patient contracted the wind-evil or how their body became so weak."

Zhuge Liang, with a solemn expression, said, "I wish to hear your guidance, my lord."

For Zhuge Liang himself, he went from Langya in Shandong to Jingxiang, then from Jingxiang to Guanzhong, then from Guanzhong to Sichuan, and now he has returned to Heluo. It can be said that for his age, his experience is much richer than that of his peers. This has made the current Zhuge Liang very different from the Zhuge Liang of his time in history.

Not only did he no longer wear a feather fan and silk turban, Zhuge Liang now exuded a more rugged and military aura.

As for that arrogance of "even a child knows," there wasn't a trace of it.

Zhuge Liang encountered ethnic conflicts earlier than in history, and was more aware that the problems of the Han Dynasty lay not only with the upper-level rulers, but also with the actual power holders in the countryside.

In fact, Zhuge Liang's "Longzhong Plan" already demonstrated some of his simple ideas of "people-oriented and people-centered" thinking...

This may be an important reason why Zhuge Liang, after much deliberation and investigation of various warlords, ultimately chose Liu Bei.

Of the three historical figures, Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan, only Liu Bei was more down-to-earth.

Zhuge Liang described this idea of ​​"people-oriented and people-centered" as "favorable timing, geographical advantage, and harmonious human relations." He emphasized that "harmonious human relations" was more important than "favorable timing," which was a very advanced theory in the social context of the time.

Of course, later keyboard warriors will probably put their hands on their hips and say that this is nothing, that even a three-year-old knows this, etc. But when compared with other famous figures of the Eastern Han Dynasty at the same time, you can see how advanced and ahead of his time Zhuge Liang's theory was!
It's important to know that many scholars and prominent figures in Ji and Yu provinces during the Eastern Han Dynasty, these supposedly culturally flourishing regions, were still engrossed in searching for "Tu Gao"...

At the same time, Zhuge Liang in history also attached great importance to the relationship between the economy and the people's hearts, and proposed "internal reform of governance". In his later governance of Shu, he did indeed demonstrate his practical actions based on this theory.

However, Zhuge Liang's "waiting for a change in the world" also exposed his passivity, indicating a lack of proactive problem-solving or an inability to know how to solve problems, leaving him only to wait passively. As for Zhuge Liang's overly idealistic view of Jingzhou and the strategic imbalance of blocking both sides with Sichuan and Shu, these were fatal flaws and belonged to military shortcomings, which will not be elaborated further.

Fei Qian looked at Zhuge Liang and slowly said, "To thoroughly understand the principles of things, one should ask four questions. First, ask 'Why is it so?' What are the circumstances? Second, ask 'Why is it so?' How did it come to this? Third, ask 'How did it come to this?' How can it be changed? Fourth, ask 'What is the result of this change?' After the change, what will happen next? The advantages and disadvantages must be weighed."

Fei Qian's voice turned solemn, "However... in all things in the world, one should not go to extremes, lest the universe be turned upside down, and old ailments not healed while new ones arise."

Zhuge Liang also looked at Fei Qian, "For example... Wang Mang?"

Fei Qian did not avoid Zhuge Liang's gaze and nodded, "Like Wang Mang."

Zhuge Liang bowed respectfully, saying, "My lord possesses great wisdom; the world is fortunate indeed!"

Fei Qian gave a slight nod of support, indicating to Zhuge Liang that there was no need for such formality, and then continued: "Therefore, I believe that the world must have an 'Emperor'..."

Zhuge Liang frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, and hesitated to speak.

Fei Qian, observing his expression, couldn't help but smile and said, "I understand Kongming's concerns. However, the world is vast, and no single person can govern it all. Yet, since the world is so vast, a universally respected title is needed to unify the people's hearts and prevent chaos and disorder. In the past, the Zhou dynasty practiced feudalism, with feudal lords rising and falling in succession, and wars never ceasing. Although Qin unified the empire, its harshness and tyranny led to its downfall. The Han dynasty inherited the Qin system, thus enjoying four hundred years of relative peace. This shows that only by unifying the empire can there be a foundation for tranquility. Without a universally recognized ruler, any tyrant or villain could claim the title, war would rage on daily, and the common people would never find peace. Therefore, the title of 'Emperor' is like the pivot of a tripod, indispensable."

Zhuge Liang frowned in thought, his eyes still clouded with doubt.

Fei Qian's tone sharpened: "The title of 'Emperor' may remain, but the actual imperial power must be restrained! Dong Zhongshu attributed the Mandate of Heaven to him, but the people suffered and the emperor was blamed… This is a sound argument, yet it is difficult to implement. The power of the world, the decision of life and death, rests entirely in the hands of one person; the lives, joys, sorrows, and deaths of countless people hang in the balance of one person. This person may be wise or foolish, young or old, controlled by powerful relatives, eunuchs, or upright officials, or stubborn, biased, and prejudiced… Alas! This is truly the path to chaos! This is also the reason for the deep-seated problems of the Han Dynasty! Excessive concentration of power without checks and balances inevitably breeds corruption and leads to madness and depravity. Where throughout history have we found a virtuous person? This is not solely the fault of individuals, but a failure of the system."

Dong Zhongshu may have intended to restrain imperial power, but it was merely a vague "curse," and a delayed one at that, unable to provide timely feedback. Therefore, it could not possibly have any real binding force on imperial power.

"Does my lord intend to emulate the Zhou dynasty's system, establishing a nominal monarch and elevating the position of prime minister, thus implementing a system where the prime minister oversees all affairs of state?" Zhuge Liang inquired tentatively.

Fei Qian shook his head slightly. "A prime minister? A prime minister is only human. The drawbacks of concentrating power in the hands of the prime minister are similar to those of concentrating it in the hands of the emperor. A prime minister can be weary or old, can have faults or personal interests. If a wise prime minister is encountered, it is a blessing for the nation; if a treacherous minister is encountered, it will bring disaster. Moreover, one person's wisdom is limited; how can he possibly see through all affairs and manage the affairs of millions of people? Ultimately, he will have to delegate to others and create other obstacles. A prime minister with absolute power is not a way to ensure the long-term stability of the country."

Upon hearing Fei Qian's "dissenting opinion," Zhuge Liang's eyes shone even brighter. He leaned forward slightly, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "If that's the case, then what should be done? I humbly request your guidance, my lord."

Fei Qian pondered for a moment before speaking: "This matter... I have considered for a long time. Perhaps we could establish 'Three Departments,' roughly equivalent to the Three Dukes of ancient times, each holding the power of issuing edicts, reviewing them, and implementing them, thus ensuring mutual checks and balances and preventing arbitrary actions. Under them, we could set up 'Six Ministries,' modeled after the Six Officials of the Zhou Rites, with detailed divisions of duties, each responsible for personnel, revenue, rites, military affairs, justice, and public works, so that each department has its own jurisdiction and that the administration is orderly and systematic."

The Three Departments existed very early on, especially the Department of State Affairs, which was the earliest government institution. During the reign of Emperor Guangwu of Han, the Department of State Affairs was divided into six departments: the Department of the Three Dukes, the Department of Personnel, the Department of Civil Affairs, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Officials with a Salary of Two Thousand Stones, and the Department of Officials of the Central Capital. These were the predecessors of the Six Ministries.

Later, the Sui Dynasty established the "Five Departments and Six Ministries System," with the five departments including the Inner History Department, the Chancellery Department, the Department of State Affairs, the Secretariat Department, and the Palace Attendants Department. The Tang Dynasty then changed it to the Three Departments and Six Ministries System, which is the most familiar system to later generations.

This theory of governance was even used in later generations; the so-called separation of powers ultimately evolved from the Three Departments system...

The Three Departments and Six Ministries system of traditional Chinese feudal dynasties can be modeled after the management structure of a top-tier company. The CEO is like the emperor, with departments such as strategy, risk control and compliance, and operations headquarters. Each department has a clear division of labor, collaborates, and supervises others, but ultimately reports to the CEO to improve operational efficiency. Most of the profits and power belong to the CEO and the board of directors. The remaining benefits go to the major shareholders; as for retail investors…

As for the standard separation of powers—and this is a standard, idealized version—it resembles a country's constitutional framework, where parliament, government, and courts are independent, not subordinate to each other, and mutually check and balance each other. The purpose is to prevent any single entity from wielding absolute power, to protect citizens' rights, and to eliminate the single supreme leader, with the constitution being paramount. However, in reality, the interests of citizens are something that many countries have struggled to guarantee…

However, a complete "separation of powers" is essentially an idealized utopia. As long as those in positions of power are still human, the struggle and acquisition of power will inevitably continue, much like land annexation, ultimately leading to dictatorship.

It just makes establishing a dictatorship a bit more difficult...

Fei Qian first proposed the simpler Three Departments and Six Ministries system. On the one hand, other systems were too ambitious and prone to failure. On the other hand, Fei Qian took the lead in separating the emperor from imperial power, thus depriving the dictator of a fundamental basis for his rule.

The Three Departments and Six Ministries system has been implemented in China for over a thousand years, which demonstrates its superiority. With some improvements based on its shortcomings, it may well develop into something new.

Zhuge Liang's eyes flashed with sharpness.

Fei Qian did not disturb Zhuge Liang, allowing Zhuge Liang to think.

After a moment, Zhuge Liang said to Fei Qian, "My lord's concerns are very valid... However, I believe that this system still does not resolve the fundamental problem..."

Zhuge Liang paused for a moment and looked at Fei Qian.

Fei Qian smiled, indicating to Zhuge Liang that there was no need to worry. Zhuge Liang then continued, "I am unworthy, but having traversed Sichuan and crossed the Yangtze River, I have seen many farmers lose their fields… Losing their fields inevitably leads to the displacement of people, shaking the very foundation of the nation… Furthermore, although imperial edicts originate from the central government, pass through provincial and ministerial levels, and reach the counties and villages, they are often rendered ineffective by the last gasp of a spent force. Many are manipulated by corrupt officials and powerful figures, leaving the people unaware of the emperor's intentions and the court oblivious to the plight of the people. Without addressing these two issues, even the best policies are like building a grand mansion on shifting sands…"

Upon hearing this, Fei Qian burst into laughter.

He did not feel offended by Zhuge Liang, but rather felt joy.

This is exactly the Zhuge Liang that Fei Qian wanted to see!