The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 497 Father and Son Discussing Enfeoffment

Who doesn't want to divide the land and establish borders? Now you can obtain the fiefdom openly. What an honor it is. Although it is located in a wild place, it is also a family business that can be passed down.

Of course, it is also because the area is located in the wilderness, not outside the Central Plains, that these people are happy. Otherwise, they probably wouldn't dare to accept it. How long has it been since Liu Bang killed his meritorious officials?

The atmosphere in the entire hall suddenly became heated. While drinking, everyone was thinking about their own merits and what kind of rewards they would get.

Probably the most miserable ones were Zhou Yu and Lu Xun. Both of them were top-notch talents, but unfortunately, they had joined the Cavalry Corps for only a short time, so they could not have such good fortune.

"This time, the rewards will involve the soldiers who died in the past. According to the size of their merits, on the basis of the pension silver, they will be granted land of varying sizes. They can choose to go in the Central Plains or outside the Central Plains."

Qin Shou made another decision.

In the whole hall, everyone was surprised when they heard Qin Shou's decision. The reward not only involved the living soldiers, but also the spirits of the heroes who died in the battle could receive the land. This was undoubtedly the highest recognition of their merits. For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall became more heated, and everyone raised their glasses to show their respect to Qin Shou.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Everyone cheered in unison.

Although Zhou Yu and Lu Xun were somewhat disappointed, they had to admit that Qin Shou's decision was indeed a wise one. This not only comforted the living soldiers, but also brought real comfort to the families of the heroes who died on the battlefield.

It can be imagined that once these words are spoken today, the whole world will be united, and those soldiers will closely follow the banner of the new dynasty. Anyone who dares to oppose Qin Shou will be the mortal enemy of the soldiers.

Even more people joined the army to win military merits and to receive titles for their wives and children.

The two looked at each other and thought to themselves that perhaps this was also an opportunity for them to achieve great things in the future.

As the details of the rewards were gradually announced, the atmosphere in the hall reached a climax. Everyone began to calculate the fiefdoms they could get, and some even began to plan how to develop those wild lands and turn them into rich homes.

After three rounds of drinking, Qin Shou stood up, raised his glass, and said loudly: "Today's reward is not only a summary of the past, but also an expectation for the future. I hope you will join me in creating a peaceful and prosperous era!"

Everyone responded in unison, raised their glasses and drank together, and the hall was filled with lofty sentiments and ambitions.

After the banquet, Zhou Yu and Lu Xun walked out of the hall side by side. Lu Xun whispered to Zhou Yu: "Gongjin, what do you think about today's event?"

Zhou Yu smiled slightly, his eyes deep: "Qin Shou's move not only appeased the people, but also won more support for himself. Although we have not been rewarded for the time being, as long as we have the opportunity, we will be able to realize our ambitions."

Lu Xun nodded: “Yes, as long as we continue to work hard, there will be a place for us in the future.”

The two smiled at each other, their hearts full of anticipation for the future.

In the back garden, Qin Shou led his son Qin Chengqian walking on the path. He glanced at his eldest son and saw that his face was full of doubts. He immediately chuckled and said, "Do you think I shouldn't divide the land and seal the border?"

Qin Chengqian hesitated for a while before saying, "Father is a man of great talent and vision, so he must have thought things through. I am ignorant and cannot see the reason clearly." Qin Shou was very happy to hear that and praised him, "I am very pleased that you can say that. Although you doubt it, you have not denied it and you can think about the reason. This is very good."

"Thank you for the compliment, father." Qin Chengqian's face showed joy. He felt very happy to receive Qin Shou's praise.

Qin Shou smiled slightly, patted Qin Chengqian on the shoulder, and continued to walk slowly. The moonlight sprinkled on the path in the garden, reflecting the figures of the father and son. Qin Shou pondered for a moment and slowly said: "Dividing the land and enfeoffment may seem like a move to divide power, but in fact it is a clever plan to consolidate our Tang Dynasty."

Qin Chengqian frowned slightly, obviously confused by his father's words: "Father, rewarding meritorious officials and granting them land will not weaken the power of the central government? If the fiefdom is too large, the meritorious officials will have their own troops, and won't that threaten the royal power?"

Qin Shou nodded, with a hint of approval in his eyes: "The fact that you can think of this shows that you have begun to think about how to govern the country. However, dividing the land and enfeoffment is not a simple division of power, but a balancing act."

He stopped, looked up at the night sky, and continued, "Now that the new dynasty has just been established and the world is not stable, the meritorious officials have made great military achievements. If they are not rewarded, they will inevitably feel dissatisfied. Dividing the land and granting it to the court is not only a recognition of their merits, but also a way to tie their interests to the court. Although the fiefdoms are in the wild, they are far away from the Central Plains. Even if they want to raise troops and become powerful, it is difficult for them to pose a substantial threat to the central government."

Qin Chengqian nodded, not quite understanding.

"The fiefdom is at most 500 miles, but these 500 miles of land are not together. One part is in Jiaozhi, one part is in the Three Han, and one part is in Fuso. One part is in the east and one part is in the west. Do you think they have a chance to unite?" Qin Shou explained.

Qin Chengqian nodded thoughtfully: "Father, what you mean is that by rewarding meritorious officials, we can both appease their hearts and disperse their power to the border areas, thus preventing their power from expanding?"

Qin Shou nodded and continued, "It is located in a wild land. The court is unable to develop it now. It is handed over to these nobles. For the sake of future generations, they will find a way to develop it. However, the kindness of a gentleman will be cut off after three generations. Their descendants may not all be law-abiding people. Once they commit a crime, their fiefdom will be reduced. By that time, the fiefdom will be mature."

Qin Shou had a smile on his face, which made Qin Chengqian stunned. He didn't expect that Qin Shou would think so far ahead.

Qin Chengqian's eyes flashed with enlightenment: "Father is indeed far-sighted. In this way, the meritorious officials will not only not become a threat to the court, but will become a help to the court."

"The only drawback here is that the land outside the Central Plains needs to be seized by the imperial court. Therefore, the descendants of the Qin family cannot rest on their laurels. This is what your father did, and it should be the same when you inherit the throne in the future." Qin Shou's face was grim.

"My child remembers."

Qin Chengqian responded quickly.

Qin Shou nodded, with a hint of deep meaning in his tone: "The way to govern a country is to strike a balance. We must make the meritorious officials feel the grace of the court, and at the same time make them understand that their interests are closely related to the interests of the court. Only in this way can we ensure the long-term stability of the world."

Qin Chengqian bowed respectfully and said, "Father's teachings will be remembered in my heart."

"This is true for the meritorious officials, and it is also true for the soldiers below. Winning the support of the entire army is the foundation of the country. Gaining the support of the people of the world is the guarantee for the continuation of our Tang Dynasty."

Qin Shou patted his shoulder and said earnestly: "You are my son, Qin Shou. The future of the world needs you to rule. To govern a country, you must not only know how to use troops, but also know how to use people and power. Today's reward is not only a reward for meritorious officials, but also a way to win over the hearts of the people. You must remember that whoever wins the hearts of the people wins the world."

Qin Chengqian nodded solemnly: "I understand, and I will live up to my father's expectations."

(End of this chapter)