History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 961 Terminator——Zhao Kuangyin 5
Second, military reform
Zhao Kuangyin's reforms were also very flexible and not crude, such as the management of the northwest region at the beginning of the founding of the country.

In order to concentrate on pacifying the southern vassal states, Zhao Kuangyin made some deployments in the northwest region at the beginning of the founding of the country. He ordered his half-brother, Zhao Kuangzan (son of Zhao Yanshou) to station in Yanzhou, Dong Zunhui to guard Huanzhou, "Wang Jianer" Wang Yansheng to guard Yuanzhou, and Feng Jiye to station in Lingwu to guard against Western Xia; Li Hanchao stationed in Guannan, "national archer" Ma Renyu stationed in Yingzhou, Han Lingkun to guard Zhenzhou, He Weizhong to guard Yizhou, and He Jiyun to guard Dizhou to guard against Khitan; Guo Jin controlled Xishan, Wu Shouqi to garrison Jinzhou, Li Qianpu to guard Xizhou, and Li Jixun to sit in Luzhou to resist Northern Han.

Zhao Kuangyin gave them incredible trust and policy dividends. For example, Zhao Kuangzan was secretly granted the privilege of "acting at his own convenience" before leaving.

All these border generals had privileges such as "smuggling under imperial order" and "intercepting tribute under imperial order", and were stipulated to enjoy all tax revenues within their garrison, including customs duties.

Isn't this a step backwards? Of course not.

First of all, there are hints given in history books. For example, Zhao Kuangzan's "act at his own convenience" and Zhao Kuangyin's "do not receive secret orders and allow him to act at his own convenience" were Zhao Kuangyin's backup plan. If Zhao Kuangzan went too far or made a serious mistake, then as long as Zhao Kuangyin did not admit it, Zhao Kuangzan would be abusing power and plotting rebellion.

Secondly, all of these people's families were in the capital. On the surface, Zhao Kuangyin treated them well in the prosperous capital, but in reality he was holding them hostage, which was also a practice that had existed since ancient times.

These generals did not disappoint Zhao Kuangyin. After receiving the policy dividends, they did accumulate huge wealth. However, they did not use it to enjoy and squander. Instead, they took from the country and used it for the country. For example, they recruited spies, bribed informants, spied on the enemy's intelligence, knew themselves and the enemy, and paved the way for resisting sneak attacks and cross-border attacks.

According to historical records, "from then on, there was no danger in the northwest for many years, and we were able to exert our utmost efforts in the southeast and take the lands of Jing, Hu, Sichuan, Guang, Wu and Yue."

The process of reform is a matter of details, the key lies in the results. As the saying goes, different paths lead to the same destination. Whether it is a large-scale strengthening of the trunk and weakening of the branches, or a small-scale "reversal", Zhao Kuangyin's reforms have achieved remarkable results. In just over a decade, the basic unification of the country was completed, and the stubborn disease of local separatist regimes since the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties was eradicated. Therefore, no matter how much praise is given, it is not excessive.

"The Wolf Mountain Myth Destroyed"

Both the central imperial guards and local officials knew that the Song Dynasty had changed, and the separatist regimes of the late Tang and Five Dynasties had become history. However, some people refused to believe in evil and wanted to compete with the wheel of history. This was Sun Xingyou of Dingzhou, the "Langshan Revolutionary Base". During the Later Jin Dynasty, Sun Fangjian and his brothers fled to Langshan near Dingzhou with others to avoid the war. Later, they spread magic with an old nun in the mountain, bewitching everyone in a cult-like way, gradually gaining a foothold in Langshan, and then being recruited by the Later Jin court. In the "Jin-Liao War", the heroes of Langshan repeatedly entered the wild areas of Liao to rebel, and were awarded the Jiedushi of Dingzhou Yiwu Army for their merits. This has been described in detail in the previous article.

After Sun Fangjian died, his brother Sun Xingyou succeeded him as Jiedushi of Yiwu Army in Dingzhou. Dingzhou was an important border town between the Central Plains and Khitan. Such an important town was controlled by a bandit leader and cult leader who was recruited. Sun Xingyou was quite uneasy about this, so he took the initiative to submit a petition, expressing his willingness to resign and retire. Zhao Kuangyin tried to comfort him with kind words, but the emperor refused to approve it.

This move not only failed to bring Sun Xingyou a sense of security, but made him feel that Zhao Kuangyin was smiling but hiding a dagger. So he secretly recruited troops, repaired armor and weapons, and prepared to return to the Langshan revolutionary base to establish his own regime.

His conspiracy was soon reported by the military supervisor. Zhao Kuangyin sent troops to Zhenzhou and Dingzhou, claiming to patrol the border to guard against the Khitan, but actually broke into Dingzhou, arrested the unprepared Sun Xingyou on the spot, and presented him with an imperial edict ordering him to return to the court with his entire family. After interrogation, Sun Xingyou confessed to his conspiracy to split off Langshan, and was immediately stripped of his official title and placed under house arrest. I have to say that Zhao Kuangyin was really kind-hearted, and he could keep such a person for the New Year.

Without any effort, the separatist forces in Dingzhou were nipped in the bud.

Sun Xingyou played a good hand badly. They were born into poor families and were bandits at first. Later, they performed well in the "Jin-Liao War" and became national heroes. They went ashore to whitewash their wealth and turned from a gangster into a provincial official. However, they lost their integrity in their later years and the "Langshan Myth" was shattered.

He should think about it seriously. Even Li Yun of Luzhou and Li Chongjin of Yangzhou could not establish their own regimes. How could a small person like him, Sun Xingyou, fight against the rolling wheels of history?

Thanks to my old friend "Yang Kui" for the monthly ticket support! I have to go abroad recently, so the update will be affected to a certain extent. I hope everyone can understand. Thank you.

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(End of this chapter)