Chinese New Year

Chapter 1422 Enlightenment
August is the harvest season.

Shao Xun finally moved from the West Garden to the Qianjin Longxiang Mansion in the west of Luoyang.

The name of this prefecture comes from Qianjin Weir, the most important water conservancy project near Luoyang. It is said that the water it provides is worth a thousand gold pieces a day, hence the name.

Since the Han Dynasty, whenever the capital was located in Luoyang, the Qianjin Weir was always repaired.

Similarly, the Qianjin Weir was also damaged during the wars at the end of the dynasty. But it was repeatedly damaged and repaired, because it was too important.

The Luoyang Basin itself is not large, and the Qianjin Weir is not far from Luoyang City. Therefore, the farmland irrigated by it is incredibly valuable. In addition, the yield per mu is higher than that of ordinary fields, generally around five or six hu, and sometimes even reaching seven or eight hu. It is the envy of countless people.

However, Shao Xun allocated more than 2,300 hectares of land to the local soldiers in one go, which was equivalent to giving the most productive fields in Luoyang to military men.

If we consider that the land in Shixiang Prefecture east of Luoyang is also quite good, with well-developed irrigation facilities and a high yield per mu, then the most valuable land in Luoyang and Henan counties is indeed in the hands of the local soldiers.

It's unknown how long they can pass these treasures down, or whether they will be seized by powerful and influential figures in the future, gradually being taken away.

But that's all for the future. For now, the soldiers of Qianjin Longxiang Mansion are beaming with joy, looking at the full granaries and beans, they can't stop smiling.

After helping a small farming family complete the harvest, Shao Xun, on a whim, drove a mule to grind flour.

On the drying ground at the village entrance, the soldiers, seeing that even the emperor was getting involved, began to help their own troops bundle, air, and store their belongings after finishing their own plots of land.

While busy with farm work, they chatted idly.

"How many people from our military headquarters have been transferred out?" someone asked.

Another person, holding a winnowing basket, faced south, squinted as he quickly shook out the newly harvested wheat grains, saying, "No more than three hundred people."

"That's a first-class garrison soldier. Do you know which one?"

"Perhaps each defense has its own; they might draw a team of fifty men from here and two teams of a hundred men from there, that's all."

"Then wouldn't that mean we're not very familiar with it?"

"We'll be training together for a few months, maybe even half a year."

The wheat grains scattered and landed on the linen cloth, while the awns, grass stems, and chaff danced in the wind and drifted away.

After finishing, he spat twice and said self-deprecatingly, "I haven't done farm work for two years, so my hands are a bit rusty."

The onlookers burst into laughter.

Actually, not everyone is like that. Generally speaking, they will still go to the fields during the busy farming season; those who don't do anything at all are a minority. Some people have long since made it a habit to kill and farm at the same time. When there is no one to kill, they feel uneasy if they don't do some farm work, and they always feel a sense of guilt.

"Chen Que, don't be in such a hurry. You're almost forty. Why are you still fighting for a chance to go to war?" someone said. "What's wrong with letting the young men go out and make their fortune? Stop it. We know you're skilled, but this time, really, don't fight for it."

Chen Que laughed angrily and said, "Do you think I can volunteer? The military government will select whichever team it wants, that's the team. What use is my word?"

"Hey, do you think those small countries in the Western Regions are rich?" someone suddenly asked.

This stumped everyone.

After a long while, someone said, "They should have money. Goguryeo is so poor, yet Wandu has treasures passed down through generations. If we hurry, we can steal some before the generals find out. It won't hurt."

"How do we steal it?" a fifteen or sixteen-year-old soldier asked in a low voice.

Chen Que chuckled and glanced at him, saying, "Shuisheng, for the sake of my friendship with your father back then, I'll give you a little pointers. Come to my house tonight, Liniang will be there too."

Upon hearing this, Shui Sheng shook his head repeatedly.

The others burst into laughter.

Finally, someone patted Shui Sheng on the shoulder and said, "Don't be afraid when you're fighting. The more afraid you are, the faster you'll die. And you'll die a pathetic death. Apart from compensation, you won't be able to earn anything for your family. Charge fast, fight fiercely, and make meritorious contributions. You'll have everything. It's much better than hoarding wealth. Don't listen to their nonsense."

Shui Sheng nodded blankly.

The man glanced at him and said, "Besides, valuables aren't something just anyone can hoard. Only those who rush in the fastest and survive will have a chance to get them; those who arrive later won't get much. You should think it over carefully."

After saying that, he sighed. Their era was slowly passing. He was forty-one years old this year. Although his killing skills had become more diverse and sophisticated, his physical strength was gradually declining. He would probably have to retire after another two or three years.

Fortunately, most of those who filled the gaps were younger generations they had watched grow up, people they knew well, and whose skills were all quite good. Over the next few years, he could slowly pass on the experience and insights he had gained from a lifetime of fighting, accelerating the growth of the younger generation—sometimes even a small killing trick he taught could save a life on the battlefield. He had once encountered an enemy whose actual strength was stronger than his own, but he used a sudden and unexpected underhanded move to kill his opponent on the spot.

Most of the members of the Qianjin Longxiang Mansion are longtime comrades-in-arms, and their relatives and friends are also increasing. This group needs to be passed down in an orderly manner.

On August 15th, when Shao Xun left Qianjin Longxiang Mansion, Cai Ya, the registrar of the Right Valiant Cavalry Guard, also arrived at the military city and confirmed the troops that the mansion would send out to fight: a total of two teams of one hundred cavalry.

******
Throughout August, while the autumn harvest was underway in Henan Prefecture and Xiangcheng County, military mobilizations were also quietly finalized.

By early September, the first batch of soldiers was ready to set off.

Every household is preparing food for the journey.

Yes, it's not far to Chang'an, but it's not exactly close either, so some preparations still need to be made in advance.

Pancakes were baked, and strips of cheese and pieces of jerky were stuffed into bundles.

The horses experienced the happiest month of their lives, eating cooked beans as much as they wanted, growing plump and strong, looking glossy and majestic.

The bow had been carefully adjusted. Even the newly enlisted soldiers had been exposed to these things since childhood and were very skilled at handling it.

The knife was sharpened until it was both sharp and shiny.

In addition to the standard ring-pommel sword, they often carried a spare short weapon, most of which were specially made according to their own habits and preferences, so that they could replace the ring-pommel sword if it became dull or damaged on the battlefield.

The lance was repainted.

Nobody wanted those cheap spears; they were too flimsy and didn't suit the status of the soldiers. Thick, long lances were much more to their liking—they weren't easy to break, and their own weight made them incredibly powerful in a charge.

Each of their respective households had quite a few members. After receiving money, silk, grain, and meat from their master, one of them, with a weathered face or a youthful one, would put on leather armor that had been used for who knows how long, take up swords and spears, shoulder a shield, go to the master's pen to fetch a packhorse, and set off on their journey.

In the Luoshui River Valley of Yiyang, there were countless soldiers traveling together, their ranks stretching into the distance.

Shao Xun held his eldest grandson Junheng in his arms, standing on a high point in Yunzhongwu, quietly watching the westward-bound travelers.

It's unclear who had sharp eyes or noticed the commotion inside and outside the fortified village, but the shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" were rising and falling.

Junheng stared intently with his big, dark eyes, even stopping biting his fingers.

"Does my grandson like this scene?" Shao Xun asked softly.

"like."

"Gaining the genuine love and respect of the soldiers is not such a simple matter," Shao Xun laughed loudly.

Junheng looked at his grandfather blankly, then turned his head, pointed with his little hand, and said, "Horses! So many horses!"

"Do you want to ride a horse?" Shao Xun asked.

Junheng's eyes lit up and he immediately said, "I want to."

"Then come visit Grandpa more often," Shao Xun said with a smile. "You'll have more horses to ride in the future."

Junheng nodded.

Shao Xun couldn't help but ask again, "Do you prefer to play in the palace or outside?"

"Outside." The child, bursting with curiosity, blurted out without thinking.

Shao Xun nodded happily and said, "Grandfather also hopes that you will not be kept in the hands of women in the inner palace, but will go out more and see the world. Be more masculine and simple, and don't be like a weak and frail scholar."

The boy didn't understand what his grandfather was saying, but it didn't matter. He was more interested in the horse than his grandfather.

In addition, he was also curious about the jingling things hanging on the people walking by.

Huan Wen watched the grandfather and grandson quietly from a short distance away.

Duke Ai of Lu once said to Confucius, “I was born in the deep palace and raised by women. I have never known sorrow, worry, toil, fear, or danger.”

The current emperor also said this, and added the phrase "ignorant of state affairs," which actually means the same thing.

How many ministers wouldn't want their monarch to be favored by women in the inner palace?
The emperor is a difficult person to deal with; who hasn't been sweating profusely from his questions?
The crown prince was sent to various places to investigate the people's conditions, and he will not be easy to fool in the future.

When it came to his eldest grandson, he patiently guided him. Perhaps he didn't expect this grandson to be particularly clever, but he certainly didn't want him to be ignorant and easily fooled. After all, the "Why not eat meat porridge?" incident had only just occurred. He just didn't know if the emperor had the time to cultivate him properly.

On the tenth day of the ninth month, Shao Xun returned to Luoyang and summoned the Crown Prince to the West Garden.

"Don't rush into a long speech." Shao Xun observed the Crown Prince's expression and posture, and said, "Tell your father first, what is your biggest impression after several months of northern tour?"

"Adapt to local conditions." Shao Jin uttered these four words without hesitation.

"Tell me more about it."

"People's conditions, geography, wealth, customs and traditions vary greatly from place to place. When governing and using military force, one must not be lazy and must prescribe the right medicine for the right disease, otherwise there may be disaster."

"for example?"

"For example, regarding taxes, in some places there is plenty of silk but little grain, and the people wish they could use all their silk to pay off their taxes. In other places there is no silk, and if the people want to make up for the few bolts of silk they owe in household tax, they often have to sell grain and livestock, and are exploited. Therefore, it is best to follow the local production."

Shao Xun grunted and then asked, "Any other insights?"

"Too much of a good thing is bad," Shao Jin added.

Shao Xun smiled and said, "What does 'too much is as bad as too little' mean?"

"For example, in selecting officials, it would be inappropriate if it were all based on the recommendation system. It would also be inappropriate if it were all based on the examination system. It would still be inappropriate if all officials were military men or those who entered officialdom through family connections," Shao Jin said. "Furthermore, in border affairs, if we only use garrison troops and barbarian troops, it will not only cause hardship for the Han and barbarian people on the border, but it will also easily lead to the imperial guards becoming corrupt and incapable of fighting. If we only use local troops, it will easily lead to excessive expenditures, even to the point of borrowing money to go to war, which is like draining the pond to catch the fish. Therefore, garrison troops, barbarian troops, local troops, and imperial guards must be mixed together."

After listening, Shao Xun patted him on the shoulder and said, "Write a good reflection and hand it in to me. Hmm, this isn't urgent. Go back and see your mother first, and then spend time with your wife and children. Give it to me within ten days."

"Yes," Shao Jin replied.

Watching his son's departing figure, Shao Xun smiled faintly: "In all things under heaven, moderation is the most valuable. If we act in this way, we may not achieve any earth-shattering feats, but we will also avoid major mistakes. It is enough to maintain the status quo."

(End of this chapter)