Guiyi Fei Tang

Chapter 278 Relative Equality
"Wow—"

As winter approaches, the plateau's topography appears even more majestic and colorful under the decoration of winter snow.

The ancient religious culture and natural landscape complement each other, forming a breathtaking picture.

However, no matter how magnificent the natural landscape is, once it is set foot on by humans, it will inevitably be "polluted".

"put!"

"Boom bang bang-"

Under the snow-capped mountains, the river has already frozen, and the valleys on both sides of the river have long been covered with snow.

The silence of the valley was broken by the sounds of shouting and stones hitting the city walls. Hundreds of thousands of people camped around a city in the valley, and tens of thousands of Tibetans in armor and jackets were attacking the city fiercely.

This is Buzu City, the capital of Buzu State. It is located at the junction of Ganzi and Aba in later generations and is an important channel connecting Bashu and Tubo.

Because of this, the Buzu Kingdom was often wooed by Tubo and the Tang Dynasty, and often jumped back and forth between the two countries.

If the Tang is strong, then they will ally with the Tang; if the barbarians are strong, then they will ally with the barbarians.

For the local Qiang people, this has long been their way of survival.

However, if you do this kind of thing too much, you will naturally be disliked.

Because of this, Xiahou Zi did not send troops to support the Eight Kingdoms of Xishan, and Chang'an was busy suppressing the rebellion in eastern Zhejiang and stabilizing the internal situation and had no intention of paying attention to them.

Today, the leasehold countries and other countries in Xishan and other regions have finally understood what it means to be isolated and helpless.

"put!"

"Boom bang bang-"

The catapults kept making noises. Even if they were the most primitive human-powered catapults, as long as there were enough of them, a city like Bu Zu City, which had a circumference of only three miles, would still be easy to capture.

After an unknown number of days of siege, Bu Zu City fell and a large number of Tibetans rushed into the city.

They killed all the Qiang people who resisted, and robbed and humiliated those who did not resist.

After all, on the plateau, those who have things to steal are all nobles, not these poor commoners.

In the city of Biezu, which was on fire, the foreign soldiers continued to riot, and the chaotic situation was not ended until dawn the next day.

All those who dared to resist have been beheaded by the butcher's knife, and those who remain are just docile sheep.

More than a hundred elite cavalrymen poured into the city and galloped towards the palace of the Bu Zu Kingdom.

Although it is called a palace, it is actually just a larger courtyard and there is nothing worth taking a closer look at.

Shang Moyan dismounted and walked into the palace with his accompanying generals. After sitting down in the so-called hall that could not accommodate a hundred people, Shang Moyan began to make arrangements for the generals:
"We have taken down the Buzu Kingdom. Now there are only five remaining: Nanshui Kingdom, Ruoshui Kingdom, Xidong Kingdom, Qingyuan Kingdom, and Duba Kingdom."

"Have we saved the granary? How long will the food inside last us? Can we last until the snow melts?"

In response to his question, a general came out and saluted:
"Qiliben, there are at least 30,000 dan of grain in the granary."

"There are still tens of thousands of cattle and sheep in the valley to the south, enough for us to eat for four months, but we probably won't be able to eat until the snow melts."

After the generals responded, Shang Moyan nodded and said, "Since it doesn't work, let's continue to fight southwards."

"The Nanshui Kingdom and Ruoshui Kingdom in the south have only about 30,000 people in total. If we take them down, we will be able to hold out until the snow melts."

"Also, find out how many Han people there are in the city, send them to Songzhou, and exchange them for food to be shipped over here."

"Among those cattle and horses, keep enough oxen and draft horses for farming, and sell the rest to Songzhou as well."

"We have enough armor, what we need now is food."

"Sell at the previous price and don't waste time on food."

"Yes!" The general bowed in response, and then another general spoke up:

"Qiliben, there are quite a lot of slaves entering the city this time, at least more than 10,000. Should we free them all and make them civilians?"

"Of course!" Shang Moyan said without hesitation:
"I said when I went south that when the drums sounded, those who entered the city would become citizens, and the rest would continue to be slaves."

"Place these ten thousand people in the city of rent-breaking, and reward the people of the city of rent-breaking as slaves."

"The land outside the city will be counted by the military officers. Fifty percent will go to you meritorious people, and the remaining fifty percent will go to them!"

Although Shang Moyan had never fought a war under Liu Jilian, he didn't even know how to govern the people's livelihood.

But in order to become the leader of Duokang, he had already sent people to inquire about the policies implemented by Liu Jilian in Longyou, both openly and secretly.

He did not have his own methods and policies, but he could copy Liu Jilong's.

There must be a reason why Liu Jilian was able to rise from a herdsman slave to the current lord of Lianglong.

However, many of his policies were unacceptable to the Tibetans, so he eliminated those parts and retained others.

Those who entered the city became civilians, and those who were conquered became slaves, and the slaves were given as rewards to the barbarians who had just been freed and became civilians.

This was one of the policies he implemented under his command, and there were many others.

He divided the taxes under his rule into pasture tax and land tax, with the land tax being one-fourth the tax and the pasture tax being one-fifth the tax.

All the aboriginals have their own private property and they just need to register and pay taxes honestly.

In addition, he changed the system under his command to be more like the Tang system, or the Longyou system.

He set up four military towns in Duomi, Mochanchuan, Xishan and other places. Each town controlled three armies, each army controlled three regiments, each regiment controlled three centurions, and under the centurions were teams and ten.

He was Qiliben. Under Qiliben was the Dongben military garrison, under Dongben was the Dongdai military garrison, under Dongdai was the Jie'er who led a hundred households, and under the hundred households were the team leaders and the heads of ten households.

In addition to the military officer and military medical systems, he also copied the military garrison system and the "Three-Five System" from Longyou.

Now he had under his command four military garrisons, with a total strength of 16,200 men, 100,000 civilians, and nearly 500,000 slaves.

Only civilians could join the army and receive armor, and although slaves could also join the army, they did not have their own armor to wear.

But the good thing is that after they enter the city, they and their families will be pardoned and become civilians, and they can also obtain slaves.

As long as there is an upward channel, the slaves will fight bravely instead of thinking about how to rebel. He thinks this is the best policy.

Thinking of this, Shang Moyan looked at the generals and immediately said:
"After conquering the eight kingdoms of Xishan, I plan to gather your capable descendants and send them to Songzhou to study."

"The expenses of their studies will be paid by the Wei Mansion!"

There is no one who is not thirsty for knowledge, especially since most of Shang Moyan's subordinates are tribal leaders and civilians.

They are more eager to acquire knowledge than anyone else, because only knowledge can make their wealth lasting and make them nobles.

"Begging for mercy from God!"

"Long live Qiliben!"

"Qiliben..."

Everyone tried to fawn on them, and none of them, who were once the middle and lower class of Tibetans, were more eager to become nobles.

The reason why the Tang Dynasty became the white moonlight in the hearts of people from all over the world is also because of its culture and strength.

For many people on the plateau, Longyou under the rule of Liu Jilian, the reincarnation of the Elephant King, is the former Tang Dynasty.

"Don't be too quick to thank me. There are standards for who can be sent there."

"Only the offspring of generals of Jie'er and above can be sent to Songzhou, and each general is limited to one offspring."

After Shang Moyan finished speaking, all the generals paused, but even so, they were still grateful to Shang Moyan.

Looking at their expressions, Shang Moyan became even more proud.

He believed that with the policy of "studying in Songzhou", many middle and lower-level generals would be able to fight bravely.

Anyway, there are still five of the Eight Kingdoms of Xishan left, and there is still vast land in the south waiting for him to conquer.

After taking over the entire Dokham, he might also be able to expand towards Tuyuhun and a wider territory, replacing the current Tubo and establishing a new Great Tubo!

Shang Moyan's thoughts had already flown far away, but his ideas were sent to Didao City in Linzhou through the official road of Songzhou.

"He really dares to think that he can learn from Songzhou."

In late winter, Liu Jilong, wearing a cotton robe, stood in front of the red gate of Linzhou University, reading the handwritten letter from Shang Moyan with interest on his face.

Shang Moyan’s idea was to organize a group of students to study in Songzhou.

With the tuition fee of twenty cows per person per year, they attended primary school and university in Songzhou.

In addition, 200 sheep will be sent to Songzhou every month to cover the food expenses of these students.

"Marshal Jie, you don't really agree, do you?"

The military officer Cui Shu standing in front of Liu Jilong couldn't help but ask, with worry written all over his face.

In response, Liu Jilong smiled and said, "Why not?" "Only culture can help us conquer the entire Tubo."

"But if they learn from us and come to deal with us..."

Cui Shu frowned, looking very worried.

Compared with his nervousness and worry, Liu Jilong was not worried.

"Isn't it good to take this opportunity to instill the concept of 'all races share the same origin' in them, and then win over the students who are worth training and support the capable students?"

"But your concerns are justified, so they can't be exposed to certain subjects."

"How about this, I will ask Hu Siguang to rebuild a school specifically for educating them."

"I will appropriately reduce the three subjects of physics, geography, and chemistry, and only let them learn the current level of Tubo."

After saying this, Liu Jilong closed the letter and handed it to Cui Shu, saying:
"Tell him that he can send them, but the first batch must be limited to 300 people."

"Yes!" Cui Shu agreed, and then looked tentatively at the red gate of Linzhou University, as if he wanted to see the scene inside through this door.

Linzhou University has been under construction and recruiting students for four years, and there is only one year left until graduation.

The students for this school were recruited personally by Liu Jilong from various primary schools, and the probability of being selected was very low.

The first session had only about fifty people, the second session had more than one hundred people, the third session had more than two hundred people, and the fourth session also had more than two hundred people.

It seems to have grown exponentially, but the number of people it can accommodate is limited. Cui Shu feels that without expansion, the university can only accommodate a maximum of one thousand people.

Thinking of this, Cui Shu was very curious about what kind of magic this school had that could only produce 200 students every year and even more than 50 students next year, that could make his own commander obsessed with teaching for four years.

"curious?"

Liu Jilong suddenly spoke, and Cui Shu reacted and immediately shook his head and said, "No, I was just taking a look."

"Hehe, it's okay. It's normal to be curious. They won't be graduating for long."

“When they graduate, you’ll know what they do.”

After he finished speaking, without waiting for Cui Shu to continue asking questions, Liu Jilong turned around and walked into the school.

Seeing this, Cui Shu bowed and said, "General, the Jinzouyuan in Chang'an has sent news."

"What's the news?" Liu Jilong stopped and looked back. Cui Shu heard what he said:

"Your Majesty appointed Zheng Hao, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, as the governor of Henan, and Bai Minzhong, the governor of Jingnan, to come to the capital as prime minister."

"Minister of the Imperial Court and Co-Prime Minister Xiao Ye was appointed as Co-Prime Minister and Jiedushi of Jingnan."

"In addition, Bi Zhen, the governor of Zhaoyi Army, was appointed as the governor of Xuanwu Army and governor of Songbo, and Du Shenquan was appointed as the Minister of Rites."

As Li Yi gained power, he naturally wanted to use those capable officials who had once supported him.

The people he selected were all good officials. Even Du Shenquan, who had mediocre ability, was known for his integrity.

However, Bai Minzhong and Zheng Hao were not on good terms, so Li Yi transferred Zheng Hao out of Chang'an and transferred Bai Minzhong to Chang'an.

Bai Minzhong becoming prime minister again is indeed not a good thing for Liu Jilong.

When he was in Xichuan, he made Longyou feel a little uncomfortable, but he did not go too far and did not give himself any handle.

I had finally used Zheng Hao to drive him to Jingnan, and now he was back in Chang'an.

If the situation in the Tang Dynasty stabilizes, this guy will definitely start making plans against me.

Thinking of this, Liu Jilong said meaningfully: "Our new Supreme is not as simple as he seems."

"But I heard that this Supreme has been on the throne for only three months, and the previous emperor's mourning has not yet ended, but he has already kept concubines and music troupes in the palace."

Lianren and Yueban were a very active group of people during the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

There are many people who have destroyed their country because of their favoritism. Although Li Yu did not cause the destruction of the Tang Dynasty, his extravagant and wasteful behavior did accelerate the decline of the Tang Dynasty.

However, character is character, and ability is ability. As far as Li Yi appointed Pei Xiu and Bai Minzhong, he made the right choice.

But Pei Xiu and Bai Minzhong are old after all. How many more years can they help him with papermaking?
Compared with the famous generals of the late Tang Dynasty, the number of relatively famous ministers after Xuanzong was pitifully small.

In other words, due to the control of the imperial examinations by the aristocratic families, it was difficult for commoners to succeed, and many talented people found it difficult to emerge, which led to the decline of famous officials in the late Tang Dynasty.

Liu Jilian shook his head and stopped thinking about the internal institutional problems of the Tang court.

After all, compared with the internal problems of the Tang court, he might as well think about Longyou’s own internal problems.

"How is the situation at the Imperial College? How many students graduate from primary school every year, and how many go to university?"

Liu Jilong asked Cui Shu, although this was not within Cui Shu's management, but since Li Shangyin took office as the governor of Liangzhou, he would need to come forward to share the responsibilities of the Imperial College.

"There are more than 45,400 students, of which about 8,000 are primary school graduates."

"Among them, more than 3,200 students went to college after graduation, more than 600 of whom studied at Linzhou University, and the rest were scattered across various states."

"The remaining 4,800 or so people basically joined the army, became civil servants, or became doctors after graduation."

"By the end of this year, 6,000 people should graduate from primary schools, 5,000 next year, 14,000 the year after, and around 10,000 the year after that."

The population of Longyou is basically stable, with the number of students enrolled each year being around 10,000, and increasing with the population growth.

In order to cultivate its own scholars, the Protectorate invests a lot in this every year.

Even if books and desks are passed down from generation to generation, teachers still need salaries, not to mention that schools provide lunch.

“How many teachers are there?”

Liu Jilong asked, and Cui Shu answered without hesitation: "More than 2,000 and 46 people, the number is relatively small, mainly because many teachers have gone to college."

The basic education in Longyou was very weak, and many primary school teachers were actually soldiers who could not read or write.

After they became disabled, they either served as liaisons or as instructors.

Although they had undergone literacy training in the army, intensified their studies after becoming disabled, and worked part-time while teaching, their knowledge was still weak.

Some far-sighted people chose to apply for university. After all, they had pensions that were enough for them to go to university.

"Also send a message to all schools, military units and government offices."

"After three years, soldiers will need an elementary school degree, while jobs like elementary school teaching and directing will require a college degree."

Liu Jilong has issued a new policy, but this policy is not easy for most people in Longyou.

Under the policy of equal distribution of public land, except for the new people who joined in the past three years, the rest of the people basically own 30 mu of land per household.

Although university does not require tuition fees, students still need to pay for food in exchange for food coupons to buy pens, ink, paper, bedding, and clothes.

Grain was exchanged for grain coupons, which were divided into meal coupons, vegetable coupons, and meat coupons.

One hundred kilograms of grain can be exchanged for one hundred kilograms of grain coupons, one kilogram of grain coupons can be exchanged for two kilograms of meal coupons, or one kilogram of vegetable coupons, and four ounces of meat coupons.

In addition, normal pens, ink and paper would require at least 200 kilograms of food coupons a year.

If we take into account winter and summer clothes every year, to support a college student, we basically need 1,200 kilograms of grain, which is close to the output of ten acres of land.

Even the people who had experienced the early land distribution had to tighten their belts to support a college student, not to mention those who came later.

If a family of five participated in reclaiming public land, it would take at least five years to get 40 acres of arable land each.

Of course, what is more important is that as the population increases, the difficulty of land reclamation will gradually increase.

When the people who joined first reclaimed the river valley, they could reclaim 40 acres of wasteland into cultivated land in five years, but those who came later were squeezed to the foot of the mountain to reclaim land, and they might not be able to reclaim 30 acres in five years.

It is true that Longyou has great potential for arable land, but that is because the population was small before.

When Liu Jilian had just taken over the entire territory of Longyou, the population was only over 200,000, but now it has reached 560,000.

For this reason, after Liu Jilong announced this system, many people, for the sake of their children and grandchildren, would probably tighten their belts and send at least one child to college.

In addition, those people who moved in later would also work hard to open up wasteland and work hard for themselves and their children and grandchildren.

Even so, with limited productivity, the number of students that Longyou can support will not be large.

Liu Jilong's policy broke the original "equality".

However, with the current productivity, absolute equality is impossible.

All Liu Jilong could do was to achieve relative equality under the productivity of the times.

After slowly exhaling, Liu Jilong looked at Cui Shu and said, "Thank you for your hard work. Now go get things done."

Without waiting for Cui Shu to answer, he turned around and walked into the red door...

(End of this chapter)