Late Han Zhao Tang

Zhang Yu preferred peaceful unification of Ping and Jiao provinces, avoiding military force if possible. These two regions were remote, with a small Han force and a large Yi population; a distant expedition would cost at least a million shi of supplies. It was better to use that money to win over the Shi and Gongsun clans than to wage war.

"Father, what are the customs and traditions like in Liaodong?"

Cai Xi asked curiously, "I've heard that the people of Goguryeo are fierce and quick-tempered, strong, skilled in fighting, and fond of raiding. Meanwhile, South Korea is powerful, its people don't know the etiquette of kneeling and bowing, they love growing grains, their laws are severe, they have tattoos and long hair, and they are brotherly and kinsmen with Japan. Is this true?"

Since Cai Xi was remotely granted the title of King of Liaodong, he had studied ancient books with Cai Yong, specifically learning about the situation in Liaodong. He had some basic knowledge of the Three Hans, Goguryeo, and Buyeo, among other barbarian tribes.

Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and said, "The Goguryeo people live by fishing and hunting, and also grow grains and raise livestock. The weather is cold and the land is barren, so the people are warlike. The Three Han people are similar to the Japanese, with tattoos and beautiful hair, and they know about farming and sericulture, and make cotton cloth. When there is unrest in China, many people flow into the Three Han people or float to Japan by boat, so the Japanese and Koreans know about agriculture."

Japan's connection with the East Asian mainland dates back to very early times. During the pre-Qin period, due to the geographical separation, the connection between Korea and Japan was closer than that between Chinese and Japanese civilizations. Korea relied on the dissemination of culture and technology from the Central Plains, while Japan relied on the dissemination of technology from Korea.

During the Qin and Han dynasties, the Central Plains were in great turmoil. Korea was the first to absorb most of the Han Chinese immigrants, while a small number sailed to Japan. Therefore, in Japan, the Han Chinese and Koreans who crossed the sea were called "immigrants".

Because of their advanced culture and technology, immigrants held a relatively high status in Japanese society. With the spread of advanced technology, Japan's productivity leaped forward, shedding its primitive clan society and entering a slave city-state society; this period is known as the Yayoi period.

During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, under the influence of Chinese civilization, the Three Han Kingdoms and Wa (Japan) transitioned from slave city-states to feudal societies. Wa, in particular, gradually unified the Japanese archipelago from Kyushu Island thanks to the introduction of iron tools and cattle/horses. The Taika Reform during the Tang Dynasty was one of the symbols of Wa's entry into feudal society.

At the end of the Han Dynasty, Japan and Korea were still in the slave city-state stage. The Three Han states comprised 78 kingdoms, with large kingdoms numbering 4,000 to 5,000 households and small kingdoms numbering 600 to 700 households, totaling 50,000 to 60,000 households. Japan, on the other hand, was still an unknown city-state. Merchants frequently sailed to the Three Han states to purchase ironware, cattle, and horses to strengthen their national power.

"Father, the Three Hans have repeatedly invaded counties and plundered people while China was weak. Now that our dynasty is strong, we should conquer them as a deterrent, or perhaps follow the example of Emperor Xiaowu, expand our territory, and annex the Hans into our dynasty, placing them under the jurisdiction of Pingzhou." Crown Prince Zhang Luo tried his best to appear martial as he spoke.

Zhang Yu nodded slightly and said, "The people of the Three Hans know how to cultivate grain fields and make cotton cloth, just like the people of China. If we can conquer and annex their lands, and educate them for generations, they will become well-versed in the classics and be able to serve the Tang people. However, conquering the Three Hans is easy, but governing them is difficult. This matter requires careful consideration!"

Emperor Wu of Han conquered Wiman Joseon and established the Four Commanderies of Han in Liaodong and the Korean Peninsula. However, due to the huge cost of establishing the commanderies, the Zhenfan and Lintun commanderies were abolished during the reign of Emperor Zhao of Han and merged into Lelang Commandery. Therefore, only two of the Four Commanderies of Han established by Emperor Wu of Han actually remained.

Strictly speaking, Emperor Wu of Han established five commanderies, one of which was called Canghai Commandery. However, due to the high cost of its establishment, it was abolished after one year.

The reason why Xuantu and Lelang counties were not abolished was that they had strategic and economic value, and their taxes could maintain the basic administrative expenses of the counties.

Of course, the most crucial factor was the Han Empire's long-term resource investment. Emperor Wu of Han's expansion of territory and the use of military conquests were one thing, but the subsequent long-term resource investment was the key.

For example, during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Gongsun Hong argued that the emperor's establishment of the Shuofang and Canghai prefectures was "a waste of the central government to serve useless lands." Emperor Wu, angered by this, had Zhu Maichen debate the matter, ultimately forcing Gongsun Hong to submit. However, in his submission, Gongsun Hong proposed abolishing the southwestern barbarians and Canghai prefectures, and exclusively serving Shuofang.

Therefore, the enormous annual investment required after the establishment of prefectures and counties was unsustainable for the Han Empire.

For more than three hundred years, under the influence of Chinese civilization, the Three Han states actually possessed the value of conquest. For example, although the Three Han states were slave city-state societies, they had established laws, and the people knew how to farm and weave, and they also knew how to smelt iron.

If a country conquers and governs appropriately, it can establish rule over the Three Han states, as evidenced by the Goguryeo state established by the Buyeo people who later migrated south.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Yu asked, "If prefectures were established in the Three Han regions, the expenses would be enormous. Does the Crown Prince have any suggestions?"

Zhang Luo hesitated for a long time before saying, "The Three Han states have tens of thousands of households. The initial expenses may be huge, but since the people know how to farm, we can first send good officials to govern them and make them pay half of their taxes. After several years, the administration of the prefecture will be smooth, and we should be able to save money and grain."

"what about you?"

Zhang Yu was not satisfied with the crown prince's answer and looked at the other three sons to ask.

“Your Majesty, it is inevitable that expanding our territory will require enormous expenditures. However, China is vast, with hundreds of prefectures and regions. Without resorting to war, we can still provide aid to distant lands every year. How could that be insufficient?” Zhang Bi said. “In the old Han Dynasty, Youzhou paid an annual tribute of one billion. If we were to calculate taxes, wouldn’t we have to abandon the lands of all the barbarians?” Cai Xi said, “In my opinion, the key lies in merging the provinces of Youzhou and Liangzhou.”

A look of appreciation flashed in Zhang Yu's eyes; these sons were quite outstanding. In particular, his fourth son, Cai Xi, showed the ability to govern a country; with a little guidance and training, he would surely become a great man.

"Why is Sanlang silent?" Zhang Yu asked.

“Your Majesty,” Zhang Zhang replied, “I have pondered the geography of the Three Hans. They are near the coast, where sea salt can be produced, and they are adjacent to Fusang, which allows for trade. There are seventy-two kingdoms in Korea. If we wish to govern a prefecture, we might as well win over the chieftains and calculate the number of households under their jurisdiction. For example, if there are a hundred households, we can collect taxes from ninety households, and the taxes from the ten households can go to the chieftain. If the dynasty governs the chieftains and the chieftains govern the people, we can greatly reduce expenditures.” After a moment of deep thought, Zhang Zhang presented his findings.

Zhang Zhang's strategy is similar to the tax farming system. The imperial court collects taxes by managing the leaders of the various tribes of the Three Han, and the tribal leaders directly manage their people. This would greatly reduce the governance costs between the imperial officials and the tribal people. The so-called feudal system is simply that officials replace tribal leaders and directly govern their subordinates.

"good!"

Zhang Yu nodded slightly and said with satisfaction, "Governing a country is like cooking a small fish. It requires governing according to law, adapting to local conditions, and appointing good officials to make the border regions submit. The Holy Dynasty should govern by three methods: the Central Plains can be taxed according to households, newly annexed areas can be taxed according to the package tax, and remote areas can be taxed by soldiers."

The territory of a dynasty is too vast to be governed by a single law; different laws are needed to suit different regions.

Historically, the Ming Dynasty spent seven billion taels of silver to conquer Annam, but due to mismanagement, Annam repeatedly reverted to its former state. Because of the excessive investment, Zhu Zhanji, under his leadership, eventually abandoned Annam. However, with proper governance, Annam could have easily returned to Chinese rule.

Why did the Ming dynasty fail to govern Annam?
There are three reasons for this. First, after the conquest of Annam, the Ming Dynasty estimated that the Han-Manchu population was over five million, twice the size of Sichuan's population and far exceeding one-tenth of the Ming Dynasty's registered households. Such a large population was destined to be impossible to annex peacefully.

The Tang dynasty's conquest of Goguryeo and the Han dynasty's conquest of the Baiyue were both due to the large populations of the surrounding areas. To maintain the rule of the Central Plains dynasties, large numbers of the original inhabitants were relocated to the Central Plains, ensuring that the Central Plains dynasties had a significant population advantage over the border regions. Therefore, to recover the uncivilized territories, it was necessary to reduce the local population, either through relocation or massacre.

Secondly, the Ming Dynasty took too big a step in governing Annam. As a newly recovered territory, the Ming Dynasty did not take care of the interests of local powerful families, but instead crudely adopted the prefecture-county system, with officials sent by the court directly governing Annam. If it wanted to govern properly, it would have been necessary to first go through a period of hereditary local officials.

Thirdly, because Annam was a remote and uncivilized region, most of the officials sent by the imperial court were people with no hope of promotion. Therefore, after taking office, they often levied exorbitant taxes and levies in Annam, similar to how the Eastern Han Dynasty governed the Qiang tribes in Longxi. Therefore, to govern Annam, it was necessary to send someone who was familiar with the local conditions and had outstanding abilities.

Based on the failure of Meiji in Annam, if the Three Han states were to be conquered later, the major states would have to be relocated to the Central Plains, leaving behind the insignificant minor states. In order to prevent large-scale unrest in Korea, officials familiar with local customs would be sent to govern these states while ensuring the interests of the local clans were protected.

Zhang Yu glanced at Zhang Zhang with appreciation, then looked at his sons and said, “You sons are stationed in your fiefdoms. Although you have me as your support, without powerful figures as your henchmen, your decrees will be difficult to implement. I hope you all understand this.”

After a pause, Zhang Yu looked at Cai Xi and said, "Young man, you will be stationed in Liaodong in the future. The Liaodong envoys Wang Lie and Guan Ning are familiar with Liaodong affairs. After you return to your residence, you can hold a banquet to entertain the two of them and make preparations for your future posting."

"Your son obeys!"

"Fengxiao!"

"Chen is here!"

Guo Jia stepped forward to await orders.

Zhang Yu looked south and said, "If Zhang Liao breaks through Jinling, order him to relocate the soldiers, generals, scholars, and their families under Cao Cao's rule to Youzhou to replenish the population of the border counties. As for the rest of the southerners, we will not concern ourselves with them, and the northerners are allowed to return to their hometowns."

"Yes, sir!" (End of Chapter)