knife

Chapter 137 Physical Death, Spiritual Death

Zhang Ruo rarely drinks alcohol.

But today is different.

He, who had been wronged and unjustly accused, was finally exonerated. The court also gave a clear explanation for his deceased son, Qingfeng, and posthumously conferred upon him a title and official position.

After a few drinks, they started talking non-stop.

“There are no fixed rules for governing the world; what is suitable is the best!” Zhang Ruo, his face flushed, said with emotion, “It can be said that there is no place in this land beyond the Great Wall that conforms to our understanding of the way of governing the country, but they live very well and are very powerful.”

Wei Yi drank just as much as Zhang Ruo, but being younger, he had a greater capacity for alcohol and was only slightly drunk. He poured Zhang Ruo a full glass of wine and laughed, "This Li Dachui divides people into different classes, which can only bring temporary benefits and cannot last. Because as long as you are human, I'm afraid you can't tolerate this."

Zhang Ruo laughed: "Even princes are subject to the same laws as commoners, Wei Shiyi, do you believe that? Does the Guannei region not divide people into different classes?"

Wei Yi was speechless.

“Even wealthy and powerful families have their own hierarchy of contempt, let alone ordinary people. It’s just that everyone is too ashamed to admit it, so they use euphemisms and deception, you lie to me, I lie to you, and in the end everyone believes it, hahaha!” Zhang Ru laughed loudly.

Wei Yi took an awkward sip of wine. "Scholar, what exactly is the difference between the area outside the pass and the area inside?"

Zhang Ruosi pondered for a moment and said, "Wei Shiyi, let me tell you about what I've seen and heard outside the Great Wall during this time, especially some of the practices under Li Dachui's rule. When you get back, you might as well tell your father about it, and you can also mention it to His Majesty. Perhaps it will have some impact on them. We can learn from others' experiences!"

"Please speak, sir; I am all ears!"

“There’s nothing to say about Linghu Ye. That scoundrel governs with military law, which is too harsh and not lenient enough. He may gain some benefits in the short term, but it’s not advisable in the long run!” Zhang Ruo said, “However, in Tai’an City and now Baoping Prefecture, Li Dachui’s methods of governing the people are quite commendable. Shi Yi, do you know why things have reached this point in Guannei?”

Wei Yi nodded: "Land annexation, wealth concentration, bureaucratic redundancy, etc. The Qin Dynasty has lasted for three hundred years, and none of the problems that should have arisen have been missed!"

“Dividing people into classes isn’t the biggest problem; the most crucial thing is that the path to advancement must be wide open,” Zhang Ruo said. “As long as the path to advancement is unobstructed, everything else is not a problem. In Guannei, the recommendation system is still largely in place, which has almost become a tool for powerful families to monopolize power. As for the so-called imperial examination system, it’s said to leave a crack for those from humble backgrounds. Tell me, does that crack really exist?”

"Those who entered through the imperial examination system were basically supported by wealthy and powerful families. In previous years, they would occasionally pull one or two in to cover up their shortcomings, but now they don't even bother with such superficial gestures," Wei Yi said.

“The ascent routes are blocked, so the water naturally silts up deeper and deeper,” Zhang Ruo said. “It’s different here in Tai’an City. There are many, many ascent routes, and for each one, they have established detailed assessment systems. As long as you are willing to work hard, want to work hard, and work diligently, you will receive the corresponding rewards.”

“When a force first rises, it is always like the rising sun, full of vigor and vitality, but as time goes on, drawbacks will emerge one after another!” Wei Yi was not surprised.

“There’s another peculiar thing about Tai’an City: those who enjoy more rights must bear more obligations!” Zhang Ru’s expression was somewhat peculiar. “I believe this is the foundation of their existence.”

"Appreciate further details!"

"Wei Shiyi, how much tax does your family pay to the imperial court every year?" Zhang Ruo suddenly asked.

Wei Yi was taken aback, and after a long while said, "Scholar, I'm afraid my family has never paid any money, has it?"

Zhang Ruo laughed and said, "You're quite frank. My Zhang family has never paid taxes before. We've all taken it for granted and considered it a very normal thing. But in Tai'an City, the more power and wealth a person has, the more taxes they pay."

Wei Yi was somewhat taken aback.

Within the Great Wall, generally speaking, the greater one's power, the more wealth one possesses.

These two aspects complement each other.

Wealth without the protection of power is like a child carrying a large gold nugget in a bustling city; he will likely be reduced to ashes after only a few steps.

Therefore, those with power naturally have money. And those with money naturally have powerful figures backing them up, or even are themselves the powerful figures' front men.

"Is that possible?" he countered.

“Some time ago, I worked with Mao Daxian to complete the merger of Yuan’an, Tai’an, Helan Plain, and Baoping Prefecture. I saw the tax situation in Tai’an City for the first time. The higher the rank, the more taxes they paid. Even Li Dachui was no exception; last year, he paid 1,200 taels of silver in taxes.” Zhang Ruo said with emotion, “This surprised me greatly. Those who are homeless and destitute, besides the head tax, have nothing else. Of course, in this region, if you pay little tax, you have no face or rights. Outside the Great Wall, those without a home or job aren't even qualified to be soldiers!”

Li Dachui also paid taxes, which shocked Wei Yi.

“The more land a person owns, the more taxes they pay; the bigger their business, the more taxes they pay; the more money they make, the more taxes they pay,” Zhang Ruo said, spreading his hands. “Of course, those who pay more taxes also enjoy all sorts of privileges. They have priority in everything they do. If you want better things, you have to work hard to improve your level so that you can get the treatment that corresponds to your level.”

Wei Yi remained silent for a long while before saying, "Scholar, this is probably unrealistic within the pass." "Yes, unrealistic!"

"Scholar, tell me about their military service system! Such a strong army must have its unique features!"

“They implement the Fubing system, and apart from the officers, the rest are half soldiers and half farmers!” Zhang Ruo said, “That day, Xiao Changche and Li Dachui led a thousand heavy infantry and five hundred armored cavalry to meet you. When they were not on duty, they were all farmers, merchants, and artisans. They did not receive a penny of salary, and they even had to provide their own weapons, armor, and warhorses.”

"That's possible?" Wei Yi was dumbfounded. "Then how do they maintain such formidable fighting power?"

“The soldiers can obtain large amounts of land for free, enjoy tax exemptions, and are exempt from other labor services. Any spoils they acquire during battles also belong to them. If they die in battle, they will receive generous compensation.” Zhang Ruo said, “These soldiers are all extremely eager for war, because only through war can they obtain substantial rewards. You know, what they love most is to sneak into the Northern Yuan territory to plunder.”

“Aren’t they just a bunch of bandits!” Wei Yi said.

“Their regular soldiers are rotated every three years!” Zhang Ruo continued, “Not everyone is qualified to be a garrison soldier. Right now, the competition for garrison soldier qualifications under Li Dachui's command is still very fierce.”

"Is this a case of 'raising an army by supporting the people'?"

"That's pretty much it!" Zhang Ruo said. "The facts are clear as day, but it's virtually impossible for those inside the pass to learn from us."

Wei Yi nodded: "Yes, if we want to implement the Fubing system, where will the land come from? If we want to open up channels for advancement, how many people will agree? This is a stagnant pool. Unless a few fierce catfish jump in and stir up the water completely, I'm afraid there won't be any progress."

"Looks like you've already prepared a few catfish?"

"Since things are temporarily peaceful outside the pass, it's only natural that things should get a little chaotic inside!" Wei Yi said. "Some time ago, the Black Ice Guard used extremely drastic methods to kill some people. In response to the Black Ice Guard's actions, some forces have already jumped out!"

"Who will be unlucky?" Zhang Ruo asked.

Wei Yi laughed and rattled off a few surnames: "If they are shrewd and quickly back down when they see that their power is not in their favor, then we can probably only cut off their limbs. If they are foolish and greedy, then we can dismember them and scrape their bones, which may even boost the prestige of the court and allow it to govern for several years."

"Who will carry it out?"

"What's so great about that!"

Zhang Ruo remained silent for a long time before saying, "I heard He Qiku say that his son is too bloodthirsty and not suitable to be in charge on his own. That's why He Qiku has been keeping him in check. Even when he left the Southern Garrison, he took He Zudao with him, just in case his son caused a big commotion. Now, you're actually using this person? Does He Qiku agree to this?"

"How senile you are!" Wei Yi said, "What we need now is someone with a strong bloodlust. The more ruthless the killing, the greater the benefits to the court, and the easier it will be to clean up the mess in the end, won't it?"

"What a cruel fate to have only one son!" Zhang Ruo said, "Trying to treat a meritorious veteran like this, aren't you afraid of being scorned by others?"

"Misfortune and fortune have no fixed gate; they are summoned by oneself!" Wei Yi said calmly. "If there is anything amiss, it is He Zudao's own doing!"

Zhang Ruo stopped talking, raised her wine glass, and drank the wine in one gulp.

Thinking about his own experiences and then about He Zudao now, he couldn't help but chuckle. He stood up and staggered outside.

"Scholar!" Wei Yi called out from behind.

Zhang Ruo, holding onto the door frame, turned to look at Wei Yi and said, "In this world, there are not many loyal and righteous men. Every one who dies is one less. Wei Shiyi, the death I'm talking about is not just physical death, but also the death of the heart."

"Scholar, the court trusts you greatly and places high hopes on you," Wei Yi asked.

Zhang Ruo took a deep breath: "I will keep a close eye on the two Protectorates of Andong and Anxi for His Majesty. If I die, then there is nothing more to say!"

The door was being blown open and closed by the wind, making a clattering sound. Wei Yi sat alone at the table, smiling as he raised his glass to drink.

The area outside the Great Wall was not important to the Qin Dynasty.
As long as these powerful troops from outside the pass cannot enter, everything will be fine.

It now seems that Li Dachui is capable of holding his own against Linghu Ye.

That's enough.

(End of this chapter)