Controlling mountains and rivers since the Warring States Period

Chapter 555 The Cold Winter of Yan

In the winter of the eighth year of Yongyuan,
The Western envoys are still in the Central Plains and have not returned.

Envoys from the Yan state, Xianbei, Wuhuan and other northern powers arrived one after another.

Their land suffered from heavy snow this year, and the cold took away too much, forcing them to come to Luoyang to beg for the emperor's favor.

The emperor did not make things difficult for them.

He rewarded the Xianbei and Wuhuan with some money so that they could buy grain and bring it back to the grasslands to relieve the disaster victims.

This naturally filled the descendants of the Donghu with immense gratitude, causing them to kneel on the ground and repeatedly praise the emperor's benevolence.

The emperor accepted the offer calmly, and then discovered that the Xianbei, who were farther from the Central Plains and should have received less royal influence, were more proper in their manners and even more pleasing to the gentlemen of the Central Plains in their clothing and speech.

So he asked out of curiosity why.

The Xianbei envoy then said:
“I am from the Murong tribe. Our tribe has long admired the king’s rule, and we have wise men from the various Xia states who have taught us. So even though we cannot be close to the Han Dynasty, we have not become alienated from civilization or turned into wild beasts.”

The emperor sighed, "After Ji Tong's passing, has there ever been another figure in the world capable of educating the people of the northern deserts?"

Sacrifice to Rong,

He was a minister in the early Han Dynasty.

During the Jianwu era, he served as the governor of Liaodong, responsible for defending against the Yan state and fighting against the newly rising Xianbei and Wuhuan.

after all,

Barbarians, once they rise to power, become arrogant and lose their sense of size and strength, believing themselves to be invincible.

Therefore, when the Han Dynasty initially sought to unite with the Yan state to launch a pincer attack, displaying rare friendliness and goodwill, it was rejected by the Wuhuan and Xianbei.

They reasoned that since the Han people needed their help, it must be because of their strength.

then,

With the mindset of wild beasts, they launched an attack on the Great Wall on the frontier of the Han Dynasty.

Ji Tong led his army to fight back and quickly defeated them. He also took advantage of the conflict between the descendants of the Donghu who had been separated for a long time to lure them into attacking each other, resulting in both sides suffering heavy losses.

The northern nomadic tribes were thus terrified.

Of course,
The ritual performed by Ji Rong, which demonstrated the might of the Han Dynasty, was not only not rejected by the various Hu tribes, but was also highly respected by them.

The assessment of the barbarians by the founding emperor of Western Qin was once again validated at that time.

When Ji Tong was promoted to the central government, the northern barbarian tribes would often inquire about his situation.

Later, news of his death was received.

Whenever envoys from the Xianbei and Wuhuan came to Luoyang to pay tribute to the emperor, they would also go to his tomb, look up at the sky, and weep bitterly to express their remembrance and admiration.

And what about such a minister?
The emperor, of course, also longed for it.

With Ban Chao in charge of the Western Regions, the court doesn't need to put in too much effort, but the northeast still lacks a leader.

Therefore, the emperor wanted to appoint the wise man mentioned by the Murong Xianbei envoy.

just,

When they learned that this man was originally from the Yan state, and that he preferred to go to the Xianbei rather than go south to serve as an official in the Han state, and that he was now old and frail and unable to walk, they gave up the idea of ​​recruiting him.

Since the other party has no intention, there's no need to force it.

However, the emperor still bestowed many gifts and treasures upon the envoy, which he then sent back with him.

As the emperor of all the lands, his vision and demeanor cannot be limited to the Han dynasty in the Central Plains.

The people of the various Xia states,
They are also subjects under the emperor's rule!

As for the State of Yan

The emperor's attitude, however, was not as composed as it was towards the Wuhuan and other tribes.

He said to the embarrassed Yan envoy, "When the Han Dynasty was just being restored, you still had the ability to compete with me for the world."

“During the reign of Emperor Ming, there was still the courage to oppose me.”

"Why are you now displaying such a dejected attitude?"

The envoy from Yan was speechless and could not answer.

In the end, he could only let out a sigh, expressing the bitterness in his heart, and kowtow to the emperor once more, saying, "The snow disaster in the country is severe. I am willing to cede several border cities in exchange for the emperor's grace and to save the lives of the people."

Seeing his humble posture, the emperor pondered for a while before granting his request.

Some officials expressed their opposition to this.

They said:
"The Xianbei and Wuhuan are nothing more than barbarians on the border. Even if they are growing stronger, the Xiongnu are there to keep them in check."

"Moreover, their people are uncivilized and their land is lacking in resources, so they cannot possibly become a scourge to our great Han."

"But the state of Yan is different!"

The gentlemen of the Xia dynasty understand the gentlemen of the Xia dynasty best.

Of all the countries in the world, apart from Rome, only the various Chinese states could contend with each other.

The small, barbarian countries caught in the middle could only end up as ashes in the aftermath of battles between the strong.

"The Yan state has been cultivating Liaodong for a long time. Its cities are strong and its people are resilient. If we help them through the disaster, what should we do if they become enemies with our Han Dynasty again next year?"

The emperor waved his hand and replied calmly, "The Yan Kingdom has no chance to prosper again."

He countered with a question to his subjects:
"Have you ever seen a high-ranking official or nobleman of a country constantly sending his or her children to other countries?"

The ministers looked at each other, recalling the statistics secretly compiled by the court, which showed that the number of "Yan scholars" who came but never returned to their country, instead squandering the money and treasures they brought from their homeland.

They stopped objecting.

Speak the truth,

If we could recall these people, or find a way to reclaim the money they had amassed and bring it back to the State of Yan.

Then the Yan Kingdom need not worry about this year's snow disaster.

As for the drawbacks of the Yan state's political system, insightful individuals in the Han Dynasty had already pointed them out:
"If the name does not match the reality, and the trust between superiors and subordinates is lost, how can the dynasty last long?"

The powerful families of the Central Plains knew they couldn't act like the nobles of Yan.

First of all,

The prosperity of the Central Plains has been recognized by the world.

Unless they are desperate, no one would have the time or inclination to leave this place and suffer elsewhere.

Secondly,

The reason why prominent families are prominent families is naturally related to the fact that their roots have been in the local area for generations.

Even moving a large tree can cause many deaths, let alone a family or clan.

Furthermore,

Even if the Han Dynasty loses its Mandate of Heaven, a new dynasty will be established.

But as long as there is an emperor and a court,

Then their status wouldn't face the same problems as the Yan state.

After all, the ancestral temples for sacrifices have changed, but the national system has not changed; it remains a stage where aristocratic families and officials can perform to their heart's content.

"Furthermore, I have also heard that a fire broke out in the Gantang Palace, where the Yan state held state councils, when the snow was falling heavily."

"This is a sign of its further decline."

Gantang Palace
It was the central hub of the Yan state.

Its existence, its significance.
This was no ordinary event for the State of Yan.

The falling winter snow, which is actually formed from rainwater, is something that even a tiny flame would not dare to rage or wreak havoc in front of.

Therefore, the raging fire that burned down Gantang Palace,

Is it a natural disaster or a man-made one?

The emperor did not investigate further.

All he knew was that the Yan Kingdom was in his hands and would meet its final end!

And on the other side,
The envoy from Yan, who had received the emperor's decree, was returning to his embassy, ​​anxiously awaiting the preparation of his requests by various government offices so he could quickly bring them back to Yan for famine relief. However, many things cannot be rushed.

Winter is the season when all things hibernate, and government offices that have been busy all year will relax a bit during the holidays and go home.

Although there is now an imperial order, it will still take some time for officials who have gone back to bed to get up again, wrap themselves in thick clothes, and return to their offices so that sufficient supplies can be mobilized for them.

then,

Just as the Yan envoy was eagerly awaiting his arrival, a guest appeared.

Even dressed in the attire of the Han Chinese, Tacitus, whose foreign appearance was still undeniable, visited him, wanting to learn about the affairs of the Yan Kingdom.

He said to the Yan envoy:
"Your country is far from Luoyang, and is also separated by the Great Wall... My fleet will set sail and return after spring arrives, riding the still-lingering northwest wind."

"Therefore, I hope to inquire about the Yan Kingdom through you, so that my journey to the Central Plains will be without regrets."

During my stay in Luoyang for several months,
Tacitus had visited many people and places, adding far too much to his notes.

Besides recording the local customs and culture of the other side of the Central Plains,
Tacitus also devoted much of his energy to contemplating two completely different civilizations.

The questions in his mind remained unanswered, and with the emperor's permission, he was able to read even more ancient Chinese texts, which only amplified his doubts.

This greatly troubled Tacitus.

When he learned that in the northeast of the Han Dynasty, there existed a force promoting a republic and closely connected with the Way of Great Peace,

Tacitus then felt that this country was a good subject of observation.

The Chinese people, who championed centralized power, surprisingly revived a system from thousands of years ago right next to the world's most centralized nation.

How could this not resonate with Tacitus, who longed for a republican era?
unfortunately,

The meeting with the envoy from the Yan Kingdom was hardly a pleasant one.

Because after he expressed his request...

The envoy's expression immediately became complicated.

His dejection and shame when facing the emperor were mixed with a hint of embarrassment, as if he didn't want to air his dirty laundry in public.

He was reluctant to agree to Tacitus's words, but the Liu Chu envoy who arrived later persuaded him.

That "relative of the Han imperial family," who clearly had curly hair and more defined features than most, said:
"What in this world can't be said?"

"The truth is out in the open; no amount of hiding it will help!"

It's better to be a little thick-skinned and straightforward in your words and actions; you might even earn a reputation for being "honest" in other people's eyes.

In any case, when he met the emperor, he never felt inferior or ashamed because of his appearance.

otherwise,

He has no kinship with the most distinguished people in the world!

When the Yan envoy heard his words, he thought about the declining state of the country and knew that some things were beyond repair. He thought it would be better to speak out so that future generations could learn a lesson.

So he invited Tacitus into the room, where they sat down opposite each other, and began to tell him about the short history of the Yan state, which has only been sixty years since then.

Tacitus listened quietly, occasionally offering his own questions and insights.

Some of the envoys from Yan could answer, while others could only lament the past.

"In general, once people and nations lose their credibility, they are not far from being displaced and destroyed."

Finally, the Yan envoy said this.

The importance that the Chinese people placed on "trust and righteousness" was established very early on, and they also provided corresponding explanations for it.

Regarding the principles of conduct and interpersonal relationships,

The Book of Changes says: "What people rely on is trust."

The Book of Rites says: "When interacting with people of one's own country, one should stop at trust."

As for the nation's fiduciary duty...

Confucius mentioned this many times in the Analects:
"Death is inevitable for all men, but a people without faith cannot stand."

"Governing the country means having sufficient food, sufficient troops, and sufficient trust!"

Unfortunately, the Yan state was unable to do any of these things at that time.

The powerful and wealthy wanted to enjoy the riches they deserved, but they lived in the shadow of Sun En, the "founding emperor," and were burdened by the "ancestral laws." They could only harbor resentment and use dark and shameful means to satisfy their selfish desires.

They were extremely envious of the powerful Han nobles who could rightfully establish manors and gather slaves.

This made the nobles of Yan yearn for the Han Dynasty, unable to regard Yan, which did not allow them to be happy, as a warm home.

Humph,
Since the State of Yan was known as a "state of great public good and selflessness," every place was a place where public resources were utilized.
So when they cause destruction, they naturally feel no remorse.

Public resources belong to everyone.

What does this have to do with me personally?
Correspondingly, what use is maintaining the nation's credit to these nobles whose minds have long since flown away to the freedom and beauty of the Han Dynasty?

It would be better to use public resources for personal gain and prepare for moving to Han territory to enjoy a better life.

The Yan envoy sighed and said:
Xunzi said in "The King and the Hegemon": "Righteousness leads to kingship, trust leads to hegemony, and power and scheming lead to destruction."

The foundation of governing a country is morality, and credit is an important condition for the operation of a country, while power tactics are merely a means to make up for deficiencies.

"But the righteousness of the founders of the nation still exists in people's hearts, but it no longer exists in the Gantang Palace."

"Trust also dissipates with the despicable behavior of the meat-eaters, and people become indifferent to each other."

"Only the struggle for power remains, which can still consume some wisdom..."

If wisdom is used to fight for power and profit, or to seek personal pleasure, can it still be considered "wisdom"?

"Confucianism advocates governing the country with virtue, which can unite people from top to bottom, ruler and minister, clan and family... Although there may be flaws in the laws and regulations, it will not make people feel cold."

"The Legalists advocated governing the country with laws, which could restrain people's indulgence and desires... Although it has the fault of being too harsh, it can still keep the people on the right path and prevent them from running away in all directions."

But now, the State of Yan
The most important virtues, righteousness and faith, are no longer present.

When powerful figures abandon the fundamental interests of the nation and only pursue short-sighted gains, they establish laws but constantly violate them, and much of the old morality collapses.

The only consensus between superiors and subordinates
Perhaps they were all trying to find a way to escape to the Han Dynasty.

"It's alright. Once the situation is settled, with your talent, you can still hold an official position in the Han Dynasty, can't you?"

The envoy from Liu Chu comforted his counterparts from Yan in this way.

The latter smiled wryly and waved his hand, not responding to him.

He simply told Tacitus, “Nations and ethnic groups are formed by the unity of people’s hearts.”

"It is like a blind man touching an elephant; he cannot see its specific features, but he can feel its presence and understand the power it possesses."

"But all of this requires integrity as its foundation."

"Regardless of a country's system, whether it is a republican government or an authoritarian regime, if it loses its credibility, it loses its foundation."

"The big tree will fall, and the spring will dry up."

Instead of getting hung up on the methods of 'national system,' you should build a consensus among the people and enhance the country's credibility.

"Only then will the people follow you."

Thinking back to the reasons for the establishment of the Yan state,
Reflecting on the reasons for the decline of the Yan state,
After the messenger finished speaking, he fell silent again.

Tacitus sat there thoughtfully, then nodded and said, "I understand."

After a while,
Once the relief supplies obtained by the Yan envoy were fully prepared, he shook off the snow and returned to his country.

But for the Yan state, these things only provided temporary relief from the snow disaster.

When the ice melts in spring, the river will experience ice jams, which will require people to work hard again.

"If the ice jams this spring do not cause too much damage, the Yan state can continue its national fortune for a few more years."

The dead in the underworld and the wise people in the mortal world all made this assessment at the turn of winter and spring.

The emperor and his ministers in Luoyang were also paying close attention to the Liaodong region beyond the Great Wall, discussing the opportune time to use force to recover it.

Before news of the spring disaster in Yan could reach Luoyang,

When the ninth year of Yongyuan had just arrived,
Empress Dowager Dou has passed away.

(End of this chapter)