Chapter 748 Slap and Sweet Dates

Chapter 748 Slap and Sweet Dates

Chapter 748 Slap and Sweet Dates

On the 20th day of the first lunar month, the angel arrived in Pingyang, while Shao Xun was still in Wenxi.

"Transporting food and supplies over long distances is inconvenient." In Pei's manor, he looked at everyone and said, "Now tens of thousands of troops are stationed in Pingyang and Hedong, which is very costly. The two counties are rich and need to provide some money and food, otherwise there will be no way to support the army."

When he said he was looking at everyone, he was actually mainly speaking to the Pei family.

No matter how reluctant he was, he had to admit that the aristocratic families led by the Pei family played a very important role in the rapid capture of Pingyang.

Otherwise, the battle might have to last at least three more months. By November, the Northern Route Army led by Shao Xun had actually suffered a certain degree of casualties from injuries and frostbite.

The bad weather also greatly reduced the effectiveness of the Silver Spear Army's most skilled infantry archers, and the baggage convoys departing from Jinyang were repeatedly delayed, which severely hit morale.

After the Battle of Wenxi, the Xiongnu soldiers stationed at various key points south of Shilou Mountain either surrendered in an organized manner or scattered in a hurry, completely losing their fighting spirit. This was the result of the rebellion of the Hedong clans.

"The Silver Spear and Black Spear armies defeated Jinyang and Pingyang with brilliant military exploits, which frightened the Huns. With such elite troops, Hedong will be safe. I have no choice but to do this." Pei Xian looked around and found that he was the highest-ranking official, the Censor-in-Chief, and no one else said anything, so he could only speak with a stiff upper lip.

"Okay." Shao Xun nodded approvingly, then looked at Wei Zhan.

"My lord, although the Wei family is not wealthy, they are willing to donate military rations to help our army." Wei Zhan expressed his opinion.

He has been appointed as the left chancellor of the Liang State's Fifth Army and is about to go to Bianliang to take up his post. He is in a good mood.

At the critical moment, he captured Yucheng Dige and held the top of Zhongtiao Mountain, forcing Shi Hu's 5,000 troops to abandon their baggage and flee, playing a key role.

Otherwise, even if Shao Shen conquered Dayang Ferry, he would still have to fight with Shi Hu repeatedly for the ownership of the ferry and the pontoon bridge.

If Shi Hu was desperate, he could have burned the floating bridge and trapped Shao Shen and his soldiers on the south bank of the Yellow River, making it difficult to break through. In the final battle of Wenxi, the elite soldiers of the government (Lao Yamen Army) who crossed the river from Shancheng to the north and the Tuqi Du of Youzhou played a key role.

Many things are linked together. It is true that whoever controls the noble families controls the world.

With such merits, it was natural for Wei Zhan to go to Bianliang to assist Liu Anzhi in handling military affairs - well, the Wei family was inferior to the Liu family's side branches, which was a bit against the will of heaven, but this was the difference between following the dragon early and following the dragon late.

"There may be some gossip in the countryside." After finalizing the issue of grain and grass, Shao Xun took the initiative to bring up another topic: "It is true that the mention of honorary officials and the surnames of the barbarians may squeeze out the official positions of scholars--"

Pei Xian and others felt nervous when they heard this.

They often discussed this topic in private, but no one dared to oppose it in front of Lord Liang. It was like a taboo. Everyone kept silent and hid their dissatisfaction in their hearts. Unexpectedly, Lord Liang took the initiative to break this window paper...

"How short-sighted!" Shao Xun patted his thigh and said, "Jingsi, let me ask you, is there any flaw in the current official system?"

"Yes, a lot." Pei Xian's practical ability was almost zero, but he was very proficient in systems, ceremonies, rituals, music, classics and history, and he immediately gave an affirmative answer.

Shao Xun nodded.

In fact, until the Tang Dynasty, the official system was not sound, so various temporary positions were invented to make up for the defects of the official system.

To put it bluntly, there are too few officials.

There were 7,000 to 8,000 people in the Western Han Dynasty, more than 10,000 in the Jin Dynasty, and 18,000 in the prosperous Tang Dynasty. The overall trend was an increase, which was actually a reflection of the court's improved ability to govern the country, but it was still not enough.

In Shao Xun's opinion, the official system problems of the Jin Dynasty were even more serious than those of the Tang Dynasty, and many departments could be completely eliminated - in fact, many departments were merged during the Southern and Northern Dynasties and the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and then some new departments were established, making it more reasonable.

"The official system of our dynasty is very flawed and there are many vacancies, so high-ranking officials above the third rank often appoint their own subordinates, but the results are half as good as they should be." Shao Xun said, "In this way, the official system may be reformed."

"How to change it?" Pei Xian asked with interest.

"It's just a rough idea. I need to think it over carefully." Shao Xun smiled and said, "I think there are nine ranks, the highest is the first rank, and the lowest is the ninth rank."

The official ranks were divided into eighteen levels instead of the original nine - if the upper and lower levels were added, the total number would be thirty-six.

Doubling the number of official ranks does not mean doubling the number of official positions; it is more about subdividing the various official positions.

For example, the Shangshu Ling, Shangshu Zuo Pushe and various Cao Shangshu are all third-grade officials. In fact, there is a distinction between them and they can be distinguished.

Of course, the number of officials will definitely increase appropriately, and this is Shao Xun’s original intention - to make the pie bigger.

Aren't you dissatisfied with the military and barbarian people grabbing official positions? Well, I have long wanted to reform this shitty official system. Taking advantage of the favorable opportunity of conquering Pingyang and the rise of prestige, I will change the nine-level official system to eighteen-level, increase some official positions appropriately, and shut your mouths.

Pei Xian obviously thought of this.

His many years of experience in studying systems and rituals made him subconsciously realize that there were many opportunities here.

He and Wei Zhan looked at each other.

Wei Zhan nodded slightly, as if he had also seen it and was quite satisfied.

Pei Xian secretly breathed a sigh of relief: Lord Liang finally did not "go against the grain". After all, he still knew the benefits of having the support of scholars. Isn't this just giving official positions to scholars?

It’s this way of doing things, of giving a slap in the face and then giving a little sweet treat, which is really a bit - strange!
However, Pei Xian had to admit that Duke Liang played this move brilliantly, because it would obviously win the gratitude of the scholars.

"Jingsi, you have always been proficient in court etiquette and constitutions. You have to help me with this matter." Shao Xun said again.

"Yes, sir." Pei Xian agreed with some excitement.

For someone like him who is not greedy for money or lustful, the most important thing he wants is to leave his name in history.

Writing the rules and regulations for the new dynasty absolutely hit his sweet spot.

Wei Zhan looked at him enviously.

As for scholars, when they were young, they more or less had some ideas of being ambitious, stabilizing the country, and establishing honors. Lu Ji's "Song of a Hundred Years" has already made this very clear.

If Pei Xian got this opportunity, his reputation would surely rise. But he could only go to the Fifth Military Division to handle the mundane affairs of the military, which made the difference between them.

Between Qingzhi and Yimen, everyone knows to choose a noble position!

At the same time, he also felt somewhat satisfied. Although Lord Liang had suppressed scholars in many ways, it seemed that he did so out of helplessness and had no choice. He did not intend to kill the scholars with one blow.

Today's meeting has greatly appeased the people of Hedong. When Pei Jingsi begins to participate in the establishment of the official system, more and more people will know about this matter, and the dissatisfaction of the scholars towards Lord Liang will be greatly reduced.

Mr. Liang is a man who does great things.

******
In the backyard of the manor, the female members of the Pei family surrounded Pei Lingyan, trying to please her.

The nine-year-old Nian Liu (Shao Xu) also received a lot of attention. Many women were already considering whether to strengthen the relationship and let Nian Liu marry Pei's daughter when he grew up.

Pei Lingyan knew this very well, and although she didn't say anything, she had already rejected this idea in her heart.

"Hua Nu, I heard that Lord Liang did not deal with the Minister, so what will he do to the Wang family of Taiyuan? Is that the end?" Pei Li's wife, who was from the Wang family of Taiyuan, brought over the boiled tea and asked.

He Shizhong's name was He Bao, and he was from the He family of Runan, the same family that was exterminated by Shao Xun. He was captured after the conquest of Pingyang, but he was not punished because he had no bad record and he was an official after being captured by the Xiongnu, so he was released.

Pei Li was Pei Xian's younger brother. His father Pei Kai was Pei Kang's younger brother. He was a famous scholar in Cao Wei. He had served as Shizhong, Beijun Zhonghou, and Zhongshu Ling. He had passed away for many years.

Pei Li was also in his forties, but he had never entered the government and managed the estate at home.

Wang was born in Taiyuan and was very concerned about her natal family. When she finally got the chance, she asked about it.

"I don't know either." Pei Lingyan smiled apologetically and said, "Why worry too much? Lord Liang has already dealt with it and there will be no further punishment."

Wang nodded anxiously.

"Hua Nu, your fox fur coat is really beautiful, without any other colors, but is it the fur from the fox's armpits?"

"Well, what the Taiyuan chiefs offered was not much. They only made two pieces." Pei Lingyan said.

As the saying goes, "It takes a lot of effort to make a coat." The fur under the fox's armpit is only a small piece and is very valuable.

Two top-quality fox furs, one was given to Mrs. Yu and the other was worn by her.

"Hua Nu, Lord Liang's great cause is about to be accomplished, and it is time to recruit people. Do you want to select talents from the children of the Pei family?"

"How can I, a woman, predict military and national affairs?" Pei Lingyan said helplessly, "Mr. Liang has his own rules."

"Flower slave, your life is worth it..."

The women chattered non-stop, and Pei Lingyan responded casually.

In this era, a woman's status depends entirely on her man and the extent to which he loves her.

Pei Lingyan's devotion to a family servant of humble origin might have been criticized in the past, but now these women can only envy her.

There are women in the Pei clan who are more beautiful than Hua Nu. Unfortunately, Hua Nu was lucky enough to meet Lord Liang.

Lord Liang had been in the Pei family's old house for many days, and the Pei family had arranged for a young and beautiful Pei woman to serve him, but Lord Liang declined. He walked around the manor every day with Hua Nu, and they were in harmony and doted on her. The Pei family saw this, and while they were happy, they were also a little worried. They were afraid that there would be no successor in Lord Liang's harem!

In addition, the power of the Pei family has now basically shifted to Pei Kang's line.

Among the four brothers of Pei Kang, the two sons of the eldest brother Pei Li and their descendants all served as officials in Liangzhou.

The third brother Pei Kai had five sons, and only Pei Xian became the Censor-in-Chief, a low-ranking official.

The fourth brother Pei Chuo has only one son who has made a name for himself, namely Pei Xia, who is Wang Yan's son-in-law and is now the governor of Qingzhou.

Among Pei Kang's four sons, Pei Chun was the captain of the Luoyang city gate and was promoted to the governor of Bingzhou a few years ago.

Pei Shao was the left chief secretary of the General's Office.

Pei Kuo was the Lieutenant General of the Northern Army and had just been promoted to the Central Guard General a while ago.

Only the former Xuzhou governor Pei Dun met with an accident, and his entire family was killed by Zhao Gu. Only one daughter survived, who was Zhao Gu's wife.

Pei Kang was one of the three highest officials of the State of Liang during his lifetime. This branch was so prominent that it was certain that it would take charge of the Pei family. The side branches really could not compete.

At present, the three brothers Pei Chun, Pei Shao and Pei Kuo are in charge of the Pei family. Other people of the same generation such as Pei Xian and Pei Xia have a certain say, but they are all in a subordinate position.

Of course, in addition to the three Pei Chun brothers, the Pei family has another core, that is Pei Lingyan.

She is so favored that it would be a shame not to take advantage of this.

Shao Xu felt bored, so after getting his mother's permission, he left the backyard and prepared to go to the front yard to find his father.

I met someone on the way who seemed like an elder (actually, a peer), but I didn't know him very well. After greeting him, I left in a hurry.

Pei Zhan glanced at him and narrowed his eyes. He was really a rare commodity.

He had just returned from Liaodong and reported the inside story of the Murong family. He was appreciated by Lord Liang and was appointed as a military officer in the General's Office.

He was the cousin of Pei Kang and the grandson of former Inspector of the Imperial Guards Pei Ying (son of Pei Ji, the Minister of Works during the reign of Emperor Xian, also known as Pei Chang).

His father Pei Wu was the governor of Xuantu and has passed away.

His elder brother Pei Kai served as an official under the rule of Murong Wei.

My uncle Pei Yi is now the chief secretary of Murong Wei and is very trusted.

Pei Zhan discussed with his uncles and brothers and decided to return to the Central Plains to serve because Duke Liang's momentum was so good.

This branch of theirs has been rooted in Liaodong for a long time and is actually not far away from the current main lineage. If they don't come back now, they will become really alienated in the future.

Pei Zhan was very utilitarian. He felt that the Pei family should make arrangements now, exerting efforts simultaneously in the central region, Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Liangzhou, with Shao Xu, the third son of Duke Liang, as the core, in order to make the family bigger and stronger.

What status does the Yu family have to be compared with the Pei family?

However, he still had to convince a few of his uncles. How could he accept this situation without fighting for it?
(End of this chapter)