novelSusiti Chapter 27 New Policies of Zhou, Wife Instructs Husband
Chapter 27 New Policies of Zhou, Wife Instructs Husband
In the golden autumn of Bianliang, the national mourning of the 27th day had faded.
Emperors in chaotic times don't usually pay much attention to national mourning, and the Zhou Dynasty court didn't think of holding a national mourning ceremony either.
However, Emperor Guo's rule was exceptionally lenient during his reign. The people remembered his kindness and, in contrast to the bizarre tyranny and harshness of the previous short-lived emperors, their feelings for Emperor Guo became even more extraordinary. Thus, unusually, the people of Bianliang petitioned, and the court issued an edict, ordering the entire city to spontaneously mourn Emperor Guo for twenty-seven days.
Indeed, only the residents of Bianliang mourned. The newly enthroned Guo Rong did not force other cities and vassal states to follow suit. Firstly, he and his ministers lacked confidence in the new dynasty's prestige and influence, and forcing it might be embarrassing. Secondly, Guo Rong also wanted to shape his image through this non-coercive means, demonstrating that he continued the non-interference style of Emperor Guo.
Guo Rong's actions yielded unexpected results. All the cities in the Zhou Kingdom held mourning ceremonies for the late emperor, and the regional military governors personally or sent their sons back to Bianjing to pay their respects. Each regional military governor's jurisdiction set up a mourning hall, and all of Guo Rong's trusted generals wore mourning clothes, wailed loudly, and held a funeral for their elder brother.
With the heartwarming support of the entire nation, the new emperor Guo Rong initially gained the approval of the military and civilians across the country and could begin to realize his ambitions.
The palace of the Zhou Dynasty was small in size for an imperial palace, even less than a quarter the size of the Jinling Imperial Palace. It was originally the Xuanwu Military Governor's Office, and although it was gradually expanded and renovated by several dynasties, it did not increase much in size. In the former Great Yu Dynasty, it could only be considered a temporary palace.
Passing through the garden wall, a vast expanse of golden wheat came into view. Looking at the wheat field, Guo Rong felt a surge of longing for the late emperor. Although they weren't father and son, they had both lost all their relatives in the chaos of war. His parents had died, and his family had been destroyed.
At a young age, he had no choice but to take up arms and a carrying pole, engaging in the deadly business of smuggling salt. If his aunt hadn't married the late emperor, and if the late emperor hadn't insisted on finding him, he might already be dead in some mountain valley because of selling smuggled salt.
The late emperor was a formidable figure; he defeated all the famous generals of the Central Plains, and the Khitan generals feared him like a tiger. Yet, no one knew that this formidable man had cultivated ten acres of wheat fields in the palace gardens, personally tilling and harvesting them. He even told Guo Rong, "If my family had ten acres of wheat fields back then, I wouldn't be doing this deadly work. I've struggled my whole life, all I want is to live peacefully farming, with all the harvested wheat mine, and no one to steal it. That's enough for me."
Seeing the objects reminded him of his father, Guo Rong silently shed tears. Minister Wang Qian, understanding the situation, stepped forward and advised, "Your Majesty is benevolent and filial; the late Emperor would surely be comforted. The world is currently in turmoil, and the people's hearts are only beginning to settle. Your Majesty still needs to work diligently to bring glory to the late Emperor."
Guo Rong wiped away his tears and agreed, "What you say is true, sir. I should carry on the late emperor's will, pacify the land, and restore unity, so that everyone who tills the land has their own, and their harvest will not be forcibly taken. This is the kind of world the late emperor desired. Sir, where should we begin?"
Wang Qian turned to look at the wheat field in front of him and said to Guo Rong, "State affairs are numerous and complex, but there are always certain rules. The most urgent task is still the wheat before us. The late emperor only had time to plant it, but the harvest must be brought by Your Majesty personally. Offering the first harvest of the year to the late emperor's ancestral hall will surely win back the hearts of many old ministers."
Guo Rong was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Very well, as you say, I will personally go to the fields today to harvest the first wheat of this autumn, to comfort the spirit of the late Emperor in heaven."
Ten acres of wheat cannot be harvested in a day. If it were any other emperor, he would have just swung the sickle a few times as a token gesture and moved on. But Guo Rong was an extremely serious and persevering emperor. He moved his official duties to the fields. When he was tired, he would come out to handle some documents, and when he recovered, he would continue to work in the fields. In just seven days, thanks to Guo Rong's relentless and tireless efforts, he managed to harvest all ten acres of wheat.
Just as Guo Rong was happily ordering his men to select the plumpest wheat to offer as a sacrifice at the late emperor's ancestral hall, an urgent military report came from outside: "Your Majesty, the military governor of Zhaoyi reports urgently that Jinyang has launched an attack upon hearing of the late emperor's passing. Zhaoyi has just been through the war and is extremely exhausted. He earnestly requests the court to send troops to reinforce them immediately."
Guo Rong snorted angrily, "Taking advantage of the mourning period to make a move, how sensible! Men, sound the drums and horns in the palace, muster the troops!"
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During the autumn harvest, the Northern Han, which occupied Jinyang, took advantage of the unstable position of the new emperor in Bianliang and launched a surprise attack in alliance with the Khitan army. The newly enthroned Zhou emperor, fearless and unafraid, personally led more than 60,000 imperial guards from Bianliang into battle.
In November, the two sides clashed in a decisive battle at Gaoping. The newly enthroned Zhou emperor led the charge, brandishing his banner and spear, while the Zhou army, despite initial setbacks, fought valiantly and decisively defeated the Northern Han and Khitan forces, advancing all the way to the walls of Jinyang. Due to fierce resistance in Jinyang and the approaching winter, the Zhou army withdrew back to the capital. During the retreat, the Zhou army inflicted considerable destruction on the area south of Jinyang, severely crippling the Northern Han and leaving it devastated from that moment on.
The Zhou emperor's swift and decisive defeat of the Northern Han and Liao kingdoms shocked the world. Guo Rong's bravery and military achievements earned him the true recognition of the entire Zhou kingdom. The southern Yu kingdom and the western Shu kingdom both understood that Guo Rong's throne was secure and refrained from further ambitions.
Despite the glorious victory, Emperor Guo Rong, keenly aware of the deep-seated problems plaguing the Zhou state, returned to Bianjing and used the momentum of the triumph to reward, punish, and reorganize the imperial guards. Over seventy generals who were wavering, deserted in battle, or hesitated to advance were executed in one fell swoop, and more than a thousand soldiers were beheaded.
In addition to beheading punishments, he vigorously promoted brave newcomers in battle. Zhao Quanzhong, who came from Guo Rong's personal guard and shone brightly in this battle, stood out and was ordered to reorganize, supplement, and restructure the Imperial Guard.
Zhao Quanzhong came from a prestigious family in the Imperial Guard, with outstanding military achievements and a renowned family reputation. He was resolute and shrewd, and the reconstruction of the Imperial Guard proceeded very smoothly. He also promoted a group of elite officers to fill various vacancies, thus the army was disciplined and no longer dared to be disobedient to the court's orders.
Having gained control of the Imperial Guards, the Zhou state began to implement a series of new policies:
In the spring of the following year, under the personal supervision of Emperor Zhou, a political purge of official corruption and the crackdown on corrupt officials began in the court. In chaotic times, bribery and abuse of power were rampant, even due to the instability of the court. Civil and military officials made no attempt to conceal their greed, tyranny, and disregard for human life.
Guo Rong personally dealt with several influential civil and military officials, sparking a nationwide anti-corruption campaign. In a short time, corrupt officials were brought to justice, creating numerous vacancies.
With vacancies created, Guo Rong simply held a small-scale civil service examination, primarily selecting replacement officials from among the civil servants. He selected officials based on law and mathematics, not poetry and prose. Outside the capital, he promoted land reform, remeasured land acreage, and implemented a system of equal land distribution.
Economically, taxes were reduced and corvée labor was cut back; those conscripted for corvée labor were provided with meals and wages. All Buddhist and Taoist temple properties were taxed. Extravagant decorations in Buddhist and Taoist temples were prohibited, and large quantities of gold and bronze Buddha and deity statues were melted down and put into circulation as coins.
In just a few months, large areas of land in the Zhou Dynasty that had been abandoned for years due to war were recultivated, and the new equal-field system was put into practice, which aroused great enthusiasm among farmers for production. The corvée labor burden was greatly reduced after careful calculation, and even meals and wages were provided during the corvée labor period, and the farmers' resistance to corvée labor disappeared.
The precious metals confiscated from Buddhist and Taoist temples were minted into coins and circulated among the people, greatly alleviating the currency shortage caused by prolonged warfare. The increased money supply led to a flourishing of commerce, a spring filled with hope. The flames of hope among countless soldiers and civilians seemed to dispel the painful shadow of the lean season. Everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of a new era in the Central Plains.
The new Zhou emperor, Guo Rong, was still not satisfied. He said to his ministers, "I take it upon myself to unify the world, but I am always troubled by my inability to recruit talented people from all over the country. Now, the court and the army are full of people from Hebei and Hedong, with only a few from Shaanxi. How can such an officialdom and such an army win the hearts of the people of Lianghuai, Jiangnan, Jinghu, Bashu, Hanzhong, and even Shuofang and Hexi?"
"I wish to issue a public notice seeking talented individuals. Anyone from any region who can serve the Great Zhou can serve in the government (civilian positions) or form a separate army (military force) called the Imperial Guard. This way, no matter where we conquer in the future, we will have capable officials familiar with the enemy's situation. However, the journey is long; how can I gain the trust of the heroes and valiant men of various countries?"
The minister offered a suggestion: "Throughout history, wise rulers have always sought out talented individuals based on two principles: first, by broadening channels for communication; and second, by treating guests with sincerity. Bianliang is a major transportation hub connecting the north and south by land and water, with numerous people traveling from all directions. If Your Majesty can achieve these two points, posting notices to seek talented individuals will surely attract wise men from all over the land like a flowing river."
Guo Rong gladly said, "Excellent. From today onwards, set up a mailbox in the capital to invite scholars and commoners from the Great Zhou and even other countries to offer their advice and suggestions. Even if they write to criticize our dynasty or even me, I will never punish them. Those who offer meaningful advice will be rewarded. Order the relevant officials to set up an office specifically to receive wise men from all directions, to use their talents according to their abilities, and to ensure that wise men from all countries feel at home."
The new policies of the Zhou Kingdom and the new emperor's invitation to talented people from all over the world spread rapidly throughout the former territory of the Great Yu Dynasty via convenient water and land trade routes. Many virtuous and ambitious people who were still observing the situation became interested in the new emperor of the Zhou Kingdom and packed their bags to go to Bianliang to see for themselves what kind of person the new emperor was.
Li Xuan, Feng Niaoniao, and Li Ji, who lived near Guangling, naturally received the news immediately.
Seeing that the two brothers were somewhat interested, Feng Niaoniao took the initiative to persuade them to go to Bianliang: "The world has been divided for a long time, and the rulers who have emerged in times of chaos are not the kind of founding monarchs. This new emperor of Zhou can defeat the Khitan externally and govern the people with leniency internally. Moreover, he has the wisdom and courage to break down regional prejudices and gather talents from all directions. Xuan-ge, Ji-di, you have been lying low in your hometown for a long time. Aren't you waiting for a wise ruler? Now that a wise ruler has appeared, and our troops have been trained and trained to be well-mannered, you must not miss this opportunity."
What Feng Niaoniao could see, Li Xuan and Li Ji could also see. The Zhou emperor's recruitment of talented people, and even the establishment of a new imperial guard specifically for heroes and warriors from all over the country, was a major undertaking that broke new ground in decades and truly demonstrated the aura of a wise ruler who was unifying the world. Li Xuan and Li Ji should have gone there eagerly.
But when the time came, Li Xuan couldn't bear to leave his wife and children. The couple had been inseparable since their marriage, never truly separated for more than a few days. Moreover, their children were still so young. Going to Bianliang, the future of the brothers was uncertain, and in such chaotic times, they might never see each other again.
Li Ji had recently suffered emotional trauma and was willing to go far away to change his environment, but after his cousin and he left, his sister-in-law was left alone to take care of the housework, which made him uneasy.
Seeing their hesitation, Feng Niaoniao slammed her hand on the table and rebuked them: "Since ancient times, wealth and honor have been sought amidst danger. You brothers have studied literature and martial arts, gathered your followers, and accumulated wealth, all for the sake of achieving fame and fortune, bringing glory to our ancestors, and making a name for yourselves in future generations. The world is in chaos today, which is precisely the time for heroes to rise up. If you cannot achieve great things and live a mediocre life, how can you face your ancestors? If you feel that I have become a burden to you, then I will die before our parents' spirits today to free you."
Li Xuan was so frightened that he quickly grabbed his wife and begged for forgiveness, "It's not that bad, it's not that bad, let's talk this out, my wife, don't be angry."
Li Ji knelt down with a thud: "I have been raised by my elder brother and sister-in-law, and I have yet to repay their great kindness. Sister-in-law, please don't do anything foolish, it would be tantamount to taking my life. If you say you should go to Bianliang, then my brother and I will go. I only hope that you take care of yourself. Once we have made something of ourselves in Bianliang, we will definitely come back to reunite you and your nephews."
Li Xuan quickly nodded: "When I go to Bianliang, I will leave Changge behind. I can only feel at ease with Changge and Uncle Yuantu by my side. If there is any unrest in the countryside, I will give up all this family property and go back to my parents' home. No matter what happens, my wife, you must believe me. We will definitely be reunited one day."
Feng Niaoniao nodded with tears in her eyes and said, "The Li and Feng families are both families of prime ministers. Our ancestors have all made contributions to various dynasties, and their legacy has protected us to this day. If we don't work hard now, will our children and grandchildren still be able to receive protection? Xuan-ge, Ji-di, you must be very careful when you go to Bianliang. I am familiar with everything in my hometown of Guangling, so there is no need for me to worry. I will go and call the children in."
On that day, Li Xuan, along with his family and Li Ji, kowtowed and offered incense before the memorial tablets of their respective parents and grandparents, expressing their determination to go to Bianliang to make a living.
The eldest and second sons didn't understand why their parents were so serious today. It wasn't until Li Xuan told them that their father and uncle were going on a long trip and might not return for several years that the two sons realized what was going on, burst into tears, and refused to let their father leave.
Li Xuan was heartbroken. All he could do was hug his two children and kiss their faces repeatedly, apologizing to them and telling his sons that their father loved them the most and would definitely come to take them out to enjoy a better life in the future.
Feng Niaoniao covered her face and knelt before the spirit tablets of Li Xuan's parents, her heart filled with unbearable pain. She wondered if forcing Li Xuan to take up an official post in Bianliang would be successful, and she begged her in-laws in heaven to bless Li Xuan.
The next day, Li Xuan and Li Ji bid farewell to Feng Niaoniao and their two children, to Li Yuantu, Li Chang and his wife, and to their adopted sons and daughters. They then set off for Bianliang with the twenty retainers they had accumulated over the years.