The Great Wei Empire in the Warring States Period

Qingyang City

As early as more than a thousand years during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the Yiqiu people lived in Qingyang. During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, they established a powerful county here to compete with the Qin and Wei states. The land here is fertile, the grass is abundant, and the animal husbandry is very developed. It is also the place with the largest population of the Yiqiu State, and they settled down from a nomadic state. At a very early time, they learned farming techniques and Zhou culture, and imitated the Zhou people to build cities and villages, thus developing into the Yiqiu people who were different from other Qiang and Rong people. The area ruled by Yiqiu extended to northern Shaanxi in the east, Hetao in the north, Longxi in the west, and Weishui in the south. There were dozens of cities and the national strength was also very strong.

The streets in the city are also learned from the Zhou people. The houses, markets, palaces, and workshops are arranged in an orderly manner. The current King Yiqiu does not like to start wars everywhere, because the territory of the Yiqiu Kingdom has reached its peak in his hands. He is over 60 years old and it is time to enjoy life. The vigor and ambition of his youth have long disappeared. Now he only likes to eat, drink and have fun.

Inside the palace

After listening to the envoy's report, Yiqiu King Zhai Zhongnai stretched and said, "I heard that Wei is a very powerful country and the strongest country in the world. Now that my Yiqiu country has provoked Wei, we must apologize to them. Who of you will go to Shangjun to negotiate with the Shangjun County Magistrate?"

Zhai Lun, the prime minister, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go."

"Okay, I'll leave it to you, Prime Minister. I'll leave the court!"

………

County Magistrate's Mansion

Wei Shen was reading "Book of Zhou Gong" in the study, and Ziyou hurried in to report, "Mr. County Magistrate, the Yiqiu envoy came to ask for an audience, hoping to discuss border issues with you."

After learning the news, Wei Shen was not in a hurry to express his opinion. He knew that there might be complex political considerations behind this proposal for reconciliation. He decided to first summon the city bei who were good at military affairs to carefully analyze Yiqiu's intentions.

Wei Shen thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Ziyou, please tell the envoy that I have urgent matters to deal with recently. Let him rest at the post station for a few days, and I will meet him again in a few days."

After Ziyou left, Wei Shen summoned Shi Bei and immediately asked what happened on the border. Shi Bei replied: "Just a few days ago, General Gongsun Xi led 500 soldiers to defeat the Yiqiu Sanqi who came to invade our Wei State."

A cold light flashed in Wei Shen's eyes, and he said to Shi Bei: "What do you think is the purpose of their sending envoys here?"

After thinking for a moment, Shi Bei said: "I heard that King Yiqiu is old and is no longer as brave and good at fighting as he was in the past, so he is not willing to conflict with the countries around us. I guess it should be the disobedient small tribes under his command. These small tribes are forced to harass Qin or our Wei border because of their small territories and oppression by the big tribes! I think they may be here to discuss trade cooperation between the two sides."

Wei Shen carefully analyzed Yiqiu's intentions and said: "You are right, but they don't want to have a conflict, but it doesn't mean I won'tTake the initiative. If they want to negotiate, negotiate with them. Wait for a few years. When the time is right, it will be time to destroy them!"

"Yes!"

………

A few days later, Yiqu envoy Zhai Lun came to the county governor's mansion under the leadership of Ziyou. Wei Shen had already known about the envoy's arrival. He personally welcomed the envoy and hosted a banquet in the mansion. The Yiqu envoy carefully observed Wei Shen, thinking to himself that Wei Shen, the prince of Wei, must be a smart and wise person.

After both parties took their seats, Wei Shen said straight to the point: "May I ask what the envoy has come for this time? If you are here to declare war, then I will accompany you to the end. If it is for the peace of the people of both sides, I will definitely be willing to do it."

Zhai Lun said respectfully: "I am not here to declare war, but for the trade issues between the two sides."

Wei Shen nodded and said: "Since your envoy is also for the peace of the two countries, then may I ask what trade conditions your envoy has? ”

Zhai Lun said: "First, the grain production of Yiqiu is relatively low, so we want to exchange horses for grain; second, Yiqiu wants to send some people to study in the Xihe School of Wei; third, Yiqiu wants to form an alliance with Wei to help each other in attack and defense."

Wei Shen thought for a while and said: "Okay, Wei agrees to all three points, but I also require Yiqiu to use Wei's measurement and writing. What do you think?"

After all, this is related to the foundation of a country, but Yiqiu either uses the Qin's writing or the Central Plains' writing, and basically has no unified writing, so he said: "Okay!"

Wei Shen smiled and said: "Okay, for the peace of the people of the two countries and the safety of merchants, I want to build a straight road that leads directly to your capital. How about it? ”

Zhai Lun also thought that building a straight road would be beneficial to the safety of merchants on both sides and agreed to it. However, he fell into Wei Shen's trap. Once the road was built, the cavalry of Wei could directly attack the capital of Yiqu.

………

In the past year, in the county governor's mansion

Facing the officials, Wei Shen said confidently: "Everyone, after a year, my Shangjun has developed rapidly and the yield of the fields has increased significantly. Is there anything else that needs to be dealt with?"

Ziyou suggested: "Shangjun still has some water conservancy facilities that have not been completed. I think we should increase the construction of water conservancy projects this year."

Wang Yu also expressed his support: "Ziyou's suggestion makes sense. Grain production is closely related to the construction of water conservancy projects. Recently, the land yield of several counties has been low due to water problems."

Wei Shen nodded slightly: "Yes, water conservancy projects are very important."

Le Ping expressed his opinion: "I think it's time to implement the military farming system. According to your Excellency, more than 20,000 slaves have escaped to Shangjun in the past year, and they still have no land to live on. It would be better to organize them into garrison farmers, allocating 30 mu of land to each person, and then add land one by one according to the increase in family population. ”

Wei Shen agreed and said: “Okay, let’s do it.”

Shi Bei reported: "The 40,000 Tiger and Leopard Cavalry have completed their training. According to the king's instructions, only 10,000 Tiger and Leopard Cavalry need to stay in this county, and the other 30,000 Tiger and Leopard Cavalry should go to Daliang immediately!"

Wei Shen nodded and said: "The king's order is difficult to disobey, so General Shi Bei will be responsible for the handover."

Li Zheng stated proudly: "Sir, I want to report to An Guojun. This person has implemented tyranny and excessive taxation in his fiefdom, and the people there have long been suffering. Almost every day someone complains to me about An Guojun. I ask the lord to allow me to arrest An Guojun!"

Wei Shen frowned, because it was difficult to arrest An Guojun. After all, his grandfather had served as prime minister and was the most capable minister of Wei Wenhou. You must know that at least half of the credit for the strength of Wei State is attributed to him. Li Kui, Wu Qi, Le Yang, Ximen Bao and others were all recommended by him. He said: "I have to ask the king for instructions on this matter first, and wait for the king's order. ”

………

The court of Wei

After listening to the reports of Hui Shi and Meng Ke, Wei Ling immediately became impatient: "Anything else? Tell me now!"

Si Kou Shen stood up and said: "Your Majesty, according to the reports of the officials of Shangjun, An Guojun has repeatedly oppressed the people and implemented harsh policies and levies. The people of these fiefdoms are in extreme suffering, and even thousands of people have written blood letters to request that An Guojun be punished! I would like to ask whether the king should send someone to go..."

When Wei Lang heard that someone was oppressing the people, he originally planned to order the arrest of this person immediately. However, when he heard that the person involved was actually An Guojun, he could not help but hesitate. After all, the first An Guojun was Wei's prime minister Zhai Huang, who was appointed by Wei Wenhou himself. Zhai Huang made great contributions to Wei. He supported Li Kui's reforms, recommended Wu Qi as the general, and led Wei to fight in all directions; he also recommended Ximen Bao, so that Zhao did not dare to attack Wei easily for decades; finally, he repeatedly advised Wei Wenhou to be humble and accept advice. It can be said that without Zhai Huang, there would be no prosperity of Wei.

Si Tu Mengke saw that Wei Lang was hesitant, so he advised: "Your Majesty, the current An Guojun is different from the previous An Guojun. Since he oppresses the people, he must be responsible for the corresponding punishment, otherwise how can the people obey your leadership? I believe that if you punish the current An Guojun, Zhai Huang will support you. After all, Zhai Huang is also a wise man! How could he harm the State of Wei for his own selfish interests! "

After hearing this, Wei Ling pondered for a moment and replied: "Let the governor of Shangjun take full responsibility for this matter. Tell Shen'er that he can handle it himself!"

"Your Majesty is really wise!" All the ministers praised in unison.

………

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