Chapter 3 The Immortal Touches My Head Twice

  Zhao Xingde pondered for a moment, then asked: "If that's the case, why doesn't Xia Guo gather all its elite troops and destroy this dynasty once and for all?"

  Xu Buzhi took a sip of tea and replied, "Yuan Zhi has this kind of temperament, which is good. However, the river region was originally inhabited by very few Chinese people. Even if we were to destroy one of the countries of Tujue, Ruo Si, or Da Shi, it would still be for the benefit of other local ethnic groups. The Hu people believe in gods and spirits, either calling them Shangdi or Zhenzhu. Even if Xia Guo did not attack those brutal and warlike Hu tribes, they would still slaughter each other due to their differences in worshiping gods and spirits, and the wars would never end. As a result, the population has not increased but decreased over the past hundred years. The way of China is to respect ghosts and spirits while keeping them at a distance. Xia Guo relies on its military power to strictly prohibit heresy within the country, with the aim of protecting Chinese people's settlements and livelihoods. Over the past hundred years, it has continuously relocated Han people from Guanzhong and Bashu to settle in the river region, where the population has grown and prospered. The people have intermarried and merged with the nine surnames of Xiyu under Xia Guo's rule, becoming one entity. As a result, the counties in the river region of Xia Guo are now no different from those in China.

  Zhao Xingde imagined the scene of opening up and expanding territory, and couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic. However, he was also somewhat puzzled, so he asked: "The Xia Kingdom's territory starts from Hangu Pass in the east, covering the Guanzhong and Bashu regions, extends west beyond Congling Ridge, controls the rivers, and borders the vast desert to the north. Its domain is so vast that it's said all its troops are stationed in one place for a long time, and most of their supplies are also procured locally, similar to the Tang Dynasty's vassal towns. This is vastly different from our dynasty's system of defending the interior while appearing weak on the outside. The Xia Kingdom has been established for over a hundred years, so why hasn't it experienced strong regional divisions and fragmentation?" Many officials in the Song Kingdom had also scratched their heads trying to figure out this question.

  "The people's hearts are towards the imperial court, and the localities have grain and soldiers, which can serve as pillars for the imperial court. If the people's hearts are already scattered, then even if the localities' grain and soldiers are withdrawn, it will be of no use. It is like opening the door to invite thieves in. During the Han dynasty, when the people's hearts had not yet left, there was first Wang Mang's usurpation, and heroes from all over the country joined forces to attack him, ultimately leading to the restoration of the Guangwu Emperor. Later, there were tens of thousands of Yellow Turbans who rose up in revolt at the same time, but if there hadn't been powerful local leaders defending their territories, I fear that the imperial court would have fallen into enemy hands long ago. The people's hearts were with the Han, and even someone as capable as Cao Cao could only hold the position of Chancellor, manipulating the emperor to issue orders that were not obeyed by his subordinates. During the Tang dynasty, there was the An Lushan rebellion, and although the central plains had been at peace for a long time, the localities were still strong, and with just one or two loyal and righteous officials, they could become pillars of support. Whether it was bandits causing trouble or foreign enemies invading, they would find it difficult to sweep across the land like a storm. When the An Lushan rebellion first broke out, although the counties in Hebei were intimidated and surrendered, there were still the Yan brothers defending Changshan and Pingyuan. Later on, Zhang Xun, Xu Yuan, and Nan Jiyun defended Suizhou, blocking the rebel army's advance south of the Huai River and ensuring that the imperial court had enough grain and soldiers to put down the rebellion. Even in the late Tang period, when eunuchs were in power and the imperial court was at its weakest, the Khitan and Uyghur tribes invaded several times but were unable to establish themselves in the central plains, conquer our China, or enslave our people. The reason why the empire did not completely collapse is that the localities were strong and had enough grain and soldiers. If this dynasty were to withdraw all the grain and soldiers from the localities, it would be like sweeping a house clean, cutting off one's own limbs. As soon as the border defenses are breached, the imperial guards are defeated, and the Di and Yi tribes break in, I fear that the empire will fall into enemy hands."

  Li Ruoxue was not very interested in these court affairs, quietly listening on the side, seeing Xun Bu's unscrupulous criticism of the imperial ancestors' family law, her drooping eyelashes slightly trembling, as if deep in thought. Zhao Xingde continued to ask: "Sir has not yet explained, why Xia Guo is so indulgent towards local areas, and has not yet become a vassal state's calamity."

  He asked in such a way that he didn't give in or show mercy, but Chuōng Bǔ didn't take it as a provocation and instead nodded his head and replied: "Actually, according to the old system of the Tang dynasty, border generals were all appointed from among loyal and honest ministers. They weren't given long-term appointments, nor did they hold distant territories or concurrent commands. Those who achieved great merit would enter the imperial court as chancellors. As for the generals of the four barbarian tribes, even those with some talent like Ashina She'er and Qibi Heli were not entrusted with major military commands; instead, high-ranking ministers were sent as envoys to control them. If it weren't for Emperor Xuanzong's single-minded focus on expanding the borders, destroying the established system, allowing An Lushan to serve as a regional commander for many years and concurrently holding three garrisons, how could the situation have become as uncontrollable as the An Shi Rebellion?"

  Zhao Xingde had only known that the Tang dynasty's regional governors were a great scourge, but he did not know that the Tang also had a tradition of restraining the jiedushi. He nodded slightly. Xu Bu continued after taking a sip of tea: "The system of this Xia country, although it allows local areas to be self-sufficient, has more means of controlling the localities than the Tang dynasty. The Xia court is divided into five departments: the Zhuguo Department, the Huguo Department, the Chengxiang Department, the Xueshi Department, and the Da Jiangjun Department. Among them, the Zhuguo Department is responsible for formulating laws, the Huguo Department makes decisions on major military and national affairs, the Chengxiang Department handles government affairs, the Xueshi Department promotes literature and learning, and the Da Jiangjun Department is in charge of commanding troops in battle."

  Xu Buzhi's words were extremely clear, but Zhao Xingde still had some doubts and asked: "What is the relationship between the five government system and controlling the local area?"

  "You are unaware that the Hu Guo Fu, which is in charge of making decisions on major military and national affairs, is composed of more than 400 Xia Guo army officers. These officers spend half their time at the Hu Guo Fu making decisions on state affairs, and when they are discussing matters in Xi Du, the military affairs are handled by the hundred-man officer they entrust. In the Xia Guo army, there is a strict promotion system for officers below the rank of officer, while the generals of each army are appointed by the Da Jiang Jun Fu. The soldiers' hearts belong to their officers. Although the generals of each army have the power to command and control, it is limited to within the scope of imperial law and military orders. If a general were to plot a rebellion, the soldiers would never follow him into the fire to retrieve chestnuts. The Hu Guo Fu's control over the military is not something that can be shaken by a few heroes."

  Zhao Xingde exclaimed, "Oh!" and suddenly realized that although the generals of Xia Guo held a noble position, they were not appointed officials. The highest-ranking appointed official, the school lieutenant, was also a member of Xia Guo's highest decision-making body, the Hu Guo Fu. The school lieutenants' sense of belonging to the Hu Guo Fu far exceeded their loyalty to the generals, making it difficult for anyone with ulterior motives to gain their support.

  He thought for a moment, then asked: "From the camp lieutenant downwards all are produced by recommendation; isn't it feared that top and bottom will be of one mind, the soldiers will be pampered and the generals will be lazy, making the army unable to be used?"

  Xu Buzhi smiled and said, "In the Xia Kingdom, most military units have a five-year service period. After completing their service, soldiers can retain their titles and return to their hometowns to start businesses. However, these retired soldiers still participate in the election of captains in the camps. Since the number of retired soldiers is often about five times that of serving soldiers, the captains are almost entirely elected by these retired soldiers. The personal interests of these retired soldiers are closely tied to the strength of each camp. They are like employers, keeping a close eye on things and not tolerating situations like the one you described. The Imperial Guard recruits only elite soldiers who serve for many years from ordinary military units, with few retired soldiers. As they have the most opportunities to march into battle and must constantly engage in drills as mock enemies against ordinary military units, it is even less possible for them to be lazy or indulgent."

  "Are the imperial court of Xia Guo not afraid that these retired soldiers will coerce the school lieutenant and the protectorate?" Li Ruoxu suddenly asked, he had just thought of a question and asked before Zhao Xingde.

  Xu Bu smiled but didn't answer, looking at Zhao Xingde. Among the three disciples, Li Ruoxue was indeed talented, but unfortunately she was a woman, and Li Ruo Yu was still young. The one he paid most attention to teaching was still Zhao Xingde.

  Under the gaze of three people, Zhao Xingde sighed and said slowly: "According to the imperial report of the Privy Council, the summer country's army has about 2 million people. Calculated at five times the number, the retired soldiers should be around 1 million. From the standpoint of the Xia Dynasty court, as long as these 1 million brave men return to their hearts, everything will be under control. The outside can resist strong enemies and the inside can calm down the small ones. The overall situation is stable like Mount Tai. Therefore, when the soldiers have demands, the court will always try its best to satisfy them." Zhao Xingde furrowed his brow and thought for a moment, as if he had found a better wording: "Our dynasty is governed by scholars and emperors together, while the situation in Xia Dynasty is more suitable to say that the soldiers and emperors govern the world together."

  "Can a general and an emperor rule the world together?" Li Ruoxu's face showed a puzzled expression. Xiang Bu looked deeply at Zhao Xingde, neither affirming nor denying, sighed, and continued: "To prevent soldiers from oppressing ordinary people, the common people of each state and county in Xia Guo have also formed militia teams, which practice every year, and there are special officials to plead for the people. In addition to the Hu Guo Fu gathering the hearts of the soldiers, the Zhong Guo Fu, which formulates laws, is elected by the people of Xia Guo who are over 40 years old every two years. Each person has only one chance to elect a Zhong Guo in their lifetime, and one person is elected for every 100,000 people. The elected person must also be over 40 years old. The Zhong Guo is a lifelong system, and once you become a Zhong Guo, your status in the country is extremely respected, and you are escorted by the Hu Yi Jun when entering or leaving. Except for the case where the person themselves request to resign due to old age or illness, they can only be removed from their position as Zhong Guo with the consent of four-fifths of the members of the Zhong Guo Fu. The Zhong Guo Fu also has the power to make the highest judgments and decisions on lawsuits, and its judgments made according to the law cannot be overturned even by the emperor." Xiang Bu stopped speaking here and looked at his three disciples below him, as if he had an intention to test them.

  Li Ruoxu was puzzled, Li Ruoxue's face showed a thoughtful expression, but Zhao Xingde said: "This is the same as the intention of those who have made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty and entered the prime minister. Every two years, the most prestigious person, the most popular person will be selected into the Zhongguo Fu. The Zhongguo Fu has the power to formulate laws and make the highest judgments, which is enough for these people to exert their ambitions to help the world, save the people, or guide the trend of the times. Heroes from all over the world gather in the Zhongguo and Huguo Fu, and the powerful forces can only obey."

  Xu Bu nodded slightly, just about to speak in praise, but Li Ruoxue asked, "Can that woman also recommend a pillar country?" Looking at the expectant and eager expression on the female disciple's face, Xu Bu was taken aback, and somewhat awkwardly added, "Except for those who have become officials, other women do not have the right to recommend."

  Chu Buzhi's answer was beyond Li Ruoxue's expectation, and it also sparked Zhao Xingde's interest. Li Ruoxue asked in doubt: "Can women also become scholars?"

  "Yes." Xiang Bu Zhi nodded and said in a deep voice, "If they reach the standard, some women can also become officials, taking on some missions in the Chancellor's or Grand General's mansion."

  "Women can also be officials?" Li Ruoxue's face showed an incredulous expression.

  He gazed lovingly at his peerless female disciple and nodded, "Of course you can."

  Zhao Xingde waited for a moment, seeing Li Ruoxue seemingly shocked by the news that women in Xia Guo could serve as officials. He continued to ask: "As rumored, after Liao Guo exterminated the Han family, Ye Lüshi was tyrannical and cruel in the country, treating Han people like pigs and dogs. I don't know if you are clear about the details?" He saw that Hua Buqi was familiar with the situation in Xia Guo and spoke fluently, so he knew that this famous teacher was not just a pedantic scholar who only knew how to quote from books. With a sincere attitude as a student, he sought guidance from Hua Buqi. In this era, information sources were extremely scarce, even in the Imperial Academy, officials and students had countless different sayings about Liao Guo and Xia Guo, making it difficult for people to distinguish between true and false.

  Chuōng Bǔ zhī de yǎn shén wēi wēi shǎn dòng le yī xià, chén shēng dào: "Hán Dé ràng, Hán Chāng fù zǐ zài Liáo Píng zhèng shí, Liáo guó guó shì zhēng zhēng rì shàng, hǎo cǐ cì cuò bài le wǒ cháo běi fá, zhōng yuán bǎi xìng mò bù qiè chǐ tòng hèn, shì dà fū zhí yù shí qí ròu ér qīn qí pí. Kě dāng shí shuí yě méi néng kàn dào, qià qià yīn wèi Hán shì jiàn yòng, Huá zú zài Liáo guó de dì wèi rì jiàn tí shēng, jī hū yǔ Qiè Dān rén bù xiāng shàng xià, Hàn rén shēng xī fán yǎn, zhàn le Liáo guó guó zhōng rén kǒu de dà bù fen. Hán shì zú miè hòu, Qiè Dān rén duì Hàn rén xīn huái jiè bèi, bù dàn dà dà xuē jiǎn le Hàn ér jiàng mén de bīng quán, hái qiáng pò Hàn ér zuò Qiè Dān rén de dǎ bàn, jiāng guó zhōng gè zú fēn wéi sān děng, Qiè Dān rén wèi dì yī děng, Nǚ Zhēn, Shì Wēi děng zú wèi dì èr děng, Hàn rén wèi dì sān děng. Hàn rén mào fàn le Qiè Dān rén, zuì qīng de zhài fá shì biān chuí, dòng jiǎn duàn shǒu duàn jiǎo, shèn zhī shēn sǐ zú miè. Shàng děng rén shā le Hàn rén, què zhī qīng qīng fá qián le shì, gèng duō de shì guān guān xiāng hù, bù liǎo le shì."

  "Is this really happening?" Zhao Xingde's anger ignited. When the Song Dynasty court was preparing for a northern expedition, some officials wanted to send wine and food to comfort King Wang, but normally they treated Han people as Liao nationals, and even had an agreement with Liao to hand over escaped prisoners who crossed the border. Therefore, this matter of dividing people into classes within the Liao country was not widely publicized in the Song Dynasty court. Some scholars knew about it and were deeply ashamed, while others felt it had nothing to do with our country and didn't care. There were rumors about this in Taixue, but Zhao Xingde originally didn't believe it, remembering that the four-class system wasn't established until the Yuan Dynasty two hundred years later. Who would have thought it already existed in this era?

  Chu Buzhi's face revealed a hint of sadness as he continued, "In the past, with the support of Empress Dowager Xiao of the Liao Dynasty, the Han people vigorously promoted Confucianism and Chinese characters. After the fall of the Han dynasty, the use of Chinese characters was strictly prohibited, and many young men from ethnic minorities who were not taught by their parents became illiterate. Some members of the Khitan Yelü clan even went so far as to forcibly promote the use of the Khitan language and script in the Han army, causing many Han people to forget their origins and become loyal only to the Khitans. The northern regions are harsh and impoverished, but the Khitans are extravagant and fond of Buddhism, and they covet the silk, tea, and other fine goods produced by the Central Plains. As a result, they sell large numbers of Han people into slavery, forcing them to work in the fields under the supervision of non-Han overseers during busy seasons, and locking them in workshops to labor day and night during slack seasons. The products they make are exchanged with the Song and Xia dynasties for grain and other necessities. Many men in the workshops fall ill due to overwork and live in poverty, rarely living past the age of 40, and are unable to marry or have children. This is exactly what the Khitans want, as it reduces the proportion of Han people in the Liao Dynasty. The Liao Dynasty is deeply devoted to Buddhism, and the Han people spread rumors that they will suffer for eight hundred years in this life and the next."

  The tragic event that occurred in the Liao State was far beyond what Xu Bu had described, and he took into consideration that Li Ruoxue was a woman and Li Ruo was still young, so he only hinted at it. However, just hearing about such a tragedy, how could young people with hot blood tolerate it? Even Li Ruo, who was not yet an adult, clenched his fists tightly, making cracking sounds. Zhao Xingde immediately asked in a low voice: "The officials of our dynasty often talk about the northern expedition to recover Yan, but how much have they actually planned?"