Spring and Autumn I Am King

Chapter 740: Towards a Republic (Part 1)

"The car is on the same track, and the book is the same text?"

Ji Ran was stunned for a moment, then nodded his head: "The general summed it up well, in short, this is the century-old plan that the old man said. If this is the case, integrate Jin, Wei, and Lu, and make Zhao's territory as one country. , it is not difficult.”

Zhao Wuxi swallowed the surprise in his heart, it turned out that it was just the heroes who saw the same thing. This Mr. Ji Ran is worthy of being an expert in economics in history. He is not only good at penetrating people's hearts, but also focusing on the material foundation at the bottom, knowing that this is the basis for determining the superstructure. Although what he proposed was only a regional unity, its significance was extraordinary.

The world is fixed in one, not only the unity of the political name, but also the economic and cultural interconnection. It may only take decades to annex the princes by force, but it will take hundreds of years to unify Kyushu economically and culturally!

This is also the reason why Qin Shouzhao and Zhao were unified in history, but the integration of various places was accomplished in the Han Dynasty.

What if history had begun to unify culturally and materially in the 5th century BC? Just thinking about it is enough to make Zhao Wuxi inexplicably excited.

However, after he eagerly wanted to know the details of Ji Ran's "Centennial Plan", this Mr. Xin Wenzi began to talk about him.

Ji Ran didn't know how many ideas in his stomach, but he deliberately hid a hand mysteriously. When Zhao Wuxi won Wei, he put forward a plan to unify Wei, and waited for Zhao Wuxi to defeat the Qi army and return to the division to win the Jin Dynasty. After the war, he will present the detailed measures of the "hundred-year plan".

Zhao Wuxi is also helpless. Are these talents in the field all so temperamental and character?

"What about the state of Cao? Now I'm sending Cao Boyang to Chaoge, and let the Song army occupy the southern part of the state of Cao. Zigong maintains the balance of power in Taoqiu, but it is only an expedient measure. How to deal with the state of Cao, can you try to say, sir? Say it?"

Ji Ran smiled: "I used to pass by Taoqiu when I was young, and I am familiar with it. Jiang, Huai, He, and Ji are called 'Sidu'. There are Song and Wu in the south, Yan and Jin in the north, the princes of Qi, Lu, and Sishang in the east, and Zheng and Zhou in the west. Tao can be said to be in the world, the princes are connected in all directions, and goods are traded."

"Today's Taoqiu is even more prosperous. The city tax that Master Chu collects every year is equivalent to the 11th tax of 50,000 farmers! Therefore, all the princes covet Taoqiu, which shows that this place is not only very important in terms of terrain. It is also the general's largest treasury in the future, inexhaustible and inexhaustible, so Taoqiu must be controlled by the Zhao family."

Wu Xie took it seriously. When he sent Zigong to do business in the state of Cao, he was interested in Taoqiu.

"This is the most straightforward method, but the general should also be careful. I am a native of Song, so I know how much Song country desires for Taoqiu. For a hundred years, Song country has been attacking Cao continuously, just to take this piece of fat. The flesh was swallowed into the stomach. Although the ruler of Song was the general's in-law, he was greedy and short-sighted. When I came to Wei, he went to the outskirts of Taoqiu and tried to enter the city many times, but was dissuaded by Zigong. The Zhao family has great merit and will definitely propose to let the Song country annex Tao Qiu, if the general takes Tao Qiu as his own, I am afraid that there will be a gap between Zhao and Song."

Zhao Wuxi nodded and said yes, this is a good statement, it is a bit like the King Qi Min swallowing Song in the Warring States period of later generations, which caused the princes to fear and lose heart.

Ji Ran warned again: "But if it is given to Song, then Song will be a big country that has Taoqiu's financial resources, and also occupies Punan and Sishang, and has a force of 2,000 troops. It is difficult to have ambitions, can Zhao clan control him? When Duke Mu of Qin supported Duke Hui of Jin back then, he was attacked, so the general should take this as a warning."

Wu Xie pondered, his fingers tapped on the table, and Ji Ran pointed out a place he had overlooked in the past, that is, Song couldn't be made strong enough to break away from his own dominance. In history, it was Song Jinggong's annexation of Cao, which made Song soar into the sky and became the "eighth hero" of the Warring States period, known as "five thousand rides on the giant Song". The three major powers are quite troublesome, and he is not prepared to let history repeat itself.

In this way, Taoqiu has become a hot potato, it will choke when eaten, and it is impossible to give it away. The best way, I am afraid, is to establish a puppet rule first, like Wei Guo. Otherwise, find a son of Cao Guo's family to succeed him? However, Zhao Wuxi was a little unwilling, and managed to drive away Cao Boyang, but in the end nothing changed...

Ji Ran added: "Generals don't have to make hasty decisions. It's not too late to discuss after seeing Zigong. In terms of understanding of the state of Cao, and in terms of prestige in Taoqiu, no one can compare to him now."

"That's fine too."

Zhao Wuxi got up and said, "But I can't see him in Diqiu anymore. The state of Lu has been beaten three times a day by the Qi army, and they can't hold it anymore. Time is running out, and the new imperial court of the state of Wei has already set up a plan. Taiwan, I can’t stay here for long. The day after the army marches east, I’ll go to Taoyi to join Zigong.”

He looked back at Ji Ran and said, "The army of Qi State has gathered in Ludi, and this is another fight with no result. Sir, would you like to watch the battle with me?"

Ji Ran smiled: "I predicted to my friends three or four years ago on the mountain in Meng Zhupan that there will be a hegemony within ten years. This battle is the battle of the general to dominate the northern kingdom. How can the old man miss it?"

...

Under the control of Zhao Wuxi, the new imperial court of Wei State was a pro-Zhao puppet regime composed of the former Shi Qing doctor of Wei State.

Because Wei Guo had already surrendered, Zhao Wuxi did not leave too many soldiers, and only let Yang monitor, a division of Song troops commanded by Chen Dingguo, and a division of Zhao's recruits from Hanoi were stationed, and at the same time helped Wei Guo rearm.

In the military, they used some military veterans as the backbone, and organized some surrendered soldiers and refugees to make up the numbers. This regime has to obey Zhao Wuxi in everything and act as a helper for Zhao's battle.

However, in the war in the east, Zhao Wuxi didn't count on the guards anymore. He had been delayed in Diqiu for too long, and the situation on the side of Lu State was not optimistic. It is reported that the nobles of the state of Lu in Taishan and Donglu areas either rebelled or surrendered, and Xilu was defeated by Guoxia again. The Lu army was defeated and retreated to the strong fortresses such as Qufu, Qi, Fei, and Yuncheng. A trend of erosion.

So on the seventh day after breaking the guard, Zhao Wuxi led a 20,000-strong army to the east, and it took only one day to reach Taoyi, which is 60 miles away. They would rest here overnight and continue their march the next day. Enter the territory of Lu Kingdom!

As for the friends of the Song Dynasty, they were on the other side of the Pu River, and the two armies marched side by side across the river, forming an horn of each other.

After setting up camp, Zigong, who was traveling north with the Song army, just happened to cross the Pushui River. He had to travel all day and night, and before he could wipe his face, he was dragged into the tent by Zhao Wuxi to ask.

It is related to the disposal of Cao Guo, which cannot be known to outsiders. Zhao Wuxi asked Qi Wan to guard outside, and he poured a glass of water for Zigong, and after watching him gobble it down, he interrupted his salute and said, "The time is short, those false salutes will be avoided. I will also go to hold a military meeting in front of the enemy in a while, and I will make a long story short about the affairs of the state of Cao. I ask, you answer."

"Listen, the first question is, how is Taoqiu's situation now?"

"Wei." Zigong didn't care about the ceremony, he wiped his sweat with his wide sleeves and replied, "After Cao Cao left, the city gave up resistance, and the soldiers scattered in a hurry. The people of the country saw that Gongsun Jiang was dead, and their resentment was paid. , and did not stay on the street for a long time, under the persuasion of servants sent people, they each went home, and it only took seven or eight days for the market to resume its lively."

"Good, as long as there is no foolish monarch and evil ministers, the scholars and the people themselves can take care of themselves. The second question is, how much territory does our army control in Cao?"

"Including Taoqiu, the state of Cao has a total of 16 cities with 50,000 households. According to the instructions of the lord, the six cities in the south, together with a population of 20,000 households, will be assigned to the control of the state of Song, and the rest will be under our army. under control."

"The third question, do you think Cao people can accept it if the country of Cao is directly made into the county of Zhao's family at this time, regardless of external factors?"

"No!" Zigong said quickly, he advised: "Although the people of Cao are content with the status quo, if they rashly annex, I am afraid it will arouse the dissatisfaction of the people of Cao. The room will also be worried.”

Water can carry a boat or capsize it. Zigong has seen the power of the people. He does not want to go against the will of the people. Although the Zhao clan has occupied the state of Cao, the control is still too weak, and there is no basis for direct rule.

"The servants believe that it is better to establish a new monarch when dealing with the state of Cao, and it is better for the lord to indirectly control it."

Zhao Wuxi frowned and pondered, while Zigong visited Cao's sons and grandsons in a number of treasures.

"Uncle Cao has no children, but he has several younger brothers and cousins. The servant suggested that a young man be chosen as the king..."

Zhao Wuxi suddenly raised his brows, as if he had come up with a good idea, he interrupted Zigong: "The fourth question, if you were to take charge of Cao Guo, would it be convincing?"

Zigong was stunned for a moment, bit his lip and thought for a while, then said: "The thirteen merchants are old friends with me, so they are still obedient; and the seven doctors have to rely on me to communicate with the master and respect me; as for the people of the country, At my call, the people of the country expelled Cao Jun and killed Gongsun Jiang, so they trust me very much. If I stay in Taoqiu, I can still dance well among the various forces..."

He thought of a possibility and sneered: "Does the lord want me to be the doctor of the new monarch of the Cao State, and let me control Taoqiu on behalf of the lord?"

"almost."

Zhao Wuxi had a smile, but not a smile. He asked Zigong to briefly talk about the various forces in Taoqiuli and the status quo of various classes. He learned that after this incident, the monarchy of the Cao Kingdom was considered to be swept away, and Cao people's needs for the monarch were even worse Mostly out of inertia.

He even felt that this strategy was feasible, so he pointed at Zigong and said, "The fifth question, listen carefully."

"Only ~lightnovelpub.net~ 400 years ago, the people of Zongzhou rioted, and Duke Rongyi, who murdered the people with a patent method, was killed, and King Li of Zhou fled to He. The people of the country did not want King Li to come back, nor did they accept him. The prince succeeded to the throne, what happened later?"

Zigong didn't hesitate to think: "The revered Gonghe was elected by the doctor and the people of the country to be the emperor, while Zhou Dinggong and Zhao Mugong would assist him in handling government affairs, and the three public governance. Until fourteen years later, Zhou Li Wang died in She, the crown prince. Jing succeeded to the throne as King Xuan of Zhou, so these fourteen years were called republic administration..."

"That's right!" Zhao Wuxi clapped his palms and paced in front of the somewhat confused Duanmuci, with a dazzling light in his eyes, Zigong knew that this was General Zhao's expression when he found something interesting.

"Republic." He muttered the word: "Zigong, I want you to be the republic of Taoqiu, and sign contracts with the doctors, nobles, merchants, and Baigong of the state of Cao, before finding a suitable new monarch. , the government of the republic!"

ps: The plot needs to combine the records of "Republican Administration" in the Chronicle of the History and the Chronicle of Bamboo Books. Please recommend a ticket!

(To be continued.)