Qin Official

The Beginning of Summer has just passed, and the beauty of April in the world is gradually beginning to look like summer. Slowly, the wind has become dryer, and the sunshine is no longer so gentle.

On this day, under the hot sun, a huge motorcade set off from Jiangling City and meandered northward along the avenue. It was the honor guard of the county governor Teng "Xingxian".

First there were two military chariots clearing the way. Both the left and right chariots were fully armed, either holding halberds or carrying bows and arrows. Even the charioteer had a long sword on his back and a crossbow in his hand.

Then there were two official cars guiding the way, both with white covers, and each seated a soldier and a petty official.

Then there is the governor's Gaodaxuan carriage. The hood is black, and the barriers on both sides of the carriage are painted red. It is pulled by a red horse. The figure of the governor Teng is hidden in the curtain. But I saw him with a dignified crown, wearing a black robe, a black crown, a long sword, and a green ribbon with a silver seal. There were officers and soldiers holding halberds guarding the front, rear, and left sides of the carriage.

After the governor's chariot, there were more than a dozen chariots carrying officials of all sizes, dozens of cavalry and attendants, and hundreds of soldiers accompanying them. There were also drum carts beating drums and playing sheng and flute, so that pedestrians along the way could hear it from a distance, so they stayed on both sides, and even went to the distant field ridges to watch, all filled with admiration and envy.

"These days, a provincial leader can be so impressive when traveling."

Heifu's carriage was also in the convoy, and he was complaining. He also knew that this was because the laws of the Qin State were very strict. Just like the army used different styles of buns, crowns, and belts to match the titles, in counties, different styles were used. People with official positions must also ride in cars consistent with their status, otherwise it will be disrespectful to official officials.

Therefore, as a local official, don’t even think about traveling alone in plain clothes. You may be charged with “undermining the national code” by the censor assigned to the county by the King of Qin just after you leave the house...

Hei Fu was reluctant to force the governor to travel. He hoped to help Li You train troops in Ying County. The autumn harvest war is getting closer and closer, and Heifu also understands that no matter how many things he does, when the war begins, the soldiers and trusted followers in his hands are the biggest reliance on survival and meritorious service.

Unfortunately, God failed to fulfill his wish. Since he could not escape, before setting off, Heifu also consulted with Bing Cao Chu, You Bing Cao Shi and other county officials to understand what "xing county" was and what he needed to do.

It turns out that traveling to the county is a tradition that has been handed down from the Zhou Dynasty. As early as the Spring and Autumn Period of the Western Zhou Dynasty, in April, "The emperor ordered Ye Yu to go out to the fields to work for the emperor and persuade the people. Otherwise, he would miss the time. He ordered Situ to patrol the county." , order the farmers to work hard and stay in the capital without rest." The etiquette system.

In the Warring States Period, the princes began to implement the county system, so there were princes and ministers operating counties. Most of the xingxian had a clear purpose. For example, King Wuling of Zhao was in xingxian of Zhao Guo. It seemed that he was traveling east and west, but in fact he was to promote horsemanship and archery in Hufu. Wei Ran, the Marquis of Qin Prime Minister, went to Dongfangxing County to see Taoqiu, a feudal city that he had obtained for himself under the guise of Gongji. On the way, he encountered Fan Ju who had sneaked into Hangu Pass. If Fan Ju hadn't been clever, he would have almost been caught...

The purpose of County Governor Teng's visit to the county this time is also very clear. One is to go to local areas to persuade farmers. This is to pay attention to farming. The second is to supervise the county magistrates and warn the nobles and elders to abide by the law. This is the meaning of supervision and judiciary. At the same time, it is also necessary to urge the counties to prepare for the large-scale conscription during the slack period and to check the military registration. This is why Heifu, the soldier, Cao Zuoshi, accompanied him.

The first stop they arrived at was Zhijiang County, which is located more than a hundred miles northwest of Jiangling City. I heard that the magistrate of this county was promoted by the county magistrate Teng from the subordinates around him. He can be said to be a trusted confidant. When traveling to the county, he led everyone to meet him ten miles outside the city early.

Zhijiang County was originally the territory of a small vassal state "Luo State". Later Luo State was annexed by Chu State and it became Chu County. After Qin State occupied Jianghan, it was renamed Zhijiang because the Yangtze River branched here. River.

The hydrological conditions of the Yangtze River in those days were different from those in later generations. The river flowed from the east of Shu into the territory of Nanjun, exited the Three Gorges, and reached the Zhijiang River. Blocked by the local sediment, it was divided into various continents. There were actually dozens of waterways. It is said that it reaches all the way to the west of Jiangling. Jiangjin Pavilion was reunited into one.

Heifu also saw this strange scene on the shore and asked the servant in soap clothes who came to greet them: "How many small islands are there in the river?"

The clerk smiled and replied: "There are indeed people who have been bored and counted. At most, there are ninety-nine continents, but they have never reached a hundred... Therefore, there is a local proverb that if the continents are less than a hundred, the king will never come out!"

…

This little official spoke indiscriminately, and the Zhijiang County Lieutenant on the side immediately scolded with a straight face: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Then he quickly apologized to Heifu. Although Heifu's rank was equal to that of a county captain, he was a county official, which was half a rank higher. In addition, he had to inspect the recruitment situation in Zhijiang County on behalf of the county guard. How could the county captain dare? Disrespectful?

Driven by the vigilant and resolute style of the county governor Teng, on the first day of his stay in Zhijiang County, Heifu took two soldiers, Cao Shuzuo, to check the local military registration and the prepared recruitment plan overnight.

The population of Zhijiang County is only 30,000, and the number of adults is only 5,000. From next month, a thousand people will be recruited to leave farming and focus on military training. This will have a great impact on the local economy, so the key points of each township must be The number of recruits has been distributed. According to the "Garrison Law", "people living together must not live together at the same time", and it is never allowed to have a father, son, and brother who live together in the same family to be summoned at the same time.

While flipping through the slips with detailed records, Hei Fu thought to himself: "In the original history, Hei Fu and Jing probably lived separately, and because of a dispute between their family and the local officials, they were tricked. He took advantage of a loophole in the law and was recruited together to participate in this war."

Things tend to harm their own kind, so during his visit to the county, Heifu's duty is to urge the county lieutenant's office to recruit troops in accordance with the law to prevent similar situations from happening!

So after Heifu read the slips overnight, he held a meeting with everyone in the County Lieutenant's Office in a righteous manner. The general content was similar to the "Notice on Earnestly Doing the Recruitment Work for this Year" in his previous life.

Guided by the Qin Army’s spirit of “the king raises his troops and repairs his weapons and spears,” and the king’s important instructions last year of “making an appointment with King Jing, send troops to kill him,” and based on the conscription clauses "Garrison Law" in the Qin Code, we will resolutely implement Higher-level recruitment orders, adhere to quality as the core, strengthen organizational leadership, strictly organize implementation, pay close attention to work implementation, and ensure the successful completion of this summer's recruitment tasks...

That's right, unlike the last time he attacked Chu and rushed to recruit troops, this time the King of Qin paid more attention to the quality of his soldiers!

"The poor people in Lu Zuo can be used to transport grain and fodder, but not used as regular soldiers in the array."

The reason is very simple, as Mencius said, those who have permanent property have perseverance, and those who do not have perseverance! No matter which dynasty or generation, middle-class "good family sons" are the elite main force of the army.

Just like later generations, military recruitment also requires a clear political history, immediate family members have not joined illegal organizations, abide by the law, have good moral character, and have no violations of laws and disciplines such as theft or fighting.

Maybe these good family members are not as good as evil boys in fighting alone. Once they join the army and undergo several months of training, they can defeat a team of evil boys.

In addition, this time the conscription will "go to the rich first", and only to "go to the poor" when the number is insufficient or when the busy farming season is over. This is to ensure that each family's agricultural farming can proceed normally, which can also reduce civil complaints.

After finalizing the objects and scope of the collection, the next step is the time arrangement and steps.

"The troops were recruited in early May and trained for three months. In May, they were divided into ranks. In June, the soldiers knew the golden drum and became familiar with the flag. In July, they opened the arsenal, taught them weapons, and formally practiced the art of fighting against the enemy! August After the autumn harvest, soldiers from each county, led by the county captain, gathered in Yancheng, and the county captain presided over a large-scale training of ten thousand people!"

Everyone promised that there is a strict system in place, and under the supervision of the county guards and soldiers, each county can do its best to implement it.

Although the battle has not started yet, Heifu feels that when the King of Qin and the entire Qin State become serious and face the enemy, half of the battle has been won from the beginning of the conscription...

"Therefore it is said: Soldiers are better than the imperial court. The one who wins without using his armor is the master of victory; the one who wins with array is the general."

Thinking of these words, Heifu couldn't help but sigh in his heart. If the King of Qin had not been so contemptuous of his opponents, so impatient, and listened to Wang Jianzhi's advice earlier, so many people would not have died in a foreign country.

After doing all this, it was noon on the second day. Heifu's mission in Zhijiang County had been completed. He was about to yawn and go to catch up on his sleep. Unexpectedly, the county chief Shi Shi came to him and said that the county guard was going to the countryside. Zhong inspected the crops and asked Heifu to follow him.

"Jiangsu, I am a military official. I am in charge of military affairs. Farming in the countryside has nothing to do with me. If I am asked to go with the county superintendent, I may be suspected of overstepping my duties..."

A moment later, Heifu was complaining in front of Governor Ye's car. He was sleepy and tired and really didn't want to go.

But Ye Teng stroked his beard and smiled: "Zi Gong asked about politics, and Confucius replied, enough food, enough soldiers, and the trust of the people. Only with enough food can we have enough soldiers, how can farming have nothing to do with military affairs? Besides..."

After saying this, Governor Ye's expression changed and he said with a straight face:

"Isn't the method of compost retting introduced by your family? Zhijiang County is the first place to implement this method under my order. Now the three hundred acres of winter wheat grown there are about to mature. We can tell whether this method is true or false. If it is effective, people will use it in the rice fields and millet fields. If the elders complain that it is not effective, this county guard will take you down for questioning!"

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