novelhk Chapter 1071 Post-war Arrangements: Many Things to Do!
Chapter 1071 Post-war Arrangements: Many Things to Do!
Just as Gao Yao was making every effort to deal with the military and political affairs on the frontier, the atmosphere inside Xianyang Palace became increasingly strange.
In Chang Le Palace, where Empress Lü Zhi resided, the empress dowager, known for her iron fist, dismissed all the palace servants, leaving only her younger brother, Lü Shizhi. "He really is still alive..." Lü Zhi's fingers unconsciously caressed the jade ruyi, her fingertips turning white, "and he destroyed Xiang Yu as soon as he returned."
Lu Shizhi said in a low voice, "Sister, now that Gao Yao has returned, how could he not know about those things from back then?"
"What's the use of talking about it now? The king will return and make a judgment on what happened before. The more chaotic the situation, the more trouble we'll cause. Don't launch any attacks recently. Just do your own thing and don't cause any more trouble."
"Here!"
Upon hearing Lü Zhi's words, Lü Shizhi immediately nodded. Lü Shizhi was Lü Zhi's cousin and hadn't been implicated in Lü Gong's affairs before. After all, the Lü family had many relatives, and not everyone was willing to follow Lü Gong in rebellion—a foolish and pointless act. There were also sensible people in the Lü family who understood that Lü Gong was not suited for great things; even if he succeeded by chance, he would inevitably be destroyed by others in the end.
Inside Lady Yu Shu's palace, the lady who had been Gao Yao's favorite for many years was putting on her makeup in front of the mirror, but her hands were trembling slightly. A maid whispered, "Madam, Lady Qi has summoned the imperial physician today, saying that the baby is having trouble moving."
"She's quite the actress," Yu Shu sneered, but couldn't hide the panic in her eyes. When the news came that she might not return, Yu Shu had made many preparations, but ultimately gave up. Although she gave up, Yu Shu now understood that what she had done was likely not hidden from Gao Yao. Fortunately, she stopped in time. At this point, Yu Shu had no other hope. She didn't care about losing her status and position; at least she had managed to clear Gao Zhe's name.
After all, Gao Zhe had rendered meritorious service in this campaign against the Qiang people, so they wouldn't just cripple him outright.
Lü Su's situation was more unique. She had also tried to help Gao Ning gather support and find a way to secure the succession. Although she had already done it, Lü Su didn't have any regrets at this point. If she did nothing, she would worry about her and Gao Ning's safety. So, knowing that Gao was coming back, Lü Su was actually quite troubled. She wasn't good at this kind of thing, and now that Gao was back, at most she would be punished, but she and Gao Ning could rest easy.
In stark contrast to the anxiety of these people was Lady Qi's residence in the Lanlin Palace. This lady, favored for her singing and dancing, reclined on her couch, her belly noticeably protruding. A maidservant reported joyfully, "Madam, His Majesty has sent word that he will come to see you after he has finished dealing with military and political affairs."
Lady Qi stroked her belly, her eyes filled with genuine relaxation and anticipation. For the past six months since Gao Yao's disappearance, she had secluded herself, feigning illness and refusing all attempts to win her over. It wasn't that she lacked ambition, but rather that she understood better than anyone else—without Gao Yao, she, a favored concubine with no family background, was nothing more than fish on someone else's chopping block.
“Child, your father is back,” she said softly, a smile finally appearing on her lips.
Five days later, Chen Zhao arrived in Xianyang, travel-worn. This man from the north, over forty years old, had deep lines etched on his face by the hardships of the frontier, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.
Gao Yao summoned him privately to the Military Affairs Office. "Commander Chen, you know the situation in the north better than anyone else. I want you to guard the Great Wall, can you hold it?"
Instead of answering, Chen Zhao asked, "How long does my lord intend to hold out?"
Gao Yao raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"
“If we only need to hold out for three to five years, 50,000 soldiers will suffice,” Chen Ping said frankly. “If we want to eliminate the threat of the Xiongnu forever, then we need 30 years of preparation and 200,000 troops.”
He walked to the map and traced his finger across the Hetao region: "The strength of the Xiongnu lies in their cavalry. The strength of the Great Wall lies in its passes. However, passive defense is bound to have its weaknesses. I suggest that we restore the Qin's military settlements south of the Yellow River."
The so-called Henan region refers to the fertile plain south of the Yellow River bend. During the reign of Qin Shi Huang, Meng Tian stationed troops and cultivated land here, pushing back the Xiongnu seven hundred li to the north. This area was abandoned during the Chu-Han Contention.
“Send 30,000 soldiers and civilians to Henan to build cities and cultivate land,” Chen Zhao said. “This place is rich in water and grass, enough to feed us for three years after one year of farming. The soldiers and civilians who cultivate land will be half farmers and half soldiers, working in peacetime and serving in the army during wartime. In this way, we will drive a wedge into the heart of the Xiongnu territory. If the Xiongnu invade the south, they will have to remove this wedge first. Moreover, we can send cavalry from this place to harass the Xiongnu’s pastures and keep them from having peace.”
A glint of light flashed in Gao Yao's eyes: "Training deep into the Xiongnu territory is extremely risky."
“Therefore, we need to select a good general, build a strong city, and equip it with elite troops,” Chen Zhao said. “I am willing to go.”
Gao Yao stood up, paced back and forth for a long time, and finally slammed his hand on the table: "Good! As you say. The 'Shuofang Protectorate' will be established in Henan, and you will be the protector, leading 30,000 troops, half military and half civilian. You will be granted the right to govern yourself for three years, and the grain, seeds, farming tools and weapons you need will be supplied with priority."
Chen Zhao knelt on one knee: "Your subject will certainly not fail in your mission!"
Detailed regulations for Qiang affairs are also being drafted intensively. Wang Li sent back a more detailed report from the Qiang region: Although there are many Qiang tribes, they are roughly divided into three branches—the Hehuang Qiang, the Yak Qiang, and the White Horse Qiang. Among them, the Hehuang Qiang are the largest, with 20,000 households, and have the most contact with the Han region, and their attitude is the most friendly.
Based on this, Zhang Liang proposed a strategy of "divide and conquer, starting with the easy and then moving on to the difficult": First, he made an alliance with the chieftains of the Hehuang Qiang, bestowed generous rewards upon them, and appointed their chieftain as "Marquis of Guiyi Qiang," granting him autonomy, but requiring him to send his son as a hostage; second, he contacted the Yak Qiang through the Hehuang Qiang and opened trade routes; as for the White Horse Qiang, who had a tough stance, he temporarily blocked them and dealt with them after the other Qiang tribes submitted.
Gao Yao approved the plan and added two points: first, to establish a "Qiang language translation office" in the Qiang area to train officials who are fluent in both Qiang and Chinese; second, to allow intermarriage between Qiang and Han people, and for those who marry Qiang women, the government would grant them a marriage certificate and their children could be registered as Han citizens.
"Governing the Qiang region is not a task that can be accomplished in one generation." Gao Yao wrote in his secret order to Wang Li, "Treat people with sincerity and do not deceive them; guide them with benefits and do not coerce them. If any Qiang people wish to learn farming, send agricultural teachers to instruct them; if they wish to learn medicine, send medical officials to teach them. After ten years, the Qiang and Han people may be able to work together."
Raising two million shi of grain was fraught with difficulties. Although wealthy merchants in Guanzhong were willing to lend grain, they mostly demanded that the salt and iron monopolies be used as collateral. However, the profits from salt and iron were the lifeblood of the nation, and Xiao He dared not make such a promise lightly.
Upon learning of this, Gao Yao summoned the heads of the three major merchants. "With the nation in peril, I am grateful for your willingness to lend us grain," he said bluntly. "However, the salt and iron monopolies cannot be granted privately. But I can grant you three privileges: First, the timber, bricks, stones, and carts needed for the reconstruction of the three northern prefectures will be purchased from you first; second, you will have a five-year monopoly on the newly opened tea and cloth trade in the Qiang region; third, your sons will be given lenient consideration in the examinations for official positions."