stonecrandall Chapter 931: Prepare to officially become king, identity change!
Chapter 931: Prepare to officially become king, identity change!
Gao Yao's doubts were slightly alleviated after hearing this, but he still asked, "Then what do you think the Chu army's intention is?"
Xiao He pondered for a moment and analyzed, "In my opinion, the Chu army's move is simply to delay time, making us fearful and hesitant to attack rashly. At the same time, they may also be waiting for a better opportunity, or they want to observe our reaction so as to formulate a more appropriate strategy."
Gao Yao narrowed his eyes slightly, his mind racing through the current state of affairs. The Chu army had just suffered a defeat, with over 60,000 casualties among its main force, including many experienced veterans. Scouts reported that the Chu commander, Xiang Yan, had repeatedly vomited blood during the retreat, demonstrating the depth of the blow he had suffered. More importantly, the Chu army's essential food supply had been completely severed, and the 300,000 dan of military rations stored in Pengcheng had been completely burned. Such losses would take far too long to recover from in just one or two years.
"If the one contacting the Wei and Han armies was the Chu army, with its 100,000 cavalry, both sides might be tempted." Gao Yao gently stroked the battlements on the city wall, deep in thought. Wei was currently busy suppressing a rebellion within its borders, its main forces pinned down in the Daliang area. While Han Emperor Liu Bang was ambitious, his sphere of influence was still unstable. He had to guard against the Xiongnu in the north and counterattacks from the old nobles of the six kingdoms within his borders. At this moment, they would never rashly send troops to defend the Chu, a state whose strategic value had already been lost.
In reality, the biggest beneficiaries of this battle were the seemingly indifferent Wei and Han factions. Although the Chu army was defeated, it had significantly depleted Gaoyao's military strength. According to post-battle statistics, Gaoyao's troops suffered over 20,000 casualties, many more wounded, and countless losses of military equipment. This situation, in part, created a rare opportunity for the Wei and Han factions to thrive. Gaoyao was well aware that this truce was a precious respite for all parties.
"Send a message to Cao Shen and Han Xin, asking them to arrange all matters of their troops and return to Xianyang to prepare for the affairs of the new dynasty." The issuance of this order marked the official transition of Gaoyao's forces from a wartime state to a regime-building stage.
Xiao He and Li Zhao exchanged glances, each seeing uncontrollable excitement in the other's eyes. "Yes!" they both responded with exceptionally loud voices.
They have been waiting for this moment for far too long - more than ten years have passed since they started their rebellion in Nanjun, and Gao Yao is finally going to formally establish his own dynasty in Xianyang, the former capital of the Qin Dynasty.
Gao Yao's rise to power was a journey of steady progress. Initially serving in Nanjun, he was a mere governor with a small private army and no real authority. However, he keenly seized the opportunities presented by the chaotic late Qin Dynasty and, through a series of precise political and military decisions, gradually grew in power. Especially in institutional development, Gao Yao demonstrated a foresight that transcended his time.
Gao Yao's reforms began with the most basic administrative system. He first implemented the "Three Elders System" in the counties under his control, selecting prestigious local elders to participate in government affairs. This initiative quickly won the hearts of the people. He then reformed the Qin Dynasty's harsh laws, significantly narrowing the scope of the collective responsibility system to only apply to serious crimes such as treason. This change greatly reduced the burden on the people.
Gao Yao pioneered a "performance appraisal system" for official appointments and dismissals. All officials underwent quarterly performance reviews covering a wide range of areas, including local livelihoods, tax collection, and case trials. Although this system met with opposition from some veteran bureaucrats, it effectively improved administrative efficiency.
Military reform was Gao Yao's top priority. He abolished the Qin Dynasty's conscription system and implemented a "fubing system." Soldiers worked on the farm during peacetime and went to battle during wartime, ensuring both agricultural production and maintaining sufficient military strength. More importantly, he established a clear system of military merit, allowing ordinary soldiers the opportunity for promotion.
The most challenging task was reforming the imperial court. Gao Yao was determined to replace the Qin Dynasty's system of three dukes and nine ministers with a cabinet and six ministries. This process took several years and encountered resistance from all sides. First, there was opposition from the Qin army, who considered it a betrayal of the Qin system; second, there was the misgivings of the generals, who feared that the new system would affect their status.
Gao Yao, however, gradually overcame these obstacles with his exceptional political skill. While retaining the honorary positions of the Three Dukes, he also relied on the newly established cabinet for practical operations. The establishment of the Six Ministries was meticulously planned: the Ministry of Personnel was chaired by Xiao He, the Ministry of Revenue was under the responsibility of Zhang Cang, and the Ministry of War was temporarily under the concurrent management of Cao Shen, ensuring that each position was filled to its full potential.
While in Nanjun, Gao Yao, despite already wielding real power, maintained his status as "King of the Same Character." The ingenuity of this title lies in its ability to both demonstrate his actual status and maintain a nominal relationship of kingship and subjection with Prince Gao. This practice is similar to Liu Bang's historical appointment of Han Xin as King of Qi, providing sufficient honor while maintaining a superficial relationship of subordination.
When the time was right, Gao Yao chose Xianyang as the location for his official coronation, a decision of immense symbolic significance. Xianyang was not only the former capital of the Qin Dynasty but also the epicenter of the empire. Holding his coronation ceremony there undoubtedly announced to the world the birth of a new dynasty.
"Sacrificial rituals should follow the Zhou system, while government operations should adhere to the new rules." Gao Yao instructed this during preparations for his enthronement ceremony. This decision embodied his governing philosophy of both respecting tradition and embracing innovation. The celestial rites of worship were based on the grandeur of the Mount Tai Fengshan ritual, demonstrating the legitimacy of his regime; while daily government operations were to be conducted entirely according to the new system, demonstrating his commitment to reform.
With the war temporarily over, Gao Yao immediately turned his attention to domestic development. He issued a "Restoration Order" detailing a two-year recovery plan: exempting affected counties from taxes for three years, encouraging wasteland reclamation, and promoting new agricultural tools. Most importantly, he ordered the compilation of the "Land Law," standardizing weights and measures, laying the foundation for economic development.
On the military front, despite the pause in large-scale fighting, Gao Yao remained on high alert against both the Wei and Han armies. The First and Second Legions, commanded by Han Xin and Cao Shen, respectively, were stationed at strategic locations. He also established a comprehensive system of beacon towers, allowing for rapid dissemination of warnings throughout the territory.
Gao Yao adopted a gradual approach to appointing officials. In addition to recruiting talented individuals from various regions, he also promoted numerous individuals from humble backgrounds who possessed genuine talent and scholarship. This mix of old and new personnel ensured continuity in government affairs while injecting new vitality into the system.
Preparations for the coronation ceremony lasted nearly three months. This was not merely a formal ceremony but a crucial step in establishing the new dynasty's legitimacy. Gao Yao placed particular emphasis on two aspects: first, offering sacrifices to the ancestral temples of the previous dynasty, demonstrating respect for historical heritage; and second, the promulgation of new policies, demonstrating his determination to forge ahead.