Chapter 482: Envoys and Titles (6,000 words long chapter, please vote and subscribe)
Speaking of the tools used to make wooden carts, the three elders who were in charge of the three metal smeltings immediately began to offer their treasures and show their latest achievements in front of the commander-in-chief - the copper-iron alloy axe.
The commander-in-chief was very interested in this axe, which was lighter in color than the (red gold) red copper. He picked it up and chopped it down at a small tree not far away. With a bang, the axe blade really penetrated the wood three inches, cutting a large gap in the tree. Looking at the axe blade again, there was basically no damage.
This axe is much better than the pure copper axe made by the Xin tribe before. If a pure copper axe is chopped like this, it will definitely be deformed, and it will not cut such a large gap.
But when he thought that this was a copper-iron alloy, the commander-in-chief frowned again.
"This alloy axe is good, but we can't smelt iron ourselves, and the Han tribe is unwilling to trade with us. We can't make a large number of them, so what's the use of this alloy?" After saying that, the commander-in-chief waved his hand and threw the axe back onto the wooden cart.
"Commander, we also thought of this problem, so we tried to combine the three golds of our tribe together, and found that the combination of white gold and red gold is not much worse than this iron. In this way, we can also make a large number of alloy tools ourselves." The three elders proudly took out several golden metal tools again.
There were not only axes, but also scissors imitated in the style of Han tribe scissors, and a golden short sword. As
soon as these three things were taken out, the commander-in-chief became more interested. He tried each one in his hand, and finally held the short sword and didn't let go.
"Is this made by melting platinum and red gold together?"
"Yes, Commander, but we don't know what this thing should be called yet. Also, we found that if the amount of platinum and red gold is different, the alloys made are also different. If there is more platinum, the object will be harder, and if there is less, it will be softer. Now we are trying again and again to find out how much is appropriate." The three elders answered again.
"Well, not bad, not bad. With this thing, what use do we have for the iron of the Han tribe? Let's use this alloy to make tools in the future. By the way, since you don't know what this thing is called, since it is made by melting platinum and red gold, let's just call it white red gold."
The commander was so happy that he immediately gave this alloy a name. Several elders also quickly followed suit, praising the commander. Little
did they know that the 'white red gold' they were talking about was the bronze that was eliminated by the Han tribe. It was also an accident that the three elders of the Xin tribe made a bronze alloy.
Of course, the stimulation of the Han tribe's ironware can only be regarded as one of the causes of this incident. The ultimate reason for this result is actually related to the poor metal purification of the Xin tribe. The copper impurity content of the smelted copper is relatively high, which is also related to the low temperature, indicating that their furnace and blast equipment are not good.
In addition, the "white gold" they mentioned is the same. It looks no different from silver overall, but due to the poor purification, the silver produced by the Xin tribe also contains some lead and tin, and they melted it with red copper, thus creating the "white red gold" containing copper, carbon, silver, lead and tin.
After looking at the tools made by the three elders, the commander-in-chief once again set his sights on the wooden cart.
This car looks very special. The most important wheels, axles and frames are all made of wood, while the unimportant car boards are woven from thick bamboo strips. The wheel rim, spokes, and wheel core, as well as the axles and frames, are all chopped out with a short-handled hand axe. Most of them are stick-shaped or strip-shaped. There is not a single wooden board on the whole car.
It must be said that although bronze alloys can be used to make tools for chopping wood, they do not have saws and planers, which are essential tools for carpenters. Therefore, it is conceivable what the vehicles produced will look like. All wooden parts do not even have a smooth and flat surface, and are covered with traces of knife chopping and axe chiseling.
At the request of the commander-in-chief, the team leader who made this ox cart began to pull the ox to pull the cart. The cart was crooked, but at least it did not fall apart directly. It is unknown how long such a car can be used after loading things.
The commander-in-chief, who saw the oxcart for the first time, was full of curiosity. He sat on the cart at the back and asked the team leader who built the cart to drive for him. After a round in the valley, the cart miraculously did not break down. This made the people who watched it very happy. They all said that the cart was a good thing and they would make more of them when they came back. No matter what they were used to transport, it would be much faster than before.
The commander-in-chief naturally thought so and asked the team leader who built the cart.
"How many days does it take to build this cart?"
"Commander-in-chief, this cart has been built for eight weeks. It was mainly because it was the first attempt and there were many problems. Besides, everyone had no experience and had never seen what a cart looked like, so it took a lot of time.
If the commander-in-chief wants to make an identical one, I think it will take about five weeks."
"It takes that long?" The commander-in-chief, who was just feeling better, became depressed again after hearing the news.
"Yes, Commander. Although we have this alloy axe, it is still laborious and time-consuming to make. The Han tribe heard that a grassland tribe wanted to buy a car last time, so they made dozens of carts the next time they came. Although they sold two-wheeled ones, they were very fast to make. I think this must be related to their tools. They must have more powerful iron tools.
Just like the scissors sold by the Han tribe, it looks like two knives nailed together. It's no big deal, but this small change can do things that knives can't do. The animal skin that could only be cut with a knife before now has scissors. Since the people of the Han tribe are so smart, they must have other various useful tools." The team leader immediately talked about it.
The commander-in-chief also nodded, but suddenly said, "But what does this have to do with us? What do you want to say?" The team
leader who made the car immediately knelt on one knee and asked his commander-in-chief.
"Commander-in-chief, I am willing to lead the team to continue trading on the grasslands. Even if we agree to the conditions of the Han tribe, we can only sell salt near the coast, or we can sell it at a higher price. The price cannot be lower than that of the Han tribe. This is not bad for us. Anyway, the people who buy salt are all grassland people.
We don't have to be enemies with the Han tribe. As long as we can get along with them on an equal footing and as long as we can still contact the tribes on the grasslands, we can find more good things from the Han tribe. In this way, even if the Han tribe does not sell directly to us, we can learn more technology from the Han tribe on the grasslands.
Even, we can even give some gifts to the Han tribe and ask to meet their leader to discuss the trade between the two sides. We can go to their tribe and see with our own eyes how they live and what good things they have that we don’t know about. If someone can come back from the Han tribe and write down everything he saw, it will be beneficial to our tribe.
Just like this car, we used to carry things on our shoulders and hands, with a backpack and a shoulder pole at most, but now we have a car, and we can save a lot of effort in carrying things in the future. This is not just a little extra benefit, but a huge benefit for everyone in our entire Xin tribe.
I hope the leader will agree that I can take people to the Han tribe. "The captain pleaded very sincerely.
After listening to it, the commander-in-chief did not speak for a long time, but was thinking about the feasibility of this proposal, and how much benefit it could bring to himself, and how much price he would have to pay.
After thinking for a long time, the commander-in-chief finally looked at the captain kneeling at his feet, and said without comment.
"I remember the news that the Han tribe has cars that can be pulled by oxen and horses and can carry heavy objects. It was you who brought it back from the grassland. By the way, you were the first to propose the idea of building a car, right?
" "Replying to the commander, I brought back the news of the car, as well as other good things sold by the Han tribe on the grassland. Later, Elder Shang went to the grassland to exchange cars." The captain replied immediately.
"Well, but after Elder Shang went there, the caravan of the Han tribe was not willing to trade with us. Instead, they killed our people and robbed our things. Is it useful for you to go there if you go there, something that you elders couldn't accomplish? Besides, aren't you afraid of dying outside like the people last time? "The commander-in-chief asked again.
"Commander, as long as I can bring more powerful skills and tools to the tribe, it will be worth it even if I die. I am just afraid that I can't learn more powerful things and bring them back to present to the commander and the clansmen of the Xin tribe."
Hearing such an impassioned speech, the commander-in-chief was also moved. Yes, the reason why the last thing failed and the loss was so great must be because of that useless elder Shang. Look at one of his team leaders, who not only brought so many good things from the Han tribe, but also brought back the news that the Han tribe had a car. He even built an ox cart for people to ride in with his own hands based on the description he heard without even seeing what the car looked like. I really don’t know how much better he is than that elder Shang. Maybe letting this kid go will really gain something. As he said, it will be worth it even if he only learns a technology better than that of the Xin tribe.
Thinking of this, the commander-in-chief did not hesitate any more and personally helped the team leader up.
"What's your name?"
"Commander, my name is Niuwei. "
Hahaha, this name is good. Niuwei is active, just like you. You don't want to be idle.
In this case, you should take your men to the grassland again and see if you can get to the residence of the Han tribe. You were originally a team leader under Elder Shang, but that old man has been killed by me. Now I will let you be the new Elder Shang. I hope you won't let me down and really do what you said. You can decide the specific arrangements and how many people are needed. Tell me before you leave." The commander-in-chief patted Niuwei's shoulder happily and encouraged him again.
"Thank you, Commander. I will start making arrangements immediately and will never let you down."
Originally, I just wanted to go to the Han tribe to gain some experience, but I didn't expect that I would be appointed as the new Shang elder by the commander. This is a leap into the core power circle of the tribe. Niu Wei immediately thanked him excitedly.
But after calming down, Niu Wei also figured it out. He, the Shang elder, was nothing. The last Shang elder had died less than a day ago. The leader cut his body into pieces with an axe and hung it on a tree to dry. If he didn't bring anything back this time, he would definitely end up the same way.
Besides, I heard from the people who came back last time that the Han tribe was very unreasonable, but their warriors were still very strong. I didn't know if I could come back alive this time. It was useless to think about these things now.
After making up his mind, Niu Wei began to select the team members who would go on the mission with him this time, as well as the goods and gifts he would bring this time.
However, the preparation process was not very smooth. There was no problem with the preparation of materials. With the support of the commander, others could not say anything. Basically, whatever he wanted was given, but there was a problem when selecting the team members.
Last time, more than 100 people went out, but only less than 30 came back. And those who came back were only half dead. They might be executed by the commander-in-chief. There was no guarantee that they would get any benefits. As a result, there were not many people willing to go to the grassland with Niu Wei to seek death and excitement.
However, Niu Wei also had his own way. He would give a resettlement fee to the family of anyone who was willing to go with him. It was considered as an early payment of pension, which was equivalent to buying his life directly.
In this way, he attracted some young people whose families were too poor to make ends meet, and some old brothers and old team members who had followed him to the grassland. In the end, he was able to gather 40 people.
In early spring, on the last day of January in the new year, after saying goodbye to the commander-in-chief, Niu Wei resolutely led the team to the reef connecting Zhudao and the mainland, and walked firmly towards the legendary civilized country. This time, he wanted to see it for himself.
******
In the fourth year since Luo Chong came to this world, on the first day of February in spring, the spring plowing of the entire tribe has been completed. Spring wheat has been sown and has grown tender green sprouts. Corn has also grown trumpet-shaped seedlings. Rice has been transplanted. The farmland of the three counties of the entire Han tribe is full of vitality.
For more than half a month after returning from flood control, Luo Chong himself has not been idle. First, he formulated a land reform plan, government management methods, the amount of tax collection, and the future development strategy of the tribe.
Now, the spring plowing is completed, and it is time to officially implement these rules and laws. In order to cooperate with this reform, the first chapter of the book "Han Li" planned by Luo Chong, the chapter on the twenty levels of merit and nobility in the Han Empire, has finally been written.
Luo Chong was not a professional history researcher in his previous life. He just heard that during the Qin and Han dynasties, there were 20 levels of military merit and nobility. However, he really didn't know the social status of those nobility and what responsibilities they held. He just remembered the names of a few nobility, and they were not complete.
But it doesn't matter. It's not reliable to copy other people's rules directly. Each civilization has its own unique background and social environment. It may not be appropriate to copy them directly. Therefore, Luo Chong had to make the twenty levels of merit and honor unique to the Han tribe in this world based on his limited memory and the actual situation of the Han tribe.
Level 0, the lowest level of ordinary civilians, no title, the Han tribe called them common people, and they were called Qianshou in the Qin Dynasty. They were wrapped with a black cloth on the top of their heads. Black heads were called Qianshou. It's easy to understand. Luo Chong also planned to do that.
The first level of title, Gongshi, means starting to work for the country. From now on, you are no longer a civilian. Since you have a title, you have to make contributions to the public, so you are called "Gongshi".
To get the title of Gongshi, the black cloth used to wrap the bun on your head must be replaced with brown cloth, and 20 acres of land will be granted, which is equivalent to giving a person land for free. However, the land awarded must also be taxed. The extra grain can also be used to exchange for money, or you can grow other things yourself. The prerequisite is to grow the grain for tax.
In terms of social status, the first-level title of "gongshi" can serve as a squad leader and manage four neighbors around. When serving corvée, he can also serve as a temporary deputy flag officer, or a small soldier in the village.
The second-level title, Danjin, literally means that the brown cloth on the head must be replaced with a dark red cloth, and 20 mu of land is added. He can serve as a sergeant and manage nine neighbors. He can also serve as a flag officer during military service, or he can be a small official in the township.
The third-level title, Shanzuo, means being good at doing something, such as planting well, producing a lot of food, and not attracting insects, or being a carpenter or blacksmith. As long as you can stand out from the crowd and become a master in the eyes of others, you can get this "Shanzuo" title.
The benefit is that if you are in politics, you can be a regular official in the village, and if you are in the army, you can be a deputy general flag, equivalent to a deputy platoon leader, and the hair ornament on your head is no longer a piece of cloth, but a wooden headband.
The fourth level of nobility, Zhizuo, is also very clear. It is not a nobility that can be obtained by doing well. Not only must you do well, but you must also be able to use your brain. It is also a nobility specially set up to encourage invention and creation.
If you want to become a "Zhizuo", you can submit an invention that is useful to the country. Once it is confirmed, you will be granted a nobility immediately. It doesn't matter if you can't invent. If you know herbs, you can discover a herb that can cure diseases. After submitting it, you can also be granted a nobility. Or if you are a farmer, you discover a new food in the wild, and then you cultivate it to be artificially planted. After submitting it, you can also be granted a nobility.
The establishment of this nobility is very important. Luo Chong specifically encourages people to contribute to the tribe. It is also to cultivate the enterprising spirit of the nation. Luo Chong taught them a lot of science and technology, but it is definitely not a reason for them to rely on their old capital. If Luo Chong dies in the future, will the Han Dynasty stand still or go backwards?
This is absolutely not possible. In order to cultivate the enterprising spirit of the nation, Luo Chong must encourage people to actively use their brains to invent. No matter what industry it is, as long as it is useful, they will all be granted a nobility.
Zhi Zuo's hair accessories also changed from wooden headbands to leather headbands. The benefits are also an additional 20 mu of land. At this level, you don't have to do labor anymore. If you go into politics, you can be a minor official in the county, which is the level of a department clerk. If you go into the army, you can be a general flag, which is equivalent to a platoon leader.
The fifth level of nobility is Gushou. The headdress is a leather headband with a wooden hairpin. The hairpin is inserted to fix the bun, so it is called Gushou. Its meaning is to tell the winner to be stable, walk upright, and do things attentively. Only in this way can you be called Gushou.
The benefits are an additional 20 mu of land. If you go into politics, you can be a county-level clerk. If you go into the army, you can be a deputy section chief, which is equivalent to a deputy company commander.
The sixth level is Gushen, which warns the winner to be steady and decent, and not forget his original intention. The hair accessories are leather headbands and translucent hairpins made of antelope horns.
If the welfare benefits are supplemented with an additional piece of land, that is, an additional 100 acres of land, one can become a deputy county magistrate if he works in politics, or a section chief if he joins the army, in charge of several general flags, which is equivalent to a company-level military commander.
The seventh level is to consolidate the foundation. Remember that the country is based on agriculture. At this level, you can become a county magistrate, so you must remember your responsibilities, develop agriculture, and govern the people.
The hair accessories are still leather headbands and bronze hairpins, and the hairpins must be made in the shape of a hoe, so that the winners of the title always remember the original intention of focusing on agriculture.
With the welfare and the addition of a tract of land, people who climb to this position basically have more than 300 acres of land at home. In addition to supporting their own family, they can also support a chief bookkeeper or a staff member like a legal advisor, which is equivalent to the county magistrate's personal secretary. Anyway, the country does not pay them a salary.
If you join the army with this title, you can also become a general, which is equivalent to a company instructor. When not fighting, you have more power than the military chief, and are responsible for logistics and intelligence, as well as the ideological situation of the soldiers and military law.
The eighth level is "Shao Yu", with a plate crown as a hair accessory, shaped like an open book, and a silver hairpin. You can tell what it does by looking at the hair accessories.
If you go into politics, you can be a minor official at the county level, or you can be a principal in a county, in charge of the education of a county. If you
join the army, you can be a deputy commissioner, which is equivalent to the level of deputy battalion commander. With the welfare of one mu of land, plus the previous one, there are more than 400 acres. If there are many children, it may even exceed 500 acres.
The ninth level is "Shan Yu", with a long board crown and a silver hairpin; if you go into politics, you can be a department clerk at the county level, which is equivalent to a small section chief, or you can be the principal of a county school, in charge of the education of a county.
If you join the army, you can be a regular commissioner, which is equivalent to a regular battalion level; the welfare is still increased by one mu of land, which is about 500 mu.
The tenth episode is "Shao Liang", which means that if you get this title, you will be a pillar of the country. You can be an official at the level of a county governor, or a commissioner, which is equivalent to a battalion instructor.
The title of Shao Liang also began to wear a Liang crown, and the rank can be seen directly from the hat.
With the welfare and one mu of land, there are about 600 mu in total.
(End of this chapter)
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