Chapter 7100: All with a Clear Conscience

Chapter 7100: All with a Clear Conscience
In fact, the effect is the same. Moreover, compared to the blockade of Malacca, the Kra Isthmus Canal is easier to blockade. With the army stationed on both sides of the Kra Isthmus Canal, and even if Taishi Ci turns that area into his fiefdom, with Gan Ning and Lu Xun outside and the army completing the blockade, controlling the two oceans is really just a matter of a word.

Furthermore, if the Kushan Empire is completely conquered in the future, the navy with a base in Ceylon, in conjunction with Taishi Ci, can engage in maritime transport. The Kra Canal would save more than ten days compared to the Strait of Malacca, and there are excellent supply points along the way. Whether it is to reap the benefits of long-distance shipping or to suppress the maritime power of Jiangdong, it would be an easy task.

More importantly, this arrangement would give Gan Ning, Taishi Ci, and Lu Xun immense power, and they would inevitably form a stable interest group. Even if they were weak in the army, given the incompetence of the Jiangdong army, Taishi Ci's safety in commanding the Kela Isthmus Canal would be guaranteed. This would allow them to completely control the Jiangdong group and turn it into a meat and mineral reserve for the Han Dynasty.

"Can't Zhou Gongjin see this possibility?" Chen Gong asked Chen Xi with some doubt. He had deduced this possibility just by looking at the distribution of troops and manpower on the map. There were so many wise men in Jiangdong, including a superior person like Zhou Yu. Couldn't he even see this? What are you good for!
"No one could tell." Chen Xi sighed. "It's actually all out in the open, but apart from you, no one else realized it. Of course, I suspect that Kongming and Wenhe did realize it, but Wenhe isn't interested in these kinds of things, so that's all there is to it."

Some things, even if they are laid bare in the open, will still not be believed by those who do not believe them. Just like what Chen Xi is talking about now, it has basically taken shape, but there are only a handful of people who truly believe that it can happen.

Zhuge Liang most likely knew this, but from the perspective of the nation, whether it was allowing the state to have a navy to control the two oceans or having Taishi Ci stationed at the Kra Isthmus Canal, it was entirely in the national interest. Therefore, Zhuge Liang would definitely not say anything on this matter.

After all, this is something that benefits the country.

As for Jia Xu, the same thing still applies: don't try to hide anything from Jia Xu. He's a shrewd person. Although he can remain silent as long as he's in the safe zone, you can't assume he doesn't know anything just because he doesn't speak.

"This..." Chen Gong was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head and thought about it. Indeed, if he hadn't prejudged that the Bingzhou faction was arranged there for some other purpose, and had met Lu Xun and Gan Ning and known their situation, he probably wouldn't have thought there was a problem even if he saw the current situation.

After all, Zhou Yu was a figure who could be called an emperor by the Roman Empire. Could this arrangement eliminate Emperor Zhou's advantage? Controlling the two oceans is not something that can be controlled by simply saying so; many times, it requires strength.

It is obvious that Jiangdong's naval strength is indeed somewhat exaggerated at this stage, and even the Han Dynasty cannot ignore this. Under such circumstances, unless Chen Xi takes the initiative to suppress Jiangdong, his attempt to demonstrate his strategic vision will only earn him a glance from Zhou Yu.

They couldn't surpass Zhou Yu in strength, and they couldn't compete with him at sea. This kind of situation was just an implication that Zhou Yu should give the country face.

“Gongjin had complained about Ceylon before, but he didn’t take it to heart. After all, what difference would it make if they occupied Ceylon? Once the Han Dynasty replenished the warships for Jiangdong, would Xingba’s fleet still be able to ride on Gongjin’s head?” Chen Xi said with a half-smile.

"Was Boyan the main force that destroyed the Kushan Empire?" Chen Gong asked with a hint of speculation.

Chen Xi nodded. "Xingba and Boyan will participate in the final battle, and they are currently our only remaining navy personnel. As long as we're not too unlucky, they will definitely have a chance."

“In that case, although their achievements are insufficient, their inherent advantages are there. In terms of achievements, they are indeed qualified to be allocated in this way,” Chen Gong said slowly. “The only problem is that Jiangdong will probably have a rebellious mentality.”

"No, Boyan has mastered the most important naval tactics. Although there are still some problems, his biggest weakness has been overcome." Chen Xi raised his index finger and shook it.

Why did Chen Xi agree to Lu Xun's suggestion to station troops on Ceylon and build it into a naval base for the Han dynasty in the Indian Ocean, instead of his earlier idea of ​​conquering Ceylon, ending the Han-Gui War, and then returning it to the Kou family?

It's because Lu Xun explicitly told Chen Xi that he could learn self-circulation.

With seventh-generation warships, self-circulation capabilities, and the ability to command large-scale armies on the ground, Chen Xi will have much more freedom in his strategic deployments in Southeast Asia.

After all these factors combined, even if some people say that Lu Xun won the victory by relying on the advantages of the seventh-generation ship, the seventh-generation ship was designed by Lu Xun's father. It is only natural for a son to inherit his father's divine weapon, let alone in ancient times, even in modern times.

Lu Jun was even more shameless, patting his chest and saying that this thing was designed for his brothers and sons. What could Jiang Dong possibly say?
After all, when it really comes to that, what does face matter!
Therefore, after confirming this, Chen Xi directly picked up the plan that had been abandoned due to Gan Ning's lack of strength.

Controlling the two oceans and securing maritime routes is something the Han dynasty should ideally manage itself. It would be better for Jiangdong to continue to benefit from the Han dynasty's policies and serve as a grain-producing region, meat-producing area, and mining center—that would be more promising.

The only problem is that after Taishi Ci, Gan Ning, and Lu Xun were arranged in this way, they would become marquises on the borders of the Han Dynasty, and there would be no way to further enfeoff them. Moreover, the location of their fiefdoms would be somewhat delicate.

After all, once they've taken this path, Chen Xi can't possibly grant them external fiefdoms, because the things they've seized have absolute value to the Han Dynasty.

But as the saying goes, there are advantages to being enfeoffed outside the capital and advantages to being enfeoffed inside the capital. Moreover, Chen Xi said from the beginning that there are two types of titles: those of the inner and outer provinces. The marquises within the nine provinces are those enfeoffed in the central plains, the core area of ​​the Han dynasty. These marquises have small territories and do not receive additional titles, but they will receive other benefits.

The marquises outside the Central Plains, such as those from Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia, have vast territories. Their titles may be promoted one level at the end, but they can forget about any domestic benefits.

Therefore, Chen Xi restarted the plan from years ago. He had given up earlier because he lacked the strength, but now that he had enough, why should Zhou Yu control the two oceans? Why should the golden waterway be handed over to Zhou Yu? Wouldn't it be better for the Han Dynasty to control it itself? Moreover, Ceylon Island would be close to the Han Dynasty's direct jurisdiction over the Ganges in the future. It could be supervised together, and at most, the policies would be relaxed to allow Gan Ning and others to develop better.

No matter how loosened the restrictions are, we still need to get our hands on the two ocean navies and the golden waterway. After all, this is the power of the empire. Giving it to Jiangdong earlier was an expedient measure in an emergency. But now that there is a better opportunity, of course everyone in Jiangdong should take their compensation. Things that should be controlled by the central government of the Han Dynasty should still be handed over to the central government!
"You really are a good mentor." Chen Gong looked at the map and mentally calculated the possible patterns in the near future, as well as the situation in the far future when the Han Dynasty experienced turmoil in the south and the Ganges region was in turmoil. He couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion. Chen Xi's move really not only brought the country extra benefits, but also consolidated the periphery of the territory.

"After all, he is my apprentice. He didn't perform well in the previous arrangements, and I thought it was just not the right time. But I am quite satisfied with the results Boyan has given this time." Chen Xi said with a smile, "How about it? Arranging you here, forming a triangular alliance with Ziyi, helping each other, not only strengthens the border territory but also curbs local counterattacks."

"I have one last question." Chen Gong's eyes became extremely complicated. With this arrangement, their Bingzhou faction would not only be Zhao Yun's subordinates in the future, but also Chen Xi's direct subordinates. Although they would most likely have to do some dirty work and go to Jiangdong to audit accounts, this deal was very worthwhile, and more importantly, the danger was greatly reduced.

As for the potential resentment and hostility from Jiangdong, such a huge benefit has been obtained, it would be a big problem if people were not allowed to feel resentful!

"Speak," Chen Xi asked Chen Gong.

“Our main force will definitely be deployed to the area south of the Kra Isthmus Canal, which is not a problem in my opinion. But what I want to know is whether we are considered outside the Nine Provinces or inside the Nine Provinces. This is very important!” Chen Gong said to Chen Xi very seriously.

Although Chen Xi did not explain in detail how to arrange Gan Ning, Taishi Ci, and Lu Xun, based on the previous explanation and Chen Gong's own judgment, Chen Gong estimated that the situation of these people would be particularly complicated and difficult to arrange.

Based on the strategy of controlling the two oceans, the area north of Ceylon and the Kra Isthmus Canal, which was granted to Taishi Ci, should theoretically be under the direct jurisdiction of the Han Dynasty. However, even if these guys were given powers similar to those of the vassal kings in the early Western Han Dynasty, it would be meaningless; they would still be considered internal marquises.

But if that's the case, what about them? How should this group of Bingzhou people be arranged? Should they be made outer marquises or inner marquises?
If it's an inner marquis, then it's the Bingzhou faction plus Taishi Ci, surrounding a large area of ​​the Nine Provinces outside the Grand Canal from Jiaozhou to the Kra Isthmus. If it's an outer marquis of the Nine Provinces, then it's the Bingzhou faction and a large area of ​​the Nine Provinces outside the Grand Canal from Jiaozhou surrounding Taishi Ci, who is an inner marquis of the Nine Provinces.

Well, from Chen Gong's perspective, no matter which option he chooses, it doesn't seem quite right!
"You really are a bit too perceptive," Chen Xi said to Chen Gong with a smile.

"Damn!" Chen Gong gasped, staring blankly at the vast plain stretching from Jiaozhou to the north of the Kra Isthmus Canal. If what he thought came true, this whole area would be inhabited by marquises of the Nine Provinces. Wasn't that shameless?
"What's wrong?" Chen Xi asked Chen Gong with a smile.

"Is your behavior really appropriate?" Chen Gong said after a moment of silence. "Let me say this first. Although I think it's wrong for politicians to be completely devoid of humanity and to view all things purely through numbers, if I had to be honest, I look down on politicians who are too full of humanity and even govern the world with pure humanity, because that would be too much of an abuse of power for personal gain."

Human nature manifests itself in greed, selfishness, self-interest, and so on. When these things are reflected in politics, they will inevitably cause a whole host of problems. So, although Chen Gong opposes politicians who view all things purely through numbers but are incredibly fair, in Chen Gong's view, politicians with too much human nature are simply great thieves who are the opposite of saints!
"What's wrong with that?" Chen Xi said nonchalantly. "The victors are beyond reproach. Aren't they always complaining that I'm too fair and have a bit of a cold heart? I'm just showing them what my humanity is. What do you think of my demonstration?"

"I think you might need to see Dr. Hua." Chen Gong was silent for a moment before speaking with difficulty. As he said this, Chen Gong even tried to smile twice, as if trying to eliminate the atmosphere of him making a suggestion.

"What are you looking at?" Chen Xi said with a light laugh. "I've already finalized many things a long time ago. It's just that I can't say how to carry them out. Some things can be done but not said. But since we've gone this far, it really doesn't matter. Anyway, you're not going to tell anyone, right?"

Those fiefdoms in the Indochina Peninsula currently enjoy the benefits of being Marquises of the Outer Nine Provinces, which means their rank is increased by one. Simply put, all veterans of Liu Bei's faction who have established fiefdoms in the Indochina Peninsula, Central Asia, Northeast China, and Northern Xinjiang will enjoy an increase in their rank.

Of course, this "adding one" to the title does not mean adding a level, but rather that the rank of "Shi" becomes "Daifu", the rank of "Daifu" becomes "Qing", and the rank of "Qing" becomes "Hou".

This is the basic logic behind how veterans under Liu Bei were able to obtain huge fiefdoms. Because the logic of granting a Marquisate outside the Nine Provinces plus a rank of nobility meant that all veterans who obtained fiefdoms were at least treated as ministers, and many even directly received fiefdoms as Marquises within the Passes.

Incidentally, people like Zhang Yong and Zhang Ping who go to the Indochina Peninsula to establish fiefdoms will be granted the rank of Marquis, and the entire system of investiture will be at the Marquis level, with everything on the fiefdom being upgraded.

Therefore, after Zhang Yong and his descendants established their fiefdoms, the level they could enjoy was entirely at the level of a marquis. Similarly, veterans of level nine and above who chose to establish their own kingdoms could only enjoy the level of a marquis within the pass. This level was not considered presumptuous; it was something written in the imperial edicts.

The changes in details from marquis to duke are actually not many, because dukes have been very rare throughout history. In the entire four hundred years of the Han Dynasty, only a handful of people were granted the title of duke, and the benefits they received were limited to the nine-piece set of gifts. As for anything else, they could not expect much.

But the promotion from the ninth rank to the marquis is a huge leap.

However, almost no one has realized this point yet. Most people just think that enfeoffing a country is the same as enfeoffing a country, and there is no real difference.

In reality, there is no difference at the present stage. Once the country is established, there will naturally be differences. This is what is meant by "upgrading".

This can be considered the greatest benefit for the Marquises outside the Nine Provinces. All the Marquises outside the Nine Provinces will be promoted. This is the result of the signing of the golden book and jade register by the Yuan family, which was witnessed and recognized by all the aristocratic families.

Having discussed the outer marquises of the Nine Provinces, the next step is the inner marquises of the Nine Provinces. Compared to the outer marquises, the inner marquises feel like the ordinary marquises who were previously admonished.

It was a position that the Han dynasty would have readily abandoned if given the chance. But what if we changed our approach and Chen Xi had been in power, leading to rapid domestic development?
That means that the Marquis of Kyushu will inevitably enjoy the benefits of Chen Xi's rapid development. Some infrastructure will be built naturally along with Chen Xi's social progress. In other words, as the Marquis of Kyushu, although you can only collect some taxes in your own fief, the country will build your fief according to the plan. Although it may not be built very well, you can trust Chen Xi's ability and it will definitely not be bad.

So what Chen Xi is saying now? Damn it, the vast land from Jiaozhou to the Kra Isthmus Canal north of it, established by Liu Bei's generals and officers, should theoretically be the fiefdoms of the outer marquises of the Nine Provinces, but in reality, they are the inner marquises of the Nine Provinces. Chen Gong felt so angry that he laughed. Is this how it works?
This isn't even a Zhou dynasty enfeoffment anymore. Is this what enfeoffment looks like? What are you thinking!

A fiefdom is like giving you a base to take your men to; if you conquer it, it's yours; if you fail and die there, it means you're useless!

What happened with Chen Xi's actions?
"Aren't you afraid of the backlash?" Chen Gong took a deep breath and asked Chen Xi.

"Ah, why should I be afraid of backlash?" Chen Xi retorted. "The golden book and jade book were signed by them themselves, not by me making them sign. I was just pushing things along according to the rules. But because of its own development and expansion, the Han Empire turned the outer marquises into inner marquises, so it was just compensating the outer marquises. Is there a problem? After all, personal efforts are only one aspect; we still have to look at the progress of the times."

Chen Gong felt a mouthful of blood stuck in his throat, completely at a loss for words. "There's such a plan? Damn, so you were planning to do this from the very beginning?"

"Is this how you do things?" Chen Gong was utterly exhausted. "Do you always come up with these outrageous projects? Just like the Ganges Essence District's enfeoffment, you either don't do it at all, or you go and do something massive? Aren't you afraid that others will completely lose track of your thinking?"

"So what if I can keep up? So what if I can't?" Chen Xi said calmly. "As long as I can live with myself morally and psychologically, that's enough. Whether it's the enfeoffment of the Ganges River's essence area or the gradual transformation of the outer marquises of the Nine Provinces into inner marquises as time goes by, and the targeted compensation, I have a clear conscience."

If you're unclear why Ceylon, the Kra Canal, a navy, and a small army could dominate both oceans, you can learn about British history, and incidentally, what it meant for the Middle Ages to acquire these two assets.