A short story about Emperor Xiaowen's reform

Since the death of Taizu in the Northern Wei Dynasty, political corruption, Xianbei nobles and big businessmen oppressed the people and constantly aroused the resistance of the northern people. In 47 1 year, Emperor Xiaowen of Wei decided to take reform measures after he ascended the throne.

Emperor Xiaowen of Wei stipulated the salaries of officials and severely punished corrupt officials. Implement the "land equalization system" and distribute the wasteland to farmers, 40 mu for adult men and 20 mu for women, so that they can grow grain and distribute it to mulberry fields. Farmers must pay rent and serve the government. When farmers die, they should all be returned to the government, except Sangtian. As a result, more fields were cultivated, farmers' production and life were relatively stable, and the income of the Northern Wei regime also increased.

Emperor Xiaowen of Wei was a politically successful man. He believes that in order to consolidate the rule of Wei Dynasty, it is necessary to absorb the culture of the Central Plains and reform some backward customs. To this end, he decided to move the capital from Pingcheng (now northeast of Datong City, Shanxi Province) to Luoyang.

He was afraid that ministers would oppose the idea of moving the capital, and first proposed a massive attack on Nanqi. Once in court, he put forward this plan, and ministers opposed it. The most intense one was Ren Tuoba Cheng.

Emperor Xiaowen was angry and said, "The country is my country. Do you want to stop me from fighting? " Tuoba Cheng retorted: "Although the country belongs to your Majesty, I am the minister of the country, and I know the danger of using troops. How can I not talk about it?"

After thinking for a moment, Emperor Xiaowen announced his retirement from the DPRK and returned to the palace. He summoned Tuoba Cheng alone and said to him, "To tell you the truth, I was angry with you just now to scare everyone. What I really mean is that I think Pingcheng is a place where soldiers are used and it is not suitable for political reform. Now I want to change the customs, but I have to move the capital. In fact, I want to take this opportunity to lead the civil and military officials to move to the Central Plains. What do you think? "

TaBaCheng suddenly enlighted, immediately agreed with Wei Xiaowen.

In 493 AD, Emperor Xiaowen personally led more than 300,000 infantry and cavalry south, starting from Pingcheng and arriving in Luoyang. It happened that the autumn rain lasted for a whole month, and the roads were muddy everywhere, making it difficult to March. However, Emperor Xiaowen still rode out of the city wearing a helmet and armour and ordered to continue marching.

Ministers didn't want to send troops to cut Qi, so they took advantage of the heavy rain to stop it. Emperor Xiaowen said seriously: "This time, if you choose to mobilize the masses, if you give up halfway, it will be a joke for future generations. If you can't go south, move the capital here. What do you think? "

Everyone looked at each other and said nothing. Emperor Xiaowen said, "Don't hesitate. The station that agrees to move the capital is on the left, and the station that disagrees is on the right. "

A nobleman said, "As long as your majesty agrees to stop the expedition to the south, then we are willing to move the capital to Luoyang." Although many civil and military officials are not in favor of moving the capital, they have heard that the southern expedition can be stopped and have to express their support for moving the capital.

Emperor Xiaowen arranged one end of Luoyang and sent Wang Cheng Tuoba Cheng back to Pingcheng to publicize the benefits of moving the capital to the princes and nobles there. Later, he personally went to Pingcheng, and called the nobles and the old ministers to discuss the relocation of the capital.

There are still many voices of opposition among the nobles of Pingcheng. They moved out one reason after another and were refuted by Emperor Xiaowen. Finally, those people really think impassability, had to say:

"Moving the capital is a great event. Whether it is fierce or auspicious, let's divine. "

Emperor Xiaowen said: "Divination is to solve difficult things." There is no doubt about moving the capital. There is nothing to worry about. If you want to rule the world, make the four seas your home. There is no fixed reason for going south today and going north tomorrow. Besides, we moved several times in the last generation. Why can't I move? "

Noble ministers were speechless, and the move to Luoyang was settled.

After Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, he decided to further reform the old customs and habits.

On one occasion, he discussed state affairs with ministers. He said, "Do you think it is better to change the customs or stick to the rules?"

Tuoba Xi, the king of Xianyang, said, "It is certainly good to change customs."

Emperor Xiaowen said: "Then I will announce the reform, and no one can violate it."

Then, Emperor Xiaowen announced several decrees: it is more difficult for people over 30 to change their words, and they can be suspended. At present, all those under the age of 30 who are officials in the imperial court must change their words into Chinese, and those who violate this rule will be demoted or dismissed; It is stipulated that all officials and people should wear Han clothes; Encourage Xianbei people to intermarry with Han gentry and adopt Han surname. The northern Wei royal family was originally named Tuoba, and later changed its surname to Yuan. Emperor Xiaowen's name is Justin, which is the surname of Han nationality.

The drastic reform of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei made the political economy of the Northern Wei Dynasty develop greatly, and further promoted the integration of Xianbei and Han nationality.