Mythic version of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 7231 Causes and Consequences

Chen Xi didn't actually mention the conferment of ranks seven to nine, because at this level, you wouldn't be too destitute if you were given an official position domestically and chose a fiefdom abroad. You could even take a gamble and choose a fiefdom in the Yanbian region, such as Zhongnan, and rely on your background under Liu Bei to enjoy the benefits that Sun Qian would provide in the future.

At that time, putting everything else aside, it will be no problem for him to rise to the rank of Minister without any problem.

Conversely, with this foundation, guaranteeing three generations of prosperity and five generations of wealth is no problem at all. As for longer-term wealth, well, for a title of this rank, to be honest, it's already quite good that Chen Xi can consistently provide this reward. To continue this, besides what the ancestors left behind, we also need to see the efforts of future generations. It's inevitable that we'll run out of resources by sitting idle.

Frankly speaking, it is truly remarkable that someone like Chen Xi can so clearly guarantee wealth and status for about five generations. Although Guan Yu did not know what Sun Qian would do next, in Guan Yu's view, Chen Xi's current arrangements were already respectable enough for those of the seventh rank and above.

Even considering Guan Yu's understanding of society, Chen Xi's arrangement was already very respectable. This wasn't just three or five years; it was three or five generations. Even in the Spring and Autumn period, the virtues of a virtuous person were said to end after five generations. Chen Xi's current arrangement, in any case, was worthy of everyone's questioning.

Since Guan Yu had already inquired to such a deep level, he also wanted to hear how the last level should be arranged. He wouldn't even mention the seventh-rank noble title up to the rank of marquis. After hearing it, Guan Yu felt that he had let Chen Xi down. But since he had already inquired to this level, he might as well listen to the rest.

As for the first and second-class noble titles, there's not much to say. They're basically Chen Xi's "Sunshine Award," which applies to everyone willing to come to the Ganges to fight. Even if it doesn't guarantee support for three generations, at least this young man in his early twenties who participates in the decisive battle between Han and Gui will have 100 acres of land before he dies, and the state will give him some holiday gifts every year during the four seasons.

There is indeed nothing else left, but for a normal person, these things are enough. Even if his wife is not virtuous and his children are not filial, as long as this hundred acres of land is still in his name, it will be enough for him to live out his old age and have a decent life.

To put it bluntly, even in the 21st century, owning a hundred acres of land, not farming it yourself but renting it out to others, would be enough to live a decent life as long as one doesn't indulge in vices like drinking, gambling, and prostitution. That's why Guan Yu didn't even ask about the arrangement of first and second-class noble titles, because he knew very well that this was truly a "sunshine award" that Chen Xi had given to the young and strong of the Han Dynasty.

“Third to sixth rank nobles cannot be granted fiefdoms, so they can only remain in the country. Later, some state-owned factories and mines will need to be dismantled, and these people will be assigned to industries controlled by the state. Again, those who can obtain these ranks are those who have truly risked their lives on the front lines and must have killed enemies, so their discipline is also better,” Chen Xi said calmly.

"In that case, it doesn't feel any different." Guan Yu frowned, asking with a hint of doubt.

"Actually, it's different. To explain this, we need to introduce some things that haven't been mentioned before. Please listen to the simple explanation." Chen Xi thought for a moment and realized that simply telling Guan Yu what he did without the corresponding knowledge would make it difficult for Guan Yu to understand what he had done. So he decided to introduce the relevant knowledge to Guan Yu, which would make it easier for him to form the corresponding understanding.

"I would like to hear the details," Guan Yu said in a deep voice.

“If we divide the social resources a person possesses into several categories, excluding those who operate outside the rules and possess knowledge, morality, cultural authority, and privileges beyond the established norms, the social resources possessed by the vast majority of people can be divided into four categories.” Chen Xi raised his right hand, very seriously. “The first category is economic capital, which is money; the second category is social capital, which is relationships; the third category is cultural capital, which is scholarship, knowledge, etc.; and the fourth category is symbols, which is reputation and honor.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Tong quickly activated her mental talents, Raja Xu and Chen Xi, and sat up straight, realizing that the following content would be extremely useful.

“These four types of capital can be transferred to each other because, most of the time, no matter what shape society itself is, it will always be a cone. So the higher the level, the closer they are to each other. That is to say, the so-called intellectuals are actually very close to the big bureaucrats, big capital, etc., because the cone gets smaller as you go up, the closer the distance, and the easier it is for them to understand and help each other.” Chen Xi explained with a somewhat calm expression, and at this time Liu Tong had already vaguely grasped the core idea.

"But this is just a change of pace among these four types of capital circles in the same era. The most important thing next is generational change. Which of these four things is the easiest to pass on?" Chen Xi asked with a hint of profundity. "Your Highness, which do you think is the easiest to pass on? Which is the most difficult?"

“The easiest thing is money, followed by knowledge and academics. Relationships are about the same level of difficulty as knowledge and academics, but I feel there are pitfalls in this area. The most difficult thing is symbols, or even more directly, symbols may not be able to be passed on.” Liu Tong replied with a thoughtful look.

"Pretty much. Money is the easiest thing to pass down. As long as the descendants don't do anything wrong, even if they just sit around and do nothing, it will still take some time. Knowledge and scholarship are much more difficult. Even if there is an element of exposure, it cannot guarantee that one's descendants will inherit one's wisdom. But this kind of inheritance does not need to rely on others. As long as one's knowledge and scholarship are genuine, one can make arrangements for one's descendants while one is still alive." Chen Xi nodded and said.

"As for relationships, there's the issue of 'when one person leaves, the relationship fades,' especially with the relationship between parents. It needs to be passed down to the next generation, requiring them to have the ability to demand things of their children, and also considering the other party in the relationship. So this is more difficult than knowledge and academics, since the former doesn't require considering the other party's issues." Liu Tong simply explained why he made this judgment.

"As for so-called symbolic capital, to be honest, after one generation, it may all be gone. For example, the lineage of Xuande Gong as the Prince of Zhongshan Jing is just a symbol. Only Xuande Gong can use this symbol. When others use it, not only will it not bring them any benefits, but it may even create psychological pressure because of their ancestors' glory and their own decline. The honor of their ancestors is meaningless to them." Chen Xi said this with some emotion.

"Therefore, it's better to assign some controlled corporate positions than to give titles of nobility of the third to sixth rank," Chen Xi said indifferently.

Well, Chen Xi knew very well that this operation would inevitably create some things that later generations would find very unacceptable. After all, the so-called "several generations of XX people" problems kept appearing in the regulated industries of later generations. But to be honest, this was truly unavoidable.

As the education system continues to expand, holding imperial examinations to select scholars will inevitably become the mainstream. At present, we cannot compete with the major aristocratic families because they have accumulated hundreds of years of experience. However, as time goes by, the likes of Chen, Xun, Sima, Yuan, Yang, Wang, and Cui will all be crushed in the face of this trend.

Admittedly, they can rely on some first-mover advantage to hold out for a period of time, but as the promotion rules become clearer, these families of nobles who have been high-ranking officials for generations will eventually be wiped out.

After all, a bureaucratic organization is still an organization. As an organization, once Chen Xi's regulations are gradually implemented, every position within the organization will have a clear definition, which will inevitably lead to the scarcity of organizational positions. Since these positions are scarce, there will definitely be struggles, and there will be a time frame for these struggles. Naturally, it's impossible for someone to become a governor simply because their father is a governor.

This approach ensures that the succession of the bureaucratic system as a whole will be orderly, but for individual families, it will inevitably be disruptive. It will also inevitably turn some of the previous generation's leaders into symbols, and the relationships will naturally experience a severe decline in generational status.

On the contrary, the inheritance of enterprises under regulation, which is almost an economic monopoly, can appear fair and is actually orderly because it is not a bureaucratic organization. The simplest point is that there is no need to cheat people. It only needs to be reasonably manifested in the industry entry threshold, internal priority, confidentiality of information channels, etc., which are completely legal and compliant and can be printed in the rules and regulations.

Do you understand what occupational socialization is? Theoretically speaking, it should be a simple process in which an individual chooses a profession based on social needs, acquires relevant professional knowledge and skills, and continues to learn to adapt to the professional role after engaging in that profession.

How can someone who enters this profession normally after graduating from school compete with someone who was born into this process in terms of skill?
There's a saying that insiders always know more than outsiders. Under this logic, others have no need to scam you. It's only natural for two ordinary people with exactly the same qualifications to choose someone from their own circle who has been professionally socialized since childhood, because it's safer to use them and they know all the tricks of the trade.

Under this logic, it is perfectly normal for industries under state control to experience a generational succession, because certain implicit rules of inheritance within state-controlled industries are difficult to break. The very phrase "under control" implies that one should use one's own people.

So who are our own people? It doesn't need much explanation; they are the next generation after the previous generation.

This is really dangerous.

Chen Xi could fully understand this old man's problem, but from the perspective of stability and the overall situation, it was just a matter of stuffing this group of people who weren't particularly high-ranking but had indeed made contributions into the system and letting them enjoy the benefits for three or four generations.

After three or four generations, when ordinary people who didn't pay much attention to these things before, due to information asymmetry, the rationality of the entry system, and the difficulty of obtaining other benefits, start to pay attention to them, they can begin to dismantle these implicit rules of inheritance. It will take one or two generations to slowly complete the handover, gradually open up, or clarify the internal problems.

In short, over a period of about five generations, those who went too far were dismissed, those who left were allowed to stay, and those who remained were allowed to continue. Chen Xi fulfilled his promise and lived up to their expectations of following him. The country did not suffer too much loss, and they also brought blessings to their descendants.

As for the fact that they were punished later, it was only because the descendants were not clear-headed. If that generation had been clear-headed, although the ancestors could not let them continue to enjoy themselves, it would not have been a problem to let them keep eating properly.

"The Five Dynasties?" Guan Yu said after a moment of silence.

"Actually, the advantage starts to decline from the third generation. If you can survive that wave, you'll be fine until the fifth generation. But by then, the rules will be much clearer. Although you'll have the support of several generations, it won't be an overwhelming advantage anymore," Chen Xi nodded and explained simply.

"It is indeed a good idea, I have nothing more to say." Guan Yu said in a deep voice, "You have arranged almost everything, which is beyond my imagination, and has fulfilled the loyalty and righteousness that I have been struggling with, Zichuan!"

"There's no such thing. I've thought it all through from the beginning," Chen Xi said, waving his hand. "But as I said before, even if I arrange everything perfectly, there are bound to be some things that I can't control. No matter how much I calculate, there are things I can't foresee."

“That’s already very impressive. You’ve arranged everything that needed to be arranged,” Liu Tong said after a moment of contemplation. “But if that’s the case, what about those people from the Liangzhou faction…”

“Wenru has already given it, I can’t give it a second time,” Chen Xi said, shaking his head. “Wenru’s approach is actually hoping that others will do the same, but I don’t think it’s necessary.”

Li You essentially solved the biggest problem with the least amount of money. There's no need to make any arrangements for the Liangzhou faction afterward. To be honest, I feel a bit sorry for the Liangzhou faction, but Chen Xi can't make amends. As for whether the Liangzhou faction hates Li You in the future, it's better than Li You leading the Liangzhou faction to truly kill the Han aristocratic family, which would also be a big problem.

“There will inevitably be some discordant elements during this period, but that’s not my concern.” Chen Xi looked at Guan Yu with utmost seriousness. “Second Brother, is this answer satisfactory to you and to the officers who follow Lord Xuande?”

"If even this isn't enough..." Guan Yu stroked his beard, his eyes widening, "then isn't this just insatiable greed?"

“Some things are unavoidable,” Chen Xi shook his head and said. “I’ll have to trouble you to keep an eye on things then, Second Brother. I’ve said everything I needed to say. As for what I said today, Second Brother, just don’t spread it around. These plans all have precautions for the officers and soldiers. But you should also know that some things can only be done in the long run if you take precautions. If you don’t take precautions, as I said before, whoever gets the fiefdom will rebel!”

Guan Yu nodded in agreement, and Chen Xi felt much more at ease.

To be honest, it would be Guan Yu. If it were anyone else here, Chen Xi wouldn't dare to say. Even if it were Zhang Fei or Zhao Yun, Chen Xi would have to think twice. One of them is reckless, and the other likes to take the blame himself. If he were to tell these two, it would inevitably be passed on through other channels.

Chen Xi didn't even dare to tell Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, so how could he dare to tell others?

In fact, telling Guan Yu some things that were kept in his heart would also reduce the burden on Chen Xi. Having someone to share the secrets with is actually a good thing.

"If any harm does occur on the other side of the Ganges, I will personally go and handle it," Guan Yu solemnly promised. "There's not much I can do, but it's within my capabilities. Letting Wenru do it is not as good as letting me do it!"

"Well, how should I put it? You should all know about the previous plans. We were overestimating the enemy's strength, but in my opinion, the situation isn't that bad. To be honest, although there are problems at the front, the morale of the troops is definitely good." Chen Xi thought for a moment and felt that he still had to say a few words. Although he felt that the front was overconfident and would be hit hard this time, Chen Xi really didn't think that they would suffer a major defeat.

Let's put aside the question of whether it's overconfident or not. From the perspective of the lower-ranking soldiers on the Ganges side, the Han Dynasty was winning every battle, from the mouth of the Ganges all the way to the middle and upper reaches of the Ganges. The Han army was better equipped than the enemy, had stable food and logistics, and their morale was high due to the continuous victories. They hadn't encountered any stupid teammates for so long. The leading officers, the middle-ranking officers and centurions, while not all of them were outstanding, were at least all reliable.

In addition, this was a war fought for the country, and Chen Xi's compensation was very generous. Even if someone died in battle, Chen Xi would be there to cover it. After returning to the rear to rest, the brothers who came to help, as well as the letters from their families, all made this clear. There was no need to worry about their own affairs after death; if they died in battle, so be it.

Moreover, their opponents were the same Kushan soldiers they had fought before, and the guys on the front lines had fought them dozens of times and won every time.

Under these circumstances, would the lower-ranking soldiers feel that their side is no match for the enemy?
"What a load of crap!" When squad leaders and platoon leaders were assessing the condition of the frontline soldiers, the soldiers themselves didn't think Oswin was anything to be afraid of if he really attacked. Some centurions, who had been fighting since the Battle of Wenga, even said that Oswin was nothing. "So what if it's the Kushans? I've fought them so many times. What's there to be afraid of? Just go for it!"

In this situation, while there might be some arrogance, the morale of the troops was indeed high. This is why Yu Jin resolutely refused to withdraw after withdrawing his troops from Ayutthaya. Damn it, Oswin, a mere mortal? Do you think I'm a pushover?
Let's do it! I really don't believe that Oswin's 200,000-plus men can take down my 80,000 men. Okay, let's assume that Oswin really is at the level of Guan Yu. Even if my 80,000 elite troops can't beat Oswin, with morale high, he can't possibly annihilate me. If we can't beat him, we can just hold out in Palkia and wait for someone to come to our rescue!

No matter how incredible Oswin is, can he really rely on those 200,000 men to conquer the north and south and be invincible? What a joke, do you really think our Han army is all pushovers?
I suddenly realized that my book wasn't reviewed, and I could post anything. However, a few days after a new chapter was released, I would block overly heated topics and passages that were confirmed to involve real-world allusions. Even so, my backend still showed the same number of words, but you saw less content. I told some readers that it felt different from what I had read before. It's really amazing!