The imperial court wanted fiefs.
They wanted to divide the prairie in the north into numerous pieces as fiefs for the meritorious people.
This was the end of the war between the Jin and Northern Yuan!
However, this news hadn't been announced yet and was still confidential. Even the Wu Family and Tian Long Taoism didn't know about it, just like they didn't know what celestial device the Meng Family in Ningzhou had given to Meng Qingrong.
The information was sent by the Immortal Palace.
"I didn't expect the Immortal Palace to have planted informants in the imperial palace of the Jin. How could they get such information!"
It should be known that the matter of the fiefdom was only a private discussion between the Emperor and a few confidants. Not to mention the details, even some general directions had not been worked out, such as how to divide it, to whom to distribute it, according to what criteria, and how much each person could be granted. These all required a long period of discussion and research. It was impossible to come to fruition without a year and a half's time. Perhaps this was just an idea between the Emperor and one of his confidants. Maybe they just met and casually said a few words. Therefore, even Tian Long Taoism did not find out about it, but the Immortal Palace already knew about it.
"Forget it. No matter how the Immortal Palace knows, it has nothing to do with me. I just need to let nature take its course. This time, I made a great contribution in the process of destroying Northern Yuan. Even if my contribution isn't the greatest, I'm definitely qualified to be a fief. Do I really have to run to the north to be a lord?"
Thinking of the consequences of this enfeoffment, Junior Leopard was secretly frightened. This might not be the best way, but it was the most effective way.
Now the Jin was implementing a state and county system, which was actually the feudal dynasty system in Junior Leopard's previous life. It was a highly centralized system.
Under such a system, the land was also privately owned. If you had money, you could buy tens of thousands of acres of fertile land, or even a whole mountain, which could be passed down for thousands of years. You could build houses, farm, raise pigs and chickens on your own land. You could even leave the land idle and play golf or football. No one would care about you. However, you had to pay taxes. You couldn't own an army. You had to be controlled by the local government. If there was a murder case, you had to report it and hand it over to the local government. No matter how much land you owned, it was within the territory of the Jin and had to be managed by the Jin. Even if the land of a county belonged to you, you were still a local tycoon. You still had to kneel down when you saw the County Magistrate.
This was the meaning of the saying, "Under the sky, all the land belonged to the king. Those who led the land were the king's subjects."
But the fief system was different. After the fief, you would be the absolute owner of the land, with the power to collect taxes and deploy an army. Except that the land was not as big as the Jin, the scope of your power was the same as that of the Jin Emperor. Even if your fief was only the size of a county, you were still the local tycoon of this county. You could kill the people in your fief at will, rape the women at will, and even exercise the right of virginity. No one could control all of this, not even the Jin Emperor.
It was believed that no matter who got the news, the whole Jin would set off a wave of exterminating bandits in the prairie of Northern Yuan.
Who didn't want to obtain a completely independent fief? It was just like practicing martial arts. If one practiced martial arts to the extreme and obtained great power, even the power of a country wouldn't be able to pose a threat to them. Not only could they enjoy longevity, they could also enjoy freedom. If they could obtain a fief in the north, they wouldn't need to practice martial arts to the extreme and would still be able to obtain absolute freedom.
"Fief is not a solution. But if it is done well, then the Jin will not have to worry about the instability of the north for at least a thousand years!"
Junior Leopard carefully thought about the consequences of the fief system in the northern prairie. He could not help but sigh in his heart that the Jin Emperor and his trusted subordinates had really racked their brains.
The area of Northern Yuan was too large, several times larger than that of the Jin. It was possible for the Jin to destroy and conquer it, but it was very difficult to implement effective management there. Especially now that the Jin had begun a large-scale population migration. However, this migration was not to move the population of the Jin to the north, but to take the majority of the population of the northern prairie as slaves, prisoners of war, and abduct them to the Central Plains.
For tens of thousands of years, what the nomads in the north liked to do the most was to come to the Central Plains to plunder people. Therefore, this time, the Jin made a ruthless move to cut off the roots. Northern Yuan had always been sparsely populated. After a calamitous snowstorm and a war to exterminate the country, the population had already been greatly reduced. In particular, 90% of the able-bodied people had been lost. Only a small number of the old, the weak, the sick and the disabled could survive. After the plunder by the Jin, there was no one left in the north except for a few remnants of bandits. It had become an empty prairie.
Nominally, this prairie belonged to the Jin. However, the Jin did not have extra manpower to manage it. This damn place was thousands of miles away from the hinterland of the Central Plains. The transportation was inconvenient. If they really implemented a centralized system similar to the one in the Central Plains, then it would take almost half a year for the Central Plains to send an order to the north.
Someone was about to say, "Aren't there experts? Are there experts? They can fly without leaving a trace, and they have precious horses that can travel thousands of miles in a day. These can all be used to send messages! "
The problem was, there were too few of them!
"You can't let the experts above Level Seven be your postmen, can you?"
Occasionally, when there was an emergency, they might be able to use these experts to convey the orders of the imperial court. However, if they really established the state government, the imperial court would have to issue so many decrees and national policies every year. Where would they find so many experts? How could there be so many precious horses that could travel thousands of miles?
The consequence of implementing the state and prefecture system in the northern prairie would only be that the Jin's control over the north would become weaker and weaker. In the end, it would even be out of control. The hinterland of the Central Plains would once again fall into a passive state.
However, it was different to implement the enfeoffment system. Enfeoffment of land to numerous people was equivalent to dividing the unified Northern Yuan into numerous small influences, just like the Warring States in his previous life. Judging from the huge territory of Northern Yuan and the numerous people who had made contributions in the battle to destroy Northern Yuan, as long as the enfeoffment standard was lowered appropriately, Northern Yuan would be divided into numerous independent kingdoms by these numerous fiefs and would no longer be able to form a united force.
A vast and sparsely populated area was similar to the Warring States Period in ancient China, or even the Warring States Period in Japan. Moreover, after the evolution, it was very likely to become a funny situation where you were given a dozen people to take back a city.
In this way, the Central Plains would have no worries!
Think about it, there were hundreds or even thousands of fiefs. Even if a so-called hero with great talent and bold vision wanted to unify the grassland, it would take him hundreds of years to do so. How could such a scattered situation pose a threat to the Jin Dynasty?
Moreover, these lands were enfeoffed by the Central Plains Dynasty. Would those who had the qualifications to obtain fiefs in Northern Yuan be willing to leave the colorful world of the Central Plains?
At most, they would send some family members to manage it. Especially those aristocratic barons and some schools. In this battle to destroy Northern Yuan, they had made great contributions and would definitely get a large piece of land from Northern Yuan. However, would these aristocratic barons whose roots were in the Central Plains leave the Central Plains?
At least not in the next few hundred years. Junior Leopard could imagine that in the end, the land in the northern prairie would slowly evolve into provinces similar to the European medieval provinces. Nominally, it belonged to the central government and the Jin, but the central government had no direct jurisdiction over it. However, the imperial court was in charge of the owners of these lands. They held various positions in the imperial court. For them, the fiefs were only a source of income.
Of course, it was also possible to form a military town similar to the Tang Dynasty. However, even if a military town was formed, it was intentional by the imperial court of the Jin. There were so many military towns in Northern Yuan. Thousands of military towns attacked each other. Without a few hundred years, it was impossible to establish hegemony. And after a few hundred years, whether the Jin Dynasty would still exist was still a question.
In other words, the enfeoffment policy of the Jin Dynasty left a huge hidden danger for the future generations hundreds or even thousands of years later. In exchange, the whole Central Plains Dynasty would prosper and flourish for a thousand years. At least that was how it looked at the moment.
For the Central Plains Dynasty a thousand years later, this was a pain in the ass. But for the current Jin, it was undoubtedly the most effective way to quickly settle the affairs of Northern Yuan.
Junior Leopard was not interested in the policy of the Jin Dynasty, but he was very interested in the enfeoffment system.
"Being a local tyrant and exercising the right of first night seemed to be my ultimate dream when I was still a shota. It's a pity that even though I'm still a shota, I'm not excited about such a meaningful thing. What a pain in the ass!"
Junior Leopard stood up and pulled his thoughts away from the letter. "It's too late to think about these now. Let's settle the matter of the duel first. Taixuan Thunder Saber, hehe, Taixuan Thunder Saber is only a wizard weapon. I've already practiced the Flying Sword. You want to use a wizard weapon against me? You're really courting death!"
Wizard weapons and Flying Swords were both celestial devices. But why were sword practitioners able to run amuck in the world and become the mainstream practitioners during the Middle Ages, while practitioners with wizard weapons could not prosper?
It was because the Flying Sword had a great advantage over other wizard weapons. Moreover, after tens of thousands of years of development, the cultivation methods and magic formulas of sword practitioners had long been perfected and far surpassed other wizard weapons.
A wizard weapon like the Taixuan Thunder Saber, at most, only had a set of cultivation methods that matched with the wizard weapon. This might be able to scare others, but it couldn't scare Junior Leopard.
Moreover, the little girl's cultivation was obvious. She didn't have the ability to use a wizard weapon like the Taixuan Thunder Saber. At most, she could barely refine it.
Such a result would inevitably have a lot of flaws. Even if Junior Leopard couldn't use the means of a sword practitioner, he had the eyesight and experience of a sword practitioner. How could he be afraid of it?
"This poor girl seems to have been led into a ditch. How dare she use a wizard weapon against me!" Junior Leopard calmed down. "Now I can practice punching skills without worry. Hehe!"
Junior Leopard had never stopped practicing punching skills, nor had he stopped practicing the Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Technique.
From the battle with Granny Long, to the battle with Buyan Gerel, to the encounter with Dark Lord Mie Chen, the three experts brought different pressures to him. Their gains were also different. The biggest gain was, of course, the battle with Buyan Gerel. In the head-on clash with Granny Long and the despair on the edge of life and death in Mie Chen's hands, he also gained a lot.
"My fist intent and Hammer Spirit have been formed. But I always feel that there are some parts that I can't integrate. The hammer is the fist, and the fist is the hammer. If I can condense the martial arts of the hammer technique and the fist technique into one, my strength will definitely rise to a higher level!"
Junior Leopard thought to himself. A weapon like the hammer originally evolved from the fist. It was a derivative of the fist. So, in essence, the two were one.
The Hammer Must Pass Fist
This was a truth in the martial arts world. Junior Leopard already had a very deep attainment in the martial arts of fist intent, but he had always separated the fist and the hammer. Thus, he had cultivated a kind of fist intent and a kind of Hammer Spirit. Although the two were actually derived from the fist intent that Junior Leopard simulated the universe, if he couldn't integrate them, then the fist would still be the fist and the hammer would still be the hammer. Junior Leopard's martial arts awareness would also stagnate.
It was already late at night when he walked out of the house. The night breeze blew, calming down Junior Leopard's chaotic and fervent thoughts.
The yard was very big. The Zhou Mansion was now the largest mansion in Qingyang Market. The area of the mansion was more than twice that of the Black Dragon Triad.
But no one dared to say anything. Now the Zhou Family's power in Qingyang Market was not something that the Black Dragon Triad could compare with. Of course, the Zhou Family was not a tyrant. On the contrary, under the deliberate push of Wang Tianlei, the Zhou Family had already bought nearly two-thirds of the shops in Qingyang Market. They also paid to build a direct road to the county town. They had already become the largest business in Qingyang Market. Junior Leopard's brothers had also become the owners and shopkeepers of these shops.
Although it hadn't been a long time, people with discerning eyes could see that the rise of the Zhou Family was inevitable.
Junior Leopard didn't care about this. He didn't need to care. As long as his strength continued to improve, as long as his position in the martial arts world and even in the imperial court was stable, then the Zhou Family's position in Qingyang Market would be as stable as Mount Tai. It was just a small town market.
Therefore, after Junior Leopard came back, he never cared about the affairs of the family. Old Zhou was naturally very satisfied with such a promising son. But there was a sense of alienation in this satisfaction, which was what Junior Leopard wanted to see.
His mother didn't change much. She would say that he wasn't young anymore and should find a wife. From time to time, she would bring two little girls over for Junior Leopard's blind dates, which gave Junior Leopard a headache.
The night breeze was like water. Junior Leopard walked lightly on the small path in the courtyard. He didn't think of anything, did nothing, and didn't even look at anything. He just quietly enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the night.
Suddenly, Junior Leopard's footsteps stopped and he turned his head.
"Big brother, it's so late. Why did you come?"
The person who came was Junior Leopard's big brother. He was already 30 years old. He had jumped from a mountain hunter to the richest person in the entire mountain village, and even in Qingyang Market. At the same time, he was also the person with the highest status. He obviously wasn't used to this. Facing this dream-like situation and the person who caused this situation, he naturally had a kind of awe towards Junior Leopard from the bottom of his heart. Even though he watched Junior Leopard grow up, even though he couldn't help Junior Leopard when Junior Leopard was defecating, now he couldn't connect Junior Leopard with the little boy he used to carry and defecate.
Now, he wasn't called Big Gouzi. He had a new name, Zhou Dahu.
Hearing Junior Leopard's question, his face suddenly flashed a trace of embarrassment. Not only was he embarrassed, he was also a little embarrassed.
"Big brother, if you have something to say, just say it. You and I are brothers, no need to be polite!"
"Yes, yes …!" The big brother said, but the expression on his face was even more awkward. "Actually, this time I came to ask for your help!"
"Help? What kind of help? Is there anything I can help big brother with?!" Junior Leopard said with a smile, "Big brother might as well say it. As long as I can do it, I will definitely help big brother!"
"Good, good, good!" Zhou Dahu heard and was very excited. He said a few good words and moved closer to Junior Leopard's side. "I, I want, I want to take a concubine!"
As if he had used up all the strength in his body, Zhou Dahu just said these words. Looking at that expression, that demeanor, Junior Leopard felt a pain in the balls!!!
You want to take a concubine, not to confess to me, why are you so shy?
In an instant, he had the urge to kick him to death.
… … …
"Big brother, what did you say? You want, you want to take a concubine?!"
"Yes, yes, I, I want to take a concubine!"
"You tell this to father and mother, why are you telling me?!" Junior Leopard's eyes twitched as he said.
"No, no, there's no problem with father and mother. It's, it's mainly your sister-in-law's side …"
"Sister-In-Law!" Junior Leopard let out a breath and scratched his head in boredom. In an instant, he understood what was going on.
His sister-in-law was a strong person, very capable and shrewd. In the past, when they were farmers in the village, as the wife of the eldest brother, she managed the household very well. It was just that her voice was a little loud and her temper was not good. When she was free, she would say a few words to Zhou Dahu.
As for Zhou Dahu, he had always been polite. After all, she was his wife. As a farmer, it was not easy for him to marry a wife and have a child. If he could, he would do it.
"Big brother, this matter you mentioned is not under my control. I think you'd better go back and properly discuss it with sister-in-law!"
"Ah?!" Zhou Dahu was dumbfounded. This matter was because he could not discuss it with his wife, so he came to find Junior Leopard.
"Junior Leopard, you see …!"
"Big brother, this is your housework. You are the eldest brother of the Zhou Family. You tell me, this kind of thing, how can I, as the younger brother, intervene? You've got it all wrong. If I want to take a concubine in the future, I can't explain that she's my wife. I'll come to you for help. That's the right way. Now you can't persuade sister-in-law to come to me. This is completely wrong! "
Junior Leopard patted Zhou Dahu's shoulder and laughed. He sent him out of the courtyard and said, "How about this, you go back and properly discuss it with father and mother. After discussing it, you can think of a way to persuade sister-in-law. How about it?!"
"But …!"
Seeing that he still wanted to say something, Junior Leopard did not want to listen to him. He pushed and dragged him out of the courtyard and turned back to the house. He did not come out again, so Zhou Dahu had no choice but to leave.
Sure enough, when a man has money, he becomes bad!
Thinking about it, Zhou Dahu was such a simple and honest mountain man!
But now?
Now he actually wanted to take a concubine. He also wanted to take a concubine!
Junior Leopard shook his head and smiled bitterly.
As the saying went, it was difficult for an upright official to settle domestic affairs. This was his big brother's domestic affairs, and he did not want to get involved.
"Forget it. I'll go back to Zhonghe City tomorrow and practice my punching skill in the underground fire vein. I'll hone my martial arts spirit and strive to break through to Level Seven. As for these trivial matters at home, I'd better not care about them. Let them do what they want!"
Originally, he wanted to stay at home for a few more days and enjoy a peaceful life. But after Zhou Dahu's disturbance, he had no leisure mood at all!
… …
… …
Three days later, Zhonghe City, the geocentric fire vein!
Li Yuan had left Zhonghe City. Now the management of the geocentric fire vein had changed hands. Without Junior Leopard's influence, the Wu Family's right to use the geocentric fire vein was greatly reduced. Their treatment was the same as that of the Pei, Luo and Jian Families, or even a little worse.
After all, Zhonghe City was not within the Wu Family's sphere of influence.
Therefore, if Junior Leopard wanted to enter the geocentric fire vein to practice, it would not be as easy as it was in the past.
However, this time, Junior Leopard did not intend to enter with a swagger. The geocentric fire vein seemed to be heavily guarded, but for a powerful expert like Junior Leopard, it was like an empty shell. After knocking out several guards, he swaggered in. He was very familiar with the geocentric fire vein of Zhonghe City.
After knocking out the guards, Junior Leopard stepped into the passageway of the geocentric fire vein. The familiar dry and hot airflow hit his face. The Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Internal Qi in Junior Leopard's body also became excited and began to crazily absorb the abundant Spiritual Qi of Fire.
"Who dares to trespass into the geocentric fire vein!"
Before he had taken two steps, he heard a stern shout from inside the cave. Then, a strong wind hit him in the face.
"Eh?!" Junior Leopard was slightly stunned. In the passageway of the geocentric fire vein, there were experts from the four smelting families lying in ambush. Junior Leopard was very clear about this. However, he did not expect that it would be so coincidental that he actually met an expert from the Wu Family on duty. Wasn't it the Wu Family's Big Iron Hammer that was rushing towards him?!
Since he met an expert from the Wu Family, Junior Leopard naturally did not want to be ruthless. His body gently dodged, and then he stretched out his hand, grasping the handle of the hammer firmly in his hand. At the same time, his body moved to one side, dodging the body that was rushing towards him. He bent his knee and hit the bend of the opponent's knee.
All these movements were as smooth as flowing clouds and water. The person who came gave a light cry and knelt on the ground.
"Don't panic, I'm Junior Leopard. I came to the geocentric fire vein to practice!" Junior Leopard said in a low voice. His voice exploded in the opponent's ear, making the person who was about to shout immediately shut his mouth. He climbed up from the ground, raised his head, and saw Junior Leopard's appearance clearly. He hurriedly saluted to Junior Leopard.
"Disciple Wu Lei pays respect to Elder Zhou!"
"No need to be so courteous. Why? Is it our Wu Family's turn to use the geocentric fire vein these days?"
"Yes, we can still use it for three months. Elder Mu is forging weapons in the smelting room. Elder Zhou, are you …!"
"No need. This time I came to practice in seclusion. I don't want to disturb others. Just keep this matter to yourself!" Saying till here, he looked at the person who came, and handed the hammer in his hand to him. "You won't be in trouble, right?"
"No!" Wu Lei shook his head and smiled. "There are many forks in the geocentric fire vein. It has always attracted many experts. The soldiers outside are actually just for show. We are guarding the passageway, just to prevent them from barging into the smelting room. As for which forks they enter and which forks they enter to practice, it's not something we can control!"
"Of course it's best if I don't cause any trouble for you!" Junior Leopard nodded. "I'm going. Just pretend that nothing happened. Just do what you did in the past, just do what you did in the past!"
"I understand!"
… …
His condition today was extremely bad, and he vented his anger on the Philippines!
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