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There is a saying that goes something like this:
"Whatever has happened will happen again; whatever has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun." — From the number-one brainwashing book of later generations.
In his previous life, Fei Qian had used this line countless times to comfort newbies. After all, the dull monotony of daily work was the greatest helplessness and deepest pain of the salaried class.
With such a saying, one could at least find a tiny bit of comfort…
Sort of.
In truth, when it came to policies toward the Hu people, not only the Han Dynasty but most ancient dynasties had gone to extremes—either fearing them like poisonous snakes or despising them like worthless weeds.
According to Jia Qu's analysis, the current Han court was like a head office that only demanded its branch companies deliver a fixed total amount of tribute on schedule. As for how that total was actually obtained, the court couldn't be bothered to care. In later-world terms, it was a purely results-oriented policy—the process didn't matter.
When such a policy was implemented, it eventually caused problems even for the Han people themselves, let alone for the Hu, who had little natural affinity with the system.
And so, the classic workplace trap that appeared so frequently in later generations—the marketing black hole—had already emerged in the Han era…
The previous manager worked frantically to recruit people, run promotions, and inflate expenses, producing a beautiful KPI report. Then he patted his backside and left for a promotion and riches. The new manager arrived, took one look, and was stunned…
Where were the people?
Weren't we supposed to have a team of a thousand?
On paper…
There really were that many? Then why did he only ever see one or two hundred in person?
Well… on paper there were that many…
…
So what could the new manager do to keep his own backside from catching fire?
He continued recruiting, running promotions, and inflating expenses—until one day either he couldn't hold on any longer, or his successor couldn't, and the whole operation exploded, finally drawing attention.
The Western Liang pot had already blown up. The Han dynasty had to pour in billions of cash and tens of thousands of lives just to patch it somewhat. Even then, it still leaked, though it at least looked presentable…
The Bingzhou pot had also blown up. By now the Han dynasty was truly powerless to do anything about it. They could only watch as entire commanderies and counties were abolished, their administrative seats wiped from the map…
So, who was ultimately responsible for Western Liang and Bingzhou falling into such ruin?
Who should bear the blame?
Everyone silently turned their eyes toward the emperor sitting on the throne…
After all, you're the biggest. If you don't carry this pot, who will?
The emperor stamped his feet: I have no money.
The ministers spread their hands: We have no money either.
Then the emperor and his ministers looked at each other… and smiled.
The farmers who spent their days bent over the fields suddenly felt a chill run up their spines…
And so, when the Yellow Turban Rebellion erupted, it wasn't entirely because of land issues. Taxes, labor service, and the system itself all played a part.
Therefore, what Fei Qian now faced was a Bingzhou that had been thoroughly ruined by previous and earlier administrations, along with Hu groups that could no longer be milked for any more merit points.
Jia Qu's concern stemmed from exactly this. The Hu had grown accustomed to a loose, freewheeling lifestyle. How could they possibly accept the kind of structured administration applied to Han people? The slightest misstep could spark conflict.
Fei Qian understood this as well.
But the barbarians and Hu were indeed the best source of population replenishment. Especially for him—groups like the Xiongnu followed a simple rule: the strong became soldiers, the weak became commoners. Even after careful screening, he could still pull out ten to twenty thousand cavalry…
Ten to twenty thousand!
Cavalry that could fight three-to-one in small formations and five-to-one in large ones!
If he could somehow field a hundred thousand purebred heavy cavalry like in some novels… damn…
Fei Qian touched the corner of his mouth, secretly wiping it with his finger, and sighed. Facing reality, he said to Jia Qu, "Though what you say is true, everything depends on human effort. We must adapt to the times and see as we go…"
"Shuliang, there is one more thing…" Fei Qian paused for a moment, then said slowly, "…I wish to reopen the Linzong Academy!"
Jia Qu's jaw dropped so suddenly it seemed about to fall off. His mouth hung open in shock…
Fei Qian, not noticing Jia Qu's loss of composure, continued immersed in his own thoughts: "…However, the name will need to be changed…"
"…" Jia Qu was speechless.
Seeing that Jia Qu remained silent for a long time, Fei Qian turned and finally noticed his expression. "Ah? Shuliang, why do you look like that…" Your mouth is so wide open I can see whether you have cavities.
Jia Qu struggled to close his mouth. After a long silence and careful consideration, he finally said with great difficulty, "My lord… this matter may not be appropriate…" His voice sounded dry, as if his vocal cords lacked oil.
Fei Qian was puzzled. Why would it be inappropriate?
Jia Qu hesitated, looking at Fei Qian with a rather strange gaze.
Linzong!
The Linzong who was deeply versed in ancient texts such as the Three Tombs and Five Classics!
When he passed away, "from Hongnong's Hangu Pass westward and from Henei's Tangyin northward, for two thousand li, scholars carrying books and shouldering burdens filled the roads, while carts loaded with reed mats blocked the paths!" That Linzong!
Had he not died so young, he would have been considered, alongside Zheng Xuan, one of the two great scholars north of the Yellow River…
Moreover, in terms of opening a school and teaching students, Zheng Xuan only returned home and began teaching after studying under the great scholar Ma Rong when he was already over forty. Hundreds, even thousands, came from near and far to study under him. Yet at the time Zheng Xuan was still poor, so he "farmed as a guest in Donglai," cultivating fields to support himself while instructing his disciples.
But after the Disaster of the Proscribed Party, Linzong returned home from his travels and began lecturing. He immediately attracted several thousand disciples. Most importantly, he delighted in recommending and promoting talented and virtuous men.
He judged people by talent and virtue alone, never by family background. Therefore, he associated not only with officials and Imperial Academy students, but also with lacquer workers, postal couriers, butchers, soldiers, farmers, and herdsmen. As long as someone possessed both talent and virtue, he would do his utmost to recommend and guide them toward fame.
Thus, in the northern regions, the name of Linzong had once been extremely renowned, even becoming something of a fashion.
There was a story that once, while traveling between Chen and Liang, Linzong was caught in the rain and one corner of his headcloth drooped. People who saw his headcloth with its uneven corners thought it was a new style of wearing it and rushed to imitate him. For a time, this way of wearing a headcloth was praised as the "Linzong kerchief."
Jia Qu opened and closed his mouth several times before finally managing to speak more clearly: "…Although my lord studied under Court Counselor, your reputation is not yet widespread. I fear…"
Fei Qian was stunned for a moment, then said, "Shuliang, you've misunderstood. I am not talented enough to presume to open a school and accept students myself. Haha, what I mean is that I wish to invite my respected teacher to come… After all, the Imperial Academy in Luoyang has been abolished…"
Upon hearing this, Jia Qu looked as if he might leap with joy. He eagerly pressed for more details…
Although Jia Qu had already experienced one war, his age was still an objective reality. Cai Yong, on the other hand, was a nationally renowned master of classical learning. If he truly came to open a school and teach, how could the scholars of Bingzhou not rejoice?