overview
For the feudal grand orthodoxy, Wang Mang is definitely a contrarian thief, it can be said that "the heart is a little uncounted" overheated, he destroyed the Western Han Dynasty and established a new dynasty, but it did not take long.
After he ascended the throne, he replaced all the things that he had not been accustomed to and could not understand in his heart, that is, the so-called Wang Mang reforms in history, and some of his measures, when we compare them today, seem to be somewhat similar, although they do not have the meaning of running into communist society, but they can look at the problems at that time with the eyes of a thousand years later.
Therefore, people have sighed that Wang Mang may be a history crosser.
maverick
Wang Mang was born in Yuancheng, Wei County, Handan City, Hebei Province, and his family was the most prominent family at that time, and there were many officials in the family, only nine princes, so in such a rich family, there were naturally many stupid children who ate and drank, but Wang Mang's behavior and demeanor were completely different from theirs, completely a maverick look.
Rich, but happy. And his life is also very frugal, and very polite, so when he entered politics in his twenties, he won the praise of the people around him, and the emperor also paid special attention and attention to such a handsome student.
Therefore, when he was thirty years old, he was given the title of New Capital Marquis, and he still behaved in his youth, respecting the upper and lower levels, making people get along with him and feel respected and have a face. And he is also very generous, hoping to help others, especially those who encounter difficulties, just imagine, such a person, who does not say good?
Therefore, his reputation was also passed from the imperial court to the people, and everyone respected him. Therefore, eight years later, he directly succeeded the clan elder Wang Gen and took up the post of Grand Sima (大司馬).
Major surgery was performed on the system
After Wang Mang took the throne, he had the final say, so he directly did not do one thing or two things that he was not accustomed to, and did a drastic job, he reformed the control, abolished the slave system, and did not allow the sale of slaves. He also came to the reform of the "income tax" system, that is, to unify the salt, iron, wine and other related industries to the state.
He also touched the interests of businessmen, and in order to prevent businessmen from maliciously regulating the market, they relied on political interference in the purchase and sale of goods at that time, which was really a bit ahead of the curve, but the effect of these measures was not very good.
He did not really think that he was not alone in the world, so he was resisted by the powerful and large landlords.
The intimate people of the common people
In this way, although it is a bit exaggerated, in ancient society, there were many people who could do things for the people, but in the face of the same big cake, there were really few who really cut up the big cake for the people, and it was not that no one wanted to do this at that time.
Many people with lofty ideals who "reach the top and help the world", especially those from the bottom, know from an early age that it is not easy for the people at the bottom, have the people in their hearts, and always think that they can do more real things and practical things for them.
However, they often wanted to get it, but they couldn't do it, because in the feudal system, only the emperor alone had the final say.
Wang Mang was different, he could be said to be a man of few words at the time, so he implemented land reform to benefit the people, although it greatly touched the interests of the rulers.
An emperor who loves innovation
We often have a saying that "science and technology rejuvenate the country", although Wang Mang is not like this, but he likes science, which is also rare among ancient emperors.
Probably related to his personal innovative thinking, he liked something new and new, legend has it that he invented a flying machine, and he also made a vernier caliper himself, which is no different from today's caliper, which predates the West by more than a thousand years.
He also innovated in clothing, and took the lead in starting, first letting his wife wear a short skirt at home, which really means to change customs.
brief summary
Wang Mang carried out major reforms, but in the environment at that time, they were not well implemented and fell to the point of being killed. However, reform is cruel, and although Wang Mang's ideal has not been realized, he is still worthy of affirmation for the sake of the people.
This is why Wang Mang is called a "crosser", however, this crosser encounters a "son of the plane".
Who is the "Son of the Plane"? Why is it called the "Son of the Plane"? I'll talk about it later. #王莽 #