Chapter 234 The king is so scheming and intimidating, so cruel!

Outside Zhongshan, there is a manor outside the city with beautiful mountains and clear waters, with gurgling streams and tinkling springs.

As autumn approaches, the climate cools down a bit, which is perfect for camping in the wild or leisurely sightseeing.

This place itself was built by Yuan Shao. Twelve courtyards were built along a hill. The road up the mountain was paved with bluestone slabs. It cost a lot of money. Unfortunately, he was determined not to take this villa with him when he left. Xu Zhen decorated it a little.

Then add some wine and food, and stock up on fruit snacks.

It immediately became quite beautiful and seemed to have returned to its original gorgeous scene. At this time, Cao Cao, Xu Zhen and other Jizhou civil and military officials sat down in the Hushui Bingting Garden.

Xu Zhen sat next to Cao Cao and put the papers side by side. Cao Cao came closer and whispered: "Fifty thousand, I will give it to you in one year. From this autumn harvest to next autumn harvest, I will send it to Jizhou."

"Eh?" Xu Zhen was stunned as he served the wine, "That's not what you said before."

"Half a million stones, I gritted my teeth and took it out."

"It's too much. Your Jizhou has been exempted and exempted for two more years. Next year, taxes and tributes will be paid. The most fertile place is Jizhou. After the exemption, it will support the people."

The corners of Xu Zhen's mouth twitched, why are you digging so hard?

In addition to Jizhou, there are also Yanzhou, Xuzhou, Qingzhou, Yuzhou, Yangzhou and Huainan part. How much food does it cost together?

The amount of grain produced and harvested in warehouses was at least several million dan. When the army was stationed there, Yanzhou alone produced millions of dan of grain, even though it was a bumper harvest that year.

"Lord, if that's the case, I won't be good at drinking today."

Alas, I also prepared venison.

Xu Zhen's face was full of displeasure, and he suddenly became depressed.

I was fooled. I didn’t expect that even now that I was the Prime Minister, I could still be so playful. He said he would give it after the autumn harvest, but he didn’t say he would give it all at once.

"Hmph, hey, that's up to you."

Cao Cao rolled his eyes at him proudly.

At this moment, on the left is Cui Lin, whom Xu Zhen is going to introduce.

Cao Cao looked at him carefully. He was dressed in plain clothes, with a broad face and wide ears. His beard was quite thick above his lips, and he had a well-groomed strand on his chin, which was trimmed to his neck.

The skin on his face is thick and rough, not as thin-skinned and sharp as ordinary Confucian scholars. This is a loyal and honest face, and looking at his appearance, he does have a dull air.

"Cui Deru, I heard your brother Cui Yan say that when I went to Jizhou today, I also heard Bowen praising you. However, I heard that you were despised by your tribe when you were young. Only your brother concluded that you will become a great person in the future."

Cui Lin's expression was still sincere and not proud. He handed over his hand and said seriously: "Brother, I did praise you."

"However, I have never thought that I can become a great person. I am just a dull person. Only by thinking more and learning more can I catch up later and not drag down my family's reputation."

"You are so humble." Cao Cao immediately looked into the distance and sighed: "Sir, if you have such a character, you are extremely talented."

"All over the world, how many people are conceited about their talent and knowledge but only dabble in it. Little do they know that if they stop and think for a moment, they will retreat if they don't advance. This is like rowing a boat against the current. If you learn more and think more every day, you will accumulate it over time, and you will naturally be superior to others.

place."

"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your advice." Cui Lin stood up, finally smiled a little, stretched out his hand to Xu Zhen, and said, "But I am the prefect today. I have many political achievements. In fact, it is the love of the king and the prince."

"It's my destiny to meet a noble person, or maybe it's because of my brother's praise that I have a little reputation, and there will always be people who like me."

"Humph, in that case, sir, I must not let these two noble men down. The autumn harvest is about to begin in Jizhou. Do you have any advice on the farming matter?"

Cao Cao wanted to take the exam. To be honest, being famous is not as good as taking the exam himself. He heard Cui Yan and Xu Zhen praised him, but this was not enough. He still had to hear Cui Lin personally.

Cui Lin thought for a long time and then laughed. He did not answer in a hurry. Instead, he looked around and bowed his hands to almost all the scholars and military advisors present. Then he said to Cao Cao: "This is what the previous monarchs also said."

Asked."

"At that time, I would like to answer the prince, food is the foundation of the people, and land and soil are the roots of the people."

"The fundamental point is that the people's hearts are attached. As long as the people's hearts are there, there will be food stores. It is necessary to slowly accumulate food to support the people's peace. Within a few years, Jizhou can be restored to its original appearance and naturally prosperous."

"But now, I feel that it is not very detailed. It is good to provide people with peace and tranquility, but it is more important to make the people prosperous. The land gives the people a sense of resettlement, and the surplus wealth of the people can be like a light in the night, making the whole country

If the people of Jizhou find their destination, they can reach a higher level."

Cao Cao didn't care about stroking his beard, but he pinched it at this moment, and looked at Xu Zhen with a slightly strange look, his eyes seemed to say, "It's a bit interesting."

This seemingly dull person seems to think more deeply than the average person when thinking about domestic policy.

And his words are sincere and not fancy. No wonder Bowen admires and likes him. Cui Lin is basically the same person as Xu Zhen, so he should think deeply.

interesting.

"What about that?"

Cui Lin continued: "The government of Jizhou aims to return the land to the people, not to occupy the people's land for themselves, but to tax the land. After planting and harvesting, the people can gradually obtain the land for self-reliance. In this way, a sufficient amount of food can be handed over

Afterwards, the rest are kept at home.”

"In the territory of Jizhou, a large amount of five-baht coins have been obtained through merchants. Five-baht coins are circulated in the territory and have returned to service. People can sell grain in exchange for five-baht coins and hide them at home. Of course, they can also exchange for gold, silver and cloth."

"Based on this, the emperor ordered women, children and children from all over the country to raise silkworms and obtain silk, so as to promote the development of mulberry trees and encourage weaving."

"If women and children are resettled, there will be no shortage of cloth and there will be an overflow of cloth, which can be exchanged for grain and circulated. The strong men who do not join the army can build houses and mine in the mountains, and they can also get manpower to work and resettle people."

"Thus, by taking agriculture as the basis and exchanging money, cloth, and commodities, prosperity can appear. And our government offices, armies, etc. can trade instead of collecting grain, and the grain can be stored in full warehouses. This is the key to grain.

The real effectiveness is that it allows the people to survive, and when the food is sufficient, the people will have unlimited manpower."

These words were penetrating and clear, and painted a scene for Cao Cao of rich farmland, prosperous commerce, and people enjoying themselves in horse trading.

Compared with the other princes who brought people and troops to settle down, and only provided the people with enough food to survive, Jizhou was indeed like a fairyland.

"Well said, this is indeed true. You can see this in the politics of Jizhou, which is enough to show that Bowen's vision is correct. He must be a great talent. It is a pity that he is the governor of Hejian. I am afraid that Mr.

Enough to govern more territory.”

"No, no, no." When Cui Lin heard this, he waved his hands quickly, cast an apologetic look at Xu Zhen, and then said to Cao Cao: "The Prime Minister also said just now, dull people accumulate over time, and I am not talented enough to study.

It is slow because the governor of Hejian is very tired and unable to cope with it. He is walking on thin ice before he can live up to his expectations. It will take at least three years to achieve anything."

"Please, Prime Minister, please don't fall in love with me by mistake."

At this moment, the entire pavilion gradually became quiet, with only the spring water flowing through it, making a gurgling sound. The quieter it became, the more embarrassing it seemed.

Cao Cao didn't speak, and neither did the other civil servants.

Xu Zhen didn't even know what to say.

I now understand why, although this man was a late bloomer, he was relegated in his later years.

He served as a third official at one time and as a county magistrate at the next.

I'm afraid this is because he is too sincere and is really not good at communicating with others. To put it bluntly, even though he is a member of the gentry and celebrities, he still does not know how to be "arty", so his words will bring disgrace to the public.

Xu Zhen's face turned livid, and he immediately turned to a look of helplessness and said: "The Prime Minister just said that, he didn't want to transfer you to be a state shepherd, what are you thinking!"

Cao Cao laughed, pointed at Cui Lin and said: "Sir, you are still too sincere, but you have indeed achieved success in three years, and your political achievements are commendable. If I want to ask you to be promoted to a more important position, please do not refuse."

Cui Lin seemed to be relieved, smiled bitterly and said: "That's good, that's good."

"Now that I can work for the benefit of the people in Hejian, I am satisfied. If there are political achievements within three years, I should feel relieved. But among the famous people in Jizhou, the one with the best talent and character is my brother Cui Yan."

"I have revised the book several times to persuade my brother to contribute to the people. I also informed my brother that I have moved my ancestral home back to the small courtyard in Dongwu City and will not resettle it in Qinghe."

"The ancestral home has been destroyed-"

"That's enough," Xu Zhen knocked on the document, "I'm just admonishing you. There are so many wise men here today. Why are you mentioning your ancestral home? Do you want to mention the ancestral graves again?"

Cui Lin smacked his lips. Thinking of the scene where Xu Zhen treated him and took the big goldfish back, he felt a little unsure for a moment. This prince had many tricks, so it was better not to offend him.

.

His thinking... is different from everyone else in the world.

"Prime Minister, you should put more emphasis on your brother. He bears the name of the Cui family and will definitely fulfill his duties faithfully." Cui Lin did not forget to reciprocate the favor and bowed deeply to recommend him sincerely.

Of course he could see that the current chat situation allowed him to praise and recommend his brother.

Moreover, Cui Yan was indeed regarded as the number one celebrity in Jizhou in his mind, with uprightness and unique vision.

Cao Cao lowered the corner of his mouth and nodded immediately, "Okay, I will consider it. I have heard Jun Cui's name for a long time, but he still thinks of his old master Yuan Shao and can't let go of his name. Like Qinghe Ju Jun, he may want to join him."

It will take some time.”

At this time, Xu You's expression became a little weird, and he stood up immediately, rubbed his somewhat groggy head, and said softly out of breath: "Jushou, I have been trying to persuade you for several months, but I still refuse to let go, and you are still thinking about it."

Because of Yuan's kindness, he even thought of escaping from Jizhou several times and seeking refuge with Yuan Xi."

Cao Cao's expression froze, he turned to look at Xu Zhen and said, "In that case, why don't Bowen kill him?"

"Jushou is talented. If we really let him escape..."

Xu Zhen immediately waved his hand and said without lowering his voice: "Don't be afraid, I announced to the outside world that Jushu had surrendered to me a long time ago, and Yuan Xi took the credit for several raids on Yuan Shang. Jushu was the one who gave the detailed map of Youzhou. Now it is estimated that he is with Yuan.

Bian has been grudged for a long time, and there is no way he will be reused if he escapes to seek refuge."

"The most important thing about Mr. Ju is his reputation of loyalty. If I destroy his reputation, it will be like cutting off his life. Just treat him as if I have killed him!" Xu Zhen took a sip of tea and laughed about the matter.

His expression didn't change at all.

Cao Cao couldn't help but be surprised. After not seeing him for a long time, Xu Zhen saw that people's hearts were deeper and his intentions became more ruthless.

Back then, Xuzhou used benevolent governance to destroy the reputation Tao Qian had upheld throughout his life, and he used the same soft knife to kill people.
To be continued...