() Still in the meeting hall, Dong Zhuo’s civil and military confidants were all present. The person sitting at the top this time was Dong Zhuo himself. He swept his eyes over the people in front of him, and then said in a deep voice: "

You must have heard about it, and you know that the food and grass in Lintao City are getting low. Once the army really arrives, there will be a food shortage. I wonder if you have anything to teach me?"

Everyone has indeed heard about this matter, and they have thought about some solution, but they just can't think of it. Now that Dong Zhuo asked this, they all showed their embarrassment, you look at me, I look at you,

Silent.

"Why, don't you even have any suggestions?" Dong Zhuo couldn't help but frown, and his tone was quite unpleasant.

"My lord, please forgive me. Unless we are unwilling to try our best, this matter is really too difficult to handle..." Someone had no choice but to explain bravely: "The food reserves in my county have been exhausted due to the previous use of troops against the Qiang people. Now,

It’s really hard to come up with enough food.”

"Yes, our land in Xiliang is not fertile. It is not easy to support the current number of people, let alone tens of thousands of troops. Why don't the lord tell Zhang Shuai and see if he can transfer it from other places?

Bring me some food and grass." Fang Zheng followed suit and said.

With this first starting point, the people behind did not have too many worries. They all suggested that Dong Zhuo tell the people above about the local difficulties and let the court find a way to solve the food problem. However, Dong Zhuo's face became darker and darker after hearing this.

After a long while, he sneered and said: "This is the method you came up with. If this is the case, what is the use of calling you here?"

Seeing that Dong Zhuo was unhappy, the counselors who originally wanted to echo a few words suddenly did not dare to say anything. They all pretended to think hard, but in fact no one really put their minds on this. Just because they

We had all thought about it before. Everyone knew that being able to help the lord solve this problem was a good opportunity to excel, so naturally they tried their best to think about it, but all the ideas were unrealistic. In line with the understanding that it is better to hide one's stupidity than to make a fool of oneself, these people did not propose their own

method.

Seeing that all of them were silent, Dong Zhuo became even more angry: "Why, you can't even help me with this little thing? Then what's the use of me raising you?"

"Lord, there is no way to do it, but it will make us people in Liangzhou suffer." Seeing his lord getting angry, someone finally couldn't help but put forward his own opinion. Ma Yue looked around and saw that it was counselor Li Li.

No, this is a relatively knowledgeable person, but what he is best at is still flattering people.

"Oh, but what is the countermeasure?" Dong Zhuo looked at Li Bie and asked.

"Tax the people. Although taxes have been collected this year, in order to go smoothly in the war, we have to aggrieve them. After all, we send troops to attack the Qiang people for the sake of their safety. I think the people can accept it. As long as we can...

If we collect 100,000 bushels of grain from the people, my lord should be able to give an explanation to Marshal Zhang." Li Bie immediately revealed his countermeasures.

Everyone nodded after hearing this. Some of the people who had thought of this strategy earlier but did not say it out because the matter was difficult were very regretful. Why didn't they bring it up earlier? But now it is easier for Li Bie.

But Dong Zhuo did not relax his brows because of this strategy: "Do you think this method is really feasible?"

"It should be feasible. After all, the government has no choice but to collect more food for major events. The people should be able to understand. What's more, if the government and army cannot defeat the Qiang rebels in one fell swoop, it will be very harmful to the people. They

You can always understand the difficulties faced by the government." Li Bie said hesitantly.

Li Ru, who was sitting under Dong Zhuo, listened to their words, and a trace of contempt flashed in his eyes. These people didn't understand the importance of it at all, and they dared to propose such an idea. Fortunately, he had already analyzed the consequences of doing so before.

I've passed it, so I don't worry about the Lord following their advice.

Li Ru was about to retort when suddenly someone below him spoke: "That's ridiculous. Do you want to put my lord in danger by saying this?" Everyone looked at the sound and found that it was Ma Yue who was sitting at the bottom of the room speaking.

"Hmm? Does Zhong Ling have a different opinion?" Dong Zhuo asked with a flash of strangeness in his eyes.

Li Bie, on the other hand, glared at the young man who had no idea what his intentions were. He hated the other person for refuting him. Unfortunately, the master had already spoken, so he could not say anything else.

Ma Yue nodded: "Yes, I am very dissatisfied with Brother Li's countermeasures. What he does is almost useless except that it will only make the lord hated by the people of Liangzhou. If you say it sounds good, the people will also

You understand that the overall situation is the most important thing, and you know that we are collecting food to fight the Qiang people, but have you ever thought that this will make it difficult for the people to survive?

"Once the people are unable to maintain even the most basic food and clothing problems, can you expect them to have any thoughts about the overall situation? At that time, what kind of things will the people who are full of resentment towards the lord and even the court do?

, I’m afraid you and I didn’t predict it? If you have enough food and clothing, you will know honor and disgrace. If Guanzi’s words are reversed, the same is true. "

"You..." Li Bie was angry when he heard Ma Yue refute every word he said. But he couldn't find the right words to refute for a moment, so he could only stare at the young man for a long time, but then asked him

There is no way.

"Zhong Ling said it well. This is exactly what I was worried about, so I didn't use this trick." Li Ru spoke at the right time. And once he, Dong Zhuo's chief adviser, confirmed Ma Yue's statement, other

People immediately did not dare to object anymore. Obviously Dong Zhuo recognized this. Li Ru solved Ma Yue's siege, then looked at him and smiled and said: "Seeing that you spoke so logically, you obviously have your own ideas."

, tell me your countermeasures."

"Then I'll show my shame and tell you my idea." Ma Yue smiled, then bowed his hands to everyone, and then continued: "Actually, it's not that we in Xiliang have really run out of food, it's just that no one has gone here.

It’s just a side thought. Compared with the grain hoarded by the government and the little grain that the common people use to make ends meet, some people have the most grain. I believe you should know who these people are."

"You mean those powerful families?" Li Ru narrowed his triangular eyes and asked.

"That's right." Ma Yue nodded. Indeed, compared to the food that the government has almost used and the rations stored in people's homes, the food stored by the Wubao families is much more. Whether these families are for

Whether for their own development or for seeking greater benefits, they often hoard large amounts of food, even in remote places like Xiliang.

"If the lord can persuade them to use part of the food for the army, not to mention tens of thousands of horses, even an army of one or two hundred thousand will be enough to afford it." Ma Yue proposed his own countermeasures.

"Ha, I think my countermeasures are inappropriate, but I think yours is really messing around. You are young, have little knowledge, and have unclear judgment on certain things, but today you are still talking nonsense in front of the lord!

Li Bie looked at Ma Yue with disdain: "Do you know how powerful these people are in Xiliang? Are they willing to obey our wishes and give us food?"

"Didn't Brother Li say that at this time, everyone should put the overall situation first? If they refuse to obey the arrangements, we will have to use force. I think with the men and horses that the lord has now, plus the court's

I mean, it’s enough to make him give in.”

"Hahahaha... Well said, it's really fantastic! Not to mention whether those wealthy families will give in, even if they surrender and hand over the food, I'm afraid they will hate the lord in their hearts. And the lord's foundation is in Xiliang.

Once you offend these powerful people, do you think it will be beneficial to the lord? The consequences will be worse than taking away the people's food rations?"

Li Bie's words, which seemed to be contemptuous and meant to teach him a lesson, did not make Ma Yue angry. He just smiled calmly: "Is this where your concerns lie? So even if everyone knows that these powerful families have food in their hands, they will not be angry."

Dare to take their ideas? But what I want to tell you today is that if you don’t dare to take their ideas, the more I dare! And I dare to promise my lord that this matter will never cause any trouble!"

This remark once again aroused unanimous laughter from everyone. Everyone felt that this was obviously just a big talk made by a young man who did not know the importance of it, and it was not worth mentioning at all. However, Dong Zhuo's reaction was beyond their expectations. After listening to Ma Yue

After these words, he looked at Ma Yue and said solemnly: "Do you really have a way to get these powerful people to hand over the food without causing their dissatisfaction and opposition?"

"Yes, as long as the master is willing to trust me and give me the power to do things cheaply, I can find a way to make them hand over the food obediently!" Ma Yue stood up, bowed deeply, and then said.

"Lord..." Others were a little panicked when they saw this, and they all wanted to say something, but were stopped by Li Ru with gestures. He also looked at the young man in front of him with admiring eyes, thinking about what he could do.

This can be successful.

After pondering for a long time, Dong Zhuo nodded: "Okay, a certain family will give you this opportunity to see if you can successfully complete the matter as you said. If you can really succeed, I will definitely petition the imperial court and grant you the title."

Your official!"

"Thank you for your trust, Lord. I will do my best to handle this matter. You will not be disappointed!" Ma Yue said immediately.

Seeing that this matter had actually become a foregone conclusion, others were greatly surprised, but even though they were dissatisfied and murmuring in their hearts, they did not dare to say anything more in front of Dong Zhuo at this time.

"Then what are you going to use to convince them?" At this time, Li Rucai asked.

"I'll give it a try first. I just want my lord to give me some smart helpers, as long as they are fifty, who can obey my orders." Ma Yue put forward his own conditions first.

Once the matter is done, if it can be accomplished, you will be the first to achieve success."

"Thank you, Lord, for trusting me. I will not let you down!" Ma Yue responded with his hands raised. When the others saw his high-spirited look, they felt jealous in their hearts, but they could do nothing.

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Chapter completed!