Chapter 268 Poor Liu Da'er, this is an inescapable fate!
"Let Liu Bei be the county magistrate?"
Liu Bian couldn't believe that the initial arrangement made by the Military Advisor Alliance for Liu Bei was to be a county magistrate?
You know, Cheng Li was assigned to Cao Cao as Cao Cao's military advisor, Chen Gong assigned him to Zhang Liao as Zhang Liao's military advisor, and even Pan Zhang was given the position of Army Sima and arranged to join the army.
but......
The military-strategist alliance actually made Liu Bei the county magistrate?
County magistrate?!
Liu Bian couldn't believe his ears and confirmed again: "Teacher, are the experts serious about this decision? Isn't this a bit too childish?"
"after all!"
Liu Bian emphasized: "Liu Bei is the Emperor Zhaolie of the Han Dynasty in history and a future commander-in-chief of the war zone. He also has powerful generals like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to assist the left. Isn't it overkill to let him be the county magistrate?"
The Military Advisor Alliance explained: "Don't worry, Mr. Bian. The experts have arranged it this way, and naturally they have deep meaning. Although the county magistrate is not big, it is very important for the implementation of Mr. Bian's current strategy."
"oh?"
Liu Bian couldn't help but be curious and asked tentatively: "What does this mean?"
The Alliance of Military Advisors replied softly: "Master Bian, although we have taken the first step in confronting the aristocratic family, we are afraid that it is not as simple as imagined if we want to truly implement it."
"This is especially true in counties other than Kaiwan County. After all, most of the land there is concentrated in the hands of major aristocratic families. It is difficult for the Kong family to compete with them with their limited resources."
"If there is no one who can control these powerful families as the county magistrate, no matter how perfect our plan is, the effect will be greatly reduced!"
Having said this, the military advisor alliance asked Liu Biandao: "Master Bian, do you know why the experts asked you to recruit Liu Bei under the name of 'uncle emperor'?"
"this......"
Liu Bian frowned slightly: "In addition to soliciting, is there any other meaning?"
The Military Advisor Alliance answered with absolute certainty: "Of course!"
Liu Bian was curious: "What do you mean?"
The Military Advisor Alliance said softly: "Improve Liu Bei's status and make him your spokesperson, Mr. Bian."
"Ah, this..."
Unfortunately, Liu Bian still didn't understand.
The Alliance of Military Advisors explained: “Based on the information currently available to experts and the analysis of intelligent software, our first step is to change land tax into a fixed tax, and the second step is to revitalize public land by reducing or exempting land tax and calculating tax.
The wealthy families are the first to be unable to bear it."
Although Liu Bian obtained a large amount of land by killing the Kong family, Deng Hui, Yin Qiong and other noble families, if no one cultivated it, it would become wasteland.
Therefore, the second step is to revitalize public land and attract some farmers to cultivate it, so that public land can truly play its due role.
The method of the Military Advisor Alliance was very simple, which was to reduce or reduce the oral tax and the calculated tax. After all, these two head taxes were the taxes that really crushed the people of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
It is worth mentioning that the calculated tax and the oral tax were two types of head taxes during the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Among them, the calculated tax is levied on adults aged 15 to 56 years old. It began to exist earlier than the oral tax. It started with the Shang Yang Reform in Qin Dynasty. Its name was to control the army, chariots and horses, and it was regarded as a kind of military tax.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the annual tax for each adult was 120 qian. In order to suppress business and restrict slave ownership, the government stipulated that merchants and slaves should pay twice, that is, 240 qian. In addition, in order to increase the population and encourage early marriage, the government stipulated that women aged 15 to 30 years old should pay 120 qian.
Unmarried people pay five times, or 600 yuan.
Oral Fu is a head tax levied on minors, which together with Suan Fu constitute the head tax of the Han Dynasty.
The amount of oral tax was 20 yuan per person per year, and the starting age for children was 7 years old. During Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, due to the huge consumption of the national treasury due to the use of troops against the Xiongnu, the age was advanced to 3 years old. Under Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty, it was changed back to 7 years old.
Therefore, although the land tax during the Han Dynasty was very light, monetary taxes such as oral tax, accounting tax, and replacement tax had nothing to do with output, and they must be collected regardless of good or bad times.
In good years, we can just do it ourselves, but once in disaster years, the grain harvest is poor, the people cannot collect enough, but they still have to pay taxes, so they must find other ways.
The only financial services these days include loan sharking, selling people, and selling land. The loans are based on land as pledge. In the end, because the people were unable to repay, the pledged property was confiscated, and the land began to be annexed.
Nowadays, anyone who cultivates public land can have their oral or calculated taxes reduced or exempted. This is fatal to the common people and no one can refuse it.
This way.
Public land will naturally be revitalized.
Of course, for some small wealthy families, their land has no one to cultivate, but they have to face a certain amount of land tax. It is strange that they can support it.
"That's right!"
Liu Bian nodded with absolute certainty.
He had already understood this in his previous communication with the Military Advisor Alliance: "But what does this have to do with Liu Bei?"
The Military Advisor Alliance affirmed: "Of course there is a relationship, and the relationship is huge."
"oh?"
Liu Bian became more and more curious: "What does this have to do with anything?"
The Military Advisor Alliance explained from the beginning: "Which family in Nanyang is the strongest? Naturally, the Deng family in Xinye is the strongest, and the Yin family in Xinye is the strongest. So relatively speaking, except for these two families, the other wealthy families in Xinye are the least powerful."
Liu Bian pondered for a moment, straightened out the logical relationship, and nodded slowly: "Yes! It is true. After all, the total land in Xinye is certain. The Deng family and the Yin family occupy the most, and the other noble families naturally occupy the least."
"so......"
Seeing that Liu Bian had understood, the military advisor alliance continued: "The first nobles to be unable to hold back will most likely be the nobles from Xinye. According to the intelligent analysis of experts and the land information we have, the probability of problems in Xinye is
95.6%.”
hiss-!
Liu Bian seemed to understand something: "Teacher, do the experts want Liu Bei to be the magistrate of Xinye County? Use Liu Bei as a knife to slowly eat away at the power of the Deng family and the Yin family?"
"That's right!"
The Military Advisor Alliance said with absolute certainty: "Master Bian, you can think about it carefully. If we want to completely secure Nanyang, the most difficult thing to solve is Xinye. As long as Xinye can be solved, the other counties will have no problem."
"Liu Bei now has the title of imperial uncle. In a sense, he has the status of a royal. Only by letting him sit in Xinye can he truly control the Deng family and the Yin family."
"While you were eating and drinking, the experts had a heated discussion on this. They believe that as long as Liu Bei is in charge of Xinye, the problem of the Nanyang nobles can basically be solved within three years."
Awesome!
It’s really awesome!
While I was eating, I planned my future path.
Liu Bian was so impressed that he fell to the ground and exclaimed: "It turns out that this is what the experts think about. Xinye is indeed a fatal place, and it needs someone with weight to take charge."
"admire!"
Liu Bian admired him from the bottom of his heart: "The expert is worthy of being an expert. I, Liu Bian, have learned a lesson!"
The Military Advisor Alliance said softly: "Don't you think you are overqualified this time?"
Liu Bian nodded: "I can't wait for something to happen in Xinye immediately and transfer Liu Bei to be the county magistrate immediately!"
The Military Advisor Alliance smiled: "Don't worry, let the name of Uncle Liu Bei ferment first. Once it has influence, it will be easier to accomplish things. Master Bian will strive to make Liu Bei a benchmark and serve as a model and leader."
Liu Bidan smiled: "Teacher, you are so bad. The mighty Emperor Zhaolie of the Han Dynasty will be ruined by you."
The Military Advisor Alliance said softly: "It's okay! Liu Bei can resist and fight. As long as you give him some hope, he will be full of energy. Moreover, he has rich experience in grassroots work and is best suited for this kind of work."
"Ha ha!"
Liu Bian laughed wildly in his heart: "It's so ironic that someone has rich experience in grassroots work."
The Military Advisor Alliance was extremely unconvinced: "From Anxi County Lieutenant, to Xiami County Magistrate, to Gaotang County Lieutenant and County Magistrate, Liu Bei has served for five or six years. Who else is more suitable to be the Xinye County Magistrate than him?"
Liu Bian could only laugh.
I have to admit, it is indeed the case.
Every decision made by the Military Advisor Alliance has a reason.
Poor Liu Bei, who came here full of enthusiasm, is actually the county magistrate again!
This is fate—!
"Report—!"
At this moment, a long announcement sounded outside the hall.
Liu Bian raised his eyes and looked.
However, Zhu Tong pushed the door open and walked in. He leaned forward and said, "Your Majesty, Guo Jia has something to ask for. He said that Han Ji has been found and is waiting outside the palace. Do you want to meet him?"
"Meet!"
Liu Bian nodded without hesitation: "Quickly, let him come in. I have something important to discuss with him."
Zhu Tong agreed and immediately bowed and left.
It didn't take long.
Squeak—!
Guo Jia pushed open the door and walked in, followed by a middle-aged man: "The humble minister Guo Jia (Han Ji), I see your Majesty."
Liu Bian waved his hand to indicate that the two of them were level, but his eyes fell on Han Ji: "Are you Han Ji from Duyang?"
But see...
This man is tall and straight, about seven feet five inches, wearing a light blue round-collared robe and an alpine crown on his head. There is a trace of solemnity in his brows, as if he is not easy to approach.
That's right.
This person is Han Ji, a descendant of Han Xin.
Han Ji bowed his arms and said solemnly: "Yes, the grassroots man is Han Ji."
Liu Bian took a deep breath, pulled out the silk book he had prepared in advance from the upper right corner of his desk, and handed it out: "Look carefully, can you understand this drawing?"
Han Ji frowned, as if he couldn't believe that the Emperor of Nanyang Hanting actually knew that he had some knowledge of Mohist theory, and even took the initiative to hand over the drawings.
"this......"
No matter what, Han Ji finally took the drawings and started browsing them.
At just one glance, Han Jie was shocked by what was depicted on the picture and couldn't help but widen his eyes.
a long time.
Han Ji raised his eyes and looked at Liu Bian, with a look of disbelief on his face: "May I ask Your Majesty, does the thing depicted in this picture use a river to transmit something?"
"That's right!"
Liu Bian was so excited that Han Ji could really understand.
He didn't remind him at all, but he actually guessed the purpose: "This is a water drainage system that I modified. It uses the big rivers to provide power for iron smelting, replacing the horse and man rows to improve production efficiency."
"Iron smelting?"
Han Ji was stunned when he heard this, his eyes suddenly brightened, and he nodded slowly: "That's right! Nanyang already has water drainage, which has greatly improved efficiency. If we can really use big rivers as power, production efficiency will definitely be improved again!
"
At this thought, Han Ji sincerely admired him. He leaned forward and cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is truly a divine man. He can actually think of using big rivers to provide power for smelting iron. The common people admire him."
"It's a small skill of a wither, nothing worth mentioning."
Liu Bian waved his hand casually and said disdainfully: "This is just one of my several drawings. Those iron smelting workshops further away from the river have more powerful blowing equipment."
"oh?"
Han Ji's interest was indeed aroused: "Seriously?"
Liu Bidan smiled: "Why, do you think I will lie in front of you?"
Only then did Han Ji realize that he had said the wrong thing and quickly apologized: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. It's just a common man who has acted presumptuously."
Liu Bian knew that Han Ji was unintentional and was just too excited, so he waved his hand to signal him to get up: "You made an unintentional mistake. Please get up quickly. I don't blame you."
Han Ji secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Han cum!"
Liu Bian looked at the other party with burning eyes: "I know that you understand Mohist theory and are proficient in investigating things, so I hope that you will come out to assist Zuo. I will promote you to the supervisor of metallurgy, and be responsible for the affairs of the imperial court."
Supervisor of iron smelting, a specialist in charge of iron smelting.
Historically, it was during his tenure as a supervisor that Han Ji innovated and developed a new type of water drainage system based on the original Du Shi water drainage system and popularized it.
Liu Bian's arrangement also had the same meaning.
Although the current Han Ji is relatively young, judging from the level of Mohist theory that the other party has mastered, he is already relatively mature and is fully qualified for this job. He can even become famous in advance in Liu Bian's hands.
Han Ji's eyes suddenly brightened and his mouth opened slightly.
He didn't seem to think of it.
Now His Majesty would actually appoint him as an official of the imperial court.
Moreover, you can directly become Guang Luxun's official without taking any exams.
You know, this is an official position with a rank higher than six hundred stones!
From a man in the mountains to a supervisor?
Damn it!
Han Ji never dared to think about it before, but now it has come true?
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty?"
On the side, Guo Jia tugged on Han Ji's sleeve: "Why are you still standing there? Thank you quickly."
Only then did Han Ji realize what he was doing, and he quickly bowed deeply: "I am a humble minister, thank you for your kindness."
Liu Bidan smiled: "Tomorrow you will accompany me to the iron smelting workshop. There are some things that need to be explained. By the way, I will familiarize you with the future working environment."
Han Ji cupped his hands and said, "Here."
"Oh right."
Liu Bian suddenly remembered something and hurriedly took out some more drawings from the side and handed them over: "Have a good time studying the drawings tonight. If there is anything you don't understand, I will answer them tomorrow."
Han Ji took the drawings respectfully: "Here."
call-
Solved another issue.
Liu Bian took a long breath and said softly: "Okay, please step back later."
Guo Jia and Han Ji then handed over their promises and immediately bowed and left.
*****
Public Transport Department.
It was established since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.
The hotel is designed to receive general exam-taking bachelors, and the bachelors can come and go as they please.
In the Han Dynasty, the bus station was a relatively low-level post office. It was often crowded with people from all walks of life, with different colors, and noisy like birds in a forest.
And today, it's even more true.
There were not even a thousand but hundreds of children from aristocratic families who came to register for the exam. They lined up from inside the bus station to the outside, forming a long queue.
Xi Xian, who had been busy all day, finally got off work. He filled in the list, dried the ink, selected the top 100 candidates, and handed it to the subordinate officer:
"According to the list, a notice was posted. These people will take the exam tomorrow at the bus station. They will prepare their own pens and ink. The court will prepare bamboo slips. They are not allowed to bring any books or illustrations."
"Here."
"Go down."
After Xi Xian resigned from his subordinate position, he finally found his voice.
Get up.
Rush to the next room.
At this moment, there are six people waiting in the room.
Xi Xian hurriedly greeted him and bowed his head in salute: "I'm really sorry. I'm really busy today and I kept you all waiting for so long."
Cheng Li and others smiled lightly and said: "It doesn't matter, Xi Pushe has never been idle. How can we blame him?"
Xi Xian nodded and breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for your understanding."
Chen Gong on the side said softly: "Xi Pu She, I heard that His Majesty's arrangements for us have been made?"
"kindness."
Xi Xian nodded: "It has already been issued. Wen Ruo has also sent the edict. All you need to do is take it and rush to the armies."
Zhang Fei was surprised: "Are you going to the army?"
Xi Xian did not hide anything and told the truth: "That's right! Nowadays, General Cao, General Zhang, and General Sun all lack counselors and good generals. In view of your performance in the Battle of Yanling, Your Majesty naturally made this arrangement."
"Ha ha!"
Zhang Fei took a deep breath in his heart and turned to look at Liu Bei: "Brother, what did I say? We will definitely be in the army. I really told you that we are fine this time and can go into battle to kill the enemy again."
Liu Bei looked indifferent, with no overly surprised expression on his face.
Xi Xian took the edict: "Zhongde, Gongtai, and Wengui, this is your edict. Take it. Let's rest at the bus station today, and we can leave early tomorrow morning."
The three of them raised their hands together: "Here."
"Huh?"
Zhang Fei was stunned and turned to look at Xi Xian: "May I ask Xi Pu She, where is the edict from our three brothers?"
Xi Xian frowned: "General Zhang, Xi Xian only got three points of the imperial edict."
"ah?"
Suddenly, Liu Bei was stunned.
Guan Zhang was even more stunned: "You mean... there is no edict from my three brothers?"
Xi Xian said softly: "Maybe?"
"this......"
Zhang Fei looked in disbelief: "How is this possible? My eldest brother is your Majesty's uncle. He personally promised today that he will make a proper arrangement for my three brothers."
"That's right!"
On the side, Guan Yu stroked his long beard and nodded affirmatively: "Your Majesty personally agreed to this matter. You must have made a mistake. Please look for it carefully, maybe I have missed it."
"Yun Chang, Yide."
Liu Bei hurriedly stood up to stop him. He winked to signal them not to say anything further, and turned to face Xi Xian: "Xi Pu She, I am not lying. Your Majesty has indeed personally agreed to this matter."
"That's it!"
Xi Xian had been busy all day, how could he know what was happening in the palace?
He pondered for a moment, then bowed his hands and said, "Don't be anxious, Xuande. Let Xi send someone to ask. If it is really missing, I will definitely make it up for you today, okay?"
Liu Bei secretly breathed a sigh of relief and bowed his head in salute: "There is an opera servant over there shooting."
Xi Xian returned the courtesy: "How dare you? This is Xi's business. You will wait here later. Xi will come back as soon as he leaves."
Immediately.
Xi Xian turned around and left the side hall, and sent someone to look for Xun Yu and ask him about the matter.
About half an hour later, Xun You came in person.
"Uncle Liu Huang."
Xun Ou bowed his head respectfully and hurried forward to greet him.
"How dare you."
Liu Bei was frightened and stood up in a hurry to return the courtesy: "Xun Lingjun, why are you here in person?"
Xun Yudan stepped forward with a smile: "Your Majesty ordered me to come here."
Liu Bei was surprised: "But has His Majesty issued an edict to us?"
Xun You shook his head regretfully and said softly: "How dare I hide it from Uncle Liu Huang? Your Majesty has high hopes for you, so there are no arrangements for the time being. When the key positions are vacant, the edict will naturally arrive."
"ah?"
A trace of surprise flashed in Liu Bei's eyes, and he was flattered: "That's it."
Xun You nodded: "That's right! Xun went to the palace in person to ask His Majesty, and that's what His Majesty told him. He also asked the Emperor to wait patiently for as little as three days and as much as ten days. The order
Must come."
With His Majesty the Emperor holding such high regard, what else does Liu Bei have to worry about?
He hurriedly agreed: "Don't worry, Mr. Xun, I will wait with peace of mind, and I will never let down your majesty's high expectations."
Xun You said with a smile: "Xuande is your Majesty's uncle. Your Majesty has great trust in Xuande. This edict is your Majesty's decision after repeated consideration."
Liu Bei was greatly surprised: "Bei is so virtuous and capable that your Majesty can trust him so much."
Xun You said softly: "The Emperor's advice alone is enough."
"..."
After finishing the business, the two chatted for a while.
When dusk was getting darker, Xun probably left.
"Ha ha!"
Zhang Fei grinned from ear to ear in excitement: "Brother, we have managed to get through this time. I didn't expect that His Majesty would pay so much attention to eldest brother. I think he will definitely promote him to a high official."
"perhaps......"
Zhang Fei tentatively guessed: "The eldest brother may be the same as Zhang Liao, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian. He can lead an army alone and make great contributions to the imperial court by killing bandits."
"not necessarily."
On the side, Guan Yu frowned, stroking his long beard and said: "Zhang Liao, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian are all your Majesty's ministers. We are new here. Your Majesty is so wise, how can you promote him so casually?"
"Even if it's not like this, it's not that small when you think about it."
Zhang Fei was full of confidence, patted his chest and said: "Otherwise, why would your Majesty have to think carefully and arrange things for us like Zhongde, Gongtai and Wengui did."
"Yun Chang, Yide."
Before the two of them could discuss it, Liu Bei interrupted with a calm expression: "Don't have too high hopes for this matter. I think things are not as simple as you think."
"oh?"
Zhang Fei frowned: "Brother, what do you mean?"
Liu Bei returned and sat down: "Nanyang Hanting is a new dynasty, and officials are extremely expensive, especially court officials, but your Majesty actually has to wait for vacancies?"
What does vacancy mean?
It's clear.
Someone has occupied that position.
However, there are not many positions in the imperial court now!
Replace Xun or, Xi Xian, and Chen Wang?
Is this possible?
Of course it’s impossible!
Liu Bei is self-aware.
hiss-!
Zhang Fei couldn't help but gasped, and also realized that something was wrong: "Brother, what do you mean..."
Liu Bei took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and glanced at the window, looking into the distance: "How can we speculate on the holy will at will, but no matter what, I believe that your Majesty's move must have a profound meaning."
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－
Thanks to [Feng Yu Wu Fei] Sister Fei for the 1,500-coin reward!