Chapter 280 If I want to make it perish, I must first make it crazy!
"One, two, get up!"
"One, two, get up!"
"..."
Outside Xinye City, on both sides of the fast-flowing river.
At this moment, there were more than ten men, pulling hemp ropes as thick as their thumbs, and under Liu Bei's command, trying to erect the huge dragon skeleton of the high-tube car.
But......
The water flow was too strong and I tried seven or eight times but still couldn't stand up.
The entire keel of the high-tube rotating car was tilted in the air, and the strength of the craftsmen was almost exhausted.
"ah-!"
The faces with bared teeth and grins turned red from suppressing their emotions.
The strong men with big shoulders and round waists have bulging muscles and a strong sense of strength.
However, despite this, it is still difficult to erect the keel of the high-tube rotating car.
"Damn it!"
Seeing that it was about to capsize, Liu Bei hurriedly called out: "Quick, hurry up and help, don't let it fall. Whether our newly reclaimed wasteland can be watered depends on it!"
"I'll do it!"
"I'm coming too!"
"Everyone, hold on!"
"..."
Hula.
The strong men who had just changed shifts and had not rested for a while rushed back sweating. They helped hold on to the hemp rope and tried their best to temporarily stabilize the huge high-tube slewing keel.
The rushing water kept hitting the keel, and the tilt of the keel was almost approaching the balance point. Once it was crossed, no matter how much manpower it was, it would be impossible to hold it back.
"Damn it!"
Liu Bei chewed it secretly, fearing that the dragon's bones would fall.
He didn't dare to hesitate at all.
Now.
He took off his robe, took off his shoes, rushed under the dragon skeleton in a few steps, and used his body to resist the huge dragon bone, trying to prevent the dragon skeleton from continuing to overturn.
"The county magistrate is in danger, get out of the way!"
"It's dangerous, get away quickly, County Lord!"
"..."
The strong men around him never thought that the dignified prince of the county would actually go down to the river in person, putting himself in the most dangerous place. Once the huge dragon skeleton overturned, his small body would be crushed even if it could not be crushed to death.
Human hearts are made of flesh!
For a moment, all the strong men were moved. For some unknown reason, a lot of strength was generated all over their bodies. The dragon skeleton that was originally overturning miraculously stopped overturning.
"ah-!"
Liu Bei gritted his teeth and roared, trying his best to support himself.
At the same time, he turned around and shouted: "Yide, hasn't Chang Yun arrived yet?"
Someone on the river bank replied: "Someone has already gone. County Lord... come out quickly! It's dangerous!"
"Everyone, hold on! You must hold on."
"No! The current is too fast. If it continues like this, sooner or later we will not be able to hold on."
"I'm almost out of strength, what should I do?"
"Hold on! The county magistrate is still under the keel."
"Ah—! I insist!!!"
"..."
Creak.
The sound of the keel overturning sounded one after another.
The physical exertion of everyone was extremely serious.
Even Liu Bei, who was standing next to the mud on the river bank, was sweating all over his body at this moment. His whole body and the river surface showed an extremely exaggerated slope. Once he collapsed, he would be crushed to death!
"Brother, hold on!"
Xiyuxu—!
The loud sound of horses honked.
Not far away, several riders came from Juechen.
Even though they were hundreds of steps away, Guan Yu sternly ordered: "Yide, you go to the river to support your elder brother. I will bring people to help pull the rope. You must hold on until the large group of soldiers and horses arrive."
"rest assured!"
Zhang Fei agreed.
Immediately, he swung his riding whip and clamped the horse's belly hard. The horse sat down and felt the pain. It raised its head and neighed, spread its four hooves, and ran forward with all its strength. It was like lightning, rushing out and even faster.
Closer!
A little closer!
Closer!
...
Zhang Fei jumped on his horse and flew down at the same time.
Bang!
There was a crisp explosion.
A hemp rope on the other side suddenly broke.
The balance that was originally maintained was completely broken at this moment.
A creaking sound was heard, and the dragon frame of the high-tube rotating car overturned greatly. Liu Bei, who had been leaning under the dragon frame, slipped and fell directly into the river.
It’s too late to say it, but it will be soon!
At the moment when the keel of the high-tube rotating car was about to fall into the water, a figure suddenly appeared. Like a cheetah, it flashed past the human eye and appeared directly under the keel. It used the power of its arms to catch the falling keel.
"drink-!"
There was a loud roar like thunder.
But when I saw Zhang Fei, his body was slightly slumped, with his left foot in front and his right foot behind. He was in a lunge position, with his hands raised above his head, holding a huge keel. His wide sleeves fell naturally, revealing the bulges on his arms.
The curved muscles are as thick as a bronze mirror.
"Brother, leave quickly!"
Zhang Fei shouted at the top of his lungs.
Because even if he tries his best to resist, he may not be able to sustain it for a long time.
This was not because he lacked strength, but because his feet were too slippery. Even if his body could resist, his whole body was slowly moving downwards and backwards. In just a few breaths, half of his feet were already stuck in the mud.
"Yide, hold on!"
Liu Bei rolled out of the river. When he got up, he was completely soaked.
but......
But he didn't leave.
Instead, he stood in front of Zhang Fei, continued to support the keel with his body, and shouted at the same time: "Quick, straighten it, I must stand up the high-barrel car today!"
"Give me the rope!"
On the river bank, Guan Yu dismounted, took the reins from the worker's hand, turned his wrist, and wrapped the hemp rope around his palm. At the same time, his strength gradually increased.
Squeak!
The huge high-cylinder slewing keel is lifted up a little.
Although it has not yet been erected, it is undoubtedly a shot in the arm for the craftsmen on both sides of the river bank.
Everyone tried their best, holding on to the reins and trying to pull back.
"One, two, get up!"
"One, two, get up!"
"..."
The skeleton of the high-tube rotating car is slowly raised.
The soldiers who followed joined the battle, dozens of them working together.
finally!
The keel frame of the high-tube rotating car is erected!
Roar! Roar! Roar!
Ho ho ho—!
In an instant, low roars of victory sounded from both sides of the river bank.
Liu Bei let out a long sigh, and finally let go of his hanging heart.
He walked back to the shore and shouted loudly: "Continue to install the high-tube turntable. It must be operational today."
The craftsman from Wancheng nodded affirmatively: "Uncle, don't worry, as long as the dragon skeleton can be set up, we will definitely make it spin in less than an hour."
"good."
Liu Bei cupped his hands and said, "In that case, I will trouble you."
The Wancheng craftsmen hurriedly returned the gift: "Where! This is what we should do, but you, the emperor, went down to the river in person and personally directed the installation of the dragon frame. We have traveled through three or four counties and have never met a county magistrate.
Can I be like you, my uncle?"
“The people of Xinye County are blessed!”
Even the craftsman who specializes in the installation of high-tube turntables can't help but be filled with emotion.
As a dignified uncle with a distinguished status, since he can do such rough and tiring work with the poor people, and even go down the river himself, without fear of hardships, it is really admirable.
"where!"
Liu Bei's expression was indifferent, neither humble nor arrogant: "Since your Majesty has great expectations, I should do my best."
The craftsman sighed from the bottom of his heart: "This little man understands why all the nodes in Xinye County can be completed ahead of schedule."
Liu Bei waved his hand to interrupt: "Okay, it's getting late, hurry up and install it. You will stay in Xinye tonight. Bei has ordered people to prepare a banquet and rest for the night before heading on the road again."
The craftsman cupped his hands and said, "In that case, I'm going to bother the emperor's uncle."
Liu Bei smiled lightly: "We are all one family, so why be polite."
"Lord—!"
At this moment, a call sounded not far away.
Liu Bei raised his eyes and looked.
However, Jian Yong came in a hurry, looking slightly panicked: "My lord, the Wang family, Lu family and other wealthy families in Xinye County have sent people here. They are currently at the county government office. They said they have something important to ask to see my lord."
"oh?"
Liu Bei couldn't help frowning and asked curiously: "Do you know why they came here this time?"
Jian Yong paused, frowned and said: "It seems to be about the land tax. No one is cultivating their farmland, but they still have to pay the land tax of five liters per mu, so there are some complaints."
"snort!"
Liu Bei snorted softly, and a look of ferocity flashed between his brows: "When you usually exploit the people, why don't you turn over more land taxes? These damn guys won't suffer any loss."
"My lord, please do not be angry."
Jian Yong took a deep breath and hurriedly admonished: "This kind of thing is not something we can control. I heard that in Yuyang County yesterday, many wealthy families went to the county magistrate."
"That one is called... called..."
"Wang Jing!"
"Ah, yes!"
Jian Yong nodded: "That's right, Wang Jing! The second son of Situ Wang Yun's family in Chang'an. He did not vent his anger on the local wealthy family. Instead, he comforted him a little and agreed to report to the superior. We can do the same."
"Report to the top?"
Liu Bian frowned, and his anger only increased: "Isn't this transferring all the pressure to His Majesty? If all the twenty-six county magistrates in Nanyang are like this, wouldn't it make things difficult for Your Majesty?"
"What happens to them is beyond my control, Liu Bei."
"But me!"
Liu Bei took a deep breath and said sonorously: "I will never pass the pressure upwards. At worst, they will rebel collectively. I, Liu Bei, will destroy them again. Why should I be afraid?"
In Xinye, as long as the Deng, Yin, and Lai families did not rebel, Liu Bei would not pay any attention to the other small wealthy families, which totaled up to six or seven hundred tribes.
"Lord, why are you doing this?"
"We can..."
When Jian Yong was about to open his mouth to remonstrate, he was directly interrupted by Liu Bei: "Xianhe, how much cowardice have we suffered from Anxi, Xiami, and Gaotang?"
"In the past, because of the chaos in the government, no one made decisions for us. But now that we are in Xinye, with His Majesty supporting us, we can let go and do things well, so we have nothing to fear."
How could Jian Yong not know Liu Bei's temper? He didn't dare to persuade him anymore and could only sigh: "My lord, if you insist on doing this, we can only do the same thing again, loosening the outside and tightening the inside."
Liu Bei did not hesitate: "It doesn't matter. As long as the high-tunnel turntable is erected and farming is in full swing, most of our pressure will be relieved and we can concentrate on dealing with these powerful families."
"Let's go back."
Liu Bei put on his coat and got on his horse: "I want to have a good meeting with these guys."
Jian Yong cupped his hands and said, "Here."
Immediately.
The two of them headed straight to the county seat.
Not long after.
Then he returned to the county government office.
When Liu Bei entered the political hall, the heads of the Wang family and the Lu family hurriedly came to greet him.
However, before they could open their mouths to greet them, they were interrupted by Liu Bei with a wave of his hand: "You will sit quietly for a while and wait for me to change my clothes."
Everyone looked at Liu Bei's wet clothes and all moved out of the way, allowing Liu Bei to go straight to the inner courtyard.
At the same time, discussions followed:
"What are you doing, the county magistrate? How did you end up like this?"
"I heard that someone came from Wancheng today to help install the high-tube transfer car. They may have gone there."
"Is it where the ditch was dug a few days ago?"
"That's right! Exactly."
"The water flow there is very fast, making it difficult to construct. Could it be that the county magistrate went into the river himself?"
"Look at this, it's indeed possible."
"Oh, the county magistrate is like this, I'm afraid our affairs will be difficult to handle."
"..."
Just when all the wealthy families were discussing.
Liu Bei turned back to the council hall, sat at the head of the table, and said loudly: "I wonder if you are here, what do you have to report?"
At that moment, an old man with white beard and hair came out and bowed his head: "I would like to inform you, the county magistrate, that the old Lu Cong is the head of the Lu family in Xinye. He is seventy-two years old this year."
"We have come here today to report something. I hope that the county magistrate can forward it to heaven to hear it, so that we can solve the problem of the poor people like us."
Liu Bei Yangzuo didn't know, so he waved his hand and said, "Master Lu, just speak frankly."
Lu Cong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then turned to the topic: "Reporting to the county magistrate, this year the court is showing kindness to the people, which is originally a good thing. We fully support it, but no one has cultivated the fields of our families, but we still have to
Facing high taxes, it is really unaffordable.”
"So, I'll wait..."
Before Lu Cong could finish speaking, Liu Bei interrupted without hesitation: "Master Lu, if I remember correctly, the land rents of your Lu family in previous years were all above ten taxes and two taxes."
"We calculate based on the yield of one stone and five buckets per mu. You have to collect three buckets of land rent per mu every year. Even if you put aside the court's thirty tax and one field tax, you will earn a net profit of two buckets and five liters of rice per mu."
"snort!"
Liu Bei snorted lightly, with a flash of anger in his eyebrows: "In the past years, you made a lot of money. How come this year, the land tax is only five liters per mu, and you have to pretend to be pitiful. Why is this?"
reason?"
During this period of time, Liu Bei has been farming with the common people, and has a very in-depth understanding of the vampire-like land tax of the major wealthy families in Xinye County.
and.
He copied the Zhao family's assets, so he naturally understood how wealthy the Xinye wealthy family was.
It's just a land tax of five liters per mu, which they can afford.
Just because he knew the truth, Liu Bei became even more angry. He really hated this group of wealthy people who "just want to take advantage and don't want to suffer".
"Ah, this..."
Lu Cong suddenly felt ashamed and wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl in.
But......
But the wealthy clan on the side spoke plausibly, took a step forward, and immediately finished the attack: "What does this mean, Lord County? The common people are willing to come to our clan to be tenants. This is a consensual thing."
"In the previous years, we have never received less land tax. This land belongs to our family, so we can't let them cultivate it, right? What's more, we have also provided farm tools and cattle. What is money here and outside?"
Someone else echoed: "That's right! We also have a big family to support. Although the annual land rent is a lot, leaving aside the annual expenses, there is actually not much money left."
"If the imperial court's land tax cannot be reduced or reduced, we really can't afford it. If the county magistrate cannot accept the land tax, don't blame us for not cooperating."
Liu Bei really admired the appearance of these people and responded without hesitation: "Why, are you threatening this county?"
Lu Cong and others hurriedly waved their hands: "How dare you! We can still pay the land tax, but now all counties are reporting this matter, and we also want to trouble the county officials and tell our long-cherished wishes to heaven."
Liu Bei waved his hand and said loudly: "This county already knows what you are asking for. However, these matters are state affairs and cannot be touched by this county. I believe that your Majesty will make his own decision."
"Please come back later."
Liu Bei was really rude and directly issued an order to expel the guests.
"Then the county magistrate, I'll wait..."
Before the other party could finish speaking, Liu Bei responded directly: "This matter has nothing to do with me, and it is not something I can interfere with. This county cannot control what happens in other counties, but this county will not interfere in this matter."
"Xianhe."
"exist."
"see a visitor out!"
"Here."
Jian Yong had no choice but to wave his hand and make a petition: "Everyone, please come back."
Lu Cong and others dared not speak out in anger, so they had no choice but to retreat in dismay.
*****
Nanyang, Wancheng.
Emperor's palace.
Hall of Wende.
Liu Bian flipped through some memorials at random, then threw them aside and sneered: "So many? Could it be that all the twenty-six counties in Nanyang have received memorials?"
Xun You was so busy that he bowed his head and said, "No, there are only twenty-four counties."
"oh?"
Liu Bian was slightly surprised: "Which counties are they?"
Xun or replied: "Wan, Xinye."
"As expected!"
Liu Bian seemed to have an expectation.
Wan was the county magistrate of Tang Xiang, and Xinye was the county magistrate of Liu Bei.
These two were all die-hard loyalists of Liu Bian. As for the rest of the counties, most of them were selected from examinations and were former county magistrates who were already very capable.
These guys either have noble backgrounds or are already on the verge of collapse. They want to take this opportunity to shift the pressure upwards so that they can extricate themselves.
Liu Bian hated these irresponsible guys the most: "Give me the list."
Xun or responded to the promise and immediately handed over the roster: "Your Majesty, please take a look."
Liu Bian nodded, took the roster, glanced at it briefly, and thought to himself: "Teacher, take a screenshot, these guys are on my blacklist."
The voice of the Military Advisor Alliance then sounded: "OK, it's done."
Liu Bian then closed the list and looked up at Xun Yue: "Wen Ruo, what do you think of this matter?"
Xun or bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty, I think that there must be something fishy in such a large-scale petition. I am afraid that someone is secretly controlling it. As for who it is, we don't know yet."
"snort!"
Liu Bian snorted lightly and said nonchalantly: "In Nanyang County, apart from the Deng family, Yin family, Feng family, Li family and other aristocratic families, there is no one else with such great ability, right?"
"But Your Majesty..."
Xun You could naturally think of these guys, but he had no motive: "The imperial edict should not have had much impact on them, and their actions are meaningless."
"oh?"
Liu Bian looked at Xun Yu with great interest: "Do you really think it has no meaning?"
"this......"
Xun You pondered for a long time, and finally couldn't help but be curious: "Please forgive me for my ignorance, and please give me some advice."
Liu Bian waved his hand and motioned for Xun You to sit aside: "Don't be anxious, wait for the situation."
Xun You frowned and asked, "Your Majesty, are you waiting for news about Fengxiao?"
"kindness."
Liu Bian nodded: "That's right! I ordered him to send people to the Taoist Associations in each county to investigate the situation of farmland in recent times, especially in the past few days."
hiss-!
Xun may not be stupid, so he naturally understood the emperor's meaning: "Your Majesty, do you mean that the purpose of this move by the Deng family and the Yin family is to use your Majesty's hand to stabilize the price of farmland, so as to secretly take action?"
Liu Bian smiled calmly: "Why, isn't this possible?"
Xun You's throat rolled and he swallowed hard: "Yes! And it is very likely that this is an excellent opportunity for the Yin family, Deng family and other aristocratic families to annex the wealthy families in various counties."
"only......"
At this point, Xun Yu did not dare to continue, but Liu Bian took up the topic: "It's just that Wen Ruo can't believe it, they actually dared to use my hands to do this, right?"
Xun You nodded slowly: "That's right! I really don't dare to think about it."
Liu Bian said disdainfully: "Wen Ruo, that's because you are still young and still have the ideal of serving the country in your heart. But for those aristocratic families lingering in various places, the first thing they consider in their minds is their own interests."
"snort."
With a slight snort, Liu Bian sighed and said: "Don't say it's me, even if it's the hand of a god, they will still borrow it!"
Although Xun You was a little unbelievable, he still understood the emperor's words: "Your Majesty, how are you going to respond?"
Liu Bian always looked indifferent: "The aristocratic family is so bold, they want me to wipe out the wealthy families for them? I have to admit, they really have a beautiful idea, but this time, I not only want to clean up the wealthy families, but also take action against the wealthy families."
"I want them to know..."
Liu Bian's eyes were bright, flashing with murderous intent: "This world is my world, the world of the Han Dynasty, the world of the common people, not the world of aristocratic families!"
Xun You frowned: "Your Majesty, are you trying to..."
Liu Bian said loudly that he already had a countermeasure: "If you want to take it, you must give it to it first! If I want to destroy it, I must first make it crazy. Since the Deng family and the Yin family want to have a full meal, then I will let them go."
They eat with open bellies!”
Xun Or seemed to understand what the emperor meant: "Your Majesty, are you trying to take the initiative to cooperate with the aristocratic family?"
Liu Biandan smiled: "The one who knows me is Wen Ruoye!"
call-
Xun You took a deep breath and reminded: "Your Majesty, the Deng family and the Yin family want to annex the Nanyang wealthy family. I am afraid they have concluded that your majesty's favor order will not last more than three years, so they dare to do so."
"Your Majesty, could it be..."
Xun You tentatively guessed: "Should this edict be extended for more than three years?"
Liu Bian had to admire Xun or's insight. He had already understood the deep-seated reasons for the family's move. Although the current edict was a favor order, it would inevitably greatly reduce the national treasury. This was very important for the development of Nanyang Hanting.
Very disadvantageous.
Based on this.
Only the Deng family and the Yin family will try every means to seize the opportunity to continuously strengthen the family power.
After all, the storm is temporary and will clear up sooner or later.
And every thunderstorm in the process is a rare opportunity for them.
Liu Bian took a deep breath and said softly: "Three years? I hope there will be no head tax in this life, so that the people of the Han Dynasty can truly live and work in peace and contentment."
If you want to sweep the world, technological power alone is far from enough. Population is also very important. Only by abolishing the poll tax can ordinary people dare to have children with confidence.
ten years!
Twenty years!
Thirty years!
...
A large number of people will be born in the future.
Only a sufficient population is the endogenous driving force for outward expansion!
Xun was so moved that he couldn't help but bowed his head and said: "Your Majesty loves the people like a son and dares to be the first in the world. In the future, he will definitely become the emperor of the ages, far better than the previous emperor, and even not inferior to Guangwu."
Liu Bidan smiled and didn't take it to heart at all: "Wen Ruo, tell Feng Xiao and ask him to secretly send people to spread rumors, saying that His Majesty is considering whether to abolish the favor order."
Xun or bowed his body and raised his hands: "Here."