Liu Xin said: "I have indeed thought about the salt and iron monopoly for a long time, but now is not the time to implement the salt and iron monopoly. Besides, the purpose of me wanting to implement the salt and iron monopoly is not to gain profits from it, but because
These two things are directly related to people's lives, and their prices need to be stabilized at a more reasonable level. However, now that you mention the salt and iron monopoly, it reminds me of something."
Jushou always thought that Liu Xin wanted to implement a salt and iron monopoly just to solve a tax channel, but he did not expect that Liu Xin had this purpose. He couldn't help but admire him and asked repeatedly: "I wonder what my lord is thinking of?"
Liu Xin was silent for a moment and said: "Now the three counties in the south of the Yangtze River are under control. They are close to the sea, and they should be able to find places to cook salt. In the future, we can open more government-run salt farms. If enough salt is produced, we can
A monopoly has been implemented. Now that grain prices are skyrocketing in various places, only the grain prices in Jing and Yi Zhuzhou remain at the original level. If the price of salt can be maintained at a lower price level, more people can be attracted to immigrate here.
"
Population is an important resource, and it waxes and wanes. As long as a large number of people under the rule of Cao Cao, Yuan Shao and others immigrate, they will not be able to recruit enough soldiers, and it will be difficult to organize a strong army.
Jushou naturally understood this truth. He nodded and said: "My lord is wise. That is Yu Zhongxiang's hometown, and the establishment of a salt farm is beneficial to the local people. According to what I see, I will leave this matter to him."
alright."
Liu Xin gradually brought the topic to the three counties in the south of the Yangtze River. In fact, he was thinking about Er Qiao, but he couldn't ask how Ju Shou was doing. Seeing that he didn't seem to understand what he meant, he had to laugh and said: "It's the New Year."
I plan to go to two places. The first is Jiangnan to see how Zhongxiang is doing there. The second is the Western Regions. We must open up a new market for Xiang paper and white porcelain."
Jushou said uneasily: "My lord, there is going to be a big battle between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, and the rebellion in Xuzhou is just around the corner. Xiangyang still relies on you to command, so you must not leave."
Liu Xin waved her hand and said: "If my prediction is correct, the chaos in Xuzhou will end before the end of the year. At the turn of spring and summer next year, the Yuan and Cao families will fight against each other. Jing, Yi, Si, and Liang will not be together for the time being.
Something will happen, and Liu should seize this time to travel around, which will be good for clarifying his ideas for the next step."
Jushu knew that Liu Xin had a restless temper. In order to quietly launch an offensive against Yizhou that year, he hid in his mansion for more than half a year and almost didn't get sick. So when he heard that Liu Xin wanted to go out for a walk again, he knew
If you can't persuade him, you can only give up.
Wang Tu had been driven out of Xiangyang City at this time. His injuries were all on his face. Now he has used the best gold wound medicine and bandaged it tightly. From a distance, he looks a bit like Asan in later generations.
Before leaving, Zhu San also threatened him, telling him not to open it within three days, otherwise his life would be in danger. Wang Tu originally thought that he would die for offending Liu Xin, but now he is lucky to be able to save his life.
How dare I not listen to Zhu San's words? I really didn't dare to take off the white cloth that bandaged the wound along the way.
The journey from Xiangyang to Puyang is not short. Fortunately, Wang Tu's injuries were all on his face, which did not affect his ability to ride on horseback. Three days later, the group had left Liu Xin's territory. Wang Tu was relieved.
He asked the accompanying soldiers to unwrap the white cloth and find a bronze mirror.
When I took a photo, I was shocked. His originally fair and handsome face was covered with many scars, and the color of these scars had all turned black. His nose had also been cut off, and the dark wounds were exposed in the middle.
With two black holes in his nostrils, he was very ugly.
It turned out that Zhu San himself was ugly and could not see others being handsome. He mixed some ink into the gold wound medicine he applied to Wang Tu, and directly dyed Wang Tu's wound black, just like a tattoo on his face. For three days,
Once it passed, now he can't wash it off even if he wants to.
Wang Tu didn't have any real talents. The reason why he was favored by Cao Cao was all because of his face. Following Cao Cao made Cao Cao feel very proud. Now that his face has been ruined, Wang Tu is really lustful.
Cry without tears.
After a few more days, Wang Tu finally returned to Puyang and hurriedly went to meet Cao Cao. He was the captain of the Prime Minister's personal army. He had a belt with him and was favored by Cao Cao, so he came directly without any notification.
Study. Wang Tu usually only obeys his superiors and treats Cao Cao respectfully.
He was very mean to his soldiers, so they didn't like him. The soldiers who followed him to Xiangyang had long known that Wang Tu had become like this, and secretly they were very happy. Once he returned to Puyang,
This matter spread widely, and almost everyone in the prime minister's palace knew about it.
Although Cao Cao knows people well and knows that Wang Tu has no real ability, Wang Tu has followed him a long time ago. He just gave him a captain of personal soldiers, which is not an important position, and he does not need to have any talents.
Moreover, Wang Tu behaved well in front of him and looked humble in front of other civil and military officials, so no one spoke ill of him in front of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao had no way of knowing how he behaved in front of his servants.
Several cases were piled with bamboo slips. Although Xiangzhi was convenient, it was too expensive and Cao Cao could not afford it, so he had to continue to use bamboo slips to convey military information. Although he controlled most of Qing, Yanzhou and Yuzhou, these places were
Deeply affected by the Yellow Turban Rebellion, most of the people were poor, so Cao Cao was not rich either. Many of his military expenses were supplemented by robbing the tombs of feudal kings and ministers.
Cao Cao is immersed in the news reported from various places, making final preparations for the attack on Xuzhou. Cao Cao knows very well that the war between himself and Yuan Shao is inevitable. And the agreement he signed with Liu Xin is only two years, and he must
Only after defeating Yuan Shao in two years can he be free to fight Liu Xin.
However, if he wants to defeat Yuan Shao, he must first solve his worries. He has two worries, one is Liu Xin and the other is Tao Qian. Liu Xin has promised not to use troops against him for two years. Although it is not entirely believed, it can make him let go.
Tao Qian of Xuzhou was not taken seriously by him at first, but once he went to war with Yuan Shao, Xu
The state was at his rear. If Tao Qian made any changes, he would be surrounded by enemies from both sides. Therefore, if he wanted to use force with Yuan Shao, he must first get rid of Tao Qian. In other words, even if his father and his family were not killed,
If it happened, he would also take action against Tao Qian, but his father's murder provided him with a better reason to start a war.
Cao Cao thought for a long time, suddenly raised his head, and saw an ugly man with a bald head, messy tattoos on his face, and no ears or nose appeared in front of him. He was so frightened that he jumped up from the table and shouted angrily:
"Who are you? How dare you come here?"
The ugly man said with a cry: "My lord, this villain is Wang Tu!"
Cao Cao was suspicious by nature. He just saw a stranger suddenly. He was afraid that he would come to assassinate him, and he was about to draw his sword to defend himself. Now when he heard him speak, his voice was undoubtedly that of Wang Tu. He couldn't help but calm down, and then he realized that he was already covered in cold sweat. Cao Cao
He sat down again and asked in a deep voice: "Are you Wang Tu? How did you become like this?"
When Wang Tu heard Cao Cao's question, he couldn't help but burst into tears, and he recounted his experiences in Xiangyang with tears and complaints.
Cao Cao pondered: "You said that woman is Liu Xin's woman?"
Wang Tu nodded vigorously and said: "Back to my lord, I heard with my own ears that the girl called Liu Xin daddy and called the woman mother. I will never have a holiday."
Since Cao Cao's power has become increasingly powerful, he has listed Liu Xin as an important opponent. He also sent people to Xiangyang to collect information about Liu Xin and knew that Liu Xin did have several beautiful women around him. Cao Cao couldn't help but think of the time in Luoyang
Outside the south gate, there is Ma Yun's stunning beauty, and Yu Linglong, who is drunk in the world of mortals. I don't know if the woman Wang Tu met is the two of them, but I haven't heard of them.
The two have given birth to a daughter, could it be Cai Yan? Cao Cao glanced at Wang Tu again and thought to himself, you are so handsome. Although you didn't get it in your mouth, you still had a lot of fun with your hands. Master, but
You can only think about it once in your dreams. However, one thing Cao Cao can be sure of is that no matter how tight Xiangyang's defense is, there will be times when Liu Xin's woman is alone, so there is an opportunity to take advantage of it. Cao Cao couldn't help but have an evil thought.
Wang Tu saw the uncertainty on Cao Cao's face and said uneasily: "My lord, Liu Xin also asked the villain to bring a letter back."
Cao Cao's face sank and he said, "Bring it to me and see!"
When he saw Wang Tu's face now, he felt uncomfortable. He wished he could send him far away now so as not to be embarrassed in front of him. Cao Cao endured his displeasure and read the letter. There was nothing in the letter.
say too much
, only that Liu Xin expressed extreme regret and condolences for Cao Song's death. In addition, he advised Cao Cao to try his best to ensure the safety of the people when he sent troops to Xuzhou. In order to show neutrality, he also withdrew all the troops stationed in Xuzhou.
.
In fact, no matter which side of the princes, there will now be many spies in various places. Cao Cao has already known the news of Liu Xin's army withdrawing from Xuzhou. Liu Xin is also very clear about this, but he does not want to let anyone go to prove his
It was a great opportunity, so I brought this matter up again so that Cao Cao felt that he owed him a favor.
Of course, Cao Cao would not owe Liu Xin this favor. He sneered and said: "A cat cries and a mouse shows mercy!"
Although this letter was brought all the way by Wang Tu, it was sealed with a strange fire paint pattern. No matter how courageous Wang Tu was, he would not dare to open it privately and take a peek, so he did not know what was written in the letter.
What. Now I hear Cao Cao say this
Said like this, I just thought that Liu Xin was apologizing for her torture in the letter, and I couldn't help feeling sad. She said with saliva: "My lord is saying that this Liu Xin is too vicious. He hurt the villain like this, and yet he has the nerve to pretend in front of my lord."