Three Kingdoms: Heir of Wolong, my father-in-law is Guan Gong

Cao Rui's strategic retreat successfully prevented Liu Bei from pursuing a decisive battle.

It is said that young people are impulsive and irritable, but Cao Rui is just the opposite.

Even though there were many voices inside and outside the court that were pessimistic about the Pseudo-Wei, Cao Rui remained unaffected.

Relying on the terrain of Yanzhou and the greatly reduced logistical pressure, Cao Rui deployed more than 200,000 troops in Yanzhou.

Still more than 200,000 in defensive status!

Even if Liu Bei had an army of 100,000, it would be difficult to break through Yanzhou, which was guarded by 200,000 pseudo-Wei soldiers.

Cao Rui ordered Cao Zhen to guard Chenliu, Cao Xiu to guard Dingtao, Man Chong to guard Kangfu, and Sima Yi to guard Taishan. Cao Rui also personally stationed in Juancheng.

An army of more than 200,000 soldiers guarded Yanzhou tightly!

Simultaneously.

Cao Rui also ordered the governor of Xuzhou to forcibly relocate the people of Xuzhou to Yanzhou, concentrating manpower and material resources in Yanzhou.

Yanzhou has fertile land and a suitable climate, making it a suitable place for human habitation.

It is also an important place in the world, comparable to "Hanzhong of Emperor Gaozu and Henei of Emperor Guangwu".

Cao Rui's decision to abandon Yuzhou and Xuzhou and retreat to Yanzhou was a heroic move that brought the Han and Wei sides back from a military struggle to a struggle for national power.

Faced with such a decisive and ruthless Cao Rui, even Liu Bei couldn't help but exclaim, "Cao Mengde gave birth to a good grandson."

Without any choice.

Liu Bei had no choice but to adopt Fa Zheng's suggestion and establish military farms in Yingchuan and Chenjun, waiting for the right opportunity.

At the same time, he ordered Wei Yan and other generals to surrender the counties of Yuzhou.

however.

Although Liu Bei obtained Yuzhou, the contradiction between the vast land and sparse population became acute.

Cao Rui relocated a large number of people, so that most of Yuzhou became deserted.

This was extremely unfavorable to Liu Bei.

Although Liu Bei sent a message to Chang'an, calling on the counties of the Han Dynasty to migrate their population to Yuzhou, the effect was not obvious.

There are few people and much land.

Everyone is living well in their local area, so who would be willing to migrate?

The current registered population of the Han Dynasty is over three million, but the regions include Liangzhou, Yongzhou, Yizhou, Jingzhou and Yangzhou.

With a population of more than three million scattered across five states, there will be basically no refugees as long as the policies are appropriate.

There are not enough people, but there is not enough land.

Autumn of the eighth year of Zhangwu.

After taking over Xuzhou, Zhuge Qiao rode quickly to Yingchuan to meet Liu Bei and offered him a countermeasure plan that he had prepared long ago.

The three policies were state-owned workshops, the parallel system of imperial examinations and the abolition of private slavery.

After Dong Hui piloted the imperial examination system in Yangzhou, he selected a large number of outstanding talents from among the children of poor families.

However, the voice of opposition is also obvious.

If the imperial examination system were to be forcibly implemented in Jing, Yi, Yong and Liang, the Han Dynasty would not be able to withstand such a backlash given the current situation.

Therefore.

After careful consultation with Xu Shu and Dong Hui, Zhuge Qiao adopted a method of selecting talents that combined both the imperial examination and the imperial examination.

It not only guaranteed the interests of the old aristocratic families, but also gave the sons of poor families the opportunity to enter officialdom.

Liu Bei approved of this method of selecting materials.

Instead, it was the state-owned workshops and the abolition of private slaves that made Liu Bei hesitant.

The purpose of state-owned workshops is to make money for the country, which is a good intention.

However, workshops require a large number of workers. If these workers are recruited directly from the common people, it will be difficult to form the advantages of large-scale collective production.

Therefore.

Zhuge Qiao chose the slaves in the homes of aristocratic families as the source of recruits.

In other words.

Zhuge Qiao is trying to shake the roots of the aristocratic families!
The reason why the emperor was wary of the aristocratic families was that these people secretly hid a large number of people.

These people are loyal to the aristocratic families to a certain extent.

In the past, Wang Mang only banned the private slave trade, but was regarded as an enemy by the aristocratic families.

Today, Zhuge Qiao is even more ruthless than Wang Mang. He wants to abolish private slaves directly, which is equivalent to cutting off the hands of the aristocratic families!
"Bosong, do you know that once this policy is announced, all states and counties may be in turmoil because of it?"

"Wang Mang's example is a warning to you. Do you want to follow in his footsteps?"

Liu Bei did not directly reject Zhuge Qiao's proposal, but reminded Zhuge Qiao of the consequences of doing so.

Zhuge Qiao's eyes were burning: "If we don't abolish private slaves now, it will be even more difficult to do so in the future."

"Let's start with Yuzhou and Xuzhou. Those who are willing to support us are the meritorious officials of the Han Dynasty."

"If anyone is unwilling to support us, all their property will be confiscated and they will be exiled to the pseudo-Wei state."

"All the private slaves of these noble families and powerful people will be converted into civilians."

"Find more Confucian scholars to promote the idea that abolishing private slavery is a benevolent and righteous act."

"From a moral perspective, private slavery is condemned as a bad habit that goes against the laws of nature and against human ethics."

"Although we are working to abolish private slavery, we must focus on 'benevolence and righteousness' in our propaganda. Having private slaves is unrighteous."

"My uncle has always been a benevolent and righteous person. As long as we insist that 'abolishing private slaves is practicing benevolence and righteousness' and use some propaganda methods, public opinion will naturally lean towards my uncle."

Fa Zheng questioned: "Bosong, your idea of ​​controlling public opinion is good, but the local nobles and powerful people are not fools."

"By then, rumors will spread everywhere and three people can make a tiger. How can we control public opinion?"

Zhuge Qiao smiled with conviction: "Since I dare to bring it up, I must have a way to control public opinion."

"Ma Jun made a new breakthrough in Jingcheng and improved Caihou paper again. It is temporarily called Ma Jun paper."

"Majun paper is more flexible and absorbs ink than previous papers."

"Ma Jun also improved the embossed and hollow plates used to print patterns on cloth, so that they could be carved and printed on Ma Jun paper."

"The two techniques are combined into one, and words, sentences, poems, songs, and articles can be printed on Ma Jun paper in batches."

"In short, as long as I prepare in advance, I can spread an article all over the city overnight."

“We can also print a large number of books and give them away for free to people who want to read but cannot afford to buy them.”

"How can a small earthen wall stop the flood from passing through?"

"After we abolish the private slaves in Yuzhou and Xuzhou, we will teach these private slaves to recognize simple characters and understand the reason for abolishing private slaves."

"Among the private slaves, there are many former scholars. They understand the connection between 'abolishing private slaves and benevolence and righteousness' better than ordinary people."

"After just a few months of training, these people can be sent to other places to spread new ideas."

"Just like in the past, Zhang Jiao only needed to write the Taiping Jing to attract millions of Yellow Turbans to rise up for the Yellow Heaven era described in the Taiping Jing."

"What we need to do is to follow Zhang Jue's example and promote the benevolence and righteousness we believe in!"

"If you don't want to believe it, you can go to the north and join the pseudo-Wei. We won't stop you!"

There was a pause.

Zhuge Qiao added: "There are quite a few slaves in the pseudo-Wei army!"

"Why not drive a group of unkind and unjust people to the north, and then let a group of young and strong people who want to escape slavery come to the south?"

Zhuge Qiao was very proud.

We must advance the process of "abolishing private slavery" in a way that suits the times.

Zhuge Qiao was very clear about the lesson of Wang Mang.

The most crucial point is that Wang Mang’s decrees could not leave the palace.

This allowed the aristocratic families to incite private slaves, causing Wang Mang to be opposed by all social classes.

The people are ignorant and are also incited.

This is also the core reason why peasant movements have failed for thousands of years.

Zhuge Qiao cannot change the ignorance of the nation at present. It will take time to enlighten the people.

however.

It is not only the aristocratic families who can incite the people.

Zhuge Qiao, can also be used! More importantly.

Zhuge Qiao can use it better than the aristocratic families!

Because Zhuge Qiao not only has to promote the "new standard of benevolence and righteousness", but also has the endorsement of Liu Bei's reputation as a benevolent and righteous man all his life, as well as the most critical productivity tool!

If we start with Yuzhou and Xuzhou first, the pressure of opposition will be smaller.

As for the influence on Yizhou and Jingzhou, Zhuge Qiao also considered it.

The stubborn and conservative ones will certainly oppose it, but the "new nobles" who have tasted the sweetness of following Zhuge Qiao will have to think twice.

It’s okay to object.

But if you can't get along with money and food, there will be big problems.

The most direct ones are the "new nobles" like Mi Fang.

Zhuge Qiao's defeat would do them more harm than good.

If Zhuge Qiao wins, the "new wealthy families" who have tasted the sweetness of the "workshop" will have a better future.

In addition, there is the attitude of the military, the attitude of Liu Chan in Chang'an, the attitude of the officials in the court and the country, and Zhuge Qiao's influence on the future situation of the Han Dynasty, etc.

In the current Han Dynasty, there is almost no one who can really move Zhuge Qiao.

This is also an opportunity for Zhuge Qiao to promote reforms.

It's easy to get into trouble if you come too early or too late.

After repeated consideration, Liu Bei decided to adopt Zhuge Qiao's proposal.

He's almost buried.

If Liu Bei could really solve the problem of the powerful aristocratic families, he would be willing to take the responsibility even if he would be criticized after his death.

Zhuge Qiao acted very cautiously.

A large number of Confucian scholars were invited to quote classics to explain that "abolishing private slaves is a benevolent and righteous act, while keeping private slaves is an immoral and evil act."

Although the Confucian scholars who like to pick out sentences from books have no ability to handle affairs, they are better than each other in quoting classics.

Zhuge Qiao only needed to put forward a point of view, and then use the reward of bringing fame to this group of Confucian scholars to attract a large number of Confucian scholars.

What easier way to become famous than through “official printed propaganda”?
not to mention.

Zhuge Qiao did not ask these Confucian scholars to stigmatize themselves, but asked them to "argue for benevolence and righteousness."

Most of the Confucian scholars recruited by Zhuge Qiao came from humble backgrounds and could not compare to the hundreds or thousands of slaves of the aristocratic families.

People do not suffer from scarcity but from inequality.

We are all scholars, why do you have hundreds of slaves while I can only be accompanied by a green lamp?
Under the double blow of Zhuge Qiao's "morality" and "military force", the remaining aristocratic families in Yuzhou and Xuzhou became the first victims of the "New Deal".

Within the two states, the wealthy and powerful families either surrendered or fled, most of their property was confiscated, and all their private slaves were turned into civilians.

It's the end of the year.

Zhuge Qiao liberated more than 500,000 private slaves from 100,000 households in Yuzhou and Xuzhou, and incorporated them all into the civilian population.

These more than 500,000 people either divided up the land or entered workshops.

Such a crazy move even frightened Cao Rui in Juancheng.

"crazy."

"Zhuge Qiao must be crazy!"

"He actually dared to abolish his private slaves!"

"Aren't you afraid that the states will rebel against the Han?"

Although he said this, Cao Rui was actually quite envious in his heart.

If possible, Cao Rui also wanted to wipe out all the aristocratic families of the pseudo-Wei and make all the people in the world listen to him, Cao Rui.

The emperor and the aristocratic families rule the world together?
No emperor would want aristocratic families to be above imperial power.

however.

Cao Rui could only think about it.

Cao Rui knew very well how the Cao family came to have imperial power.

If anyone dares to disturb the roots of the aristocratic family, the family doesn't mind replacing an obedient emperor.

Because the Cao family abided by the rules and implemented the Nine-Rank System, they distributed the benefits clearly and thus maintained the stability of the Pseudo-Wei.

If there had been no support from the aristocratic families, the frequent uprisings by the people of the Pseudo-Wei would have overthrown the Pseudo-Wei long ago.

“Perhaps, this is an opportunity.”

Cao Rui thought about it carefully and wanted to gain some benefits from this matter.

Having stayed in Juancheng for almost a year, Cao Rui did not dare to relax for a moment.

There is no other reason.

Liu Bei's 100,000 troops are still in Yuzhou!
Although it seems that there is no major fighting between the two sides, in fact, small-scale conflicts have continued uninterrupted.

Silent for a day.

Cao Rui issued an order to recruit talents in Jing, Yi, Yong, Liang and Yang.

At the same time, he sent spies to secretly incite the aristocratic families in Jing, Yi, Yong, Liang and Yang to oppose Zhuge Qiao's persecution of the aristocratic families.

however.

Cao Rui's tricks did not have much effect.

In half a year, Zhuge Qiao had controlled the public opinion of the Han Dynasty with the help of printing and Ma Jun paper.

In the territories of Jing, Yi, Yong, Liang and Yang, there was overwhelming propaganda about Liu Bei's "benevolence and righteousness".

For example, "How Liu Bei practiced benevolence and righteousness throughout his life", "Private slaves rose up and sang", "Zheng Xiaotong, grandson of the great Confucian scholar Zheng Xuan, has something to say", "State-owned workshops distribute meat and salt during festivals", "The Huang family in Jingzhou fully supports the benevolent act of abolishing private slaves." and so on.

Three parts true, seven parts false, the wording is popular and easy to understand.

Although most of the noble families in Jing, Yi, Yong, Liang and Yang were opposed to the abolition of private slaves, public opinion was in the hands of Zhuge Qiao.

How many aristocratic families can verify the authenticity?

Even if it is verified, who will believe it?
more than this.

Just after returning home from a banquet in the provincial capital, a group of private slaves shouted "benevolence and righteousness" to their master. The master could only look at a pile of burned indentures and the high hat of "benevolence and righteousness" with no words to express his suffering.

With the mentality of joining if you can't beat them, one by one the aristocratic families began to change their identities.

If I can't be the owner of a manor, I can at least be the owner of a private workshop, right?
As long as the money and food are there, won't the private slaves who have been restored to civilian status still have to continue to be driven?
Oxen and horses are always oxen and horses. Even if they are no longer slaves, they still have to be oxen and horses.

In this regard.

Zhuge Qiao did not interfere again.

As long as these aristocratic families support the abolition of private slaves, these private slaves will have civilian status.

As for civil rights, they can only be promoted after people have enough food and clothing.

Zhuge Qiao also needed this group of aristocratic families whose identities had changed to support those who had just been converted into civilians.

The differences in policies between the Han and Wei dynasties also made their differences obvious.

The improvement of the Han Dynasty's productivity and the tilt of its policies gave rise to a group of new "nobles". Under Zhuge Qiao's deliberate guidance, these new "nobles" had a strong mentality of hunting for the country.

In the eyes of the new "powerful and wealthy", competing with the old "powerful and wealthy" in the Han Dynasty would easily result in a lose-lose situation.

But if we compete with the old "powerful and wealthy" of the pseudo-Wei, the nature of the situation will be different.

Kings fight for the world.

The princes fought for territory.

Doctors fight for rights.

Scholars compete for status.

The people scramble for food and clothing.

This group of new "powerful elites" also have interests to fight for, namely people, or the market.

On the other hand, the Pseudo-Wei.

The Nine-Rank System made the class division increasingly severe.

There are no poor families in the upper class, and there are no noble families in the lower class.

Internal factional conflicts are becoming increasingly severe.

As for the lower-class people, it doesn’t matter who dies. (End of this chapter)