With Cao Cao by my side, what do I have to fear from the world?

Chapter 18 proposes the system of military colonies.
Among the many warlords of the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Cao's rise to power was different from the others; he mainly relied on the power of his clan.

Cao Cao's father was adopted out of the Xiahou family, so the Cao family and the Xiahou family were related by blood. Both families had too many capable and skilled generals!

Cao Hong, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, Xiahou Yuan, Xiahou Dun... including later figures like Cao Zhang, Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu, and Xiahou Shang, were truly a wealth of talent and a profusion of brave generals.

Other warlords also had clans, but none could compare to Cao Cao's clan.

This is unique in the Three Kingdoms period!
Even though Cao Hong and his ilk suffered repeated defeats and had some character flaws, Cao Cao still trusted them greatly.

It was difficult for military generals from outside the Cao family to replace the status of Cao Cao's relatives.

Among the warlords like Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, Tao Qian, and Gongsun Zan, even if their clans had some capable generals, there were very few, and some didn't have any at all, such as Liu Bei and Tao Qian.

Cao Cao's expression was somewhat serious. "Zilian, why aren't you staying in the barracks? What are you doing here?"

"His Majesty wrote a letter and asked me to bring it to the Lord."

Cao Hong smiled awkwardly and took out a letter from his pocket.

Cao Hong knew that Cao Cao thought he hadn't donated enough money, but he was also heartbroken. It was three million coins! Asking him to donate more would be worse than killing him.

Cao Cao opened it and saw that it contained Liu Xie's ideas about military farming.

Liu Xie knew that soon someone around Cao Cao would propose the Tuntian system, so he had to seize the time and offer his advice in advance.

In fact, the person who proposed the Tuntian system (military agricultural colonies) around Cao Cao was Zao Zhi, a civil official, and Han Hao, a military general.

Zao Zhi was the county magistrate who once stood guard over Dong'e with Cheng Yu.

Of course, the military-agricultural colony system was not their invention, but rather a result of drawing on the experience of their predecessors.

The first person to suggest establishing military settlements was Chao Cuo of the Western Han Dynasty.

In response to the problem of frequent Xiongnu raids and the shortage of military supplies, he proposed a solution of relocating people to guard the border and engage in agricultural production.

In recent years, Cao Cao's resources have been almost completely depleted. He is short of money and food, and the problem is very serious. Otherwise, he would not have allowed Yang Feng to wreak havoc in Dingling without immediately sending troops to eliminate him.

"Fengxiao, come and take a look."

Guo Jia leaned over and read it through, his eyes lighting up as he praised, "Your Majesty's explanation is very detailed, outlining both civilian and military settlement methods. You are truly insightful. These past few years have been marked by continuous disasters, leaving a large amount of farmland idle in Yanzhou and Yuzhou. Now that we are establishing our capital here, it will inevitably attract a large number of people. If Your Excellency provides them with more preferential and encouraging measures, combining civilian and military settlements, the food shortage problem will be alleviated in no time."

Cao Cao was very pleased and said with a smile, "Your Majesty is helping us so sincerely. It seems we have been too suspicious of Your Majesty."

"Let's go see His Majesty and have a proper discussion."

Cao Cao acted swiftly and decisively, leaving as soon as he said he would, with Guo Jia and Cao Hong hurriedly following behind.

Upon arriving at the barracks, they could hear Dong Cheng talking to Liu Xie from afar.

"Your Majesty, you are the ruler and Cao Cao is the subject. You must not listen to one side or believe one side, and you must not be blinded by small favors."

For Dong Cheng, Cao Cao's small favor of allowing the emperor free access to the military camp was enough to win over the emperor.

Cao Cao stopped in his tracks, and Liu Xie said impatiently, "Imperial Uncle, I know in my heart who the loyal ministers are and who the treacherous ministers are. I have said it before: among so many warlords in the world, I fled from Chang'an all the way to Luoyang. Who has ever cared about me? Let's not even mention the likes of Yang Feng. Only Cao Sikong cares about me! He is clearly not well-established and lacks strength, yet he came to my rescue without hesitation. His loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon. You should not slander him anymore."

Cao Cao's lips curled into a satisfied smile. He coughed lightly and respectfully greeted, "Your subject Cao Cao pays respects to Your Majesty."

Dong Cheng realized that Cao Cao had overheard his conversation with the Emperor. Unfazed, Dong Cheng coldly snorted and stepped aside. He didn't leave, but instead wanted to see what Cao Cao was up to.

Seeing Dong Cheng's angry expression, Liu Xie gently shook his head.

In fact, Liu Xie had thought about asking Dong Cheng to keep a low profile, but Dong Cheng couldn't stand Cao Cao's style. He was just that impulsive, and a person like him was destined not to be able to hide his true feelings.

Moreover, Dong Cheng, like Yang Feng and others, believed that they should be on equal footing with Cao Cao.

Therefore, Dong Cheng could not accept Cao Cao's current dominant position.

Fortunately, Liu Xie let him do as he pleased. In any case, as long as Dong Cheng didn't do anything too outrageous, Cao Cao wouldn't bother to deal with him.

Cao Cao came in but didn't even look at Dong Cheng; he didn't need to bother with someone like Dong Cheng.

Cao Cao took out the letter and asked with a smile, "Your Majesty, did you come up with this system of military farming all by yourself?"

“Indeed, I have been observing this on my way from Chang’an to Xudu. What I have seen and heard along the way is heartbreaking. Vast fields are barren and uncultivated, and people are fleeing their homes. This is no small matter.”

Cao Cao sincerely praised, "Your Majesty's concern for the country and its people is truly a blessing for the people and a boon for the nation."

Next, Cao Cao discussed and exchanged ideas with Liu Xie point by point, as written in the letter.

Cao Cao was indeed very tempted; if the military-agricultural colonies could be widely implemented, it would greatly alleviate the current predicament.

Liu Xie spoke frankly, revealing all his thoughts, while Guo Jia listened and observed him from the side.

He would occasionally chime in with a few words.

From noon until almost evening, Cao Cao only realized it was getting dark when Cao Hong, who was sitting next to him, couldn't stand it any longer and coughed.

Cao Cao smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I have benefited greatly from our discussion. I will go back and immediately find someone to formulate specific measures and implement them as soon as possible."

So far, only Cao Cao has addressed Liu Xie as "you" instead of "you"!

Liu Xie smiled and said, "I was just having a sudden inspiration and came up with an idea. The one who really worked hard is Cao Gong."

Turning to look at Guo Jia, Liu Xie said with concern, "Fengxiao, I have seen you at Liuhe Bridge and Tianxiang Pavilion. It is quite a coincidence that we meet again."

Guo Jia was surprised that Liu Xie was so friendly, addressing him by his courtesy name right away.

Guo Jia smiled and said, “Your Majesty, I have seen you at Liuhe Bridge and Tianxiang Pavilion, but I saw that you were engrossed in what you were looking at, so I did not want to disturb you.”

In fact, Guo Jia's motivation was not merely lust for beautiful women; his personal visits to those two places were also intended to observe and understand Liu Xie from a different perspective.

If it was an act, Guo Jia could see through it at a glance.

But ironically, Liu Xie genuinely liked beautiful women, and women in period costumes had a unique charm.

Having traveled to ancient times, life is incredibly dull. You can't watch movies, play video games, or go to bars. You have to find some appropriate leisure and entertainment.

Admiring beautiful women was one of Liu Xie's hobbies.

He is the emperor; he has the qualifications and the time!
While others were busy conquering the world, Liu Xie also had to do what an emperor should do.

(End of this chapter)