Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 899: Chen's Remnants
"There's more to it than that." Qian Li's words made Liu He's heart beat faster.

"besides?"

Qian Li said: "In the time of Emperor Xiaowu, in order to raise money and food to fight against the Xiongnu, the Minqian Order was issued, which imposed additional taxes on all merchants and craftsmen, and imposed heavy taxes on their revenue, goods, vehicles, ships, fields, houses, livestock, slaves, servants, etc. Now there are rumors that Your Majesty wants to restore the Minqian Order."

Liu He said angrily: "For more than ten years, I have treated merchants and craftsmen equally, provided them with many conveniences, and reduced their taxes. Don't they believe me and want to believe such nonsense?"

Qian Li also looked helpless: "Seeking profit and avoiding harm, avoiding risks is the instinct of businessmen, and it is not surprising."

Liu He asked coldly: "Is there any movement from the business?"

"Yes." Qian Lihui reported, "In the past month, the thousands of merchants in the business have been traveling less and less, while the number of merchants going to Qing, Xu, Yu and other places has been increasing. The business's circulation transactions this month have dropped by more than 10% compared to last month."

"Aman Cao is really good at planning..." Liu He couldn't help but sigh.

Qian Li was in charge of the court's money and financial power, so he was naturally particularly concerned about these accounts and affairs. When he talked about these figures, his face was full of worry, ten times more than Liu He himself.

"Your Majesty wants to expand the army and strengthen military equipment. It's just when you need money and people, but such a change has happened. If you don't restrain it, not only will there be no hope of expanding the army, I'm afraid that in a year or two, even the current large army will be difficult to support."

Qian Li's mental arithmetic ability was unparalleled, and he was very clear about every item in the court's financial accounts. Since he came to such a conclusion, Liu He naturally had no doubt at all.

"This is a plan to cut off the firewood from under the cauldron. Cao is really vicious. But this kind of plan is the most difficult to break. Issuing a notice to clarify the matter is like a stone sinking into the sea. Arresting the rumormongers will give them more excuses. The only effective plan is for the court to do the opposite. Not only do they not increase taxes, but they should reduce them. However, the court's taxes are already very low. If they are reduced further, the annual revenue will not be able to support the court's expenses. It is really a dilemma."

Xu Shu frowned. He was very proficient in marching and deploying troops, but government affairs, finances and other matters were not his forte.

Liu He was also worried for a moment. "Who gave Cao Cao such a vicious plan? Jia Xu? But I didn't hear the system prompt him to trigger the special skill. Guo Jia? This guy is a master at judging people. This kind of thing is definitely not his work. Cheng Yu and Xi Zhicai, they don't seem like it, so who could it be? Could it be Cao Cao's own plan?"

After thinking about it, he really couldn't come up with a clue. This feeling of complete powerlessness was something Liu He hadn't experienced in many years.

"I have no idea what to do at the moment. Your Majesty, please punish me."

Xun Yu and others knelt down and pleaded guilty.

Liu He waved his hands helplessly: "What crime have the three of you committed? This matter is extremely difficult to deal with, and I will think about it carefully. Yuanzhi, you have just arrived in the capital, and I have given you a house. You can go back and rest for a while. Wenruo and Daozhun, handle government affairs here, and I will go around."

"According to the order."

The three of them bowed and accepted the order. Liu He stood up and walked out of the study.

At the same time, in Pingyu City.

"Pass the order down, hold a grand banquet for all the officials at the General's Mansion tonight."

Cao Cao was very proud and everyone else looked happy.

"Liu He came with such force this time, and all his tactics were impossible to defend against. We were able to repel him now, all thanks to your contributions. Cao will report to Your Majesty tomorrow and ask for your contributions."

"Thank you, General."

Cao Cao looked at a scholar who was sitting further back. The scholar looked ordinary, dressed in a simple and elegant green robe. His eyes were narrow and bright, and his expression was solemn, even a little stern. Even in front of Cao Cao and many generals, he kept a stern face.

"Long article." Cao Cao called out, and the scholar immediately bowed. "Chen Qun is here, please give your instructions, General."

Cao Cao's face was full of smiles: "Long articles are usually too formal."

Chen Qun's expression did not change at all: "Etiquette is the most important relationship among people. I dare not violate it lightly."

Cao Cao knew his temper and said nothing more. "You have done a great job in spreading rumors this time. I want to present you to the emperor and appoint you as the governor of Nanyang to honor your achievements. What do you think?"

Chen Qun said coldly: "Thank you, my lord. I only want to avenge my grievances. I don't care about the rank of my official position."

"Of course." Cao Cao showed some hatred. "That Liu He is extremely abominable. He killed loyal people and ruled the country arbitrarily. Your Yingchuan Chen family is also the leader of the aristocratic families and a famous family in the world, but he killed the whole family. If Changwen had not gone out to study and was not at home, I am afraid he would have been killed."

Chen Qun bowed to Cao Cao and said, "I am in this situation today, all thanks to you, my lord. Otherwise, I would have been in his clutches sooner or later."

"Ah, there's no need for such a long article. When your father was alive, he gave me many pointers. I've always been grateful and never forget it for a moment."

After saying this, he raised his head and looked at the many civil officials and military generals.

"Everyone, after the battle in Yuzhou, our army and Liu He have been in a stalemate ever since. With the help of Changwen's brilliant plan, many civilians and wealthy families from Sili, Bing, Ji, Yan and other places have moved to Yuzhou. In this way, our army will become stronger day by day, while Liu He will gradually weaken. As one grows stronger, the other loses. Sooner or later, we will defeat him."

"My lord is wise!" everyone shouted in unison.

"Okay." Cao Cao stood up suddenly, looked around with eagle eyes, and felt very happy.

"Tonight, I will drink with you all. From tomorrow on, everyone will work hard to strengthen the army. In a few years, we will have another decisive battle with Liu He. After we conquer the world, I will drink with you all again in Luoyang."

"Thank you, my lord."

Many days passed in a flash, and after the beginning of summer, the weather gradually became hotter.

As the weather got hotter, fewer troops were dispatched from Western Qiang, Goguryeo and other places. Zhao Yun had just arrived in Youzhou and fought with the Goguryeo army only once. When he was about to give them a severe blow, the enemy quickly fled. Zhao Yun had a calm personality and had just arrived here and didn't know the terrain, so he did not pursue. However, with his arrival, Tian Yu and Tian Chou were relieved.

Although there were frequent reports of victory on the battlefields, they were all small fights, and even if they were victorious, the enemy did not suffer many casualties. Secondly, the many rumors spread more and more widely, and the number of people fleeing from Liu He's rule increased day by day. Therefore, Liu He was frowning all day long, and even Zhang Yu hadn't seen his smile for many days.

That day, he was feeling depressed, so he left everyone else and strolled around the palace alone to comfort himself. Before he knew it, he had walked into the imperial garden of the palace.

Liu He seemed to hear a few sharp voices, and he didn't know where they were talking. Driven by curiosity, he walked over.

"Ah, are you from Jizhou too?"

"Yes, yes, I am from Jizhou Bohai, what about you, sister?"

"I am from Hejian. I never thought that after entering the palace, I would meet people from my hometown. The rules of this palace are very strict and scary. From now on, you and I will accompany each other and just be sisters. Life won't be too hard."

Liu He followed the sound and walked over. It turned out to be two palace maids. From what they said, they were obviously new to the palace. According to the court rules, the palace had to select new palace maids and eunuchs every year.

Eunuchs and maids were all selected into the palace when they were young. At this age, they were in their prime and lively. When they first arrived at the palace, they were bound by many rules and regulations. Naturally, they felt a little restrained and difficult to stretch. Therefore, it was common for fellow villagers to rely on each other, so Liu He did not care.
Just as he was about to turn around and leave, the two men spoke a few more words, which caught his attention. He unconsciously moved closer, hid behind a large pillar of a pavilion, and eavesdropped.

(End of this chapter)