Super Cultivation System of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 901 Anxious Guan Yu

In Pingyu City, Cao Cao personally reviewed a group of newly recruited soldiers. Looking at these tens of thousands of soldiers training hard under the command of Xiahou Dun, Cao Cao was very happy.

"Great! We have recruited over 10,000 new soldiers so quickly. It should be more than enough to expand the army to 150,000 within a year."

Xi Zhong reported: "My lord, up to now, more than 600,000 people have moved from various places under Liu He's rule to the cities under our jurisdiction. Among them, more than 70% are wealthy families with property and servants. They sold their property, brought their families, and migrated here. Now they are relocating in various places. According to this situation, in a year, at least 2 to 3 million people will move here."

"Good." Cao Cao clapped his hands and laughed.

"With these people, these wealthy families here, our army will have more soldiers and more taxes. Pass the order down. For those who move from Si, Liang, Bing, Ji, You, and Qing to the cities under our jurisdiction, all taxes will be reduced by half within two years. If there are wealthy families who donate slaves, retainers, and men to serve in the army, every thirty people donated can be offset against half a year's taxes."

"As ordered, I will do it now."

After Xi Zhong left, Guo Jia said, "My Lord, this is a brilliant plan. Once this matter spreads far and wide, the number of people coming to us will surely be even greater than now. Within two years, I'm afraid that two or three out of ten people under Liu He's rule will have to move to other places, and most of them will come to our Yu and Jing areas."

Cheng Yu also echoed, "That's right. To fight for the world, you must first win the hearts of the people. When you win the hearts of the people, that will be the day you aim to conquer the Central Plains."

"Hahaha... This is all the work of you gentlemen. With your assistance, why should I worry about not accomplishing my goal?"

Cao Cao was in a good mood. He took everyone for a walk in the parade ground. Just as he was about to leave, Xi Zhong suddenly ran back.

"My Lord... It's a great joy, a great joy..."

Cao Cao wondered, "What good news could make Zhicai so happy?"

Xi Zhong laughed loudly and said, "My lord, that little Liu He actually issued a notice to the world, announcing that taxes will be increased starting on the first day of August this year."

Cao Cao was stunned for a long while, then he murmured: "What is Liu He planning? Is he crazy?"

Cheng Yu said, "This is reasonable. Liu He fought with the lord many times in Yuzhou, but the outcome was always inconclusive. He never took Yuzhou. His Golden Blade Camp and Han Wuzu were also defeated by our army. In addition, the rebellions of Western Qiang, Goguryeo, and Buyeo made his army exhausted. Therefore, he must be as eager to expand the army as the lord. But at this time, many people were deceived by rumors and fled from the areas under his jurisdiction, and taxes and manpower were greatly reduced. Instead of waiting until the future when he was seriously injured to take action, it is better to increase taxes now, quickly expand the army, and then fight with our army."

Xi Zhong also nodded repeatedly: "My opinion is the same as Zhong De's. I think Liu He's move is to avoid a long pain, but a short pain is worse than a long one. His intention is to destroy our army in one battle. Then it will not be too late to reduce taxes again."

Cao Cao was not as happy as they were: "Does the notice mention how to increase taxes?"

Xi Zhong said, "Yes. It says that for households with less than 20 mu of paddy fields, the land tax will remain the same as before. For households with more than 20 mu of paddy fields, the land tax will be changed to 40% tax. For households with more than 20 mu of paddy fields, the land tax will be changed to 35% tax. For households with more than 20 mu of paddy fields, the land tax will be changed to 35% tax. For households with more than 20 mu of paddy fields, the land tax will be changed to 15% tax. For every 2 mu of dry land, one mu of paddy fields will be converted into one mu of paddy fields."

"In addition, Liu He abolished the head tax, meaning that people under the age of fifteen no longer had to pay any taxes. But at the same time, he added a guest tax, which, as the name suggests, was levied based on the number of guests, servants, slaves, maids, etc. in the mansion. The tax rate varied depending on the number of people."

"Also, from now on, the court, from the central government to each state, prefecture, and county, will re-count the land and population of each household and family, and will re-examine it every year. Anyone who conceals or evades taxes will be charged with treason. If the amount of money concealed is huge, the family property may be confiscated, the nine clans may be executed, or even the death penalty may be imposed by slow slicing."

"At the same time, Liu He also reduced industrial and commercial taxes, abolished vehicle and vessel taxes, and even reduced tariffs in various Hu cities, ranging from 20% to 30% or 40%."

Everyone was stunned when they heard this: "Crazy... This Liu He is really crazy."

"Yes, if we do this, wouldn't we offend all the big families and wealthy households?"

"Although ordinary people and civilians have difficulty paying land taxes after this decree, they no longer have to pay food taxes, saving a lot of money and grain. However, they can't pay much tax in a year. What's the point of trying to please them like this? These big tax payers have all fled, and the taxes on civilians have been reduced. Liu He's move is tantamount to seeking death."

Everyone was talking at once, and several major advisers all agreed that Liu He was suffering from hysteria and was seeking his own death.

Cao Cao was also puzzled: "What exactly does Liu He want to do... Is he really going to risk the wrath of the world just to show goodwill to the common people and merchants?"

At the same time, in Liangzhou, Jincheng County.

Guan Yu and Cui Jun personally led the troops and were responsible for quelling and suppressing the rebellion of the Western Qiang. The two sides fought many times. Although the Western Qiang were defeated repeatedly, they were familiar with the terrain and traveled in the deep mountains of Liangzhou and Sichuan all year round. Therefore, whenever they were defeated, they would escape into the mountains and forests, and the imperial troops would find it difficult to chase and kill them.

Because of this, even though he won many times, Guan Yu could not be happy. His eyebrow was pressed together and had not been stretched for many days. However, at this moment, his expression did not seem to have the anger and annoyance of the past. Instead, he paced back and forth, looking a little anxious.

Cui Jun was calmer than him. He sat in his seat, holding an unknown book and reading it with great interest.

Guan Yu looked at him and said, "Zhou Ping, how can you still have the heart to read books?"

Cui Jun didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Why? If you don't want to read books, what are you teaching me to do?"

"This..." Guan Yu was speechless for a moment.

"This matter concerns the imperial court's major plans. Why are you not in a hurry at all?"

Cui Jun smiled and said, "Yunchang, even if you wear the floor of this hall to pieces, what good will it do? Your Majesty's brilliant plan, once implemented, the Western Qiang Rebellion that has troubled our Han Dynasty for a hundred years will be completely settled, and the millions of Qiang people will also be used by the court. Your Majesty has such a brilliant plan, it is God's blessing, your Majesty is wise, Yunchang should be happy."

Guan Yu sighed heavily, "Alas, I also know about your plan, and once it succeeds, it will turn the tide. It is precisely because it is so important that I am so anxious and worried. Scouts from all sides have been sent out for many days, but no news has been reported. Tell me, how can I not be anxious?"

Cui Jun also knew his temper and knew that he could not persuade him, so he ignored him and lowered his head to continue reading his book.

"What a good book, what a good book..."

"Report..."

A very long voice came from outside the door. Guan Yu's eyes suddenly opened and he walked quickly to meet it.

"But have you found out the whereabouts of the Qiang people?"

The visitor wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "General, I and others have been disguising ourselves and hiding our whereabouts. We have been following the Qiang army for many days and finally found a good opportunity."

Guan Yu's eyes lit up, and Cui Jun could no longer sit still, so he stood up and came over.

"Which tribe?"

The man replied: "It is Bonan Qiang."

"Okay, great!"

Guan Yu was extremely excited. He rubbed his hands and paced back and forth again.

Cui Jun said: "The Bonan Qiang once surrendered to the imperial court and had many trade exchanges with the imperial court. This time, they rebelled together with many other tribes. I heard that their leader was greedy and wanted to force the imperial court to surrender, so that they could stay away from the mountains and occupy the land of Liangzhou. Well, he is indeed an excellent candidate..."

"So what are you waiting for? Quickly recruit the troops."

Guan Yu rushed to Cui Jun with an expectant look on his face.

Cui Jun stroked his beard and thought for a moment. Guan Yu followed closely behind him, wanting to urge him but afraid of disturbing his thoughts.

Not long after, Cui Jun clapped his hands and said, "Okay, speed is of the essence in war. Please assemble the troops immediately, General. I will send them out right away."

"Okay, I'm just waiting for your words."

Guan Yu seemed very excited and rushed out without saying a word.

(End of this chapter)