In the Three Kingdoms period, the opening scene features the killing of Huang Gai, shocking Zhou Yu!

After Yang Xiu translated it this way, Xiahou Dun suddenly realized what was happening. He slapped his forehead and cursed himself for being narrow-minded and indeed being too impetuous.

It will make you think every day about saving money for the southern expedition and avenging the Battle of Red Cliffs.

Holy crap!

Brother Zhao, how exactly is your brain structured?

Not only did they take Hanzhong without bloodshed, but they also want to use this fatso's grain to dig up Zhang Lu's ancestral graves?

Zhao Yu waved his hand modestly:

"General, you flatter me. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. If you keep the people in your heart, the people will naturally praise you highly."

"Besides, our Prime Minister is kind-hearted and can't bear to see people suffer. As his subordinates, we have to spread his good reputation for 'benevolence and righteousness,' right? We can't let Liu Bei's family take all the credit, can we?"

"Yes, yes, yes! The Prime Minister is kind-hearted! He can't bear to see the people suffer!"

Xiahou Dun nodded, which further solidified his approval of Zhao Yu.

He sighed inwardly: Look at him, no wonder he is the prime minister's most favored son-in-law. His martial prowess is almost on par with Guan Yu's, and his thinking has become more and more advanced since he became the chief clerk.

"My husband is right! It should have been returned to the people in the first place! How could we just brazenly take away the people's food rations? It's so shameful!"

Sun Shangxiang, who was observing from the sidelines, had absolutely no interest in the intricate political maneuvering.

But upon hearing that the granaries were to be opened and food distributed, her innate "heroine" qualities instantly surged.

With one hand on his hip, he made a bold and unrestrained gesture:

"Leave this grain distribution job to me! This heroine will personally supervise the work!"

Anyone who dares to shortchange me or embezzle my share of the grain during distribution will have their legs broken!

No one moved; they were waiting for the second-in-command's order.

Upon seeing this, Xiahou Dun drew his sword, which was considered the order.

"What are you all standing there for! Didn't you hear what General Zhao and Madam Sun said?"

Go! Clear out the biggest intersection in the city for me!

Take all this grain, not a single cartload, and bring it all to the center of the street!

"Build a high platform! Ring the gong! Tell all the elders and folks in the city that Prime Minister Cao has distributed grain to them!!!"

……

"Clang! Clang!"

The sound of gongs echoed through the streets of Chenggu City, startling flocks of birds on the rooftops.

Half an hour ago, this open space was still full of the mess left by last night's riots.

Now, a mountain of gold made of grain has been piled up here.

The sunset cast its full glow upon the loosely tied burlap sacks.

Zhao Yu was standing in front of the grain pile.

Along both sides of the street, many people gradually emerged from their doorways.

They didn't scream in terror like they usually do when encountering chaotic soldiers, nor did they display the frenzy of the previous night.

Now, a deep weariness and a sense of bewilderment about the unknown are evident in the eyes of these people.

Yang Song, that fat pig, is currently hanging naked on the city gate tower, letting the cold wind blow through him. It's as if he's finally vented the anger they've been holding in for half their lives.

but,

and then?

They believed in the "Five Pecks of Rice Religion" for half their lives, donating countless "merit grains," only to have Yang Song and his gang of charlatans line their own pockets and forcibly abduct women.

The "Heavenly Way" recited by Master Zhang Lu could not protect them, and the divine talismans he drew could not conjure up a bowl of hot porridge.

Who will the people of this city rely on to survive tomorrow this winter?

Faith has crumbled, and the stomach is empty.

This is the most accurate portrayal of the people of Hanzhong at this moment.

"Ahem—! Folks in the back, can you hear me?!"

Zhao Yu raised the loudspeaker, which brought the people back to their senses, and they looked at Zhao Yu in front of them.

"Fellow villagers, did you feel good when you beat Yang Song, that fat pig, to death last night?"

It'll definitely feel great!

But when you woke up this morning, without Zhang Song, did you feel even emptier and more afraid?

These words, like a blunt knife, precisely dissected the reality that the people dared not face.

Many women's eyes reddened, and they lowered their heads to secretly wipe away their tears.

"You are afraid because you suddenly realize that the five bushels of rice you handed over cannot bring you the blessing of the Lord of the Land, but only the Shu brocade in Yang Song's backyard!"

Your confusion stems from the realization that Zhang Shijun's Heavenly Dao is too high and too distant, so distant that it cannot possibly reach you in your present moment.

Zhao Yu took a few steps back, picked up a bag of grain, and placed it in front of the people.

"But that's precisely why our Han army is here!"

"The blessings of Laozi are unseen and intangible, but Prime Minister Cao's grain is real! These 300,000 shi of fine rice are right here in front of you!"

A commotion arose in the crowd.

"We contacted the Prime Minister urgently last night, and the reply just arrived."

Zhao Yu casually picked up a bamboo scroll, which was actually empty, and shook it with an air of importance.

"Last night, we urgently sent a message to the Prime Minister by carrier pigeon, and the reply just arrived!"

The Prime Minister—who is also my father-in-law—speaks out: The people of Hanzhong are all subjects of the Han Dynasty!

This 300,000 shi of grain is your hard-earned money! Since it belongs to you, then it should be taken from the people and used for the people!

"Not a single grain of Cao Cao's army will be taken! Today, open the granaries! Distribute the grain! Return it all in full!"

Upon hearing these words, the people stared wide-eyed. Was Zhao Yu joking?

You conquered our land and entered the city. It's already a miracle that you didn't plunder our grain. Instead, you returned the 300,000 shi of military grain you captured to the people.

There's no such thing as a free lunch!

Seeing that the people were skeptical, some wanting to act but not daring to, he watched as the crowd hesitated to act.

Xiahou Dun, standing to the side, knew that it was time for his master to speak up.

"Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, heed my command!!"

Didn't you hear what Brother Zhao said?

Open the granaries! Distribute all this grain to the elders and folks of Chenggu!

Anyone who dares to hoard even a single pill will be court-martialed!

"promise!!!"

He continued giving instructions at the top of his lungs: "Everything is here! I'll only say the rules once!"

Grain will be distributed by household. Each household will register first and receive one shi (a unit of dry measure) on the spot! The rest will be delivered to your homes by soldiers after dawn tomorrow!

Line up properly, no pushing! Those with elderly, weak, sick, or disabled family members, please move to the front!

Anyone who dares to use their strength to cut in line, take more than their share, or steal from others, I'll chop them to pieces!

The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, Cao Cao's most elite force, which was originally fierce and fearsome and made all the lords of the world tremble with fear, is now the gentlest "charitable unloaders" in the world.

Holding the wooden bucket and burlap sack in his hands, he moved with unusual gentleness, as if afraid of spilling a single drop of grain.

"Here you go, sir! Take it easy, be careful not to strain your back!"

A veteran of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, his face still bearing scars, grinned as he placed a grain sack on the back of an old farmer.

The old farmer's already hunched body swayed slightly under the weight.

I subconsciously touched my pocket.

it is true.

The sensation coming from the pocket was millet.

The old farmer looked at his chest, where there was still a red rope.

Hanging above is a yellow talisman from the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, bestowed by Zhang Lu, used to "ward off disasters and solve problems."

It's a thin piece of paper, light and airy, with no weight at all.

Only items that you can actually carry on your back and hold in your hands are real, tangible objects.

The old farmer seemed to have thought of something, and directly ripped off the yellow talisman from his chest.

He smashed the talisman that had deceived him for half his life into the mud and water, then crushed it to pieces with his shoe.

"To hell with those yellow talismans! They're just a bunch of bloodsucking scams!"

"Prime Minister Cao...Prime Minister Cao is the true savior of suffering and rescuing people from misery!!!"