Three Kingdoms: Cao Cao is stunned when he reveals his time-traveling identity.

Five days later.

For the past five days, the city of Xudu has been unusually peaceful.

Besides Cao Chun's bold and decisive actions, leading a small squad of Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to search for a house for Su Chen throughout the Sikong Mansion.

Nothing happened.

In the past few days, Cao Cao has been making various excuses to get Su Chen to come to the Sikong Mansion.

There was no action taken.

It wasn't until five days later that Cao Cao took action.

On this day, he summoned Xun Yu, Xun You, and other prominent figures from various aristocratic families to his residence.

Incidentally, Su Chen was also called over.

"Uncle, what brings Sikong here today?"

Xun You looked at Xun Yu with a puzzled expression.

Xun You originally thought there was something important to discuss.

Instead of going to the military camp, they went directly to the Minister of Works' residence.

Moreover, all the people invited this time were from prominent aristocratic families!

Xun You vaguely remembered the last time Cao Cao did this.

It's when you're short of money...

Now, could it be that they're short of money again?

Thinking of this, Xun You felt quite helpless.

Whether it's the Xun family or other prominent aristocratic families, they are all willing but powerless now.

After years of fighting, he had given almost all of his money and supplies to Cao Cao.

The warehouse is currently completely empty.

Even the landlords didn't have any surplus grain!

Xun Yu did not answer, clearly sharing the same thought as Xun You.

However, he wasn't thinking about what to do with the money.

This book was first published on 2020s.com, providing you with a reading experience free of errors and disordered chapters.

The question is, what exactly happened?

They actually went to such lengths to invite so many prominent families and gentry.

Soon, the group arrived in front of Cao Cao.

"Lord Sikong, may I ask what brings you here today?"

Xun Yu spoke first.

Cao Cao's expression was quite solemn as he scanned the crowd before him.

After a moment, he handed a document to Xun Yu:

"See for yourselves."

Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.

However, upon seeing the document, Xun Yu couldn't help but frown:

"Is the palace being expanded?"

Upon hearing these four words, everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

Su Chen, who was standing to the side, also raised an eyebrow slightly.

Is Liu Xie up to something again?

"That's right."

Cao Cao was also quite troubled at this time.

He couldn't refuse this request.

No matter what Cao Cao says now, he is still nominally the Minister of Works of the Imperial Court.

No matter what, we have to keep a respectable appearance.

When Liu Xie was moved to Xuchang, a simple palace was built for him to live in.

Compared to the imperial palaces of Luoyang and Chang'an, it was worlds apart.

However, this simple palace cost Cao Cao a great deal of money.

As a result, Cao Cao had no choice but to use his father Cao Song's inheritance.

Although Cao Cao now commands more cities and has more money and supplies than before.

However, it is still somewhat lacking in terms of its suitability for repairing the imperial palace.

"This renovation was initiated by the emperor's brother-in-law, Dong Cheng, in conjunction with various powerful clans."

"If we were to allocate so much money to repair the palace now..."

"Then daily expenses became a big problem."

Cao Cao briefly explained the current situation.

However, he did not intend to ask the Xun family for money.

Cao Cao knew perfectly well how much money these people still had.

He can afford to pay this amount.

But what should I do after I've finished?

Xun Yu frowned deeply.

After thinking for a long time, he finally spoke:

"If that's the case, then we'll have no choice but to cut costs across the board."

"This is the only way during this period, in order to repair the palace."

Cao Cao nodded slightly.

That was his thought as well.

The palace definitely needs to be repaired, so the only option is for the staff to tighten their belts for a while.

Once we capture Xuzhou, the situation will improve considerably.

only……

Cao Cao frowned and waved his hand, saying:

"This is the only way we can do it."

"If we do it that way, we'll be fine."

"It's the common people who suffer."

"If this leads to resentment among the people, then it will be a losing proposition."

The question left everyone speechless.

There was simply no one who could find a better solution.

There is no other choice but to cut back on expenses to get through this period.

Xun Yu was always loyal to the Han Dynasty, not to Cao Cao.

However, this time, he also felt that Dong Cheng and the others had gone too far.

What time is it now?

Many battles were fought, and numerous feudal lords rose up.

If all the money is used to repair the palace, how can we fight a war?

How to get the feudal lords to submit?

But it's too late to say such things now.

Seeing that no one could say anything.

Cao Cao couldn't help but look at Su Chen beside him:

"Jingming, do you have a solution?"

Su Chen was stunned.

He originally thought he was just there to watch the drama unfold.

How come I have something to do with this?

It's clear that Cao Cao has spoken.

After thinking for a moment, Su Chen spoke:

"There is a method that might work."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked up at Su Chen.

Especially Xun Yu and Xun You.

They wanted to see what insightful opinions this clerk, who had gained such favor so quickly upon entering the camp, could offer.

After the battle of Wancheng, he simply couldn't believe that Su Chen had accomplished anything.

If there were any achievements, they would not have been left unmentioned in the battle report.

Su Chen slowly spoke:

"Do you all remember the story of Shang Yang establishing trust by moving a log during the Qin Dynasty in the Warring States period?"

To establish trust by moving a log?

Upon hearing these four words, everyone was stunned.

Xun Yu then immediately understood Su Chen's meaning:

"What Su Zhubu means is that we should follow Shang Yang's example and implement this method to motivate the people."

"To avoid public resentment?"

Su Chen nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and continued:

"However, this method cannot be used on ordinary people."

"It's for us, that is, for the officials."

What do the people hate most?

"It's a case of 'the magistrate is allowed to set fires, but the common people are forbidden to light lamps.'"

"If we take the lead and set an example."

"After seeing this, even if they have to cut back on spending, they won't harbor too much resentment."

Upon hearing Su Chen's words, Cao Cao couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

What a convenient excuse for double standards: officials are allowed to set fires while commoners are forbidden to light lamps.

That's a really insightful answer!

"So, what should we do?"

Xun Yu asked the question again.

Su Chen only mentioned it once, and he immediately felt it was feasible.

But unexpectedly, the target was an official.

Su Chen continued:

"It's simple, we'll set a challenge for ourselves."

"If someone can manage to spend only twenty copper coins a month, then they can obtain two thousand copper coins."

"If someone can do it, then they can serve as a warning to others."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately lost their composure.

Xun Yu took a deep breath and said:

"Twenty coins?"

"That's probably too difficult."

"When establishing trust by moving a log, the challenge set was extremely simple."

Even though Xun Yu lived a frugal life in his daily life.

But spending twenty coins a month is simply an impossible task!

Su Chen shook his head and said:

Different problems require different solutions.

"Given the current situation, we need to set a striking challenge."

"How can the people be convinced?"

One sentence left everyone speechless.

……