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

Seeing that Cao Cao had given his permission, Chen Deng calmly began to speak:

"Since Sikong invited me, my father sent me here."

"It was mainly to express our respect for Sikong."

"This time, Cao Cao promoted a spirit of frugality throughout the city and the army in order to repair the imperial palace."

"And also to recruit a large number of talented people from both aristocratic and humble backgrounds for the Han Dynasty."

"His unwavering loyalty to the Han Dynasty is a testament to Heaven and Earth."

These words clearly demonstrate Chen Deng's stance.

In fact, Chen Dengneng's presence already demonstrated his stance.

Back then, whether it was Lü Bu or Liu Bei...

They invited the Chen family members.

But none of them succeeded.

Cao Cao merely smiled upon hearing this:

"Give my regards to your father."

Chen Deng smiled slightly and continued:

"I will certainly convey your message."

"My father has a question that I have asked him to convey to Sikong."

"If Sikong were to take control of Jingzhou, how should taxes be collected?"

Upon hearing this question, Cao Cao was taken aback.

He didn't expect Chen Deng to get straight to the point and throw such a bombshell question at him right away.

He smiled slightly and replied:

"Currently, Yanzhou collects 20% of the taxes."

"If the north can be pacified one day, the minimum can be reduced to 10% in the future."

This answer made Chen Deng frown slightly.

Two-tenths is already a fairly low tax rate.

As for the 10% mentioned later, just take it with a grain of salt.

Is it possible for the price to be that low?

In the later period of the Han Dynasty, taxes were heavy.

Cao Cao's reply relieved Chen Deng of a great weight.

Suddenly, Chen Deng slowly stood up, cupped his hands respectfully, and said:

"I already know Sikong's intentions."

"I, Chen Deng, am willing to respond to Sikong on behalf of the Chen family."

"If the Grand Commandant intends to march on Xuzhou, my Chen family and all the gentry of Xuzhou are willing to submit to him!"

These words almost made Mi Zhu, who was standing to the side, spit out his water.

What the hell?!

With just a few words, Chen Deng was willing to submit?

And he even brought along the gentry of Xuzhou?!

But thinking about it carefully, a 20% tax rate is really tempting.

In the world today, apart from Cao Cao, no other warlord dares to utter such a sentence!

Because Cao Cao didn't tell the truth either!

The tax revenue in Yanzhou is indeed very low now, but it is still around 30%.

Cao Cao dared to say this because he intended to implement it in the future!

The lower the taxes, the more comfortable the people are, and the easier it is to win their hearts.

Not to mention the common people, even the gentry were affected.

However, low taxes mean that military spending will become extremely tight.

This needs to be carefully considered.

But regarding the matter of traveling as a merchant that Su Chen mentioned earlier.

It contains salt, sugar, and alcohol.

These three things are enough to support the consequences of low taxes!

That's why Cao Cao dared to make such a statement!

However, Chen Deng's statement made Mi Zhu quite uneasy.

The two men came together, and Cao Cao's purpose was clearly to test their opinions on Cao Cao's acquisition of Xuzhou.

At present, both Lü Bu and Liu Bei have led their armies south to attack the rebel Yuan Shu.

The moment those two nodded, Cao Cao's intentions were crystal clear!

Chen Deng is now speaking on behalf of the gentry.

What remains is the attitude of Mi Zhu, representing the common people!

In an instant, countless eyes were focused on Mi Zhu.

"What does Zizhong think?"

Just then, Chen Deng suddenly spoke up.

This statement cornered Mi Zhu.

Mi Zhu was immediately ashamed.

He hasn't fully figured out what to do yet.

If he doesn't make a statement now, it's clear he won't be able to leave the Sikong Mansion.

As for Chen Deng, the hope was naturally that he would agree.

Xuzhou certainly can't rely on Lü Bu and Liu Bei right now.

In Chen Deng's eyes, neither of them was reliable.

Only by joining Cao Cao's forces can Xuzhou be kept at peace.

Although Cao Cao had previously massacred the city of Xuzhou, so what?

Chen Deng wouldn't care about these things.

That was entirely Tao Qian's own fault; he was too stupid and dared to attack Cao Song.

At least Cao Cao wouldn't do such a thing now.

It looks like things are about to get really bad.

Mi Zhu was truly a man of few words.

Just then, a young voice came over:

"Mr. Mi, please don't be so nervous."

"Actually, there is another reason why I invited you here today."

Upon hearing this, Mi Zhu immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

That sentence undoubtedly saved his life!

He couldn't help but look towards the source of the sound.

The speaker was none other than Su Chen!

Su Chen?!

Upon learning that Su Chen had said these words, Mi Zhu immediately became agitated again.

Regardless of whether Su Chen has any say in the matter.

He was talking about something else entirely. Could it be that he was referring to marrying his own sister, Mi Zhen?

This doesn't solve the problem at all!

Chen Deng looked at Su Chen with slight displeasure.

However, Cao Cao chuckled and said:

"Jingming is the host of this banquet."

"Speak."

This clearly demonstrates that Su Chen has the right to speak.

Mi Zhu took a deep breath:

"Please speak freely, sir."

Su Chen smiled slightly, stood up, and slowly began to speak:

"Actually, the reason for inviting Mr. Mi here this time is..."

"I'm planning to discuss a business deal with you."

"Business?"

Mi Zhu was stunned.

"right."

"The imperial palaces of Chang'an and Luoyang were burned down by the traitor Dong Zhuo."

"At present, the purpose is to repair the imperial palace, enhance the prestige of the Han Dynasty, and protect the emperor's dignity."

"Right now, our army urgently needs to accumulate money and provisions for the Han Dynasty."

"Tax revenue alone is far from enough."

"Therefore, we need Mr. Mi's help."

Su Chen's face was full of smiles.

But Mi Zhu didn't think this smile was anything good!

What does this mean?

Are you suggesting I ask him to donate money?

"This... I am willing to lend Sikong a hand."

"But this matter is far too large, and my family's wealth is far from sufficient."

Mi Zhu was almost in tears.

Even if he gave up all his wealth, it wouldn't be enough to repair the palace.

Su Chen waved his hand and said:

"Mr. Mi has misunderstood."

"I've already said it, this is a business deal."

"Business? What kind of business are you going to do, sir?"

Mi Zhu's voice trembled slightly.

Sugar, salt, and alcohol.

Su Chen remained calm and uttered three words.

sugar?!

Salt?!

There's alcohol too? ??

At this point, he couldn't hold back any longer.

No matter how successful he was as a businessman, he couldn't understand the meaning of Su Chen's words at all!

"Well... wine aside, sugar and salt are scarce commodities."

"Where can it be used for business?!"

Mi Zhu felt that Su Chen was deliberately making fun of him.

Chen Deng, standing to the side, also let out a silent snort.

This young man is ultimately too young.

They can't even make up nonsense.

"Yeah?"

Su Chen remained calm and gave a wink to the attendant not far away.

The attendant immediately understood.

Immediately afterwards, more than ten servants entered from outside the door.

In their hands, they each carried a wooden board covered with a black cloth.

"What...what are these things?"

This immediately attracted everyone's attention, and they all craned their necks to look.

……