Three Kingdoms: Let Yuan Shen be great again

Wancheng, the residence of the Crown Prince Zhong and concurrently the Grand Commander's Office.

Yuan Yao held the latest intelligence he had just received, beaming with joy.

Liu Ye, standing nearby, asked curiously, "Why is Young Master laughing?"

"Ziyang, come and take a look." Yuan Yao handed the intelligence to the other party, saying excitedly, "Cao Cao marched into Hanoi County, crossed the river directly and attacked, defeating Sui Gu in one battle. Sui Gu himself was even killed by Cao Ren, and Hanoi completely fell into Cao Cao's control."

Is this good news?

"Don't be hasty. Yuan Shao was furious when he heard about this. He had just defeated Gongsun Zan and was preparing to lead an army of 100,000 south. The two sides are currently facing off on the banks of the Yellow River!"

Liu Ye: "Hmm, that's true."

Yuan Yao: "It's not over yet. After Liu Bei seized Xuzhou, he also rallied Chang Xi of the Taishan Army to rise up in response, forming an anti-Cao alliance. Ah, how wonderful, how wonderful."

Liu Ye: "Is it better for Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to become enemies and confront each other, or for Liu Bei to raise an army against Cao Cao?"

Yuan Yao: "All are excellent! Yuan Shao is tall, Liu Bei is tough, and Cao Cao is both tall and tough! I truly admire them!"

In fact, the greatest threat to the newly established Zhong regime right now is naturally the legitimate Han court centered on Xuchang.

After all, Cao Cao was using the banner of "serving the emperor to command the disobedient," while Zhong, who usurped the title of emperor, was clearly the biggest disobedient in the world.

Fortunately, Yuan Shu's army was so incompetent that Cao Cao had more important things to do and was not in a hurry to send troops to Huainan.

Now, Cao Cao is facing threats from both Yuan Shao and Liu Bei, leaving him no time to deal with Yuan Yao, thus creating a valuable window of opportunity.

From this perspective, the elaborate and mysterious plan devised by Yuan Yao and Yang Hong was, to some extent, a strategy of feigning weakness to the enemy and concealing their true intentions.

Using Yang Hong's connections in Xuchang, Yuan Yao slightly simplified his family's financial plan and then deliberately sent it to Cao Cao's camp by accident. Cao Cao would only glance at it and think that Zhongshi's military investment was minimal, thus lowering his guard and making him less concerned.

But this state cannot last.

Sooner or later, Cao Cao would have to engage in a decisive battle with Yuan Shao to determine the fate of the north. Before that, he would certainly have to eliminate all unstable factors behind him, including the Zhong family, who were barely surviving in Huainan.

Therefore, before that, Yuan Yao must make the Zhong family strong as soon as possible so that they have enough ability to protect themselves.

Yuan Yao knew it would be difficult, but it was an order.

Fortunately, judging from the current situation, the Zhong regime is indeed on the right path of correcting the wrongs—thanks in part to the fact that Yuan Shu was so reactionary that it was hard for anyone to be more wrong than him.

After this period of transition, the various upheavals caused by Yuan Yao's coup have been eliminated, and the newly formed political structure is relatively stable and has begun to function, allowing various affairs to get back on track.

That evening, Yuan Yao routinely summoned a group of his close associates to hear the latest work reports.

Looking intently at the people in front of him, Yuan Yao was filled with emotion.

Yan Xiang has been busy encouraging farmers and mulberry growers lately. Due to years of war, large areas of land in Huainan have been abandoned, and it is necessary to organize manpower to restore production as soon as possible, otherwise there will be a food shortage again next year.

Cao Xing focused on military affairs, combining the training methods used by Lü Bu's army with the new experiences summarized by Yuan Yao, and planned to create an elite imperial guard that would be infinitely loyal to Yuan Yao.

Liu Ye stopped being as lazy as before. Perhaps he realized that Yuan Yao was more obedient to advice, at least much better than Liu Xun. He gradually became a responsible secretary, helping Yuan Yao to fill in the gaps in his work.

Oh right, there's also Huang Yi, he's quite good too, he has all four limbs.

The group reported to Yuan Yao in turn on the business they were responsible for, and overall the progress was going smoothly.

But it's not without its problems.

The biggest hidden danger is that the Zhong family's financial situation is not optimistic, and they are currently almost entirely supported by the huge inheritance left by Yuan Shu.

Although the sum of money was considerable, amounting to tens of millions, firstly, the situation in Huainan had deteriorated, prices had soared, and the cost of doing anything had increased significantly; secondly, Yuan Yaopu's business was quite large, and he had to do everything, so the money was being spent like water.

According to Yan Xiang's estimate, if things continue like this, the Zhong family will run out of money and be unable to continue operating in just over three months.

"It's about money again..."

Yuan Yao sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead.

Ever since he transmigrated here, he seems to have been constantly troubled by a lack of money. At the worst point, in order to redeem Miss Lü, he even started a crowdfunding campaign, which left him with a mountain of debt.

Back then, he only needed to raise 100,000 yuan, which he could manage by gritting his teeth. But now it's different. The Zhong regime's monthly operating costs alone exceed one million yuan. Which traitor would lend him that much?

Yuan Yao suddenly envied Liu Bei. The Xu Province that Liu Bei occupied had also been ravaged by war, and was probably not even as good as Huainan, but Liu Bei had a rich brother-in-law who was said to have a family fortune of over 100 million, which was simply outrageously wealthy.

Huh?

Yuan Yao immediately hatched a plan, and with a smirk, asked the crowd, "Speaking of which, are there any wealthy merchants in Huainan, um, similar to the Mi family of Xuzhou?"

That's why Huang Yi is different from others; he immediately answered without hesitation, "Yes."

There really is one?

Yuan Yao quickly asked, "Who is it?"

"They are the Qiao family, a prominent local family in Wancheng."

"The Qiao family? Approximately how much money do they have?"

"Money?" Huang Yi was taken aback. "It shouldn't be much, around a million."

Yuan Yao was immediately enraged: "What nonsense are you spouting if you have no money!"

Huang Yi felt very wronged: "Didn't you want someone similar to the Mi family? It's said that Lord Qiao's two daughters are exceptionally beautiful, far superior to the Mi family's daughters."

"..." Yuan Yao wanted to slap Huang Yi a couple of times: "What time is it? Still acting all high and mighty!"

Wait a minute, Yuan Yao suddenly froze.

Mr. Qiao? Two daughters? A beauty of unparalleled grace?

Could it be... the Qiao sisters?!

However, he had just rebuked Huang Yi, so he couldn't immediately retaliate. He could only continue talking about Dao Le.

"The Zhong family is facing financial difficulties; this situation can't continue. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

This was clearly a difficult question to answer, and everyone fell silent for a moment.

Unexpectedly, Huang Yi looked left and right, and seeing that no one was saying anything, he felt that he had succeeded.

Huang Yi: "Isn't it just a lack of money? I have a plan."

Yuan Yao looked utterly shocked: "You had a plan too?"

"What's so difficult about that?" Huang Yi said confidently, and even recited a passage from the Tao Te Ching on the spot: "The way of Heaven is to take from those who have more than enough and to give to those who have less than enough. It is nothing more than that."

Seeing that the other party was speaking logically and persuasively, Yuan Yao reluctantly raised a sliver of hope: "Alright, then tell me how to supplement it?"

Huang Yi: "It's not difficult. Many of our officials are extremely wealthy. We only need to encourage them to donate a portion of their assets and reduce their salaries. Wouldn't that allow us to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, ensuring we have ample funds?"

Yuan Yao: "..."

Huang Yi: "What's wrong?"

Yuan Yao: "I had this idea several months ago, and I even discussed it with Yang Hong."

Huang Yi: "My thoughts coincide with Your Highness's? What was Lord Yang's opinion on this proposal back then?"

Yuan Yao sighed and said, "He said this plan was very bold and highly original."

Huang Yi was overjoyed: "Even Lord Yang supports this?"

Liu Ye looked at Huang Yi with pity: "These two words are the harshest criticism."