March 25th.
Cao's army was stationed in the camp of Huang County.
Located in the Chinese army camp, Cao Ang was holding a simple piece of wood in his hand, and the knife in his right hand was carving on it quickly. A large number of wood chips fell rustlingly in an instant.
Soon there was a layer on the ground.
But it only takes a cup of tea before and after.
The wood in Cao Ang's hand had already taken on a basic form. It was a bird of prey stretching out on a shelf with its wings spread out.
And after revealing its basic form.
Cao Ang immediately put down the carving knife, put his hands on the head of the raptor statue, then muttered something in his mouth, and suddenly exerted force on his arms.
The next moment.
Five colors of rays of light lit up inside the tent, which was so gorgeous and dazzling. If Cao Ang hadn't been the only one in the tent and he had lowered the curtain early, outsiders might have seen it and thought there was some rare treasure.
A few long breaths passed like this.
The five-colored glow gradually faded.
In its place was an unusually handsome golden eagle, its wings spread out like blades and feathers, its eyes as sharp as thorns, and its beak faintly flashing with cold light. It looked extremely fierce and majestic, ready to fly high.
And the most amazing thing.
The feathers of this golden eagle statue are all gray-brown, and a section from the head to the neck downwards is dotted with a large number of golden feathers.
Including the base of the wings and tail feathers, there are also immature white area marks.
simply put.
This statue was imitated by Cao Ang using his skills as a reference, using the golden eagle he owned named "Tweet" as a reference.
Except that it cannot fly, scream, and has no life, every other feature can be said to be a perfect replica. At this moment, it is placed quietly on the table, giving people the illusion that it will fly high in the next second.
"Chirp?"
Accompanied by a slightly suspicious bird call.
The little Jiujiu, who was forcibly pulled by Cao Ang to be a model, immediately flew to the table with two flutters from the shelf it was standing on.
Then he started walking around and observing the lifelike statue, and from time to time he would flap his wings twice and make a gust of wind.
Although it was just an eagle, Cao Ang could still sense the confusion in the golden eagle's eyes by relying on his connection with it.
Where did one of its kind come from?
…………
The next incense time.
It has grown into a semi-monstrous creature, and after a little more time, it can completely transform into the adult bird, Chirping, and began to test the statue in various ways.
He made sounds again, flapped his wings gently, hoping to get some response, just like seeing himself reflected in the river for the first time.
And seeing this situation.
Cao Ang did not stop him. Instead, he put his hands behind his back and looked on with a smile.
Of course, he was not bored, having nothing to do and engage in entertainment activities after eating, but it was a test of his own skills in disguise.
According to the description on the stone tablet on the ship.
This skill can forge between dead objects and create identical fakes.
At the same time, it is camouflaged among living creatures. As long as it is not attacked, its outer appearance will not be broken.
And Cao Ang wanted to experiment.
What kind of effect will there be when a dead thing is used to imitate a living thing? Is it a direct failure to activate the skill, or is it a compromise of the effect?
Of course, Cao Ang had never thought about giving life to a dead object and turning it into a living thing like the reference object.
If he was really that awesome, how could he unify the world and just become the God of Creation?
And the results shown now.
It was quite satisfactory to Cao Ang.
Except for the lack of life, the things created by using skills appear to be the same in all other appearance characteristics.
This also means that Cao Ang can use this skill to do more things in the future.
…………
While Cao Ang was thinking.
Suddenly there was a sound of footsteps outside the camp.
Then Xu Chu's voice was heard coming in through the curtain.
"General, there is someone outside the tent asking to see you!"
Cao Ang casually put the golden eagle statue into the place where the big guy usually squatted, and then asked.
"Why, it's those families in Huang County again. That one named Li Xu wants to see me?"
"The general who reported back is not a member of the big or small family in Huang County, but a person who has never been seen before."
"This person says his name is Mi Fang. He comes from the Mi family in the East China Sea. He came all the way from Xuzhou to pay a visit to the general. Since he doesn't know his details, my subordinates came to report. I hope you can tell me, general."
The name was pinpointed in my mind.
Cao Ang suddenly raised his eyebrows, and a strange look flashed in his eyes.
"Mi Fang?"
Of course, this person is not unfamiliar to Cao Ang, and it can even be said that he has a deep memory. However, what left a deep impression in Cao Ang's mind was not his good reputation, but rather his reputation and being despised by others.
…………
The so-called Mi Fang.
He is the second eldest son of the Mi family, Mi Zhu's younger brother.
According to the original historical trajectory, Liu Bei came to Xuzhou and inherited Tao Qian's inheritance. The Mi family also chose to invest heavily in him, and even followed him with his family.
This can be described as a top entrepreneurial partner.
After Liu Bei established a foothold in the Sichuan and Sichuan areas, he naturally reciprocated his kindness and gave the Mi family considerable courtesy and rewards.
Mi Zhu suddenly became a veteran, a leading figure in the civil servant system. Unless such a person and family raised a banner to revolutionize Liu Bei's life, they would only stand like a rock on Mount Tai.
But this is the wonder of the world.
Mi Fang and Fu Shiren chose to surrender on the battlefield in Jingzhou and directly sold Guan Yu. This was something no one expected.
Among them, Mi Fang, as Mi Zhu's younger brother, a person with such a high status, could actually do such a thing, which really shocked many people.
While the family's honor was ruined and his brother died of illness due to the guilt in his heart, he also left himself with an infamy that will never be erased.
…………
certainly.
For this twenty-five-year-old boy.
Cao Ang actually didn't take it too seriously.
Compared to this tiny individual, he is more concerned about the entire Mi family.
The Mi family of the East China Sea may not be famous in the world, but in Qingxu and other coastal areas, and even in the entire Kanto region, they can be called extremely wealthy.
Our ancestors have been in business for generations, engaging in various businesses including traditional agriculture, goods trading, salt mining, fishing, etc. Especially after the collapse of the imperial court at the end of the Han Dynasty, the development speed was like a rocket stuck under the buttocks, and it kept flying upwards. .
developed to this stage.
There are nearly ten thousand servants and diners alone. This is an exaggerated number. As for the money, treasures, and land owned by their names, they are even more numerous.
The Cao family is actually quite wealthy.
But when Cao Ang asked himself, compared with the Mi family, he could only be described as poor.
Now Liu Bei is still living in Pingyuan County as his county magistrate. At the same time, he has attracted a wave of hatred from Yuan Shao on his behalf, and has tied him to death.
It is now almost impossible for Liu Xuande to repeat his experience, accept the inheritance of Tao Qian, the top leader in Xuzhou, and get investment from the Mi family.
So Cao Ang was thinking about something.
Anyway, the Mi family's money will rot in the warehouse. So since you can't invest in Liu Bei, it should be the same to help me, Cao Ang, right?
Um!
People from the Mi family can meet.
In the future, they will be very aware of current affairs and will be happy to become a small shareholder of Cao Group.
Think of this.
Cao Ang immediately ordered Xu Chu.
"Zhongkang, please lead people into the tent!"
…………
It didn't take long.
Another burst of dense footsteps came.
And after Cao Ang gave his permission.
The originally closed camp curtain was immediately opened from the outside, and suddenly a gust of cold wind in late winter blew into the tent along with the figure of the visitor. While the candlelight flickered, it also made people sober-minded. a bit.
"Mi Fang, I have met the general!"
He bowed down as the visitor came.
Cao Ang also looked at him a few times.
I saw Mi Fang, who was dressed in brocade and rich clothes, with gold and jade around her waist. Although she had come all the way from a long way, there was no trace of dust or embarrassment on her body, and she really seemed to be a bit wealthy.
But what made Cao Ang shake his head and sigh was.
This guy's appearance is average.
He can only be considered average-looking, and despite his ordinary appearance, he is a bit lean, with narrow eyes, and a bit of shrewdness.
After a quick glance.
Cao Ang immediately smiled, stepped forward to lift him up, and said politely at the same time.
"I have always heard of the Mi family in Donghai. Everyone in the world says that your family is one of the richest in the world. When I saw it today, it turns out that the name is well-deserved."
"Moreover, the two brothers of the Mi family are also rare talents in the world. It's a pity that your brother Mi Zizhong didn't get to meet him today."
…………
I heard Cao Ang's words of praise, although they were polite.
A somewhat overflowing smile appeared on Mi Fang's face.
Then he raised his hands to Cao Ang and said: "Don't dare, don't dare. Our Mi family is just a small businessman family. We have accumulated a little bit by virtue of the diligence of our ancestors for generations. How dare we claim to be rich in front of you, general."
"As for my brother, I have been appointed as Xuzhou's special commander by Lord Taofu of Xuzhou. It is inconvenient for me to move around. I can only sit in Donghai County. Otherwise, I heard that General you are here, and I will come to see you in person no matter what. of!"
This is also a courtesy.
However, Cao Ang was good at extracting the key information he wanted from just a few words.
So Mi Fang just finished speaking.
He couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, showing an unobservable look of thoughtfulness.
The next second.
Cao Ang then asked unintentionally: "Brother, if you are sitting in Donghai County, do you think Zifang is in charge of the family's business affairs?"
Mi Fang didn't notice anything strange.
He just nodded quickly.
"I dare not say anything about the matter, but running between counties in Qingxu and other places is indeed led by me. This time I came all the way from Langya County to General."
Speaking of which.
Cao Ang has thoroughly understood the power structure of the Mi family. Mi Zhu has the highest power, but Mi Fang is responsible for ordinary specific affairs.
It seems that what he wants to achieve is to let the Mi family use their family capital and part of their assets to help and invest in the Cao family.
We still have to talk to Mi Zhu, a key figure.
…………
certainly.
Even if this is confirmed.
Cao Ang would not open his mouth and drive Mi Fang back.
Instead, after inviting him to sit down in the tent, he asked with a smile on his face.
"The journey from Langya County to here is not very short. Even if you gallop along with a fast horse, it will take several days."
"Zifang worked so hard. He must not just come to visit me. He probably has some purpose. So you might as well say it bluntly."
After hearing this.
Mi Fang hesitated for a moment, but quickly recovered and said to Cao Ang with a touch of temptation.
"I'm here because of the decree issued by the Qingzhou Prefecture not long ago. The salt fields in Qingzhou need to be sold to the government. From now on, one family can no longer mine salt mines privately."
"Many families and businessmen are involved in this. I am here just to ask for your favor, General, on behalf of some of them."
"These families are willing to hand over most of their profits, just to keep the salt field. I hope you can be noble and generous and give these families a way to survive. I will also be very grateful to you, General!"
…………
This is the end.
Cao Ang's brows suddenly frowned.
The smile on his face gradually faded away, replaced by a somewhat serious and dissatisfied look.
Although he guessed that Mi Fang came all the way here, it would not be a good thing. He was interceding for the families who owned the salt fields, and he also wanted to have privileges under his own concept of treating everyone equally.
This is simply a matter of ignorance.
How dare you do this?
Think of this.
Cao Ang immediately said in a unswerving tone: "What do you mean by giving them a way to survive? I can't get any of these salt fields and just take them away by force?"
"Or is it that if these salt fields are lost, their huge families, which have been passed down for generations, will starve to death because they have no food to eat?"
Cao Ang's dissatisfaction was clearly expressed.
The corners of Mi Fang's mouth twitched immediately.
He also knew that the request he made was dancing on Cao Ang's minefield. After all, the order from the state government represented Cao Ang's will.
The resolute attitude is basically the common view of the aristocratic families from all over Qingzhou towards this order.
It’s just that now that I’m here, I’m here.
It's impossible to go back after just two minutes, so you have to work hard.
Therefore, Mi Fang still had to bite the bullet and bowed her hand to Cao Ang and said, "Under the general's rule, the government will naturally handle affairs in a fair manner, and there will never be any intention to rob."
"These families who own salt farms have accumulated a lot of wealth in their daily lives, which is enough for them to have enough food and clothing."
"It's just that after all, these families rely on the sea for their livelihood. After losing the salt farm, they have lost their foundation. No matter how much money they have to save food, there will be a day when they run out of food. Therefore, this is the way to survive."
…………
Listen to this argument.
Cao Ang sneered.
Then he asked: "Under our Han Dynasty, there are many local clans, but those who can inherit wealth for more than three generations need to meet certain conditions."
"On this basis, if you want to go further and inherit the family for a long time, the conditions required are even more stringent. Do you know anything about this?"
Mi Fang vaguely guessed what Cao Ang wanted to say.
But he still stiffened his neck and nodded.
"If someone in the family is an official for more than 2,000 dan, it can guarantee wealth for at least three generations. If the official can earn 2,000 dan from generation to generation, the family can be passed down for a long time, and it is not impossible for the family to even become a famous family."
"If there is no senior official in the family, it is okay to pass down poems and books to the family."
"Or wealthy businessmen can also pass it on for several generations, but it rarely lasts long."
If the family is passed down purely by wealth and lacks social status and social connections, then the next generation will often face plunder and slaughter after the person who maintains the network of the current generation dies, so it will not last long.
After Cao Ang got the answer he wanted.
He tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
He stared at Mi Fang and said.
"Families located in coastal counties can rely on their right to mine sea salt and control the production, transportation and sale of salt. As a result, they can obtain massive benefits. In just a few years, they often surpass ordinary families by more than a dozen. Years, even decades, of accumulation.”
"As far as I know, there are many families in Donglai County, Qingzhou, who do not meet the conditions you mentioned above, but they can still pass on the family from generation to generation. What do they rely on? Do I need to repeat it? ?”
"Besides, in recent years, the land of Qingzhou has been in chaos. The salt officials set up by the imperial court are either colluding or unable to control the situation. In short, they are all useless. This has caused the families and businessmen who own the salt fields to escape how much money they have paid to the national treasury. Taxes, if I check them one by one, how many people will survive?"
…………
Cao Ang didn't save any face in his words.
And it's not over yet.
After a slight pause for a few seconds, Mi Fang digested her words, and at the same time watched his face gradually become a bit gloomy.
Then he continued talking to himself.
"This general has already said that bygones are bygones, all previous accounts have been written off, and they will not be touched again in the future. This is already a great gift, and it is really puzzling to think of pushing further."
"With the huge family fortune accumulated over the years, you can buy land and become a big landowner in a short period of time. This will save you decades of time and countless detours."
"If this can be considered a difficult life and a way of survival needs to be provided, then I am afraid that if you ask around the Han Dynasty, countless people will fight to the death, and they must come and experience such a life."
The words fell.
Mi Fang was completely silent.
He really couldn't argue.
Whether he is presenting facts or reasoning, it is difficult for him to refute and fight back openly, because the facts are as Cao Ang said, and his side is not reasonable at all.
As for the non-explicit ones.
Then there is no need to talk about it.
When things got to this point, Mi Fang really wanted to get up and say goodbye to Cao Ang, so she just walked away, no longer caring about anything else, and felt relaxed.
But when I think of the Li family and other major families in Huang County, they are worried about the huge benefits he has promised and the spread of the private salt transfer policy.
Mi Fang decided to bite the bullet, bite the bullet, and give it one last try anyway.
…………
Monthly ticket recommendation ticket
(End of chapter)
