After sending Zhang Lu and Zhao Yun back to their respective homes to rest, He Sian couldn't wait to prepare two letters and ordered them to be sent out overnight.
The first letter was written to Yuchi Yanyan, informing him that if he attacks the Western Regions next year, he must pay attention to this plant called Baidiezi. It will be of great use to him!
The second letter was sent to Zhang Ji together with Zhao Yun's cotton coat, asking him to try to plant some seeds in the cotton wadding to see if he could grow the kind of cotton he wanted.
...
Three days later, He Sian and Zhang Lu returned to Chengdu together.
Originally, Zhao Yun planned to return to Chengdu with everyone, but firstly, Zhao Yun had just gotten married, and secondly, the current strategy was mainly to recuperate. If there was a war, there might be changes in the north, so it was more suitable for Zhao Yun to stay in the north.
...
Xuchang
"Lord Sikong, General Xiahou and General Yu Jin attacked simultaneously. Liu Xun, the governor of Runan, surrendered without much resistance. It can be said that we captured Runan without a single blow! Please tell me what we need to do next. Sir Sikong made it clear!" Xun You bowed down and asked.
"What do you think Gongda (Xun You's word) should do next?" Cao Cao pondered for a moment and then spoke slowly.
"What Master Sikong said is absolutely true. This time we send troops, the emphasis is on the word 'odd'. Since it has been exposed, I believe that Yuan Shu must be prepared, and he must be wary of Yuan Shao going south. In this case, it is better to withdraw his troops directly and consolidate his current strength. It’s the best choice.”
"..Well, pass on my order. If Liu Xun has meritorious service, let him continue to be the governor of Runan. Order Xia Houyuan and Yu Jin to return to Xuchang immediately. Don't rush ahead because of greed for credit! Order Xun Yu to deal with the post-war handling, gather the refugees, etc. Work!"
After saying this, Cao Cao looked at Man Chong on the side and asked: "The autumn harvest is coming, how is the current situation in Xuchang?"
"Sikong, we are not optimistic. This year's harvest has been poor. We still need to take care of Runan. In addition..."
Seeing Man Chong hesitate to speak, Cao Cao frowned, but did not continue on this topic. Instead, he asked: "Has Liu Bei done anything unusual in the past few days?"
"Lord Sikong, according to the news from the maid, Liu Bei spends the whole day drinking and having fun, and even the dancers arranged by Lord Sikong are welcome!"
Cao Cao shook his head and said: "I think back then... Hey, we still can't take it lightly. I think Liu Bei is very scheming. Boning will continue to send people to keep an eye on him."
There was something Cao Cao didn't say, but he still sighed inwardly.
'Think about how Cao Cao's situation under the Grand Master was very similar to Liu Bei's now...'
Thinking of Dong Zhuo's fate, Cao Cao couldn't help but look gloomy.
"You guys go down first." Cao Cao seemed to have lost the nature of the conversation and waved his hand.
...
A quarter of an hour later, Man Chong left and returned.
After sending away the servants around him, Cao Cao sat up a little straighter, looked at Man Chong and said sternly: "Bo Ning, there are only you and me at the moment. If you have anything to say, it doesn't matter."
"To be honest, Lord Sikong, our food supply is already stretched thin at this time. This year... I'm afraid there will be a large-scale famine."
Hearing this, Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly and said nothing, just stared at Man Chong closely.
Faced with Cao Cao's eyes, large beads of sweat fell from Man Chong's face. After so many years of contact, Man Chong knew the temperament of Lord Sikong in front of him. At this moment, Lord Cao, who had all the power in the world, was already angry!
Man Chong did not dare to neglect and continued to speak: "Our Yuzhou and Yanzhou areas are already rich in water and soil. Even if the harvest is not good this year and there is an extra area in Runan, it will not be a big deal if we can survive this year, but... maybe Having sensed the food shortage this year, major aristocratic families and merchants have begun to stockpile food. The current price of food on the market has increased by nearly 40%...Looking at this situation, the trend is getting worse..."
'Snapped! ! '
Cao Cao slammed the table and shouted angrily: "Are these aristocratic families crazy? At this time of internal and external troubles, how dare you have such evil intentions?" As if thinking of something, Cao Cao calmed down his anger, looked at Man Chong with a smile and asked: "I almost forgot. The Man family that Boning belongs to is also from my Yanzhou family. I didn't do it against you just now. Don't blame Boning."
Hearing this, Man Chong hurriedly knelt down, touched his head to the ground, and said: "Sir Sikong is very kind to Man Chong, and he went against all opinions and promoted Chong to the county magistrate of Xuchang County. How could Man Chong let down His Highness?" , Chong Chong has a famous saying in the family, if anyone dares to participate in driving up food prices, the family rules will not tolerate it!"
Cao Cao nodded, and then asked: "Bo Ning is upright and upright, Cao Cao respects him very much. Tell me, which families are involved in this matter?"
Man Chong stopped talking and handed over a note respectfully...
After burning the incense, Cao Cao put the fold on the table, looked at Man Chong with disbelief, and asked: "Bo Ning... is this really true? This... doesn't this mean that all merchants from aristocratic families, as long as they are named? Are they all involved? Even Zilian (Cao Hong’s nickname, Cao Cao’s younger brother) is involved?”
Man Chong nodded helplessly and replied: "I'm afraid that's the case. Some people may not think too much about it, but they have developed a habit over the past tens or hundreds of years. Every clan will hoard the food produced by the clan at home every time there is a disaster. Firstly, it supplies food for the family, and secondly, when the food is in short supply, it can be sold at twice the price or even higher..."
Hearing this, Cao Cao lost his sight, sat back slumped, and asked, "Does Boning have a solution?"
"It's difficult... but it's not impossible!"
Hearing this, Cao Cao's eyes lit up and he looked at Man Chong, only to hear Man Chong continue to speak: "At this moment, we are surrounded by foreign enemies. It would be unwise to use thunderous means rashly... I suggest you choose a few small aristocratic families to perform the operation and kill the chickens to scare the monkeys!"
Cao Cao thought for a moment and shook his head.
"In this case, it is inevitable that the rabbit will die and the fox will feel sad, and a battle between Cao and Yuan Shao will inevitably occur. In this case, there may be changes. Hey, Boning, please go down first, I will think about it alone..."
After hearing this, Man Chong bowed and left. Just as he was about to walk out of the hall, he heard Cao Cao's voice from behind: "Cao Cao is really lucky to have such a good minister as Boning!"
Man Chong paused, turned around, bowed deeply, and slowly exited the hall.
Looking at Man Chong's leaving figure, Cao Cao's eyes were slightly confused, and a deep sense of powerlessness surged in his heart. After nearly four hundred years, the Han Dynasty had irreversibly perished. From Cao Cao's perspective, Naturally, it can be seen that all of this originated from the clan.
But now I have to rely on the clan, it seems like a never-ending cycle...
'Yuan Shao is like this, and so is himself. Where should he go? '
Cao Cao set his sights on the distant southwest. Isn't the series of reforms of King Hongnong what he yearned for? It's a pity that in the Central Plains where there are many aristocratic families, can it really be realized? Cao Cao shook his head, abandoning the distracting thoughts in his heart, and the business was to solve the predicament in front of him!
"Guo Jia is sent to Sikong Mansion to discuss matters!"
On the other side, walking on the spacious street, Man Chong did not go home directly, but walked straight to another house. Looking up, there were three big words written on the plaque, Sima Mansion!
After a while, Man Chong bowed deeply to the young man across from him and said sincerely: "Thank you, brother Zhongda, for reminding me. Otherwise, if this matter is discovered after the autumn harvest, it will definitely cause a disaster!"
"Hey, Brother Boning is too praiseworthy. This is what Yi should do. I'm ashamed to say that I can't think of a solution for a moment. But my father has already restrained our Sima clan and will never raise food prices. ." Sima Yi said apologetically.
"What did Zhongda say? But as a brother, I really don't know one thing. With Zhongda's talent, he is absolutely as good as filial piety. Why don't you want to become an official?"
"Hey, Yi is still young. He still wants to travel thousands of miles to see the world. He doesn't want to get involved in officialdom too early. Please forgive me, Brother Boning!"
"That's right, brother Zhongda is not as good as Wen Guan, but his magnanimity is far better than mine. I think there are only a few people in this world who can compare with him, such as King Hongnong and Fengxiao."
The two sides exchanged a few polite words, and Man Chong said goodbye and left. After all, as the magistrate of Xuchang County, which is equivalent to the current mayor of Beijing, he naturally has many official duties to deal with.
After sending Man Chong away, Sima Yi's smile gradually faded.
'The birth of King Hongnong was too sudden, and there was no chance to deploy people. However, Yizhou is in a corner. As long as everything goes well in Liangzhou, King Hongnong will be like a turtle in a urn, unable to make big waves.
As for Cao Cao, we cannot fall just yet, otherwise we will have no chance if Yuan Shao goes south to unify the Central Plains.
But Jia Xu, Guo Jia...' Sima Yi showed a strange smile...
At the same time, in the dense forest south of the Huai River, a figure was staggering away. Looking carefully, this person's appearance was similar to that of Yan Pu. He was Yan Xiang who escaped from Shouchun Prison.
Originally, Yan Xiang and the Xu brothers were rescued more than a month ago, but Yuan Huan did not leave with everyone because his hands and feet were crippled.
After coming out, everyone learned that the other party had sent their families to Xiangyang for refuge a few days ago, and they couldn't help but be grateful for the other party's attentiveness.
Watching the Xu brothers leave, Yan Xiang did not follow them. At this time, Yan Xiang was particularly calm. This incident was full of weirdness from beginning to end. Since his family was safe, he had no worries. He had to prove it. Whatever is on your mind!
Due to the war in Runan, there were many refugees in Shouchun at this time. Yan Xiang disguised himself, mingled with the refugees, and secretly returned to Shouchun.
Soon, Yan Xiang received a piece of news that was both unexpected and not particularly surprising... On the night they left, a fire broke out in the dungeon. According to rumors, all the prisoners were not spared and were all burned alive!
After all, if the prisoner escapes, it will be easy to find out who is responsible. It would be better to burn them completely. According to Huainan customs, a person who died violently cannot move the body within seven days, otherwise he will easily be haunted by evil spirits!
So Yan Xiang found a hidden place in Dalao and observed secretly. After all, Yuan Huan is the one who knows the inside story about the art of witchcraft. I believe the other party also knows this, so if what Yuan Huan said is true, there will be In such an accident, the other party will definitely come back secretly to check the body to confirm whether Yuan Huan is really dead...
In other words, if someone really comes secretly, then... Yan Xiang can't imagine...
