Cao Cao's face looked particularly embarrassed.
At this moment, he finally understood why those officials and powerful nobles did not take him seriously!
Co-authoring someone has the ability to be arrogant!
"Mr. Nayi, what should I do?"
Cao Cao said helplessly.
"The safest way is to build a good relationship with the nobles like Qiao Mao did. Although it is inevitable to swallow your anger, it can save a lot of trouble."
Yang Ling said.
"no!"
Cao Cao refused without thinking.
He is a proud and arrogant person. When he was appointed as the Northern Lieutenant of Luoyang, he was unwilling to bow to the powerful.
How could it be possible to bow to these powerful nobles today?
Very good, this is the domineering hero Cao Cao!
Yang Ling's eyes flashed with appreciation and he continued,
"Another way is to suppress the noble clan with all your strength!"
"How to suppress it?"
"On meritocracy, recruit those from poor families as officials."
The selection of officials in the Han Dynasty was based on the inspection and promotion system.
But those who hold the power of inspection and examination are all noble families.
Therefore, most of those who can be elected are children of the noble family, and it is difficult for commoners to get ahead.
If Yang Ling followed Yang Ling's method and vigorously recruited children from poor families, the power of the noble clan could be curbed.
Cao Cao nodded thoughtfully,
"What you said makes sense, but that's not enough, right? You must know that the nobles still control a large amount of land and population."
"Prefect, don't worry, I have a second way."
Yang Ling smiled confidently,
"People are encouraged to open up wasteland. The land they acquire belongs to the people, but it cannot be traded and they need to pay a fixed tax every year."
"This is a good idea. It's just a matter of clearing up wasteland, not as simple as it sounds."
Cao Cao smiled bitterly and shook his head.
Opening up wasteland in ancient times was extremely difficult and time-consuming.
Historically, Cao Cao defeated the 300,000 Yellow Turban Army in Qingzhou, collected them all, and gave them to Xiahou Dun to farm, but he failed to solve the problem of food and grass.
Until the time he attacked Yuan Shu, Cao Cao was still facing a shortage of food.
If Sun Ce hadn't asked him to borrow 100,000 hu of grain and grass, he would have been defeated!
"It's difficult for others to open up wasteland, but for us, it's a piece of cake!"
Yang Ling said as he took out a piece of paper from his arms, and what seemed to be a tool was drawn on it.
"What is this?"
Cao Cao couldn't help but ask.
"This thing is called a Quyuan plow. If you use it to reclaim wasteland, you only need one person and one ox, and the efficiency will be three times that of the previous one!"
Yang Ling introduced with a smile.
"What?! How is this possible?"
Cao Cao couldn't help but exclaimed.
Even Xiahou Dun and others standing aside, who knew something about farming, were full of surprise!
If the Quyuan plow really has such a wonderful effect, then reclaiming wasteland will not be a problem!
"How dare I deceive the governor?"
Yang Ling continued with a smile,
"Didn't the prefect ask for a batch of iron materials from Yuan Shao? They can use them for the Quyuan plow."
Cao Cao used the imperial seal to trade with Yuan Shao, and in exchange he received not only Yuan Shao's support, but also a large amount of grain, grass, iron and other materials.
"The prefect can provide free plows to the people in the name of the government."
"In this way, within a year, a large amount of land will be reclaimed!"
"In addition, I also have new crop seeds in my hands, and the yield is five times that of previous crops!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the lobby was stunned!
A Quyuan plow was enough to surprise them, and Yang Ling even brought out crop seeds with a yield five times higher than before!
If they didn't believe in Yang Ling's character, everyone would even think he was talking nonsense!
"Can the Quyuan plow and new crop seeds solve the prefect's problems?"
Yang Ling asked with a smile.
Cao Cao took a few deep breaths, unable to hide the excitement and shock on his face.
"If this is true, it will definitely solve all the troubles!"
Meritocracy and giving priority to children from poor families can help Cao Cao win their support.
Provide people with plows and high-yielding seeds to encourage them to open up wasteland.
Not only can the people live and work in peace and contentment, but the tax problem will also be solved.
In this case, does Cao Cao still need to bow to the nobles?
I'm afraid that it won't be long before the nobles will be suppressed by him!
"Sir, you are truly an expert!"
Cao Cao couldn't help but admired from the bottom of his heart.
…
At the gate of Puyang County.
A group of officials came from a distance and stuck the notices in their hands on the wall next to the city gate.
Seeing this situation, many people gathered around curiously.
"Master Guan, what is written on this?"
Someone asked boldly.
A clerk came forward and said with a smile,
"The prefect has an order, but all the people in our East County are free to cultivate wasteland."
"Not only that, as long as you register your personal information with the government, the government will also rent you farm tools and cattle for free!"
"But the premise is that all reclaimed land is state-owned. You only have the right to cultivate, but you cannot trade freely!"
"In addition, the government will provide high-yielding seeds for free."
"Compared with the crops you grew before, the yield of these seeds is five times higher!"
Hearing this, the people were instantly in an uproar!
"What? The government will rent farm tools and cattle for free?!"
"And also provide seeds?"
"How can this be!"
Seeing the people's expressions of disbelief, the clerk smiled and said,
"Our governor, Mr. Cao, loves the people like his own son and cares about the people. How is it possible that this is impossible?"
"If you don't believe it, you can go to the county government office and have a look!"
Everyone, look at me, I look at you, I don’t know who screamed,
"Come on, let's take a look!"
His suggestion was immediately echoed by others.
After all, land was a scarce commodity in this world, and most of the land was concentrated in the hands of the gentry.
Many people relied on farming land for the nobles to obtain limited food and barely survive!
If the announcement from the government is true, then they would be more willing to open up wasteland themselves!
After all, although the land acquired through land reclamation belongs to the government in name, as long as taxes are paid on time, what is the actual difference between it and your own?
This is much more cost-effective than farming for the nobles!
After the people left, another group of young people gathered around. Looking at the notice on the wall, they couldn't help but say,
"Master Guan, does it say that the government wants to recruit talents?"
"good."
The clerk looked at the young man in front of him and said with a smile,
"The prefect is thirsty for talents and has issued a special edict that all talented people, regardless of their origins, can become officials!"
Hearing this, the eyes of all the young people were filled with excitement!
They all claim to be talented, but it is a pity that they cannot become officials because of their humble background!
But now that the prefect Cao Cao has issued such a decree, it can be said that it has given them a chance to get ahead!
"Let's go to the county government office!"
A group of young people shouted in unison and immediately walked towards the county government office!
Soon, a large number of people applied to open up wasteland, as well as children from poor families who came to seek refuge, and the gate of the county government office was crowded!
As a last resort, Cao Cao also transferred soldiers from the camp to maintain order!
Seeing the huge crowd of people in front of him, Cao Cao couldn't help but smile proudly!
If things continue like this, it won't be long before I can truly control Dong County!
And all this is thanks to Yang Ling!
That guy Liu Xuande is really blind, letting such a talent go in vain, allowing himself to take advantage!
What a blessing from God!
