"That's right, I almost forgot sir!"
Cao Cao's eyes lit up and he hurriedly said,
"To be honest, I have something to ask sir for help!"
"My lord has something to do, and it is my duty as my subordinates to do so."
Yang Ling patted her chest and said.
"The thing is like this. Now the national treasury is empty and money is needed everywhere. What can you do?"
Cao Cao looked at Yang Ling expectantly.
Even though he now occupies Yanzhou, Xuzhou, and half of Yuzhou, the imperial court's finances have always been tight.
These states had just experienced the war. In order to stabilize the people, Cao Cao not only exempted many places from taxes, but also vigorously implemented the New Deal and provided free seeds and agricultural tools to the people.
In addition, Cao Cao also needs to build Xudu Palace, expand his army, and prepare for war with Yuan Shao... Everything requires money!
Finances were tight, and officials' salaries could not be paid normally. As a result, Xun Yu, who was in charge of internal affairs, came to his door many times to complain about his poverty.
Cao Cao was worried about this matter, and even planned to establish Mojin Xiaowei again.
After Cao Ang reminded him, he asked Yang Ling for help.
"This...if the master is in urgent need of money, the subordinates can leave the income from Maotai and perfume to the master, and treat it as the subordinate's betrothal gift."
Yang Ling thought for a while and said.
"This is not appropriate, so forget it."
Cao Cao was indeed a little moved, but after all he couldn't bear to be shameless.
Yang Ling paced back and forth, thinking for a moment, and suddenly his eyes lit up.
"My subordinate has an idea!"
"Sir, come quickly!"
Cao Cao asked quickly.
"However, I am not sure whether this matter will be successful. I hope my lord will wait patiently for a few more days."
Yang Ling said.
"That's fine. I hope sir will reply quickly."
Cao Cao had no choice but to suppress his anxiety.
…
Two or three days have passed in a flash.
On this day, Cao Cao was in his study, discussing political affairs with Xun Yu and others.
"My lord, the government's fiscal deficit is too large now. If you want to expand the army, I'm afraid it will have to be postponed until next year."
Xun Yu said helplessly.
"I understand, you go down first."
Cao Cao waved his hand.
After Xun Yu, Guo Jia and others left, Cao Cao sighed.
The war between himself and Yuan Shao could start at any time, but finances were tight.
What should I do?
Cao Ang on the side saw his father's worried expression and suggested,
"I don't know what's going on with the teacher. Father, why don't I send someone to ask?"
"That's fine."
Cao Cao nodded.
However, before Cao Ang could get up, a servant came to report.
"Master, eldest young master, Mr. Yang is outside the door asking to see you."
Cao Cao's spirit was lifted.
"Hurry up and bring sir in!"
After a while, Yang Ling strode into the study room,
"I've met my lord!"
"Do you have any clues about what you said the other day?"
Cao Cao said impatiently.
"Reporting to my lord, this matter has been tested by my subordinates and has been a great success! If it is promoted, it can increase tax revenue by at least 30%!"
As soon as these words came out, Cao Cao and Cao Ang both widened their eyes!
Thirty percent tax?
Darling, this is an amount that neither of them can even imagine!
"May I ask, sir... what can I do?"
Cao Cao's voice was trembling.
Yang Ling smiled confidently and uttered one word,
"Salt!"
Cao Cao and Cao Ang were startled at first, and then they couldn't laugh or cry.
"Sir, please stop joking. If you could really think of something on the salt tax, I would have already thought of it."
"Yes, teacher, don't you know that most of the salt-producing areas are in the Qingzhou area?"
Most of the salt used by ancient people was obtained by boiling seawater, so most of the salt fields are located in Qingzhou.
Nowadays, most of the territory in Qingzhou is controlled by Yuan Shao.
If Cao Cao was trying to figure out the salt tax, how could Yuan Shao let him go?
"My lord, Master Zixiu has misunderstood. I am not talking about salt."
Yang Ling shook his head.
"what is that?"
Cao Cao said with some doubts.
At that time, the most salt-producing place in the world, in addition to sea salt, was well salt in the Sichuan-Sichuan Basin.
It's just that Yizhou, the Shu region, is controlled by Liu Zhang, so it's equally unlikely that he can think of anything to do with it.
"Don't you know, my lord, that there are also salt mines in Yan and Xu?"
Yang Ling asked.
Cao Cao was startled, and then he couldn't help but laugh.
"Of course I know. But the salt produced there is all poisonous. If you eat it, you will get seriously ill or die suddenly!"
"What if I have a way to turn poisonous salt into edible salt?"
As soon as these words came out, the expressions on the faces of Cao Cao and Cao Ang suddenly froze.
After a moment, Cao Cao stood up suddenly, grabbed Yang Ling's shoulders, his eyes widened,
"Sir, is there anything you can do?!"
Hey, hey, lord, you hurt me, please be gentle!
Yang Ling grimaced in pain, but he didn't dare to be rude to Cao Cao, so he shouted,
"My subordinates do have a way!"
"Father, please let go of your husband first and let him speak slowly."
Cao Ang quickly reminded him, fearing that Cao Cao would scratch Yang Ling.
Only then did Cao Cao come to his senses, quickly let go of his hands, and said with a smile,
"I'm sorry, I lost my temper a little and made sir laugh."
"It's just that you don't know something. If you can really turn poisonous salt into table salt, 30% of the tax revenue will be reduced!"
Since ancient times, salt has held an important social status and is even related to the rise and fall of a country.
During the Zhou Dynasty, it was used as a tribute for the emperor of Zhou to enjoy!
By the later Ming Dynasty, salt tax even accounted for half of the entire government tax!
There were no salt-producing lands in the territory under Cao Cao's jurisdiction.
Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent buying salt from Qingzhou every year!
If it is true as Yang Ling said, not only can we harvest a large amount of salt tax, but we can even have money left over to buy salt!
No wonder Cao Cao lost his composure after hearing this!
"Yes, teacher, this matter is very important and cannot be joked about."
Cao Ang also looked serious.
"Master Zixiu, when do you think my master would joke about something as big as this?"
Yang Ling couldn't help but asked with a smile.
Cao Cao and his son thought about it, and it was right.
After knowing Yang Ling for so long, he has never spoken freely.
"I wonder what you can do, sir?"
Cao Cao rubbed his little hands and asked expectantly.
"This matter is troublesome to talk about. Why don't I show it to you in person?"
"That's fine!"
Cao Cao nodded.
Then the three of them stood up and walked outside.
As soon as they walked out of the study, they met Cao Qing, followed by three of Cao Jie's followers.
"Is the father planning to go out? The daughter is preparing to say hello to her father."
Cao Qing saluted Cao Cao, but her beautiful eyes kept drifting to Yang Ling aside.
"We have something to deal with. Since you are here, you might as well come with us."
How could Cao Cao not know what his daughter was thinking? He must have heard Yang Ling coming to visit, so he came to see him on the pretext of greeting her.
It’s true that women are not allowed to stay in college!
"Thank you father!"
When Cao Qing heard this, she couldn't help but look happy.
