Just over a year after the famine, the grain and grass production in hand has resumed, and the output is good. Coupled with the previous trade for grain, there is quite a lot of grain and grass.
Liu Ye said: "Buying and selling grain and grass can relieve economic pressure in a short period of time, but it is by no means a long-term solution."
Jia Xu nodded and said: "Your Majesty, after the war ends this year, we must rest and recuperate next year. The soldiers are fighting outside, and they may be tired of hard work. Years of fighting are not good for development."
Zhang Xiu nodded: "Yeah! I'm afraid Cao Cao won't be able to fight again next year, but this does give Yuan Shao a chance to breathe. We must not underestimate Yuan Shao. This man is the leader of the party and the core of the gentry. Hebei is vast and has rich production. , if it has a few years of development, its strength will be amazing.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Liu Ye thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, after the King of Shu destroyed the country, the world will be divided into five points. The most competitive one is Cao Wei, but Cao Wei must not rush. Liu Bei's fierce generals and counselors in Jingzhou are not easy to take, but they are not easy to capture. Join forces with Cao Cao and carve up Jin first."
Liu Ye is a well-known strategist with unique vision.
So after hearing Liu Ye's words again, Zhang Xiu listened seriously and looked at him to indicate that he should continue. Jia Xu and Li Ru also turned their attention to him, while thinking about what Liu Ye would say next.
Liu Ye was encouraged and said calmly: "The Jin State has two major shortcomings that cannot be changed, and that is the Taihang Mountains. The Taihang Mountains separate Bingzhou and Jizhou, and the two places are far away from each other, but our army can cross it when entering Bingzhou. The Yellow River goes directly to Taiyuan. Likewise, Cao Cao only had to cross the Yellow River to enter Jizhou."
"You mean, Cao Cao and I jointly divided the Jin Kingdom?" Zhang Xiu understood Liu Ye's words and frowned and thought carefully.
But how easy is that?
Liu Ye nodded: "Yes, and we can carve up the Jin Kingdom without using military force."
"oh?"
Zhang Xiu immediately became interested, sat up, and stared at Liu Ye with bright eyes: "If you have any clever ideas, Ziyang can tell me quickly."
Jia Xu and Li Ru listened attentively.
"Consumption!"
Liu Ye said solemnly.
"Consumption?"
Zhang Xiu frowned and looked deeply at Liu Ye, then thought of his own advantage: food and grass.
When Jia Xu and Li Ru's eyes met, they understood Liu Ye's thoughts. This strategy is a bit of taking advantage of others' danger, but it is still a good strategy that is very suitable for the situation. As long as it is used properly, the Jin Kingdom will definitely be destroyed.
Liu Ye continued: "The famine is over again, and the people in Hebei are still in dire straits, and Yuan Shao can't wait to raise troops to conquer Wei. Naturally, his prestige is greatly damaged, and his reputation is no longer good. When he is defeated, the gentry who support him will inevitably Consider it seriously. And we only need to station 50,000 troops in Hexi, forcing Yuan Shao to send heavy troops to guard it, and then join forces with Cao Cao. If this continues, in less than half a year, Jin will be defeated without a fight."
Li Ru said: "Zi Yang's plan is feasible! It is the best option at the moment to carve up the Jin State with Cao Wei at the same time. After Yizhou is pacified, our country's border with Chu State will be lengthened, which will require more troops and greater expenditures. Only by quickly pacifying Jin and increasing economic conditions can we be able to defeat it."
Jia Xu nodded, "Your Majesty, since the common people in the common people have been allocated land, we have adopted a tax-free policy, which has enabled all the people to live and work in peace and contentment, solving the problem of food and clothing. However, the country's tax revenue has also been greatly reduced. Today, people's livelihood is still prosperous. "Come back, I think we can start collecting land taxes to solve the economic problem."
All the people in Jingguo gave absolute support to Zhang Xiu, for no other reason than this land allocation. According to the head of the family, the land is divided according to the head of the family. Adults are given two acres each, and the rest are given one acre. Calculated in this way, a family can be allocated at least five acres of land.
With two harvests a year, it is no problem to feed a family on five acres of land.
Of course, this also has the purpose of promoting fertility, because Zhang Xiu stipulates that only heads are counted regardless of age. That is to say, if a family gives birth to a child on the same day, they can receive another acre of land the next day.
After these two years of development, Jingguo's population has increased linearly, which has also greatly improved the domestic economic conditions. However, these economies are still unable to cope with the huge gap in expenses.
Zhang Xiu thought about it seriously.
According to my own ideas, I don't want to start collecting land taxes so early. This is a good strategy that kills two birds with one stone. It can attract a large number of people from various countries to move here, and even many foreigners also move in to increase the population.
But in view of my own financial pressure, it seems I have to do it.
So he said: "Since my uncle has such an idea, let's start implementing it in Guanzhong, Hanzhong and Nanyang first. The tax cannot be too high, so that the people can have a surplus of food every year. What's more!" Zhang Xiu's voice suddenly became heavier, and his eyes were Braving the cold light. "Officials from all over the country must resolutely put an end to exploitation at all levels! The officialdom is a big dyeing vat. No matter how high or high you are, you will be dyed in the end. The salary of our officials in Jingguo is the highest in the country. In this case, if anyone dares Whoever exploits the people will be killed!"
The three people stood up immediately: "Here!"
Zhang Xiu waved his hand for them to sit down: "Uncle, in the past three years, many talents have graduated from schools in various places, and they have gradually been released for training. Now, all the parents and officials in each county have graduated from schools, right?"
Jia Xu said: "Yes, they all came out of the school, and there are a few who are more practical. I discussed the promotion with Lords Wenyou and Ziyang and drew up a draft, but I haven't had time to ask for instructions yet."
Zhang Xiu said: "As long as they are capable, no matter how rich or poor they are, or how they look, we will vigorously and boldly promote them. Wenyou! The shadow guards in your hands are not only fighting for the outside world, but also fighting for the inside. Get some people." Let them be sent to the counties and counties. There is no need to investigate openly, but only secret visits are needed to find out whether these people who are released are worthy of the sage books they have read."
Li Ru bowed slightly: "Here!"
Instructing Li Ru to sit down, Zhang Xiu looked at them, thought for a while and said, "You three are our Dinghai magic needle in Jingguo. With you in charge, I feel relieved when I go on an expedition, but so far, I have not given any advice." Your official title."
Almost at the same time.
The hearts of the three of them trembled.
His eyes were staring at the ground, and his hands were shaking excitedly in his sleeves.
Zhang Xiu said: "Jia Xu, Li Ru, and Liu Ye obey orders!"
"I'm here!" The three of them immediately knelt on the ground, their foreheads pressed to the ground, and they raised their ears and listened carefully to the sounds of heaven above.
"From today on, Shangcheng Pavilion will be established in the palace. Jia Xu will be the left prime minister of Shangcheng Pavilion, Li Ru will be the middle prime minister, and Liu Ye will be the right prime minister. They will be in charge of the government affairs of the country. For all major events, Shangcheng Pavilion will draft the decree and The three of you will stamp it and Gu Zhu will approve it before it can be implemented."
"My lord! I obey the order!"
The excited voices of the three people were trembling. Even Jia Xu, who had always been calm, could not help but tremble, and the beard on his chin trembled violently.
Zhang Xiu smiled and said: "Three beloved ladies are equal!"
The three of them bowed again and stood up.
Zhang Xiu said slowly: "Now that the matter of land tax has been decided, we should deal with it as soon as possible and strive to fill the treasury with money within two years. The matter of Jin will be decided after the Battle of Guandu is over, depending on the situation. .”
"Here!" The three of them bowed their heads in worship.
Zhang Xiu stood up and said, "Don't go back today. I asked the princess to cook in person and made some local dishes from Xiliang. Um... Ziyang is from the south. I feel sorry for you if you can't get used to it."
The host's mother cooks for herself, which is a treatment only confidants can have.
Liu Ye smiled and said, "I am lucky to be able to share a meal with the king."
Everyone smiled and followed Zhang Xiu to the dining table in the back. At the same time, the Battle of Guandu has reached its most critical moment.
