After Chu State agreed to Jingguo's request, Zhang Xiu issued a decree to lift the ban on Chu State's rivers and seas, but introduced another policy to strengthen tariffs.
The increased tariffs made it difficult for the merchants of Chu State. Correspondingly, the prices of goods in Chu State also increased, especially the price of grain. Zhang Xiu raised the price again and again. Since Jingzhou and Yizhou are rich in rice, There is no shortage of rice in Jingguo and there is no need to import it from Chu. However, Chu has no wheat and must import it from Jingguo.
No matter how you calculate it, Chu State will always suffer.
Now that the circulation of Dajing Minbao has been opened, the four major families are the first to take action. Although Liu Bei strictly issued a ban on the outflow of gold and silver before circulation, merchants must use Dajing Minbao to settle their transactions. This They conflicted with each other, forcing Chu merchants to proceed secretly.
Especially the four major families, as early as when Jingjing was successfully built, they purchased houses near Jingjing, and bought a lot of property in Lujiang and Jiujiang. After Dajing's banknotes were circulated, they were afraid of Liu Bei's revenge on them. , robbed the gold and silver, and then gave away the gold and silver vigorously and exchanged it for Dajing people's banknotes.
Led by the four major families, more Yangzhou nobles rushed to exchange Dajing currency and gave away all their gold and silver treasures to prevent Liu Bei from ransacking their homes. They also knew that their actions would definitely upset Liu Bei, and if they were caught by him If given the chance, they will die.
Therefore, the gentry in Yangzhou not only transferred their property, but also transferred their clan members one by one.
How could Liu Bei not know about the little actions of the Yangzhou nobles? But he had no choice. The four major families in Yangzhou had too much influence, and he did not dare to kill them all. Other small families followed the four major families. The Yu family did not play the role of knocking down the mountain and shaking the tiger. On the contrary, it was just a warning.
The nobles were even more afraid of Liu Bei, and in contrast, they became abnormally affectionate towards Dajing.
the reason is simple.
Zhang Xiu only wanted the land, and he bought it with a replacement, so he would not grab it forcefully, unless he was a stubborn person; on the other hand, Liu Bei directly wiped out the Yu family. Of course, Zhang Xiu also did a lot of quarrels and genocide, but Zhang Xi was forced to take action because the nobles were disobedient. Liu Bei was different. He was exterminated by the Yu family for an unreasonable reason.
Although Liu Bei gave a valid reason later, the nobles were not fools. Who would believe it?
Everyone knows that killing the Yu family is killing the chicken to scare the monkeys.
It's a pity that they are not monkeys, and the Yu family is not an unknown chicken. Liu Bei killed the wrong person. Although the Yu family is not a big family in Yangzhou, it still has a certain influence. In this way, the family was wiped out, and others can't help but feel unpopular. Panic.
What's more, the general trend of the world has become clear. Liu Bei will not be able to hold on to one state for long.
This was also what made Liu Bei angry. He wanted to order the army to dispatch and wipe out all these scoundrels. Unfortunately, he only dared to think about it and did not dare to take action because he knew that once he took action, the entire Yangzhou would be turned upside down. .
"Gu family! Lu family! Zhu family! Zhang family!"
Liu Bei's old-looking face was covered with wrinkles, his beard had turned white, but his eyes were already bright. At this time, his bright eyes were burning with anger: "Good! Very good! Dajing Minbao It has only been a month since it started circulating, and they have already transferred most of their assets... ahem..."
The more Liu Bei thought about it, the angrier he became, and the more he talked, the more excited he became. He coughed violently, and his chest hurt. He quickly took out a handkerchief and covered his mouth. He felt a sweetness at the tip of his throat. He opened the handkerchief to look, and he coughed up blood.
"Father! Guarantee the dragon body!"
Liu Chan looked at Liu Bei with a worried and distressed look.
Liu Bei looked at Liu Chan and softened his expression slowly: "Chan'er, don't worry, my father's body is known to me. Although I don't have much time left, I can still carry it to help you retake Jingzhou and revive the strength of our great Chu."
Liu Chan nodded heavily.
Seeing Liu Chan, Liu Bei thought of his adoptive stepson Liu Feng. During the cross-river battle between Wu and Chu, Liu Feng performed outstandingly. He learned a lot from Huang Zhong and his abilities improved significantly. Also due to the cross-river battle, Liu Bei For his contribution to the battle with Nanyang, Liu Bei named him King Lingling.
But this reward made Liu Bei feel uneasy.
Because Liu Chan has a cowardly character, although he is not mediocre, he cannot be a wise king in governing the world. He can keep the Chu State for a few years at most. On the other hand, Liu Feng has made great achievements in the military over the years. He has been recognized by Huang Zhong and is Being granted the title of King of Lingling, his status and status are incomparable.
If he died, would Liu Chan be able to hold on to the throne?
Without his own suppression, who can ensure that Liu Feng will not raise troops to fight for the throne?
This question has been lingering in Liu Bei's mind, and it has been lingering. Liu Chan is really too kind. This is his nature and cannot be taught and changed. What he has to do is to help Liu Chan regain Jingzhou, strengthen the national power of Chu, and let Jingguo He didn't dare to take action easily, and the other thing was to get rid of those who threatened his throne.
But how can we use legitimate reasons to get rid of Liu Feng?
Liu Feng was a man who had made great military exploits and had great prestige in the army. He was named the Queen of Lingling. He originally thought that Liu Feng would make some publicity and he would have a chance to get rid of her. Unexpectedly, after Liu Feng arrived in the fiefdom, he became It's very low-key, and it's almost impossible to leave the door without even taking a step forward.
The messenger he sent sent news that Liu Feng had not left the house for half a year.
In such a situation, how can Liu Bei find a suitable reason to exclude Liu Feng?
After thinking about it, Liu Bei felt a headache and shook his head. He looked at Liu Chan and said, "Chan'er, General Huang and General Zhao are training their troops and horses. I asked you to watch them. How do you like it?"
Liu Bei asked Liu Chan to observe, in order to increase his prestige in the army.
At least it has to have a sense of existence.
Liu Chan pouted and said, "The weather has been hot recently, so I didn't go. In a few days, it will get cooler, so I will bring some wine and meat to reward the soldiers."
Liu Bei frowned but didn't say anything.
At this time, the eunuch came in and reported in a low voice: Mr. Chen wants to see you.
Liu Bei asked Liu Chan to go down, and then ordered people to invite Chen Gong in. Now Chen Gong is regarded as the pillar of the Chu State. He and Liu Bei's monarch and ministers are a pair of hard-working mandarin ducks, struggling to support the Chu State's difficult journey.
Today, Chen Gong is sixty-seven years old. He walks unsteadily and uses a cane.
Liu Bei met him at the door: "You are old too. If you need anything, just call Chen Qi. Why do you need to go there yourself?"
When Chen Gong saw Liu Bei, he hurriedly knelt down and bowed. Liu Bei supported him. Chen Gong then said, "Your Majesty, do you know that the four major families in Yangzhou have moved away their gold and silver products?"
Liu Bei's face darkened and he nodded.
