The new agricultural policy that Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai spoke of was the new allocation method between the government and the tenant farmers, promulgated by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The government provided arable land, and the farmers supplied their own oxen and farming tools. The annual land tax was fifty percent of the harvest for that year.
If farmers did not have oxen or farming tools and required them from the government, the land tax was adjusted to sixty percent of the harvest...
At first glance...
It seemed that fifty and sixty percent were very high...
But in reality, every farmer would carefully calculate the numbers.
This was sixty percent of the harvest. This meant that in years of disaster, when harvests were reduced or there was no yield, the farmers would also have very little to pay. In years of bumper harvest... the harvest was already plentiful, and paying a little more was naturally welcome.
For the farmers of this era...
Where else could they find such good fortune? Without bearing risk, they could earn grain to store. This was far more profitable than being a tenant farmer for a wealthy landlord family, earning only enough grain to fill their bellies each month.
The implementation of the new agricultural policy in Chenliu Commandery had indeed kicked off agricultural reforms throughout Yan Province, Sili, and even parts of Yu Province and Xu Province... The enthusiasm of the farmers had reached an unprecedented high.
They would rack their brains to assist the government in reclaiming wasteland and increasing per-mu yields. Originally... large tracts of abandoned government land were suddenly revitalized with new life!
Of course...
There were some obstacles along the way, such as... resistance from the powerful aristocratic clans. The new agricultural policy had snatched almost all their tenant farmers.
Government land now had people cultivating it, but these powerful clans' private lands would consequently be left fallow! Recruiting farmers had become extremely difficult!
They had to increase the income of their tenant farmers, but even so, the prosperity of landowners in the past could no longer be replicated.
It could be said that this "agricultural reform" from the Ministry of Agriculture had dealt a heavy blow to a large number of people.
Among them...
The one with the most private land was none other than the newly appointed General Lifeng—Cao Hong!
...
Outrageous... Absolutely outrageous!
Is there no law anymore? Is there no justice?
Cao Hong's face was flushed red. Not long ago, he had suffered a significant loss due to an issue with his retainers, and yet his elder brother Cao Cao's attitude was very clear: damn it... he sided with Man Chong.
Cao Hong was already filled with anger, and now... upon receiving the news, the vast amount of private land he had painstakingly acquired had, just like that... just like that, suffered immense losses.
And the reason... was because of this Ministry of Agriculture, because of this so-called new agricultural policy.
Damn you, this new agricultural policy was paving its own path and leaving Cao Hong with no path to tread! Cao Hong felt a heartache, then a liver ache, and finally... his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, not a single organ was without pain!
Cutting off his financial lifeline was no different from killing his parents!
Now, Cao Hong was furious... He had come to the Ministry of Agriculture!
Of course, Cao Hong would not offend Lu Yu because of this. Someone his elder brother valued, he had no reason to confront him head-on!
But he had heard... that in Lu Yu's Ministry of Agriculture, there was an old man in charge of agricultural policy, and this new agricultural policy was entirely orchestrated by this old man!
Today... Cao Hong was determined to teach this old man a severe lesson. At the very least, he would show his elder brother Cao Cao and Lu Yu... that he, Cao Hong, was not to be trifled with, and that he would fight desperately for money.
Suddenly, the entire Ministry of Agriculture seemed to erupt like a pot of boiling water...
Cao Hong stood in the courtyard, allowing the officials, guards, and servants of the Ministry of Agriculture to surround him, while he continued to curse incessantly.
"This is too much! This is utterly excessive!"
"I've realized it now, this new agricultural policy is targeting me, Cao Hong, alone. This is outright plunder, this is opportunistic robbery!"
Cao Hong continued to howl, and remarkably, his howls even seemed to rhyme.
Today, he had heard that Da Sinong Lu Yu's sister, Cai Zhaoji, had arrived, and Lu Yu was accompanying his sister to see the Imperial Academy...
Therefore, Cao Hong was emboldened today. To put it bluntly... he just wanted to vent his frustration and teach that old man managing agricultural policy under Lu Yu a lesson!
Let's see if he would dare to propose any more "new agricultural policy" absurd ideas in the future!
"You old man, come out here... I promise I won't beat you to death!"
"Hmph, don't think I don't know, Lu Sinong is so young, what does he know about agricultural policy? You old man instigated him to do all these things..."
"I, I originally had over ten thousand tenant farmers under me, and now, look at this, I only have a few hundred left! This new agricultural policy is bullying me too much! Old man, you utterly disregard me, Cao Hong, I want to see who you are? Dare to offend our Cao family... you are finished!"
"If you don't lose a layer of skin to me today, you can write my name backward! Come out, you damn it, come out, I promise I won't beat you to death!"
Cao Hong continued to roar, his voice torn and heartbroken...
Over ten thousand tenant farmers, as long as they were given enough to eat, they would work tirelessly in the fields. How much income did this bring him, Cao Hong, each year?
Normally, when Cao Hong was idle, he would pore over account books at home. If even a single jin of grain was unaccounted for, he would meticulously verify it several times. But now, it was no use calculating anymore, because... damn it, he was almost broke!
...
"Old Grand Storekeeper, perhaps... you should retreat to the back courtyard first. General Lifeng's arrival is clearly hostile! We will immediately inform Lu Sinong and also notify the Dragon Soaring Battalion!"
The Da Sinong had subordinate officials.
For example... Cang Shu was the chief subordinate official.
Lu Yu had specifically invited Cao Song to serve because he was over seventy years old and well-versed in agricultural policy.
Therefore... other subordinate officials all addressed Cao Song as Old Grand Storekeeper...
However, most subordinate officials were unaware of Cao Song's true identity, only believing him to be an elder and senior proficient in agricultural policy and finance invited by Lu Yu...
No one would associate him with Cao Cao's father.
"General Lifeng? Who is that?"
Hearing the roaring from the courtyard, Cao Song curiously asked the subordinate official beside him.
"It's... it's General Cao Hong!" the subordinate official replied truthfully. "Not long ago... his retainers were beaten to death in the street by Prefect Man, he's been harboring resentment, and coincidentally, the new agricultural policy has made it impossible for his land to attract tenant farmers... therefore..."
Alas, in short, Old Grand Storekeeper... you, you should retreat to the back courtyard first, and then show yourself after the armored soldiers from the Dragon Soaring Battalion arrive..."
In stark contrast to the subordinate official's nervous expression...
Cao Song appeared very calm. "Oh... I see!"
He stroked his beard. "It seems our General Lifeng has specifically chosen the time when Lu Sinong is away to come and trouble me, haha, his nature of bullying the weak and fearing the strong hasn't changed at all!"
Ah... ah...
As these words left his mouth, the subordinate official was startled. What did Old Grand Storekeeper mean by that... could it be?
"Does Old Grand Storekeeper know General Lifeng?"
Before this question could be asked, Cao Song put down the brush in his hand, calmly closed the bamboo slips, and slowly stood up. "Lead the way, and take me to meet this General Lifeng!"
This... the subordinate official felt as if he was about to wet himself from fear.
Not only was he not hiding? He was... going to escort him?
Now, everyone in Xudu City knew General Cao Hong's temper. Even if they knew each other... in the face of money, he would definitely not give up, and moreover... he was currently full of anger.
The subordinate official looked at Cao Song in bewilderment...
"You're not going? Haha, then I'll go myself..." Saying this, Cao Song didn't need him to lead the way and walked directly towards the door.
At this moment, Cao Hong was in full roar...
He seemed to feel his throat was a bit hoarse and was calling for his subordinates to fetch him water.
However, he suddenly heard whispers from the crowd...
"Old Grand Storekeeper has arrived..."
"Alas, why isn't Old Grand Storekeeper hiding?"
"General Cao Hong is going to kill someone!"
Hearing this, Cao Hong's spirits perked up... It turned out this legendary old man had some courage.
Immediately, he straightened his back.
His hoarse voice continued to roar, "You're here? Good. Just for daring to come out on your own, I, Cao Hong, will hold back a little when I beat you! Lest I have trouble explaining to our Sinong when he returns!"
As these words left his mouth...
A deep, resonant voice was heard from not far away.
—"This is the Ministry of Agriculture! Zi Lian, you brat? Have you had enough of your tantrum!"
Uh...
Cao Hong was stunned.
Why did this voice sound so familiar? It was as if he had heard it when he was a child, but... where exactly he had heard it, he couldn't recall?
Wait, he dared to call me a brat...
This... isn't this asking for a beating?
Before Cao Hong could ponder further, the sound of "tap, tap" footsteps was heard again.
A path opened up in the crowd...
From this path emerged none other than Cao Song!
Cao Hong narrowed his eyes. He felt that the person approaching was very familiar. He was certain he must have seen him as a child, especially those eyes, which, while gentle, held a sharp glint, making a deep impression.
Their relationship must have been very close, but who exactly was it? Cao Hong couldn't recall immediately... After all, too much time had passed, and the old man in front of him was also aging.
At the same time, Cao Song spoke.
"Zi Lian, when you were a boy of ten, your father bought houses and land, wanting to do business? Have you forgotten who provided the money for you and your father?"
Uh... as these words left his mouth.
Cao Hong's eyes widened. All the past flooded before his eyes. It was true that his family, Cao Hong, was wealthy, and later became a major landlord, but his family's rise... relied on the help of the then Da Sinong, that is, Cao Cao's father, Cao Hong's uncle Cao Song!
It could be said that without Cao Song's maneuvering, without Cao Song's financial and grain support, his family, Cao Hong, would have been nothing!
And... elder brother Cao Cao's father, his uncle Cao Hong...
Wasn't it... wasn't it this "Old Grand Storekeeper" in front of him?
Why... why was he here?
When did he become the Grand Storekeeper of the Ministry of Agriculture?
This wasn't the main point. The main point was... could it be that the one promoting the new agricultural policy was... was his uncle Cao Song!
If so, even if Cao Hong had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to come here and cause trouble for him!
"Cough cough..."
"Cough cough cough cough..."
Suddenly, Cao Hong began to cough violently. "Old... Old Master... you... you... you're not dead yet!"
After stammering for a long time...
Cao Hong managed to utter a sentence...
In an instant, Cao Song's expression changed drastically, turning as pale as paper. "Zi Lian, you brat! How dare you speak like that?"
As he spoke, Cao Song had already walked up to Cao Hong...
Cao Hong was startled, realizing his slip of the tongue, and quickly slapped his forehead hard with his hand.
He was astonished!
Wasn't Old Master... wasn't he supposed to have died on Fengming Mountain in Langya Commandery, Xu Province?
But... but this Old Grand Storekeeper in front of him, he... if it wasn't Old Master Cao, who else could it be?
Before Cao Hong could ponder further...
Cao Song's voice was heard.
"You've gotten bold, haven't you? You even dare to force your way into the Ministry of Agriculture!"
"Oh, I heard you brat wanted to beat this old man to death today, is that right?"
Cao Song's eyes narrowed. The usually amiable him, at this moment, revealed a cold side in his eyes.
Cao Hong shivered all over...
Let alone beating him to death, he... even if he had the courage of a bear and the heart of a leopard! He wouldn't dare... he wouldn't dare to touch even a single hair of Old Master! This was his elder brother Cao Cao's father!
Cao Hong: "..."
Silence... The more one speaks, the more mistakes are made. Cao Hong could only lower his head in silence!
"Not talking, are you?" Cao Song continued. "Heh, didn't you just say? If I offend your Cao family, I, this old man, am finished! Didn't you say you would peel off a layer of my skin? If you don't peel it off, won't your name have to be written backward? What, will you be called Hong Cao from now on?"
Uh... offending the Cao family?
Cao Hong had unspeakable grievances. The person in front of him... was the greatest patriarch of the Cao family...
Whether others offended or not offended the Cao family, he didn't know, but... today, he, Cao Hong, had definitively offended the most esteemed Old Master Cao of the Cao family.
He was crying...
Cao Hong was on the verge of tears.
But in this situation, he felt like crying but had no tears.
"Old Master... you... you... you listen to my explanation, listen to my explanation..."
While saying he wanted to explain, Cao Hong actually wanted to hear someone else explain!
What's going on? What the hell is going on? Is there any justice? Is there any law? Is there any legal system?
Old Master... how... how did he end up at the Ministry of Agriculture, how did he become a mere Grand Storekeeper under Lu Yu?
What kind of ability does Lu Yu have? To be able to get Old Master to work under him?
This damn it... From now on, won't he be able to do whatever he wants, do whatever he pleases?
Speaking of which...
Old Master, why... why are you doing this? (What, fourth tone!)
Cao Hong's authentic Qiao Pei hometown dialect was almost bursting out.
Seeing his silence, Cao Song coldly said, "What explanation is there! Is there any need for explanation?"
"Today, I, this old man, will make it clear. Abolishing 'Ji Niu Shu Gu' was my proposal, and I am the one implementing it. Zi Lian, if you are unconvinced, if you are dissatisfied, and want to find someone to reason with, then come at me! Also, go and tell all the clansmen of the Cao clan and the Xiahou clan, whoever is not convinced, they can all come at me!"
"But if I hear anyone privately slandering Lu Sinong, or plotting any schemes to obstruct the implementation of the new agricultural policy, this old man will not spare them!"
Rarely, Cao Song displayed a cold and stern side.
His decades of being known for his shrewdness in officialdom, exhibiting such decisive action, was not common.
Of course...
Cao Song's heart was clear. Abolishing 'Ji Niu Shu Gu' would benefit the Cao camp's grain reserves, but it would also inevitably cripple the interests of those powerful noble families. And with Cao Cao's growth over the years, the largest aristocratic families within Yan Province, besides the Cao family, were the Xiahou family!
They were bound to come to the Ministry of Agriculture to reason, and Cao Song had long prepared for all this.
For his son's ambition, for the smooth implementation of his grandson's new agricultural policy...
If someone had to bear the resentment of the Cao clan, if someone had to intimidate the largest aristocratic clans in this region, the 'Cao clan,' the 'Xiahou clan...' then... let Cao Song be that 'bad guy'!
As the patriarch of the Cao and Xiahou clans, he had already died under Fengming Mountain. Fortunately, he was saved by his grandson. Now... wasn't this surviving body meant to shield his grandson from the wind and rain?
From his father Cao Teng's generation onwards, he, Cao Song, had to uphold the 'generational affection' of the Cao clan!
Having said this, Cao Song patted Cao Hong on the shoulder.
"Zi Lian, come with me! Let's go inside and talk!"
As these words left his mouth, Cao Song turned and walked directly into the house. Cao Hong, who a mere cup of tea ago had been overwhelmingly arrogant, was now completely deflated. He was like a naughty elementary school student, following behind Cao Song, not daring to make a sound.
This time...
The onlookers were all astonished. Everyone began to speculate about the identity of Old Grand Storekeeper.
Of course...
Because everyone knew that Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, had died on Fengming Mountain, no one thought of "Old Grand Storekeeper" as Cao Song.
But... all signs indicated that Old Grand Storekeeper must be an elder and senior of exceptional status within the Cao and Xiahou families.
Otherwise, the way he reprimanded General Cao Hong was just like a grandfather scolding his grandson, without any sense of incongruity.
This... this was deeply meaningful!
So...
Young Master Lu's Ministry of Agriculture was filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Even the position of a Grand Storekeeper outranked General Lifeng, the Imperial Censor, and a relative of Duke Cao...
Then... whatever Young Master Lu wanted to do, who would dare to stop him? Who could stop him?
Amazing, truly amazing!
Everyone craned their necks to gaze at the retreating figures of Cao Song and Cao Hong...
At this moment, all the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture had even greater confidence in the promotion of the new agricultural policy!
Yes...
Even Cao Hong, who had the most land among the Cao clan, lowered his noble head. Then, who among the other clans would dare to show their faces?
Even if they dared, Old Grand Storekeeper seemed adept at striking out at the first bird to appear!
Now... without even Lu Sinong having to step forward, Old Grand Storekeeper alone was enough to resolve all these issues.
The new agricultural policy was inevitable!
...
...
Outside Xudu City, by the Ying River.
The weather today was exceptionally good...
Unlike the usual coldness, the sunlight had become gentle.
Beams of afterglow gently scattered on the surface of the stream. The freshness of the rippling waves and the gently swaying willows rose and fell continuously.
It seemed that all this beauty was to welcome the arrival of someone.
Cai Yan, Cai Zhaoji...
That's right, today... Cai Yan's convoy arrived in Xudu. It happened to pass by the Imperial Academy by the Ying River. Lu Yu had been waiting for Sister Zhaoji here since early morning.
After not seeing her for several months, he really missed his sister.
Many times, her every smile and frown would appear in Lu Yu's mind. For Lu Yu, who had no parents to dote on him since childhood, in this chaotic world, he could only sigh: In this world, only sisters are good!
From afar, the horse train could be seen gradually approaching...
In his sight, besides the horse train, Jinliu was also gently swaying its waist, as if welcoming them. The river surface was also rippling with clear waves, beautiful and enchanting.
It seemed someone was drunk today, intoxicating the willows, intoxicating the lake, and even Lu Yu, who was waiting with anticipation, was tipsy, waiting to welcome Sister Zhaoji down... and take her to see this Imperial Academy, these Imperial Academy stone inscriptions, and Zhaoji's aspirations!
Who would have known...
The scene was completely different from what he had imagined.
The carriage stopped in front of Lu Yu, and Cai Zhaoji got out of the carriage as expected. However... her expression was exceptionally tense.
Facing Lu Yu, she couldn't bother to talk about missing him or share their laments...
The moment she spoke, it was about a major event.
"Brother Yu, something has happened..."
"As we traveled, the common people have been spreading a prophecy..."
Hmm...
This remark completely disrupted all of Lu Yu's plans.
And Cai Zhaoji's tone was even more solemn. She hurriedly spoke: —"This prophecy is... it is — He who replaces Han, shall be Tu Gao!"
Ho... He who replaces Han!
No wonder Sister Zhaoji was so tense!
It has arrived... so it was this that had arrived.
Lu Yu narrowed his eyes. That destroyer of Huainan, that honey-lover... he finally couldn't help but take this step.
—This step into the "abyss of eternal damnation"!
...
...