In Xu Du city, within the Ministry of Agriculture.
Cao Cao and Lu Yu were discussing the difficulties of governing Xu Du. The current Xu Du was a complete melting pot, and with just a slight lapse in attention, great chaos could ensue!
And there were already signs of this great chaos. Man Chong had, true to expectations, kicked Cao Hong. Behind Cao Hong stood the formidable "hornet's nest" of the Cao clan, the Xiahou clan, and the noble lords.
One could easily surmise that Cao Hong, Cao Zilian, Cao Cao's cousin, would not let this matter rest. The entire influential gentry of Qiao and Pei, and all the court officials, would be focusing their attention on this incident.
"Cao Gong, I..."
Lu Yu was about to speak.
"Report to Cao Gong, something has happened at the yamen again," Xu Chu barged in, cupping his fist in salutation.
These were extraordinary times, with the Imperial Guard soldiers stationed throughout Xu Du. Any minor disturbance would be reported to Cao Cao immediately.
Hmm? Something happened at the yamen again?
Cao Cao's brow furrowed. He pondered if Man Chong had perhaps arrested more scions, disciples, or retainers of the court officials or the Qiao and Pei nobility?
Truly, one wave of trouble had not yet subsided before another began!
Conversely, Lu Yu was remarkably calm. It seemed as if... since Man Chong was appointed as the Xu Du Commandant, incidents at the yamen were simply to be expected.
To be precise, it wasn't the yamen that had incidents, but these proud, merit-based officials, these self-proclaimed exalted court nobles who had incidents... it was perfectly normal!
Otherwise... how could the title of "cruel official" befit Lord Man?
Xu Chu's words continued.
"Just now, General Cao Hong dispatched another five retainers. They intercepted Lord Man, first attempting to bribe him, then drawing their swords... unexpectedly, these five were subdued by Lord Man, and the yamen runners had also laid an ambush. Now... they have all been confined in the yamen. It seems... Lord Man intends to punish them severely!"
This...
Cao Cao's expression turned complex.
It was a mixture of joy and sorrow. He was pleased with Man Chong's swiftness, his enforcement of the law like a mountain, his disregard for personal sentiment, yet he felt ashamed of Cao Hong's unruly retainers.
However...
This matter did not seem to be over!
Man Chong had now imprisoned six of Zilian's retainers. Given Zilian's temperament... it was highly likely that...
Indeed, before Cao Cao could finish this thought, Xu Chu's words continued. "General Cao Hong is already searching the city for Cao Gong. He vows to ask Cao Gong to seek justice for him! It is likely he will find us at the Ministry of Agriculture very soon."
As expected...
This matter would ultimately reach him, Cao Cao, and this was what Cao Cao least wished to see.
On one side was the vision of "using severe penalties in turbulent times," and on the other was his kinsman. Caught between a rock and a hard place, no matter how Cao Cao judged or whose side he took, it would be wrong, terribly wrong!
"Lord Lu, troublesome times are coming,"
Cao Cao sighed with a wry smile and lamented helplessly...
Lu Yu's eyes blinked. "Cao Gong, this matter is actually not that complicated! If General Zilian comes, you just need to close your door and refuse to see him!"
"How is that possible?" Cao Cao waved his hand. "Zilian's six retainers are imprisoned in the yamen, and Zilian is famously protective of his own. If he doesn't see me, he's unlikely to let this matter go."
Speaking of which, Cao Cao shook his head helplessly. "And this matter is of great importance, and it is difficult for me to handle!"
This was Cao Cao's current predicament...
In the past, he hadn't had so many soldiers, so much influence, and no involvement with the Emperor or the court! When he was a local warlord in Yan Province, he could turn a blind eye to many things, and a single word would suffice.
But now... the situation was different!
Cao Cao was, for the first time, holding such a vast territory, with so many civil and military officials under him. The forces in Xu Du were even more complex. His first priority was to stabilize the situation in Xu Du, and to stabilize it, he first had to establish his authority!
But to establish authority over his own kinsman... this matter... was not easy to handle!
In stark contrast to Cao Cao's grim expression, Lu Yu's demeanor remained relaxed.
It was as if... in his eyes, this was not a significant matter at all.
"Cao Gong, you underestimate Lord Man. If he cannot even handle such matters? And still needs Cao Gong to intervene, then... what qualifications does he have to be the Xu Du Commandant?"
Speaking of which...
Lu Yu paused and continued, "Cao Gong knows General Zilian's temperament, how could Lord Man not know? Coming to cause trouble, bribing in private, pleading with Cao Gong... these tricks cannot escape Lord Man's eyes."
"If... my guess is correct, Cao Hong's six retainers, these six lawbreakers, have likely already met their end! Not a single one left, all gone. Even if Cao Hong is angry... there is nothing he can do."
As these words were spoken...
Cao Cao's eyes suddenly narrowed.
Killed? Met their end?
Does Yu'er mean... Man Chong would kill these retainers? This...
Cao Cao could hardly dare to think of this... After all, these were Cao Hong's retainers, his kinsmen. To kill them without batting an eye? Did Man Chong have such courage?
Just as he thought of this...
"Report to Cao Gong!"
A soldier of the Imperial Guard hurried over. Xu Chu quickly turned, muttering to himself that such urgency... must mean another urgent matter!
He saw the soldier of the Imperial Guard panting as he reported, "Outside the yamen... outside the yamen, Lord Man publicly flogged to death six of General Cao Hong's retainers. He said he wanted to make an example of them! He also said... he also said..."
These words were spoken in a rush, but... they made Xu Chu, and even more so Cao Cao, change their expressions drastically.
"What did he say?" Cao Cao asked urgently.
"He said..." The soldier of the Imperial Guard tried to shout in Man Chong's tone, "That even the Emperor, if he breaks the law, is the same as a commoner! What's more, you, who bribed the judiciary and threatened the Grand Judge, your crimes are compounded, and you are to be executed by flogging immediately, to serve as a warning!"
As these words were uttered...
Cao Cao's brow furrowed deeply, and his expression also changed dramatically!
It really came true what Yu'er had said...
Killed, just like that? Killed so casually?
Previously... in Cao Cao's memory, the only one who could be called "ruthless" was Cheng Yu. Now, Man Chong's "ruthlessness" was comparable to Cheng Yu's.
Heh heh... heh heh...
What a statement, "Even the Emperor, if he breaks the law, is the same as a commoner"... What immense courage! What boldness!
After a brief frown, ha, haha... Cao Cao actually let out an inexplicable laugh.
The moment before, Cao Cao had been so troubled because of Cao Hong, but at this moment, his heart became clear and transparent!
Yes...
Using severe penalties in turbulent times, this was Cao Cao's thought and vision, but... he had been hesitant to implement it.
In the final analysis, Cao Cao was still unwilling to punish the meritorious officials around him.
Man Chong had set an example for him, Cao Cao!
What good were merits? In the face of the ambition to rule the land... in the face of the vision of "using severe penalties in turbulent times," the retainers of meritorious officials, if they committed offenses, would also have to be executed!
This time, against Cao Hong, against the nobility of Qiao and Pei... was it not also a case of "killing a chicken to warn the monkey," and "shaking the mountain to intimidate the tiger"?
*Hoo...*
Cao Cao let out a long sigh. At this moment, he suddenly felt...
That Man Chong, whom Yu'er had recommended, was truly not simple...
In fact, to a certain extent, at this current juncture, he shone even brighter and more dazzlingly than ten formidable generals!
"Uh..." Lu Yu spoke at the opportune moment. "Cao Gong, weren't you worried before about your subordinates being arrogant due to their achievements, and court officials not obeying orders? Now... Lord Man has already made the move of 'killing the chicken,' it's up to Cao Gong whether to 'warn the monkey'!"
Speaking of which, Lu Yu's tone became much more serious.
"This is a golden opportunity to make Xu Du as stable as a rock, an opportunity to instill fear in all the court officials and the nobility. Cao Gong must seize it! Do not, in the end, fail!"
...
*Hoo...*
Cao Cao let out another long sigh.
He closed his eyes, his entire being entering a state of meditation...
One breath, two breaths, ten breaths, twenty breaths!
For a full forty breaths, his eyes finally opened gradually.
"Zhong Kang..." Cao Cao called out to Xu Chu...
"Your subordinate is here!"
"Quietly spread the news that Zilian once saved my life in the battle of Xingyang. Let it reach all the court officials and every soldier!"
Ah... ah...
Cao Cao's command left Xu Chu momentarily confused.
However, he cupped his fist in salute and accepted the order.
"Yes!"
"And!" Cao Cao's commands continued. "Tell Magistrate Xun to request an imperial edict from the Emperor to commend Lord Man, to immediately commend Man Chong!"
"Yes..." Xu Chu replied again.
"In addition, immediately find a sandalwood plaque. I, Cao Cao, will personally write seven characters to present to Lord Man, and also to our yamen in Xu Du!"
Hmm... seven characters?
As these words were uttered, Lu Yu muttered to himself, what seven characters?
But at this moment...
Cao Cao said cheerfully, "Lord Lu, would you accompany me to pick up the calligraphy? How about it?"
"It is my greatest honor!" Lu Yu agreed and walked out with Cao Cao...
The efficiency of the Imperial Guard was extremely high. In less than half a quarter of an hour, the plaque was brought.
Cao Cao picked up the brush, his strokes like dragons and snakes, his brushwork swift and vigorous, and his writing powerful and strong, quite reminiscent of... Cai Yong's Feibai script of the past.
The first large character—"情" (qing - feeling/emotion)!
The second and third large characters were almost one stroke—"可" (ke - can/able), "容" (rong - tolerate)!
Qing ke rong...
Lu Yu suddenly realized, could it be these seven characters...
As expected, after dipping the brush in ink, the remaining four characters were completed in one go: "法不能容" (fa bu neng rong - law cannot tolerate)!
Instantly, with sandalwood as the base and gold lettering inlaid on the edges, a line of seven upright characters sprang forth—Qing ke rong, fa bu neng rong!
Heh heh, Lu Yu muttered to himself, Old Cao is indeed Old Cao. When it comes to making a choice... as long as it is for the grand ambition of ruling the land, he can sacrifice the feelings of the Qiao and Pei nobility and firmly uphold the vision of "using severe penalties in turbulent times"...
And these seven shining characters—"情可容，法不能容"—are the irrefutable proof!
Old Cao has something!
Lu Yu exclaimed with emotion...
What a brilliant move to spread the news of Cao Hong saving Cao Cao's life, letting all the court officials know!
What a wise move to petition the Emperor, to have the Emperor issue an edict commending Lord Man!
What a wise move for Cao Cao to personally write the plaque—"Qing ke rong, fa bu neng rong"!
Heh heh...
If Man Chong killing Cao Hong's retainers was merely shaking the mountain to intimidate the tiger, to subdue the irritable ferocious tiger that was Cao Hong.
Then... Cao Cao, by using the commendation of Man Chong, ensured that these seven characters, "Qing ke rong, fa bu neng rong," penetrated the hearts of everyone. Man Chong's statement, "Even the Emperor, if he breaks the law, is the same as a commoner," perfectly aligned with Cao Cao's wishes.
And this entire deployment, was it not a "shaking of the mountain to intimidate the tiger" for the Qiao and Pei nobility, and all the court officials!
"Hahaha..."
After writing the plaque, Cao Cao let out a cheerful laugh.
This trip to the Ministry of Agriculture was indeed worthwhile...
The two most pressing problems had been solved with ease. Wonderful, wonderful!
"Lord Lu..." Thinking to the end, Cao Cao turned back to look at Lu Yu, and he lamented, "The sky in Xu Du is about to change!"
"No..." Unexpectedly, Lu Yu directly interrupted, "Cao Gong, speak with caution. It is the sky over Xu Du that is about to dawn!"
As these words were spoken, Cao Cao and Lu Yu's eyes met...
They both let out knowing smiles.
...
...
Shock, awe, deafening!
In just half a day, the entire Xu Du city felt as if the sky had fallen... All the civil and military officials, and even the soldiers in the camps, were discussing it in hushed tones!
As for the reason...
General Li Feng, Grand Master of Advising, who had made countless contributions, and even saved Cao Cao's life, the influential noble of Qiao and Pei—Cao Hong!
His six retainers had committed offenses, and were publicly flogged to death by the newly appointed Xu Du Commandant, Man Chong...
And Cao Hong, in his anger, went to Cao Cao to seek justice, but the result was... Cao Sikong closing his door and refusing to see him!
...At the same time, Man Chong, who had offended the Qiao and Pei nobility, received commendation from the Emperor, and Cao Sikong personally wrote a plaque—"Qing ke rong, fa bu neng rong!"
This was deeply meaningful!
Now, unless one's head had been kicked by a donkey, everyone realized a serious problem.
Who was in charge in Xu Du city? There might still be debate!
But once you committed an offense, defied the law... then there was only one person in charge—the Xu Du Commandant, Man Chong!
One must know that the rise of Man Chong... was equivalent to... a powerful blow to all the court officials and the Qiao and Pei nobility—a profound awakening!
Aren't you all so capable?
As capable as Cao Hong, who saved Cao Cao's life?
His retainers committed mistakes, and were directly flogged to death, to serve as a warning!
What about you?
And... this newly appointed Lord Man is a ruthless man!
He just committed some offense, and he killed them just like that? What else could he not do in this manner?
The entire Xu Du city, for a time... everyone was in a state of anxiety!
If, in this world, the most frightening thing to ghosts was the "ghost's nemesis"—Cheng Yu...
Then, the most frightening person was the "people's nemesis"—Man Chong!
Outside the yamen gate... the plaque inlaid with gold edges, the seven characters "Qing ke rong, fa bu neng rong" personally written by Cao Cao... were like a sharp blade hanging over everyone's heads.
Let alone ordinary citizens, even those who had made contributions, even the imperial officials of the Han Dynasty dared not cross the line again.
The ripple effect... continued.
Man Chong's reputation as a cruel official spread throughout the Central Plains, which was equivalent to injecting a powerful stimulant into every judicial official under Cao Cao's jurisdiction...
Everyone began to emulate Lord Man. They straightened their backs, daring to say "no" to those who broke the law, those who acted maliciously, especially the powerful and influential with identities and backgrounds!
—Daring to arrest and try, daring to try and judge...
If those who broke the law dared to say another word, Lord Man's famous sayings would be uttered through the mouths of these runners and officials, one after another.
—"Even the Emperor, if he breaks the law, is the same as a commoner!"
—"If you reveal anyone's name, you are harming them!"
—"Qing ke rong, fa bu neng rong!"
It seemed that in just a few days, not only Xu Du, but the entire region under Cao Cao's rule—Si, Xu, Yan, Yu—was permeated with a sense of law and order.
Cao Cao's vision of "using severe penalties in turbulent times" was initially realized.
Of course...
Cao Cao also had his troubles, let alone Cao Cao... even Lu Yu was troubled.
The Commander's Mansion, the Ministry of Agriculture... were almost surrounded by court officials and Qiao and Pei nobility who came to plead for the "offenders."
Some retainers committed offenses and fell into Lord Man's hands...
Man Chong was impervious to all pleas, so everyone could only turn to Cao Cao for help.
As for coming to seek Lu Yu's help...
It was because Man Chong was recommended by Lu Yu!
This could not be hidden. It could be said that... Cao Cao and Lu Yu were the last straw for the "offenders" to seek exoneration.
However...
Both Cao Cao and Lu Yu's attitudes were clear.
Regarding Lord Man's actions—they neither supported, nor opposed, nor interfered!
As a result...
Especially in Xu Du city, due to Cao Cao's silence, Lu Yu's non-interference, and Man Chong's deterrence, in less than half a month... the entire public security situation was completely renewed.
Incidents of arrogance due to past achievements, bullying by force, and oppressing the common people never occurred again.
It seemed that... the internal situation of Xu Du city had entered the right track.
All unstable factors were completely strangled in the cradle by Man Chong, whom Lu Yu had recommended.
...
Concurrently.
The屯田制 (Tun Tian Zhi - Garrison Farming System) was being vigorously promoted throughout Cao Cao's territory.
Besides Lu Yu's Long Xiao Camp, Cao Chun's Tiger Cavalry, and Xiahou Yuan's Leopard Cavalry, seven out of ten soldiers from each of the six camps were required to participate in agriculture.
This was to ensure the combat effectiveness of each camp while strengthening agricultural affairs!
Originally... the soldiers selected for farming should have complained incessantly...
But in reality, they were overjoyed.
This was because... the Tun Tian system had established 田官 (Tian Guan - Agricultural Officials).
The positions of 典农中郎将 (Dian Nong Zhong Lang Jiang - Commandant of Agriculture) and 典农校尉 (Dian Nong Xiao Wei - Colonel of Agriculture) were analogous to the salaries of governors and county magistrates, and... also the promotion model like achieving merit on the battlefield, which made every soldier's enthusiasm for farming soar.
In the final analysis, originally... they had only one way to advance in military rank and change their lives, which was to kill enemies on the battlefield, and exchange the heads of enemies for their own merits and rewards.
But... this involved great risk, and was the most difficult path.
As the saying goes, "the success of one general is built upon the bones of ten thousand soldiers," and this was no joke.
According to the military system of the Han Dynasty, killing three enemies would make one a squad leader, and killing ten enemies would make one a centurion. The hardship involved... was understood by every soldier!
What kind of place was the battlefield? Open spears were easy to dodge, but hidden arrows were hard to guard against. It was possible that after killing nine enemies, and with the position of centurion within sight, you could be shot through by an arrow and directly... meet your end.
But now...
Farming could lead to promotion, and if you farmed well, you could be promoted!
Safe, efficient, and painless!
There were a large number of Qingzhou soldiers in Cao's army, and among them were a large number of farmers. They were already very skilled in farming!
Was not this path to promotion more hopeful than fighting on the battlefield?
Moreover... promotion among Tian Guan was based on harvest. In this regard... Cao Cao's tens of thousands of former Yellow Turban Army soldiers were experts!
And... a large number of people were promoted every year...
Even if it was not their turn at first, but if they persevered for ten or eight years, they might be promoted to the official rank of Dian Nong Xiao Wei, bringing glory to their families.
Such thoughts filled the entire military camp...
The soldiers' enthusiasm for garrison farming was incredibly high!
...
Xu Du city, the Ministry of Personnel.
Today, Xun Yu had been sitting at his desk for the entire morning. His eyes were constantly fixed on the documents on the desk.
These were reports from officials in various regions, some for the Emperor, and some for Cao Cao. These all needed to be classified by the Ministry of Personnel.
However, the content of the documents had been somewhat different recently.
A few days ago, they were reports from various camps on the reaction to the military garrison farming, and it could be described as—booming!
Today, the topic shifted, and the content of the report from the Administrator of Chenliu Commandery was related to civilian farming.
And this was the reason why Xun Yu had not moved for the entire morning, his heart stirred endlessly.
"Magistrate Xun, you have been sitting here for three full hours. You should get up and move around a bit!" Xi Zhicai reminded him...
His health was poor. After contracting a cold... he was almost saved from the gates of death by Lu Yu.
Therefore, Xi Zhicai now attached great importance to his health...
He had abstained from both alcohol and women.
As Xi Zhicai advised, Xun Yu slowly stood up, stretched his limbs, and sighed with emotion.
"Zhicai? This time, the Ministry of Agriculture abolished the 'Ji Niu Shu Gu' (counting oxen to deliver grain) system that had persisted for hundreds of years, and adopted the 'New Agricultural Policy.' I originally thought it would cause some degree of chaos, but I did not expect... the results to be so remarkable?"
Hmm...
Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai's eyes turned.
Abolishing 'Ji Niu Shu Gu'!
This matter... had been highly debated in the Ministry of Personnel, but... because of the persistence of Grand Minister of Agriculture Lu Yu, it was implemented on a small scale.
The first location for its implementation was Chenliu Commandery in Yan Province.
As for the results, let alone Xun Yu... even Xi Zhicai was eagerly awaiting them.
"Remarkable results? How remarkable? Magistrate Xun, why don't you explain it in detail?"
As Xi Zhicai asked, Xun Yu's tone became meticulous. "Zhicai, do you know... how many farming households in Chenliu Commandery chose to cooperate with the government in farming before and after the implementation of the New Agricultural Policy?"
Xi Zhicai recalled briefly and then replied.
"Before the new policy, Chenliu Commandery, due to the severe drought last year, seemed to have only over five thousand farming households cooperating with the government in farming!"
As for after the new policy, Xi Zhicai did not know, and thus did not say more.
At this moment, Xun Yu picked up the report from the Administrator of Chenliu, and he said loudly, "The New Agricultural Policy has been implemented for less than a month, and the farmers who have cooperated with us in farming have increased..."
Speaking of which, Xun Yu paused and held up three fingers.
Xi Zhicai was shocked and asked urgently, "Thirty percent? Three times?"
"No..." Xun Yu replied with a serious expression, "Thirty times! Now in Chenliu Commandery, there are as many as 150,000 farmers cooperating with the government in farming! The arable land is already in short supply!"
Whoa...
Fifteen thousand farming households?
This... this... what kind of concept is this?
Chenliu Commandery only has a population of six or seven hundred thousand people, right?
Fifteen thousand farming households gave up being tenant farmers for wealthy landowners, and instead... cooperated with the government in farming? This... this is too much...
Xi Zhicai wanted to say something...
But in reality, he was speechless, he was at a loss for words. He simply... could not imagine that the New Agricultural Policy could bring such incredible trust to the people, to the farmers, and produce such remarkable results!
It was simply—terrifying!
...
...