Silver Fox of the Three Kingdoms

Liu Bei actually didn't hate Cao Cao that much. He even got help from Cao Cao in his early years. If it wasn't for Cao Cao, he would have been killed by Lu Bu and Yuan Shu.

The hostile relationship between them mainly stems from their different positions.

Cao Cao held the emperor hostage, and Liu Xie issued an edict to Liu Bei to save his life. Naturally, such conflicts arose between the two sides.

After that, Liu Bei also slowly went to the south to develop into a party of princes and joined the princes' struggle for hegemony.

In this way, the territory grabbing with Cao Cao began, thus forming a natural hostile relationship.

But from a personal point of view, both Liu Bei and Guan Yu have received Cao Cao's kindness.

Therefore, from a personal emotional point of view, Liu Bei didn't have much hatred for Cao Cao, but felt a little emotional after his death.

Shen Chen was different.

The souls of hundreds of folks gathered in Zhuangyang are still watching in the sky.

Uncle Qi's pair of unrepentant eyes before his death was still in his mind all the time, and he couldn't get rid of it.

When Cao Cao massacred Xuzhou, more than 30 members of Shenchen's close relatives died, and he could call everyone by name and title. Among them, there were seven or eight cousins ​​who played with him since he was a child.

The two sides are no longer as simple as deep hatred, but the hatred is as deep as the sea.

The current five chief culprits who slaughtered the city, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, and Xiahou Dun were the three who died before. Now adding Cao Cao is not enough. In the future, Xiahouyuan will have to be sent.

So Shen Chen longed for Cao Cao's death.

In his eyes, Cao Cao is a scumbag, how could he be like Liu Bei, with a hint of regret?
The only pity is that Cao Cao did not die in his hands, that's all.

At the end of January in the 25th year of Jian'an, Shen Chen returned to Jingzhou.

Getting the good news from Cao Cao did not bring any changes to Shen Chen, nor did it change much to Liu Bei Group.

The difference is that the confidence of officials from all over Jingyi in the crusade against Jiangdong has increased.

For Cao Wei, this year is obviously not a good year.

Cao Cao had just died at the end of last year. In January, the news spread across the north and south, causing panic and chaos everywhere.As soon as Cao Pi took office as King Wei, he was busy everywhere to put down chaos.

In addition to Cao Wei's diehard loyalists, many people in the bureaucracy below have a lot of attitude towards Cao Pi. The Cao Wei Group's control over the local area has also declined a lot, which makes Cao Pi very worried.

Fortunately, although the older generation died almost the same, the Cao Wei Second Generation clan group could barely support the situation.

For example, Cao Xiu, a thousand-mile horse from the Cao family, Cao Zhen, a famous general who fought against Shu, and Xia Houshang, who was a confidant and a minion, are all over 40 years old, and even Xiahou Ba is more than [-] years old, and they can all take on great responsibilities.

And besides Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, Xiahou Shangxiahouba, Cao Zhang is also a fierce general.

It's just that Cao Zhang is Cao Cao's own son, and Cao Pi is still a little jealous of him. It's a pity that he dared not give him military power after succeeding to the throne and let him go to the country.

But even so, Cao Pi sent the second-generation sons of the clan to guard various places to quell the rebellion, which still made the situation unstable.

Many people thought that the Han Dynasty was about to prosper, and there were countless people who sent letters to the south. Even Liu Xie secretly submitted letters to him. There seemed to be many "loyal ministers" of the Han Dynasty in the imperial court overnight. It can be seen that How serious is Cao Wei's internal shock.

And the Caowei Group is already in such a difficult situation, let alone the Jiangdong Group.

Since the end of last year, Sun Quan's rear has been extremely unstable. The Shanyue uprising has continued, and the aristocratic families in various places have changed their direction. Even if Cao Cao accepted Sun Quan before his death and made him Wuhou of the Great Wei, it still could not stabilize people's hearts.

From the beginning of December to the end of January, there were more than a dozen rebellions, large and small, in Jiangdong.

The only good news is that most of the Jiangdong Group's family wants to follow Cao Wei and not Liu Bei, so in order to prevent Liu Bei from really getting Jiangdong and destroying their interests, they can only grit their teeth and go all the way to the dark and continue to support Sun Quan.

On the other hand, although the Liu Bei Group also had civil unrest in the rear, it was quickly quelled and the people were appeased. They are now actively recuperating and waiting for the start of the war against Jiangdong in the spring and summer of this year.

On January 27, Shen Chen, the newly appointed governor of Jingzhou and governor of Nanzhou, set off non-stop to inspect various places after sending his family back to Xiangyang.

He did not go to Nanyang.

Because Nanyang was not affected too much, Zhou Buyi also did a great job as the new Nanyang prefect. He not only appeased the people's livelihood in various places, but also mobilized corvee workers to build dams to the north of the Han River to prevent the flooding of the north bank of the Han River from happening again.

Therefore, Shen Chen mainly inspected places that were seriously affected by the floods, such as Nanjun and Jiangxia, especially Jiangxia. This flood almost destroyed the previously reclaimed farmland in the Anlu area.

Now we have to start all over again, allocate food funds to the people affected by the disaster, and organize reclamation again. The financial pressure on the state government is actually relatively large.

However, no matter how difficult it was, he had to grit his teeth and persist. He could only use the spare grain and grass in Nanyang and Jingnan to subsidize the people in Nanjun and Jiangxia.

Xiangyang, Longzhong Township, Suiting.

In just over two months, the changes here seem to be earth-shaking.

After the flood in September last year, Suiting turned into a sandy beach. At first, it was full of submerged farmland and villages, with ruined buildings and walls covered with a thick layer of sand.

After the relocated people returned to their homeland, they cleaned up the silt under the organization of the government, and used the washed up river bottom silt to reclaim farmland.

This is the instruction given by Shen Chen.

Because the river bottom silt is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, it is very beneficial to the growth of crops. In addition, if the retting technology is used properly, it will be a bumper harvest when it is harvested in May next year.

"Mao Changgong, this is the place where I gave lectures back then. It used to be a big township, but it hasn't been built yet. In a few months, it should be able to restore its former prosperity."

Shen Chen walked in the countryside with Xue Yong, the new governor of Nanjun.

Xue Yong was the son of Xue Lan, a general of Lu Bu's department. After Xue Lan was killed by Cao Cao, Xue Yong joined Liu Bei and followed Liu Bei for many years. After Shen Chen stepped down as the prefect of Nanjun, he was appointed by Liu Bei to Xiangyang.

The two and more than ten entourages rode horses and watched slowly on the country road. Some of the surrounding villagers were building houses, some were clearing the mud from the fields, and some were pulling out the flooded dormitories in the fields. Mai is already preparing for planting rice after spring.

Sumai is usually planted in autumn and winter, and harvested in spring and summer. However, during the war last winter, the floods drowned the original sumai. Obviously, it is no longer possible to alternately plant sumai and summer millet like Nanyang.

Therefore, the government simply took advantage of the water conservancy of the Han River to build canals, ponds, and flood control dams by the river, diverted water into the plains to irrigate rice, and changed the crops to Champa rice and Han rice.

In this way, even if there is another flood in the future, because the rice fields are more resistant to floods, and the Han River is to the north, there will be fewer droughts, which can greatly improve the survival of crops.

"The governor knew astronomy from above and geography from below, and he saved hundreds of thousands of people in Xiangfan before the flood came, which is admirable."

Looking at the busy countryside, Xue Yong couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Now the villagers can return to their hometowns and start a new life, all of this is due to the governor."

Shen Chen nodded with a smile: "Mr. Mao Chang praised you."

They move on.

Unexpectedly, there were many people surrounded by the country road ahead, people were cursing something out of righteous indignation, and several village leaders were rushing over there.

A group of people got off their horses and leaned over to watch the fun.

"What happened here?"

Shen Chen asked curiously.

One of the spectators said: "Someone stole cloth and got caught."

"Oh?"

Shen Chen frowned.

Longzhong Township is a land of exemplary morals, have bandits appeared now?

So he relied on his stature to look over the crowd.

Many people around saw him.

But since Shen Chen hasn't been back to Longzhong Township for a long time, everyone only remembers his appearance when he was a teenager, and now his skin is a little tanned, and he is wearing coarse casual clothes. People recognize him.

In the center surrounded by the crowd, a young man in ragged clothes bowed his head and said nothing. He had no clothes on his upper body, and his pants were torn, almost naked.

The owner of the cloth and his relatives tied his hands and shouted: "You thief who stole the cloth, you actually came to our Longzhong Township to commit crimes. You are so bold and reckless. Don't you know that Mr. Shen used to give lectures here? "

Hearing these words, the thief felt as if he had collapsed, and said in mourning, "My house was flooded, and I really had no choice but to come out to steal."

The owner of the cloth pointed to the surroundings: "Your home is flooded, aren't we? What's more, the government is also giving food to help us reclaim the fields and build houses. Why do you still come out to steal?"

The thief cried and said: "My father died of illness, only my mother and two younger sisters have no clothes at home, and they can only curl up on the bed all day without going out. Today I am going to Xiangyang to find some work and earn some money to buy a horse. Cloth made clothes for my mother and sister, passed by this town, saw that cloth and then had evil thoughts, I plead guilty and willing to punish, even if my head is killed, I just want to be able to send back the clothes on my body, and don’t let Mr. Shen know this matter."

"I didn't expect him to be so pitiful."

"Even if you are poor, you can't steal it. No one has committed crimes in Longzhong Township for many years."

"Yes, when Mr. Shen was giving lectures in the township, everyone would ask him to comment on any disputes. Every time he spoke clearly and convincingly. Since then, our village has been ashamed of breaking the law, even if Mr. Shen is no longer , Sometimes there was a lawsuit, but when I think of Mr. Shen, it was settled very quickly, this is the first time I have encountered thieves."

Everyone was talking.

Seeing him crying pitifully, the owner of the cloth softened his heart for a moment, and said, "Forget it, for the sake of your filial piety for your mother, let me let you go, and go back."

The thief knelt down and kowtowed gratefully, "Thank you, thank you."

"Who reported the case?"

At this moment, several rank-and-file robbers came in across the crowd, and one of them muttered: "We haven't had a robbery case in Longzhong Township for many years, but it's really strange to encounter it today."

The owner of the cloth said: "I reported the case, but I saw that this man is pitiful, so I decided to let him go. You are really sorry."

You Zhi, who led the team, said, "If that's the case, then let's do it this way."

Said to go back.

But someone in the crowd yelled, "Wait!"

Everyone looked over immediately.

I saw a tall man standing among the crowd, and it was he who was speaking.

Shen Chen actually gave lectures in Longzhong Township for three or four years, and he was still in his teens. Most of the rest of the time was either fighting with Sun Quan, or fighting with Cao Cao, or at Huangmen Pavilion in Nanyang. Back to Longzhong.

Therefore, in the case of a large change in appearance, the villagers did not recognize him at first, until someone looked at him more and more familiarly, and tentatively asked: "Mr. Shen?"

"it's me."

Shen Chen grinned.

"Mr. Shen is back, oh no, General Zuo is back."

Suddenly the crowd was in an uproar.

Some of us flocked to him, eager to say hello, some shouted loudly with excitement, and some even ran away—going back to tell their families to come and see God.

"Everyone, everybody."

Seeing that the situation was about to get out of control, Shen Chen quickly lowered his hands to signal for quietness and said, "I went back to Longzhong to inspect the countryside today, just to see everyone's current situation, to see if the government is distributing food for disaster relief, and to see if there is anyone Lazy and slack in government, if you find any corruption, shirk, or inaction in the government, you must tell me."

"No, no, every day the grain transport trucks will arrive on time to deliver food to everyone. Now the food is stored in the warehouse built by the pavilion, and every household receives it. The old village chiefs also gather in the village every day. Busy work, guiding everyone to rebuild, people from the Xiangyang government also come here every day."

"Yeah, it's all thanks to General Zuo. If it wasn't for General Zuo, all of us would have drowned. When we Longzhong villagers heard that General Zuo asked us to relocate, we all set off right away. Don't stop there."

"That's right. I heard that some people in the neighboring township and other counties were unwilling to relocate. After they were forcibly relocated, they spoke ill of the general behind their backs. Now, I'm afraid I regret it so much that I wish I could slap myself several times."

Everyone was talking.

Xue Yong said: "Everyone, the governor is no longer General Zuo, but now the governor of Jingzhou Mu and Nanzhou."

"The general has been promoted again? Uncle Huang knows people with his eyes. He should let a great talent like the governor be promoted."

"We have a gentleman in Jingzhou, so we can keep peace forever."

"By the way, what did the governor mean when he said slow down?"

Everyone praised him without hesitation, and some people were puzzled as to why Shen Chen said slow down just now.

Shen Chen came out more and more, walked to the center of the crowd, and stood in front of the cloth owner and the thieves.

At this time, when the thief heard that Shen Chen was coming, he buried his head in the ground in shame, wishing he could find a crack to get in.

But Shen Chen walked up to him and said to him, "What's your name?"

"Wang Wanghei."

"Is it your real name?"

"Yes."

"Where do you live?"

"Fengting on the north bank of Longzhong."

"sure?"

"determine."

Wang Hei was a little firmer this time.

Shen Chen nodded and said: "Although the owner of the cloth is willing to let you go, it is a fact that you stole, so you should be punished. According to the crime of stealing, I sentenced you to two years in prison. Do you have any complaints?"

The value of a piece of cloth in the Han Dynasty was still very high, and the value of a piece of linen in the peaceful period of the Eastern Han Dynasty was around 300 to 600 yuan.

But now is a troubled time, and the prices of in-demand goods such as grain and cloth have skyrocketed. Even in the Jingzhou area where prices are relatively stable, the price of a piece of linen is close to [-] yuan.

It doesn't look like much, but in terms of value, the law at the time required a life sentence.

Because "Hanshu Criminal Law Zhi" said: "If it is not a thing, it is called a robber. "Law" says: If a person who steals two taels of gold abandons the market, this person will get it (stolen), and the lost property will be directly (worth) three taels of gold. "

Theft is a serious crime in the Han Dynasty, divided into four grades, stealing 1 to 22 renminbi or items worth 1 to 22 renminbi, and a fine of 1 tael.

Stealing items ranging from 22 to 110 renminbi will result in a fine of 4 liang.

110 to 220, closed for 3 years.

220 to 660, closed for 5 years.

660 pieces of five baht coins to two taels of gold, life imprisonment, and engraving on the face.

More than two taels of gold, abandon the market.

In the Han Dynasty, a catty of gold was worth 16 renminbi, and 625 taels was a catty, so one tael of gold was 1250 renminbi, and two taels of gold was [-] renminbi.

That is to say, if you steal more than 1250 yuan, you will be beheaded.

What this person stole was a piece of linen, worth nearly a thousand dollars, so according to the previous law, he had to engrave his face and be sentenced to life imprisonment.

But later, Shen Chen thought that this crime was too serious, so he abolished the death penalty for the crime of theft, with a maximum of three to ten years, and the sentencing was basically similar to that of later generations.

Hearing Shen Chen's words, the thief said without hesitation: "I accept the punishment."

"Ah."

Shen Chen nodded, and then said to those Youzhi: "Go to Fengting and check to see if what he said is true, if it is true, then let Fengting send someone to the government to get a Send Pibu to his family, and his mother and younger sister should be supported by the government, so that the villagers can help his family cultivate some fields."

"only."

Several senior officials rushed to check.

The thief named Wang Hei was astonished, and cried, "I have committed a crime, why does the master support my family and give me a piece of cloth?"

Shen Chen said: "Jingzhou suffered from floods, and many wives were separated. It is their duty for the government to help with disaster relief and support. As for giving you a piece of cloth, it is not a gift, but a loan. You stole it for your mother and sister. I am afraid that if I know your mistakes, it means that you have a heart of filial piety and shame. Since you have filial piety and shame, you must be able to correct your mistakes. I did this to urge you to reform. I hope you can behave well in prison in the future, as soon as possible Come out. Don’t feel humbled by this incident in the future. As long as people correct their mistakes and be an upright person, then everyone will respect you. I hope you can understand my hard work. After I get out of prison, I will Farm hard or work hard, support your mother and sister, and return the half piece of cloth I lent you as soon as possible, and when you can return it depends on your hard work and determination."

Hearing this sentence, Wang Hei was sobbing, he kowtowed and said: "I, Wang Hei, will never commit crimes again, and if my husband and the villagers of Longzhong give me any orders from now on, I would like to repay you like an ox or a horse. "

"Go."

Shen Chen waved his hand, motioning for the robbers to take him away.

see this scene.

Xue Yong finally understood the reason why Shen Chen was so respected in the village, and he couldn't help feeling deeply: "No wonder people in the world say that the governor is a saint alive. I'm afraid only the ancient sages have such moral teachings. Long Zhongsheng The depth of moral influence is far greater than the power of punishment!"