I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 412 The Trend of the Times

"What's your purpose?"

After the meeting, Su Yao left Wei Ming and Wang Ling alone.

Although Wei Ming swore that Qian Zhao's words were too utilitarian, Su Yao knew that this guy was definitely not an idealist.

There must be some truth behind his high-sounding words.

And sure enough...

"Lord Su, Liaodong is truly a land bestowed by God!"

Wei Ming's face was excited. He looked around to make sure no one was around, then stepped forward and whispered:
"In recent years, the eunuch party has brought disaster to the country, causing unrest in the world and even the decline of the Han Dynasty."

"If you hadn't intervened, the world would have been in chaos."

"But this trend is irreversible and cannot be reversed by human power."

"Even if you repair it like this, it will only prolong its life."

"In that case, why did you hang yourself on this wreck?"

After saying this, Su Yao laughed:

"I asked you to come and get a feel for the situation in Liaodong so that you can lay a good foundation for successfully completing the mission later."

"But you are trying to persuade me to take over and offer me a brilliant plan for rebellion?"

Wei Ming was delighted at first when he saw that Su Yao did not blame him, but then he became anxious again when he saw that he still had that cynical attitude.

"This is what I really think, and it's not a joke!"

Wei Ming said seriously:
"These days, my brother Wang Ling and I have been visiting all over the country, and we know very well how unpopular the imperial court is outside the Great Wall!"

"The harm caused by the frivolous words in Qianzijing is limited. The eunuch party can't make any money from them. Behind the words is the miserable reality of countless people being separated from their wives and children and selling their children."

"Even in the five counties outside the Great Wall, there were many violent incidents of resistance to taxation."

"That's why Liaodong's taxes have been in arrears for so many years!"

"So much so that, compared to the champion marquis who turned the tide, Qiu Liju is more like a hero in the eyes of the people outside the Great Wall."

"Don't you think this is a strange thing?"

"Is this true?" The cynical smile in Su Yao's eyes finally disappeared, and he became cold as ice once again.

Wang Ling stepped forward, bowed his head and clasped his fists, saying:
"Although it's hard to say, what Wei Changshi said is indeed true."

This is simply a fantasy.

How could Qiuliju, a rebellious Hu man, be regarded as a hero in the eyes of the people in the five counties outside the Great Wall?
What is the reason for this?

"Sir, a harsh government is more ferocious than a tiger!"

Wang Ling sighed:
"The five counties outside the Great Wall have always placed top priority on military affairs, and self-preservation and survival are the top priorities."

"They were constantly threatened by the Xianbei, Buyeo, and Goguryeo."

"Although we haven't had a major war with them, they have never stopped harassing our borders and plundering us year after year."

"The people here, let alone those in the Central Plains, even those in Taiyuan cannot compare to the sufferings of labor and military service they bear every year."

“So everyone in Youzhou knows there is land in Liaodong, but unless they are exiled by the imperial court or seeking refuge in seclusion, no one is willing to come here.”

"In fact, everyone knows that life here is not as comfortable as that in the interior."

Wang Ling explained:
"Originally, the border residents have gotten used to this hard life."

"But starting more than a decade ago, after Tan Shihuai defeated the imperial court and wiped out the three expeditionary armies, everything began to deteriorate and move towards destruction."

"On one hand, wars and harassment were frequent in the border counties of Youzhou, and on the other hand, the Liangzhou and Yellow Turban Rebellions broke out within the Han Dynasty."

"The cash-strapped court not only increased the regular taxes but also imposed miscellaneous fees. Not only did they not reduce taxes after the war, but the emperor even started large-scale construction projects and sent eunuchs to plunder the local areas."

"The people in this county are already tough, how can we tolerate them?"

"People in various counties resorted to violent tax resistance, moved to other places to seek refuge, and even sold themselves to wealthy families."

"Local officials are simply unable to handle the situation, and in order to protect their own positions, they dare not talk about these issues at all."

Wang Ling continued, "Qiuliju and his people said it was the Wuhuan rebellion, but in fact they were just one step ahead of them."

"They have many connections with the people outside the Great Wall and have a clear view of the situation."

"So, Qiu Liju and his men focused their efforts on attacking the interior of the country, and did not do much to the grass on the edge of the counties outside the Great Wall. Instead, they tried to win them over and win the hearts of the people."

"After the Wuhuan killed the governor, blocked traffic and cut off the roads, the people outside the Great Wall lived better than before."

"They are no longer burdened with heavy taxes and corvee labor, and no longer have to worry about being drafted to die on distant battlefields. Instead, they can live a relatively peaceful life under the 'protection' of Qiuliju." Wang Ling's tone was filled with helplessness and heaviness.

"Qiuliju took advantage of this and joined the rebels of Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju in the name of fighting tyranny and punishing the eunuch party. They actually won the support of the Hu and Han people outside the Great Wall, and many people even voluntarily joined them."

Wei Ming took over the conversation and added:

"This shows the support of the people here for the Han Dynasty."

"These rebels are their only respite in despair."

Su Yao was silent for a moment after hearing this.

I have gained some understanding of Minzhong's situation here.

He also understood that what the two said was probably true.

Isn't this why the Yellow Turban Rebellion was able to spread quickly like wildfire?

The far-reaching impact of that series of events was even more profound for the border.

These areas far away from the core can be said to be abandoned due to the shortage of military and financial resources.

This is the case with Liangzhou and Bingzhou, and Youzhou will naturally be no exception.

"Lord Su."

Wei Ming bowed and said:
"Although Qian Zijing is a disciple of a famous teacher, it is precisely because of this that he lacks understanding of the people."

"He can see the dignitaries in the court, but he cannot see the bloody reality outside the Great Wall."

"According to what he said, the prince can certainly be the highest official in the country."

"But I am worried that your path will go against your ideals."

Wei Ming continued:
"Just think about it, if you really want to catch the big ones and let the small ones go, you will have to give more power to the people below and indulge those illegal behaviors in exchange for the financial support of the powerful families for your next military action."

"Moreover, in order to complete the court's tax repayment task, Liaodong must be fully restored and the showdown and collection of previous years must be strengthened."

"This way."

“The suffering of the people will not be alleviated but will be further aggravated.”

Su Yao took over the conversation and whispered:
"I would have completely stood on the opposite side of the people, and the people's morale in Liaodong would have completely collapsed."

"Your Excellency is absolutely right."

Wang Ling bowed and said:
"That's why we rushed here without stopping after we found out about these things."

"It is to enable you to listen to both sides and make a proper decision on the next policy."

"The situation in Liaodong is indeed very different from what we initially imagined."

Su Yao nodded after hearing this:

"You did a great job and arrived just in time."

"Although I, Su Yao, am not a saint, I also know that water can carry a boat but can also capsize it."

"If I only care about my own power and position and don't care about the lives of the people, then what's the difference between me and those corrupt officials who abuse the power and exploit the people?!"

"My previous actions of beheading those lawless nobles and tyrants made me look like a clown, didn't I?"

Su Yao narrowed his eyes slightly and said firmly:
"Liaodong, since I'm here, I want to make this place a model, to establish a set of effective governance strategies that can be applied to the whole country, so that the people can get out of the war, live and work in peace, and have children educated and the elderly cared for."

"In this regard, the Liaodong issue needs to be reconsidered."

"You guys go down first. Tomorrow, when everyone comes, we'll explain the situation clearly."

"We must come up with a practical strategy!"

(End of this chapter)