The most poisonous person in the Three Kingdoms, Boss Cao advised me to calm down!

Chapter 286: It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality

Liu Bei suddenly realized what was going on when he heard this.

However, he could sense from Pang Tong's words that he wanted to have a showdown with the other party.

His Taoist name is Fengchu, and he is as famous as Wulong.

Mr. Shuijing once commented: If one of them is Crouching Dragon or Phoenix, the world can be at peace.

Later, Xu Shao had another unique idea in the Yuedan review.

There is some kind of weird saying that a tiger in a poisonous tomb can determine the fate of the country.

With such sharp confrontation, how could others not understand the meaning?
In the world today, there are two major schools that are somewhat independent.

In the north, there is the Yingchuan School, which respects the great Confucian scholar Zheng Xuan as its teacher.

In the south, there is the Jingzhou School headed by the Confucian scholar Pang Degong.

Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Chick both came from the Jingzhou scholar group.

Now most of Jingzhou is occupied by Cao Cao.

Even Lord Wolong was defeated by Sima De.

Wouldn't this make people all over the world think that Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Chick are just names in vain?

So Fengchu has always been arrogant.

Whether for himself or for the reputation of the Jingzhou School.

Then we have to go north to compete with Sima De.

And Liu Bei also knew that he was reluctant to let go.

Nothing could stop Pang Tong's determination to go to the Central Plains.

Then he could only watch Pang Tong sail away.

"I don't know if Brother Shi Yuan can defeat Sima De..."

Zhuge Liang also murmured at this time.

And Liu Bei stared at Pang Tong's leaving figure.

I am also very curious about this question.

The name of Phoenix is ​​known to the world.

What if Fengchu arrived in Xudu and was still defeated by Sima De?

That would be the most ridiculous thing in the world.

Could a man as proud as Pang Tong accept his own failure?
By then, this will probably be another big drama that will shock the world.
At this time, in Yecheng, Central Plains, Cao Cao was taking a group of his trusted men on a spring outing to enjoy the scenery.

At this time, the breeze blows and the spring water is abundant.

The chirping of birds in the woods echoes with the geese flying overhead.

It's instantly refreshing.

And this is the West Garden of Yecheng where everyone is.

It was expanded and renovated based on the previous Xuanwu Pool.

Now it has become Cao Cao's own private garden.

Although it is not a royal palace garden, its scale is not small at all.

In the past, the Xuanwu Pool was dug for training navy.

But it is useless to train your troops in a pool without any wind or waves.

What you end up with is an embroidered pillow that looks nice but is useless.

And now Zhang Liao and Gan Ning have defeated Zhou Yu in Jingzhou.

There is no point in leaving the Xuanwu Pool at this time.

So now it is planted with lotus flowers and renamed Hibiscus Pond.

Officials and scholars in Yecheng were allowed to come and enjoy the scenery.

At this moment, Cao Cao was looking at the beautiful scenery in front of him, with a lot of thoughts in his mind.

Last year, his two daughters married Sima De.

The situation in Jingzhou was stabilized again.

Now Dong Zhao did not disappoint people and brought back the emperor's edict from Xudu.

It was said that because Cao Cao had made great contributions in suppressing rebellions over the years, he should be given more fiefdoms.

Of course, this decree is mainly for outsiders to see.

This move is intended to be known to everyone in the world.

It was only natural for Cao Cao to be promoted to the rank of Duke.

Who dares to do anything behind the scenes?

The knife in Cao Cao's hand is not just there to scare people!
But right now, he needs a victory to publicize his civil and military achievements.

At this time, there happened to be someone to be operated on in the west.
"Prime Minister, what do you think of this garden?"

Just when Cao Cao was lost in thought, Dong Zhao beside him asked.

Cao Cao came to his senses after hearing this and looked around again.

He raised his finger and pointed and said:
"There's a wide expanse of water in the northwest. How about building a pavilion there?"

"What a good idea, Prime Minister!" Liu Zhen, who was in charge of recording, agreed with a smile.

"Just now, the eldest master suddenly felt like writing poetry."

"It is said: Two canals irrigate each other, and fine trees surround the river."

"If there is another high platform in the West Garden."

"But isn't it more beautiful if you stand on top and look out into the distance?"

As Cao Pi's confidant, he had the opportunity.

Just flatter your master.

But at this time, Guo Yuan on the side looked embarrassed.

He also stepped forward and bowed and said:

"Prime Minister, I have something I would like you to decide." Cao Cao was curious when he heard this and asked:

"Oh, what's the matter?"

But Guo Yuan lowered his head and said:
"It has been five years since the Prime Minister pacified Jizhou."

"At first, the order was to collect only four liters of rent per acre of land."

"It is to implement virtuous policies to reassure the people."

“But the expenses have increased in the past two years. It costs a lot to build a garden now.”

"If this continues, we may not even be able to supply food to the army."

"Will it be a...slight increase in taxes?"

He was very careful in his words, talking about “expenses increasing”.

In fact, it was during these two years that Cao Cao mobilized his troops to fight wars in the south and the north.

There was also the matter of large-scale construction in Yecheng.

These things cannot be said to be wrong, but they are a waste of time and money after all.

In fact, Cao Cao also knew in his heart that he had indeed spent a lot of money in the past two years.

The key issue is that the tax rate in Jizhou was too low.

When he occupied Yuan Shao's territory, he did so in order to win over the hearts of the people.

He set taxes very low in an attempt to win over the northern nobles and appease the people.

I originally thought that once the north was stabilized, the south of the Yangtze River could be pacified smoothly.

It will be natural to adjust taxes at that time.

But I didn't expect that even Jingzhou would be so difficult to conquer.

His staff had reminded him before: It is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but it is difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.

Cao Cao was eager for quick success and didn't listen at all.

Now, since there is not enough money, we can only increase taxes.

After Yecheng was built, the first thing they did was to collect more taxes from the people.

What will the people in the north say about him when they get there?

Thinking of this, Cao Cao's mood instantly turned from sunny to cloudy.

But he didn't say much, just said lightly:

"In this case, report it to the emperor."

"Let the court make the decision."

“Taxes should be increased wherever they are needed.”

Everyone present was stunned for a moment when they heard this.

You have the final say when it comes to tax cuts, but you have the final say when it comes to tax increases.

But they pulled the emperor out to be a shield.

Isn't this obviously a way to benefit oneself and let the court take the blame?

However, Dong Zhao had long been accustomed to observing Cao Cao's expression.

As soon as he saw that the master's expression was not right, he said quickly:

"Prime Minister, it's getting late, we should go back."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao nodded and led everyone back to the mansion.

He walked through the front yard without stopping and went straight back to the Government Hall.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw the military advisor Xun You and the chief clerk Wen Hui.

Sima De is also waiting inside.

Because the official business had not been completed, it was inconvenient for everyone to leave, so they all stood respectfully aside.

Wen Hui came forward holding a memorial and said:

"Prime Minister, as you wish."

"I have drafted the memorial together with several clerks."

"Please take a look"

Liu Cong has been acting dishonestly recently and has written a letter requesting to return to his state to take up his post.

This memorial was intended to enhance the status of Liu Biao's son Liu Cong.

After Jingzhou surrendered, Jingzhou Mu Liu Cong was assigned a nominal position as Qingzhou Governor.

Although life is worry-free, it is actually equivalent to house arrest.

Now most areas of Jingzhou have been acquired.

Liu Cong's father and elder brother had been dead for more than half a year.

But no matter what, Jingzhou is still somewhat unstable.

Liu Bei and Sun Quan were in cahoots with each other.

They also occupied Changsha and Guiyang in southern Jing.

He had Zhuge Liang, Yi Ji and others under him who helped him recruit talents.

So many scholars from Jingzhou ran to join him.

Cao Cao was helpless about this and thought of Liu Cong who was neglected.

Although he was young and of mediocre qualifications, he was Liu Biao's son after all.

No matter how much the Jingzhou gentry opposed Cao Cao in private.

Also give the Liu family some face.

Therefore, Cao Cao recommended Liu Cong as the Imperial Counselor.

Participate in the military affairs of the court.

I hope this can appease the people of Jingzhou.

(End of this chapter)