Cao Cao's face darkened like a gathering storm,his expression aghast.At last,he grasped the reason behind the insolence of those officials and the powerful gentry clans.Their audacity knew no bounds,and their arrogance was rooted in their control over the land and people.
"Then,sir,what course of action do you suggest?"Cao Cao inquired,his tone laced with helplessness.
"The safest path would be to follow Qiao Mao's example and foster amicable relations with the gentry.It may be a bitter pill to swallow,but it would spare you much strife,"Lin Yu proposed.
"Absolutely not!"Cao Cao rejected the idea outright.His pride was as unyielding as steel.When he held the position of the Northern Captain in Luoyang,he had refused to bend before the wealthy and powerful.Now,submitting to these haughty gentry clans was anathema to him.
A glint of admiration flickered in Lin Yu's eyes as he continued,"There is another alternative—to suppress the gentry with all your might."
"How would one go about that?"Cao Cao asked.
"Select and promote the talented among the common folk to hold official positions."During the Han Dynasty,the selection of officials was based on the system of recommendation and selection,yet the power of recommendation largely rested with the gentry clans.Consequently,most of those chosen were their descendants,and it was nigh impossible for ordinary people to ascend the social ladder.By vigorously implementing Lin Yu's suggestion,the gentry's influence could be curbed.
Cao Cao nodded pensively."Your words hold merit,but that alone might not suffice.After all,the gentry still commands vast amounts of land and population."
"Have no fear,my lord.I have a second plan,"Lin Yu said with a confident smile."Encourage the people to reclaim wasteland.The reclaimed land shall belong to the people,but it may not be bought or sold,and an annual tax must be paid."
"This is indeed a fine idea,but reclaiming wasteland is no trifling matter,"Cao Cao replied with a wry smile.In ancient times,the task of reclaiming wasteland was arduous and time-consuming.Cao Cao had once incorporated three hundred thousand Yellow Turban rebels from Qingzhou and appointed Xiahou Dun to oversee the farming by soldiers,yet he still struggled to resolve the food issue.During the campaign against Yuan Shu,he even faced a severe shortage of provisions.Had he not borrowed one hundred thousand hu of grain from Sun Ce,defeat might have been his lot.
"Reclaiming wasteland may be a Herculean task for others,but for us,it's a different story!"Lin Yu exclaimed as he retrieved a drawing from his bosom.On it was depicted a tool.
"What is this?"Cao Cao asked,curiosity piqued.
"This is a curved-shaft plough.With it,only one person and one ox are required to reclaim wasteland,and the efficiency is triple that of traditional methods!"Lin Yu explained,his smile widening.
"What?How can this be?"Cao Cao exclaimed in astonishment.Even Xiahou Dun and the others,who had some knowledge of farming,were dumbstruck.If the curved-shaft plough was truly as miraculous as claimed,then the problem of reclaiming wasteland would indeed be surmountable.
"How could I deceive you,my lord?"Lin Yu continued,still smiling."Did you not obtain a quantity of iron materials from Yuan Shao?They can be used to manufacture the curved-shaft plough."Cao Cao had exchanged the Imperial Seal of the State with Yuan Shao,securing not only his support but also a substantial amount of grain,iron materials,and other supplies.
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"The government can provide the curved-shaft plough to the people free of charge under the aegis of the state,"Lin Yu elaborated."In this manner,within a year,a vast expanse of land will be reclaimed."
"Furthermore,I possess new crop seeds.The yield of these seeds is five times that of ordinary crops!"
Upon hearing these words,everyone in the hall was left speechless.The curved-shaft plough was already an astounding revelation,and now Lin Yu presented crop seeds with a five-fold increase in yield.Were it not for their knowledge of Lin Yu's character,they would have surely thought him mad.
"Can the curved-shaft plough and the new crop seeds resolve your predicament,my lord?"Lin Yu asked,his smile brimming with confidence.
Cao Cao took several deep breaths,his excitement and shock palpable."If this is truly possible,all our problems will surely be alleviated!"
Selecting the talented from humble backgrounds would earn their support.Providing the people with the curved-shaft plough and high-yield seeds,and encouraging them to reclaim wasteland,would enable the people to live in prosperity and contentment.The tax issue would also be readily resolved.In this way,Cao Cao would no longer need to defer to the gentry.Before long,the gentry would be subdued by him.
"Sir,you are truly an extraordinary individual!"Cao Cao praised wholeheartedly.
The Repercussions of the New Policies
Beyond the city gate of Puyang County,a group of officials arrived and affixed announcements to the city wall.A curious crowd quickly gathered around.
"Sir official,what does it say?"someone asked bravely.
A minor official stepped forward and said with a smile,"The prefect has decreed that all the people of Dongjun Prefecture may freely reclaim wasteland.Moreover,as long as you register your personal details at the government office,the government will lend you farming tools and oxen at no cost!However,the reclaimed land belongs to the state.You have the right to cultivate it but may not trade it freely!Additionally,the government will provide high-yield seeds free of charge.The yield of these seeds is five times that of ordinary crops!"
Upon hearing this,the people erupted into a flurry of conversation.
"What?The government is lending farming tools and oxen for free?!"
"And they're providing seeds too?"
"How is this possible?"
Seeing the people's disbelief,the minor official smiled and said,"Our Prefect Cao is benevolent towards the people.Why would this be impossible?If you don't believe it,you can visit the county yamen to see for yourself!"
The people exchanged glances.Then,someone shouted,"Let's go and take a look!"This proposal was met with unanimous agreement.After all,in those times,most of the land was in the hands of the gentry.The majority of the people eked out a meager living by farming for the gentry.If the government's announcement was true,they would naturally prefer to reclaim wasteland themselves.Although the land nominally belonged to the government,as long as they paid their taxes punctually,it was as good as their own,and far more advantageous than working for the gentry.
After the people dispersed,another group of young men gathered around.Looking at the announcement,they couldn't help but ask,"Sir official,does it mention that the government is recruiting talents?"
"Yes,"the minor official replied,looking at the young men with a smile."The prefect is eager for talent and has issued a special decree.All those with ability,regardless of their background,may hold official positions."
The young men's eyes sparkled with excitement.They believed themselves to be talented,yet their humble origins had barred them from official positions.Now that Prefect Cao had introduced such a policy,it presented them with a golden opportunity for advancement.
"Let's head to the county yamen!"the young men cried out in unison and immediately set off in the direction of the county yamen.
Soon,a throng of people applying to reclaim wasteland and those from humble families seeking refuge crowded the entrance of the county yamen so densely that Cao Cao had to dispatch soldiers from the military camp to maintain order.
Gazing at the sea of people before him,Cao Cao couldn't help but beam with pride.He believed that as long as things progressed in this manner,it wouldn't be long before he had complete control of Dongjun Prefecture.And all of this was due to Lin Yu.That fool Liu Bei had let such a talented person slip through his fingers,allowing Cao Cao to reap the benefits.What a stroke of fortune!