In the city of Puyang,the influence of the gentry clans was as entrenched as the ancient roots of the towering oaks that lined its streets.Among these,the Huang family stood paramount,their power a force that shaped the destiny of the region.Within the opulent confines of the Huang family's grand mansion,Huang Silang,the patriarch and fourth in line,held court.His was a visage of regal authority,his every word a decree that resonated with the weight of generations past.
Gathered in the grand hall beneath him were the representatives of the other prominent gentry families,each a piece in the intricate game of power that had been played for centuries."Haha,Master Huang,your plan is truly ingenious.I've heard that Cao Cao,the newly appointed prefect,was so enraged that his face turned as green as the grass in spring!"one of them chortled,his words sparking a chorus of laughter that filled the hall.
"Let him fume a little.We must make him understand to whom Dongjun truly belongs!"The hall resounded with raucous laughter,each gentry member reveling in their perceived victory over the interloper Cao Cao.
Amidst these jubilant remarks,Huang Silang remained silent,his brow furrowed in deep thought.Observing this,one of the men inquired,"Master Huang,what weighs on your mind?"
"I'm pondering on the fact that Cao Cao is no ordinary man.I wonder how he will counter our challenge,"Huang Silang replied with a calm demeanor that belied the storm of thoughts within.
"Humph,even if Cao Cao has some ability,can he truly contend with our numerous families?"another queried,his voice tinged with the arrogance of a man who had never known defeat.
"Precisely.This is Dongjun!If he's wise enough to submit to us,all will be well.Otherwise,he can prepare to be ousted!"The gentry members guffawed heartily,dismissing Cao Cao with blatant disregard.
Just then,a servant rushed in,his face pale with panic."Master,disaster strikes!"
Huang Silang's brow furrowed deeper,and he reprimanded,"What's the cause of this commotion?Speak with composure!"
"I just witnessed two notices affixed at the entrance of the county yamen.One proclaims that anyone with talent,regardless of their origin,may seek employment with the government.The other states that those willing to reclaim wasteland can apply to the government,which will provide farming tools,oxen,and seeds.However,the reclaimed land may not be bought or sold."
Upon hearing this,Huang Silang's countenance changed dramatically,and he exclaimed,"Oh no!"
"Master Huang,why such alarm?"one of the slower-witted members asked in bewilderment.
"Fool!Can't you see that Cao Cao is aiming straight at us!"Huang Silang snapped impatiently.
The gentry had amassed their power through two main means:first,by controlling the pathways of official promotion,and second,by possessing vast expanses of land and a large populace.Now that Cao Cao was advocating appointing people based on merit and promoting those from humble backgrounds,the very foundation of the gentry's power was beginning to crumble.Moreover,by encouraging the common people to reclaim wasteland,Cao Cao was driving a wedge between the gentry and the masses.The common folk would naturally prefer to reclaim land rather than toil for the gentry.In the long run,the gentry's influence was bound to wane.
Huang Silang's expression was one of extreme displeasure.He and the other gentry members had initially intended only to issue a warning to Cao Cao,to force him to bow to the Dongjun gentry.Little did they expect that Cao Cao would retaliate with a move that struck at the very heart of their power.Such a ruthless stratagem was tantamount to a deathblow to the gentry!It was uncertain whether this was Cao Cao's own brainchild or if he had a shrewd advisor behind the scenes.
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Upon hearing Huang Silang's analysis,the other gentry members gradually grasped the gravity of the situation.
"Cao Cao has gone too far!"
"Master Huang,you must devise a solution!"They all looked at Huang Silang with eager anticipation.
Huang Silang's brow remained tightly knit,his face solemn.After a long,pensive silence,he sneered,"Since Cao Cao shows no mercy,we need not hold back either!"
"Go back and instruct our clansmen working in the government to resign immediately!"
"Also,dispatch men to prevent those commoners from reclaiming wasteland!"
The gentry members nodded in unison and replied,"We shall follow your instructions,Master Huang!"
Just as they were about to depart,Huang Silang called them back,a cold glint in his eyes."Send someone to make contact with Yu Du,Bai Rao,and the others of the Black Mountain Army in Zhaoge County.Have them stand by!"
"Yes,sir!"they chorused.
After offering his counsel to Cao Cao,Lin Yu had resumed a more leisurely existence.Boredom had driven him to craft a deck of playing cards on his own.Coincidentally,Dian Wei had a day off that day,and so the three of them convened to engage in a game of"Dou Di Zhu"(Fight the Landlord).
The rules of"Dou Di Zhu"were simple and straightforward.After Lin Yu's explanation,Dian Wei and Zhao Yun quickly caught on.
In the courtyard,Dian Wei and Zhao Yun held their cards tightly,their expressions solemn as if they were engaged in a life-and-death struggle.
"Hey,hey,do you want this two?If not,I'll play my card!"Lin Yu urged with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Zhao Yun,with only one card remaining,shook his head at Dian Wei and said with a sigh,"Second Brother,I'm out of options!"
"It's alright.If you can't,I'll give it a shot!"Dian Wei eyed the two that Lin Yu had played,gritted his teeth,and slammed his cards onto the table."Four aces!Can you beat that?If not,I'll only have one card left!"
"Second Brother,you think you're hot stuff?What good is being good at this?In this world,power and background are what truly matter!"Lin Yu chuckled and slapped two jokers onto the table,followed by a single four.
This meager four left Dian Wei and Zhao Yun shaking their heads in unison."We can't...we can't beat that!"
Lin Yu played his last three cards,then leaned over to take a look.Discovering that Dian Wei and Zhao Yun both held a three,he couldn't help but burst into laughter."So,you two little rascals!You've lost this round again!"
"Big Brother,you're being too cruel!"
"Yeah,you've tricked us out of our rations!"Dian Wei and Zhao Yun tossed their cards aside,unable to contain their complaints.
"It's not my fault.You two just can't match my skills!"Lin Yu boasted with a wide grin.A time-traveler from the future,he had extensive experience in playing"Dou Di Zhu".Playing against Dian Wei and Zhao Yun,novices in the game,was a walk in the park for him.
"No,let's keep playing!"Dian Wei was not one to give up easily and asked Lin Yu to reshuffle the cards.
"It's fine to continue,but I must remind you that you two have already wagered and lost your rations for the next two years to me.Are you sure you still want to play?"Lin Yu kindly reminded them with a hint of mockery.
"Play,of course we'll play!If we don't,we'll never have a chance to turn the tables!"Dian Wei said,his face flushed with determination.
"Very well,then.I'll humor you!"Lin Yu smiled and picked up the cards.
Just as he was about to reshuffle,he heard approaching footsteps.Looking up,he saw Cao Cao entering,accompanied by Xiahou Dun and others.
The three of them quickly set aside their cards and bowed to Cao Cao."Greetings,Prefect!"
"Rise,"Cao Cao said with a wave of his hand as he walked over and sat beside Lin Yu,then let out a heavy sigh."Sir,new troubles have emerged."
"Oh?What sort of troubles?"Lin Yu inquired with a smile.
"These past few days,those gentry descendants employed in the prefecture have all claimed to be ill and returned home.As a result,the prefecture is now severely short of manpower."
"Furthermore,the common people who applied to reclaim wasteland have been impeded by the gentry,"Cao Cao said,his face a mask of solemnity.
Lin Yu was not overly astonished.After all,the strategies he had proposed were designed to curtail the gentry's power,so it was only natural that they would retaliate.