Chapter 64 Congratulations on winning a ton of sweet potatoes!
Deyang Hall.

Liu Bian received the battle report from Jizhou at the first time. After hearing the news, his eyebrows raised slightly and his expression was a little angry!
"These traitors, do they treat Jizhou Mu as their own plaything? They give him up? Han Fu is also funny. He doesn't want to be controlled by Yuan Shao and wants to fight him. But he is no match for Yuan Shao and is in a state of panic.

"Now that Yuan Shao has used a little trick to form an alliance to attack Jizhou, Han Fu has been frightened and easily persuaded to give up Jizhou? Should I say he is loyal to the emperor? Or not?"

No one dared to respond to Liu Bian's muttering. Except for Cao Zhengchun who was standing by, Jinyiwei such as Zhuque who were reporting military intelligence and battle reports, there were also Xun Yu, Xun You and Cao Cao who were listening to the government affairs.

Since Liu Bian was preparing to "offer sacrifices to heaven and ancestors, grant amnesty to the world, and implement the land-based tax system", he naturally needed these capable ministers to supplement the details.

Although they did not quite agree with Liu Bian's reforms, they could not disobey the emperor's orders. Xun Yu and others were helpless, but they could only obey orders and fill in the gaps.

Liu Bian suppressed his anger and had already decided to send troops, but he did not act stubbornly. Instead, he glanced at the crowd and asked, "What do you think?"

"Your Majesty, I suggest that we postpone the dispatch of troops." Xun Yu said seriously.

"Why?!"

This made Liu Bian raise his eyebrows slightly. With Xun Yu's ability to read people's expressions, he could definitely see Liu Bian's true intention, but he still did the opposite.

Xun Yu cupped his hands and said:
"Your Majesty, although Jizhou is located in the North China Plain, with fertile land and abundant food and grass, it will take Yuan Shao several years to gain a foothold.

"And to the north of Jizhou are Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou, and Gongsun Zan, the governor of Beiping. To the south are Liu Dai, the governor of Yanzhou, and Liu Bei, the governor of Qingzhou, who was just appointed by Your Majesty. We are surrounded by enemies on all sides, and we can't move forward or backward.

“Even if Yuan Shao gets Jizhou, without the imperial edict, it is not legitimate. They can issue an imperial edict to attack him at any time. It is not worth mentioning.

"The most urgent task now is not to stop Yuan Shao from seizing Jizhou, but the current food crisis in the capital, Youzhou is being invaded by the border barbarians, and Qingzhou and Yanzhou are in turmoil due to the Yellow Turban bandits.

"We should order all the governors of the prefectures and counties to return to their jurisdictions as soon as possible to suppress the rebellion and restore life. Moreover, after the turmoil of the Xiliang Army, the capital was devastated by the war and the people were devastated. The military and civilians are in urgent need of recuperation.

"We should not start a war now, but conserve our energy and replenish the treasury. It will only take a year or two, and we can conquer Jizhou at any time. If we use force, we will be dragged down!"

Xun Yu's strategy can be summarized as "deepening roots and consolidating foundations, cultivating crops, storing military supplies, in order to control the world." He suggested that Liu Bian devote himself to farming so that his men and horses could have a rest and stabilize the regime.

Xun You, Cao Cao and others all held the same view.

However, this was not the result Liu Bian wanted to see. Although he got the "Emperor Gou System", Liu Bian himself was not gou at all. He was even a little radical and had some thunderous offensives.

But Liu Bian was not greedy for merit or act rashly. He also knew that the current situation was not conducive to another war!
But allowing Yuan Shao to seize Jizhou and watching him become more powerful in Jizhou was something Liu Bian could not tolerate!
How can I allow others to sleep soundly beside my bed? !
The Yuan family had evil intentions and were even plotting to usurp the throne. Although Yuan Wei's entire family was executed, the local descendants of the Yuan family still held high positions.

The Prefect of Bohai Yuan Shao, the Prefect of Nanyang Yuan Shu, the Prefect of Shanyang Yuan Yi and so on, not to mention Yuan's disciples and former officials, as well as Yuan's allies, all held high positions and served in key departments in the prefectures and counties!
This is something Liu Bian cannot tolerate!
...

At this time, military intelligence reports from the front line came one after another.

——Liu Bei led his army to attack Wei County with a light vehicle and seized the seal of Jizhou governor. Yuan Shao sent troops to fight him in Guantao, and Liu Bei's army was defeated. Liu Dai and Bao Xin crossed the Yellow River to encircle the enemy, and Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan joined forces to march south.

At the same time, Henei Prefect Wang Kuang and Sili Colonel Qin Qiong sent troops to Jizhou, but when they passed through the Black Mountain, a branch of the Taihang Mountains, they were blocked by the Black Mountain Army.

Although the Black Mountain Army was a motley crowd, their numbers were large and their power greatly affected the military plan to march into Wei County.

...

After Liu Bian read it, he passed it on one by one.

Cao Cao bowed and said:
“Your Majesty, Zhang Yan led the Black Mountain Army to stop Wang Kuang and Qin Qiong, which shows the Black Mountain Army’s intention to join the war.

“As far as I know, Zhang Yan and Yuan Shu have always had a close relationship, which means that the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu may have formed an alliance.

"Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu have always had a grudge against each other. Yuan Shu even secretly insulted Yuan Shao as a 'slave adopted son', which shows how bad their relationship was. But after this incident, the two brothers may put aside their prejudices and join forces.

"The Yuan family had three dukes in four generations, and their students and former officials were all over the country. Even if Yuan Wei was reckless in deposing and enthroning the emperor, the Yuan family's evil intentions had been made known to the world. However, the Yuan family had many followers, some of whom broke away from it, and some of whom were stubborn and unyielding.

"This is a very large force. They are separatist and ignore the imperial court. If the imperial court continues to advance at this time, it may be dragged into a protracted war. This is extremely disadvantageous for the capital, which is short of food!
"Moreover, Yu Fuluo, the Right Wise King of the Southern Xiongnu, led his people to cause chaos in Bingzhou, the barbarians at the border of Youzhou invaded, the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou and the rebellion in Liangzhou all affected the local security and people's livelihood. We must suppress the rebellion as soon as possible.

"I also think that we should develop the land and recuperate instead of starting a war again. We have fallen into Yuan Shao's evil scheme!"

...

Xun Yu also said:

"Your Majesty, now that you control the military power of the capital, you only need to control the eight passes of Luoyang, which is as solid as a rock. However, for the court, the crisis is not outside, but within.

"If the food crisis is not resolved, the capital will be in chaos! What should we do if famine breaks out and the victims flood the capital? What about the military salaries? If we are not careful, the foundation of the country will be shaken.

"I think that since Your Majesty wants to implement the land-based tax system, it is better to try it out in the capital. After the wars such as Dong Zhuo's occupation of the capital and the turmoil of the Western Liang Army, there are many uninhabited areas in the capital, and the three auxiliary areas have planting in the Guanzhong Plain.

"All they had to do was rent state-owned land to migrants for cultivation, provide them with seeds, food, farming tools, and exempt them from rent and taxes for the first two years.

"The poor and refugees have obtained the conditions for production and living, which has increased the tax revenue for the state and contributed to the stability of social order and the development of production.

"Only when agricultural production is restored and developed, the people are prosperous, and the granaries are full of grain can we launch a war. Food is the material basis of war. Before the army moves, food and fodder must go first!"

...

Xun Yu and others were all talented people who could govern the country and help the people, so they could see through Yuan Shao's conspiracy and schemes.

Yuan Shao instigated the Black Mountain Army to rebel and resist the imperial court in the hope of angering the court and dragging it into a protracted war.

However, for the current court, it should not follow Yuan Shao's pace, but should stay out of it, restore agricultural production as soon as possible, and ease social conflicts in the capital. This is the top priority.

"Food! Food!! Food!!!"

After hearing this, Liu Bian sighed in his heart.

In the past, when we saw war, we only thought that charging into battle and bravely killing the enemy was enough. We only needed to recruit soldiers and recruit civil and military officials.

You can plan strategies and win battles thousands of miles away, and you can take the heads of enemy generals in the midst of thousands of troops!
But after taking control of the overall situation, Liu Bian realized that food and logistics were the key to determining the outcome of a war!

At this moment, he finally understood why Yuan Shao's army was so morale-destroying and defeated just because their food and grass were burned in the Battle of Guandu.

Food and fodder are the foundation of war!
...

Seeing Liu Bian's attitude, Xun Yu and others also felt relieved.

They knew that His Majesty was not a stubborn and self-willed person. This statement had obviously persuaded His Majesty to stop.

This is a qualified king!

The ruler of a country not only needs to consider his own likes and dislikes, but also needs to take into account the real situation of the country.

If Liu Bian insisted on starting a war, Xun Yu and other ministers would not be able to persuade him, and there was no way they could do so.

Because the king's orders cannot be disobeyed!
But doing so would definitely bring the Han Dynasty into an abyss of no return. After experiencing the turmoil of the Xiliang Army, the Han Dynasty could not stand the turmoil!
In their opinion, if they did so, Liu Bian would only be a heroic leader, not a wise ruler!
But now, they truly saw the birth of a wise ruler!

Gou Jian, the King of Yue, slept on firewood and tasted gall, which is why he was able to conquer Wu with only 3,000 Yue soldiers!
War is no joke!
...

"Order Wang Kuang and Qin Qiong to retreat to Sishui Pass and Hulao Pass. Order Liu Bei to return to Qingzhou and Liu Dai to retreat to Yanzhou. Return to their jurisdictions to suppress the rebellion, restore agricultural production as soon as possible, and stabilize people's livelihood!"

Liu Bian thought for a moment and said, "But we can't let Yuan Shao get Jizhou easily. Let Gongsun Zan control Jizhou and appoint him as the governor of Weijun."

Liu Bian suddenly remembered the dispute between Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou, and Gongsun Zan. In the original history, Gongsun Zan even killed Liu Yu.

In this case, he should be transferred from his post early to ease the conflict between Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan, and at the same time let Gongsun Zan deal with Yuan Shao.

Gongsun Zan's cavalry units, such as the White Horse Volunteers, were strong and powerful, but they were suspected of being too aggressive.

Having Gongsun Zan control Yuan Shao in Jizhou could not only delay Yuan Shao's development, but also allow Gongsun Zan to grow stronger through the fertile land of Jizhou.

Of course, Liu Bian was not worried whether Gongsun Zan would develop to a point beyond his control.

Compared with the power of the Yuan family of Runan and three generations of officials, Gongsun Zan's background was not enough to pose a threat!
The Yuan family now has the ability to become the second "Wang Mang", but Gongsun Zan does not!

...

"I obey my orders!!!"

At this moment, Xun Yu and other capable ministers did not object and thought this plan was feasible.

Xun Yu said: "Your Majesty, why not use the sacrifice to heaven to grant amnesty to the whole nation, stop the war, promote benevolence, and rest and recuperate."

Taifu Lu Zhi had already selected an auspicious day, which would be the ninth day of the ninth lunar month three days later, for offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors and issuing a general amnesty.

"it is good!"

Liu Bian nodded. The king and his ministers discussed and added some details, and then Xun Yu and others left.

Inside the Deyang Hall, things became quiet again, with only the crackling sound of burning candles. The faint light cast a warm yellow halo, illuminating only a small area in the huge hall.

Liu Bian's face was also looming in the flickering flames, with light and dark varying.

He closed his eyes, looking somewhat unwilling, his hands on the table were clenched tightly, the veins on the back of his hands were prominent, but he finally calmed down.

Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish, some things cannot be impatient!

Cao Zhengchun finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Liu Bian calm down.

Your Majesty was just furious but kept it to yourself, which is most harmful to your health. Cao Zhengchun was afraid that Your Majesty would be upset and suffer internal injuries.

Now calm down and don't get too angry. This is the way to keep healthy.

Cao Zhengchun asked, "Your Majesty, you and your ministers have been discussing this matter so much that you have forgotten to eat or sleep, and you have not even had dinner. Do you want to order the imperial kitchen to serve you food now?"

"No, I have no appetite!"

Liu Bian was not unable to eat because he was worried about state affairs, he really had no appetite.

He has been setting an example by eating wheat porridge these days, and he has eaten so much that he wants to vomit.

It's not that Liu Bian was unaware of the sufferings of the people. It's just that after experiencing the feasts of gourmet food in later generations, he couldn't bear to eat only coarse food, not to mention the delicacies from land and sea.

Liu Bian felt a little self-deprecating in his heart. Other emperors were all dressed in fine clothes and fed with delicious food, but when it was his turn to be emperor, he had to eat coarse food. This emperor was not even as good as those aristocratic families who lived in luxury.

"Your Majesty, please pay attention to the dragon's body!"

Cao Zhengchun said worriedly, but Liu Bian had already devoted himself to government affairs.

The earthquake in the capital affected the surrounding states and counties, the Southern Xiongnu rebellion in Bingzhou, the Yellow Turban rebellion in Qingzhou, the rebellion in Liangzhou, etc. These military and national affairs all needed Liu Bian to deal with. In addition, there were also livelihood issues such as food, fodder, and salt.

After the capital city experienced Dong Zhuo's takeover and the rebellion of the Western Liang Army, the war devastated the city and countless lives were lost. Issues such as post-war reconstruction, the comfort of the people, and the compensation for the sacrificed soldiers also needed to be taken into consideration.

There were also the Heaven and Ancestor Worship ceremonies in three days, and Liu Bian needed to reward meritorious officials, etc. All these needed Liu Bian to consider personally. In this busy time, he did not feel hungry.

Really working day and night!
It was not until a reminder sounded that Liu Bian woke up. It was already midnight.

"Ding dong."

"The host has obtained a chance to draw a lottery."

“Will there be a lottery?”

Liu Bian was not in a hurry to draw the lottery, but looked at Cao Zhengchun, who had been standing by his side. Liu Bian had not eaten dinner, and Cao Zhengchun was also hungry. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but Cao Zhengchun had lost a lot of weight in the past few days.

That familiar smile is much less common.

"Your Majesty, what do you want?"

Cao Zhengchun didn't dare look directly at the emperor, he looked at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose, but he was a great martial artist and could still sense when his majesty was looking at him.

"Alas, other eunuchs follow the emperor and enjoy the best food and drink, but you from the East Factory follow me and suffer all the hardships." Liu Bian sighed sincerely.

Cao Zhengchun immediately became serious and said firmly: "As long as I can serve your majesty, even if I have to endure the cold, I will be happy to do it!"

"Now I have a task for you, the East Factory."

Liu Bian said, making Cao Zhengchun look even more solemn. He continued:
"The capital is facing a food crisis, but there is no result. I decided to send the East Factory to the local areas to replenish the treasury. But now the country is in chaos and warlords are fighting for power. You may become the target of public criticism."

Cao Zhengchun immediately understood what he meant. He wanted them to make money. He understood:

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. Let alone the traitors, even if it means a sea of ​​fire and a mountain of sword, we, the East Factory, will serve Your Majesty without hesitation, and we will die with our eyes closed!"

Liu Bian nodded with satisfaction.

It wasn't that Liu Bian was desperate and tried every possible means, but it was really a food crisis and he saw no results, which made him want to invest in multiple areas.

And eunuchs are undoubtedly supporters of imperial power!

However, in order to prevent the eunuchs from causing chaos to the people, Liu Bian still sternly warned:

"Remember, don't bother the common people! The sage's highest virtue, when applied to others, becomes the policy of a king. Be a sage within and a king without. Do you understand?"

"I understand!!!"

Cao Zhengchun thought about it carefully and felt that he understood it, but also felt that he didn't understand it. Anyway, he just followed the orders.

Make money...don't bother the people...that's making money from the higher-ups!

"Go down."

"I obey your command!!!"

Watching Cao Zhengchun retreat and Liu Bian being the only one left in Deyang Palace, he finally started the lottery.

The turntable began to rotate again, and the pointer passed over attribute points, weapons and armor, military supplies and combat readiness, auxiliary talents, soldiers and population, martial arts secrets, etc. It turned around and around, and finally stopped gradually from fast to slow.

Stopped on the food and supplies!
"forage?!"

This made Liu Bian's eyes light up suddenly!
Now that a food crisis has broken out in the capital, he has already started to eat bran and vegetables, which shows the seriousness of the problem.

Is this a pillow for you when you are sleepy?!

at last.

The pointer completely stopped and the prompt sounded again.

"Congratulations on winning a ton of sweet potatoes!"

"Please select a delivery location..."

sweet potato!

One of the three major grains of time travel!

There is no need to say much about the advantages of sweet potatoes——

Sweet potatoes have strong vitality. Whether it is mountainous or sandy soil, their love for the land has reached the level of not distinguishing between rich and poor. Except for some places with extremely high altitudes, the whole country is a good place to produce sweet potatoes.

The yield per mu is very high, of course this requires sufficient fertilizer and water conservancy. The yield per mu of poor land will definitely be lower accordingly.

However, there are also major disadvantages to sweet potatoes not becoming a staple food.

Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes need to be stored in cellars, which is inconvenient. Moreover, the nutrition is single and cannot meet the needs of the human body. If you don't eat enough, you won't feel full, and your body won't feel satisfied with the intake of carbohydrates.

And eating too much will cause bloating and extremely uncomfortable!

But the problem is that eating bran and vegetables is a luxury, and people have reached the point of eating grass, digging tree roots, and even eating soil. The advent of sweet potatoes, a high-yield crop, can greatly ease social conflicts!
This is the magic weapon!!!
It is definitely not a false reputation to be called "one of the three great food artifacts for time travel"!
But one ton of sweet potatoes sounds like a lot, but in fact it is not much. Compared with the millions of people and hundreds of thousands of troops in the capital, the consumption of food for people and horses is not enough to last for a few days.

So this ton of sweet potatoes is not for eating, but for planting as seeds!

"It just so happens that Xun Yu and others have suggested cultivating crops, raising military supplies, and developing military farms. Sweet potatoes can come in handy. This is not just about high yields per mu, it can be promoted as a good omen!"

Liu Bian decided to write an article about sweet potatoes.

Because the Han Dynasty was suffering from drought, frequent floods, and now an earthquake in the capital, there were rumors that this was a punishment from heaven, a warning from heaven.

It was impossible for Liu Bian to tell the world that this was caused by climate change, crustal movement, and the period of sunspot decline, and that we should stick to science and not superstition.

In feudal dynasties, superstition was the only thing to be talked about. If you don’t talk about it, no one in the world will listen!
Even Emperor Liu Bian, who was appointed by heaven and had a long and prosperous life, was not a product of superstition? !
Since the emperor is given the mandate by heaven, he must bear the blame when natural disasters or man-made disasters occur.

Normally, at this time, it would be the emperor's turn to issue a "self-criticism edict". But now with sweet potatoes, they can be promoted as auspicious, which can completely resolve this kind of public opinion offensive.

……

(End of this chapter)