After Cao Cao became the chief minister, he was not as low-key as he was in the temple. He knew that only by letting the emperor see his abilities and talents could he stabilize his position in the court. The emperor asked him to replace Zheng Xuan. , just because he wanted to be able to bring something that the veterans could not do, Yuan Feng also valued him very much.
Although the relationship between Yuan Feng and Cao Song has not been eased, Yuan Feng still chose to trust and support the extremely talented young man in front of him. With the support of the emperor and Yuan Feng, Cao Cao also let go of his hands and feet. When he was in Sanhan, he displayed outstanding talents, but in Sanhan, as the border minister, he still did not let go, for fear of causing misunderstanding.
But when he arrived at the temple, he had no such restraints. He had no military power and little influence. Three days after taking office, he proposed three reforms to address the shortcomings of the farming system. He wrote the book "Xiping Farming Examination" ", in his essay, he pointed out the shortcomings of the previous farming system, from the people's gradually disappearing enthusiasm for reclamation, from the innovation of farming tools, and the obstruction of the farming system by the powerful.
First of all, the people no longer had the same enthusiasm for land reclamation as before. In the early years of Jianning, there was very little cultivated land in the Han Dynasty, and most of it was in the hands of powerful families. As a result, the people lived in extreme poverty. Emperor Xiaokang waved his hand. He ordered farming, which resulted in countless new cultivated lands in the world. At the same time, he also uprooted a large number of powerful people and moved them to the frontier fortresses.
The grain production in several states in the Central Plains has increased continuously. Now, after more than 20 years of cultivation, every household owns land. There are also strict laws prohibiting powerful families from annexing land. Therefore, the common people have lost their original Enthusiasm caused the amount of cultivated land to be cultivated to decrease year after year. Even the position of the military commander who was originally responsible for the farming gradually lost its original status.
Regarding this point, Cao Cao believed that the temple paid too much attention to Yan, Yu, Qing, Hebei and other states, but ignored several border states. In these large states, the cultivated land that can be cultivated is more than that in the Central Plains. Now, the development goals should be Putting it in border areas, and improving the status of grain production in officials' performance review can prompt officials to pay more attention to the development of cultivated land.
For those outstanding areas, temples should also have rewards. In addition to rewards, if someone abandons farmland, they should also be punished. This regulation was incorporated into Han law. Cao Cao put forward a lot of ideas. He planned to implement the law within four years. , allowing the cultivated land in Bingzhou, Youzhou, Sanhan, Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and Yizhou to catch up with the Central Plains, allowing the Han Dynasty to make great progress in agriculture.
The second point, that is, in terms of farming technology, Cao Cao believed that agricultural books should be promoted on a large scale, and he also hoped that temples could gather agricultural talents to write new agricultural books. In the Ministry of Industry of Hongdu School, many New farm tools, and how to use them should also be included in agricultural books. In addition, different methods must be used in different regions to increase the yield of agricultural products!
Of course, these two points made the emperor and the officials highly agree. At the same time, they also recognized the ability of this farmer. However, when it came to the third point, the officials could not laugh. Cao Cao believed that the current powerful The clan is still the main obstacle to local land development. Although the temples and temples restrict them on cultivated land, they still hide a large number of slave tenants, which should be investigated.
He believed that for local powerful people, their slave tenants should be restricted, and the number must be reported to the temple, otherwise they would be severely fined, and those hidden populations should be assigned to the great farming industry to cultivate land in the north and south. In addition, for He also made corresponding restrictions on the aristocratic family. After this innovative law was submitted, all the officials immediately became excited.
Aren't your Cao family just big and powerful? How can you show your face?
Before submitting, Cao Cao reported the number of slaves and tenants of the Cao family to the temple to show his innocence. After reading his proposal, the emperor was very happy and approved his reforms in the farmland, and the mighty reforms began. From mobilizing the enthusiasm of the people to instigating and punishing officials, promoting the use of new farm tools, compiling agricultural books, and protecting people's cultivated land.
And, the restrictions on tenant slaves for the powerful.
The most hateful thing is that after Cao Cao promulgated the new policy in early May, he began to punish him fifteen days later, that is, he did not give the powerful people a chance to react or even think. Many powerful families did not even receive the news and ushered in the new policy. In order to severely punish the powerful, Cao Cao was never polite to the powerful, just like when he was the prime minister of Jinan, he vigorously eradicated the local powerful, making the place clean and the officials fearful.
At the same time, the aristocratic family was naturally hit hard. Within a few months of the prince's death, Cao Cao successfully took over his position and became a traitor in the hearts of all officials. However, Cao Cao's actions gave The manpower-empty north and south sent hundreds of thousands of farmers. He wanted to complete the goal of agricultural revitalization in You, Jing, He, Xin, Sanhan, Jing, Yang, Yi, and Jiuzhou within four years. Human base.
At the same time, Cao Cao also carried out policies to encourage immigrants from the border areas. The population distribution in the Central Plains states where people were concentrated was extremely unreasonable. Cao Cao believed that this was a big drawback, and the Han people valued their hometown very much and would never do it. If he wanted to leave, Cao Cao could only do his best to encourage the border fortress to settle in. He even brought criminals from many areas to the border fortress for reclamation.
"Your Majesty, please cook Cao Mengde~"
All the officials were crying.
The emperor looked at the officials, laughing in his heart, but his expression did not change. He frowned, looked at Cao Cao, and said, "Cao Jun, I see that the officials are in such pain. During the revolution, what harm did the people suffer?"
Cao Cao stood up, walked to the center, and worshiped: "Your Majesty, the people have not been harmed. They are overjoyed and worship Luoyang. However, among the officials, many people secretly hid slave tenants and were found out by the ministers, so that's why "
"Oh?" The emperor looked at the ministers doubtfully.
The ministers lowered their heads, gritted their teeth, and said nothing.
"Meng De is worried. The ministers in the temple are all talented people who love the country and the people. How could they do something detrimental to the people and the country? I still trust the ministers. Meng De will not look for them again in the future. The emperor said solemnly, and all the officials were grateful and thanked him quickly. Cao Cao also said he would obey the order and returned to his place.
This time, Cao Cao gave the emperor an unexpected surprise. He still looked respectful, with his head lowered, sitting behind Yuan Feng. The relationship between the Yuan family and the emperor was very close. Although Cao Cao's plan was very important to Yuan Feng, The family also dealt a blow, but for Yuan Feng, being able to follow the emperor was much more useful than being a tenant slave and the like. The Yuan family was the second one to support Cao Cao.
Then came the Xun family, Chen family, Yang family, Sima family and other aristocratic families.
If you have this opportunity to get closer to the emperor, the price is just to pay some slaves, so why not?
Even if there are restrictions, there are many ways for wealthy families to deal with them. They can divide households and families to minimize the harm of restrictions. This will not hurt their foundation. Even if Menzixue is established, among the two major universities, the aristocratic families Children still accounted for nearly 80%. Emperor Xiaokang restricted the aristocratic families, but did not give up reusing them. This is still the case today.
Yuan Feng was protecting Cao Cao. Together with Xing Ziang, he suppressed the impeachment and retaliatory actions of many ministers. The ministers did not dare to go against Yuan Feng. However, Cao Song was unlucky. In a short period of time, Within a few days, many of his mistakes were discovered by the ministers, ranging from his etiquette errors when receiving the Kushan envoys to his subordinates accepting bribes from Chenla to inform the navy of the situation.
Cao Song could not find anyone to protect him. In the face of such a large number of mistakes, the emperor could not protect him. He was already prepared to retire and return to his hometown. The ministers distanced themselves from him. Sir, no ministers around him dare to approach him.
The emperor discussed with the ministers for a while about the cultivation of land in the frontier area.
"His Majesty"
Cui Shi slowly walked out from among the ministers. He was now a Situ. Although the Cui family was also hit by Cao Cao's actions, he had no resentment at all. The ministers all hoped that he would make the decision and suppress them. Cao Cao and Cui Shi have not spoken any words until now, and they have always been quiet in the temple.
Nowadays, many people call him "Not a Situ".
Seeing Cui Shi getting up, the emperor was a little confused and asked: "Does Situ have a memorial?"
Cui Shi nodded and said: "Your Majesty, now the world is peaceful and there is no war outside." He said slowly. When he talked about the garrison, the ministers had a vague suspicion in their hearts. Could it be that Situ wanted to abolish the border army? ?This will cost the Taiwei's life. Situ is going to fight with the Taiwei? The ministers looked at him with some doubts.
Cui Shi changed his words and suddenly said: "I have thought about it for a long time. If we turn all the border garrison soldiers into field camps and open up areas such as Liangwai, Hewai, Diplomatic, Yiwai and other areas, we will definitely be able to make Sinong garrison on the border. Things are more convenient”
Before him, during the period of Emperor Xiaokang, there was a saying of military camps. There were them in the Western Regions and Youzhou. However, they were half-camps. They still had to drill and still serve in the military, but they also farmed at the same time. Now, Cui Shi But he wanted all the hundreds of thousands of border guards around the Han Dynasty to be used for farming. These border guards were usually held by ordinary people in the countryside, and they often lasted from one to three years.
In their daily lives, they maintain border fortress walls, defend cities, etc., and cannot go out to attack the enemy.
The emperor frowned, thought for a long time, nodded, and said: "This matter can be discussed by the ministers."
Cui Shi's move did not cause any harm. On the contrary, it was in line with the ministers' intention to reduce the military. They were afraid that Zhang Wen would continue to encourage the emperor to engage in unnecessary wars. Suddenly, the ministers agreed, and the emperor put Xing Zi'ang in charge of this matter. , and then ordered the end of the court meeting.
When Cao Cao walked out of the palace, several ministers looked at him angrily, with unkind expressions. Cao Cao smiled, lowered his body and wore shoes. One of them smiled and said: "Master Cao is very majestic now. Now that Marquis Fei Ting is still here, I am afraid that I will be very happy and that people will respect him in the future."
Cao Cao turned around and saw that it was Wang Yun, the Minister. Originally, Wang Yun thought that he could take over Zheng Xuan's position. Unexpectedly, he asked Cao Cao to take over. This made Wang Yun even unhappy. He didn't expect that now,
Cao Cao made innovations without authorization, and Wang Yun's family was also severely damaged. Several clan members were taken to the Embroidered Clothes Prison, which made Wang Yun hate Cao Cao extremely.
"Hahaha, it turns out to be Wang Yun and Wang Shangshu!"
"What Wang Shangshu said is true. If my grandfather were alive, he would be happy."
Cao Cao said with a smile, without any anger on his face. Even towards the ministers in front of him, his expression was particularly gentle. Seeing Cao Cao's appearance, Wang Yun sneered and said nothing, but Cao Cao continued: "Wang Shangshu,
Meng De has a question that he cannot understand, and he really wants to ask the Minister for advice. Can the Minister solve the problem?"
"Oh, but it's okay to say it!"
"After eunuchs, they live high in temples, while after sages, they are in prison with embroidered clothes. Meng De is really puzzled. I would like to ask the minister to tell me, is the current government clear or unclear?"
"This, this" Wang Yun opened his mouth, but snorted coldly, waved his sleeves and left angrily.
"Hahaha~" Cao Cao laughed, but ignored the ministers around him and left proudly.
"Letter from the Reincarnation King!"
The ministers scolded him fiercely, but they could do nothing. Cao Cao, like Wang Fu, was able to do things that ordinary people would not dare to do for his own ambitions, but there was another difference. Wang Fu was extremely arrogant and ignored these things at all.
Ministers, in his eyes, ministers are just maggots who get into money's eyes, baboons with swords and the like.
Cao Cao is different. Cao Cao is extremely respectful in the temple and acts extremely quickly. He does not care about these ministers like Wang Fu. He will regard these ministers as enemies, not baboons. Such Cao Cao, although there is no
The prince was so hateful that all the officials felt threatened.
Obviously, Cao Cao is a more difficult enemy than Wang Fu. When Cao Song suffered a blow, Cao Cao also made some moves to counterattack. His method of counterattack was also extremely simple. He hosted a banquet for Zhang He and Zhang Jian.
Of course, he did not carry out any conspiracy at the banquet, and Huangmen was supervising it. They simply drank and discussed adding the crime of incompetence in farming to Han law. However, after Cao Cao deliberately revealed this move,
, but it made all the officials panic. Could it be that these three thieves are going to unite and attempt to murder talented people like us?
In their hurry, they naturally chose to attack Zhang He, Zhang Jian, and Cao Cao at the same time. As always, they found their mistakes and impeached them. For example, Zhang He appointed thieves as officials, Zhang Jian released criminals privately, and Cao Cao vigorously appointed close relatives.
, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, and Xiahou were officials in the Three Han Dynasties, etc., they impeached them.
Little did they know that their actions had offended the emperor. Zhang He and Zhang Jian were the two sharp swords of the emperor, and they were also the most important prosecutorial and judicial positions. What do you want to do by impeaching these two places so crazily?
?
Soon after, they welcomed Zhang He who came with a smile on his face.
"I heard, are you going to impeach me?"
At this time, the ministers suddenly thought of the prince again. It was better to be a prince, because the prince would never attack them.
After all, in the eyes of the prince, they are all a bunch of maggots and baboons. There is no need for the prince to get along with the livestock, right?