Liu Bei stood up, faced the emperor, a Situ, and two young men, and began to explain his plan.
The three of them listened with great interest. Only Cao Cao lowered his head. The passage of time had left its mark on his face. When he frowned, his thin face looked even more aged. What on earth was Liu Bei talking about? He was
He didn't listen at all. Sitting there, he began to think about his life.
Since childhood, he has not been a young man who can be loved by his elders. When he was young, he followed Yuan Shao, who was older than him, and Yuan Shu, who was about the same age as him, wandering around. Everyone in Luoyang knew the bad reputation of the three of them.
, only because of Yuan Shao's family status, they were able to escape the punishment of Luoyang Order several times. At that time, for some unknown reason, Cao Cao preferred Yuan Shao to play with so many children.
Perhaps because Yuan Shao grew up early in his youth, he often talked freely about the future with Cao Cao and Yuan Shu, revealing his ambitions. Listening to those words, when Cao Cao was young, he admired his elder brother very much. He knew a lot of things, and he also communicated with others
Differently, at a young age, he was thinking about the future Three Princes and revitalizing his clan. As he got older, although he still had a close relationship with these two people, he no longer had the same relationship as when he was young.
Kind of close.
Yuan Shao grew up first. He was busy making acquaintances with many scholars, and began to read books all day long, and no longer messed around with them.
There was only one Yuan Shu left beside Cao Cao, and the two of them played together. At that time, what Cao Cao hated the most was the title of eunuch. He often heard this title. He originally thought that as long as he played with these scholars
They are closer, and he is more enthusiastic with Yuan Shao, the leader of the Luoyang scholars. Maybe no one will call him this way anymore, but he still thinks twice. This title seems to be completely engraved on him.
Whether he hates eunuchs or not, whether he is an inbred or not, this title will not change.
During those times, Cao Cao became more and more rebellious. He hated his own clan and his father who was close to an eunuch.
He was also gradually imitating Yuan Shao, who was older than him. He envied him the way he talked and laughed among the party members. He also began to read, day and night, but he did not expect that it was these books he was reading.
, gradually changed him, allowing him to occasionally think about himself, examine himself, and have a pair of eyes that are different from others. His appearance is not outstanding, and his talent is the same, but he only has a pair of eyes that can examine his surroundings.
A mind that can examine itself.
Qiao Xuan recommended him, and he had the opportunity to meet the emperor.
When he saw Emperor Xiaokang, he was indeed uneasy. Emperor Xiaokang was not as scary as the rumors said. He was very gentle and tolerant. Perhaps, he was the third person to recognize Cao Cao. The second one was
Qiao Xuan, the first one is himself.
He took up the position of Luoyang Beibu Lieutenant. He, a naughty boy in the past, did quite well in this position, and successfully cracked down on the illegal situation in Luoyang many times. After all, he had done this in his early years.
He knew these things very well. These former companions had nowhere to hide in front of him. Maybe he still felt resentment in his heart about the eunuch's later title, so he beat to death the uncle of an eunuch.
Because of this, he got a name, and the party members marveled and began to recognize him, and the relationship with the clan became even worse.
He started to get promoted and went to Jinan. He originally thought that he would not do well, but he did not expect that through a series of actions such as severely punishing the bullies and supporting the people, he actually became a famous minister in the hearts of the people of Jinan. When he left here
, the people sent each other off, and Cao Cao suddenly realized that it was easier and warmer to get the approval of the people than the approval of those party members.
From then on, he began the path of becoming a famous official. He went to the three Koreas and powerfully turned the three Koreas into the core territory of the Han Dynasty. He also served as Sikong, realized his dream, and followed the army in the Western Expedition. Now, he finally stood on the throne.
He took the position of Situ and despised the officials.
At this moment, Cao Cao no longer needs the approval of others. Cao Mengde, as long as he has his own approval, how can he care about what other people think?
And his motivation gradually changed from seeking approval from others to wanting his own approval. At night, he would question himself, is what he did good enough? Ninety percent of Yankang's policies were promulgated by himself.
Yes, I have built the longest canal in the Han Dynasty and issued new tax orders. Can everything I have done satisfy myself? Can I close my eyes with peace of mind and pass away?
It's not that he disagrees with Liu Bei's idea. Indeed, when the Han Dynasty has no strong enemies, it is extremely important and appropriate to hide the money in the treasury among the people and let the local development and the people become rich first. However,
He knew in his heart that he probably wouldn't be able to survive these ten years.
However, this young emperor was not easy to deal with. In the temple, I could not shake his will and change the government decree that he had agreed with.
Cao Cao shook his head and stood up slowly. Liu Bei also stopped talking. Everyone looked at Situ. Cao Cao looked a little tired and relieved. He looked at Liu Xi and said, "I feel a little unwell. I want to
Return home to rest for a few days, Your Majesty..." Liu Xi looked at him seriously. His behavior seemed to be a protest against the emperor, which made Liu Xi very interested.
However, at this moment, there was no anger on Cao Cao's face, and his eyes were as unfathomable as usual. All that could be seen was his exhaustion and his relieved smile. He looked like an old man from the countryside.
, lost the usual sharpness, everyone was stunned, Liu Xi frowned, and said cautiously: "Mr. Situ, do you want me to ask the imperial doctor to come and take a look at your body?"
Cao Cao shook his head and said, "I'm just tired and want to rest for a while. It's not a big deal."
Liu Xi nodded and said: "Situ Gong, let's go and have a rest. You must take good care of yourself. This people's livelihood policy is also inseparable from Situ Gong. There are still some local regulations on the appointment of officials in various places.
All key government orders need to be handled by Situ Gong..." Cao Cao smiled and nodded, bowed his hands, and then turned and left the Houde Hall. Liu Bei watched him leave thoughtfully before continuing to speak.
Developed its own policy.
After walking out of the palace, for some reason, Cao Cao felt light all over. Normally, it was as if a mountain peak was pressing on his back. But at this moment, he relieved all the pressure. When he entered the Hall of Houde,
His steps were quick, and his mind was filled with anger towards Liu Bei. He couldn't bear that Cao Mengde's legendary political achievements in his life would end here. He wanted to do more things. He had not yet surpassed Wang Fu, nor had he surpassed all previous dynasties.
A capable person will look after you.
But when he walked out of here, Cao Cao already understood.
It is impossible for him to surpass Wang Fu, and he cannot surpass He Xiu.
Because no living person can surpass a dead person.
Perhaps, a hundred years later, future generations will compare themselves with Wang Fu and He Xiu, and call him the most outstanding Situ of the Han Dynasty. However, today, he is still alive, and his dead body is decorated with countless honors and cherished by future generations.
With countless thoughts, a living person cannot do this, no matter how outstanding he is.
Cao Cao did not get on the carriage, but walked step by step on the streets of Luoyang. The carriage drove slowly behind him. Cao Cao looked at the city with a smile on his face. This was the first time he seriously looked at the city.
In this city, he saw many familiar streets. There, he spent a good time following the two brothers, chasing and fighting, robbing brides, and stealing weapons. Hahaha, Yuan Yao and those people are bad.
Far away!
Within Luoyang, vendors stood on both sides, selling their goods.
Cao Cao abolished the requirement for the city and allowed these small traders to appear freely in any area, as long as they did not block the road to Luoyang. What he was thinking at the time was naturally to obtain more business taxes, and the people gradually
With wealth and savings at home, women make handmade products, and some people even have enough food, and can occasionally go to the streets to sell various home-made meats.
More trade will be beneficial to the lives of the people and the economic development of the Han Dynasty.
Therefore, Cao Cao implemented this strategy. Now, seeing the vendors in Luoyang struggling to sell and the people selecting goods and bargaining fiercely, Cao Cao felt an indescribable sense of accomplishment.
There were a lot more children on the streets, chasing and fighting.
Girls who were previously rare can now be seen in large numbers, and these are due to Cao Cao's Newborn Protection Law and the Women and Children Protection Law, which prohibit the killing of female infants, the sale of them, the disposal of them, and the beating of housewives.
, improving the status of women, all of this, Cao Cao was trying to increase the population of the Han Dynasty, but now, he no longer had such thoughts in his heart. Looking at the smiles of the children, he felt that maybe the meaning of the policy was not
On top of what I originally thought.
Just walking all the way, looking at the extremely prosperous Luoyang, looking at all kinds of people, including old people, children, barbarians, and merchants.
After walking back to the mansion, Cao Cao changed into casual clothes.
From that day on, everyone in the Cao Mansion felt the changes in Cao Cao. He was no longer irritable or angry for no reason. On weekdays, he always dressed like an old farmer, walking on the streets of Luoyang, talking in a rough tone.
dialect.
He would personally add meat to his sons' meals, and would also listen to their complaints and tell them how to solve them.
He would also urge Cao Pi to give him a grandson as soon as possible.
Just like thousands of old people in the Han Dynasty.
I was sitting in front of a shop on the street. The vendor had specially placed a few chairs here. As soon as Cao Cao came over, the old man who was lighting the fire laughed and called out, "Old Cao Cao, here you go again, are you the same?"
"same as usual!"
Cao Cao shouted and sat down. Not long after, the old man held a bowl of boiling meat porridge and placed it in front of him. The meat porridge here was different from other places and used different spices. It is said that this
I bought it from a barbarian, and it tastes very good. However, the owner of the store, Wang Laozhang, would not tell others this secret, so as not to prevent customers from coming to eat. However, he told Cao Cao, who was his regular customer.
.
Cao Cao was eating meat porridge, and the old man was sitting next to him.
"Hey, eat quickly, I will be closing later, otherwise the guards will come to chase people away... Why are the opening and closing days so short?"
"You think it's short?"
"Yeah... I have prepared all kinds of things. After opening for a few Tokiomi, I have to close the door and go home. Sometimes, I don't know how much I should prepare. It's not enough, or the leftovers are all a waste. Ah... I have three sons. One is working as an errand at the Chengbei Station, and the other two are farmers. They are all doing well. However, the youngest one, yes, is the one who came to my place to help me last time. He is getting married. I want to build a house for him... It’s not easy to earn money.”
"Who says it isn't?" Cao Cao shook his head and asked, "It shouldn't be difficult to buy a property now?"
"It's all thanks to His Majesty's wisdom, hahaha. Compared with when I was young, things are much better now. However, these children are becoming less and less able to endure hardships. With the support from Jimin Mansion, they can also repair their houses. , but I still want to build a better one... Hahaha, think about it for yourself, are today's young people willing to eat the same food we ate when we were children?? We could even live in doghouses when we were children, but today's young people ...well.."
Cao Cao nodded and said: "That's true... Oh, by the way, my son is working as an errand in the Situ Mansion. I asked him to ask if we can keep this market open longer. I think Ah, why not just let the curfew go this night? The world will be peaceful and the people will live a good life. That is what is real!"
Hearing Situ, the old man was really startled. He shook his head quickly and said, "Old Cao Tou, this is not a trivial matter. Don't let your son say that and anger Mr. Situ. That would be serious, terrible. "
"Hey, it's okay, it's okay, Mr. Situ, I've seen it before, and it's not that scary. Well... you see, it's just like me!"
"Hahaha, you are bragging here again. A few days ago, you said you had met the emperor, and now you have met Situ. How can a person as big as Situ be as good as a bad old man like you? Man, that is a god descending to earth. Ah...even if we say it here, he can hear it!"