Chapter 44 Discussion

Then he talked to Zhao Yu about what happened in the past two months.

First, there is the placement of millions of Yellow Turbans. This matter was led by Xun Yu and assisted by Chen Gong and others. Relocating the old and the weak, allocating fields, and encouraging farming are now on the right track.

Among them, Cheng Yu was in charge of delivering the goods in Taishan County, while Xun Yu was in charge of receiving them here, as well as allocating all food, clothing, and food.

The 300,000 young people have officially entered the process of reorganization and elimination. Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, and Yu Jin are all over there.

According to Cao Mengde's plan, it is to select one of six, that is, from the 300,000 young men, 50,000 of the most elite ones will be selected for training.

After all, for the time being, Cao Mengde cannot afford more soldiers, and 50,000 is already sufficient. In addition to military reorganization and elimination, there are also changes in Xuzhou.

Although Tao Gongzu is old, he still has some ambitions. In the past month, there have been signs of army mobilization. According to Cao Mengde's inference, there is a possibility of attacking Yanzhou.

"There are traces of Yuan Jiujiu's methods." Cao Mengde said: "The fight between Yuan Jiujiu and Yuan Benchu ​​became more and more fierce. Yuan Jiujiu contacted Gongsun Zan and Tao Gongzu to suppress Yuan Benchu ​​in the situation. Presumably in the future, Tao Gongzu will This old man will take practical actions. However, Yanzhou has only just begun to decide, so there is no capital for a war."

In this year, Yuan Benchu ​​captured Han Fu's Jizhou, and then the war with Gongsun Zan became fierce.

First, there was the Battle of Jieqiao, where Gongsun Zan lost, and then there was the Battle of Longzuo, where Gongsun Zan was defeated again, but in the subsequent Battle of Jumashui, Gongsun Zan won. The two were at loggerheads.

Yuan Shu was also very lively. While encroaching on Yangzhou, he also linked up with Gongsun Zan and Tao Qian. Because Cao Mengde was Yuan Shao's younger brother in terms of situation, there was also competition. However, Yuan Shao connected with Cao Mengde and Liu Biao. The situation between the two sides was extremely complicated.

In general, Cao Mengde does not have the capital to fight for the time being. The previous few wars have almost exhausted Yanzhou's war potential. Now that millions of Yellow Turbans have been annexed, it is time to cultivate and recuperate.

"It doesn't matter." Zhao Yu saw that Xun Yu and others were looking at him, so he had to speak first: "Although Xuzhou is rich and has a large army and sufficient food, Tao Gongzu is old after all, and his determination to fight is not determined. There is nothing useful under his command. The generals are like Cao Bao. They are just like their names, and they have no ears, so there is nothing to fear. Just send one general and more than ten thousand troops to keep the enemy from the country. Tao Gongzu will retreat when he sees that there is nothing he can do."

When Cao Mengde heard this, he couldn't help but nodded: "Sir, what you said makes sense."

"However." As he spoke, he changed his voice: "Yuan Benchu ​​is currently fighting fiercely with Gongsun Zan, Tao Gongzu has no determination to fight, Yuan Gongdao and Liu Jingsheng are also restrained, and they are encroaching on Yangzhou, and they are afraid that they will have to fight with the new Yangzhou Shepherd Liu Yao It's a great opportunity for me. I have my husband's high-yielding seeds and waterwheels and water conservancy, but Yanzhou is located on the bank of a big river. Now that the year is bad, what should I do if there is a flood? Mr. Do you have any strategies to teach me?"

"Good on you Cao Mengde!"

Zhao Yu couldn't help laughing: "You are still thinking about me!"

Cao Mengde smiled and said nothing.

"Okay, I have some concerns about this matter." Zhao Yu said seriously: "I will give you an answer in a month at most."

Cao Mengde smiled easily: "With these words from Sir, I feel relieved."

Then he said: "Just now Wen Ruo and the others were discussing the matter of regulating Yanzhou. At the beginning of everything, talents are rare. I am planning to replace some of the county guards and magistrates in various places, but there are no one to do it. I intend to set up a recruitment hall. When an order is issued to recruit talented people, only those who are qualified will be promoted. What do you think, sir?"

When Cao Mengde said this, he looked quite proud.

This idea was something he came up with on his own.

However, after it was brought up, several people present had some objections to it.

Just before, before Zhao Yu arrived, they were discussing Cao Mengde's idea.

Cao Mengde believes in meritocracy, regardless of one's origins. Xun Yu and the other two agree with the first half of the sentence. But the second half of the sentence was questioned.

Now that Zhao Yu is here, when Cao Mengde talks about it again, Chen Gongtai takes the lead and says: "My lord, Mr. Zhao, the lord's announcement to recruit talents is a wonderful strategy. However, regardless of his origin, it is somewhat taboo."

He paused and said: "As for the common people, there are few people who can read and write, and there are no talents to speak of. Regardless of their origin, it is meaningless."

The meaning of his words is very obvious. In this era, knowledge is monopolized by powerful clans, and ordinary people have no channels or conditions to learn advanced knowledge. Therefore, he concluded that there are no talents among the people.

So the phrase "regardless of origin" is meaningless.

"Second things... My lord, noble families from all over the world are eagerly waiting for you. Many heroes are looking forward to serving you. My lord, why should you sacrifice the near and seek the far away?"

A look of worry flashed in Cao Mengde's eyes, but he also knew that what Chen Gong said was probably right.

However, this is not what Cao Mengde wants.

Just as Zhao Yu thought, Cao Mengde was now a prince, and he had gradually distinguished himself from the class of the aristocratic family. As a master, everything must be under control. And how could Cao Mengde not know the dangers of aristocratic families?

The Han Dynasty's world has come to this stage not only because of the stupidity of the emperor and the exclusive power of the eunuchs and relatives. The roots are still in the aristocratic family.

Enjoying huge rights, but pushing all the obligations to the common people, this is the fundamental reason that crushes the strong men.

As a member of the clan, how could Cao Mengde not know?

Since he is a powerful person, he naturally has to protect the rights and interests of the powerful person, but his current goal is not to become a powerful person. The interests of the clan are in conflict with his goals and imperial power. For example, as Chen Gong said, if the positions of county governors and county magistrates in various places were given to clan officials, what would Cao Mengde have left?

So even though Cao Mengde knew that meritocracy would not be very effective regardless of family background and would not be able to capture many talents from the common people, he still had to do it.

This is an outline, just like the Constitution. It is put forward first and then there is a conclusion. In the future, you can do it slowly and gradually reverse it.

Xun Yu didn't say anything, he just smiled gently, but Zhao Yu knew that Xun Yu must know Cao Mengde's intention.

Zhao Yu smiled and said: "The public platform is making a fuss out of a molehill."

He said: "Anyway, the common people don't have many talents. Regardless of their origin, as you said, it is meaningless, so it doesn't matter. Meng De likes it, so be it."

The corner of Cao Mengde's mouth curled up, and then he knocked on the desk: "It's settled. Wen Ruo, you will handle the matter of recruiting talents. There will be one recruitment hall in each county, no matter whether it is civil or military, only the talents will be selected." "Yes. , Lord."

Xun Yu agreed.

Chen Gong thought about what Zhao Yu said, and it seemed that he was right. It’s meaningless anyway, it doesn’t matter whether you mention it or not. I no longer hold on to it. "On the other hand," Cao Mengde solved the matter and said: "The cement factory has accumulated countless amounts of cement. I intend to start from Puyang to transform the East County. Cities and roads first."

Xun Yu said: "My lord, farming comes first." "I know." Cao Mengde waved his hand: "How is the sowing of winter wheat going, Wen Ruo?"

Xun Yu said: "The entire Dong County has been sown with improved wheat varieties. By next year, it will be spread throughout Yanzhou."

"Okay." Cao Mengde said with a smile, stroking his palms: "Replace bad varieties with good varieties, eat all the bad varieties, and spread the stall throughout Yanzhou as soon as possible. Zhaozhuang is a living example. Good varieties are the basis and water conservancy is the basis. We must spread them one by one. , can't be neglected." "Don't worry, my lord." Xun Yu said: "Chen Gongtai is responsible for the promotion of improved varieties, and Zaozhi is responsible for the water conservancy construction, and everything is on the right track."

"Very good." Cao Mengde was very happy: "Let's go back to the city and road reconstruction. After all, this year's improved seeds are not enough to spread throughout Yanzhou, and many people are still poor. I rebuild the city, lay roads, and use work as relief to stabilize people's hearts. .”

Cao Mengde dealt with it one by one, and Zhao Yu was hanging around leisurely. By the time the processing was completed, it was already afternoon.

Xun Yu and others did not stay long. The government affairs were complicated and could not be neglected. So only Zhao Yu is still here.

Cao Mengdel ordered his attendants to have the kitchen prepare the dinner, and then he chatted with Zhao Yu.

"Nowadays, I have a lot of information in my hands, but I can't use it all at once, which makes people really itchy." Cao Mengde said: "Glass and soap have made a lot of money and filled the treasury. I don't know how many warehouses have been hoarding cement. . The paper-making method has also been thoroughly understood, and there are even 20,000 sets of fine steel armors stored in the warehouse. If they can all be used, even Yuan Benchu, I, Cao Mengde, dare to attack immediately. "

Zhao Yu smiled and said: "Building walls high, hoarding grain widely, and making a fortune in silence is the kingly way. You are newly arrived in Yanzhou, and it has not yet stabilized. It is not easy for powerful families from all over the country to deal with each other, so you must slowly figure it out." . In addition, whether it is glass, soap, cement, paper, or steel refining, a plan must be made in advance."

"oh?"

Cao Mengde was confused.

Zhao Yu said: "These industries, more or less, have pollution. What is pollution? Thick smoke and sewage are pollution. If it flows into the river and drinks the river water, you will get sick. If it is immersed in the soil, the plants will die and the food production will be reduced. So A detailed plan must be made before it reaches a huge scale.”

"Appreciate further details."

When Cao Mengde heard this, he also paid attention to it.

Zhao Yu said: "In various industries, not only pollution but also raw materials must be taken into consideration. It is best to set up steel refining near large-scale iron ore and coke mines to avoid the pain of transportation. I think Nanyang is good. , but Nanyang is not under your rule, but it can be used as a set goal."

Cao Mengde nodded thoughtfully. "Several other industries such as paper making and glaze firing are best established in sparsely populated areas to avoid harm to the people..."

Zhao Yu counted out many places that needed ideas. After hearing this, Cao Mengde took out his pen and ink and wrote them down one by one.

After saying this, Cao Mengde asked Zhao Yu what he saw and heard when he went out this time.

Zhao Yu shook his head: "The world is in chaos and the people are careless. What else is there to say? I also met Lu Bu's army in Nanyang. After Lu Bu killed Dong Zhuo, Li Jue and Guo Si counterattacked and drove him out of Guanzhong. He has gone to Ru He went south to rely on Yuan Shu. But I don’t think he can stay under Yuan Shu for long, and he may go north.”