Three Kingdoms: Liu Bei seeks the master and seeks to conquer the world

Chapter 86

Everyone returned to the city.

Kong Rong originally wanted to host a banquet, but Liu Bei declined the banquet on the grounds that brewing wine would hurt food, and only asked for white water to quench his thirst. This made Kong Rong pay a third more respect to Liu Bei's virtue.

At the banquet, Zheng Ping revealed a specific plan for borrowing food.

Kong Rong was responsible for issuing government orders to the counties, Liu Bei was responsible for appeasing the more than [-] refugees outside the city, and Zheng Ping and Tai Shici returned to Gaomi County to meet Zheng Xuan, and was responsible for persuading the powerful nobles in each county to lend money and food.

Since he wanted to be a guarantor, he naturally had to let Zheng Xuan accompany him.

The printed versions of "Book of Si Sheng", "Monthly Order of the Four People", and tools such as Qu Yuanli must also be prepared together.

The powerful gentry of Beihai Kingdom are not fools, and they will not easily make up their minds until they see the real thing.

This is different from when Liu Bei was in Pingyuan County.

Liu Bei is the Prime Minister of Pingyuan, and the powerful nobles in Pingyuan County have to give some face.

After all, this is not afraid of officials, but also afraid of management.

However, the Beihai Kingdom is different. Liu Bei is just a plain minister, and his arms can't be stretched so long.

After describing the specific plan for borrowing food, Zheng Ping cleared his throat slightly, and said, "In addition to the above measures, there is one more important measure that must be implemented immediately."

"The Lord Liu's Mansion can spread the message to the neighboring states and counties, and call on the state herdsmen, governors, prefects, state ministers, county magistrates, and county heads to fully cooperate with Beihai's grain procurement."

"If you are worried that the purchase of grain may cause a local food shortage, you can call on them to purchase grain from other counties nearby."

"The words must be true and based on righteousness. We must let the states and counties, from the governor of the state to the governor of the county, down to the magistrate and county magistrate, have a sense of guilt that they feel that they have lost their virtue even if they don't cooperate after seeing the appeal."

It is a conspiracy to put pressure on neighboring counties with righteousness.

Even if the officials in the neighboring counties wanted to beat and scold Liu Bei, they had to cooperate for the sake of reputation.

After all, Liu Bei didn't let the adjacent counties provide free food, but let the adjacent counties let go of purchasing!

However, once the procurement is released, the wealthy households in the neighboring counties will see that it is profitable, and they will desperately ship grain to Beihai.

This will reduce the grain reserves of adjacent counties, and the reduction of grain reserves will easily lead to food shortages.

In order to avoid food shortages in the county, the officials of the adjacent counties have to negotiate with the adjacent counties nearby to liberalize the purchase of grain, and let the rich counties traffic a large amount of grain to the less wealthy counties.

After all, no one can guarantee whether this food shortage will appear under his own rule.

Once there is a food shortage, refugees will be born.

This is why Zheng Ping asked Liu Bei if he was willing to offend the prefects, governors, and even powerful and noble families of the neighboring prefectures and counties in order to save the people of Qingzhou.

Liu Bei saved Qingzhou scholars and people, gained a good reputation, won the support of Qingzhou scholars and people, and even became famous all over the world.

However, neighboring states and counties will be affected.

Officials worried about local food shortages had to negotiate with other counties.

And the powerful gentry, because they are profitable, will flock to them.

Especially those at the middle level, who can't compare with the power of the big and powerful gentry in the local area, then go to Beihai Kingdom to seek benefits.

This is bound to shake the original balance.

And how could county officials and powerful gentry who had suffered a dark loss have a good impression of Liu Bei?

But Zheng Ping didn't care whether these people liked Liu Bei or not.

Once Liu Bei is based in Qingzhou and is sincerely supported by the scholars and people of Qingzhou, this lost reputation will be made up for with a greater reputation.

When Liu Bei gathered the hearts of Qingzhou scholars and people, he restored the prosperity of Qingzhou.

A little stigma from other counties is nothing to Liu Bei!

And some powerful gentry with a long-term vision may consider supporting Liu Bei instead.

As soon as Zheng Ping came out with this measure, Kong Rong, Sun Shao, Ying Xun and others present were all taken aback.

Ying Xun, in particular, felt restless for a while.

This Taishan County is adjacent to the Beihai Kingdom, so you can't be the first to express your support?

"Zheng Juncheng, the daily consumption of Taishan soldiers is also quite a lot." Ying Xun didn't know how to refuse, but just complained and tried.

Liu Bei couldn't bear to look at Zheng Ping's eyes.

After all, the prefect of Mount Tai, Ying Shao, has borrowed troops, yet he still has to be tricked, which is somewhat embarrassing.

Zheng Ping has insight into people's hearts and has already seen through Ying Xun's thoughts. He said with a smile, "Captain Ying, it is not harmful or beneficial to Taishan County to let the counties and counties relax their grain purchases."

"There is a saying in "Mencius": born in sorrow, die in peace."

"Heaven is ruthless, and this natural disaster cannot be avoided; human nature is merciful, but man-made disasters can be properly dealt with."

"Drought in Qingzhou this year, food production has decreased, and the people can't survive and have become refugees. This has fueled the momentum of the Yellow Turbans."

"How do you know that Yanzhou will not experience drought in the coming year or the year after?"

"If there is a drought in Yanzhou and there is a food shortage, Qingzhou is also unwilling to open up grain purchases. Will the millions of people in Yanzhou survive?"

"Mr. Liu's message to the prefectures and counties is not only for the victims of Qingzhou, but also for the prefectures and counties to have a sense of urgency, so that they can have an effective solution after encountering food shortages."

Liu Bei and Zheng Ping already have quite a tacit understanding.

As soon as these words came out, Liu Bei immediately stood up and bowed to Ying Xun: "Captain Ying, I know that both you and Brother Ling are benevolent gentlemen who care about the common people, and they will definitely not sit back and watch the common people suffer."

"As the saying goes: the kindness of a drop of water should be repaid by a spring."

"If you can help me solve the food shortage in Qingzhou, the matter of Yingfu Lord will be my matter, Liu Bei's matter. Although we are thousands of miles away, we will go there with righteousness!"

Ying Xun's heart was touched.

As Zheng Ping said, this year is a drought in Qingzhou, so how do you know that Yanzhou will not be drought in the next year or the year after?

If you don't help Qingzhou solve the food shortage today, who will help Yanzhou solve the food shortage next year or the year after?
Seeing Liu Bei's promise again, the hesitation in Ying Xun's heart disappeared.

"Liu Fujun is generous and determined to save the people. He is truly a hero!" Ying Xun got up and returned the salute: "Ying Xun is not talented, and I would like to persuade my brother for Liu Fujun."

Liu Bei smiled with great joy: "I, Liu Bei, am so lucky to be able to fulfill the promise of the captain!"

Ying Xun did not stay in Drama City.

With a call to arms, he led his troops back to Fenggao City.

Ying Xun had a lot of emotions to save Beihai this time.

Whether it's Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zheng Ping, Tai Shici, Kong Rong, Sun Shao, etc., Ying Xun feels that there are many heroic people in this world.

Especially Liu Bei, knowing that these [-] refugees are hot, but still chose to use the most difficult way to resettle these [-] refugees.

This pride alone is enough to make Ying Xun admire.

"I didn't expect there to be someone like Liu Bei in this world!"

"Brother has a bosom friend!"

soon.

The plan formulated by Zheng Ping began to be implemented in an orderly manner.

outside the city.

Under the escort of Guan Yu, Liu Bei visited the refugees one by one, asked about their health, selected the most respected among the refugees, and publicized the resettlement plan for the refugees.

Volunteers were also recruited to distribute money and food to the refugees.

Although Liu Bei is now Prime Minister of Pingyuan with a high position and authority, Liu Bei has always treated the people with a pleasant face, whether it is in conversation or manner, these refugees feel very comfortable.

This kind of personality charm, which is rare for ordinary people, has been vividly expressed in Liu Bei.

"Mr. Liu, old people are not ignorant. This is the food that more than a hundred thousand villagers need. Can we really get it together?" An old man who was staggering got up and asked tremblingly.

He has not eaten for two days, and has been living by gnawing bark and grass roots.

Now I heard Liu Bei say that we must manage the rations of these more than [-] villagers, and never give up or give up any of them.

The old man's first reaction was that Liu Bei was boasting nonsense here.

How can the rations of more than [-] villagers be easily raised?
Therefore, with a resentful heart, the old man questioned Liu Bei.

And the refugees around seemed to have quite a lot of trust in the old man, and they all gathered around the old man, looking at Liu Bei suspiciously.

"Old man!" Liu Bei approached, supported the old man, and let him sit down: "I know you have doubts, after all, the theater city has been emptied, and you can eat it for a month at most."

"A month later, you will continue to suffer from cold and hunger."

"But I, Liu Bei, never promise easily."

"Although there is not enough food in Jucheng, Beihai State has food, and the counties and counties adjacent to Beihai State also have food."

"I've already discussed with Prime Minister Kong, and I will lobby the wealthy households in the entire Beihai Kingdom in the near future to borrow money and food from them."

"And Mr. Kang Cheng from Gaomi County will also be my guarantor."

"In addition, I have sent a call to the neighboring counties, calling on them to sell grain to Beihai."

"I, Liu Bei, can defeat the yellow turban bandits who are ensnaring you, and I firmly believe that I can help you restore your homeland."

"Although the future is difficult and dangerous, I, Liu Bei, would like to tide over the current difficulties together with fellow villagers!"

Liu Bei's eyes were firm and his words were sincere.

Even the old man, who was resentful in his heart, looked at Liu Bei now with less doubt and more surprise.

"Mr. Liu, what good does this matter do to you?" The old man stared at Liu Bei firmly.

Liu Bei's eyes froze: "Since I have become an official, I have to solve the suffering of the villagers. This is my job. If you only care about benefits, why should you be an official?"

"Old man, there are vicious and greedy officials in this world, and there are also benevolent and honest officials."

"Liu Bei doesn't want to be that vicious and greedy official, he just wants to do his bit."

"I can understand the old man's doubts, but a gentleman doesn't care about his career. What kind of person am I, Liu Bei, please watch this old man and fellow villagers!"

After speaking, Liu Bei bowed deeply to the old man and withdrew from the crowd.

As soon as Liu Bei left, the crowd began to discuss.

"Old Gao, is Liu Bei really trustworthy? We have more than a hundred thousand people."

"Yeah, will it just give us a few days of rations and let us fend for ourselves?"

"Hmph! How can this group of officials be trusted? Given a few days of rations, they spread benevolence everywhere, and they don't care about our life or death."

"It's all wolves. If you really care about us, you should let those bullies who forcibly expropriate food return the food to us."

"Those rich households want to scrape off all our food, so how can they borrow food?"

"This Liu Bei must be lying to us, why don't we go find Xu and Qu Shuai."

"."

The old man did not answer the inquiries of the people around him, but quietly recalled what Liu Bei had said just now.

"About traces regardless of heart."

"I want to see what you will do!"

The old man took a deep breath, trying not to let himself fall asleep.

Just now.

A boy trotted over: "Grandpa, there's porridge, there's porridge!"

"What porridge?" The old man was taken aback for a moment.

But the boy excitedly pointed at the gate of the city: "A lot of people have come out of the city, and they are cooking porridge. We have something to eat!"

Hearing that someone was making porridge, the villagers who had questioned Liu Bei just now rushed to the gate of the city.

Although I have doubts, but before that, filling my stomach is the most important thing.

"I want to see, you can last for a few days!" The old man didn't feel grateful to Liu Bei just because someone from the city came to make porridge.

The old man has seen this kind of thing many times on the way to flee famine.

Most of them were officials in the city. They were afraid that the refugees would flee into the city, and then they cooked some porridge symbolically, and then sent the refugees away.

How can this way of dismissing beggars make the old man feel grateful?

But the next few days.

The old man was more and more surprised.

After eating porridge and rice for three consecutive days, the old man's energy became more and more energetic, and he was no longer sallow and thin and drowsy all day long.

"You didn't drive us away?" The old man was puzzled.

But what Liu Bei did next confused the old man even more.

"Under the order of Mr. Liu Fu, recruit 500 loggers, 500 fishermen, 500 hunters, 500 spinners, and 500 cooks."

"Two meals a day are provided, and wages are calculated separately!"

As soon as they heard that food was provided and wages were provided, the thoughts of the refugees suddenly became active.

Although porridge and rice can hang one's life, it cannot control one's fullness.

If you can earn wages, you can buy rice and extra meals by yourself.

It's been another half month.

The old man didn't understand at all!
"Really didn't drive us away?"

"Not only take care of food, but also pay wages for us to work?"

"This, this, where does Mr. Liu Fu get so much money and food?"

"Could it be that you really borrowed it from those wealthy households?"

No one answered the old man's question.

Although Liu Bei visited the refugees every day, almost all of the more than [-] refugees could only see Liu Bei.

The rest of the time, I heard that Liu Bei was among the refugees asking about their health and suffering.

City head.

Kong Rong looked at the refugees who gradually became orderly under the city, with mixed feelings.

"Changxu, this old man never expected that Xianmou really persuaded the powerful gentry of Beihai Kingdom to lend money and food to Xuande."

Beside Kong Rong, Gongcao Sun Shao also had complicated eyes.

After Zheng Ping returned to Gaomi County, he brought Zheng Xuan and Tai Shici with him, and began lobbying in the eighteen counties of Beihai Kingdom.

In half a month, most of the powerful gentry in the eighteen counties were persuaded to lend money and food to resettle the refugees.

"Confucius, all people are profit-seeking, and powerful gentry are no exception."

"It's obvious that they are willing to lend money and food because of their conspiracy to lure them for profit."

"But this move will encourage the arrogance and domineering of the powerful and powerful gentry of the Beihai Kingdom. I'm afraid it will be a big deal."

Sun Shao was a little worried.

Zheng Ping didn't say that "the powerful gentry lent money and food one after another when they raised their arms." It was the transfer of huge benefits in exchange for the support of the powerful gentry.

Kong Rong was naturally aware of Sun Shao's worries.

Looking at the refugees outside the city, Kong Rong sighed, "If it wasn't for the old man's ineffective governance, why would Xianmou have taken such a risky strategy. What will happen in the future, the old man can only firmly believe that Xianmou has a countermeasure."

(End of this chapter)