Three Kingdoms

Cui Yan stood in the mountain pavilion outside Yecheng. Looking into the distance, he seemed to see streaks of blazing black smoke and swords and spears. In just a few days, a large number of local big houses in southern Jizhou were destroyed. , dozens of houses were raided in succession.

Cao's army continued to advance at a speed of conquering a fortress in an average of two days. Cui Yan believed that if this continued, Jizhou would become a sea of ​​blood sooner or later.

Cao Cao's decisive attitude towards big families exceeded Cui Yan's imagination.

If you want to climb from a wealthy family in the countryside to the position of a gentry child, it is even farther than from Yecheng to Xu County. Not only must you have talents, but you must also have opportunities. If you have opportunities, you must be praised and recommended by others. It can take one generation, or two or three generations, to climb from the countryside to the court and become a member of the gentry circle who truly has the right to speak.

Jun.

scholar.

son.

civil.

A class is like ascending to heaven.

Strictly speaking, it was not easy for Cui to climb from a local "subordinate" to a "shi" in the court, so he knew how difficult it was to be a local "subordinate", but when he began to hold power, in When faced with the tough attitude of the higher-level "swordsman", he hesitated.

Cao Cao showed a tough attitude, as if he was holding a heavy war hammer. Whether it was a shield or armor, it was a big hammer of eighty and a small hammer of forty. He is clever and clumsy, holding a powerful force, showing that he doesn't care whether he resists or not, and he doesn't care whether others are willing. Anyway, it is very big. If you are willing, just be patient, and if you are not willing, just sue...

This is a kind of psychological oppression, just like Cao Cao's massacre in Xuzhou. At that time, some people thought that Cao Cao did not dare to do that, but Cao Cao did it, and then Xuzhou collapsed completely, and he has not been able to recover to this day.

So, will the next Xuzhou be Jizhou?

The death and injury of more than a dozen large households is actually nothing to Jizhou as a whole. The loss of more than ten Wubao is actually nothing. The Han war is everywhere, and the various prefectures and counties have suffered military disasters. Didn’t the local area suffer more losses than Jizhou?

It's just that most of the people who died before were ordinary people, but now Cao Cao is targeting the local big families.

Kill the chicken to scare the monkey.

This process is also a process of comparing each other's psychological pressure and competing with each other.

As soon as Cao Cao started taking action, a large number of nobles from Jizhou withdrew from Cao Cao's command and resigned from their posts to express their indignation and protest against Cao Cao's barbaric behavior. At the same time, they also encouraged a large number of common people to "regret" their grievances. , used to express the illegality and unethical behavior of Cao Cao.

Under such circumstances, normally, most people would succumb to the will of others.

But Cao Cao is not an ordinary person.

Cao Cao ordered the direct killing of those people who had taken money to cause trouble, and at the same time accelerated the purge of large households, even arrested some officials who resigned, and put these people in prison on various charges...

For a time, there was a bloody storm around Xu County, and people throughout Jizhou were wailing.

When life safety is not involved, people can gesticulate over a network cable, and the spittle they spit out can paint a rainbow. But if it is said that the next moment, cruel officials will come to the door, families will be destroyed, and even people will be killed, there will naturally not be so many people. Dare to spit.

Not everyone dares to face the storm without fear.

The key is that there is no second Zang Hong.

At this moment, Cui Yan felt the preciousness of a man with an iron head.

"Mr. Cui..." Li Pan walked over slowly and bowed his hands.

"Everyone is here?" Cui Yan asked.

Li Pan nodded.

Everywhere in Yecheng may be monitored by the Cao family. If it is in someone's own yard, there will inevitably be suspicion of gathering for rebellion, so the only choice is to find a hilltop outside the city to prevent some Cao family members. Personnel eavesdropping can also use excuses such as spring outings, cultural gatherings, etc. to avoid some problems.

"I have met you all..."

Cui Yan bowed slightly and nodded in salute. Although Cui Yan has a higher position now, he may not be the oldest. In this regard, there is no need for Cui Yan to be arrogant.

"Cui Biejia, now... it's really chilling..." an old man on the left sighed, frowning, "...innocent people have suffered such a disaster, it's really... alas..."

Innocent or not, this point is not that important, but at least this reputation cannot be lost.

“Alas! Confucius said, a harsh government is more fierce than a tiger! It is so now! 』

"Jizhou...there is no Zang Ziyuan in Jizhou?" 』

"..." Cui Yan was silent and watched everyone talking.

After a while, everyone calmed down a little and their voices lowered.

Those present here basically belong to the ranks of "scholars". They are either currently holding some official positions, or their parents and ancestors have produced some capable people. Although to some extent, they have broken away from the ranks of the big families in the countryside. , but their relationship with these large households is still very close, whether it is personal connections or economics.

Large rural families want to obtain political asylum, and these people obtain various offerings in the process. This is the most basic transaction. As for some favors and marriages established in this process, they are for profit. Embellishment and concealment.

Cui Yan did not answer immediately, but the meaning was actually very obvious.

Just to discuss the matter, everyone is not a fool. If you want to play moral kidnapping, shut up as soon as possible.

"The general has his own reasons. Cui Yan said with a hint of something in his words.

Li Pan couldn't help but sigh, he understood what Cui Yan meant. Zang Hong rebelled against Yuan Shao before because Yuan Shao betrayed his promise and lost his integrity. But even so, when Zang Hong rebelled against Yuan Shao, there were still only one place and a small number of soldiers following him. Most of the nobles and big families only gave verbal support. It was just for a moment, so now these people are clamoring about "Zang Ziyuan". Secondly, most of them are just verbal.

On the other hand, Cui Yan said "reason", which is the key word. Now the general is assassinating, and then tracking down the murderer and accomplices. Although there is obvious suspicion of retaliation, after all, he has a good reputation. Now that people from Jizhou gather in one place, they must have a "reason", otherwise even if they rebel immediately, they may not get any response.

Some people are angry, some are helpless, but they are somewhat aware of the subtleties involved.

"Now that the New Year has passed, spring plowing is just around the corner," Cui Yan said the second sentence, "The foundation of the world is to cultivate mulberry trees." The general has his own sense of proportion. 』

The Jizhou area did not originally belong to Cao Cao. Although most people changed their flags after Yuan Shao's fall, it was just a different flag. In many cases, the original people were still in charge, which would certainly cause Cao Cao's anger. Dissatisfied, especially with the last Qinghe incident, although Cao Cao made concessions, it also laid the foundation for future troubles.

Now that the future troubles have broken out, Cao Cao is relieved, but the spring plowing is about to begin. Unless Cao Cao has water in his head, it is impossible for him to give up Jizhou just to breathe out. This area accounts for almost half of Cao Cao's income. Area.

Under such circumstances, Cao Cao will most likely choose to stop.

Besides, if the pressure is too much and Jizhou really rebels, Cao Cao himself will not feel comfortable.

To a certain extent, Li Pan thinks so too.

Although Cao Jun has now captured more than a dozen Wubao in southern Jizhou, which looks scary, but if you think about it carefully, it is not necessarily so scary. Although Cao Jun has killed a lot of people now, they are just ordinary big households. , something like "giving way", Cao Cao has not moved yet. Of course, if the trouble continues, no one can guarantee that Cao Cao will not take action.

As long as the Jizhou nobles do not get into chaos and withstand the pressure exerted by Cao Cao, then once the spring plowing approaches, Cao Cao will naturally be forced to make peace with the Jizhou nobles. Then the disadvantage can be turned into an advantage. From another perspective, this time is a crisis, but it is also an opportunity.

Since Yuan Shao's death, the Jizhou gentry have been in disarray.

Even if Cui Yan serves as the driver, his influence is still limited. Even if some prompts and arrangements are made in advance, there are still many local big players who are not willing to follow Cui Yan's suggestions, so that they naturally act first and later. , chaos. But at the same time, Cui Yan also showed his wisdom and strength in this chaos. It is precisely because of this that Li Pan and others gathered here to discuss.

Cui Yan looked around and said: "According to someone's knowledge, in Chang'an Sanfu, there were dozens of Lianshao family members who were all slaughtered... In Lantian, there were also more than ten disciples, all of whom were imprisoned... involved. It's very wide, and now the Hussars are sending people to investigate Hedong. The people they arrest are because the shackles are not enough..."

"What? ! 』

"How could this be?" 』

"Nani?" 』

"..."

Everyone was immediately stunned, and then there was an uproar.

Li Pan asked in disbelief: "So..."

Cui Yan was silent for a long time before saying, "This is not a matter of one person... nor is it a matter of Jizhou alone... Everyone, please be careful..."

Li Pan's hands were trembling slightly, "Mr. Cui, could it be that this big guy...but..."

Cui Yan shook his head and said, "It's unknown. It doesn't exist." 』

Of course, people can rely on conspiracy to gain certain benefits, but if it is elevated to the level of the entire country, it will be difficult to use conspiracy. After all, the strength of each other lies where they are. Even if you can use conspiracy to seize a temporary advantage. Opportunity, but it is impossible to always have the advantage. The final battle still depends on the comparison of strength.

And now, even Cui Yan, who has the power to reach the sky, can bind the scattered people in Jizhou together, and may be able to compete with Cao Cao, but the problem is that now it is not only Cao Cao who is doing this, but even Hsiao Qi. It almost means that the entire Han Dynasty will undergo some institutional changes, and the previous models and structures are undergoing new changes...

Blind confrontation may be one way to go, but is there a new path to take?

Which path is more in line with your own interests, and which one you choose will have a better future.

This is what Cui Yan wants to tell everyone when he gathers everyone...

Now, it is no longer a matter of just one place in Jizhou!

……(╥╯^╰╥)……

"a book……"

A farmer stood dazedly outside the bookstore, with an expression of fear.

Book.

This word, which had never appeared in his life before, made him feel at a loss, and he didn't even know where to put his hands and feet. He knew when Zhuang He needed to be weeded and when to water. He didn't even need to go to the field. He could tell whether Zhuang He in a certain field was growing well or not, just by taking a glance at it from a distance. But for " This brand new concept of "book"...

Is it delicious...

No, what's the use?

By the way, books are for reading, but what’s the use of reading them like this?

The farmer touched the small money bag in his arms.

The money bag is small, but the farmer feels it is very heavy and precious.

This is a winter of extra hard work from him and his wife. A load of firewood costs ten cents. Sometimes, unluckyly, and some difficult situations arise, the firewood can't even be sold for ten cents. Sometimes it has to be sold for seven or eight cents. And farmers can't go to the mountains to cut firewood every day, so after more than twenty days, they can barely get enough money.

Spring is about to begin, and work is about to begin in the fields. The farmer is carrying the money to buy books.

If you don't want to buy books, then you can buy a piece of linen, or a little ewe, or...

What a bastard, why do you want a book?

The farmer stood next to the bookstore for a long time, hesitating, not knowing what he should do. It wasn't until the sky turned westward and the number of people in the bookstore gradually decreased. When the clerk came out to tidy up the banners outside, he saw the man who had been hiding. The farmer on the side.

The clerk in the bookstore is of course wearing a long robe.

The farmer shrank back in fear. In his mind, anyone wearing a robe was a big shot.

"What's the matter?" ” asked the guy, then paused, “I mean, what’s the matter with you here?” 』

"No...no..." the farmer denied subconsciously.

The waiter nodded, and did not chase the farmer away because he was dressed or standing close. Instead, he thought that the farmer was waiting for someone, or was tired from walking, so he did not continue to say anything, but raised his head. I took down the banners and prepared to end the business for the day.

The farmer took two steps out hesitantly, then moved back hesitantly, "This, this noble man..."

"I'm not a noble person, I'm just a clerk in the store..." The clerk held a cloth banner in his hand, "Just tell me if you have anything to do. Do you want to find some odd jobs?" This is a bookstore, so there isn’t much manual labor, but I heard that the shopkeeper Wang of the grocery store on the street in front seems to be looking for some part-time workers recently..."

"Part-time worker in a grocery store?" The farmer was overjoyed and was about to move forward when he suddenly realized what he was doing and said awkwardly with a smile on his face, "This noble man, uh, little brother... I am, I am... Hi!" I want to buy a book..."

"Ah, huh?" ” The bookstore clerk’s eyes widened, “What? 』

"No...it's nothing..." The farmer shrank his neck and stepped back.

"Wait a minute..." the boy stopped the farmer, "What book do you want to buy?" Do you want to buy a calendar? "The calendar is something similar to the almanac, but it is simplified into a piece of paper, and most of them are paintings, so that ordinary people who cannot read can know some solar terms and so on.

The farmer also knew what calendar paintings were, so he shook his head and said more clearly, "It's not a painting, it's a book, the kind of book with words on it... I don't want it, it's my second son who wants it..."

"ah? This book is not fun...and...can you understand it? "The clerk smiled and said, "It's better to buy some food cloth or something... it's more practical..."

The farmer sighed a few times, then hesitated and did not move.

"That's it..." The waiter noticed the farmer's hesitation, "Just wait a moment..."

The clerk carefully rolled up the collected cloth banners and placed them under the counter. Then he took some written papers from the corner of the bookstore, walked over and handed them to the farmer, "In this way, I think Well, just buy these pictures first. If your kid can really recognize them, then it’s not too late to buy books... Mainly because it’s cheap. I made mistakes when copying them by hand, so I just charge paper money. ...』

Generally speaking, children from poor families who make a living by copying books must write well, otherwise they would not be able to make money, but people are still human, and sometimes they miss words and make typos when they are distracted and careless. It is normal. Those that are wrong will be singled out and sold individually.

Most of the time, these will be bought by other people, and they are basically used as copybooks to copy. Anyway, the copying only focuses on the structure and strokes of the font, and no one pays special attention to the content of the writing, which is incoherent.

This is the kind of paper the boy gave to the farmer. In his opinion, he has to forcefully explain to the farmer why a book is so expensive, which books are good, which books are not good, which books are suitable, or which books are not suitable, and whether the farmer's children will recognize it or not. It doesn’t matter whether you know how to read or not. It’s better to just leave it like this. Even if the farmer buys it and finds it’s useless, he won’t be too distressed and the loss won’t be big.

"Oh, you are such a good person, a good person..." The farmer also understood what the man meant, and thanked him repeatedly, "Then buy this, just this... How much does it cost?" 』

"One piece costs five cents, five cents, I'll give you a discount, it'll be twenty cents..."

The farmer suddenly felt a lot more relaxed. Twenty dollars was the cost of two trips for firewood. He could still calculate this. If he had known about this earlier, wouldn't he have been able to buy it home long ago?

Then if you have some money left, can you buy some other things you need at home?

The farmer suddenly felt that everything was wonderful.

The farmer paid the money, then pinched the paper carefully, feeling a little dazed for a moment, not knowing whether he should be gentler or harder. The lighter one is afraid of being blown away by the wind, the heavier one is afraid of being crushed...

In the end, it was the bookstore clerk who solved the problem for him. He rolled up the paper, tied it up with a thin straw rope, and helped the farmer hang it on his chest. He also told him not to get wet or get damp, etc., and then After seeing the farmer out of the bookstore, he smiled and shook his head, then turned around and started to set up the door to close the shop.

The farmer carefully protected the scroll on his chest with one hand as he hurried home. Although he had no idea what was written on these pieces of paper, and he didn't know whether these papers could be of any use. , but at least he fulfilled his son's wish.

"oh? Villager Da Zhuang, are you back from the market? 』

"hold head high. ” the farmer responded.

"Hey, what is this?" 』

The farmer raised his head proudly, "This is a book!" Did you see it? The writing book! My boy doesn’t know what’s going on, so he just wants to read..."

"Tsk, tsk, this is amazing, didn't it cost a lot of money? 』

"Not much, uh, fifty, fifty dollars!" 』

"Tsk, tsk, this is worth a lot of money... Didn't I say that your child... really understands it?" 』

"Then there's still a lie? Two days ago, my boy was learning Chinese characters from the Agricultural Master! 』

"Yo! That's really it. A big shot is coming to your family! 』

"Haha, no matter where you go, just fool around, fool around, as long as you can make a living!" "The farmer waved his hand, "I'll go back first..."

"Amazing, amazing..."

"Tsk tsk..."

Amidst the voices of everyone talking, the farmer strode forward.

This feeling seems a little different...

But it made the farmer feel very good.