Three Kingdoms

Xiahou Dun staggered on his horse.

His mind also had its ups and downs.

Cao Cao's intention was very clear, but he, the executor, still had some doubts.

According to Cao Cao's wishes, he didn't want to hold back.

If you don't hold back, you will see blood.

Heavy bleeding.

The problem of Han officials was already very serious. Xiahou Dun also knew this. The so-called inspection system of the Han Dynasty has actually been reduced to a human relationship. The entire system is filled with one's own people, and then only the descendants of one's own people are selected to succeed. It can easily become a family business, and those who pretend to be On the surface, the assessment is almost a decoration. No matter how bad you are, you will be promoted to the forefront in the interview, while others, no matter how good they are in the written test, will always be inexplicably failed in the interview.

Those so-called official interviews have become a nondescript fig leaf, just like the Japanese crotch cloth. It is obviously just a piece of cloth used to cover it, but it must be at a forty-five-degree angle. What else is there on the left and right? The names of Yue Zhong Kui, Liu Chi Kui, and even Bao Jiang...

Under such a nondescript selection system, what would the Han officials look like?

Guanzhong Sanfu's implementation of strictly selecting candidates through examinations instead of interviews is actually another kind of "princes, generals, ministers, etc.". In fact, Cao Cao was not opposed to the so-called "promote the virtuous and avoid avoiding relatives", but the emphasis was on "virtuous", not "relatives"!

How many people can one idiot kill?

Xiahou Dun had already experienced it personally, and he agreed with Cao Cao's attitude of seeking talents. However, it was not necessary to use blood to reconcile the conflicts between the people and the nobles, which became Xiahou Dun's current doubts.

After all, we still have to think about the future...

Otherwise, what will happen in the future?

What about the official system after the killing?

When Dong Zhuo arrived in Luoyang, almost all the officials gave up their jobs. The state government was completely paralyzed, and the counties in Shandong refused to carry out orders...

There are some things that you just can’t do too well.

Xiahou Dun thought so.

But Cao Cao said, "There are many kinds of talents in the world. Some are good at farming, so let them be responsible for farming. Some are good at counting, so let them measure. Some are good at literature, so let them go." Being a doctor... But now, no matter what he is good at, he always uses the classics as his policy and blood as the threshold. How can the country develop stably? The most serious thing is that these people still occupy the position and do not allow anyone to go up...In the end, they just compete for the position and do nothing else..."

Cao Cao finally asked Xiahou Dun to come to Yingyin to have a look...

So Xiahou Dun came with his soldiers.

Xiahou Dun's troops died.

The Cao family is also the core strength of the Xiahou family.

Yingyin, in Xiahou Dun's impression, is a very good county town. In the early Han Dynasty, Guan Ying was granted the title of Marquis of Yingyin, and now it is also ranked among the top areas among the seventeen cities of Yingchuan. After all, it is not too far from Xu County.

Xiahou Dun visited it once before, and felt that although Yingyin cannot be compared with Xu County, it is still prosperous, with many merchants coming and going, and the market is orderly. Simply put, it is very good.

But when Xiahou Dun really left Xu Du and went to Yingyin, he didn't feel anything at first, but then he felt something was wrong.

Within Yingchuan, not all counties are rich, there are also poor counties. For example, if Xu County is about 100%, then the large and small counties in Yingchuan have 90% and 30%. This is normal. After all, the economy of all counties cannot be the same.

But the problem is that Yingyin is not an ordinary county town.

In other counties, there are very few pedestrians on the road. It is normal to walk for a long time without seeing a caravan. Everyone can understand it. However, in Yingyin, even if it is not 90% of the prosperity of Xu County, it is at least 70% to 80%. Such a relatively good county town has a very cold appearance...

There were no traces of pedestrians on both sides of the road, let alone those caravans carrying goods.

Xiahou Dun's brows began to wrinkle.

Xiahou Dun sent scouts to deviate from the official road and go to some surrounding small villages to investigate. As a result, they discovered a surprising thing. Some of these small villages actually had no people left!

Among some of the fields, the scouts saw crops that had been abandoned and had not even had time to be harvested!

Even a fool can feel the extreme abnormality reflected in this information.

Abnormality means there is a demon.

And this monster is either a mountain spirit tree monster or a human monster.

Then the next question is, why is it so abnormal?

Almost instantly, an idea jumped out of Xiahou Dun's mind.

This is almost a common method used by Han officials. It is a familiar recipe, a familiar taste, a familiar method, and a familiar scene...

The situation after Dong Zhuo entered Beijing seemed to be happening again.

Only this time the protagonist is changed to Cao Cao.

Xiahou Dun frowned more and more, "Here comes someone!" Drive quickly ahead and head to Yingyin! Control each intersection and wait for a certain military order! 』

After receiving the order, the soldiers hurried forward.

Xiahou Dun looked at the dust going away in front of him, and his heart was also a little confused in the smoke and dust, and he even became a little angry because of it.

What happened to Yingyin? If something unexpected happened, why wasn't it reported? Or maybe the content reported by these guys was falsified? Who is cheating?

But one thing is for sure, there are benefits to doing this. Xiahou Dun still knew the virtues of these Han officials very clearly. He would not do anything without benefit, and he would not do it without benefit.

"Report!" "A moment later, a soldier came back to report, "General, there is a Yingyin sentry post ten miles ahead! There were thirty soldiers, who were set up to block the horses and cut off all traffic! 』

"What? ! ” Xiahou Dun was stunned for a moment, and then anger surged in his chest, “Capture him! Ask the reason on the spot! Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy! 』

The soldiers gave the order loudly and went off with murderous intent, but Xiahou Dun's heart became a little sinking.

Xiahou Dun even thought of another possibility...

I shuddered immediately.

It seems that even if Cao Cao becomes prime minister, there are still people who don't regard the prime minister as his equal.

In other words, Cao Cao had repeatedly issued orders to select materials, ensure production in various places, and prepare autumn harvests, but now it seems that at least Yingyin is quite contemptuous of Cao Cao's orders. This is definitely not an accident, but the current situation caused by some people deliberately doing this.

After all, if it was an accident, I would probably have screamed louder than anything else. Only when I do something small, I will hide it, fearing that other people will know about it.

Zhuang He!

What does Zhuang He mean? Even children who don't understand anything know the importance of food and grass. If they don't have food for a day, let alone a day, the mountains will roar if they don't have food for just one day. What's more, no one will harvest such a piece of farmland?

If we don't harvest, it won't be an autumn harvest, but an autumn disaster...

The intention behind this is probably very sinister!

Cao Cao issued many orders emphasizing the need to ensure the harvest this autumn. Because everyone knows, well, I can’t say everyone, at least most people in the middle and upper classes know what the quality of this year’s autumn harvest means...

The economy determines the superstructure.

What if the economy goes bad?

Will the superstructure become turbulent?

So at this point in time, someone deliberately, intentionally or unintentionally, made some moves to destroy Zhuanghe's harvest. What was their purpose?

It is not easy to be the prime minister, but it is not easy to be a good one. It's like Dong Zhuo also became the Prime Minister for a time, and then did he really become the "Prime Minister"?

It can be seen that even within Yingchuan, there are still many different voices, different ideas, and many different actions. As long as there is a problem with the autumn harvest, then many things will snowball, and problems will break out one after another!

Cao Cao wanted to rectify the officialdom, and it was not just a day or two. He wanted to strengthen the court's control over the local areas, which had been planned for a long time. However, due to one or other reasons, whether it was to rectify the officialdom or strengthen the local Management and control have to be suspended under certain compromises.

But these signs also scare some people...

After all, if you really want to get involved and really rectify it, it is very likely that it will extend to yourself! After all, there were many characters in Yingchuan back then, but they had no connection with each other, and they were not shielded because of their family lineage. Who would believe it?

When a big problem really breaks out, I will take advantage of the "celebration" to throw the entire blame to Cao Cao!

First, it destroyed the autumn harvest, which naturally caused economic problems in the entire court. The soldiers and civilians had no food to eat, which would inevitably cause major fluctuations in the entire court!

When the time comes, if Cao Cao wants to be stable and overcome the difficulties, he must bow to the nobles and compromise again!

The so-called strategy of rectifying officialdom and strengthening control that Cao Cao originally wanted to implement could only continue to be delayed, failed, and ended in nothing!

When Xiahou Dun thought of this, he couldn't help but feel some anger rising in his heart. However, at this moment, Xiahou Dun still hoped that these were just his guesses and not the real situation.

After all, Yingchuan was also the first place where Cao Cao received support, and it was once a flag under Cao Cao's command, and under the jurisdiction of Xun Yu and other Yingchuan nobles, it should not be like this.

To Cao Cao, these officials were not afraid of stupidity, but bad.

Stupid, at best, means that things are done badly, and bad, it means that things can be done well, but they are misdirected!

Xiahou Dun's soldiers quickly arrived at Yingyin, and then quickly took control of various important roads.

The sudden arrival of soldiers shocked all the officials in Yingyin, and then they arrived at the city gates to greet Xiahou Dun tremblingly.

Xiahou Dun did not dismount, but looked at these Yingyin officials coldly, and then signaled to the guards around him.

"Who is in charge?" Come forward! ” Xiahou Dun’s personal guards shouted.

Zhong Hong trembled and took a few steps forward, then knelt down on the ground with a thud, "Xiaguan, uh, Xianguan pays homage to the general!" 』

Xiahou Dun was too lazy to talk nonsense and asked directly: "There was an order before that strictly prohibited people from using clever names to travel!" Why are checkpoints set up on the official road in Yingyin, widely spread to block traffic, and block traffic? ! 』

Zhong Hong swallowed his saliva and said with a smile: "General, Rong is reporting back... This, this... Because the celebration is of great importance, if some ignorant people run around and interfere with the celebration, I ruined the prime minister's important affairs, wouldn't it be... Therefore, I have suspended the traffic, it is just a postponement... there is no prohibition..."

"Haha, what a "pause"..." Xiahou Dun glanced at Zhong Hong and asked again, "Then the surrounding crops are already ripe, why don't you organize the people to harvest them?" And where did the people in the surrounding villages go? 』

"ah? Why is this happening? ” Zhong Hong suddenly felt emotions on his face, “It must be the country official who is lazy! The lower officials also give orders frequently and do not neglect them. However, these..."

"A country official is slacking off? ” Xiahou Dun snorted coldly and interrupted Zhong Hong’s performance, “In that case...come here! Separate a team and go to the surrounding areas with Nakato Cao of Yingyin County to find those "countryside officials" to confront! 』

"only! "Suddenly, Xiahou Dun's guard shouted loudly, and then jumped out on his horse, "Where is Ying Cao? 』

"Ah... this... ha... humble position..." Ying** Cao staggered and came out of the crowd. She didn't know whether it was because she was too crazy last night, or accidentally kicked a stone, or for some other reason. , he almost fell to the ground after taking a step, he quickly supported himself with his hands, crying with a sad face, trying to delay and muddle through, "Humble job, humble job... I can't ride a horse..."

"Can't ride a horse? No problem! Xiahou Dun's guard sneered, stretched out his hand and said, "Sanlang, take it with you!" 』

"Follow the order!" "Suddenly, a man jumped off the horse, walked to Cao Ying's side, grabbed him by the neck, and then dragged him to the side of the horse. He and another soldier worked together to lift the cross, and pointed it toward the horse with both ends facing down. I put it on my back, "My watch is moving!" It's my fault for falling to death! 』

Hu Cao screamed twice, and then a group of people kicked away.

Zhong Hong wiped his sweat and laughed twice, "General, this... How about... General, please go into the city and rest?" 』

"No need!" Xiahou Dun said coldly.

"Then..." Zhong Hong rolled his eyes wildly, "Xiaguan... well, Xiaguan will go to the city to help the general arrange a residence... and also prepare some labor gifts for the general and soldiers, such as cattle and wine..."

Xiahou Dun couldn't help it and sneered, "No need!" Have a great time! 』

Among the children of the Yingchuan gentry clan, there has always been an idea. These people think that they are different from the Xiahou clan of the Cao clan. They think that they are more "civilized" than the Xiahou clan of the Cao clan. This strong feeling sense of superiority. Because Yingchuan not only hosted the new capital of the Han Dynasty like Xu County, but also played a very important role for the current Han Dynasty in terms of culture and economy.

But the problem is that the current ruler of the Han Dynasty is Prime Minister Cao!

And it was Prime Minister Cao who asked the children of the Yingchuan gentry to make "concessions" and "set an example"!

Without Yingchuan, where would the rise of Cao Cao come from?

Without the children of the Yingchuan gentry, where would the money, grain, and taxes come from?

Okay, now Cao Cao actually asks the Yingchuan disciples to give up some positions and give up some benefits?

Why didn't the Cao family and Xiahou family give in? !

Therefore, this group of Yingchuan disciples are thinking that since they are not doing well and are forced to give up their benefits, then don't blame everyone for dragging them into the water!

Zhong Hong's face finally darkened, and he stopped kneeling on the ground. He stood up on his own, waved his sleeves and patted the soil on his knees. He looked at Xiahou Dun with a sneer, "General, don't push too hard, or you will end up losing face." ! 』

Obviously, at this point, confrontation is not important anymore.

When you can't hide, you don't have to keep pretending.

"face? Xiahou Dun looked at Zhong Hong in surprise, unable to imagine that Zhong Hong had the nerve to say such words. "Does this mean that the persecution is too much? 』

"The most important thing in Yingchuan is the Han Dynasty!" Zhong Hong raised his chin and said loudly, "Yingchuan tax revenue is 100 million yuan per year!" It is the first among all prefectures and counties in the Han Dynasty! If there were no money, grain, and taxes from Yingchuan, I dare to ask the general, where would the official salaries and wages of these big men come from? Where can these soldiers, their armor, and their pay come from? ! 』

Xiahou Dun nodded and said, "The taxation of Yingchuan is indeed the highest among the Han Dynasty, so you are doing evil, obeying the law and violating the law in vain, without caring about the life and death of the people?" 』

Zhong Hong sneered and said: "Why, General Xiahou, as a veteran on the battlefield, can't see the lives and deaths of the people?" I wonder if General Xiahou felt the way he does today when he was conquering Xuzhou? 』

Xiahou Dun frowned, then waved his hand and pointed at Zhong Hong, not wanting to continue arguing with Zhong Hong, "Take it down!" 』

Several soldiers and guards rushed forward and captured Zhonghong.

Zhong Hong was still laughing, "Xiahou!" You can hold me, but can you hold everyone in Yingchuan? ! If you touch me today, it will inevitably lead to chaos in Yingchuan! Ha ha ha ha! The chaos in Yingchuan is the chaos of the Han Dynasty! If the soldiers in Guanzhong pour down, there will be no support from Yingchuan. Let's see how you can resist it! 』

After hearing this, Xiahou Dun pondered for a moment, then jumped off his horse, and then walked to Zhong Hong who was pushed down and kneeling on the ground. He looked down at Zhong Hong, frowned slightly and said, "If we hadn't resisted the soldiers, Could it be that you still can’t go? 』

Zhong Hong shouted at the top of his lungs, "The swords, guns, armor, and horses you are wearing were all bought by the people of Yingchuan. If you didn't have these swords, guns, and armor, what would you use to go into battle?" joke! 』

Xiahou shook his head, "You don't have to shout so loudly, I can hear you." I just have a doubt... Yingchuan provided money and food to support us with these swords, guns, and armor... This is true, but... I dare to ask Yingyin County Lord, this Yingchuan money and food Among the taxes, is there a grain of grain or a dollar that was obtained by you... I mean, by yourself, by plowing the ground and harvesting it with your own hands? 』

"ah? ah……"

Zhong Hong was stunned for a moment, and while he was still arguing, Xiahou Dun kicked him to the ground and stepped on his neck. He couldn't say any complete words and just screamed hesitantly.

"If all the money and food in Yingchuan are tied to you, and all the money, food and taxes come from you alone..." Xiahou Dun slowly took out the sword from his waist, then put his fingers together and gently wiped the snow. The sharp blade, "Then I really can't kill you... What a pity, Yingchuan money and food are obtained by the hard work of the people of Yingchuan!" It is the work of the people of Yingchuan day and night, all year round! What does life and death have to do with you? 』

"First there were the people of Yingchuan, and then there were the scholars of Yingchuan!" First the great Han relied on him, and then Yingchuan became wealthy! Xiahou Dun raised his sword, and Zhong Hong's panicked eyes were reflected on the blade, "You just have to go to the underworld and think about it carefully!" 』

The sword comes down!

Blood comes out!