webnovelfull Chapter 642 Sima Yi Volunteers
Chapter 642 Sima Yi Volunteers
Due to the uneven distribution of resources, goods in the north and south have different advantages and disadvantages. The grain and steel industries in the Central Plains are significantly better than those in the Jiangnan region, while the light industries such as salt, silk and papermaking in the Jiangnan region are better than those in the Central Plains.
On Cao Pi's desk was a report from the Imperial Secretariat, listing the prices of various goods in Jiangnan. For example, silk and white paper were sold to the Central Plains at more than twice the price in Jiangnan. If the pseudo-Han were allowed to dump these goods without restraint, how much money would they earn from the Central Plains every year? All of this money would eventually become the military funds for Liu Bei's Northern Expedition.
Cao Pi nodded and said, "Okay, the border must be sealed off, but smuggling will inevitably rampant after the seal is closed. You also need to come up with a plan on how to combat smuggling. What else?"
Zhong Yao continued, "Furthermore, Liu Bei's land reform and the nationalization of mines have greatly angered the people. Although some of the land belonging to the gentry was obtained through exploitation, much of it was earned through generations of hard work. Therefore, the court should, like the pseudo-Han dynasty, vigorously publicize Liu Bei's shameless act of robbing people of their money, so that the people of the world will know Liu Bei's bandit face."
"My plan consists of these few steps. First, we will attack Longxi and wear down Liu Bei. Longxi is too far from Jiangling. The reason we are attacking Longxi instead of Jiangling or Jiangdong is not only because Longxi is the most fatal to the court, but also because Longxi is too far from Jiangling and the road to Bashu is too difficult. The consumption of grain and fodder on the way to Longxi will be very high. If the court attacks Longxi, even if it cannot recover Longxi, it will increase Liu Bei's grain and fodder burden."
"Secondly, we should build steel mills and promote new agricultural tools to increase grain revenue and replenish the national treasury. Next, we should block the borders and prohibit trade. Finally, we should publicize Liu Bei's brutal behavior and unite the people of the Central Plains. These are the suggestions that I can think of at the moment. I would like to ask Your Majesty to decide whether to implement them."
Cao Pi stroked his beard and pondered for a long time before asking, "Grand Tutor, you are wise and prudent, and what you say is all about governing the country. But there is a problem: how can we unite the major clans and ensure that the commoners in the Central Plains will not secretly defect to Liu Bei?"
This means how to restrain the aristocratic families, so that they would honestly contribute money and effort instead of secretly embezzling funds. If one person embezzles funds, others will follow suit, and eventually, the society will fall into a state of disarray and fighting its own battles.
How can we protect the interests of the poor and common people, so that they will not defect to Liu Bei because of injustice?
Only by doing these two things well can the various social strata in the Central Plains be completely united as one.
Zhong Yao replied, "Regarding taxation, the imperial court has issued decrees stipulating that for gentry families whose land exceeds 1,000 qing (a unit of area), 60% of the annual grain tax will be collected, and for those exceeding 10,000 qing, 70% will be collected. The same applies to factories, with 60% of their profits going to the national treasury as tax. For commoners' land, taxes will be collected based on the number of mu (a unit of area): 50% for land under 1,000 qing, 40% for land under 1,000 mu, 30% for land under 100 mu, 20% for land under 50 mu, and tax-free for land under 10 mu."
Upon hearing this, Cao Pi gasped. The more land a family owned, the higher the tax revenue; the higher the profits of their factories, the higher the tax revenue. This was a different kind of taxation on the wealthy. Would the gentry agree to this?
Zhong Yao continued, “This is only a preliminary plan. The specific details still need to be carefully discussed before a decision is made. As for whether the gentry will agree, Your Majesty can rest assured. This policy has a time limit and will be implemented until Liu Bei passes away. In other words, the land and mineral resources will still belong to the gentry. It is only a temporary loss of several years' income to deal with the bandit Liu Bei. I believe that the major gentry can understand this. So as long as Your Majesty agrees, this old minister will personally go to persuade them and get the gentry to sign the consent form first. It will not be too late for the court to issue relevant decrees after the major gentry have signed.”
Cao Pi tilted his head, lost in thought. This tax system was extremely beneficial to the court. After all, it was not easy to seize benefits from the gentry, but once they were seized, the court would not easily give them back.
Moreover, as long as it is implemented, new interest groups will automatically emerge. If Liu Bei is truly worn down by this system, it is uncertain whether it will be abolished.
Thinking this through, Cao Pi smiled with satisfaction and said, "I have no problem with it. Let's do as the Grand Tutor says. Do any of you ministers have anything to add?"
The group exchanged glances, and Liu Ye stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the news from the School Affairs Office also says that Liu Shan and Guan Xing have built some kind of Xinghan University in Jiangling. It currently has four colleges: military, Confucianism, medicine, and miscellaneous studies. It is currently enrolling students and will start classes soon. This old minister thinks we should follow suit."
"Although the Grand Tutor's previous remarks were all about governing the country, these policies ultimately need to be implemented on the people. The court needs talent, more talent, and talent from all walks of life. Therefore, the court should also build schools and vigorously cultivate talent to avoid having no one to use at critical moments."
Cao Pi laughed and said, "What Minister Liu said is very true. Then let's build the school. Let the School Affairs Office continue to keep an eye on the various government offices of the pseudo-Han, with a focus on Guan Xing. Don't worry about any new or good policies they have, just copy them directly."
What's so hard about copying homework? Even if I can't be creative, I can still copy!
"Yes..." Liu Ye bowed and accepted the order.
Cao Pi asked again, "Is there anything else?"
Sima Yi glanced around and, seeing no one speak, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I agree with the Grand Tutor's plan to attack Longxi, but have we overlooked one place: Liaodong?"
Cao Pi's expression changed slightly, and he quickly asked, "What do you mean?"
Sima Yi replied, “The pseudo-Han is currently building warships on a large scale, and the new treasure ships are larger, more stable and more suitable for long-distance sea voyages than the tower ships. The pseudo-Han navy has already conquered Japan, and Japan is only a step away from Liaodong. If the pseudo-Han navy can reach Japan, it can naturally reach Liaodong as well. If the Gongsun family of Liaodong colludes with the pseudo-Han and takes the opportunity to enter the pass and harass Youzhou, the court will be in a predicament of being attacked from both sides.”
"Moreover, the puppet Han navy could move north at any time to attack the coastlines of Xuzhou, Qingzhou, Youzhou, and other places, and we must take precautions against this as soon as possible."
"Therefore, just in case, I suggest that while attacking Longxi, we send a detachment north to destroy Liaodong and completely eliminate this worry from the rear."
"If we cannot pacify Liaodong in one battle, we should strengthen the defense line of Yuguan (Shanhaiguan) and keep the Liaodong troops outside the pass. We must not give the Gongsun family the opportunity to enter the pass and cooperate with the pseudo-Han."
"At the same time, build warships and train naval forces along the coasts of Xu and Qing prefectures. The goal is not to defeat the pseudo-Han navy, but simply to defend against them and prevent them from running rampant along the coast."
Cao Pi looked at everyone and asked, "What do you all think?"
Hua Xin bowed and said, “Liaodong is indeed a hidden danger. Liu Bei is currently recuperating and has no time to deal with other matters. The governor of Liaodong, Gongsun Gong, has also fallen out with Gongsun Yuan, the son of the former governor, Gongsun Kang. The uncle and nephew are fighting fiercely for power and profit. This is the best time to destroy Liaodong. If we delay any longer and Liu Bei has time to spare, it will be difficult to destroy it.”
"In addition, it is necessary to build a navy. My stepson Luo Tong is quite capable and skilled in naval warfare. He should be able to take on the position of naval commander. I ask Your Majesty to make a wise decision."
Cao Pi pondered, "I have heard of Luo Tong's abilities, so let him go. But who do you all think is more suitable to lead the Liaodong campaign?"
The group exchanged glances, each weighing their preferred candidate in their minds.
Upon seeing this, Sima Yi volunteered, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go personally. Give me 30,000 troops, and I will surely capture Gongsun Gong and Gongsun Yuan alive and bring them before Your Majesty within six months at most. If I fail to do so, I am willing to offer my head in return."