Chapter 96

Cao Cao returned to Juancheng and gathered his ministers to summarize the lessons learned from the unrest in Yanzhou. He couldn't understand why Zhang Miao, his close friend, and Chen Gong, who had been with him from the beginning, would turn against him and welcome Lü Bu into Yanzhou. "What have I done to them? Is Lü Bu really better than me?"

Xue Ti was the first to speak, offering an analysis: "Zhang Mengzhuo and Chen Gongtai are both short-sighted. They only want to protect Yanzhou. You have gone on multiple campaigns, and the supplies and resources have all come from the local areas, so their dissatisfaction is understandable."

Cao Cao agreed that their dissatisfaction was understandable, but he found it hard to believe that such minor dissatisfaction would lead them to take up arms against him. He believed there must be other reasons.

Ren Jun said, "In the past, Bian Wenli was arrogant and disrespectful to you, but his crime did not warrant death. You executed him, which caused the scholars of Yanzhou to lose faith. Zhang Miao and Chen Gong tried to persuade you, but you did not listen. They lost your trust and were overshadowed by lesser men, so they rebelled. I suggest you implement benevolent policies to win back the scholars, and Yanzhou will naturally be at peace."

Mao Jie opposed Ren Jun's opinion, saying, "Boda only sees the surface, not the deeper issues. The powerful families in Yanzhou are like intertwined vines, all selfishly protecting their own interests and not caring about the state. When you took control of Yanzhou, you removed corrupt officials and punished the powerful, and with frequent wars and heavy taxes, they have long harbored resentment. Although they resented you, they did not dare to challenge you directly. Your execution of Bian Wenli made everyone fear for their lives, leading them to take desperate measures. Zhang Miao and Chen Gong were merely used by these people."

Cao Cao nodded, agreeing with their points.

Finally, Xun Yu summarized: "In times of chaos, strict measures are necessary, but for renowned scholars like Bian Wenli, you should focus on pacification. If not necessary, do not kill them. The scholars of Yanzhou are selfish and lack public spirit. They mourned Bian Wenli's death, feeling a sense of loss, and thus supported Zhang Mengzhuo and Chen Gongtai in rebellion. This is a lesson we must learn."

Xiahou Dun, gritting his teeth, said, "Yuan Shao repeatedly asked you to execute Zhang Miao, but you did not. Now it is clear that he was a troublemaker and should have been eliminated early. Such scoundrels should be punished, and Mr. Wenruo, you are too lenient."

Cao Cao waved his hand, "Yuanrang, be cautious. Wenruo is right, and I will take this as a lesson." He then turned to Shi Xun, "What do you think, Hongfu?"

Shi Xun thought, "You all were having a good discussion, why did you suddenly ask me?" He had his own unique perspective on the unrest in Yanzhou, but in such a public setting, it was hard to speak freely. He winked at Cao Cao and said, "As the saying goes, 'Once the bride is in the room, the matchmaker is thrown over the wall'..."

Everyone was puzzled and asked what he meant. Shi Xun explained, "This is an old saying—once the bride is welcomed, the matchmaker can be dismissed. It also means to cross the river and then destroy the bridge, or to pull the ladder away after climbing up. They welcomed you to resist the Yellow Turbans, but now that the Yellow Turbans are gone, you are no longer useful to them, so they naturally rebel."

Cao Cao nodded and then dismissed the meeting, instructing, "Hongfu, stay behind. The poem you submitted the other day, 'The Poor and Humble,' was very interesting. I want to discuss it further with you."

It turned out that Shi Xun's estate had been destroyed by Cheng Lian, a general under Lü Bu. Although not many buildings were burned, almost all the valuables were looted. So when he returned to Juancheng, he went to Cao Cao to complain. Cao Cao said, "Hongfu, you have done great service. I will reward you with more wealth. A man of valor should not worry about money. Why are you crying?"

Shi Xun pretended to be indifferent and recited a poem by Tao Yuanming, "The poor and humble, from ancient times, have been like Qian Lou. I do not seek high office, nor do I accept rich rewards. When my life ends, my tattered clothes will not even cover me. Do I not know the limits? I am not worried because it is not the right path. For a thousand years, no one has been like him. In the morning, I live with righteousness; in the evening, I die without regrets." He meant, "I am not greedy for fame and fortune. I have always been content with poverty and simplicity. I am just asking for enough to survive, not demanding too much."

Cao Cao praised the poem, but this time, he kept Shi Xun behind, not to discuss poetry. Once everyone left, he pulled Shi Xun close and whispered, "Hongfu, you didn't finish your thoughts earlier. Now you can speak freely."

Shi Xun thought, "Cao Mengde, you are indeed perceptive. Alright, I'll share my thoughts with you." Mao Jie and Xun Yu are not without insight, but as the saying goes, "You cannot see the true face of Mount Lu because you are among its peaks." I have a broader historical perspective on the Yanzhou issue. In the original history, Zhang Miao and Chen Gong conspired with Lü Bu to rebel, and the reasons are similar to those in this timeline. I will combine my knowledge from two thousand years to explain it to you.

He asked, "What was the main purpose of Zhang Miao and Chen Gong when they welcomed you to Yanzhou?" Cao Cao answered, "To drive away the Yellow Turbans and secure Yanzhou." Shi Xun nodded and elaborated, "They welcomed you to drive away the Yellow Turbans and secure Yanzhou, but their Yanzhou is not the same as your Yanzhou. Your Yanzhou is one of the thirteen provinces of the Han, and you want to bring peace to the land and its people. Their Yanzhou is just their hometown and property. Whether the state can collect taxes or the people can live in peace is of no concern to them."

Cao Cao was startled and urged, "Hongfu, don't keep me in suspense. Please continue."

Shi Xun then analyzed that since the Han Dynasty, the problem of powerful families controlling land has been a major issue. The court used harsh officials to punish the powerful, but even so, the problem was never fully resolved, leading to severe land consolidation and the rise of new dynasties. Wang Mang tried to nationalize all land to solve the problem, but it only led to chaos, and ultimately, Emperor Guangwu revived the Han.

However, the land consolidation problem in the Later Han was even more severe. Local powerful families colluded with officials, draining the state. People had no land to farm and became slaves, leading to the Yellow Turban Rebellion. This, you must see clearly.

Cao Cao understood, "Since I entered Yanzhou and subdued the Yellow Turbans, I have implemented strict laws to stop land consolidation and punish the powerful. Therefore, the powerful families are all dissatisfied and support Zhang Miao and Chen Gong in rebellion. But they don't realize that if I don't do this, the people of Yanzhou will not be at peace, and the government will not be clear. If war breaks out again, they will lose not only their property but also their lives."

Shi Xun sighed, "This is like being blinded by a leaf and not seeing the mountain." These people are short-sighted, and talking to them about long-term benefits is futile.

In the original history, Cao Cao's strict measures against powerful families and the confiscation of their wealth for military campaigns led to Zhang Miao and Chen Gong's rebellion. In this timeline, Shi Xun thought that with the security of Xu Province and the reduction in local exploitation due to the garrison farming policy, the rebellion might not have happened. But the powerful families, unable to see the bigger picture, and considering any loss as a threat, ultimately repeated the rebellion.

Therefore, Shi Xun concluded, "You must not be lenient!"

Cao Cao was originally strong in suppressing the powerful families, knowing that they would harm the state and his rule. However, the power of the families was too great, and every time he faced a setback, he had to make concessions. As a result, the powerful families gradually recovered their strength, leading to the corrupt and neurotic Wei and Jin dynasties.

Shi Xun did not want such a time to come, so he encouraged Cao Cao, saying, "You must not make concessions to the powerful families as Xun Yu suggested. Instead, you should take this opportunity to carry out a major purge. Although killing many people might harm your reputation, confiscating the property of the rebels is justified and will enrich your treasury. Why not do it?"

Cao Cao, being ruthless and vengeful, was delighted. But Shi Xun also pleaded, "Do not reveal today's conversation. It would be detrimental to both of us." Cao Cao held his hand, "Hongfu, rest assured. As the saying goes, 'If the ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers; if the minister is not discreet, he will lose his life.' I will not tell anyone."

Cao Cao then turned to Xun Yu, "I want to punish those who followed Zhang Miao and Chen Gong in rebellion. Should I execute them or execute them or execute them?" Xun Yu repeatedly advised, "Have you not learned your lesson? Why do you want to execute so many people?" Cao Cao pretended to think for a long time and then compromised, "I will spare their lives but confiscate their property."

Xun Yu said, "Better yet, you should persuade them to donate part of their property to atone for their sins. This would be more acceptable to them, and your reputation would not be harmed." Cao Cao agreed, "Good, you handle it."

Cao Cao defeated Lü Bu, and the powerful families in Yanzhou feared retribution. Xun Yu issued an edict, ordering a strict investigation of those who supported the rebels. These people were to be executed, but as a first offense, they could avoid punishment by surrendering half their property. Those who remained loyal during the unrest would be rewarded.

For Chengyang County, where Shi Xun had once been the magistrate, Li Quan's and Li Yizhong's properties were confiscated, and half of it was awarded to Ning Ke and Ning Xu.