Mythical Three Kingdoms

If the Light of Fortune gave Zixu hope, although the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment, it at least excited people for a brief moment. On the other hand, Cao Cao's side was entirely a tragedy.

The Grand Assembly is held only once a year, so it lasts for a long time. Cao Cao, as the strongest force in the imperial court, didn't have much to say. Although Zhang Hong's goodwill was evident, it left him both satisfied and troubled by Liu Bei's strength.

"My lord asks the outer officials to seek the emperor's instruction." After reporting last year's grain and tax revenues from Liu Bei's side, Guan Yu straightened up, nodded slightly, and spoke in the direction of Liu Xie.

The numbers of grain and tax revenue reported by Guan Yu were quite large, so large that it made Liu Xie very happy. However, Xun Yu and Zhang Hong vaguely estimated that there was more hidden, and Liu Bei had more than just this amount of money and grain.

Of course, Zhang Hong and Xun Yu also left room for maneuver in their reports, which ordinary people could hardly detect. Although the data reported by Guan Yu surpassed that of Xun Yu and Zhang Hong, it wasn't significantly greater than the expenses for military upkeep and education.

Although the figures given by Guan Yu were verified personally by Chen Xi and Liu Ye, making the data seamless even upon checking the accounts, as a sage, sometimes just intuition and conjecture can yield approximate data. You really can't help it.

"Minister, speak straightforwardly. The Grand Assembly is exactly the place for open discourse to determine next year's livelihood." At this moment, Liu Xie indeed possessed an emperor's demeanor, showing no reaction to Guan Yu's inquiry as an outer official.

"My lord feels that it is difficult for the people to obtain salt and is willing to provide salt for the people at the price of grain." Guan Yu's majestic voice covered the entire court, and the whole place fell silent immediately. All the major aristocratic families were aware of this news, and it could be said that Liu Xie was likely the only one unaware of it.

Liu Xie frowned, genuinely uncertain about whether to agree to such a matter. A hint of displeasure inevitably showed in his heart. Ideally, such major issues should have been communicated with the emperor before the Grand Assembly for the emperor to promote.

Sima Yi, with his sharp eyes, captured Liu Xie's frown and immediately chuckled, "General, you may have overlooked that salt tax is a heavy tax of the Han Dynasty. If the price of salt is too low, how can the nation rely on it to assemble loyal and honorable guards?"

Sima Yi's words seemed to assist Liu Xie, but in reality, when Cao Cao heard Sima Yi's words, he took a special look at Sima Yi, realizing he was very young yet insightful, and incidentally one of his own.

Cao Cao was now very clear on one fact: whatever Liu Bei wanted to do had to be sabotaged; otherwise, the gap between himself and Liu Bei would only grow. Moreover, the salt price matter, which the aristocratic families already promised to Chen Xi, also needed to be sabotaged as much as possible.

However, although Cao Cao wanted to sabotage, he didn't stand up because it was unnecessary to oppose the aristocratic families. At least now, he desperately needed the support of the aristocratic families under heaven.

Moreover, a critical point is that in Cao Cao's view, the benefits Liu Bei would gain from doing this weren't substantial. Although it could indeed earn some public support, this kind of support floating under his rule wasn't particularly important. Furthermore, Liu Bei never explicitly mentioned it was his doing to lower the salt price. As long as this is kept quiet, there'd be no effect.

Cao Cao didn't rely on salt tax to support his troops, so lower salt prices also made things easier on his side. Therefore, there wasn't much motivation to resist this policy, as there was no need to incur the hatred of the aristocracy. He wasn't like Chen Xi or Liu Bei, who had enough capital to resist the aristocracy.

However, adding some difficulty for Liu Bei was something Cao Cao was still willing to do. Sima Yi's words made Cao Cao very pleased; even if it couldn't stop the promise made by the aristocratic families to Chen Xi, at least it could still disgust Liu Bei.

"Minister, your words are reasonable. However, profit from salt concerns people's livelihood. Lowering the salt price indeed benefits the people. As for the salt tax being a heavy national tax..." At this moment, Liu Xie paused for a moment, while Guan Yu didn't raise his head. As for this response, Liu Ye had long been prepared.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Dongting has already checked the accounts with my lord, and I ask Your Majesty to review them." Guan Yu's expression barely changed; Liu Ye's spiritual talent's best aspect is its versatility. To Liu Xie's type, whom he'd interacted with, Liu Ye already prepared for what Liu Xie might say as well as the correct responses.

Soon, a eunuch bowed his head to present the accounts Guan Yu had prepared to Liu Xie. After Liu Xie flipped through them, his face showed delight, as Liu Bei and Liu Ye had generously handed over the salt tax item to him.

Immediately, Liu Ye's gaze toward Guan Yu became much more comfortable, thinking that Liu Bei and Liu Ye were indeed models among the Han Imperial Kinsman. Although the note stated that because the regions like Qing, Xu, and Jizhou required support, they didn't intend to pay taxes themselves.

But this was nothing after all, since these were the private properties of the Feudal Lords. Which Liu Clan member would pay tax for their own things? Liu Bei highlighting this matter made Liu Xie understand that Liu Bei was a righteous imperial relative. Moreover, they also noted that aside from the salt Liu Bei sold himself, all other taxes belonged to Liu Xie, along with giving Liu Xie all the distributors.

Of course, all these distributors were aristocratic families. Liu Xie, raised by women, wouldn't know the complexities within, and might even enjoy watching the show if things went awry. Of course, this would surely involve Cao Cao getting hurt.

"Imperial Uncle Liu is truly a loyal person." Liu Xie accepted the account book and said with a face full of emotion.

"My lord will surely be deeply moved by Your Majesty's words." Guan Yu said expressionlessly, becoming increasingly impressed with Liu Ye. All these words were prepared by Liu Ye in advance.

Afterward, Liu Xie glanced at Sima Yi, and in a good mood, his good impression of the previously righteous Sima Yi increased. Seeing that Sima Yi was only a year or two older than him, he smiled and asked, "I wonder which family does Minister belong to?"

"Sima Yi from Henei pays homage to Your Majesty." Sima Yi posed an expression of trepidation and saluted Liu Xie, knowing that even if Liu Xie had seen him before, he would have forgotten him. It was indeed due to his previous lack of presence, but this time was enough.

Liu Xie didn't say much else, but given his slight nod, it was clear he had remembered Sima Yi.

"Lord, be cautious. With His Majesty's mindset, he will definitely collect the salt tax based on the account book, and I bet it only consists of salt taxes that can't be collected." Chen Qun transmitted this message to Cao Cao, whose face turned as black as the bottom of a pot, though he always had a dark complexion.

"Lord, don't worry. If His Majesty demands taxation, just send General Dong." Xun Yu's voice soothing the people also came, reassuring Cao Cao significantly.

[Chen Zichuan, do you always plan ten steps ahead?] Cao Cao mocked in his heart, inadvertently turning to look at Guan Yu, only to see a dozen rays of light appear from beyond the sky. [Uh, what is this?] (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to qidian.com to cast recommendation votes, monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)