Ideological transformation has never been something that can be completed overnight, and Zhang Zhao did not veto it, which has exceeded Sun Ce's expectations. After thinking about it, he felt that maybe he was too prejudiced against Confucianism, and intentionally or unintentionally regarded Confucianism in the Han and Wei dynasties as Confucianism in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Although they are all Confucianism, the difference is still very large, at this time Confucianism has not yet rested on its laurels, and can still innovate itself, and most of the criticism of Confucianism also comes from within Confucianism.

It is necessary to keep in touch with Zhang Zhao and deepen understanding. Confucianism needs to be reformed, and it also has some preconceived misconceptions that need to be reformed. He had always felt that Confucianism was conservative and opposed to technological innovation, but after listening to Zhang Zhao's words, he realized that Han Confucianism did not completely reject technological innovation, they only opposed strange skills and ingenuity, and Taoism, which was admired by many people in later generations, was more like anti-intellectualism. The loss of the status of Daomen as a ruling philosophy is not because Confucianism is too powerful, but because Daomen is not suitable as a ruling philosophy, and the way of Huang Lao, which is praised by later generations, is not as perfect as imagined.

Sun Ce left Zhang Zhao plenty of time to think. He is the elite representative of this era, and it is when he is in the prime of life, and he can make greater achievements only if he is given the right direction.

Sun Ce communicated with Zhang Zhao about how to deal with the Runan family. Liu Bei failed to complete the task, he needed to find another way, Yuan Quan's communication with the wife of the Xu brothers was only one thing, and Zhang Zhao, as the Taishou of Runan, also had to take action. Sun Ce calmly explained his purpose, fighting with the family is not only about needing money and food, although he does need a lot of money and food now, but he is thinking more about the survival of ordinary people. Land annexation is a chronic disease, and if this problem is not solved, social contradictions cannot be alleviated, and peace is bound to be an empty word.

Rising to the moral height, Zhang Zhao understood Sun Ce's decision very well, and he put forward a proposal: to restore the monopoly of salt and iron.

The Han Dynasty practiced a monopoly on salt and iron for a long time. Iron is an important raw material for agricultural tools and weapons, and it is also a necessity for life, salt is inseparable from a day, salt and iron need the unified cooperation of a large number of people, not a family can solve it, and controlling salt and iron is to control financial resources. However, in the Eastern Han Dynasty, because the strength of the powerful landlords was great, the iron monopoly had been liberalized, and the salt monopoly system was still maintained, but it was also affected by the powerful and powerful, and there were even more powerful people who sold illegal salt, and the real impact was only the powerless and powerless small people.

In order to implement the monopoly of salt and iron, it is necessary to have strong government control, especially to control the source of salt and iron, otherwise the monopoly of salt and iron is just empty talk. There is no salt mine in Yuzhou, there is no large iron mine, salt and iron are all imported from other places, now Sun Ce controls the Nanyang Iron Official, and joins forces with Elk Zhu to introduce sea salt into Yuzhou, has the advantage of resources, after stabilizing the external situation, there are conditions for resuming the monopoly of salt and iron.

The restoration of the monopoly of salt and iron was first of all free from moral difficulties. This was originally the Han family system, but it was abandoned or relaxed for a while, and now it is an extraordinary period to restore it, which is justifiable. Secondly, there are major positives. The restoration of the iron monopoly can control the proliferation of weapons and curb the strength of private troops, and the restoration of the salt monopoly can force the powerful to hand over the hidden population, which is in line with the Confucian concept of strong cadres and weak branches. If the salt quota is issued according to the registered population, ordinary people will not be affected, but the powerful who have hidden a large number of people will face a huge shortage. Finally, of course, income, controlling the monopoly of salt and iron means controlling a stable source of finance, which can greatly alleviate the current financial predicament.

Sun Ce was overjoyed and felt that Zhang Zhao's method was feasible. He did not pay much attention to the taxes brought about by the salt and iron monopoly—the result of the official sale was inevitably high quality and arbitrary price increase—but to the fact that the salt and iron monopoly could force the powerful to hand over the hidden population. Compared to the taxes brought by salt and iron, these are the bulk income.

"This method is good, and it can be implemented in Runan first. However, it must be well controlled, and the quota must be strictly controlled, but do not increase the price arbitrarily. The powerful don't care about the price of salt, but ordinary people can't afford it. ”

Zhang Zhao was very satisfied. "The general is benevolent and natural, never forgetting the small people, and sincere to the blessings of the people. I will first discuss a detailed plan with Taifu Jun Zhu Cao, and then report it to the general. After a period of trial, if the effect is good, it will be implemented in other counties. ”

"Okay, okay." Sun Ce agreed.

Leaving the Taishou Mansion, Sun Ce came to Huang Zhong's camp again. Huang Zhong had 4,000 men and horses in his hands, and had been stationed in Pingyu, but in fact assumed the role of the county lieutenant and was the mainstay of Runan. With him in Runan, Sun Ce can fight with peace of mind. For so long, Huang Zhong has never complained a word.

When Sun Ce arrived at the camp, Huang Zhong was practicing with the soldiers of the personal guard battalion, holding the bow, personally coaching, and the arrow target a hundred steps away, twelve shots and eleven hits, including two arrows. Sun Ce saw it and clapped his hands and praised it.

"Hansheng's archery has been on the rise in the past few months." He glanced at Huang Zhong and praised: "The temperament has also been further improved, and he has the style of a grandmaster." ”

Huang Zhong hurriedly handed over the bow and arrow to the righteous servant, walked up quickly, and said with a smile: "The general is falsely praised, and he dare not be loyal." King Chen is the real grandmaster, and compared to him, I still lack the heat. ”

"Don't be arrogant or impatient, Hansheng is not far from King Chen, and surpassing him is just around the corner. How is it, do you want to move your muscles and bones? ”

Huang Zhong suddenly became energetic, and the guards around him also looked at each other, unable to hide the joy in their hearts. "Everything is up to the general's orders."

"Drill, let me see your achievements during this time."

"Whoa." Huang Zhong responded, turned around to arrange, and specially cared for him: "Everyone cheer up, practice hard, don't lose face." ”

The soldiers' chests were pounding, so that Huang Zhong could rest assured that he would not be embarrassed. Huang Zhong turned around and led Sun Ce to the general's platform, and asked Sun Ce to sit down on the general's platform, holding the order flag himself, and commanding it in person.

The order was given, the war drums sounded, and the four thousand soldiers quickly rushed out of their respective camps and took their positions. They moved quickly, but in an orderly manner, and quickly lined up under the command of officers of all ranks. Looking at their high morale and neat ranks, bright armor and weapons, Sun Ce almost suspected that they were ready if he hadn't informed anyone before he came.

At the beginning of the drill, the formation was drilled first, and then the attack and defense were drilled. Sword and shield men, spearmen, and crossbowmen, go into battle in turn, foot soldiers, and knights cooperate with each other, although it is just a drill, not a real sword and gun fight, but everyone's face is very serious, murderous, every tactical action is very in place, every shout is also full of fighting spirit, and there is no perfunctory look.

Sun Ce nodded secretly. Morale is available, Huang Zhong is holding his breath, waiting for the opportunity to shine. Such a fierce general should naturally be sent to the battlefield to make meritorious contributions, and it would be a pity to defend his family.

At the end of the exercise, Sun Ce was invited by Huang Zhong to make a few speeches to boost morale, and in the cheers of the soldiers, he said to Huang Zhong: "Hansheng, you prepare, set off in half a month, be my striker, and strive to win Jiangxia in a battle." ”

"Whoa."