Outside the city, the Xiliang soldiers shouted, tried several times, and attacked the city, but the soldiers in the city did not fight back.

Hangu Pass adopts the Qingzhou-style city building method, and the gate is recessed, forming a "U" shape with the wall, which is just in the coverage area of cross-fire on both sides of the wall. If the Xiliang soldiers want to crash the city gate, they must work under the attack on both sides of the city wall, for the temptation of the Xiliang soldiers, the wall is deliberately weak, the enemy does not rush to the city gate, and will never return fire, however, the Xiliang soldiers have not attacked the wall too close from beginning to end.

Climbing the city wall requires special training, and human beings have a sense of self-protection in their hearts, and when they climb to a high place, they will have a sense of fear, and only through special training can they overcome their fear. Although the Xiliang soldiers were brave, they were cavalry after all, and they did not dare to easily enter the city when the siege equipment was incomplete. So, close the close, and maintain such a wonderful stalemate.

Closing the wall, Liu Bei looked at Cao Cao without blinking, and a smile gradually expanded on his face, this smile infected Cao Cao, and the two looked at each other and laughed. In the laughter, Liu Bei said lightly: "At first glance, when I heard about the position of prime minister, the world only thought of supreme power and glory, and only Meng Degong could think that with this power, what still needs to be paid is the responsibility and obligation of the prime minister.

Qingzhou has the ability to support a prime minister, and also has the ability to step on this prime minister. What Qingzhou needs is recognition and support for itself, if it does not get recognition, then Qingzhou would rather choose to be isolated: the four prefectures of Qinghai, Hebei, and Youzhou, as well as the newly occupied land in the north of the four states, are managed by me, and the officials are selected by myself. ”

Cao Cao replied without hesitation: "It has been many years since the Ming Dynasty decided that the four prefectures of Qing, Hebei, He, and You, as well as the newly occupied land in the north of the four states, were killed and cut down by the Ming Duke, and this is not Your Excellency's condition, but a fait accompli. What exactly does Ming Gong want? ”

Liu Bei sighed and said: "I am in the main hall, Brother Gongsun (Gongsun Zhan) would rather stand on the city wall than enter the palace, you and I only go up to the city tower, Brother Gongsun does not greet him, turn his head down, I can't bear to see my brother so lonely, please appoint him as the commander of the imperial capital garrison." ”

Cao Cao replied happily: "This is a trivial matter." I promise you. ”

Liu Bei was secretly happy and continued: "Since my brother is the holder of Jinwu, the two armies of Huben and Yulin should be under his command, and I plan to send the sons of the meritorious people of the four prefectures of Qing, Hebei, He, and Youzhou to form one of the armies to maintain the authority of Brother Gongsun. ”

Cao Cao was stunned, this is a bit excessive, it is not difficult to give an official position of holding Jinwu, but it is really unacceptable to have such an army with ulterior motives on the side of his bed.

Liu Bei saw that Cao Cao was silent, and continued to tempt: "Yan, Yu, and Sili belong to you, if you have the ability, you can defeat Liangzhou and Yongzhou, and they will also belong to you." ”

Cao Cao pondered for a moment and said tentatively: "The guards of the Jingshi are only Tiger Ben and Yulin, will the Xiyuan Forbidden Army be restored?" Does Xuande Gong want to participate in the formation? ”

Just kidding, the Xiyuan Forbidden Army has eight captains, if it is really restored, Cao Cao's military strength can account for an overwhelming majority, what is the use of monopolizing one of the armies of Huben and Yulin? Liu Bei waved his hand and said casually: "Since the judicial and criminal powers are independent, Luoyang has not been built for a long time, the vitality has not yet recovered, and the garrison does not need too much. I suggest that in addition to the two armies of Huben and Yulin, another cavalry army should be set up, called the Yunlu Army, and I would like to form the Yulin Army with the athletes of the four states......"

Cao Cao took Liu Bei's words and said, "The Tiger Ben Army is formed by me......"

"It is best for the Yunlu army to be composed of ministers of various states, scholars, and sons of knights." , Liu Bei truncated Cao Cao's words and added.

Tiger Ben and Yulin were one of the important components of the Central Army in the Han Dynasty. The Tiger Ben Army was the first to call the period gate army, in charge of the army and the guards (standing guard in the palace), because the emperor was micro-lined, so it was called "the gate of the palace of the period". When Emperor Ping of the Han Dynasty changed his name to Tiger Ben, he said that he was brave and fierce as "if the tiger and the beast". The Yulin Army is the city defense army guarding the capital, taking its meaning of "for the country's wings, such as the prosperity of the forest" (now often mistakenly written: the Imperial Forest Army). Yun Lu replaced the Xiyuan Forbidden Army, mainly responsible for the patrol mission of the imperial city (it should also have the mission of conquering the Quartet, but Liu Bei limited the number of soldiers and made it impossible to go on the expedition), taking its meaning of "Longxing Yun, one will be successful".

Cao Cao hesitated for a moment, and then thought about it, the Tiger Army was in charge of the emperor's close guards, and the soldiers of the Yun Luxiao cavalry came from all over the country, but they were weak and easy to control, so that his two armies were in hand, and he was not afraid of Gongsun Zhan, who was estranged from Liu Bei, to make a trick - "It's okay." ”

Liu Bei took another step: "The three armies are established, and it costs a lot to feed these soldiers, I think we should limit the number of the three armies, 3,000 people per army, and about 10,000 people in the three armies." 10,000 people serving an emperor is enough. ”

Cao Cao was aroused by Liu Bei's words, and said: "The number of the three armies is according to what Xuande said, but since Xuande also knows that after Luoyang is newly settled, it is dilapidated, and manpower, material resources, and financial resources are already tight, and Qingzhou is rich and well-known all over the world, does Xuande increase taxes and make more contributions to the imperial court?" ”

Liu Bei nodded in agreement: "There is nothing wrong with increasing taxes, the specific number can be discussed, as long as my Qingzhou businessman's transactions in Luoyang are protected, and the imperial court does what it should do, it is not impossible to increase the tax." But my condition is that one of the three princes in charge of criminal law is recommended and appointed by Qingzhou. My reason: Qingzhou has implemented the new law for more than ten years, and there are a large number of qualified officials who are proficient in criminal law, and it will take at least five years for the imperial court to change the law and retrain criminal law officials. ”

Cao Cao did not hesitate, readily agreed to Liu Bei's request, in the eyes of the people at the time, internal affairs and military power is the most important, Liu Bei did not seize military power, but asked to appoint personnel to manage the judiciary, the meaning of the words implied that he was not even willing to hold this important position, how could Cao Cao refuse?

"So, has Qingzhou's tax burden doubled?" Cao Cao bargained.

Liu Bei tilted his head and said with a sneer: "Brother Meng De's appetite is too small, the territory of Qingzhou has expanded four times compared to the past (plus Korea, Kyushu, Yizhou, Qiongzhou and other places), although the number of people in Qingzhou has decreased to one-sixth of the original, the output has increased to more than twenty times the original, and the wealth of the people has exceeded fifty times the original. Recently, the wealth of the world has returned to Qingzhou, which has made it more and more difficult to export goods in Qingzhou, and I wanted to increase the tribute so that the court can buy more Qingzhou goods and let the money and goods circulate...... In this way, as long as Brother Cao is willing to abolish the strategy of discriminating against industry and commerce, and allow my Qingzhou businessmen to travel freely throughout the country, I may as well add more. ”

Cao Cao looked at Liu Bei unexpectedly, he didn't expect him to be so refreshing, and he had never heard of the circulation theory that Liu Bei said, anyway, it is always a good thing to give more money, Cao Cao mustered up his courage: "How about ten times?" ”

"The lion opened his mouth," Liu Bei said unhappily.

"That's nine times." Cao Cao happily gave in.

Liu Bei scoffed: "Fang Cai is too patient, and now he is too greedy." ”

Cao Cao asked ruthlessly: "How much should it be?" ”

"If it's just a strategy to abolish discrimination against business and business, twice as much." Liu Bei said meaninglessly.

Cao Cao understood: "Xuande Gong, how can you add more?" ”

Liu Beiyi guided: "Not only can I increase, but Xuzhou Tao Qian and Yangzhou Sun Ce can also increase, just to see how the public office bids?" ”

Cao Cao gritted his teeth: "For the position of the third duke, the duke has already taken one, why don't you let me take out another one?" ”

Liu Bei shook his head: "The position of the three dukes, except for the position of criminal law, is all in charge of Brother Cao." However, I suggest that in the current situation, it is better to divide the respective spheres of influence. ”

Cao Cao smiled and said, "Where does Duke Xuande want?" But divide the sphere of influence, good. Gong just promised me that Yan, Yu, and Si are subordinate to me, are you willing to return my Yanzhou Taishan County? and Tao Qian seized Peiguo County, Yuzhou, Liangguo County, and Yanzhou Luguo County, should they also be returned? ”

Liu Bei sneered: "What do you say? ”

Cao Cao asked again: "What is the public opinion?" ”

Liu Bei replied: "Tao Qian, maintain the status quo." Sun Ce has gone down to Yangzhou and is about to attack in the south, and Liu Biao will not recruit King Qin this time. I suggest that after we annihilate the Xiliang army, Brother Cao and Sun Ce will conquer Jingzhou, and whoever occupies how much land will be in charge. Yuan Shu was arrogant and rude, although he was a minister for many generations and was deeply favored by the Han Dynasty, he tried to stand on his own feet and must also be attacked.

Zhang Rumi thief, stealing in Hanzhong; There are still traitors Ma Teng and Han Sui in Liangzhou; Yizhou Liu Yan did not pay tribute for a long time; The territory of these people must be determined by whom to attack and who will occupy it. At the moment, these people are separated from my territory, and I am not interested in who occupies them. However, our Qingzhou Navy is heading south, and if it wants to trade with Dashi and Daqin, the coastal areas from Qingzhou down, Xuzhou, Yangzhou, and Jiaozhi ports must be under the control of Qingzhou. Let me tell you clearly, once Sun Ce is willing to send troops to participate in the crusade, my Qingzhou soldiers are willing to defend the city for him. ”

Cao Cao was shocked in his heart, Liu Bei, Tao Qian, and Sun Ce colluded together to occupy all the coastal lands, but instead formed a ring encirclement of the Central Plains.

Liu Bei glanced outside the wall, and the shouts of the Xiliang soldiers gradually stopped, and during this period, the defenders of the gate did not fire a single arrow.

"I suggest that after this battle, we should clearly divide the objectives of the attack, establish our respective spheres of influence, and establish our own autonomy. For example, individuals have the right to implement policies of their own choice within their own territory. Obey our emperor as the co-lord of the world, whoever dares to disobey will be defeated by the world. ”

Cao Cao kicked the withered grass in the cracks of the bricks on the ground with his toes, thought for a moment, and said, "Yong, Liang, and Hanzhong will be handled by me." Jingzhou, the plague in the south is rising, Sun Ce is trying his best to fight his toes, I believe that in the short term, he does not want to enter the epidemic area, and when the plague subsides, I estimate that Yong, Liang, and Hanzhong have been decided, and I just have my hands free, hoping to demarcate the areas occupied by Sun Ce as soon as possible to prevent future conflicts. Yuan Shu, Xuande Gong has an enmity with him, but you want me to do it for you? ”

Cao Cao was so eager to book the territory first, because he planned not to leave any leftovers to Liu Bei, so as to limit Liu Bei's expansion. Since this is the case, it is better to retract his hands and feet, maintain a situation of "glorious separation", and make every effort to develop the four states of Qingdao, Hebei, and Youzhou, so that the people of these four states can support their policies from the bottom of their hearts, and cultivate their special sense of honor, and then plan slowly......

In the south, the annual trading volume of 100 million gold coins of the Roman Empire is waiting for the merchants of Qingzhou, as long as they occupy the coast and lead our nation to the maritime culture, it will be a victory. The size of the Central Plains, why bother too much.

"This, since Xuande Gong agreed, then, Qingzhou is eight times the tax, and Hebei, You, and Sanzhou are five times; Xuzhou Linhuai boundary of the world's granary, five times; Yangzhou Sun Ce's new land, three times; How about double the new land boundary of Cochin? ”

Liu Bei chuckled: "Duke Cao is still too greedy, Qing, Hebei, You, and the four states are so heavily endowed, how much does Duke Cao's territory plan to add?" ”

When it came to this, Cao Cao was angry: "Yanzhou was newly warned, and the Xuande Gong took away the people of my Guan County, and the north of Puyang was empty. ”

Liu Bei leaned close to Cao Cao's ear and whispered, "Have you ever heard of the things that Liu Xuande took in the past few years, and the matter of returning them?" Brother Meng De didn't sue me to enter Taishan, I just took a little interest, brother don't have to be uncomfortable, there are more than one person in the world who has been taken away by me with interest. ”

Without waiting for Cao Cao to react, Liu Bei said categorically: "That's it, I won't be entangled anymore, I will show you the final bottom line, Qingzhou can be increased by five times, Izumo City is three times, and the five-year tax holiday in the remaining three states has not yet arrived, and the original tax will be maintained.

Yizhou is newly determined, Qiongzhou is uninhabited, and it will be exempt from taxation within 50 years, and the tax amount will be discussed after 50 years; In Xuzhou, there is an outbreak of plague, and my archpope is still treating it there, and it is not easy to pay the full amount of taxes this year—it is tentatively set for the full amount this year, and it will be discussed next year; Yangzhou and Jiaozhou, I suggest that the tax should not be paid this year, and the tax amount will be discussed again next year.

In addition, taxes are paid to the state and are used to keep the government running. I suggest that under the Prime Minister's responsibility system, a certain amount of annual expenses for the royal family should be determined, which can be called 'domestic currency', and the royal family will pay for the daily expenses, while the royal security expenses will still be borne by the state. If the emperor does not have enough money to spend, he can apply for the imperial court to allocate it, and it is up to the imperial court to give it or not. ”

Cao Cao's heart moved, Liu Bei's last proposition is a practice of restricting imperial power, there is no money in his hands, how can the royal family expand its influence and buy people's hearts, in the end, the imperial power will be separated from the power of the state, and the emperor has only become a symbol of a country, that is, the so-called "co-lord of the world".

Who doesn't want to maximize their power, and who doesn't want to use the power in their hands to achieve their ideals. Without the interference of the imperial power, Cao Cao, who was a generation of heroes, appreciated this suggestion very much, but he still secretly chilled in his heart: "Liu Bei is so insidious, he pushed me to be the first prime minister, but he changed the law so much, updated the system, and weakened the imperial power, this is not to let the world's infamy be borne by me." Ten years later, he came to pick up this ready-made bargain again. ”

However, ten years later, who would have predicted? If ten years of cultivating power still can't defeat this Liu Bei, then it is natural to give up the position of prime minister.

"I don't believe it, I still can't compare to Liu Xuande after ten years of hard work. With the stage of the prime minister and the demonstration policy of Qingzhou, I don't believe that my talent is not as good as Liu Bei. Cao Cao nodded fiercely and made up his mind - the amount of "internal currency" allocated to the royal family is set every year, so isn't the rest of the money at the disposal of the government? Who is the government? Isn't it in charge of the Prime Minister? As long as you tilt a little into your territory, you don't believe in ten years of development, and your territory is not prosperous.

Cao Cao realized that the power of the Great Prime Minister would definitely be limited by Liu Bei, but he was not yet aware of where the limit was.

Liu Bei looked at Cao Cao's expression with satisfaction, and was very complacent: Cao Cao was an ambitious person, a person with courage and ideals, and a person who wanted to change society the most in the Three Kingdoms era. According to the real history, Cao Cao is the only one among the three heroes who has the greatest strength in changing the political system. However, the limitations of history prevented Cao Cao from fulfilling his grand ambition to change society. Now, with Liu Bei's limited framework and Qingzhou's exemplary effect, Cao Cao is enough to complete the heavy task of social reform, and Cao Cao will cut down all thorns and clear the way for the new deal. And Liu Bei can go south with all his strength to promote the exchange and convergence of several major civilizations. This is the inevitability of Cao Cao's ambition and ** intertwined - after all, the current new policy seems to be to expand the power of the prime minister and limit the imperial power.

However, it is precisely because of the limitations of history that Cao Cao did not perceive the impact of judicial independence on the official system......

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