Chapter 679: The Imperial Master Teaches Me
Winter has quietly arrived. For the people in Yan Sheng, this winter is not easy.
During this era, although Yan Sheng's arrival opened up agricultural civilization here ahead of time and even allowed rice to be grown, the grain production was always insufficient and people starved to death every winter in the country.
This year's harvest is not as good as the previous two years. In addition, riots have broken out in various places, causing those who hold grain to hold on to it even tighter. Naturally, the people's lives have become more difficult.
"Master, teach me!"
In Xishan City, Liu De, who had now proclaimed himself King Jing and ascended the throne, rushed into Kong Daqian's villa in a hurry.
When Kong Daqian, who was sitting in the room drinking tea, heard the voice, his facial muscles twitched suddenly.
[What's wrong with this guy? ]
Kong Daqian was very annoyed with him, but considering his current situation, he still kept his temper and looked calmly at Liu De, who was sweating profusely in anxiety.
"Your Majesty has lost your composure again. This is really inappropriate."
Liu De did not get angry after being scolded so lightly, but laughed twice.
"It's my fault, but the country is in real trouble now. I hope the Imperial Master can give me some advice!"
"Tell me, what's the matter?"
Kong Daqian maintained his appearance as a master.
After spending some time together, he knew that Liu De was very fond of this technique. Now, he was using it more and more naturally and completely immersed in the role.
"Here's what happened..."
As he spoke, Liu De quickly told Kong Daqian about the latest problem he had encountered.
To put it bluntly, it's just two words: "Food!" There is not enough food in the city!
Although Liu De himself had some money, he was definitely not wealthy. It could be said that he had spent all his wealth on that uprising.
Fortunately, he occupied the City Lord's Mansion, and also seized the silver and money of the City Lord's Mansion and the granary where the official grain was stored in Xishan City. This gave him the initial capital to support his own troops.
Under this premise, the food shortage among ordinary people in the country has not been a one- or two-day thing.
Originally, this matter was the government's concern and had nothing to do with Liu De.
But now Xishan City has been occupied by him, and he has even announced the restoration of the country's name to Jingguo and proclaimed himself King Jing.
In this way, wouldn't the people of Xishan City become his subjects?
Now the people have no food to eat, and the people in the city are in a panic. Can you tell me whether you can do anything about it? Although Liu De himself is not very talented, he is not a fool. He started his righteousness under the banner of resistance to Yan Sheng's tyranny. He can't just turn around and slap himself in the face, right? "Has the food in the granary of Xishan City run out?"
Kong Daqian asked in surprise.
Faced with this question, Liu De smiled awkwardly.
"Master, although there is still food in the granary, there are thousands of people in Xishan City. If we use this to help the people, if the tyrant sends troops to attack us, our troops will be left without food. How can we defend Xishan City?"
Hearing this, Kong Daqian immediately understood what was going on, and then his thoughts changed...
"Your Majesty, I remember there are some wealthy gentry in this city. Food was in short supply before, and these guys must have taken the opportunity to stockpile a lot of food. How about..."
As he spoke, Kong Daqian made a gesture of swinging a knife.
Liu De was startled when he saw this, and then he said with some embarrassment...
“Isn’t this bad?”
The wealthy gentry in these cities have many businesses. In addition to their huge wealth, they often also maintain private soldiers.
Before, local government officials had to look at their faces, and even sided with them in private.
To put it bluntly, the soldiers under his command were just ordinary civilians. To be honest, they were not even militia. It was unwise to go against these local tyrants.
According to Liu De's original idea, he wanted to go back and find an opportunity to make friends with the other party.
As long as he can gain the support of these wealthy gentry in the city, his future development will be smoother.
Kong Daqian is a smart man. After he became Liu De's "national teacher" by accident, he often thinks about these things on weekdays. If he uses his brain in the right place, he can understand many things.
At this moment, Kong Daqian naturally guessed Liu De's plan, and a hint of hidden coldness flashed in his eyes.
Before this, he was an honest farmer. These ordinary people hated the corrupt officials and the rich and unkind gentry the most.
Every winter, so many people starve to death because of lack of food, but those bastards just hoard more food than they can eat at home and never give it out!
Although Kong Daqian had seen through Liu De's true nature at the beginning, he still felt a little disappointed when he saw that the other party was so eager to show goodwill to those guys.
Then his face turned serious.
"Your Majesty, you are confused!"
“…”
With a loud shout, Liu De was stunned first.
As expected, after Kong Daqian's shout, Liu De couldn't help but fall into self-doubt again, thinking that he had done something wrong again.
It's no wonder that he became like this, because ever since Kong Daqian became his national teacher, everything he said came true, so Liu De started to believe him blindly.
In this case, even if they disagreed, Liu De couldn't help but wonder, "Am I wrong?"
During this period, when Kong Daqian saw Liu De's confused expression, he knew that it was time for him to perform.
"Your Majesty, you are based on 'benevolence and righteousness'. You should stand on the side of the people. If you join hands with those rich and powerful country gentry, won't you be destroying your foundation?!"
As he spoke, Kong Daqian immediately cited various examples, and Liu De was quickly fooled, and then he made up his mind.
"Okay, we'll listen to the Imperial Master. Pass on my orders, gather the soldiers, and let's go raid the homes of those wealthy gentry!"
After the order was issued, Liu De gathered his troops and went there in a menacing manner.
Looking at Liu De's departing back, Kong Daqian also breathed a sigh of relief.
To be honest, the situation in Xishan City has long been beyond his control, and now he is just taking things one step at a time.
[This wealthy gentry entrenched in the city is a big trouble. Rather than leaving this trouble to the king, it is better to use Liu De to solve this trouble now. ]
[If Liu De can accomplish this task, he will be able to gain a firm foothold in Xishan City. This will bring more trouble to the tyrant, and will also be beneficial to the king.]
[On the other hand, if it fails, it can also make Xishan City more chaotic. At worst, I can just leave in the chaos.]
Now on Liu De's side, Kong Daqian has gained a certain amount of power and also gained Liu De's trust. Compared to the beginning, it will be no problem for him to find an opportunity to slip away.
Thinking of this, Kong Daqian quickly turned around and walked back into the house.
[Just in case, I'd better prepare first! ]
(End of this chapter)
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