Chapter 637 |
If one does not have money, one would certainly look for money. Saving money won’t find them much especially since Yangzhou was developing. They needed to make roads and expand their lands. Naturally, the job was given to Mi Zhu. However, Mi Zhu shook his head. Yangzhou could not grow any bigger. Maintaining the current trade route was difficult enough.
The annual tax burden was about three hundred thousand to four hundred thousand gold. That is after using up all of Mi Zhu’s connections. He could not do anymore without killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.
“Since we cannot use trade routes, we will try something else!” Liu Mang pondered. What was the easiest way to earn money? It was war. His army was already ready and he could just attack the enemy for their riches.
His first thought went to Jingzhou as Jingzhou was filthy rich. Capturing Jiangling gave him five hundred thousand provisions and countless weapons and armor. He also obtained tens of thousands of gold. All of these were money.
If he captures the southern regions of Jingzhou and Xiangyang, he could easily earn millions.
“Yuanzhi. How about we attack Jingzhou?” Liu Mang was going crazy thinking of money. How could he not thinking of robbing his filthy rich neighbor?
Liu Mang had thought that Xu Shu would approve. After all, Wen Pin’s troops were already wiped out while Huang Zu’s troops were busy guarding Changsha. The last main force they had belonged to Cai Mao. However, Cai Mao and Liu Biao already had a falling out. It was good enough that they did not rebel but it would be unlikely for Cai Mao to help. That was why it was a good opportunity to attack Jingzhou.
However, Xu Shu cupped his fist and shook his head. “Milord. Now is definitely not the time to attack Jingzhou!”
“Why do you say that?” Liu Mang could not understand.
“I would not be enemies with only Liu Biao? What do you mean?”
“You will become enemies of Jingzhou.” Xu Shu continued.
“Is there a difference?” Liu Mang could not understand. Wasn’t Liu Biao the ruler of Jingzhou? Was there a difference?
“There is a big difference. Milord, what does your realm need?” Xu Shu asked.
“Popular sentiment? The troops?” Liu Mang replied feeling puzzled. He understood the need for popular sentiment. Look at Liu Bei. He has so much of it that his people kept dying for his sake.
“Yes. But Milord. Do you have enough troops and have you won the hearts of the people in Jingzhou?” Xu Shu nodded and asked.
“Troops? Yangzhou has at least a hundred thousand elites. Our navy is also unhindered on the Yangtze River. As for the popular sentiment, I can give the people thirty percent tax. How can Liu Biao compare to me?” Liu Mang replied. No other ruler dared to tax their people thirty percent as they would not have enough food for the troops. Liu Mang was not afraid as there were lots of fertile land at Yangzhou. He also has sweet potato. He did not believe that Liu Biao would treat his people better than himself.
Xu Shu smiled bitterly and shook his head. “Milord. We could have done this before as Liu Biao could not give thirty percent tax. However, that only applies to the borders. It does not apply to Xiangyang.” Xu Shu explained. Liu Mang could attack everywhere around Jingzhou as those places were poor. They would be eager to be part of Yangzhou and gain the benefits of lower taxes. However, Xiangyang was the capital of Jingzhou. That is where all the rich people lived. The brothel could bring in hundreds of thousands of gold every day, much less other places. Even the ordinary households there were rich enough. It was also the reason why Liu Pan could not recruit any soldiers there. These people were already living the good life, there was no point going to war.
If Liu Mang attacked Xiangyang, he would make an enemy out of these people as the people were simpletons. Capturing Xiangyang meant that Xiangyang would be part of Jingzhou. However, the capital city was Shouchun. Therefore, the prices of houses in Xiangyang would drop drastically. That is assuming the houses weren’t destroyed from the war. The people would not approve of Liu Mang’s war. At that time, even Cai Mao’s subordinates might turn to help Liu Biao push back Liu Mang.
“I can give them the usual treatment. I can even give land and houses to those that lack them!” Liu Mang said to Xu Shu.
“Milord. How much land can you give away? Jingzhou has hundreds and thousands of citizens. If you give things to the people of Xiangyang, then what about the people of Yangzhou?” Xu Shu asked back. The world may not be fair but when things were distributed unevenly, there would be complaints. On top of that, the people from Yangzhou were the ones that shared his hardships.
“Another thing is that Jingzhou has huge noble connections.” Xu Shu continued. Liu Mang had the moral standing when capturing Jiangxia and Jiangling. For Jiangxia, the nobles had already left as the war escalated. That was why there was no obstruction.
On the other hand, Liu Pan had wiped out the Wu Family at Jiangling. As a result, all of those that had connections with the Wu Family felt the danger. They were afraid that they were next and relocate to Changsha. As for those related to Dong Zhi, Lu Xun had the excuse to remove them when Dong Zhi rebelled.
Because of this, capturing Jiangling and Jiangxia was not a problem.
However, it was different for Xiangyang. As the chaos at the Central Plains escalate, more and more nobles took refuge in Xiangyang. Even if Liu Mang had good relationship with the Kuai Family and the Cai Family, they would not be able to speak up for him in this case. If Liu Mang were to attack Xiangyang, there would be a change in power. The properly distributed cake known as Xiangyang would have to be redistributed to the nobles. No one would be willing to suffer this loss so they would all unite and oppose Liu Mang.
“Then what should we do? Are you saying we let Liu Biao enjoy his life in peace? That Liu Pan is forming a new army right now!” Liu Mang was unhappy. It was not only Jingzhou’s riches that he want. He also wanted revenge. Liu Biao had almost killed him and there was also that woman.
“Milord. I am only saying we can’t attack now. It does not mean we cannot capture Xiangyang!” Xu Shu placated as he shook his head.
“Hm?”
“Milord. If we attack now, Jingzhou would just unite against us. This is unfavorable for us. Even if we manage to capture Jiangxia, we would not be able to push forward to other places. Holding our troops back right now is the best course of action. Jingzhou is also not without its troubles. Does Milord know about Huang She and Liu Pan?”
Liu Mang was familiar of these two figures as they were his enemies. “What about them?”
“Right now, the two of them are Liu Biao’s left and right arms! But these two are completely incompatible!” Xu Shu laughed.
Xu Shu’s words made Liu Mang ponder with furrowed brows. This would definitely become a huge joke. Though it is said that the proper way to rule was to support your two subordinates in pressuring each other so that no one comes out on top, this was only after unifying the land and have no enemies. Right now, Jingzhou had problems protecting themselves and they were doing this? That is just courting death.
“Liu Biao is getting old. According to Elder Yang’s information, he would not live for much longer.” Yang Hong’s spies at Jingzhou gathered that Liu Biao had spat out blood many times already. He looked pale and started taking other medicines like hundred year old ginseng. These things were just to prolong his life.
“While Liu Biao is around, these two can still exercise restraint. However, once Liu Biao is dead, what do you think would happen?”
At that time, Huang She and Liu Pan would become hostile to each other. Liu Pan would need to become Jingzhou’s ruler if he wanted Huang She’s head. On the other hand, Huang She would need to support and put Liu Biao’s son Liu Zong in charge if he does not want that to happen.
The Cai Family and the Kuai Family also want Liu Zong to be in charge. However, Liu Pan was the one with military power. Liu Mang could already see what would happen once Liu Biao passes. Right now, Liu Mang simply needed to relax and allow Liu Biao’s child to build up his army.
Suddenly a guard ran in and said to Liu Mang. “Reporting to Milord and Inner Minister! A Heaven’s Messenger from Xudou is here!”