Chapter 2452 Pillars of the Nation

Xun Yu had a blank expression, Xun Youi looked like a wooden stick, Cheng Yu had a long face, Chen Qun expressed that he had just gotten married and hadn’t finished his honeymoon, couldn’t they let him off? Zhong Yao wanted to die. Liu Ba, Dong Zhao, Sima Lang, and Du Xi stated that they couldn’t accept the fact that they had to work overtime on the first day of the New Year. Shouldn’t the New Year be about giving out some welfare gifts and then giving everyone a holiday?

By the way, changing the celestial phenomena of two states, is this something humans can do?

“Wen Ruo, why don’t you do the overtime by yourself? I think you should be able to handle it.” Zhong Yao transmitted his voice to Xun Yu, who didn’t respond, as Xun Yu was also infuriated. Originally, his daughter and son-in-law Chen Qun were supposed to come and wish him a Happy New Year this morning, but now he had to work overtime on the first day of the year?

“The people are still suffering from the disaster, yet you are not putting forth your full efforts!” Cao Cao righteously said, and the Prefect of Jingzhao declared that he would take responsibility.

At this time, Liu Tong, who was exhausted from playing in Chang’an, noticed that a meeting was still ongoing in Weiyang Palace. She changed into a coronation robe and ran over to attend. It was also at this moment that Liu Tong realized the snowfall had actually become a disaster.

Liu Tong naturally signaled Cao Cao with her eyes, inquiring about what was going on, and gave Cao Cao a very familiar look, indicating to quickly resolve it since it was all his responsibility.

At this moment, Cao Cao clearly felt what it meant to wield power throughout the court with frustration! Liu Tong not only failed to bring him a sense of accomplishment but also capriciously handed all the issues over for him to handle.

He worked so hard, and the one sitting above him, who did nothing but eat and sleep, sleep and eat, received a reputation as a wise ruler who employed talent over the course of just one year!

In the eyes of others, under the guise of magnanimity, Liu Tong was wise because she delegated all the power and found people to do the work.

More importantly, in this scenario where the other party has relinquished power thoroughly, if he were to argue with them, it would truly seem like bullying, so frustrating!

Is this what wielding power throughout the court means? Cao Cao was deeply dissatisfied; it was clearly a trap!

In reality, Cao Cao did not know that this was just a typical primate folly; what cannot be attained is thought to be best, and what is too easily gained is not cherished.

However, saying this now is essentially useless. He couldn’t possibly give up the power in his hands, though he was profoundly dissatisfied with work that gave him no sense of accomplishment.

“Oh, we’ll see the sun tomorrow?” Liu Tong propped her head with her hand, listening to Cao Cao’s explanation with her body leaning, and expressed satisfaction. After all, she could only praise a few words, as for working, she wouldn’t cause a mess.

Xun Yu half-closed his eyes and began to use his spiritual capacity to clear the thick rain clouds in the sky. Unlike Chen Xi, who self-adjusted, even with the Small Jade Bi that Xi Zhicai left behind to store spiritual capacity, the spiritual capacity Xun Yu could output was only at the human limit.

This is why Chen Xi had so much spiritual capacity, but using conventional means to change the weather, Zhou Yu could still delay for a moment; after all, the output had limits.

If there were no output limit, Xun Yu alone would be enough to clear the natural disaster in Yongliang, without the need for Zhong Yao, Cheng Yu, Xun Youi, and others to work overtime.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Cao Cao maintained a respectful tone, definitely not confronting Liu Tong openly, showing adequate respect, treating her as a mascot.

“I plan to grant amnesty to the world and send non-capital criminals back to their hometowns.” Liu Tong was very satisfied with Cao Cao’s response and moved on to the next agenda.

“Your Highness, this plan has been reported by the Minister of Justice, and we have already reviewed and approved it, ready to implement it today,” Cao Cao remarked that they had dealt with such matters long ago.

“Are winter clothes being distributed to disaster victims?” Liu Tong asked speechlessly, switching topics.

“The Prefect of Jingzhao will lead a team to count the number of disaster victims after the court session, and then distribute winter clothes and food,” Cao Cao stated expressionlessly as if to say, “Of course, I’ve handled it excellently.” Humph, inexplicably feeling that he really did a pretty good job.

Liu Tong asked several questions and found that Cao Cao had handled everything without any omission. She wore a satisfied look on her face, then tiredly leaned sideways, propping her head with her hand. Indeed, she didn’t need to do any work at all; she could rely on Cao Cao’s administrative capabilities with full confidence.

“Tomorrow I plan to give candy to the children in Chang’an, how should this be done?” Liu Tong suddenly asked.

Cao Cao’s eyebrows twitched twice, but in the end, he didn’t think there was a problem. Liu Tong seemed to be so idle that she could only act as a mascot.

“The weather will clear tomorrow, and tonight the army in Chang’an City will clear the snow. Your Majesty can select a place for distribution, and naturally, citizens will come to collect. Various snacks prepared by the Minister of Finance will also be distributed with them,” Cao Cao said calmly, knowing that Chen Xi was provoking, simply not mentioning it was Chen Xi’s idea, but rather the Han Dynasty’s action.

Speaking of village merging, each large village now has a supply point. Before the New Year, Chen Xi generously allocated funds to each village, all of which became snacks distributed to the villagers during the festive season. Since it is self-produced and self-supplied, the costs are negligible.

Of course, since Liu Bei’s faction was allocated a little over twenty thousand coins for each village, Chen Xi indicated that as the Minister of Finance, I naturally have to treat the whole country equally, so I decisively withdrew funds from Cao Cao and Sun Ce to issue a sum of money there, considering it as a method for maintaining stability during the festival.

Unfortunately, the economy of both Cao Cao and Sun Ce is nearly infiltrated entirely by Chen Xi; his tentacles are everywhere. Even Liu Ba would at most feel something is not quite right without realizing the underlying issue. As for Zhang Zhao, he can just wash up and sleep; he won’t notice anything.

On average, it only amounts to ten coins per person, but money isn’t calculated this way. The top-level funds are fixed, while the lower levels contribute labor and resources. What is produced in the end is actually worth far more than the funds allocated.

Although Cao Cao is short of money, he wouldn’t embezzle a mere sixty million coins. Despite Cao Hong’s extensive boasting about this sum of money, Cao Cao merely chuckles and wouldn’t resort to such actions.

So, Cao Cao evaluated and concluded that distributing coins was senseless. Even ten coins wouldn’t suffice to fool a ghost, so he converted it all into grain, recruited a few hundred pastry makers from the Minor Treasurer, and transformed it all into food.

Isn’t the essence of the celebration simply about eating? Chinese culture cannot be separated from food. In circumstances where the cost of labor and other minor inputs need not be calculated, the pastries made from ten coins of grain on Cao Cao’s side are sufficient to feed a household for a day!

Since Cao Cao hasn’t completed the process of village merging, the maximum scope of distribution remains at large village levels.

This situation clearly made Cao Cao aware of the disparity between his faction and Liu Bei’s faction. He also understands now why Chen Xi mentioned in his letter that they’ve practically distributed festival pastries to every person within their territory.

Cao Cao found himself unable to accomplish such seemingly simple, easy tasks. Even after coldly making pastries, he realized he simply cannot do it. Even in the winter, when these pastries have a longer shelf life, it’s impossible to distribute them to everyone within the timeframe. In fact, even without shelf life restrictions, he couldn’t manage it.

This fact made Cao Cao extremely annoyed, and simultaneously he understood the meaning of Chen Xi’s words, which imply their power has reached individuals.

Isn’t it just village merging? Merge, merge, merge, if you don’t merge, you aren’t human. This year’s first task is village merging, fully entrusted to Cheng Yu, beginning with purchasing cement and road construction—this time, it absolutely won’t be abandoned halfway.

In any case, unable to even distribute pastries to individuals, Cao Cao has decided to forcibly perform village merging next year. Similarly, Zhou Yu has made the same decision.

Chen Xi’s details in distributing festival pastries really unsettled Cao Cao and Zhou Yu, two mindful individuals, realizing that the decrees have genuinely reached individuals. This degree has nearly encompassed the entire nation as comprehensive governance—this is what constitutes a state.

“Haha, alright.” Liu Tong, as usual, goes along smoothly and finds no issue with Cao Cao making preparations in advance. Instead, if Cao Cao fails to think ahead one day when she raises questions, that is what might seem strange.

“Ministers, are there any important affairs that remain unaddressed?” Liu Tong leaned slightly on the throne, languidly gazing at the ministers below. She generally doesn’t require imposing dignity, as long as Cao Cao manages the people’s livelihood well, she feels there’s no problem with herself skipping court.

There was no response, which was optimal for Liu Tong. She waved her hand to directly adjourn the court session, letting Cao Cao lead his people to work while she returned to the harem to rest.

“Your Highness will turn twenty double this year, right?” Cheng Yu remarked while altering celestial phenomena.

Chen Qun glanced at Cheng Yu; as soon as the latter started speaking, Chen Qun knew what Cheng Yu intended to discuss, as a man should marry, and a woman should be wed, but Princess Shang must consider her match.

“Are there any street rumors?” Sima Lang asked casually.

“Her Highness did pretty well last year.” Xun Youi suddenly cracked a cold joke, causing everyone to fall silent, completely killing the chat.

Last year, Liu Tong virtually did nothing, but owing to Cao Cao’s excellence, although you can criticize Cao Cao’s private morality or personality, he undeniably possesses strong capabilities.

Without the hindrances from the Royalist Faction and the emperor himself, Cao Cao was able to execute his plans freely, leading Yongliang’s two provinces to indeed prosper day by day.

Coupled with the Han Dynasty still intact, anything Cao Cao accomplished has earned praise for promoting talent from the emperor, naturally positioning Liu Tong as a wise empress in the eyes of the common people.

As for the populace accepting the Han’s governance under the Grand Princess, it isn’t really an issue. The Former and Later Han often had the Empress Dowager ruling, and the Great Han Dynasty had become accustomed to such governance. Besides, as the people ensure they have enough to eat and wear, they’re unlikely to care about such disordered affairs.

Hence, subsequent street rumors stem from having enough food to start contemplating these affairs.

“Who spread them?” Zhong Yao suddenly inquired.

“That fool Yuan Gonglu!” Cheng Yu’s face turned particularly sour.