When Mount Taihang Person's latest lecture spread across the land through the mouths of merchants, everyone was shocked.
The powerful clans were all delighted, because Mount Taihang Person's meaning was very clear.
"Looks like they won't follow Wang Mang's path of restoring the old order."
"Yes, the powerful clans will be able to keep their land."
Yi Province.
Cao Cao and Cui Cheng exchanged glances and sighed deeply.
They understood very well that, as long as the local powerful clans' land was left untouched, other matters—such as killing a few of their members who had violated the law—were nothing much.
Even taxing them would not be a problem.
As long as their land was not touched. Touch their land, and they would fight you to the death.
Cui Cheng added, "I also heard that they plan to open up land overseas, then send the refugees there in the future to reclaim land."
"Then they will establish a trade route between overseas territories and the homeland. That way, the grain held by the wealthy can circulate."
"Through commercial circulation, the poor will have places where they can sell their labor."
Cao Cao fell silent.
This move struck directly at his weak spot.
Because in Yi Province, he had no access to the sea at all.
No, there were ports along the Yangtze River, but they were far too distant.
Moreover, getting downriver along the Yangtze was fraught with difficulties. The river channels would need to be dredged before they could be used at all.
It seemed his next step had to be attacking Jing Province and Jiangdong. Only then could he continue this game of imitation.
"We need to recruit troops again, train them, and stockpile grain," Cao Cao said through gritted teeth.
Cui Cheng immediately nodded in agreement.
They could