Chapter 68 Cai Mao finally bites the bait, Liu Wu marries Jingzhou
Emperor Liu Xie listened to this and realized that Liu Wu actually wanted to teach him how to revive the Han Dynasty like Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu.

Liu Xie was very excited.

Liu Wu did not hesitate at all and talked freely under the surprised gazes of Shen Pei, Yang Biao, Fu Wan, Jian Yong, Liu Ba, Jiang Wan and others around him.

“At the beginning, Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty was just a Sishui Pavilion Chief, with an official rank no higher than that of a county chief. To be honest, Emperor Gaozu’s playmates were all dog butchers. However, despite this, Emperor Gaozu was able to have the last laugh in the chaotic world at the end of the Qin Dynasty when many princes rose up. He defeated all the princes and eventually established the Han Dynasty. The reason for his success is worthy of reflection for the descendants of the Han Dynasty.”

“First of all, Gaozu has excellent leadership skills. He is good at listening to others’ opinions and suggestions and can flexibly adjust strategies and tactics. He can also stabilize the morale of the army in times of crisis and effectively motivate those around him so that they are willing to fight for common goals.”

“Secondly, he was good at employing talented people. Emperor Gaozu attached great importance to talents, especially those who were poor but had real talents and knowledge. He was able to see the advantages of these people and arrange them in suitable positions to give full play to their talents. For example, Fan Kuai, Han Xin, Xiao He, Zhang Liang and others, under the command of Emperor Gaozu, all played a huge role and made great contributions to the establishment of the Han Dynasty.”

“Third, his tenacious will. During the Chu-Han contention, Emperor Gaozu encountered countless failures and setbacks, but he never gave up. After each failure, he was able to quickly adjust his strategy, pick himself up again, and continue fighting. This tenacious will was one of the important factors that enabled Emperor Gaozu to win in the end.”

“Fourth, Emperor Gaozu valued the interests of ordinary people and the people’s hearts. In the process of establishing the Han Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu attached great importance to ordinary people. He believed that only by winning the hearts of the people could he win the world. Therefore, he took a series of measures to reduce the taxes on farmers in order to win the support and trust of the people. This strategy of valuing the power of the people enabled Emperor Gaozu to gain the support of many people in the war, thereby enhancing his military strength and political influence.”

“Fifth, building alliances and realistic political means. Emperor Gaozu was not the only powerful person among the 18 princes, but he was able to stand out and gain the support of the princes, mainly by understanding the various forces and building alliances. He first contacted several powerful princes to gain the upper hand, and then used these forces to gradually expand his alliance and form a relatively strong military backing. In addition, Emperor Gaozu knew how to deal with enemies politically. He knew how to exchange interests, win over the princes, and continuously expand his political influence.”

“Sixth, Emperor Gaozu’s courage to employ talented people was also an important factor in his success. When faced with Han Xin, he dared to appoint him as the general and give him all the troops. This was courage and a gamble on his own vision.”

“Undoubtedly, Emperor Gaozu was able to defeat the various princes and eventually establish the Han Dynasty because of his leadership, his appointment of talented people, his perseverance, his emphasis on the power of the people, his alliance building and realistic political methods, as well as his magnanimity and generosity. These ultimately formed a solid foundation for Emperor Gaozu’s victory.”

Liu Wu talked to Liu Xie freely and without any hesitation. Liu Wu was not stingy with these things. Knowing is one thing, being able to do it is another, and whether one has the ability or the personal charm is another.

Under the current circumstances, he believed that even if Cao Cao was put in Liu Xie’s position, he would not be able to defeat the princes of the world and revive the Han Dynasty.

Because the first person Liu Xie had to conquer and defeat was Liu Wu.

“This……”

Listening to Liu Wu’s talk, Shen Pei, Yang Biao, Fu Wan, Jian Yong, Liu Ba, Jiang Wan and others around him were all looking at Liu Wu in shock.

It has to be said that Liu Wu’s speech was very comprehensive. He explained all the factors that enabled Liu Bang to defeat various princes and ultimately establish the Han Dynasty.

Liu Wu could speak so generously, as if he didn’t care what Liu Xie learned?
Liu Xie was in a different mood at this time. Listening to Liu Wu telling about Emperor Gaozu’s deeds and the reasons for his success, he put himself in his shoes, but found that if he put himself in Liu Bang’s shoes, could he be like Liu Bang?

Obviously, he can’t.

“Alas, uncle, do you think there is anyone in the world today who can be like Emperor Gaozu, who can defeat all the princes, revive the Han Dynasty, or rebuild a dynasty?” Liu Xie sighed and asked Liu Wu another sharp question.

When the people around heard this, they all frowned.

Obviously, Liu Xie’s words were directed at Liu Wu.

However, Yang Biao, Fu Wan, Shen Pei, Jiang Wan and others all looked at Liu Wu. They wanted to see how Liu Wu would answer.

Liu Wu looked at Liu Xie, shook his head and said:
“Your Majesty, please forgive me for citing the example of Emperor Gaozu again to answer your Majesty.”

“Emperor Gaozu was able to bring together Han Xin, Peng Yue, Ying Bu and other princes, allowing them to lead their own armies to participate in the siege of Xiang Yu and willingly respect Emperor Gaozu as the ruler of the world because they knew that Emperor Gaozu would enfeoff them.”

“So, everyone in the world, all the princes in the world have their own ambitions. If you want to become the common ruler of the world, you have to satisfy everyone’s needs. Naturally, you can become the common ruler of the world without bloodshed!”

Liu Wu said bluntly.

“This…Uncle Imperial, I learn a lot from your teaching.” As Liu Xie listened to what Liu Wu said, his eyes became increasingly dim.

Liu Wu really did not hold back at all and told him all the secrets of Liu Bang’s success.

First, you must have abilities like Emperor Gaozu.

Second, you must know how to share the profits.

But how could Liu Xie’s own abilities compare with Liu Bang’s?

What does Liu Xie have in his hands that can satisfy all the ambitious princes and make them respect him as their leader?
Liu Wu looked at Liu Xie, whose eyes were dim, and the smile on his face remained unchanged.

His attitude towards Liu Xie has not changed and is still the same as before.

He just let it go.

The other party could go wherever he wanted, and he would not care about the other party unless he had to get Liu Xie’s consent for something.

Even if Liu Xie took some action.

He doesn’t need to care.

The other party asked Yang Biao and Fu Wan to recruit guards and palace guards, and recruited nearly a thousand people. Liu Wu helped Liu Xie and directly gave them food and money, and even sent them armor and weapons.

The other party wanted to restore the imperial power and revive the Han Dynasty, so he asked him for advice.

no problem.

He also told the other party what to do.

The right path is how to go.

He only needs to do his best, deploy some of the loyal and brave guards obtained through daily sign-in into the army to strengthen his control over the army, and arrange the rest to protect himself. That’s enough.

If the other party is capable and willing to listen to Liu Xie, or even seeks a piece of territory and thinks it is better than his, then it doesn’t matter if they leave him.

As for Liu Xie, Liu Wu believed that it was best to rule by doing nothing. He only needed to maintain his own strength. Let him be as strong as he could, and the breeze would blow across the hills.

Shen Pei, Jiang Wan and Yang Biao saw it clearly, recognized Liu Wu’s attitude, and also saw Liu Xie’s loneliness, and they all shook their heads.

Although Liu Xie had freedom under Liu Wu’s command, Liu Wu didn’t even mind Liu Xie’s troubles.

However, the current situation and circumstances in the world.

Liu Xie can no longer do anything.

too late.

The world has been in chaos for more than ten years, the prestige of the Han Dynasty has continued to decline, and there are many ambitious people. Who would respect a lonely emperor, and who would be willing to be inferior to others?

Liu Wu’s attitude is also very clear.

That is to respect Liu Xie, but only in name.

In fact, Liu Wu would not recognize Liu Xie as his master.

“Your Majesty, your body is precious. You should return to the palace. You have never suffered from these farm work. I am afraid you cannot bear it.” Liu Wu looked at Liu Xie, who was sweating and in a mess, and advised. “No need. My uncle Xuande once said that if you want to be a wise ruler, you must understand the value of food and the hard work of the people. If you are fine, come with me and experience the hardship of the people!”

Faced with Liu Wu’s kind persuasion, Liu Xie shook his head and even wanted to pull Liu Wu to work in the fields together.

Liu Wu looked at Liu Xie, but did not refuse. Instead, he smiled and said:
“Since Your Majesty is so kind, I will naturally not refuse. I might as well tell Your Majesty that I grew up in the fields before I was fifteen, and I am good at farm work.”

Liu Wu and Liu Xie started to work together under the gaze of people around them. Compared to Liu Xie who was tired from pushing the plow alone, Liu Wu was not only skilled but also strong. He could pull the plow at high speed. He plowed the field neatly and at a depth far beyond that of ordinary farmers.

“This…” Liu Xie fell silent again as he looked at Liu Wu’s skill and strength.

The elderly Yang Biao was watching the land from a distance. As Liu Xie and Liu Wu joined in, the speed of tilling increased dramatically. He could not help but sigh and said:
“Alas, if the General of the Cavalry and Your Majesty were united in purpose, the world would probably be cultivated as quickly as this land.”

Jiang Wan, Liu Ba and Jian Yong, who were standing by, looked at their noses with their eyes and their hearts with their noses, and said nothing or responded.

But Shen Pei shook his head and said:

“Although I have only had a short time with the General of the Cavalry, I feel that he is an unparalleled man. He is not only a man of both civil and military abilities, but also a relative of the Liu family. I have done very well. I am afraid that he will no longer be under Your Majesty in the future, and I will not need Your Majesty.”

Shen Pei’s words made Yang Biao open his eyes and glare at Shen Pei fiercely.

Shen Pei just smiled and said nothing more.

Just when Shen Pei was on a diplomatic mission to Wancheng.

The city of Xiangyang was not peaceful either.

On the main street of Xiangyang City, a large crowd of men, women, young and old lined up in front of a “Cai Family” shop.

“Here they come, snow salt and rice paper, get out of the way and let the cars pass. If they don’t, you won’t be able to buy anything.”

Suddenly a loud shout rang out from behind the crowd.

People in the crowd turned around to look and saw two carriages loaded with snow salt and rice paper, escorted by more than a dozen strong guards.

“Snow salt has arrived, and so has rice paper. Please get out of the way.”

Seeing the carriage loaded with snow salt and rice paper coming, the gathered men, women, old and young were instantly excited. Some made way while others crowded madly towards the store door.

As the truck drove to the front of the store and put the goods on the shelves, men, women, old and young, who had been impatient for a long time, held up their money bags and scrambled for the snow salt and rice paper.

Snow salt costs thirty-two five-zhu coins per pound, which is twice as expensive as coarse salt, and ordinary people cannot afford it.

However, it is half as cheap as the refined salt that only wealthy families could afford in the past.

They can’t afford it, but the wealthy and powerful families can.

Even if they hoarded some and took them to other places to sell to wealthy families, they would still make a lot of money. It can be said that the profitability of epoch-making commodities such as snow salt, rice paper, white sugar, and soap was extremely high and the supply could not meet the demand.

Once they were shipped, they were quickly sold out.

The snow salt and rice paper in two trucks were sold out in just a quarter of an hour. All the items in the store were sold out, but many men, women, old and young were still reluctant to leave. They were waiting for the next batch of goods.

In the restaurant far away, Cai Mao and Pang Tong saw this scene. Cai Mao couldn’t help but said excitedly:

“The demand is really outstripping the supply. We can sell as much as we can get out. It’s so popular and profitable. It’s like a money-grab.”

“No, Shi Yuan, the supply from Wancheng is still too little. Add some more. If there are not enough workers, we can provide them here.”

Cai Mao said to Pang Tong with some dissatisfaction, saying that he was dissatisfied because he could not make more money.

This month, with the full development of snow salt, rice paper, soap and white sugar, the Cai family made a total of eight million yuan.

That’s eight million five-zhu coins. You should know that the current price of grain is only fifty or sixty five-zhu coins per stone.

One stone of grain is enough for an ordinary person to meet his needs for one or two months.

You can imagine how huge the profit of eight million five-zhu coins per month was. The Cai family made less than two million per month before.

What limits the speed at which the Cai family makes money is insufficient supply.

Pang Tong listened to Cai Mao’s words, smiled, and said to Cai Mao:

“Master Cai, it’s not impossible to increase the supply. I’ve told Master Cai before that your daughter is old enough to be a designated driver. Why not marry Master Liu Wu and deepen the relationship between the two families? Then my master will naturally increase the supply. It’s not impossible to even double the supply to the Cai family.”

“As for what Master Cai is worried about, that my master’s situation is unstable, Master Cai actually doesn’t need to worry. You should have received the news that Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan have started a war in the north. There are fewer enemies in the north, and my master has powerful generals such as Guan, Zhang, and Zhao. Naturally, he has secured the two states of Yuzhou and Yanzhou. What is there for Master Cai to hesitate about?”

Pang Tong smiled and brought up the topic he had discussed a month ago with Cai Mao.

“This……”

When Cai Mao heard Pang Tong bringing up the old story again, he suddenly fell silent. This time, Cai Mao did not resist at the beginning.

A month ago, Pang Tong came to discuss the marriage with Liu Bei’s cousin Liu Wu. He was afraid of arousing Liu Biao’s suspicion and worried that Liu Bei might not be able to maintain his control over Yanzhou and Yuzhou, so he directly resisted the marriage.

However, now it is just as Pang Tong said, the two brothers Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan in the north have started a war. Undoubtedly, the threat to Yuzhou and Yanzhou in the north has disappeared. Except for the threat from Jingzhou, “Liu Bei” has at least secured control of Yuzhou and Yanzhou on the surface.

Cai Mao was a little hesitant, but Pang Tong’s suggestion of even doubling the supply to the Cai family was really attractive to Cai Mao.

Nowadays in Jingzhou, you can make as much money as you have goods.

With more than 10 million five-zhu coins every month, who wouldn’t be confused?

“Does Liu Xuande really want to arrange a marriage for his cousin?” Cai Mao gritted his teeth and asked Pang Tong.

When Pang Tong heard this, he was delighted, knowing that Cai Mao was willing to agree. Pang Tong immediately said affirmatively:

“Of course. In fact, my master has no offspring yet. His cousin Liu Wu is very brave and extraordinary. If the Cai family marries Liu Wu, it will only be a powerful alliance between the two families in the future.”

Cai Mao was completely moved by Pang Tong’s words, especially the part about Liu Bei having no children and Liu Wu being his cousin who was highly valued by Liu Bei.

“In that case, I agree to form an alliance with Liu Bei and let my daughter marry Liu Wu, Liu Zihao!” Cai Mao said with determination.

“Hahaha, good, good, this is really a happy event.” Pang Tong laughed when he heard that Cai Mao finally took the bait.

(End of this chapter)