After Zhu Lu and his mother Chen were taken away.

Zhu Xun dismissed everyone and brought only his eldest son Zhu Yue into the study for lectures.

"Yongsheng, first tell me where that bastard went wrong?"

Zhu Xun took the tea on the table and drank it all in one gulp. The anger in his chest was finally extinguished, and then he sighed and looked at Zhu Yue and asked.

"To answer my father's question, Yongkang made three mistakes."

Zhu Yue stood up quickly and replied with a low eyebrow, "First, he should not have listened to the county magistrate's slander and reduced the tenant's rent from 60% to 20%."

"This move has had a negative impact on the surrounding counties. Many tenants in the surrounding counties have abandoned their rent and went to Yongqiu to farm. Our Zhu family also has a lot of land in the surrounding counties. This not only affects

It has affected the interests of our Zhu family in Chenliu, and it has also had a considerable impact on other families, making them dissatisfied with our Zhu family."

"Yongkang thought that the rent we received before was less than 20%, but he didn't know that the current political situation is in turmoil and the imperial court has long lost its control over the world. Therefore, when we pay local taxes to the imperial court, there are many ways to pay less or not.

Yes, other families are also operating in this way, but the big furniture tacitly agrees."

"In addition, the decrease in tenancy rent will also affect the value of the land itself, and land is our main industry. If the value of the land drops, it means that the value of our assets has shrunk."

"It is also for this reason that we would rather watch fertile land turn into wasteland because no one is cultivating it, rather than lower the rent."

"So Yongkang thinks there is nothing wrong with this move, but in fact it is really giving away the interests of our family, which is really stupid;"

"Secondly, he should not have agreed to the county magistrate's private opening of farmland in Yongqiu and provided convenience for him."

"On the surface, the county magistrate did not invade our Zhu family's property, and even clearly divided our Zhu family's property. It seemed that he was protecting our property, but in fact he was also restricting us.

.”

"But in today's world, the Han Dynasty has gradually declined and has no time to pay attention to the affairs of various places. As long as it is within the scope of our Zhu family's influence, it no longer matters whether our land is owned or not. It is entirely up to us.

And when the county magistrate opened farmland privately in Yongqiu, it was tantamount to usurping our land."

"We don't have to cultivate it, but he can't use it as he pleases."

"This is the same hazard as the above. If there is too much farmland on the market, our farmland will become less valuable."

"In addition, if all forces follow suit, over time it will definitely weaken the dependence of those powerful people on us, thus reducing our right to speak. This is not a good thing for us;"

"Third, he should not make arbitrary claims and conceal them without retribution."

"This matter is of great importance. Yongkang's own judgment was insufficient, but he did not come back in time to discuss with his father. As a result, the deal is now done and it has become very difficult to handle. If it were me, the matter would definitely not develop to this point."

Having said this, Zhu Yue did not forget to step on Zhu Lu quietly, in order to show that he was superior to others and improve his impression in Zhu Xun's heart.

"Although what you said did not cover everything, you also touched on a few key points."

Zhu Xun nodded, and then asked, "Now that I have ordered you to take over Yongqiu's property, in your opinion, how should we handle this matter most appropriately?"

"First raise the rent back to 60%. If the tenants are unwilling, they will threaten to take back their fields. Then they will force the refugees to return the grain they have advanced to sustain their livelihood and sow crops. If they cannot pay back, they will be forced to sign a deed of betrayal.

Our family's slavery has provided us with some free labor. Anyway, the spring plowing has been completed and most of the tenants cannot give up. Even if they rent other land, they have already missed the spring plowing. I only need to deal with a few unscrupulous farmers.

Knowing the thorn in the side can force them to compromise."

Zhu Yue smiled slightly and said confidently.

"What about the fields cultivated by the county magistrate and him?"

Zhu Xun asked again without comment.

"He is the biggest variable."

Zhu Yue thought for a moment, frowned and said, "I heard that he is the county magistrate identified by Cao Mengde personally. If we touch him, it will be a disgrace to Cao Mengde. Now Cao Mengde is at the height of his power in Yanzhou and Xuzhou. Fortunately, Zhang Miao had

We didn't respond when we rebelled against him, but we won some favor from him. Coupled with our family's reputation among the Chenliu clan, he shouldn't easily embarrass us, but if we offend him, then

But it’s hard to say, so... I haven’t thought about this yet, so I asked my father for advice.”

"Give it up."

Zhu Xun smiled and said two words very concisely.

"this……"

Zhu Yue looked puzzled and raised his hands again and said, "Yongsheng doesn't understand, please ask father to clarify."

“As the saying goes, ‘You will gain only if you give up’.”

Zhu Xun changed to a comfortable sitting position, took a sip of tea and said calmly, "I heard that Cao Mengde is gathering troops to prepare military pay recently, and is pointing his sword at Guangling, Xuzhou to attack Zhang Miao and Lu Bu's rebels, and Zhang Miao and Lu Bu's rebels have already

He is collaborating with Tao Qianhang who retreated to Guangling, so this will definitely be a fierce battle."

"What father means is..."

Zhu Yue was still a little confused, and his brows furrowed even more tightly.

"I have sent people to contact other families in Chenliu, and plan to jointly give 5,000 shi of food to Cao Mengde to help him in this battle. Our Zhu family alone will have to bear 2,000 shi of it."

Zhu Xun smiled.

"Father, this is not a small sum of money!"

Zhu Yue was shocked when he heard this.

"Zhang Miao, after Lu Bu's defeat, the situation in Yanzhou has become clear. It's time for us to take sides."
Chapter completed!