"It's not too late to clarify the truth and repent in time. With Second Brother here to help you speak up, Father will not blame you. Remember not to cheat because you are afraid of punishment.”
With a few simple words, Cao Pi basically pressed on step by step and determined that Cao Zhi had lied about the grain tax because he was afraid of Cao Cao's punishment.
Everyone saw Cao Pi's righteous expression and thought of the almost unbelievable tax on the booklet. They all believed him a little. They only felt that the grain tax was too far-fetched and impossible.
Therefore, a few people who were closer to Cao Pi stood up and supported him.
"That's right, with such data from Young Master Zhi, I can't believe it no matter what.”
"This kind of data is unbelievable. I hope Prime Minister will think twice.”
.....
Cao Cao listened to the discussions and advice of the surrounding officials and frowned.
Although he was biased towards Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhi had previously guaranteed that all the grain taxes recorded in his book were true and there was no fraud.
Cao Cao thought that he understood Cao Zhi quite well. Although he was sometimes indulgent, he was honest and never cheated. Therefore, Cao Cao did not think too much about Cao Zhi's promise.
But now that the officials were arguing, Cao Cao had to let Cao Zhi prove himself.
He glanced at Cao Pi and Sima Yi, who was behind him, and a subtle look appeared in his eyes. Cao Zhi knew that Cao Pi was deliberately making things difficult for him.
He sighed in his heart. He was indeed the scheming Second Young Master in history. Even framing his own younger brother was so fair and easy.
What should come could not be avoided.
Cao Zhi sighed in his heart, but his eyes revealed some disdain.
No matter how scheming Cao Pi was, he was still a clown in Cao Zhi's eyes.
He was not the Cao Zhi of history, nor would he be as foolish as the Cao Zhi of history, ending up at the mercy of others.
He was now a Cao Zhi who had been reborn and was full of ambition!
Cao Zhi did not speak, but used his eyes to slightly signal to Yang Xiu beside him.
Yang Xiu understood and went forward. He bowed to Cao Pi and said,""Don't worry, Young Master Pi. This data was carefully calculated by the Great Wei Academy. I have also visited every prefecture and county around Luoyang. Strictly inspecting, calculating, and finally repeating the statistics! It definitely won't be fake at all!"
Seeing Yang Xiu speak, everyone then turned their gaze to Yang Xiu, who had been following behind Cao Zhi silently.
When Cao Cao heard Yang Xiu's words, he could not help but look at him in surprise.
Cao Cao's eyes revealed a hint of surprise.
He cursed in his heart. This is Yang Xiu? The change was too great!
The Yang Xiu from before was completely a graceful and well-dressed young master with delicate skin and tender flesh. He recited poems and was a standard scholar.
But now, it seemed that there was no trace of a young master at all.
Although the current Yang Xiu still had a delicate and pretty appearance, his figure had already become visibly robust. His skin was no longer as pale as usual, as if he was seriously ill. Instead, it had turned into a color that leaned towards wheat, giving him a healthy feeling.
How was this still a young master? He had practically become a sturdy soldier!
Although Yang Xiu's style of dressing had not changed, still that elegant white scholar's attire, but now that it was worn on Yang Xiu, it completely changed the taste.
He didn't look like a scholar, but more like a chivalrous man. It was similar to the feeling Cao Cao had when he was young.
"Yang Xiu?" Cao Cao asked again in disbelief.
"Yes, I am." Yang Xiu said with certainty. However, when he noticed the Prime Minister's gaze, he asked somewhat strangely,"May I ask what advice the Prime Minister has?"
"Eh?" Cao Cao hesitated for a moment. However, Cao Cao's mind was still different from ordinary people. Soon, he admitted that Yang Xiu had changed the truth. He only said that Luoyang was barren and that it was inevitable for officials to spend more effort.
In fact, that was the case. Ever since the day Cao Zhi asked Yang Xiu to plant potatoes, whether it was the potatoes or the servants that brought him shock, it made Yang Xiu see a whole new world.
Since then, Yang Xiu had been particularly attentive to the matters that Cao Zhi had given him, including the management of the wasteland and the Great Wei Academy. Yang Xiu had taken care of them seriously, and he had gradually begun to take care of everything.
Later on, Cao Zhi saw that Yang Xiu was so capable, so he simply handed over the management of potato planting to him. After all, he still had a little experience.
Unexpectedly, Yang Xiu actually agreed immediately, but he asked Cao Zhi to pluck enough potatoes that he could eat after the potatoes were ripe.
By now, he had already won quite a lot of potatoes. How much could a mere Yang Xiu eat? Therefore, Cao Zhi naturally agreed to this condition readily. From then on, Yang Xiu became the chief steward of the Great Wei Academy and a potato farmer. He was busy every day.
Under such high-pressure conditions, how could Yang Xiu not change?
In fact, the original Cao Cao actually did not have a good impression of Yang Xiu. The reason was because of the fact that each person had a mouthful of crisp and the word "live" on the door frame. Cao Cao felt that this person was showing off his talent and playing tricks. Other than being clever, there was nothing good about him, so she especially disliked him.
But now, Yang Xiu seemed to have become a capable person through and through.
Although he was surprised, he still asked,""Dezu, you said you visited every county in the surrounding area?”
"Exactly." Yang Xiu replied respectfully.
Although Cao Cao was very surprised by Yang Xiu's change, when he heard Yang Xiu say that he had searched every county around Luoyang, he could not help but feel a little displeased with him.
It seemed that his weakness of being overly ambitious had not changed.
Luoyang is so big! It would take half a day to go around, not to mention going from house to house and checking every acre of land personally! Could this be done by one person? Not to mention Yang Xiu, who had never suffered before?
Cao Cao frowned and was about to ask more when Cao Zhi spoke.
"Father, I dare to invite you to see something.”
When Cao Cao heard Cao Zhi's words, he turned to look at Cao Zhi and said,""What does Zhi 'er want father to see?"
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