ushernet Chapter 183 Unfair
Chapter 183 Unfair
This allows them to clearly understand the strength of the local forces and the power of the King of Wei, while also indirectly promoting the strength of the local army.
The welcome banquet was held at Gao Shun's residence. Attendees included all the off-duty officials of Pengcheng, as well as the heads or important representatives of various families, and some of Pengcheng's big merchants.
The banquet began without following the usual procedure, as Chen Er had always been an unconventional person.
He stood up and addressed the people in the banquet hall, saying, "The main reason I came to Pengcheng is to get to know you all. You've all been part of our community for quite some time now."
"It's a real pity that I haven't been able to meet you all. So I took this opportunity of going south to Pengcheng to see what it's like and get to know you all. I hope you can get to know me and see if I'm really the butcher that the legends say I am."
"Hahaha..." Chen Er's words quickly bridged the gap between him and the Pengcheng gentry, reducing the initial awkwardness. Many thought to themselves, "He's not as fierce as the legends say. It seems their previous understanding was too one-sided."
"Don't just stand there, everyone. I come from a military background, so I'm used to it. Just eat and drink as you please and don't pay attention to what I'm saying. You can completely ignore me." Chen Er quickly said when he saw everyone in the hall looking at him.
With Chen Er's opening remarks, the entire banquet became much more relaxed, showing no signs of the tense atmosphere that had been expected.
Chen Er expressed great satisfaction with tonight's dinner, saying that with such reliance, these people can be considered to have truly begun to integrate into the local community.
Chen Er thanked Zhao Yun and said the banquet was a great success.
Zhao Yun remained silent for a moment, then said to Chen Er, "Reporting to my lord, I believe that the gentry in Xuzhou are still observing the situation, since the policies of the district I govern have imposed many privileges and restrictions on the gentry."
"For these newly surrendered gentry, they are probably still observing whether the policies in the district I govern will change, or whether there will be any exchanges of benefits in other places."
“What you said is what I’ve thought of too, but once the policy is set, it can’t be changed easily. If we implement special policies for them, how will we explain it to the previous aristocratic families?”
“That’s unfair to them,” Chen Er said. “Besides, these aristocratic families are just used to feeling superior. All we need to do is limit their privileges, but we will still give them more economic benefits in the districts we govern.”
"Does our lord mean to make them understand the exchange of benefits?"
Zhao Yun understood somewhat. He immediately realized what Chen Er meant. Chen Er's question just now wasn't really about what Zhao Yun thought of the performance of those aristocratic families tonight.
Chen Er wanted Zhao Yun to make contact with those aristocratic families; as for how to do so, Chen Er probably didn't need to elaborate. As for why Gao Shun wasn't chosen to do this, the reason is quite simple.
Because Gao Shun's personality was really not suitable for communicating with them. Gao Shun was an extremely upright person, although he understood that these things did not actually violate his conscience.
However, it would be a stretch to ask Gao Shun to act as an envoy. The most suitable person for this task is a general like Zhao Yun. Moreover, it is not Zhao Yun who should personally visit, but rather an opportunity should be created for the gentry to visit Zhao Yun.
Gao Shun was naturally aware of his own character flaws, so he didn't have any complaints about them. On the contrary, he was quite happy during his time stationed in Pengcheng.
Every day, so-called nobles and dignitaries come to visit him, which Gao Shun finds extremely annoying. For Gao Shun, practicing martial arts, studying military tactics, and inspecting the training of troops are the things he should be doing most every day.
"I wonder how long the lord will stay in Pengcheng this time?" Gao Shun asked, seeing that the two had finished discussing their business.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Er said, "I will continue south in three days at most. I also want to visit Yangzhou and other places before heading to Jingzhou to meet Liu Bei at the agreed-upon location."
"My lord, wouldn't it be too dangerous to meet in Jingzhou? After all, it's still the territory of the Prince of Nanyang."
Gao Shun said worriedly, and Chen Er smiled slightly and said to Gao Shun, "It's alright. Even if Liu Biao, the King of Nanyang, knows our whereabouts, he won't dare to do anything. Besides, we haven't started a war."
"Furthermore, there are two legions stationed in Yangzhou and Yuzhou. Even if Liu Biao has any ideas, he has to consider whether he has the strength to do so."
Liu Biao indeed did not have the strength to challenge the region he had governed, even though the region he had just controlled had only recently begun to take control of Yuzhou and Yangzhou, and its foundation was not yet very solid.
Moreover, Liu Biao was a well-known conservative, and Gao Shun's concern was just a habitual one, which is one of the most basic duties of a subordinate.
“Since my lord has made a complete plan, I am willing to guard the rear for you,” Gao Shun said.
Hearing Gao Shun's words, Chen Er laughed heartily and then said to Gao Shun, "Well, I'll leave the rear to you, Gongyi. You must protect this foundation for us."
"At the same time, the construction of the reserve force in Xuzhou needs to be accelerated, and administrative reforms also need to be strengthened. We should try to get local gentry like Chen Dengyi to cooperate with us. We cannot change other people's minds immediately."
"But we can subtly influence them, and once they have a clearer understanding of the district I'm managing, they will naturally gravitate towards us."
"Yes, my lord," Zhao Yun and Gao Shun replied in unison, stepping forward to answer Chen Er. This was what was said to the two of them.
The meeting between the three lasted for more than an hour, during which they carefully studied and analyzed various issues that arose after Gao Shun entered Xuzhou, as well as Chen Er's views on the future development of Xuzhou.
Ultimately, Chen Er approved Gao Shun's plan to establish at least two reserve armies in Xuzhou, following his consistent policy of establishing at least one garrison battalion in each county.
Each large town, together with the surrounding small towns and villages, forms a militia company. The specific arrangements depend on the local population size and distribution.
It was already past midnight when the three of them finished their discussion.
Before the sun rose the next morning, Chen Er had already gotten up. He wanted to take a walk around the streets of Pengcheng. Early morning was when people were out doing their work, and this was the time when their true state of life could be seen most clearly.