My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 377 Pang Tong's Visit
Today, the four counties in Jiangdong have a population of 600,000 households and 3 million people.

Judging from the unspoken rules of Jingzhou, Pang Shanmin believed that once the land reclamation in Jiangdong was successful, the registered population would increase by at least 20% to 30%.

These two or three percent were basically refugees who sought refuge under the patronage of powerful clans and were not registered as ordinary citizens by the government. They were tenants of these powerful clans and patrons.

This was already an unspoken rule throughout the Han Dynasty, practiced in every prefecture and county, differing only in degree. Otherwise, with the small population of the four great families of Gu, Lu, Zhu, and Zhang, how could they possibly cultivate hundreds of thousands of acres of land, and could easily mobilize thousands of troops with a single order?

The Pang family is the same; they're just judging others by their own standards.

Therefore, Pang Shanmin was well aware that if the land survey was successful, Jiangdong's taxes and manpower could increase by at least 30% to 40%. After all, these manpower and resources were additional and required almost no cost. In other words, the biggest cost would be to poach the powerful clans from the land.

In the early period of Sun Quan's rule, he possessed the four commanderies of Jiangdong, plus several counties and towns north of the Yangtze River, with a total military force exceeding 60,000.

In the Battle of Red Cliffs, Sun Quan assigned 30,000 troops to Zhou Yu to fight on the front line, while he personally led 20,000 troops as a backup or a safety net in case of defeat, and the last 10,000 troops were assigned to guard key passes in various parts of Jiangdong.

Once Liu Feng successfully surveys the land, Yangzhou's tax revenue and manpower will be at least 50% higher than during Sun Quan's time. If Sun Quan could support 60,000 soldiers, how could he not support 100,000?
Yu Province was not entirely under Liu Bei's control, and Xu Province had been ravaged by war for a long time, but these two provinces were still major provinces in the Central Plains, especially Yu Province, which ranked among the top three in the country, and it was not difficult to support 100,000 troops.

At that time, Liu Bei and his son controlled the southeast, commanding an army of 200,000, whose military might was indeed unmatched.

Pang Shanmin remained silent for a moment before speaking: "The Grand Marshal of Hebei is even more powerful than the General of the Cavalry and his son."

Pang Tong revealed a hint of mockery, which vanished in an instant: "Brother, don't you know that the Grand Marshal is also surveying land in Hebei?"

As Pang Tong said, Yuan Shao had already begun to organize household registration records in Hebei. Although he didn't call it land surveying, what he was actually doing was land surveying.

This further alienated Yuan Shao from the Hebei gentry, forcing him to rely more on Henan gentry to suppress the Hebei gentry.

This is actually true for warlords almost everywhere.

If you want money and grain, you have to collect it in your own territory. If you want to expand the tax base, you will inevitably offend the local gentry and powerful families.

If you want to subdue the local gentry and powerful families to pay taxes and provide military service, you naturally need to rely on the power of non-local gentry and powerful families. Therefore, gentry and powerful families from other places are undoubtedly the best choice, especially those from your hometown.

"This……"

Pang Shanmin's embarrassment became more and more obvious. At this moment, he naturally knew that Yuan Shao was, after all, the Grand Marshal and the number one hero of the time. He was about to occupy the entire Hebei region. As long as the local gentry and powerful families had the ability, they would spare no effort to find out about Yuan Shao.

Moreover, Liu Biao was an ally of Yuan Shao, and the two had a close relationship. Some of Yuan Shao's policies were not military secrets, so it was easy to find out about them.

Pang Tong suddenly said, "I wish to see Liu Zhengnan. Would you like to come along, cousin?"

Pang Shanmin was taken aback. They had come all this way to ask to see Liu Feng.

But seeing Liu Feng's series of actions now, Pang Shanmin hesitated.

Pang Degong was able to easily live in seclusion outside Xiangyang City, and frequently return to the city to socialize with the prominent families of Xiangyang, all thanks to the Pang family's tens of thousands of acres of land, the shops in Xiangyang City, and the workshops outside Xiangyang City.

Without these funds and wealth, Pang Degong wouldn't even be able to make his sons and nephews famous, let alone enjoy a leisurely "seclusion".

Let alone "donating" land like the Gu, Lu, Zhu, Zhang and the powerful gentry of Kuaiji, just the land survey alone would reduce the Pang family's income by at least 40%.

Not only would the hidden land be subject to higher land taxes, but the hidden people would also be subject to much higher poll taxes, tax rates, and exemption fees.

Pang Shanmin could imagine how his family would oppose Liu Feng because of this.

After Dong Zhuo's chaos and chaos, the warlords could be divided into the Yuan Shao faction and the Yuan Shu faction based on their alliances and subordinates. However, they could also be divided into the cooperation faction and the suppression faction based on their attitudes toward the powerful clans and gentry under their rule.

Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, Tao Qian, Kong Rong, and Liu Yan were all repressive figures who prioritized suppressing local gentry and powerful clans.

Despite the close relationship between Liu Bei, Chen Deng, and Mi Zhu, Liu Bei actually suppressed the local gentry and powerful clans when he was in Xuzhou. Otherwise, given the temperament and nature of these gentry and powerful clans, how could the taxes and grain they paid from their mere territory of Xiapi and half of Donghai have supported the Xuzhou army, which numbered forty to fifty thousand at the time?

However, Liu Bei's exploitation of Xuzhou was relatively mild and did not reach the point of ruining his family.

The other faction was led by Liu Biao, Huang Zu, and Sun Quan, who were all representatives of the cooperative faction.

Of course, cooperation does not mean indulgence; there is still suppression, just to a lesser degree.

Cao Cao was an exception. In his early years, he was a suppressor, but after the Yanzhou Rebellion, he turned to a cooperative faction. Throughout his life, Cao Cao never truly made up his mind to over-farm land, and the powerful clans of Cao Wei even dared to extend their reach into civilian and military farms to make a profit.

Therefore, Pang Shanmin, who was used to a relaxed life under Liu Biao, was truly frightened by Liu Feng.

Pang Tong noticed Pang Shanmin's conflicted expression and couldn't help but sigh: "Brother, that's precisely why we are even more eager to see the General of the South. Now, the General and his son are already formidable figures, and they are right under our noses. You should know that the Grand Marshal is far away in Hebei."

Pang Tong's words jolted Pang Shanmin awake; he was no fool and immediately understood.

"My cousin is absolutely right!"

Pang Shanmin readily accepted the advice: "In that case, I will go with you."

Pang Tong felt relieved. At this time, Pang Tong was just one of the core members of the Pang family, far less important than the one who would later lead the Pang family.

Pang Shanmin was superior to Pang Tong in both status and reputation.

Pang Tong's rise to prominence in the original timeline will not begin until next year, when he will finally gain fame and be hailed as the crown jewel of the Southern States, thanks to the full support of Mr. Shui Jing, Sima Hui.

Subsequently, his uncle Pang Degong also promoted him extensively and even linked him with Zhuge Liang to promote his work.

The term "Sleeping Dragon" and "Young Phoenix" was actually first coined by Pang Degong, not Sima Hui.

In fact, even the name "Shuijing" (Water Mirror) for Sima Hui was given to him by Pang Degong.

Pang Degong so highly praised Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong for two reasons: firstly, both were indeed exceptionally talented and capable of assisting a king; secondly, he did not shy away from recommending relatives, as one was his son's brother-in-law and the other was his own nephew. It would be against all reason not to recommend them.

Therefore, although Pang Tong was far more capable than Pang Shanmin and was valued more by Pang Ji, Pang Shanmin was still the primary figure.

If Pang Shanmin resolutely refuses to go, it would probably be inappropriate for Pang Tong to visit him alone. Otherwise, if Pang Shanmin were to say something after returning home, Pang Tong would be unable to defend himself.

********
"A scholar from Jingzhou requests an audience?"

On this day, Liu Feng was listening to Jia Kui report on the progress of land surveying in Shangyu when he suddenly heard that a scholar from Jingzhou had traveled to Shangyu and came to see Liu Feng.

It wasn't unusual for scholars from Jingzhou to travel to Jiangdong, given the close relationship between Jingzhou and Yangzhou. However, those who dared to actively seek an audience with their own scholars were indeed extraordinary.

"Do you have a visiting card to report?"

"Have!"

Ling Tong responded and then handed the two name cards to Liu Feng.

One card read "Pang Hua," and the other "Pang Tong." Liu Feng didn't know much about Pang Shanmin, only that his brother-in-law was Zhuge Liang, but he didn't know that Pang Shanmin's real name was Pang Hua (Note 1). However, Pang Tong's name card was eye-catching enough.

As a fan of Ji Han, he is one of the celebrities I absolutely cannot miss.

"can."

Liu Feng handed the name card back and instructed, "Please have the two of them meet in the back room."

Ling Tong accepted the order, took the name card, and went to summon Pang Tong and the other man.

When Liu Feng walked to the back hall, Pang Tong and the other man were already sitting there.

Upon seeing Liu Feng appear, the two immediately stood up respectfully and bowed, their attitude extremely submissive and reverent.

In fact, they were quite shocked that Liu Feng immediately received them, after all, the difference in their status was too great, to the point that they thought Liu Bei had mentioned their names.

In fact, Liu Bei did mention the envoy from Jingzhou, but Pang Tong and Pang Shanmin were hardly figures, so naturally Liu Bei wouldn't mention them.

After Liu Feng sat down, he beckoned the two men to take their seats.

With just one glance, Liu Feng recognized Pang Tong.

It's no wonder Liu Feng judged by appearances; compared to Pang Shanmin, Pang Tong's looks were utterly unremarkable. Pang Shanmin was tall and handsome, and compared to him, the already unremarkable Pang Tong appeared even more dull and slow-witted.

Pang Tong and Pang Shanmin then introduced themselves, and just as Liu Feng had guessed, the taciturn young man was indeed Pang Tong.

After Liu Feng sat down, a maidservant came up to serve him tea and then withdrew.

Then Liu Feng spoke up, saying, "You two gentlemen come from the Pang family of Jingzhou, and must be outstanding talents from distinguished families. May I ask what insightful advice you have for me?"

Pang Tong suddenly had a feeling that Liu Feng seemed quite familiar with the Pang family. He turned to look at Pang Shanmin, only to find that his cousin hadn't noticed.

After hesitating for a moment, Pang Tong tentatively asked, "Zheng Nan seems to have heard of my Pang family?"

Liu Feng said in surprise, "The Pang family is a prominent family in Jingzhou, famous throughout the country. I have naturally heard of them."

Pang Tong paused for a moment, somewhat bewildered that Liu Feng would praise the Pang family so highly.

The Pang family was indeed very prestigious in Jingzhou, and many of their ancestors had produced officials with salaries of two thousand shi (a unit of grain measure). However, they had been experiencing some setbacks in their official careers in recent years. Not to mention the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, they had not even been appointed to a position with a salary of two thousand shi for a long time.

The reason for this was Pang Degong. As the most famous scholar in the Pang family, he had no enthusiasm for officialdom. Although his cousin Pang Ji entered officialdom, he could not match Pang Degong's reputation and talent. Therefore, although the Pang family was one of the four great families, it was actually at the bottom.

The three families of Kuai, Cai, and Huang are thriving above, while the three families of Ma, Xi, and Feng are closely following behind below.

The Pang family has not had an easy time in recent years.

Fortunately, the Pang family owned a large amount of land in Jingzhou, especially in Nanjun, which was the Pang family's base of operations.

The Pang family used its substantial income to help many powerful and wealthy families who had fled from the Central Plains. In return for the Pang family's kindness, these people reciprocated by giving them gifts.

In addition, Liu Biao was also secretly trying to win over the Pang family.

Among the four major families, the Pang family had the least conflict with Liu Biao because the Pang family had the least influence in the Jingzhou court.

Among the four major families, the Huang family was essentially a smaller warlord, dominating the entire Jiangxia Commandery. They were a state within a state, a vassal state, and were someone who obeyed orders but not summons from Liu Biao.

The Kuai and Cai families respectively took charge of the civil and military affairs of Jingzhou, while the two thousand-stone prefects of the three northern counties of the province took turns in charge.

At this time, Jingzhou consisted of eight commanderies. The four commanderies in southern Jingzhou were always remotely controlled, and their obedience to Liu Biao was based on Liu Biao's official position as governor of Jingzhou. Liu Biao's real influence in southern Jingzhou was very small.

Of the remaining four northern commanderies of Jingzhou, the position of Prefect of Jiangxia was Huang Zu's unwavering title. As a result, Kuai Yue and Cai Mao rotated among the prefects of Nan Commandery, Nanyang Commandery, and Zhangling Commandery.

In contrast, the Pang family failed to obtain even two thousand shi (a unit of grain measure) in a single term.

Therefore, Liu Biao had been secretly trying to win over the Pang family, hoping to completely integrate them into his own faction.

Historically, it would have been impossible for Zhuge Liang, a young man from a second-rate aristocratic family in Xuzhou who lost his father at a young age, to marry the eldest daughter of the Huang family and marry his two older sisters to the direct descendants of the Kuai and Pang families without a powerful figure mediating and acting as matchmaker.

Pang Tong felt a surge of warmth. Could Liu Feng's interest in the Pang family be related to his interest in Jingzhou?

In fact, Pang Tong's guess was entirely correct.

Liu Feng did indeed covet Jingzhou, and his appetite was frighteningly large.

He wants to swallow Jingzhou whole!

Liu Feng is currently devising a large-scale plan, the core of which is to mobilize 100,000 to 120,000 troops, divided into three routes, to swallow up the entire Jingzhou in one fell swoop. This strategic plan is divided into three parts: taking the Yangtze River as the main route of attack, advancing by both land and water, and supplementing it with a route from Yuzhou into Nanyang, attacking Xiangyang from two sides.

However, Liu Feng was only formulating a contingency plan at this time. Whether to implement it and when to take action still needed to be considered comprehensively.

It's not hard to guess why Liu Feng made this decision.

Now that Yangzhou has basically been taken over by Liu Feng, Liu Bei and his son only have three directions left for expansion. One is Jiaozhou, which is the worst option and Liu Feng will not consider it for the time being.

Next are Henan, Yanzhou, and Qinghai.

These three directions would inevitably offend Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.

Now, the tide has turned in the hands of Liu Bei and his son, and time has become an ally of Liu Bei's side.

The longer time goes by, the stronger Liu Bei's side will become, all thanks to the foundation Liu Feng laid through his hard work over the past two years.

Therefore, Liu Feng still did not want to completely break ties with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao for the time being.

So the last direction is naturally Jingzhou.

Taking Jingzhou would not only allow us to seize another major province with a large population and abundant resources, but also give us access to the Yangtze River, allowing us to directly encircle the Central Plains.

Once Jingzhou is acquired, Liu Bei's strength will increase dramatically, and he may even be able to take Jiaozhou without a fight.

If all goes well, the two prefectures of Jing and Jiao will be successfully acquired.

On paper, Liu Bei's forces were even strong enough to fight against two opponents simultaneously, including the combined forces of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

(End of this chapter)