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Chapter 103: The Curtain Rises

In Chen Xi's opinion, Dong Zhuo would die in a few months, and the Xiliang army would fall into chaos. The reorganized Xiliang army led by Hua Xiong was not to be trifled with. If they went to purchase the horses now, they'd be lucky if they didn't get ripped off. Who dared to take advantage of the Xiliang army now would quickly learn who controlled Yongzhou!

A few months later, after Dong Zhuo's fall, if Hua Xiong went to seize the horses, the Xiliang army wouldn't even bother...

Chapter 102: Too Expensive, Better to Rob the Robbers

“This item was developed under the command of General Liu Bei by Chen Zichuan. So, please calm your family’s desires,” Mi Zhu clearly saw the greed in everyone's eyes. Vast wealth can be tempting, but only those with sufficient strength or heritage can suppress such greed, and Liu Bei happens to have an imperial lineage. This lineage is enough to make northern aristocratic families cautious.

With Mi Zhu's warning, the merchants reluctantly suppressed their greed. Liu Bei'...

Chapter 101: The Zhen Family Enters the Game

The Zhen family has recently been overwhelmed with happiness. With the New Year approaching and the ongoing conflict between Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao, many merchants doing business in Jizhou have become disinterested. They also heard that the Zhen family had made a significant profit recently, so many merchants, fearing the spread of war to Jizhou, sold their goods to the Zhen family at prices far below market value, nearly at cost.

The Zhen family, being wealthy and powerful,...

Chapter 100: Livelihood and Ingenious Craftsmanship

Xu Province's Tao Qianzhu continues to strongly support Liu Bei. Aside from borrowing and lending goods without expecting returns, he also sells large quantities at low prices. Honestly, Liu Bei's well-being is largely thanks to Xu Province. Otherwise, given Taishan's current development, life would be much tighter, especially with over 300,000 extra mouths to feed.

Chen Xi has already started organizing efforts to raise chickens and ducks, not only for meat but also to counter t...

Chapter 99: Situational Overview

Marrying a wife is complicated, but taking a concubine is much simpler. Just consult the almanac for a good date. After all, wives and concubines are entirely different concepts in this era.

The date chosen was May 8th. The reason for this choice is straightforward: given Chen Xi's status, any marriage has to follow the proper protocols, unless he chooses to ignore customs, which is unlikely. Chen Xi wouldn't break societal norms unless absolutely necessary.

With administ...

Chapter 98: Thoughts

Of course, this plan isn't guaranteed to go smoothly. If Liu Xie shows remarkable courage and decisiveness, he might actually come to Taishan. Unfortunately, while Liu Xie is smart, he lacks the boldness required. If he were both bold and intelligent, Chen Xi wouldn't mind Liu Xie restoring the Han Dynasty himself.

With both courage and intelligence, Liu Xie could easily win over the still less ambitious Liu Bei. However, if Liu Bei conquers several provinces first, it w...

Chapter 97: Chen Xi's Schemes

Since the autumn harvest and the beginning of Chen Xi's plan to annex Qingzhou, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei have been constantly busy along the border between Qingzhou and Taishan. Whether it's gathering refugees, suppressing the Yellow Turbans, or helping Zhao Yun cultivate the land in Qingzhou, they have been fully occupied.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei have been using their small cavalry units to harass the Yellow Turbans on the edges of Qingzhou. Thanks to the speed advantage of cavalry...

Chapter 96: Gaining Public Trust

With such a guarantee, Chen Xi was so delighted that he almost laughed out loud. He only needed to make plans, and his subordinates would handle the implementation. His most capable aide was Lu Su, who could assist with anything. Chen Xi had already planned up to next autumn, and now he could take a long break.

Seeing their cheerful expressions, Liu Bei smiled and said, "Judging by your happy faces, I guess you've finished all the government affairs. Come, I have just prepared ...

Chapter 95: A Brighter Tomorrow Awaits

Upon approaching Chen Xi, Fa Zheng smelled a strong scent of makeup and even noticed some residue on Fa Zheng's face. He was startled.

"Hey, Fengxiao, don't go too far. Xiaozhi is still young; be careful he can't handle it," Chen Xi said, raising an eyebrow and looking displeased. He didn't want Fa Zheng to become a playboy, as he was supposed to be the star student at the Taishan Academy Chen Xi was building. If Guo Jia ruined him, it would be a tragedy. Chen Xi still planned ...

Chapter 94: Winter is Here, Spring Brings Kidnapping Opportunities

Seeing the situation, Zhen Mi extinguished all her previous fantasies. Everything she saw was merely an uncertain future. If someone could erase the established trajectory, could the Zhen family avoid it?

With this thought, Zhen Mi sighed helplessly. As her mother, Lady Zhang, held control of the Zhen family longer, the traditions left by her father, Zhen Yi, were increasingly discarded. Although the Zhen family seemed to grow richer and more prosperous, since noticing the chan...

Chapter 93: Zhen Mi

Tomorrow at 2 PM, the voting on Sanjiang will start. Remember to vote, everyone!

As he read the intelligence report in his hands, Chen Xi's eyebrows twitched uncontrollably. Seeing Chen Xi's reaction, Liu Ye and the others knew that the news must be something very displeasing to him.

"Take a look at this," Chen Xi said, handing over the intelligence from Jizhou to Lu Su and the others. He was at a loss for words. How could such a good situation be ruined? Zhang Shiping an...

Chapter 92: Arrangements for Gan Ning

As soon as Gan Ning heard that he could proceed as described, he was overjoyed and cupped his hands in a salute, "Xingba will not disappoint the Governor."

"Good. Remember to send Juncai back home, since his family has the sea vessels. Train a decent navy within a year and notify me. Only then will I give you the second task. Otherwise, hmph hmph hmph!" Chen Xi said with a sinister smile. "Did you hear me?"

"Yes!" Gan Ning answered loudly.

"Prepare for departure. I'...

Chapter 91: Gan Ning, Become the Naval Commander...

After downing a cup of wine, the atmosphere instantly became lively. Lu Jun and Gan Ning drank away their grudges, and their relationship immediately warmed. One praised the other for his composure in adversity, while the other modestly claimed to be timid. One admired the other's martial prowess, and the other politely said he still had much to learn and practice.

Lu Jun wasn't foolish. He could sense Liu Bei's sincerity and was naturally willing to get closer to him. H...

Chapter 90: Overwhelmed with Favor

With those words, Gan Ning's mood completely changed. He felt deeply grateful that he was so highly regarded and that this had all been a misunderstanding.

"Zhongkang, untie Xingba," Chen Xi said, turning to Xu Chu. As long as Xu Chu was by his side, there was no need to worry even if Gan Ning tried something.

"My apologies earlier," Xu Chu said, clasping his fist in a salute before untying Gan Ning and releasing the seal on his internal energy.

"We'll have a...

Chapter 89: Become the Naval Commander, Xingba!

Chen Xi wiped off a mixture of sweat and rain from his face. He had been caught off guard by the sudden realization of the situation's truth.

"Zi Chuan, why are you here without an umbrella?" Liu Bei, seeing Chen Xi standing in the rain without any protection, was taken aback. The rain was chilly, and he knew Chen Xi's health wasn't the best.

"If I didn't come, things could have gone south. Zhongkang, tie up Gan Ning but don't kill him; he's an important figure." At Liu B...

Chapter 88: Slashing Frenzy!

Gan Ning stood under an energy shield, leaning against the wall of a shop, lost in fantasies about how his offering of a shipload of salt could benefit Liu Bei. Little did he know that inside the building behind him, Xu Chu was already poised to strike.

"My lord, please step back!" Xu Chu, peering through a window slit and observing Gan Ning, wore a serious expression.

"Zhongkang, is the enemy that formidable?" Liu Bei was taken aback. He had never seen Xu Chu this seriou...

Chapter 87: Courting Death

Liu Bei's recruitment edict offered Gan Ning a glimmer of hope, so he gathered his band of water bandits, preparing to surrender and join Liu Bei. Poor Gan Ning had yet to understand that it wasn't his abilities or his background as a bandit that had kept others from recruiting him.

As for Lu Jun and his party, they were incidentally captured by Gan Ning. It couldn't be helped—a ship full of salt, worth a million coins or more in strategic resources, was too tempting. Salt wa...

Chapter 86: It's Not About Ability, It's About Having a Powerful Father!

...

Chen Xi trembled slightly, then realized that he had become somewhat rigid. Looking up at the torrential rain, he suddenly thought of a theory: every person is different, and so the spiritual energy that emerges from the soul also has different effects.

Chen Xi wasn't quite sure which aspect his spiritual energy enhanced, but judging by his feeling, the spiritual energy of the person causing this rain should be enhancing something like mist or water.

It looked l...

Chapter 85: This Job Really Isn't Easy!

...

Lu Su and the others were drinking tea in the administrative hall, leisurely chatting about random things. It was a habit they had picked up from Chen Xi.

"Ziyang, what do you think would happen if Bernin caught Zichuan wandering around? I'm quite optimistic about Zichuan being caught," Lu Su said with a smile.

"He'll definitely be caught, but he won't be brought back. I believe that once Zichuan leaves, he already has a justified reason in mind," Liu Ye respond...

Chapter 84: Unwelcome Visitors

...

First things first, they needed to eat. Chen Xi led Fan Jian and Chen Lan into a tavern not far from the city gate.

As soon as they entered, the waiter ran off yelling, unable to be stopped. Chen Xi looked helplessly at Fan Jian. Was he really that scary? Fan Jian couldn't suppress her laughter, her mouth curving into a smile, and from the other side, Chen Lan's giggles could be heard. She quickly covered her mouth, her body lightly trembling with laughter.

Soon...

Chapter 83: The Girls at Home

...

Chen Xi had no intention of going to the talent recruitment platform. He planned to skip work as soon as he left the government office. He had already prepared an excuse in case Man Chong, who could return at any time, caught him for dereliction of duty. His reason was perfectly legitimate: as the county governor, he needed to understand the situation of his territory to avoid being misled by others.

When he got home, he found Fan Jian reading. She had read many of th...

Chapter 82: Liu Ye and Man Chong

Liu Ye's arrival was marked by solemnity. First, he submitted a formal letter of introduction, then sought endorsement from the Imperial Clan Office before officially joining Liu Bei's ranks. This method of entry made future betrayal unthinkable due to the immense shame it would bring. Historically, Liu Ye only defected to Cao Cao's side when he saw no hope left. With hope restored, he was willing to take a gamble.

Chen Xi was very familiar with Liu Ye and Man Chong. Their abil...

Chapter 81: Fazheng's Aspiration

Guo Jia was by far the most formidable strategist that Taishan had recruited. When Chen Xi called Liu Bei over, he specifically told Liu Bei to make as grand a reception as possible. He also hinted that the young Fazheng was crucial and should be well received.

Liu Bei fully understood Chen Xi's intentions. He personally led all the remaining civil and military officials to welcome Guo Jia. To Chen Xi's amazement, Liu Bei even brought over a chariot with a canopy, a top-tier we...

Chapter 80: Finding Joy in it All

"May I ask where you hail from, sir?" Chen Xi asked the drunkard with a smile, realizing he had to show respect to a talented individual, even if they appeared inebriated.

"Chen Zichuan?" The drunkard turned his head slightly, thinking for a moment before speaking. "I come from the north."

Chen Xi was taken aback. He hadn't revealed his identity yet. How did this man figure it out? Then he glanced over and saw a large, ten-foot-wide man holding a knife, watching them from...

Chapter 79: When the Young Fazheng Meets a Drunkard...

"You say you're Fazheng, Fa Xiaozhi?" Chen Xi roared, pointing at the teenager half a head shorter than himself.

"Is my name already known in the Central Plains?" Fazheng, dressed in ragged clothes, arrogantly tilted his head back, almost sticking his nose in the air.

"Isn't your family in Fufeng? Why are you here in Taishan? Did your family know about this? Did you sneak out? Weren't you supposed to be serving as a county magistrate in Fufeng?" Chen Xi grabbed a s...

Chapter 78: Taishi Ci of Donglai

Back when Yan Zhao Wang issued his recruitment edict, he built a grand platform, referred to later in Li Bai's poem as "Golden Terrace for the honored guests, Qing Jade table for the wine." The original high platform thus became the Golden Terrace, giving rise to the saying "Golden Terrace for recruiting guests."

With such a precedent, Liu Bei also needed to build something following the ancient rites after issuing his recruitment edict. Even if someone were to question ...

Chapter 77: The Miraculous Secretary

……

"Zichuan, I heard a warrior has arrived and defeated Zijian in ten moves. I plan to go and greet him. Want to join me?" Liu Bei stood up excitedly after receiving the urgent report from his subordinate. He happened to see Chen Xi lazily perusing official documents while sipping tea, and decided to bring him along. In Liu Bei's view, Chen Xi always managed to complete his work regardless of time, often arriving late and leaving early.

"What?" Chen Xi nearly choked o...

Chapter 76: Talents Across the Land

Having just arrived in Jinan and preparing to transfer to a carriage, a frail young man reeking of alcohol, with bleary eyes, coughed lightly. "Huazi, why are you lingering here instead of heading to Beihai with your master?"

"Master, Master, come and see this," the young boy tugged at his master's sleeve, pointing excitedly at the notice on the wall.

The slender young man, referred to as master, squinted at the recruitment decree posted on the wall. After touching his ba...

Chapter 75: The Recruitment Decree

"Four hundred thousand shi of grain should be no problem until next summer's harvest. Even if we need to take in refugees from Qing Province, we can barely manage. My suggestion is to continue construction. Wherever we take in refugees, we should build there, and Zilong's Tuntian Decree should be implemented there as well," Chen Xi said casually, holding a book and glancing at its contents. He didn't have the habit of starting with praises or unnecessary words; although someti...

Chapter 74: Peace of Mind with Grain in Hand

"Before you came, the people of Taishan were starving and dressed in rags. Now, fifty thousand people under your governance have surplus grain at home. Naturally, you can eat with a clear conscience," Liu Bei said as he walked in from outside the main gate, laughing as he heard Chen Xi's words. "Zilong, you have executed your duties flawlessly, tirelessly running between the villages to ensure the people's food supply. The people are grateful to you, offering seasonal fruits and vege...