Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

Thinking about this, Chen Xi couldn’t help but think of Guan Yu, who governed Jingzhou during the Three Kingdoms period. This also fell under the category of military and governmental power in one hand. Liu Bei didn’t have many sons or relatives, just two sworn brothers, so Guan and Zhang were the obvious choices.

From this perspective, everyone seemed harmonious, except for the tragic case of Yuan Shao. But Chen Xi also remembered Li Yan from the Shu-Han period. As a regent minister, he held both military and governmental power and proposed creating five counties as Bazhou instead of attacking Wei in Hanzhong. What was he trying to achieve?

For this reason, such matters required careful consideration. Chen Xi felt he had done enough by bringing up this issue in advance. From now on, he wouldn’t need to speak further and would watch how Lu Su and the others would address it. Such dangerous matters were better left unspoken, as Chen Xi felt he wasn’t adept at politics.

Three days later, Chen Xi’s carriage finally reached Licheng. The rest of the matters didn’t require his arrangement. Stepping onto this land, Chen Xi felt a great sense of security. Jizhou, almost an enemy territory, had always made him feel uneasy, no matter how cautious he was.

”Finally back!” Chen Xi’s carriage passed through the gates of Licheng, and after the troops returned to the barracks, the war was truly over.

”Congratulations, Zichuan, on your victory!” Fa Zheng said sourly. Seeing the numerous supply wagons, Fa Zheng knew Chen Xi had won a great victory this time. The Napi treasury was likely emptied.

”It was a necessary move. I gambled on Ju Gongyu’s mindset and fortunately won. Otherwise, it would have been troublesome. I suppose you also noticed the biggest issue in our military system?” Chen Xi said with a bitter smile.

”Stop pretending! If you hadn’t guessed Ju Gongyu’s thoughts, you wouldn’t have taken such risks. Although the Zhen family is crucial for future plans, it’s not worth risking your life. By the way, is Zhen Mi really that beautiful?” Fa Zheng first mocked, then asked curiously.

”Very beautiful, but there are countless beauties in the world. Zhen Mi may not be the most outstanding. When we return to Taishan, I’ll take you to meet Mi Zhen, and you’ll understand.” Chen Xi paused and then spoke, remembering Zhen Mi’s face. To Chen Xi, her demeanor was more important than her beauty.

”Mi Zhen?” Fa Zheng was taken aback. ”Don’t mess around. I’m a married man. I can’t afford to marry Mi Zhu’s sister, the sister of the world’s wealthiest merchant!” Fa Zheng said, drawing out his words, clearly still influenced by his family’s teachings. To him, merchants were still a lowly occupation.”Put away that look. Your vision still has problems. It seems you need considerable education.” Chen Xi glanced at Fa Zheng, then turned away, saying indifferently, ”Until you understand where you’re wrong, I won’t appoint you to an official position.”

Chen Zichuan never intended to overturn centuries-old thinking. How commoners thought was their business, but as an official, you shouldn’t think in terms of who’s lowly or what occupation is inferior. You should focus on how to make the people prosperous.

Whether through educating or keeping people ignorant, the goal was to ensure the people lived harmoniously, with enough to eat and wear, ideally becoming simple and kind-hearted.

In an era where giving a meal was a kindness, Chen Xi believed that officials’ personal conduct was less important than their governance. Whether vengeful, greedy, or lecherous, these were secondary. What mattered was their ability to govern effectively.

Chen Xi never saw himself as a paragon of virtue. Imagine that taking concubines wasn’t harming people but saving them. Imagine a landlord marrying ten concubines just to save ten lives. Such seemingly unreasonable actions happened during the Three Kingdoms period!

In 193, Qingzhou was devastated by disasters and war to the point where no one was left, and no grass grew. The survivors were those who ate corpses and plundered others. When Cao Cao later imposed harsh laws in Qingzhou, not a single commoner opposed him because, despite the harshness, there was at least a way to survive. To the starving people of Qingzhou, a sixty percent tax rate was not exploitation but a blessing!

For this reason, when drafting the talent recruitment order, Chen Xi nearly had Liu Bei write ”appoint solely based on talent,” but given the situation, he had Liu Bei write ”appoint based on merit, regardless of background.”

For Chen Zichuan, as long as officials could ensure the people were fed and clothed, minor transgressions like bullying or taking concubines would be overlooked. However, if an official allowed famine while committing such acts, Chen Xi wouldn’t hesitate to have Man Chong deal with them harshly.

In the current state of Taishan and Qingzhou, as long as local officials governed well, they wouldn’t need to forcibly take concubines. For example, if Zhao Yun wandered around Taishan, any household he visited for water would offer their daughters to serve tea. If Zhao Yun showed interest, the families would readily consent, making force unnecessary.

Now, if Zhao Yun wanted to marry, any family would consider it an honor. Being an official to such an extent would be worth it, though Zhao Yun’s appeal also came from being a handsome, single noble.

”Huh?” Fa Zheng was stunned. How had he gone from being favored by Chen Xi to this? Was it just because he expressed no interest in Mi Zhen?

”Keep trying. Once you understand, I’ll recommend you for the position of Chancellor of Qi.” Chen Xi patted Fa Zheng’s shoulder and walked away.

If Fa Zheng couldn’t change his perspective, he’d always be just a strategist. While this role was valuable in chaotic times, without military power, it meant nothing in peaceful times.

Sudden shifts in power would leave someone like Fa Zheng, who was vindictive, unable to cope. Retirement would make him resentful, but letting him handle other matters without understanding fundamental principles would lead to trouble.

”Huh?” Fa Zheng was initially pleased, then puzzled, scratching his head. He had no idea what he’d said wrong. ”Oh well, I’ll consult others. Heh, I’ll definitely get the position of Chancellor of Qi!”