Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1084: Chapter 1040: Zilu Accepts Cattle and Represents Tian Clan in Qii

”I can represent Bofu to accept this condition, and even, when conditions allow, engage in warfare in some sparsely populated places.” Yuan Shu stared at Chen Xi and said, ”However, I need to see that land with my own eyes. Although I, Yuan Shu, am an aristocrat, I am not unfamiliar with farming!”

Yuan Shu wanted to go to the Northern Frontier, and Chen Xi did not stop him. Similarly, the Aristocratic Family Alliance also came to a complete end with Yuan Shu’s words, and it seemed that the situation of the next alliance was destined to be decided.

Watching Yuan Shu and a large group of aristocratic families leave, Chen Xi clicked his tongue in amazement. That team of hundreds was a collective effort by all aristocratic families, composed of high-level talents with extensive agricultural expertise, forming a Northeastern Plain exploration group, and merely looking at them made Chen Xi slightly envious. These people working under Qu Qi would be much more appropriate!

[The aristocratic families really have good stuff, being able to scrape together so many skilled farmers from here and there. These aristocratic families must be collecting everything while idle.] Chen Xi thought speechlessly.

In truth, Chen Xi’s estimation wasn’t wrong. Although the retainer system isn’t particularly prevalent nowadays, the aristocratic families have retained the habit of keeping people with special skills.

To aristocratic families, they might need these people anytime, and keeping them doesn’t cost much. Sometimes, the impact of such a person’s burst of ability is far greater than that little cost, and aristocratic families aren’t short on money.

Now it seems they are indeed useful. Each family brought forth their skilled agricultural experts, pieced them together into an exploration group, and under Yuan Shu’s unified dispatch, made preparations against the cold and headed towards the Northeastern Plain with Jii Ling leading them.

”If the aristocratic families are so united, why suffer this plight!” Cui Yan sighed deeply as he watched the departing figures. Regardless of the reason uniting them, the combined strength of the aristocratic families was formidable, with resources readily emerging!

”If the aristocratic families could be united, what would they need me for?” Chen Xi retorted sarcastically, ”Internal strife has been our long-standing nature, so it’s better if everyone stays separate. I’ve already prepared places for them to divide.”

Cui Yan watched Chen Xi’s departing back with a cold smile. To be honest, he didn’t understand why Chen Xi reacted so strongly to his words. Previously, during the Aristocratic Family Alliance, wasn’t he very amicable? How did it change like this all of a sudden?

Chen Xi turned back, came down from the city wall, and reported the situation to Liu Bei. Essentially, the big picture was set. Although investing over ten billion coins would make it challenging to fully develop Jizhou, Yuzhou, and Yanzhou, by employing labor for relief and using civilian power effectively, it’s feasible to construct the Three Prefectures with over ten billion coins.

”Zijing, give me the construction plans for Jizhou, Yuzhou, and Yanzhou. I’ll probably start the construction of the Three Prefectures come spring next year. Also, prepare at the Youzhou border, and have Yuan Gonglu’s group keep an eye out, ensuring he doesn’t die in the Northern Frontier.” After announcing the plans, Chen Xi turned to Lub Su, knowing full well that Lub Su had the complete construction plan in hand.

”You want to build all three prefectures at once? Really? We could very well go to war with the Xianbei or Wuhuan at any time, and unlike previous defensive wars, we need to occupy the Northern Frontier, which will significantly increase our expenses. Based on our current finances, starting with Jizhou is the best choice.” Lub Su was no parrot to Chen Xi; with his deep understanding, he naturally knew how to choose.

”Fight the Wuhuan Xianbei, occupy the Northern Frontier, and develop those areas; internal development cannot slow down either. First, give me the road planning, city construction planning, and rural merger plan.” Chen Xi sneered, showing disdain. First, calculate the cost, as everything is ready-made. When the time comes, just follow the plan step by step.

”So you’re planning to inject capital into it again.” Lub Su stroked his beard and hinted subtly, ”Zichuan, your approach isn’t quite right. You should know the lesson from Zilu’s suffering. You don’t mind these things, but if the moral standards are set too high, it might harm the overall moral environment.”

”...” Chen Xi was slightly stunned and, after a slight thought, understood what Lub Su meant.

In Lub Su and others’ eyes, since the development of Qing and Xu, Chen Xi has been pouring money in endlessly, without asking for returns. This approach contradicts the current moral standards. While it may benefit the state in the short term, it could harm the entire country’s moral environment in the long run.

”Oh, don’t worry; I’ll remember to take the money back in the future. This is merely a low-interest loan, with the borrower being the state. Rest assured, I will remember to issue a note later, proving it as national debt.” Chen Xi said casually, not noticing Lub Su’s bitter smile.

”Jiangg Qi’s and Tian Qi’s transformation was to redeem the state; Jiangg Qi couldn’t afford his own country, and the Zhou Royal Family had to accept it with pinched noses. Similarly, the debt mountain of the Zhou Royal Family was the same.” Li Youu’s expression didn’t change, but he softly transmitted his voice to Chen Xi; after all, he and Chen Xi were on the same front.

”Uh...” Chen Xi opened his mouth, unsure what to say. The most notable point about the Chen Family was their ancestral history of buying a country, and what Chen Xi is doing now seems intriguingly similar.

”It seems you understand.” Jia Xu’s sinister voice came through.

Indeed, Li Youu’s words served as a wake-up call for Chen Xi. Regardless of how he did it, the current financial investment has become enormous, enough to bankrupt one or two of the Five Great Merchants.

”You simply don’t understand money! A mere ten billion coins! With the current development of just the two counties of Qing and Xu, if I personally oversee it, I could repay it in about two years. Moreover, the Great Han is more than just Qing and Xu, and Qing and Xu have yet to reach true prosperity!” Chen Xi spoke openly, and to be honest, he really wasn’t interested in his family’s past of buying a country.

Chen Xi’s remarks were made in the presence of everyone, so Liu Bei naturally heard them too. Frankly, he hadn’t figured out what had happened until Li Youu’s straightforward explanation made him understand what was going on.

”Zichuan, how much are you planning to invest again in the reconstruction of the Three Prefectures?” Liu Bei didn’t doubt Chen Xi’s malicious intent. In fact, he saw even further than Lub Su and others. After all, Chen Xi’s words about the land with three harvests were something he remembered clearly.

Liu Bei knew that such places didn’t exist in the Central Plains, so the land with three harvests must be in foreign nations. Since Chen Xi knew about them, they wouldn’t be too far away. Even a learned person has conceptual boundaries. (More to follow. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian.com, where your recommendation votes and monthly votes are my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)