Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1127: Chapter 1083: Village Merging

At first, the feeling was almost the same; however, as Chen Xi’s influence on this world grew, both parties walked down paths different from their original ones.

Although initially disdainful and dissatisfied, after several bouts with Lyu Bu, Zhang Fei gradually acknowledged Lyu Bu’s martial arts.

Though he grumbled a lot, when the List of Valiant Generals was released, and Zhang Fei saw the thirty-six Lyu Bu listed, he just grumbled without showing any dissatisfaction.

Adding to that Lyu Bu’s performance in Bingzhou, Zhang Fei’s feelings towards Lyu Bu clearly became much more complicated. While thinking that guy was a bastard, Lyu Bu was indeed defending the nation at the border, whereas Zhang Fei himself was fighting a civil war.

This left Zhang Fei feeling frustrated, and when Lyu Bu beheaded the Xianbei Chanyu and thoroughly established Bingzhou’s territory, Zhang Fei became completely perplexed.

Thinking about it, in this life, it seems that Lyu Bu just lacked personal virtue, while preserving his greater loyalty. If the slaying of Dong Zhuo counts towards restoring the Han Dynasty, then Lyu Bu is only left with the tarnish of poor personal virtue.

In the past, Zhang Fei despised Lyu Bu, deeming him a scoundrel, simply because Lyu Bu became someone’s sworn son and then killed his adoptive father. But looking back now, it seems Lyu Bu’s blame merely lies in killing Ding Yuan, the problem is, even though he killed Ding Yuan, he’s now recognized by the People of Bingzhou.

The People of Bingzhou aren’t even pursuing the matter, and Zhang Fei suddenly felt he was being overly meddlesome. Maybe, as rumors said, it was Li Su who killed Ding Yuan and Lyu Bu just took the blame.

With such thoughts, when Zhang Fei reevaluated himself against Lyu Bu in terms of official position, rank, martial arts, appearance, and achievements, he seemed somewhat lacking and immediately became discontented.

Since now even I think you are doing well and find it hard to criticize you, but the problem is I still find you displeasing, then let me handle this civilly, I must outdo you in style!

With burning determination in his heart, Zhang Fei resolutely decided that he must outdo Lyu Bu in style. If you can fight to Langjuxu, I can go East of the North Sea. Let’s see who’s the stronger!

[It seems I don’t need to add fuel to the fire, speaking of which, Lyu Bu’s provocation of Zhang Fei is quite significant.] Chen Xi silently thought to himself, as Guo Jia and others also showed an expression of understanding.

”However, since we’ve already decided to send troops to Youzhou early next year, we should start preparing now,” Liu Ye said with a trace of coldness on his refined face.

”Perhaps it should be left to Zizhong to handle, as soldiers move but provisions come first. This battle can’t be settled in a short time, so we should prepare the grain first. Zichuan, do we have people in Youzhou and Liaodong?” Lub Su tugged at the quilt, forming a cone with only his head exposed to answer.

Lub Su had been silent earlier because he was too cold; besides, about those previous matters, others would speak, so it didn’t involve him. However, what Liu Ye mentioned fell within his jurisdiction, so he couldn’t help but respond.

”Zijing, you seem very cold.” Chen Xi wiped his sweat silently and said, ”We do have people in Youzhou, transferring grain there should not be a problem.” He didn’t conceal anything, as in Youzhou, the aristocratic families have completely sided with them; after all, those who can be here are Liu Bei’s staunch supporters.

”That’s good, then let’s first move the grain and medicine supplies to Youzhou as business transactions. Hopefully, Zizhong can manage it.” Lub Su didn’t ask who the people were. After Chen Xi gave a definite answer, he was ready to mobilize supplies.

”No worries, it’s quite easy. If Zizhong struggles, I’ll assist,” Chen Xi replied without much concern as this matter posed no real difficulty.

”Then I am relieved,” Lub Su said no more and snuggled further into the blanket, causing some twitching in Chen Xi’s eye corner, ”Zijing, why not get a fireplace and a kang? We will all pretend we didn’t see anything.”

”What’s that?” Lub Su was a bit confused by what Chen Xi mentioned.

”It’s a type of architectural facility,” Chen Xi said casually. If he remembered correctly, this thing existed in the Imperial Court during the Western Han, hopefully, it wasn’t something passed down and lost, or maybe some brains had a pit making it royal family exclusive, who knows.

Chen Xi quickly explained it a bit, this thing was inherently simple, and nobody present was a fool, so they all understood after some thought.

”Zichuan, you should have mentioned this earlier,” Liu Bei shook his head helplessly.

”Should have had it back when incubating chicks,” Chen Xi said, speechless.

”We weren’t going to be there anyway...” Guo Jia rolled his eyes and said, ”Still, we did overlook it. Such things should be more widespread; every household in the north should have them.”

Previously during winter in Mount Tai, we’d cover with thick blankets and keep a brazier in the house. At night, we’d have a maid watching to prevent poisoning from poor ventilation, so it wasn’t cold at all. Besides Lub Su, who would notice? Problem was, Lub Su wouldn’t go out in the winter because of the cold, and was too busy in summer to go out.

”Yeah, every house indeed should have it. The problem is, we haven’t finished village merging, nor completed the household registration; even if I want to renovate, there’s nothing to renovate.” Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said, despite Ye City being not bad, many in the north still dwelled in thatched huts.

”So you plan to construct such houses?” Li Youu visualized the potential outcome of Chen Xi’s simple and convenient building method.

”Yes, that’s the plan here. Since for us, the cost of building houses is very low, and as before, after merging villages, those without houses can temporarily stay, but they need to pay back some money and grain annually,” Chen Xi nodded, with labor and building materials being cost-free...

After all, it’s housing meant to be distributed to the people, making it suitable for everyone to help build, plus collective labor allows strangers about to live together to get acquainted, collaboratively constructing a village; there will be a great sense of achievement when living together later.

Incidentally, since Chen Xi permitted the construction of simple city walls, basically all large villages formed from village merging had voluntarily built walls over ten feet high.

This perhaps is a means for the people of the Central Plains to enhance their dwelling’s security. Yet some went overboard, and those were dealt with by Chen Xi.

What’s with building a double-layered Weng City not far from Fenggao? Despite the walls being just over a foot high, aren’t you just asking to get knocked down?

”Indeed, apart from the grain, nothing else is needed.” Li Youu nodded, ”As for the time span, it indeed is not urgent.”

”Exactly, I’ll have someone modify the design later,” Chen Xi nodded and said; this is not considered a big deal, plus he feels Liu Bei’s governance somewhat overwhelmed other feudal lords in terms of benefits for the people.

The fact is, having a double monthly ticket at the end of the month, requesting tickets now just feels too miserable... (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read on m.qidian.com.)