Mythical Three Kingdoms

In the past, these people indeed regarded Cao Cao and Sun Ce as formidable enemies, the kind that must be resolved once conquered. But when the world map was laid out before them, they realized that Cao and Sun truly need not be obliterated as enemies.

”Let’s make it public then,” Li You said calmly. ”They are not our opponents. We’ll openly present everything to them.”

Nothing is more vexing than the issue of grain. In the Feudal Era, if one could solve the grain problem, then no other problem would seem like a problem at all.

”Even if there is a rift between the aristocratic families and us, it is still extremely easy to promote Hanmou’s techniques under Lord Xuande’s name,” Jia Xu said assuredly.

The reputation is attributed to Qu Qi, allowing him unimpeded progress, while the people’s hearts fall to Liu Bei, shaking Cao and Sun at the very roots.

”Can it be done?” Liu Ye asked Liu Yan with utmost sincerity.

”To reach the ears of everyone in the world, yes, it can be done,” Liu Yan replied with a smile, as there is no one better than him at promotion throughout the land.

After receiving Liu Yan’s precise answer, Liu Ye understood Jia Xu and Li You’s intent from another angle.

”Then let it be publicized. Lord Xuande will take the high-level route, Weishuo the noted scholars and aristocratic families route, and the grassroots rely on you, Wen He,” Chen Xi said with a smile. This way, in at most three years, the grain problem across all regions of the Han Dynasty could be resolved.

[Zichuan keeps saying he’s slow to react, can’t do this or that, but actually, he’s the first one to respond on the spot.] Jia Xu clicked his tongue, amazed by Chen Xi’s mind.

[Guo Fengxiao, that guy is indeed most adept at manipulating people’s hearts, nearly instantly he too came to the realization.] Jia Xu glanced at Guo Jia, who was also looking around, and both exchanged a look of understanding befitting sages.

Chen Xi had no idea that he inadvertently dug a super big pit for Cao Cao and Sun Ce, fully opening all three levels, and in at most three years, the people’s hearts throughout the land would be in Liu Bei’s hands.

The biggest asset for Cao Cao and Sun Ce at present is that their soldiers have food and ordinary people can survive. Once Qu Qi’s side declares this to the entire Han Dynasty, and increases the publicity, in at most three years, there will basically be no one enlisting as soldiers under Cao and Sun.

External wars could still be fought for the country or the future, but internally, it’s frankly just for survival. Since farming can fill the belly, what’s the point of fighting an internal war with you if the head isn’t clear?

Furthermore, with the opponent being Liu Bei who once ensured the people had food, do you think the soldiers won’t collectively rebel, with guides all around? For the people of the Late Han era, nothing is more important than having a full meal.

Therefore, with such a planting method that genuinely resolves the food crisis for the common folks, this era is destined to stabilize. It’s the hunger that fuels rebellion, but now going home to farm can already fill the stomachs. It’s foolish to rebel; such is the mindset of small-scale farmers.

Hence, this is literally removing the firewood from under the pot, dismantling Cao Cao and Sun Ce at the roots, and they have no way of stopping this method. Techniques that increase grain yield, even if not deliberately spread, would naturally be disseminated.

This era is one of grain. If an acre yields five dan, don’t be surprised if someone comes to talk with you the next day. Nothing excites an agricultural society more than high grain yield.

Jia Xu, Li You, and Guo Jia understood this very point that led them to sigh in admiration; this was indeed a bloodless victory. This point is also why Jia Xu and others thought Chen Xi was indeed hiding his capability.

Truthfully, Chen Xi never thought so far, he merely felt this would save lives, after all, soldiers with food and grain in Cao Cao’s possession wouldn’t be of much use — regular soldiers would ultimately overpower, either withstand or become gray in seconds.

Given this, why not let the common people live a little better, since Cao Cao isn’t much trouble, let him be.

”Thank you all for understanding.” Qu Qi bowed deeply to everyone, ”Without your strong support, I wouldn’t have achieved this level so swiftly.”

Everyone moved aside instantly, refusing to accept the bow from Qu Qi, who didn’t mind the group’s hurried retreat. Straightening up, he said, ”I heard cotton comes from the Western Regions, so I plan to first go to Jiuquan, and then check out Yumen Pass.”

”But you’ll need to wait,” Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said.

”I am not that brainless either. Moreover, when I go, I’ll bring Lord Xuande’s escort and Zichuan’s family cook with me,” Qu Qi rolled his eyes, indicating he had thought it through.

”I feel you should stick with us; are you going on a field investigation?” Chen Xi remarked speechlessly, any lingering sense of farewell evaporated instantly.

”Even a field investigation requires good food and safety, you know. Without witnessing the Empire’s grandeur, I have no desire to die young,” Qu Qi said with a smile, continuously intrigued by Chen Xi’s family cook.

”Aren’t you afraid of dying young and fat?” Chen Xi mocked.

”Hanmou, Physician Hua, I presume this is Dr. Zhang.” At this point, Liu Bei had already arrived, seemingly having changed clothes, as this was not what he wore in the morning, most likely just got peed on by Adou.

”Greetings…” The group had not yet saluted before Liu Bei waved his hand to indicate exemption.

”Zhang Jii of Jingzhou, Zhang Zhongjing, greets Lord Xuande.” Zhang Jii bowed to pay respects.

Subsequently, Liu Ye recounted the events that had occurred earlier, though he did not mention that Chen Xi had already promised Qu Qi.

”Such matters beneficial to the people, how could they not be shared with all the people of the world?” Liu Bei said without a moment’s hesitation, extremely excited. Born humble, he most understood what grain meant!

Chen Xi shrugged and said, ”Hanmou wants to travel the world to tailor specific crops to each place with more precision, how does Lord Xuande feel about this?”

”Such a grand undertaking, how could it not be permitted? Wherever Hanmou chooses to go, I, Liu Bei, am willing to safeguard it,” Liu Bei said very solemnly.

”Go to Cao Mengde.” Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said.

”Uh, then allow me to write a letter to Cao Mengde, and then send some escorts.” Liu Bei hesitated slightly, then agreed after some thought, ”This is indeed the Han Dynasty’s world; those Hanmou assists are the people of the Han Dynasty, how could I not allow it?”

”Greetings, Lord…” Qu Qi slowly bowed earnestly.

”Please rise, Hanmou.” Liu Bei was slightly taken aback, then quickly helped Qu Qi up. In terms of military strategy, Qu Qi had made almost no progress, but Liu Bei highly recognized his abilities in agriculture. He was someone who could truly strengthen the nation and enrich the people, persistently working hard at his responsibilities.

”Hanmou’s talent lies in agriculture; I have no title to confer, but I can ask Hanmou to continue prioritizing the peasants of the entire land as before.” Liu Bei raised Qu Qi up, just like when he appointed Chen Xi to a virtual position in the past, bowing respectfully, and then everyone followed suit to bow to him. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)