Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1692: Chapter 1621: Subtle Hidden Dangers

After Sheni Pei left, Lub Su suppressed his anger and said to Li Youu, ”Are you crazy? How could you directly promise Sheni Zhengnan judicial authority and economic and military independence?”

”Isn’t that what enfeoffment is all about?” Li Youu said calmly, ”Besides, given the distance, do you think if we don’t promise these things, he won’t do them anyway? What’s the harm in granting them directly? If the central government is strong, what can they do? If the central government is weak... can Hengheng Heng, during Dong Zhongying’s time, didn’t these things arise as well?”

Lub Su almost splashed Li Youu with his words. This situation was indeed partly caused by Li Youu. Nevertheless, after hearing this, Lub Su’s anger subsided significantly. Truly, given the distance from the emperor, it’s better to lay things out clearly, give Sheni Pei some face, and let him execute his own plans. That place is not simple.

”Am I not speaking the truth?” Li Youu said, curling his lips. He seemed to believe that things would have turned out the same without him, like with Dong Zhuo. In such remote places, it is impossible for no turmoil to arise; at most, it wouldn’t be as successful without him.

”It is the truth,” Lub Su said disgruntledly. Although everyone knew Li Youu was indeed Li Ru, they generally considered the two separately during discussions.

”Get to work, get to work, get to work,” Lub Su, noticing Li Youu wanted to say something more, couldn’t be bothered to respond. He simply dropped a roll of documents in front of Li Youu.

”By the way, there hasn’t been any news from Xingba for so long. I wonder how and where he is. I’m not too worried about the northern battle; with so many people there, the Northern Huns will either be completely annihilated or just a few remnants will remain. But I’m more concerned about the south,” Li Youu suddenly shifted the topic.

Upon hearing this, Lub Su’s expression also darkened. Not having received any news about Gan Ning for such a long time indeed made Lub Su somewhat worried.

”There shouldn’t be any issues, right? Xingba usually doesn’t leave things unfinished. Besides, with Ziyi and others, the problems shouldn’t be significant...” Lub Su said after pondering for a moment, though it was obvious that even he found his reassurance somewhat forced, given that their opponent was no pushover.

Li Youu nodded noncommittally and then inquired, ”How is the war in Yizhou going now?”

”The relations with Yizhou are good, and the information has been flowing smoothly. Their situation is much better than expected. Although they were once hindered by the Southern Barbarians, with the Yong Family’s internal and external cooperation, they have successfully extended their actual control to the northern part of Yongchang Prefecture,” Lub Su thought for a moment about the previous intelligence and roughly deduced.

”It seems we underestimated Yizhou’s civil and military capabilities. They are quite competent,” Li Youu said, stroking his chin. ”It seems there’s a chance they might recover the entire Yizhou. It’s been a hundred years now, and unexpectedly, it’s Liu Jiyu, who was always underestimated, who managed to bring the entire Yizhou back.”

”That’s not entirely accurate. Zichuan’s notion that circumstances create heroes applies here. Liu Jiyu indeed had many issues, but when pressed hard this time, he did it with the instigation of his subordinates—civil and military officials. It worked,” Lub Su smiled. Sometimes, that’s just how it goes: without trying, success is never possible, but once you do, success might arrive.

”What’s the situation with the Yong Family now?” Li Youu asked with curiosity. Honestly, the Yong Family is indeed unfortunate this time, but their decisiveness also shows the resolve of a family that has remained steadfast in Yizhou for 400 years.

”They’re contacting us. They seem unwilling to accept defeat, but defeat is defeat. Although Liu Zhang does not seem to want to deal with them, they appear disinterested in staying in Yizhou. They are contacting us, hoping to partake in the upcoming aristocratic family migration.” Truthfully, Lub Su was impressed with the Yong Family for acquiring such information.

After hunkering down in southern Yizhou for years, they rarely participated in the aristocratic family’s meetings and generally did not accept invitations. They seemed like a family that had lived in isolation for years, yet they still managed to obtain the current internal information circulating among the aristocratic families. It seems the Yong Family is not as isolated as they were said to be.

”Notify the Governor of Yizhou about this. After getting their consent, make promises to the Yong Family. After all, they are part of the Imperial Clan; there’s no need to offend them,” Li Youu said calmly. ”It seems there’s a good chance of achieving peace both north and south this time.”

”Indeed, what used to be very troublesome has surprisingly become easy now. By the way, has Wen He handed over the Ma Zheng matters to you? It’s time to collect the resources again,” Lub Su instructed Li Youu, noting they had only so many people left in the Political Office recently.

”I’ve assigned Weishuo to handle it. He gathered a group of noted scholars skilled in horse evaluation and training. Of course, those scholars also brought a group of servants,” Li Youu said nonchalantly.

At his time in Xiliang, those in the Xiliang Iron Cavalry would take care of their warhorses. The same grazing method will now be used, especially since there are quite a few retired soldiers.

”That’s fair,” Lub Su nodded, then hesitated before saying, ”I’m planning to retract the Navy’s financial authority; problems are bound to arise eventually.”

”Are you worried?” Li Youu asked with a slight smile at his lips.

”Not for this generation; I’m worried about the next,” Lub Su said after a moment’s silence.

Truthfully, for people like Lub Su, the hereditary nature of the military was not an issue at all. Even Chen Xi thought it was not problematic. The real issue is that the military must be the army of the nation and ethnicity, not of a single family or clan.

The biggest issue with the Navy is not its homogeneous composition. In fact, the most homogeneous is the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, yet the camaraderie and combat power of those from the same hometown and regiment ensure effectiveness in this era, so this aspect can be overlooked.

The real issue is that the Navy has independent financial authority and independent power to launch expeditions, which is a substantial problem in Lub Su’s view. Everything else can be tolerated, but this must not be. It implies the Navy is essentially independent of external control.

Although Lub Su does not consider Gan Ning problematic, relying on an individual’s morality is unacceptable for someone like Lub Su.

”Oh, you want to revoke these powers exclusive to Xingba?” Li Youu watched Lub Su calmly, but placed extra emphasis on the words ”exclusive to Xingba.”

”I’m afraid that in the next generation, this power could lead to unrest. Relying on an individual’s fate is not something you and I should do,” Lub Su said with utmost seriousness.

”Indeed,” Li Youu nodded as if acknowledging this matter.

”Shall we think of a solution then?” Lub Su seemed to exhale with relief, a smile on his face as he asked. However, Li Youu’s next words completely froze Lub Su’s expression, ”No, I refuse. This is a matter for the next generation. Let’s wait for Zichuan to pass away, or until the Lord himself brings up the issue.”