Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1811: Chapter 1680: Tempering

If Zhou Yu had that skill, he would have started breeding horses long ago. At most, Zhou Yu knows that it can be done, but if asked where to breed them exactly and how, he certainly wouldn’t know!

Truth be told, Chen Xi indeed doesn’t know where Wu State bred horses during the Spring and Autumn Era, nor where Chu State did, but he does know where horses were bred in the South during the Ming Dynasty. He also knows about a breed called Dian Horse. So, Chen Xi knows the location, and as for how to breed horses, he can just copy something from Jia Xu and give it to Zhou Yu.

If it’s said to be unsuitable, then it certainly might be unsuitable, but Sun Ce and Zhou Yu are very clear about the weaknesses of Eastern Wu. Now there’s a chance to compensate for this weakness, even if the plan itself has minor issues or is a trap, as long as it truly resolves the problem, Zhou Yu will give it a try!

Therefore, if used as a bargaining chip, Zhou Yu would surely agree. Naturally, Cao Cao and Liu Bei would each provide some of the horse breeds, and the war spoils from the North could be easily divided afterward.

Of course, Chen Xi certainly won’t tell Zhou Yu that those places are difficult to breed excellent warhorses, and most of the horses from the stables are pack horses. Anyway, Chen Xi will only mention that they can breed horses and produce excellent warhorses, but won’t disclose the breeding rate to Zhou Yu.

However, it shouldn’t be a big deal. The South doesn’t have anyone who understands horse evaluation, so it’s possible Zhou Yu might mistake the pack horses for warhorses. In any case, as long as Chen Xi fulfills his promise to enable horse breeding in the South, that’s enough.

A year later, when the horses are bred, if Zhou Yu learns through other channels that he was deceived by Chen Xi, it might not matter much. By then, Chen Xi would have accumulated enough resources to start the unification war.

By that time, even if Zhou Yu wants to curse Chen Xi for his deceit, he likely won’t have the strength to do so. If he can deal with Liu Bei’s current attack, then he would have the right to curse; if not, then one could only say Chen Xi played it well.

Hence, Chen Xi had thought from the beginning of having Xun Yu raise sheep and plant cotton, while Zhou Yu breeds horses. This way, both would have tasks next year, and he could focus on real work, subtly adjusting the social system in preparation for the future.

While Chen Xi was casually setting a trap for Zhou Yu, Lub Su and others in Ye City received the latest news from the northern Youzhou via War Eagle communication. Despite not being in the North themselves, hearing about it stirred their emotions.

”Suddenly, I regret not going to the North earlier, missing out on such events. So many capable ministers and valiant generals—when we were adversaries, they were hard to handle; now as allies, it’s truly reassuring,” remarked Lub Su slowly with a face full of emotion after setting down the secret letter.

”Even if you went to the North, it’s impossible for you to be like others,” Li Youu sighed, pointing a finger at Lub Su’s coat. Is it really this cold?

Lub Su’s face turned somber, and he began working diligently. Li Youu shook his head. However, the combined strength of Liu Cao Sunx was truly formidable, enough to make him take notice.

[These are the foundations of the Empire—a union of three powers, not yet fully integrated but already so strong. The past era was indeed too weak, our vision confined our capabilities.] Li Youu silently flipped through the materials in front of him, slightly lost in thought.

”Knock, knock, knock!” Lub Su tapped on the table without raising his head, bringing Li Youu back to reality, then pointed to another person in front of him.

”You’ve returned, Suzhi,” Li Youu said with slight embarrassment, but the young man opposite had a deadpan expression, showing no signs of emotion.

”I’ve handled the matters you instructed,” Jia Mu calmly handed a sheet to Li Youu, reflecting his achievements over the period.

Back then, Jia Mu also participated in the civil service exams, and while he wasn’t exceptional, Li Youu’s recommendation was well-deserved. With connections in the court, Jia Mu naturally got a job, and his path has been smooth since entering the field.

Of course, Jia Xu didn’t provide any extra support, but Jia Mu himself had good qualifications, and Li Youu saw his potential for development; he was a genius being raised lazily by Jia Xu.

Past matters need not be discussed much. Jia Xu’s character is well understood by Li Youu, who fought alongside him from Liangzhou. Thus, with Jia Xu’s oldest son having decent qualifications, being raised like lazy livestock by Jia Xu is understandable to Li Youu.

Jia Mu’s participation in the civil service exams happened after Jia Xu saw other pathways and ceased the persistent laziness. Otherwise, Jia Mu would still be languishing under Jia Xu’s lax upbringing.

Now that there’s another path, Jia Mu doesn’t need to become someone who merely wastes away his days. Initially, Jia Xu intended a minor official role for practical experience, aiming for Jia Mu to steadily advance to positions like Nine Ministers or manage a region, considering the future need in the Han Dynasty.

Moreover, Jia Xu understood that future distant governance would allow more policy flexibility. Starting from the bottom, Jia Mu could eventually be a county governor, or even the second or third-ranking provincial governor.

Jia Xu concluded that after the civil service exams, Jia Mu should start as a county magistrate, gaining grassroots experience. By his thirties, he might become a county governor.

However, Li Youu dismissed this plan directly. Jia Mu was already nearly wasted under lax upbringing; continuing this would mean a lifetime of mediocrity. Thus, Li Youu decided to mentor Jia Mu, and Jia Xu, after consideration, handed him over to Li Youu.

This is why others from the civil service exams mostly got posted externally, whereas Jia Mu didn’t take a key county position.

Yet, if Jia Mu could choose, as an entrant of the civil service exams, he’d rather work as a county magistrate than stay under Li Youu, because Li Youu’s tasks aren’t ones an ordinary person can handle.

What kind of person asks someone new to the officialdom to conduct anti-corruption measures? If it weren’t for his father being Jia Xu, Jia Mu would likely feel abandoned.

Life is like this; without a choice, one can only forge ahead. There are always solutions to challenges, so Jia Mu took on the anti-corruption task with determination.

Unsurprisingly, this task isn’t meant for newcomers. Even Zhuge Liang with no experience couldn’t handle such matters well. Naturally, it nearly fell apart, but Li Youu’s intervention saved the day for Jia Mu.

Jia Mu thought he’d face reprimands, but Li Youu casually remarked that he performed decently, albeit his approach was too gentle. He suggested adopting more assertive measures when doubt persists.

Taking this advice to heart, Jia Mu hoped for a more conventional task after a two-day rest, but was surprised when Li Youu summoned him back, handing him a new task—to collect private soldiers from various aristocratic families according to the list.