Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi had explained everything that needed to be explained and had hinted to Yuan Shu, leaving the rest to Yuan Shu himself. Chen Xi needed to get to work. Whether it was compiling extremely simple military books or drafting rewards, everything ultimately involved Chen Xi.

In fact, most of the rewards had already been finalized. Grand Princess Liu Tong wasn’t very familiar with these affairs, so Chen Xi had completed the reports. After reviewing them, Liu Cao Sunx basically made no amendments and returned the documents for mutual verification.

Chen Xi was actually quite curious if this strategy was taught to Liu Tong by Jia Xu. In any case, this move was quite effective. If Liu Tong were a man, this move might have allowed her to stabilize the emperor’s position amidst multiple constraints.

However, because she was a princess, even though Xun Yu and others could see the hidden dangers of this move, they didn’t pay much attention. Therefore, people like Chen Xi had already come to know about their marquisates and official positions in advance.

Having been referred to as Marquis Chen for a long time, now he was finally, completely Marquis Chen, with a fiefdom in Chen Land. From a certain perspective, Chen Xi’s marquis rank had reached its limit.

Liu Bei was strangely appointed Duke of Jin. At first, Chen Xi didn’t understand why it was Duke of Jin, but later, Jia Xu mentioned it was preparation for becoming a king, and Chen Xi understood.

In ancient times, the king’s title for the imperial clan was possibly not even as significant as the high-ranking marquises, but there were four special king titles: King of Qin, King of Jin, King Qi, and King of Chu.

These four king titles were considered the highest-ranking, generally not granted outside, even within the imperial clan, often awarded to the Crown Prince or princes. Jia Xu’s meaning was clear; Liu Bei was set on the path of becoming King of Jin.

At that moment, Chen Xi felt quite bewildered. Rolling and tumbling, it still ended up being Jin. Could it be that the third revival of Yanhan ends as Jin Han? It sounds a bit odd, having that feeling of Three Families Returning to Jin.

As for official positions, there were no significant changes. Liu Bei remained Grand Commandant, Cao Cao was still Minister of Works, Chen Xi became Minister of Personnel overseeing Prime Minister duties, with Xun Yu’s role as Imperial Secretary attached to handle affairs in Chen Xi’s absence.

As for Sunx Ce, he directly advanced to Great Perfection, mainly because Zhou Yu was too aggressive. Coupled with appointing Marquis of Shu, it seemed somewhat reckless. Hence, he was appointed Marquis of Anyang Township, inheriting his ancestor’s title, ultimately reaching the position of Marquis of Wu.

Huang Zhong was, unsurprisingly, appointed Marquis of Pingluo, with Cao Cao becoming Marquis of Ningqin County. Others received various rewards as well, resulting in universal joy.

Due to the three marquisates, Chen Xi noticed some intriguing matters. Of course, this is on the premise that Jia Xu’s words weren’t meaningless. As things stood, the Grand Princess seemed far more generous than Liu Xie. Though her exact thoughts were unknown, her rewards indeed seemed more substantial than many Han emperors.

Even though, in the long run, this might not be beneficial, with only the Central Plains, it may soon exhaust all possible grants. But if they expanded outward with the Central Plains as the core, the Grand Princess’s rewards would be quite significant.

However, Chen Xi doubted Jia Xu would reveal such depths to the Grand Princess, as their relationship hadn’t reached such levels.

”Whew, this aspect is nearly complete. The Grand Assembly dragged on until now, but people are coming together. First, review it; do what can be done first, and deal with the rest later,” Chen Xi said, taking a deep breath.

Looking at the material in his hand, he first felt grateful for once having skimmed through books on this topic, then thankful for spending many years in the military, understanding roughly what the situation was.

”Marquis of Anyang Township, come over and review the manual I’ve compiled to see if there are any issues,” Chen Xi called out to Zhou Yu nearby, who extended his left hand towards Chen Xi while keeping his head down.

”Come, take a look at the manual I’ve compiled for training middle and lower-level military officers. It claims that those who have mingled among the officers can understand in one read and learn in two,” Chen Xi boasted arrogantly to Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu, expressionless, took the manual and began flipping through it silently. The contents were not extensive, with barely thirty to forty thousand words, but indeed, as Chen Xi said, the material was exceptionally simple.

”Not discussing the content, but the script, your writing is not worthy of your manual’s content,” commented Zhou Yu, leaving Chen Xi feeling dejected. His handwriting was considered good in later generations, but in this era, it didn’t measure up.

Even a master of national studies would kneel in such a time. Their daily life was the essence of your entire research; how can deliberate imitation compare with their lifetime’s immersion?

”Is there anything else?” Chen Xi pleaded not to mention the handwriting; he believed he had written quite well.

”There’s one more thing—your military command is far inferior to your governance. I used to think you were holding back or something, but now I’m certain—your military command cannot compare to your administrative capabilities.” After putting down the stack of documents in his hand, Zhou Yu spoke slowly.

”You could have just said my writing wasn’t good enough. Why beat around the bush so much? Am I that sensitive? Previously, I asked you to write it, but you refused, forcing me to make a move. Now you’re criticizing me. Zhou Gongjin, do you want to fight?” Chen Xi glared at Zhou Yu, clearly annoyed.

”Well, it’s not that it’s badly written—it’s actually very well written. It’s quite suitable as educational material, but think about how you used to handle government affairs. Even a Mengxue set made people like us have to think deeply.” Zhou Yu glanced at Chen Xi and spoke slowly.

”So this thing can be used now, right?” Chen Xi asked, displeased.

”Yes, I’ll modify some details and find someone with good handwriting to make a clean copy,” Zhou Yu nodded and said, ”After that, you can use it as a textbook. Also, I suggest removing the sections on stipends and allowances.”

”Be open about things, at least let the soldiers know where their money comes from, and let them see if their stipends are being shorted, so those who exploit the army’s resources can die early,” Chen Xi said, curling his lip.

”You’re thinking too simply. What if, in the future, we can’t afford to pay them?” Zhou Yu said calmly, ”If things are too clear-cut, once a problem arises, it can’t be covered up.”

”If it reaches that extent, then this dynasty is better off collapsing,” Chen Xi sneered, ”This is a line that must not be crossed. Everything else can decay, but once the military rots, then this nation is truly finished.”

”When officials rot, you can just kill them all—it’s fine. As long as the military isn’t in chaos, any so-called great disaster is just a joke. Back in Emperor Ling’s day, if he could have maintained an army of 200,000, do you think the Yellow Turban Rebellion would have allowed him to purge the entire bureaucratic system and replace them with newcomers?” Chen Xi said coldly, ”As long as the army isn’t rotten, there’s still hope for this country!”

”Even if this country collapses because all the officials fall and becomes a military-controlled regime, as long as the military isn’t rotten, they can still fight tough battles and defend the nation, then this country, this nation, won’t be doomed. But if the military collapses, then this country, this nation, are also doomed.” Chen Xi stared at Zhou Yu coldly, determined not to back down on this point.

”Have you ever thought, what if there are continuous natural disasters, and the country doesn’t have enough funds...” Zhou Yu didn’t feel any animosity towards Chen Xi’s words. On the contrary, he understood them quite well. But he still needed to make his point clear.

”What kind of crappy country would collapse because of natural disasters—that never happens unless there’s too much garbage in the upper echelons. I say, at that point, it’s time to raise the bladed knife and purge the ranks,” Chen Xi said disdainfully, causing Zhou Yu to feel he had no suitable response.

”Well, since that’s your attitude, there’s nothing more to say,” Zhou Yu said with some helplessness, ”Let’s talk about something else then. In the past few years, because of the chaos in the Central Plains, there hasn’t been a Grand Assembly conducted properly. This year, if everything proceeds, there will be a lot to address.”

”Are you, Zhou Gongjin, actually worried about not finishing the work?” Chen Xi said with a playful smile.

”Oh, don’t worry, for this year’s assembly, I only have one agenda—strongly advocating for the separation of military and governmental affairs, then I’ll leave the governing to you and go be a general.” Zhou Yu said expressionlessly. He had long wanted to propose the separation of military and government affairs. Without the separation, he had to do the work of two people.

”Rest assured, I’ll definitely oppose the motion, even though I also believe separating military from government has its benefits. But now is not the time to separate.” Chen Xi decisively vetoed Zhou Yu’s proposal. What a joke—separating military and government now would mean half of the workforce is gone.

”In any case, assessments, rewards, punishments—these have little to do with us. The people below can handle them. We must first suggest forming a military advisory and inner cabinet to gather truly capable individuals together,” Chen Xi sighed and said.

”Forming it independently from the existing system? I feel like you’re going to stir things up,” Zhou Yu thought for a moment and said, but he had to admit that the military advisory system from before proved to be meaningful.

”I’m on board with this; although we’ll eventually have to dismantle it if we form it now, I support its formation. Xun Wenruo should have already given you the response you wanted, right?” Zhou Yu paused momentarily and then nodded.

”Don’t let me down then. I’ll have someone propose it. By the way, has Yuan Gonglu not stirred up any trouble?” Chen Xi pondered and asked.

”Yuan Gong is fine, I guess,” Zhou Yu said somewhat uncertainly.

Speaking of which, Zhou Yu couldn’t help but recall Yuan Shu, who had returned covered in blood the day before, likely having cut someone down again. But with the Grand Assembly imminent, cutting people in Chang’an made Zhou Yu somewhat hesitant. He specifically went to check and found that Yuan Shu had hidden it very well. From this aspect, Yuan Shu had his skills.