Mythical Three Kingdoms

Liu Bei nodded upon hearing this and said nothing more. It was good that Chen Xi had precautions. As long as Chen Xi was mentally prepared, then the matter wasn’t too big of a deal to be honest.

On the other side, Li You was busy handling the aftermath left by Chen Xi. At the initial contact, Li You thought this matter was extremely troublesome, but now it has been confirmed that the Xin Xue spread by Ji Xiang is not psychology but the authentic School of Mind, with Unity of Knowledge and Action at its core.

Though it felt somewhat patchwork, its core thought was high enough to reluctantly counter those of the Great Confucian Scholars. With such a cover, although some perverse thoughts were exposed during the debate, it was suppressed by the core philosophy, and it was virtually impossible for a normal person to deduce an alternative explanation.

”What’s the situation, Fengxiao.” By the evening, when Li You had almost finished tidying up all the aftermath, Guo Jia’s part was basically resolved as well.

”Much better than expected.” Guo Jia nodded, ”Zichuan, although there were factors of negligence and missteps, overall the precautions were very strict. Those who participated in the debate at that time are no longer in Ye City now.”

”Hmm?” Li You slightly frowned, ”What’s the reason for them not being here? Hopefully, it’s not because they discovered some clues and then hid in the deep mountains and forests to research.”

”No, Lord Kang Cheng and Duke Yana Fang were invited to the Northeast by some northerly aristocratic families to give lectures shortly after debating with Ji Xiang. Initially, it seemed it was only Duke Yana Fang and Guann You’an, but later Zichuan detained Guann You’an.” Guo Jia slowly explained.

”So you mean the ten people involved with Ji Xiang at that time are now unlikely to be in contact with what happened here?” Li You said quietly after a moment of silence.

”There’s absolutely no chance of contact. These people were personally approved by Zichuan and sent to the Northeast. Because the Confucian School was heavily targeted by the Hundred Schools of Thought, severing the middle and lower levels, they are now all alone. Plus, it was Lord Ci Ming who personally came to invite them, so there’s absolutely no chance anyone remains within the borders.” Guo Jia nodded and said.

”Then basically there’s no problem with this matter, the only questionable reason is why the newly founded establishment closed its doors not long after they opened. However, this issue is too far-fetched for those great scholars who have already gone to the Northeast, there’s little possibility of them contemplating it.” Li You knocked lightly on the desk, starting to ponder if there were any loopholes.

”That’s simple, the Lord knows the importance and urgency of the matter, just request an Imperial Edict.” Guo Jia said with a playful smile, ”After all, she’s a lady, about to get married, what’s closing some gates.”

”That’s a good move.” Li You nodded silently upon hearing this, ”At that time, send an invitation letter to those ten involved initially.”

”There’s basically no chance they would personally come, so this would completely cover it up. As for sending troops, it’s not a big problem, we’ll just shut our mouths on this end, Wen Ru, see if there’s any other issue.” Guo Jia sat cross-legged across from Li You and asked.

”You handle the marriage issues, I’ll think of ways to supplement the Imperial Edict.” Li You said calmly, by such a consolidated patch-up, there would only be one trouble left, that is, watching over Ji Xiang.

”What did Zijing say about this?” Guo Jia laughed and cursed.

”As long as Zijing’s grandmother agrees, it’s fine. Moreover, Zijing’s grandmother herself is fond of Ji Xiang, after all, Ji Xiang has shown kindness to both Zijing and her grandmother. Convincing her this time won’t be too difficult, it’s just that the Ji Family needs an explanation, otherwise they might harbor suspicions.” Li You looked at Guo Jia’s expression and shook his head, Lu Su, Taishi Ci, and Xu Shu were known for their filial piety.

”Supplement the three letters and six ceremonies urgently, speak covertly, anyway, don’t let them see Ji Xiang. Give them a wrong impression, either as a concubine, or maintain the Ji Family’s facade, let the Ji Family still believe their daughter is the same as before.” Guo Jia slowly suggested.

Li You nodded, ”In that case, you handle this aspect, I’ll resolve the Imperial Edict issue, we’ll split up and quickly turn this matter into a fact.”

”Alright.” Guo Jia nodded, aware that this matter could not be delayed. After Chen Xi mentioned it, he immediately left to investigate relevant things.

But the situation was still passable, at least there were no unexpected occurrences, and since there was no leak, Li You and Guo Jia were absolutely confident to cover up this matter.

”What about those hundreds of thousands of captives?” Li You slowly said.

”No need to worry, just continue to use them as slaves. Their current state is almost the best slave labor, their progress will far exceed normal levels, just use them directly, no need to cover, organize them into an independent unit.” Guo Jia contemplated for a moment before saying.

Compared to Li You’s approach of killing if not feasible, Guo Jia still needed to think about it. As for Chen Xi, although he did not agree with Gongsun Zan’s view that a dead Hun is a good Hun, Chen Xi certainly would not talk about human rights to Miscellaneous Hun captives.

Chen Xi’s talks on human rights are always for his own people. For enemies, once they become opponents, the best way for them is to use the rest of their lives to make amends, of course, this is under the condition where the opponents are unwilling to offer ransom.

Therefore, when faced with those who have already distorted will, zealously seeking self-retribution Hu People, Chen Xi felt no pressure at all.

The captives were initially captured to force them into labor, to redeem their sins. Now they are eager to self-atone due to twisted will, and Chen Xi would not feel this is wrong, nor would he think his actions are problematic.

They were captured, prepared for twenty years of hard labor, so why the pretense? If one truly wanted to speak of human rights, speak of being a Holy Mother, from the start, Chen Xi should have sent the Han Dynasty’s reserved grain to the previously winter-stricken Miscellaneous Hun, letting them comfortably pass the winter, thereby achieving the ”Datong Society.”

This is nonsense. If you choose war, then be prepared for defeat. According to the ancient way of war, these captives who cannot be ransomed are considered personal property. Don’t mention using them for experiments; even if they were killed, no one would care.

The civil war within our own clan considers human rights and has some moral constraints. As for wars against foreign clans, especially against Barbarians, for wars against clans without culture and civilization, it’s not child’s play; if you lose, your country perishes and it’s your fate!

Therefore, from the start, Li Youu, Guo Jia, and Lub Su didn’t care about the lives of those hundreds of thousands of Miscellaneous Hun. They were concerned with Ji Xiang’s uncontrollable destructive power. Understand clearly, it’s the uncontrollable destructive power.

As for those hundreds of thousands of Miscellaneous Hun, truth be told, people like Guo Jia and Li Youu feel that becoming this way is somewhat eerie, but in practical terms, it’s more useful.

”It’s also good,” Li Youu mused for a while and said. Frankly, Li Youu found it a bit regrettable to directly kill those hundreds of thousands of Miscellaneous Hun.

Finally, they managed to bring about hundreds of thousands of obedient, hard-working, and uncomplaining Miscellaneous Hun who volunteer to atone for their sins, making the country’s development speed soar as if flying, greatly promoting the speed of the entire nation’s infrastructure.

Thus, after hesitating for a while, Li Youu decided to keep these hundreds of thousands of Miscellaneous Hun, after all, they are a group of good captives who endure hardship without complaints.

”You wouldn’t really want to kill them all, would you?” Guo Jia said, somewhat exasperated, Li Youu, that scoundrel, remained as ruthless as ever.

”Didn’t the previous solution just entirely eliminate them?” Li Youu remained silent for a while and said. To be honest, if it weren’t for the immense support these people provide for the country’s upcoming construction, Li Youu would indeed wield his butcher’s knife because killing people poses no pressure for him.

”Try to kill fewer people if possible, though Miscellaneous Hun aren’t really considered people, seeing their current state, you shouldn’t have such thoughts.” Guo Jia poured a glass of wine for Li Youu and admonished.

Li Youu snorted internally; if it weren’t for seeing these people being so suitable as laborers, Li Youu would indeed wipe them all out for secrecy’s sake.

Guo Jia, seeing Li Youu’s expressionless face, could also guess the other’s thoughts, sighing internally. Although he doesn’t consider Miscellaneous Hun as people either, ordering their massacre would be difficult for him.

Guo Jia and Chen Xi, in the battlefield against enemies, had eliminated tens of thousands without any pressure, but when it comes to casually slaughtering captives, they still have some psychological stress. To be honest, this isn’t precisely a matter of benevolence; it can only be said to be a moral principle in human behavior.

After clinking their glasses, Li Youu and Guo Jia chatted for a bit, then Guo Jia left Li Youu’s mansion. From now on, within ten days, the two could essentially resolve all the problems possibly left behind by this matter.

”Yuan’er, come out.” After Guo Jia left, Li Youu’s face turned solemn, and he said without looking back.

Shortly, Li Yuan came out from the side hall, looking at Li Youu somewhat fearfully. Although she is the only daughter, her father did not excessively spoil her; instead, she respects and fears Li Youu more.

”Father,” Li Yuan said with her head low, feeling somewhat scared.

”Who told you to go?” Li Youu stared at Li Yuan and said.

”I chose to go myself,” Li Yuan said, lowering her head.

”Don’t think I don’t know your thoughts. Is there any problem with the Ji Family Lady’s stuff? Others can’t see it, but you can’t see it?” Li Youu stared at Li Yuan coldly and said.

Li Youu has only one daughter and does not intend to have more offspring because years ago he knew, if he succeeded, he’d be sure to face backlash after death. Having sons would only mean planning for their future. It’s better to dedicate fully to realizing his own ideals.

”...” Li Yuan stayed silent. Could she say Zhuge Liang’s escape upset her mood? Who cares about all those messy matters?

”Speak, what are your thoughts?” Looking at his daughter’s expression, Li Youu softened for a moment and said.

”I want to go to the Western Regions,” Li Yuan said quietly.

”If you leave, don’t come back.” Li Youu said coldly.

”Huh?” Li Yuan was stunned, then quickly ran out while saying, ”Actually Ji Xiang doesn’t mind confinement. In fact, most of the time she stays in one place without moving.”