Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Having four million piculs of grain by next summer harvest shouldn’t be a problem, and even if we have to gather the refugees from Qingzhou in the meantime, we can just about sustain ourselves. My suggestion is to continue with construction; wherever we gather people, we build, and we implement Zilong’s Tuntian Decree there as well,” Chen Xi said nonchalantly as he scanned through the pages of a book. He did not have the habit of starting with flattery or engaging in superfluous talk, and although sometimes he had no choice but to do so, there was no need for it now.

”Considering the shortage of food, I plan to have the Mi Family purchase grain in Jizhou, Jingzhou, and Yizhou. Similarly, Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping will also be procuring cattle and horses in the Great Prairie. After that, cattle and sheep will become scarce, and as for the issue with northern barbarian cattle not being used for farming, we’ll handle that once they are brought back,” Chen Xi continued, increasing the investment in grain and fodder.

”The Qingzhou salt industry has already reserved the goods to crush the salt smugglers of the Great Han. Lord Xuande needs to be mentally prepared to withstand the counterattack from the aristocratic families behind those salt smugglers. There are two ways to deal with this: one is to ignore and proceed with dumping prices to disqualify all salt traders, making the aristocratic families feel that it is worthless to continue their efforts.” Chen Xi outlined the risks as well as the solutions, showing that he came prepared.

”Of course, the downside to this approach is that the aristocratic families will hold a grudge, and when they have the chance, they will definitely not be lenient. The advantage is that no one can meddle, and as we grow stronger, they will gradually constrain their desires. This can also serve as a benchmark to determine exactly how much stronger we have become, though it will be somewhat more troublesome,” Chen Xi said as he looked over at Liu Bei.

”Lord Xuande, please consider whether to use this method,” Lub Su said with a bow and a smile, ”Lord Xuande can be assured that even if this method is used, with Zichuan’s caution, the aristocratic families will not have the slightest chance to turn the tables.” Liu Bei nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Chen Xi glanced at the two men, wondering when they had become so confident in him, but he didn’t wait for Liu Bei to speak before continuing. After all, if they went with the above direction, it would indeed mean taking on a lot of debt and seriously offending the aristocratic families.

”Although I am not particularly fond of those aristocratic families that control the essentials of life, I think we can subdue them and turn them into our clients. As long as there is a profit to be made, there will be no shortage of willing aristocratic families,” Chen Xi said with a shrug, ”I think it’s necessary to ease the tension between the two sides. As for the Aristocratic Families of Yingchuan, I think they need to be dealt with. The latest intelligence reports that Xun Yu has joined Cao Cao, who calls him ’my Zifang!’ Coupled with the previous attitude of the Aristocratic Families of Yingchuan, I think the arrogance of the literati will also create enemies equal to them. I don’t mind sharing the profits of the Yingchuan aristocratic families with others, as this will naturally bring people to help us with the issue.”

”Cao Cao really is shameless, daring to call a civil official ’my Zifang’–how ignorant does one have to be to do such a thing!” Zhang Fei said scornfully, ”The Marquis Liu of the glorious four-hundred-year Prosperous Han is not someone any commoner can compare with.”

It was clear that Zhang Liang held a high position in Zhang Fei’s eyes within the Zhang Family.

”Although I’m not too willing to admit it, but the truth is, if Xun Yu had been in the early Han dynasty, it’s likely he wouldn’t be inferior to Marquis Liu,” Chen Xi said seriously after glancing at Zhang Fei, ”Cao Mengde does not like to flatter others.”

Upon hearing Chen Xi’s words, Lub Su and Liu Bei looked at each other helplessly. Marquis Liu, that was a peak one could not surpass, and now there appeared to be a talent comparable to Marquis Liu, and worse, not under their own command. This was indeed troublesome, and as for the credibility of Chen Xi’s words, Liu Bei and Lub Su had always acknowledged it.

”Xun Wenruo can be set aside, I and Zijing can match him to a degree. The trouble lies in the connections of the Xun Family, or rather Xun Wenruo’s connections. A genius’s friends can only be geniuses. Hence, it won’t be long before Cao Mengde takes flight,” Chen Xi casually put down the manuscript, ”That’s why we now need talent. If we can’t draw from the aristocracy, then we’ll just make it known that we’re looking for talent—we shall issue a call for the wise and able across the land.”

Chen Xi smiled and pressed his hand on his seat cushion before standing up, ”Please, Lord Xuande, issue the Talent Recruitment Order. Proclaim our search for the wise and able across the land, regardless of their background. We seek only their virtue and ability!”

Lub Su was shocked, and then quickly came to his senses and reached out to grab Chen Xi’s sleeve, hoping he would sit down. This matter was too shocking—if carried out, it would completely shatter the traditional system of recommendation by the aristocracy, and those who defy the universal morals will be forsaken by all under heaven!

Liu Bei gave a wry smile; he finally understood that Chen Xi was cornering him here. He wondered if such an order could be issued. Once he did, he would break a system of recommendation that had stood for either four hundred or even twelve hundred years. Yet, if he didn’t act upon observing Chen Xi’s determined expression, Liu Bei knew he would lose Chen Xi.

”Very well! I, Liu Xuande, shall be the first to invite the wise from all across the land,” Liu Bei finally made up his mind and declared, looking at Chen Xi’s countenance.

”Lord Xuande is not the first to do this. The first was Duke Xiao of Qin. The importance of Shang Yang’s reforms is undeniable—it ended seven hundred years of chaos. The second was King Zhao of Yan who built a platform to recruit the wise. He widely accepted wise scholars from all across the land, valuing talent above all. And then…” said Chen Xi as he turned his head to glance at Lub Su, who was still pulling at his sleeve.

”Ahem, Lord Xuande should know how powerful Qi State was and how weak Yan State was. At one point, Qi State had annihilated Yan State. King Zhao of Yan wanted to change the state of his country, but the wise men favored Jixia Academy and had no fondness for Yan State. Therefore, Yan State could never challenge Qi State. Later, out of desperation, King Zhao built a platform and invited the wise from all under heaven. Guo Wei suggested spending a daughter’s weight in gold to buy a horse’s bone. From then on, people acknowledged King Zhao’s sincerity. Consequently, Le Yi, Zou Yan, and Jie Xin all went to Yan State. The rest, I presume, everyone here knows well enough,” Lub Su spoke with ease about these historical anecdotes and not a single name was misplaced, while Chen Xi only recalled Le Yi and Zou Yan, the others being vague and unrelated to him.

Everyone knew what followed. The powerful Great Eastern Nation, Qi State, was directly annihilated by Le Yi. No matter how prestigious Jixia Academy was, it could not withstand the collective challenge of the wise from all across the land. Qi State was extinguished by Le Yi. If it weren’t for the overly slow policy of appeasement towards Qi and King Hui’s suspicion followed by Tian Dan’s fire oxen formation defeating the Yan Army, it could be said that Qi State would have been completely destroyed…

”Please remember, Lord Xuande, there are many wise talents under heaven. Jixia Academy claims to have captured all the wise under heaven, but once the Golden Terrace was established to honor Le Yi, it was easy for the five states to destroy Qi. Similarly, the talents of today appear to be monopolized by the aristocracy, but I dare say, once you issue the order, there will naturally be enough wise men to help you crush the offspring of the aristocracy,” Chen Xi bowed respectfully, ”Please Lord Xuande, issue the order!”

Lub Su also stood up and bowed deeply to Liu Bei, ”Please, Lord Xuande, issue the order.” Then, everyone present stood up, and in unison they said, ”Please, my Lord, issue the order.” All of them came from Humble Families, not from aristocratic backgrounds.

In September of the year 191, General Anton, Liu Bei, issued an order calling for talents across the land at Mount Tai regardless of their background, only inquiring about their virtue and ability. For the first time in five hundred years, since King Zhao of Yan, the second Talent Recruitment Order appeared before the world.