Mythical Three Kingdoms

Eleven 12,000-word requests for updates have me on my knees; I could handle 3,000 words, but at 12,000, I’m definitely feeding a spoiled child...

Speaking of which, back then King Zhao of Yan recruited talents and built a high platform, the very one later mentioned in a poem by Li Bai: ”Serving with a pen on the Golden Terrace, passing cups on the Jade Wine Passing Tray.” The original high platform thus became known as the Golden Terrace, and from then on the saying of ’guests upon the Golden Terrace’ came into being.

With such a precedent set, Liu Bei’s recruitment of talents also called for the construction of something similar, in keeping with ancient customs. Even if someone were to cause trouble, they would have to contend with King Zhao of Yan, dead for five hundred years—we were simply following ancient customs.

After issuing the Talent Recruitment Order, Liu Bei planned to follow King Zhao’s policy and build a stage twenty-nine feet high. Of course, it was impossible to build it as extravagantly large as twenty acres like that of King Zhao’s. Liu Bei simply intended to pile up a mound of earth about two hundred meters in diameter. After all, King Zhao was a hegemon of the Spring and Autumn Period, while he himself was merely a General Anton; there was no comparison.

Naturally, as soon as Liu Bei’s proposal was put forth, before Lub Su and others could agree, Chen Xi immediately vetoed it. Agreeing with the majority initially, only to reject it later, would seem to go against the flow. A wise man should always align with the majority. Of course, even if in the minority, one must be capable of overriding the majority, and now Chen Xi hoped Liu Bei would stand with him.

”Let’s build a Library Pavilion,” Chen Xi said with a smiling face, ”Given that we can produce three to five hundred books a day with woodblock printing, King Zhao had the Jade Wine Passing Tray; we could give a book to each person...”

Chen Xi’s proposal was immediately rejected. The earlier part of the proposal was quite good, but Lub Su was the first to object to the latter part. Giving away the ’Petition,’ a book worth a thousand gold per copy—you are being too generous.

After his proposal was denied, Chen Xi thought for a moment and realized his mistake. Unlike his era, the ’Petition’ at that time was definitely considered a family heirloom. It was indeed a bit too much to distribute it.

”Oh, then let’s place the more than ten thousand books we’ve printed into the Library Pavilion. Those selected by us can take the books home for reading enjoyment. Of course, the time varies from one to three months,” Chen Xi came up with another proposal. ”As for the Library Pavilion, it can be built with a north-south orientation; the north-facing south would be for Military Strategy, and the other for various books. The Military Strategy Library Pavilion can be slightly smaller. A small altar can be built between the two for the selection of military generals.”

”This sounds pretty good!” Lub Su nodded in agreement with Chen Xi’s idea and then the other people also nodded their heads. Liu Bei decided that’s how it would be built. To show its importance, the Library Pavilion would be constructed in the style of city walls and imperial palaces, meaning the walls would be over two meters thick and made entirely of stone. As for other wooden structures, there was no difference; they would follow traditional mortise and tenon joints.

Of course, a construction project that broke the rules had to be reported. However, in these chaotic times, Liu Bei, as a clan relative of the Emperor, was building such an edifice under the noble cause of recruiting talents for the country, making it highly likely that Emperor Xiann would approve the project, with a ninety-nine percent chance of success.

Having said so much, the point is that the structure has not yet been built, so the place for recruiting talents is still just a plaza...

When Liu Bei and Chen Xi arrived, they saw a man of great stature who stood eight feet tall, with imposing looks and features. He carried two short halberds on his back, held a longbow in his hand, had a Precious Sword at his waist, and was leading a prized horse. He stood beside Zang Ba.

”Lord,” Zang Ba said loudly, bowing with a fist as Liu Bei approached, ”this is Taishi Ziyi, a man of honor from Qingzhou. Hearing that the Lord is widely recruiting talents without regard to background, he has come to join you.”

”Excellent, excellent, I indeed need heroes like Taishi Ziyi here,” Liu Bei laughed heartily, turning to Taishi Ci as he spoke. ”May I ask if Ziyi is willing to condescend to join us?”

”I have seen Lord Xuande,” Taishi Ci greeted with a bow. ”I have traveled all the way from Donglai of Qingzhou to the Mount Tai Commandery. Qingzhou is in decline, while Mount Tai is prosperous. I have sought refuge in Youzhou Liaodong Commandery, where I saw the local counties in disarray, yet under Lord Xuande’s governance for less than a year, Mount Tai has already returned to its former prosperity. Along the way, I have heard nothing but high praise for Lord Xuande’s generosity and kindness! I am willing to follow Lord Xuande, to serve before and after the saddle, and dare not disobey!” With that, Taishi Ci knelt on one knee.

Liu Bei extended a hand to help Taishi Ci up and, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, knew this man must embody loyalty and righteousness. ”No need for such grand gestures, Ziyi, please rise quickly. With the Han Dynasty striving for rejuvenation, we have gained another valiant general!”

”Ziyi, this gentleman is the Governor of Mount Tai Commandery, my strategist, Chen Xi, Chen Zichuan. Everything you have seen along the way was strategized by Zichuan. It was also under his guidance that we gathered the refugees in half a year and revitalized farming and commerce.” Liu Bei introduced him to Taishi Ci with a smile, while Chen Xi respectfully bowed, ”Chen Zichuan of Mount Tai has seen Taishi Ziyi.”

”Dare not, dare not,” Taishi Ci spoke humbly, touched, ”On the way here, I heard that the Governor of Mount Tai Commandery was not yet twenty, yet I did not expect him to be so young.” Taishi Ci continued with a note of wistfulness, ”I remember when I sought refuge in Youzhou Liaodong Commandery, I saw the Great Confucian Scholars, Huazi Fish (Hua Xin), Bing Genju (Bing Yuan), Guann You’an (Guann Ning), and Wang Yana Fang (Wang Lie), govern Liaodong. They had turned the once-desolate Liaodong into a paradise on earth in less than half a year, and to think I have now encountered a similar individual in the Central Plains.”

”I do not deserve such high praise from Ziyi...” Chen Xi replied with a wry smile. Those four were impossible to compare with. Wang Lie’s character was enough to cause one to feel ashamed, Hua Xin’s eloquence inspired awe, Guann Ning’s integrity brought about self-reflection, and Bing Yuan’s steadfast morals were incomparable.

In short, those four set the benchmark, and anyone who dared to compare themselves to them was practically looking for trouble. Chen Xi certainly would not put his neck on the line, but Taishi Ci had revealed an important piece of information: the group of eminent people, including the four hermits, were still in Liaodong.

As Chen Xi had planned, upon Taishi Ci’s arrival, Liu Bei hosted a welcome feast to wash the dust from his journey. He then arranged for Taishi Ci to assist Zhao Yun in training the Tuntian Soldiers and to help with some agricultural affairs.

After all, Taishi Ci could be considered a native of Qingzhou, and at present, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were secretly encroaching upon the territory of Qingzhou. Zhao Yun, waving the flag of humanitarian aid, was currently leading the Qingzhou refugees in Guang County of Qi State, Qingzhou, to reclaim land and prepare for sowing winter wheat.

Chen Xi had always felt such matters required a local guide, and who better than Taishi Ci, who was familiar with the area? Plus, Taishi Ci’s reputation for loyalty had spread across Qingzhou. Was that not prestigious? With both local knowledge and reputation, was he not the most suitable local guide?

With this arrangement, Taishi Ci was very satisfied. Firstly, he commanded over five thousand Tuntian Soldiers and another thousand or so infantry. Moreover, he was charged with clearing out the Yellow Turban bandits in the vicinity of Qingzhou, rescuing his fellow countrymen!

This suited Taishi Ci perfectly! Naturally, he thumped his chest and promised that he would subdue any Yellow Turbans daring to approach Mount Tai Commandery and ensure that all the Yellow Turban bandits would become laborers...

Chen Xi confidently entrusted the troops to Taishi Ci and sent him to reinforce Zhao Yun; but now, Chen Xi had some concerns about this person before him, ”We have never talked about recruiting child labor!”