Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Hahaha, Zichuan is joking, I’ve also met the Lu Clan, and while they are certainly steadfast, to say they can compare with Xiaozhi is quite an overstatement. Xiaozhi may be a bit unorthodox, but his genius is rare in this world,” Liu Bei said solemnly. He wasn’t unfamiliar with Lu Yu; it was precisely because he had seen him that he could make such an evaluation. In his opinion, even though Lu Yu was outstanding, he fell short of Fa Zheng.

”It’s different, Lord Xuande. Xiaozhi excels in strategy and wisdom, but the talent of Lu Yu is latent. Should he take a different path, in terms of achievement, he would not be inferior to Fa Xiaozhi,” Chen Xi shook his head as he spoke.

”Really?” Liu Bei asked, incredulously.

”’Stunning’ doesn’t even begin to describe it,” Chen Xi said, shaking his head and grinning, ”Otherwise, I wouldn’t have personally brought him back. He is very talented.”

”Oh, then I’ll leave him in your care,” Liu Bei thought it over and ultimately trusted Chen Xi’s words, especially since his teacher, Lu Zhi, now had only one son left. If Lu Yu could indeed grow to be like Fa Zheng as Chen Xi claimed, it would be much easier for him to support and prevent the Lu Family from falling into decline.

”Rest assured, within ten years, Lu Zijia will certainly amaze you, Lord Xuande,” Chen Xi said with a smile, ”Is this jade plate a gift from Yuan Benchu?”

”If I had such a jade plate, I would have mortgaged it when building Mount Tai,” Liu Bei said with a laugh, ”Do you like it? If you do, I’ll give it to you. Our white porcelain has been improving.”

With that, Liu Bei picked up his wine cup, which gleamed subtly in its color.

”This development is quite rapid,” Chen Xi said with a wry smile, acknowledging that in ancient times, if there was a real need, technological advancement on the ground could be extraordinarily fast, ”With that said, have they made progress with the agricultural tools and waterwheels I suggested before I left?”

”Not yet. Although there are some results, and Hanmou is quite satisfied, they still fall short of your expectations, and they break down a bit too quickly,” Liu Bei said helplessly, ”But fortunately, Xiaozhi has started working on iron agricultural tools.”

”Are the Grand Craftsmen under you making no headway?” Chen Xi asked, feeling resigned. No matter what, the most crucial issue of the times was the food problem. As long as there was enough to eat, even if the whole market collapsed, the Great Han Dynasty could grit its teeth and survive.

”None,” Liu Bei shook his head, ”Let’s not talk about that. Zijia has arrived, remember to come to my house tonight. I’ll throw a feast for you to wash away the dust from your travels, and there are some matters that need your presence as well.”

”I won’t forget,” Chen Xi nodded.

”I’m just afraid that once your wives and concubines return, you’ll push this matter to the back of your mind. When no outsiders are present, we all know what’s going on. This time, we also need to formally acknowledge the Lul Family, so be a bit more attentive,” Liu Bei admonished, aware that in this respect, Chen Xi had history.

”Lu Zijia pays respect to the General of the East,” Lu Yu said with a calm face and gave Liu Bei a formal bow, then turned and bowed to Chen Xi, ”Paying respects to Marquis Chen.”

”Zijia, there is no need for such formality. Call me ’elder brother,’ ” Liu Bei said with a warm smile. ”Your sister-in-law and nephew are currently at the Lu Mansion next to me. I thought you would follow Duke Wang in his studies, so I didn’t make arrangements. But now that you are back, you might as well live there. They are fully provisioned with food and accommodation.”

”How could Yu be so bereft of manners,” Lu Yu shook his head, while Liu Bei could only shrug helplessly. He didn’t mind at all if Lu Yu addressed him as ’elder brother’, and since he had already said he would take care of the Lu Family, he certainly had no other intentions. Unfortunately, it was clear to Liu Bei that Lu Yu was somewhat dull-witted.

”I had forgotten that you have a residence on Mount Tai. Given that, you had better hurry to see your sister-in-law and nephew. After the Si Hour tomorrow, go to the Political Office. I will introduce someone to you, but whether you can become his apprentice will depend on your own abilities,” Chen Xi turned his head and spoke to Lu Yu. He had been neglectful, but Lu Yu hadn’t even mentioned it to him.

”Thank you, Marquis Chen,” Lu Yu tried his best to maintain his composure as he spoke.

”Go on then,” Liu Bei said with a smile, and then arranged for a couple of guards to accompany Lu Yu to the Lu Mansion.

”What do you think?” Chen Xi inquired.

”He is excessively steady but lacks adaptability, just a mediocre figure. However, as long as I am around, the Lu Clan won’t face any changes. Moreover, with the hardships he endured in his youth, it’s unlikely he’ll become a profligate. With this in mind, not to mention restoring the Lu Clan to its former glory, at least under my protection, it won’t decline,” Liu Bei shook his head as he spoke, still unable to see any hint of brilliance in Lu Yu.

”Tomorrow I will take him to meet Jia Wenhe. Tonight, I will have someone give him the information about Wenhe. With his talents and my recommendation, passing Wenhe’s test won’t be difficult. What matters is whether he takes it seriously. Lord Xuande should understand this by tomorrow,” Chen Xi said with a smile.

”This may not be easy. Of course, it would be excellent if he could become Wenhe’s student. Unfortunately, I’ve realized that Wenhe himself lacks motivation. If I nudge him, he moves; if I ignore him, he stays still. He has little desire for power or family. I even considered proposing a marriage for his daughter once, but that came to nothing,” Liu Bei said, feeling helpless.

Liu Bei had come to a deep understanding of his subordinates. Chen Xi himself hardly did any work, instead delegating tasks to others. If Lu Su truly could not complete them, Chen Xi would lend a hand, but more often he would streamline the work and then pass it on to someone else.

No need to mention Lu Su, who was the hardest-working and most diligent workaholic among his subordinates, capable of accomplishing any task. If others were absent, he would finish all the work himself.

Guo Jia was lazy most days, generally only handling intelligence. Overall, he only worked on strategic planning and seldom dealt with political affairs.

Li Youu, as a secretary, was dutiful and responsible, but rarely took the initiative to do anything. His main task of the day was to answer Liu Bei’s questions.

Jia Xu, on the other hand, would drink tea and eat snacks whenever he wasn’t busy with pre-arranged tasks. Having come to Chang’an skinny and gaunt, he was now somewhat chubby.

Liu Ye was capable of many types of work, but sadly, he would occasionally drift into reverie, sometimes for half a day at a time, leaving Liu Bei to suspect that he was deliberately feigning distraction.

Actually, Liu Bei sometimes felt that Li Youu and Jia Xu seemed to be avoiding certain responsibilities. They deliberately distanced themselves from some matters, or unless it was necessary, they wouldn’t interfere unless asked.

”There’s a good chance that Lu Zijia will pass. Never mind, Lord Xuande will know in time. These are just trivial matters. I’m heading back to Mount Tai, and it’s time for the second step of my plan to proceed,” Chen Xi said assertively. Since Hulao Pass, he had finally reached this point! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote and support me on Qidian ]. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)