Mythical Three Kingdoms

”In short, just don’t worry about us running out of money.” Chen Xi shrugged and said, ”I won’t make excessive guarantees, but if necessary, I can allocate forty billion cash in batches. In truly critical moments, I could mobilize three hundred billion. If I were to go beyond this, I would probably squeeze all the merchants in the Great Han Dynasty to death.”

”It feels like all our hard work in a lifetime still doesn’t compare to a single word from you.” Mi Zhu said with a sense of despondency. Facing someone who was essentially a monster at this level, he had completely lost the motivation to strive.

”It’s different. You represent a family’s wealth, whereas I operate on a national level. The difference is vast. Although the Great Han Dynasty’s population has decreased somewhat due to the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Dong Zhuo’s chaotic governance, and other wars, it still maintains more than forty million. A small amount accumulated over time, that’s all.” Chen Xi smiled to console him, though he knew this was something Mi Zhu would have to figure out on his own.

”Forget it, let’s not talk about this anymore. We’ve already prepared ourselves for this.” Mi Zhu waved his hand, signaling to Chen Xi not to bother convincing him, as they had mentally prepared for this long ago. Chen Xi’s overwhelming capabilities in this area were evident to all.

”It’s good that you can come to terms with it. Besides, I would never dabble in commerce, so you don’t have to worry about me oppressing you.” Chen Xi said with a cheerful smile, indicating he wouldn’t turn into someone like Fann Li.

”Alright, let’s put this aside and return to the original topic. Commercial law can be tested through provisional legislation, allowing adjustments as needed. The cycle would be six months; in other words, changes made now will take effect in six months. So, Boning, for any revised law you draft, you need to mark the implementation date clearly.” Chen Xi signaled to drop the current subject and shifted to inquire about other matters.

”That works too.” Mann Chong nodded, finding it aligned with his thinking. Given the constant emergence of new conditions due to commercial prosperity, he would continuously revise commercial law, aiming for eventual perfection someday.

”As for the clan law, that’s straightforward. Draft the core rules, then let clans verify the basic provisions. As long as the clan-specific regulations don’t conflict with the core provisions, it’s acceptable. Of course, if they want to add their own customs, make it clear that those are applicable only within their own clans, and any amendments must leave a baseline record.” Chen Xi held limited expectations for clan law itself, recognizing it as an initial measure to curb the aristocratic clans without being overly restrictive.

”What purpose does such a law serve?” Mann Chong asked disapprovingly.

”Its purpose lies in progressing step by step over time. Eventually, it will reach the standards we desire.” Chen Xi replied calmly. ”Right now, it’s not enough. All we need is this initial constraint; as for the rest, the future generations will handle it. We just need to prepare the right direction for them.”

”...” Mann Chong looked deeply at Chen Xi but refrained from commenting further.

”We can’t expect to complete thousand-year goals in a single era. Taking the first step is enough for us; future generations will naturally follow our lead. As long as the direction is correct, the scale of the steps only affects the process. The outcome has already been decided.” Chen Xi remarked to the group after briefly glancing at them.

”Decided already?” Xun Yue murmured softly. He understood the implications of Chen Xi’s words. Liu Bei’s vow was fundamentally unattainable, and this pledge would impose an impossible inheritance on later generations, creating a legacy that couldn’t be surpassed. When Liu Bei eventually falls, he will also become the benchmark that needs surpassing!

Chen Xi then assigned various other tasks and quietly got to work himself. Without Lub Su around, he was now required to personally handle matters, which was undeniably troublesome for Chen Xi.

Shortly after noon, Mi Zhu was the first to leave. He had to deal with matters concerning the merchant guild. As for everything he had seen and heard today, he buried it deep in his mind and would share it with no one.

Following that, Mann Chong and Xun Yue left one after the other. They needed to review and finalize the laws, as well as start preliminary preparation for civil and criminal laws.

Later, Jia Xu departed as well to handle intelligence-related affairs. The grand Yuan Liu conflict was about to commence, no longer a matter of mere skirmishes. He had to ensure every chess piece was properly positioned. After mobilizing an immense amount of human and material resources, the time for harvest was finally here.

Wang Yi eventually left too, dispatched by Li Youu to manage materials related to the water network installation back at home. The semi-completed projects started by Lub Su had now entirely fallen into Wang Yi’s hands.

As the sunset slanted westward, Chen Xi quietly sat upright, stretching lazily. Across from him sat Li Youu, who mirrored his posture with an expressionless face, albeit showing a rare trace of concern in his eyes.

”Wen Ru, if there’s something you want to say, now’s the time. We’re the only ones left here.” Chen Xi opened the conversation proactively.

”Lately, I’ve been feeling a sense of mental unease, as though something is about to happen.” Li Youu replied with no change in expression, though his eyes revealed deep anxiety.

”Things happen every day. How am I supposed to know what you’re referring to?” Chen Xi said in frustration. From limited information like this, he couldn’t deduce anything.

”In my entire life, I’ve only experienced true mental unease twice: once when I awakened my Spiritual Talent, and once during Zhongying’s demise.” Li Youu stared at Chen Xi, his demeanor steady, though Chen Xi could sense the gravity of his words.

”Does it have to do with Lord Xuande?” Chen Xi instinctively asked.

”No, I’ve scrutinized closely; there’s nothing unusual.” Li Youu shook his head.

A while back, upon noticing his unease, Li Youu immediately focused his attention on Liu Bei. Dong Zhuo’s incident had been a profound blow to him—a Sage could err once but repeating the same mistake twice was out of the question.

”If it’s not about Lord Xuande, then what could it be?” Chen Xi said indifferently. ”As long as Lord Xuande is fine, do you think anyone can pose a true threat to us? With our current state, we hold the capability to single-handedly shatter the realm!”

Li Youu nodded, acknowledging this, but his heart still harbored an inexplicable unease.

”Relax. As long as it doesn’t concern Lord Xuande, no one in this world can defeat us. Everyone from our original circle has found their footing, and even if later arrivals encounter issues, the worst they could do is cause minor inconveniences. They cannot stop us.” Chen Xi reassured him, sensing Li Youu’s lingering anxiety. They had already moved beyond fearing any challenge.

”I don’t know why, but I still feel unsettled.” Li Youu shook his head slightly. ”I had hoped you could discern something, but you can’t either.”

”I don’t know everything.” Chen Xi snapped back irritably. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please head to m.qidian.com for reading.)