Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Were there any casualties?” Chen Xi asked with a frown.

”It was just fists. Shortly after you left, those veteran soldiers were watching the Qingzhou Soldiers practice from the military camp, got into a verbal spat, and then a fight broke out. After that, it escalated into a large-scale brawl,” Jia Xu said helplessly, with about a hundred or so people involved.

Jia Xu’s casual tone left Chen Xi utterly helpless, as if a brawl involving over a hundred people was nothing to worry about.

”There’s no need to elaborate—basically, the veteran soldiers easily took down the others without any injuries,” Jia Xu recounted calmly, showing no emotional fluctuation. Following that, a unit of Qingzhou Soldiers challenged the veterans to a fight. Those veterans didn’t really want to fight, but after some pushing and shoving, about two hundred people gathered.

Chen Xi didn’t even need to listen to the results. Two hundred seasoned veterans facing five hundred well-trained rookies who had never been on a battlefield—was there any question about the outcome?

”Afterward, those veteran soldiers were beaten up by half a legion of the New Army of Qingzhou,” Jia Xu’s demeanor showed a slight ripple at this point; he also felt a headache coming on.

”What you’re saying is that these people got into a fight with those new recruits outside?” Chen Xi said, feeling a headache, ”Can those over thirty thousand new recruits really handle them? How was it resolved in the end? Don’t tell me the veterans took down all the recruits. Wen Ze’s recruits aren’t that fragile; they’re all wearing armor, and military regulations prohibit comrades from fighting each other with sword and blade.”

”When the veterans gathered in significant numbers, they spontaneously formed Cloud Qi and uniformly executed a tactical-level attack,” Jia Xu glanced at Chen Xi and said, his intentions unmistakable. Upon hearing this, Xu Shu’s eyes nearly popped out—being able to use such tactics without a general to command them!

Chen Xi turned to look at Liu Bei, who was also deep in thought. These seasoned veterans, despite their age, were indeed not weak. The main reason they were discharged was that the average lifespan in this era was not high, and being thirty-five was considered old.

Of course, with the healthcare and food provisions at Mount Tai being rather good, these guys, accurately speaking, should be considered at the peak of experience, with their physical qualities maintained at a sub-peak state.

”In that case, how about allowing them to rejoin the ranks?” Liu Bei thought for a moment and then turned to Chen Xi, gesturing his suggestion. Back then, Chen Xi had discharged veterans aged thirty-two and above who were below the Team Leader rank, which Liu Bei could understand well.

After all, in Liu Bei’s impression, thirty-year-old veterans were all white-haired old men, so he could understand Chen Xi’s suggestion.

However, when they later selected city management troops, Liu Bei realized that with Chen Xi continuously improving the army’s diet and enhancing the soldiers’ quality, the soldiers in their thirties under his command were actually quite robust.

In Liu Bei’s Army, regardless of the situation, steamed buns were available freely, and there were no soldiers who were frail and skinny, who would be blown down by the wind or unable to lift their weapons.

This led Liu Bei to feel very conflicted about the four thousand veterans who were not selected at the time. However, he couldn’t simply change decrees on a whim, so he had to reluctantly give them up. Now, however, presented a good opportunity.

”Rejoin?” Chen Xi nodded, not rejecting this proposal; he also needed some time to revise related decrees.

”How about having Wen Chang as the Chief General and Yuanzhi as the Assistant General?” Liu Bei said with a smile. He thought highly of Xu Shu. Despite his various strategic plans being somewhat like the grand strategies prepared by Chen Xi and others, they weren’t quite as sophisticated. Still, having reached such a level was enough to illustrate Xu Shu’s excellence!

Xu Shu was taken aback. Although he could feel Liu Bei’s regard for him, being directly promoted to Assistant General was indeed quite unbelievable. He had originally prepared himself to work some time as an Assistant Official to hone his skills and get familiar with things, but unexpectedly, he was given such a position.

[Assistant General, huh? This is indeed a wise recognition,] Chen Xi slightly nodded towards Liu Bei.

Jia Xu cast a glance at Chen Xi, but appeared somewhat displeased. This kind of promotion, which leaped several levels, and especially such a significant promotion within an already stable hierarchical organization, should not happen as it’s likely to incite public outrage.

”Don’t worry about it,” Chen Xi waved his hand subtly under the table, signaling Jia Xu not to bother with this matter.

As for how many people would be discontent with Xu Shu’s promotion, that would be Xu Shu’s issue to resolve. Isn’t it just some contention? With such strong backing, coupled with his own top-tier abilities, if he can’t handle it, Xu Shu might as well go back home and continue being a rogue.

Jia Xu squinted slightly, adopting a look of understanding. He had no extraordinary feelings towards putting Xu Shu on the hot seat—it was understood that if one wanted to make significant progress, it would involve taking some risks.

”Wen Chang, do you find the Assistant General I’ve arranged for you satisfactory?” Liu Bei turned and asked Wei Yan with a smile.

”Satisfied, very satisfied!” Wei Yan nodded, having been thoroughly impressed by Xu Shu’s words and plans during a private gathering.

”Then take my personal letter and conscription order, and head outside the city to recruit soldiers. I’m sure you’ll be able to distinguish which are the veteran soldiers and which are the new recruits. As for the military officers under your command, I will assign them to you after Zichuan and I have examined the soldiers returning from their course at the Academy of Mount Tai,” Liu Bei turned to remind Wei Yan.

Clearly, there was still a sense of unease regarding Wei Yan and Guan Ping. Otherwise, the best way would be to integrate these veterans and new recruits together, having veterans guide the newcomers.

Thus, Wei Yan did not discern Liu Bei’s intended meaning. He was still excited at having an exceptional Assistant General and an elite legion for his future command.

Having just turned twenty-two, Wei Yan had not fully shed the youthful impulsiveness, retaining much of his brashness. Clearly, after Liu Bei spoke, he could hardly sit still, fearing that his legion might be reassigned to someone else.

”I can see you’re all restless and eager to go. If you wish, you may go,” Liu Bei flicked his sleeve, dismissing the two of them.

Liu Bei, without heirs, was quite attentive to his only nephew, while it was apparent that he was rather peculiar towards Wei Yan.

Wei Yan and Guan Ping, visibly a bit embarrassed, nonetheless raced off faster than rabbits, leading the group of one hundred city management troops as soon as Liu Bei gave the word, feeling ill at ease in his presence.

”Yuanzhi, this is Jia Wenhe, who manages intelligence for our military. If you have any issues in the future, feel free to seek his assistance,” Chen Xi pointed towards Jia Xu, introducing him to Xu Shu, who then offered a dry smile to Xu Shu.

”Master Jia’s reputation is known far and wide,” Xu Shu immediately stood up to greet Jia Xu, who, feeling somewhat helpless, had to return the gesture.

”Alright, Wen He, there’s no need for modesty. Report any further matters, as the previous one was just to keep Zichuan occupied and was not officially military in nature,” Liu Bei intervened as he saw Jia Xu preparing a self-deprecating remark.

If Jia Xu were allowed to continue, it would be no surprise if things started revolving into nonsense—Chen Xi and Jia Xu’s ability to spin tales was no joke, leaving you dizzy without any idea of what they’re truly saying, yet making you feel as if they make sense, a common occurrence! (. Mobile users, please read via m.qidian.com.)