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After Liu Bei left, Chen Xi assigned the work and waited for everyone to handle their tasks, what he needed to do was to stabilize Chen Lan and Fan Jian during the time before the expedition, to prevent them from worrying too much.
"Kongming, what are you doing?" Chen Xi frowned as he observed the mess Zhuge Liang had made in his study.
"Analyzing the situation of the world," Zhuge Liang said without lifting his head, "I need to demonstrate my abilities."
"Oh?" Chen Xi curiously looked at Zhuge Liang, then glanced at the scattered bits of intelligence on the table. What’s going on? "If you want to show your capabilities, why do you need these old reports about Cao Mengde? Study the battle of Xuzhou instead."
"I took a close look at Cao Mengde, and he has one merit, which is his love of talent. I can be considered a competent civil official and I am quite young. What I now need to do is to inform Cao Cao of my excellence, and then let him know that I will be his lifelong adversary, making him regret it forever," Zhuge Liang said, his eyes gleaming coldly. He might not be able to fight in Xuzhou, but he could still strike a fierce blow at Cao Cao’s heart with his writings.
"Xuzhou? Lord Xuande has already departed. He will confront Cao Mengde, don’t worry. Let me help you," Chen Xi said, patting Zhuge Liang’s shoulder.
"You’re going to help?" Zhuge Liang was taken aback, "If there are no mistakes in what I write, Cao Mengde’s strategists can also make plans accordingly. But your thoughts are always out of the box, aren’t you afraid..."
"It’s nothing. After all, when we truly rise, there will be nothing that can stop us. This is all for the people. The food, the prosperous rule, the methods for disease prevention are all primarily for the people. Those who die in battles are always in the minority. It’s starvation and epidemics that claim the most lives," Chen Xi said calmly.
"I understand now. The reason you invited all the feudal lords so generously was actually to let them learn about agriculture and disease prevention," Zhuge Liang instantly grasped.
"Yes, to preserve the vital energy of the Central Plains. Even if ten million people die on the battlefield, it’s not as devastating as an epidemic sweeping through several provinces. Moreover, I don’t believe that twenty years of incessant warfare could kill ten million. So, I am trying to spread quality seeds and disease prevention measures," Chen Xi sighed. What counted the lives lost in wars? Famine and epidemics were the greatest harvesters of life in the Late Eastern Han Dynasty.
"Aren’t you worried that this will bolster the enemy’s combat power?" Zhuge Liang frowned, but it was clear that he was eager to try, as his integrity was for the entire Great Han Dynasty, not just one city or region.
"It’s nothing. What we want is a thriving Great Han Dynasty. Only by planning now, can we retain considerable combat power after the wars have ended, and my method is simply to do what I can, and let fate decide," Chen Xi sighed, "Let me help you write it."
"Sure, take a look and see if there are any issues," Zhuge Liang said as he handed over his sharp and disdainful letter for Cao Cao, that despite its hatred, was imbued with wisdom, to Chen Xi.
"This is very good. Looks like my help won’t be needed after all. Let’s send it through Cai Zhaoji; I heard from Li Wenru that she has broken ties with Cao Mengde," Chen Xi sighed, realizing that it was difficult to incorporate elements of agriculture and disease prevention into the style of Zhuge Liang’s writing.
"Why would Cao Mengde do that? Given his previous conduct, he should not have acted so," Zhuge Liang said. Despite his hatred for Cao Cao, he didn’t lose his cool and was very puzzled by Cao Cao’s actions.
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"It’s out of control now. Once the sword is swung, it can’t be retracted, and certainly, many locals are taking advantage of the chaos. However, it was definitely Cao Mengde who opened this Pandora’s box, and he is certainly the one who has killed the most. So, don’t overthink it; he’s no longer one of us." Chen Xi sighed, saying that Cao Cao had undergone a considerable change after this massacre. n𝚘𝚟pub.𝚌o𝚖
"You can use whatever you want from the study. Chen Yun will clean it up later." Chen Xi sighed again. He had admired Cao Cao, but when the massacre unfolded before him, that admiration could no longer conceal the truth.
After departing from the study, Chen Xi shared the day’s events with Fan Jian and Chen Lan, both of whom were somewhat reluctant, having just celebrated their nuptials and now soon to be dispatched to the battlefield.
"Alright, stop making faces. When I’m not at home, you two try to encourage Cai Zhaoji, and don’t let her despair," Chen Xi said with another sigh. This matter was particularly hard on people like Cai Yan and Gu Yong, who were decent at heart and had a good personal relationship with Cao Cao.
"My lady understands," Fan Jian replied, a bit displeased.
"Don’t be so petty. In the future, if we have a daughter, we will need someone like Cai Zhaoji to teach her music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; there are few women more proficient in these than her," Chen Xi explained helplessly.
"Hmph, why should we have a daughter? Isn’t a son good enough?" Fan Jian said dissatisfied.
"Actually, daughters can be quite wonderful," Chen Lan murmured from the side. Although she was also a lady of the house, she often felt at a disadvantage next to Fan Jian and therefore had no intention of competing with her.
Chen Xi felt helpless as he stared at Fan Jian and sighed. He thought it might be best to wait another couple of years; by Fan Jian’s current attitude, raising a child seemed like just another amusement.
In the following days, Chen Xi was busy collecting the things he needed. Speaking of which, Cai Yan’s letter, along with two books on epidemic prevention and agricultural cultivation, were sent to Cao Cao.
After Li Youu left that day, Chen Xi had the two books delivered to Cai Yan in Li Youu’s name. Cai Yan packed the books and letter in a paper bag and sent them off, feeling much better. Li Youu’s understanding nature reminded her of the warmth she felt when her father was still alive.
"Eh, what brings you two here?" Chen Xi asked in surprise as he saw Jia Xu and Fa Zheng appear in his household’s outer courtyard.
"We have some answers now," Jia Xu said, tossing a packet of information to Chen Xi. "Have a look, and you’ll understand."
Chen Xi quickly skimmed through the packet and was immediately shocked. He looked at Jia Xu, "Are you sure this isn’t a joke? Why would Tao Gongzu think this way? Weren’t we on good terms with Mount Tai and Xuzhou before?"
"Zichuan, you’d better think it over. No matter what, Tao Gongzu is one of the Feudal Lords, and our previous good relations had their reasons." Jia Xu said with a wry smile, "Similarly, his proposal to hand over Xuzhou to Cao Mengde also had its reasons! This time Cao Mengde has made a foolish move! All he had to do was communicate with Tao Qian, and he could have gotten Xuzhou directly, but he let his anger make a mess of the situation, and Tao Gongzu is probably baffled at Cao Cao’s actions in Xuzhou!"
(To be continued. If you like this work, feel welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
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