NOVPUBOn the way back, Chen Xi was in no hurry, casually surveying the surroundings left and right—it seemed he was searching for issues out of boredom. But since everything concerning political strategy in Mount Tai had been managed by himself, there wasn’t any real intention to nitpick.
"It looks like I’ve done quite a decent job," Chen Xi said with satisfaction, watching the citizens submit their household registrations upon entering the city. Over this period, Lub Su had taken over Li Youu’s work and universalized the household registration system.
"This is beyond ’decent,’ I’d say," Lu Yu commented from the carriage window, gazing at the constant flow of people outside with considerable emotion. Even though he had been to Mount Tai before, he couldn’t help feeling moved by it again.
"It will be even more prosperous in the future," Chen Xi shrugged, "This is because it’s still not fully developed. You can tell Zijing hasn’t worked on the market streets outside the city yet."
"Hehehe," Zhuge Liang laughed in a rather strange way. Poor Lub Su, always the one Chen Xi sought when something was undone.
"You see, there’s still a charge to enter the city. We waited on purpose for a long time, yet there wasn’t a single individual or merchant convoy that wasn’t charged. The plan I left with Zijing definitely hasn’t been carried out," Chen Xi said, somewhat helplessly.
"Zijing really has it tough," Zhuge Liang shook his head, "You have to understand, he has many responsibilities. Your plan might not have been prioritized yet, or perhaps there’s an issue with the plan itself."
"The plan definitely has no issues; it just requires reconciling a lot of factors," Chen Xi shrugged again, "There’s no need to compete with the people over such petty cash, and likewise, no need to cling to such a small amount of money so tightly."
"Halt, travelers," the City Gate Commander ordered Chen Xi’s coachman as they approached the city gates, "Household registration, pass permit, official document—one of these is required."
"Oh, it’s you, Yuanjian? What are you doing guarding the gate?" Chen Xi poked his head out, somewhat puzzled to see Liaoo Hua.
"Greetings to the military strategist," Liaoo Hua bowed respectfully before responding, "General Guan thinks I have some talent in literacy, reading, and learning military strategy, so he approved official documentation for me, allowing me to study military strategy. And during my spare time, my Lord has allowed me to serve as the City Gate Commander."
"Oh, these fifty or so people are under your command?" Chen Xi asked curiously, "Not bad, moving up to Garrison Commander so quickly."
"During the battle in Licheng, I ambushed an enemy Subordinate General and claimed some military merits. General Guan then promoted me to Centurion and raised my rank by one level when I was recalled," Liaoo Hua scratched his head and chuckled gleefully.
"Keep up the good work, and read more books—you have the potential to become a general," Chen Xi said with a smile, and then Liaoo Hua parted his men, allowing Chen Xi to enter the city.
Looking at the broad and tidy streets of Fenggao City, Chen Xi couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. He had built the city little by little, and now it was essentially the center of Liu Bei’s domain!
Within the city, there was complete infrastructure, as well as many of Liu Bei’s subordinates. Among these people, some were considered historical regrets, and Chen Xi was carefully rectifying these oversights.
In this era, some individuals are at their zenith, others just beginning to show promise, and yet others still obscured in obscurity. But Chen Xi knew clearly the worth of these unknown civil officials and military generals. Compared to others, he understood how these nameless figures should develop, he knew how to steer their growth for the better, and this was Chen Xi’s greatest support!
"Zichuan has returned," Liu Bei found out not long after Chen Xi entered the city.
"Zhongkang, come with me to greet Zichuan. This time there’s no need to go out of the city to welcome him. I’m eager to see what surprises he brings me this time," Liu Bei said to Xuu Chu with a smile. As for Li Youu, he had been whisked away by Wang Xiu, sent by Lub Su, to attend to work soon after his return days earlier.
```
"Yes." Xuu Chu respectfully fist-saluted and followed behind Liu Bei.
"Has Zichuan returned?" Lub Su, without lifting his head, listened to the report from below, "Go let Shuzhi bring him back. I won’t go. If Lord Xuande is there, just say that there are too many political affairs to handle and that Zichuan is needed to take charge; other than that, let Shuzhi handle it."
"..." Li Youu frowned slightly while drafting political documents upon hearing Lub Su’s resentful tone but said nothing. Meanwhile, Liu Ye, who was reconciling accounts on the other side, paused only for a moment before continuing his work, well aware that Lub Su would never let anyone leave until everything was done.
Chen Xi, taking lefts and rights, calmly did not go to the Political Office, nor did he report to Liu Bei. He had successfully detoured home.
"Clang, clang, clang!" With Chen Xi away, the Chen Family, now without men, kept its doors closed day and night, leaving one no choice but to knock if they wished to enter.
"The master is not in, esteemed guests are requested to return another day," the voice of Old Guan, the butler, came from inside, presumably having already repeated this line many times.
"I’m back," said Chen Xi calmly.
The front door quickly opened fully, and Butler Chen bowed, "Welcome home, master. The two ladies are currently studying at the Cai Family. I will now send for them to return."
"That’s all right," Chen Xi waved his hand, "No troubles at home during my absence, I trust?"
"Master, forgive me!" Butler Chen immediately kneeled, his voice tinged with fear.
"We don’t uphold such formalities here. Stand up. You’ve been the butler since my father’s time and have taken care of me for so many years. What is there to be afraid of?" Chen Xi pulled Butler Chen to his feet. It couldn’t be anything serious; with Butler Chen’s vigilance, it was most likely that Fan Jian and the others had accidentally broken something again.
"Your bookroom has burned down," Butler Chen said, his head lowered in a mix of alarm and panic.
"..." Chen Xi pinched the bridge of his nose, "Let it be, that’s not your fault. You can’t enter the inner court, so not expecting this is normal. If it’s burned, it’s burned," Chen Xi said with a bitter smile, "Recommend a female butler for me later, the inner court needs one too. I was negligent."
"Thank you, master," Butler Chen said respectfully, "I will prepare a list of candidates for the butler position for you by this afternoon."
"All right, you go rest. I’ll ask Jian’er later who burned down my bookroom," Chen Xi gestured with his hand, signaling Butler Chen not to worry about the matter anymore, knowing well that except for Zhuge Liang, no other man could enter the inner court without his command.
Elsewhere in Jingling Palace, Zuo Ci, who had been continuously chanting and praying, suddenly stopped, "Nanhua, come out. I’ve found you."
"Yuanfang, long time no see. You truly have the sharpest eye among us," Nanhua Old Immortal revealed himself, standing behind Zuo Ci.
"Haven’t you come as well?" Zuo Ci turned to look at Nanhua Old Immortal, "Zixu, stop hiding. I see you."
"Life is tough for us all," Zixu stood to the left of Nanhua Old Immortal, smiling, "But I am surprised, Nanhua, that you’re still alive. I doubted that when Zhang Jiao claimed your legacy over a decade ago, I suspected you had died." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
```
