Mythical Three Kingdoms

"I remember one was about troop number restrictions, another was about elite veteran losses, General Zhang even gave a helping hand at that time, allowing Zilong to step down safely," Guo Jia said after thinking a bit.

"After resolving the food issue on Mount Tai, I began changing the model for soldier enlistment and retirement. Recruiting only newcomers is pure folly, and retiring at thirty is indeed wasteful. With a mindset of resource recycling and reuse, I completed this military system, and Tuntian Soldiers count as Minister of Agriculture, always under my name," Chen Xi said with a bit of pride.

Chen Xi indeed had reason for pride. Through these means, he gradually accumulated what could be described as a massive reserve force, not the shoddy recruits but solid elites. This was a key reason Chen Xi was confident of defeating Cao Cao and Sunx Ce.

No matter how strong the opposition was, it held little real significance for Chen Xi now. With the combat power currently possessed by Chen Xi, as long as he moved steadily and did not rush, any strategy against such military strength would lead to a dead end.

This belonged to tangible hard power. Though civil officials and military generals could dictate the direction of wars, when there was no significant disparity between the civil officials and military generals on both sides, the most grounded differences lay in logistics, force strength, and soldier quality.

"Hmm, after the three parties merge, there will probably be about a million troops," Li Youu said, frowning. Indeed, maintaining troops was a highly consuming task.

"Yes, but it’s not considered militaristic expansion. You can rest easy on that front. The next crucial step is to have Weishuo conduct propaganda. We need to change our narrative to ensure migration of the populace can’t be avoided," Chen Xi said with a smile. Since they hadn’t initially targeted internal conflict, the thought of marching outward required a force of a million.

Li Youu nodded. Although Liu Yan’s actions over the years seemed empty, Liu Yan’s propaganda significantly boosted Liu Bei’s reputation. Moreover, Liu Yan’s propaganda frequently placed them on the highest moral ground.

Due to this, Li Youu consistently held Liu Yan in high regard. Liu Yan indeed was a character, at least Li Youu didn’t think he could unite the Pure Stream Celebrities to voice out with him.

Although Liu Yan’s methods seemed somewhat flawed, for someone like Li Youu, flawed methods were irrelevant as long as they succeeded.

"I’ve already agreed to their large-scale drilling plan, conveniently taking a tour around Ye City to assure the populace of our army’s strength. As for the logistics consumption of troop adjustment and the potential turmoil caused by troop adjustment, I’m undergoing adjustments here, occasionally it’s necessary to intimidate them," a cold gleam flashed in Chen Xi’s eyes.

"Have you heard some rumors?" Li Youu asked.

"It seems to be caused by some dissatisfied individuals under Lord Cao and Sunx Bofu. Zichuan wants them to comprehend their own weight," Guo Jia recalled from recent intelligence he’d reviewed about the prevailing rumors. Although Sunx Ce and Cao Cao’s upper ranks remained stable and they had intentions of making a move, they lacked desires to ravage the entire Central Plains.

"I’m afraid it’s not just about that. You’re early today," Fa Zheng said with a weary yawn as he entered, noticing the three had already been aware of his presence. However, there were no need for facades between the current Fa Zheng and the others.

"Yes, Xiaoo Zhi, you’re early too," Chen Xi beckoned.

"After the debacle yesterday, of course I don’t dare roam around today. Were you discussing military service?" Fa Zheng came midway, missing part of the conversation, so Chen Xi explained.

"Are we ready to clean up internal affairs then?" Upon hearing, Fa Zheng shook away any trace of fatigue, a sentiment unanimously acknowledged by Li Youu, Chen Xi, and Guo Jia.

"Yes, we’ve come all this way almost smoothly sailing, yet there are proto-political opportunists under Lord Xuande’s banner, though we’re managing strict controls so no one can influence Lord Xuande. Now that unity is near, you know the internal voices," Chen Xi affirmed with a calm nod.

"No wonder I’ve heard people saying lately that some have been visiting Cui Jigui frequently," Fa Zheng said rubbing his chin. "That fast for people already want credit distribution?"

"That’s because Cui Jigui is uncompromisingly upright, and constantly investigates his jurisdictions, ready to confront anyone when necessary," Chen Xi shook his head. "If they could access you, they’d probably liaise with you too."

"Since unity nears, this is their time to be most industrious and most anticipative, closely resembling Emperor Gaozu’s scenario prior to enthronement, just with less chaos," Li Youu conceded there’s hardly an effective strategy for this aspect—it’s human nature.

"Mostly, there’s not many purely devoted to ideals, so once we achieve unity and they fail to receive what they expected, we’ll likely face disillusioned officials nationwide. Afterwards, they’ll likely clamor for enthronement," Chen Xi mockingly noted, folding his arms.

"It’s human nature," Li Youu empathetically expressed, acknowledging the stark reality faced by officials and soldiers alike. Those pure for ideals either succumb early to reality or forcibly reshape it; the former unending, the latter numerically limited.

Thus, the bureaucratic system’s purity is just so, whether it’s to live better or achieve ideals, the climb upward is inevitable.

Liu Bei’s ascension represents a feast for credit distribution for all officials under Liu Bei’s domain, hence no matter how many times Liu Bei may have said otherwise, these officials choose enthronement.

Realistically, sustaining such a status quo offers definite advantages for subsequent expansion. Yet for most current officials under Liu Bei, their initial aim was personal gain. Compared to the enduring benefits of national expansion, immediate profits from enthronement loom larger.

"In any case, that’s the situation. I believe it’s necessary to cool these fellows off, to deter them from sabotaging the carefully structured situation I’ve planned. Even if enthronement is on the cards, now’s not the time," Chen Xi said with an annoyed expression, referring to those who only want to eat the cake without making it.

"A little reprimand will suffice. We still need them to work. Our entire system isn’t just maintained by us dozen folks; the middle-to-lower level officials are of the utmost importance—we more are planners, helmsmen," Guo Jia noted quietly. He understood the situation clearly.

"They need to be made aware of the vast disparity between sides, and then systematically dismantle the network they’ve woven over time, so they understand who the true Person in Charge is," Chen Xi pouted. "How dare they infiltrate, without reprimand, they’re really asking for a beating."

"It’s inevitable, given you know their origins. They’ve been suppressed to this extent remarkably, yet networking for a share is normal," Li Youu, on the contrary, seemed open-minded.

Chen Xi watched Li Youu with a look of disbelief—this was a civil official who perpetually advocated for killing; how could he speak such words unless he’s still half-asleep.

"Don’t look at me that way; I’m merely stating facts—one reprimand is sufficient this time," Li Youu calmly said. "Such human nature deserves understanding—besides, it’s merely their thought process, unacted, a warning will do."

"Why are they so restless?" Chen Xi lamented. Since when did Chen Xi ever treat those genuinely working poorly? As long as they work diligently, calculate less, Chen Xi assures them they will receive their due without a doubt.

"Thinking too much, coupled with a habit nurtured over the years, considering themselves highly," Fa Zheng remarked dismissively. "Perhaps many even think my position is due to luck, that they’d do better if they were here. In any case, that’s the situation."

"Then let’s show them the immense disparity between sides and cut off the hands reaching for the military," Chen Xi said smiling, "just in time as there’s dissatisfaction under both Cao Mengde and Sunx Bofu, and their domains and ours have many issues. Pour some water to cool them off and make them realize whose era it is now."

"For grandeur, bring back old wounded retired veterans too. While welfare can’t be further enhanced, we can let them know the Han Dynasty still remembers them as heroes who fought for the country," Chen Xi had thought about this long ago. Welfare may not be attainable, but honor can be bestowed.

"After the sacrifice to heaven comes, right?" Guo Jia raised an eyebrow. "Finish sacrificing, then relocate Jingling Palace. You finally established homestead for soldiers everywhere?"

"I didn’t intend to take so long, but such a matter is nationwide. Even if I wished for haste, it must proceed step by step. Luckily, it’s completed as per my request," Chen Xi regretfully stated. Once anything involves national scope, it turns vexing.

"Just in time to restore deceased soldiers’ tablets to their hometowns. With such precedence, all regions will be extremely attentive, deterred from messing around," Fa Zheng nodded in approval of Chen Xi’s plan.

"Indeed, the earlier matters serve as honor for the deceased, also instill hope for all soldiers, assuring them if they reach such ends, whether crippled or fallen, the nation will deliver resolution," Chen Xi stated calmly. He vows for any soldier bleeding or grieving for the nation, their children unable to live in peace—he’ll eliminate it!

"Public sentiment and military sentiment are paramount at any time," Chen Xi addressed Li Youu and the others. "Moreover, we should find a way to tell soldiers why they fight. It’s a significant question. Alas, these matters could’ve been outsourced, but now I reckon I’ll devise a solution myself."