Lord in the Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 263: Discussion

Zhao Yun, Lu Bu, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Zhou Tai, and Jiang Qin were all appointed as generals, while Ling Tong and Ling Cao were appointed as colonels, with other officers each receiving their respective ranks.

From then on, all power was concentrated in Long Chen’s hands.

State affairs had to be reported to Long Chen first, and only then presented to the emperor.

This effectively meant holding the emperor hostage to command the warlords, and for a time, all the warlords in the various states and counties of the Han Dynasty were discussing Long Chen bringing the emperor to Yangzhou.

Danyang Commandery, Jianye.

After settling the emperor, Long Chen turned his attention back to the war in Xuzhou.

Returning to his residence, he invited Jia Xu and Xi Zhicai to discuss the matter.

Just as he was savoring a cup of mellow and flavorful black tea, the door to his residence suddenly creaked open.

Long Chen smiled.

Jia Wenhe and Xi Zhicai, these two important military advisors under Long Chen, had finally arrived. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"My lord, why have you summoned us so late at night?" Xi Zhicai asked with a smile, bowing to Long Chen.

These past few days had been quite comfortable for him. After welcoming the emperor, Long Chen had promoted and given raises to his civil and military officials, greatly increasing their loyalty.

And Xi Zhicai’s promotion was undoubtedly a high one, as he was the first scholar to join Long Chen’s camp and deservedly received ample rewards.

After all, having worked hard for so long, these rewards were well-deserved.

"Advisor, why are you being so formal with me? Have a few days apart made us distant?"

Long Chen waved his hand, inviting the two advisors to sit.

"Besides, we can be more casual in private. Wenhe, you too, no need to be so formal in private."

Long Chen then turned to Jia Xu.

Jia Xu, still bowing respectfully, replied, "I wouldn’t dare, my lord. Let us discuss the matter at hand!"

He thought to himself, "I still bear the blood seal you set on me! How can I act so disrespectfully?"

Moreover, Jia Xu highly valued his life and wouldn’t dare do such things. Historically, many emperors, after unifying the realm, promoted Confucian scholars to regulate imperial rituals and instill enough reverence for the emperor among ministers and the people.

Seeing Jia Xu’s manner, Long Chen didn’t say much more and went straight to the point:

"I want to take Xuzhou. Before that, I have already laid several layers of groundwork."

Xi Zhicai furrowed his brows in deep thought, while Jia Xu maintained a posture of meditative calm.

After a moment, Xi Zhicai’s eyes lit up, and he said:

"My lord, in my opinion, it only requires the emperor to issue an edict appointing you as the Inspector of Xuzhou to resolve this matter."

"Tao Qian is loyal to the Han Dynasty. As long as the emperor commands, he will surely comply! Giving Xuzhou to you is not impossible!"

Long Chen nodded. Xi Zhicai’s suggestion aligned well with his own thoughts.

Tao Qian’s personality was indeed like that. In the Three Kingdoms, he gave Xuzhou to Liu Bei, partly because Liu Bei was an imperial uncle of the Han.

Having the bloodline of the Liu family, he felt secure in entrusting Xuzhou to him. Now, if Long Chen held the emperor’s edict, Tao Qian would certainly honor it.

If he did not comply, it would mean betraying the Han Dynasty, making him a traitor, something Tao Qian would naturally avoid.

"Is there anything else? There is still a major obstacle to taking Xuzhou!" Long Chen said seriously.

"Is it Cao Mengde?"

Xi Zhicai, just about to drink his wine, paused and muttered:

"Cao Cao is not to be underestimated. In a short time, he has grown from a minor warlord with less than ten thousand troops to a major warlord with three hundred thousand heavy troops!

It shows his ambition and skills are top-notch!"

His tone carried a hint of worry, concerned that his lord would clash with Cao Cao in the future.

"Indeed, he is strong! But I... am even stronger!!"

Long Chen smiled calmly, drinking his tea cheerfully.

Seeing this, Xi Zhicai couldn’t help but be inspired by his momentum.

Yes, Cao Cao was strong and had rapidly expanded his power, but their lord was even stronger!

From humble beginnings, he had risen to command the entire military of the realm, becoming a first-rank general and the Han Dynasty’s honor – Champion Marquis!

Can Cao Cao be stronger than their lord Long Chen!

"If that’s the case, then let’s fight!!!" Xi Zhicai said, bowing.

"But I hope the lord can take me with him this time."

Every time Long Chen went on a campaign, he left Xi Zhicai at home, which had troubled him greatly, having to spend nights alone.

One must know, he and Long Chen used to sleep with their heads at the foot of the bed!

"But... but if you leave, who will oversee Yangzhou?" Long Chen asked, scratching his head.

"Don’t worry, my lord, I’ve found someone!"

"Who?"

"Lu Su!"

Upon hearing this, Long Chen finally felt at ease.

During his expeditions, Xi Zhicai had used his persuasive skills to win over Lu Su and had him appointed as an official.

Now, Lu Su had been rewarded by Long Chen as a Mid-ranking General in Charge of Agriculture, enjoying a moment of glory.

During his tenure in Yangzhou, Lu Su, with his unique governance style, managed the populace in an orderly manner and was deeply loved by the people.

Moreover, his most outstanding talent was in managing grain and finances.

Previously, Long Chen’s territory yielded fifty thousand units of grain per month, but under Lu Su’s management, the yield doubled to one hundred thousand units per month.

This number was significant, meaning it could support twice as many troops.

The details and various factors contributing to this increase included middle and lower-level officials who might have been skimming off the harvest or other reasons that previously limited the yield to fifty thousand units.

That number was already considerable, given that even top-tier foreign lords’ monthly yields were estimated to be only twenty to thirty thousand units.

However, under Lu Su’s professional management, both the amount of grain and silver were increasing.

He managed Long Chen’s granaries and treasuries meticulously.

Lu Su’s abilities weren’t limited to these; his skill in governing states and counties was also exceptional.

Upon inspection, Long Chen found that Lu Su’s internal administration attribute value was as high as 101.

"Alright! Since Lu Zijing is here, I can rest assured. You may go as well."

"By the way, Wenhe, do you have any suggestions?" Long Chen asked, leaning in.

Jia Xu slightly shook his head and said, "My lord, what Zhichai said is quite good..."

Long Chen glared at Jia Xu impatiently, "Hurry up and speak!"

"Uh..." Jia Xu broke out in a slight sweat, bowed again, and said:

"My lord, I believe that if General Lü launches an attack on Yanzhou in advance, the effect would be better."

After listening, Long Chen’s eyes sparkled with interest.

Hey! That’s a good idea!

Despite Jia Xu’s few words, every sentence hit the key point.

When attacking Yanzhou, Cao Cao would undoubtedly be anxious and hastily withdraw his troops back to Yanzhou because it was his stronghold, and he wouldn’t dare stay in Xuzhou for too long.