Mythical Three Kingdoms

"Tomorrow morning or afternoon?" Chen Xi quickly realized what needed to be done. Integrating them together was quite simple, especially since the Xiliang Soldiers, being elite troops, didn't require others to command them to exert excellent combat power.

Once fully integrated, they wouldn't need to restructure and swap commanders often; after all, the Xiliang Soldiers' fighting style was simple and direct—just get in and go all out. As for formation and dispatch, the Xiliang Soldiers, after countless battles, had already developed their own formations, needing little to no dispatch. They were like a teaching army type.

All they needed was a valiant chief general; even swapping generals might not hurt morale, as long as one could pick the best of the best from the pyramid. Leading the Xiliang Soldiers in battle was as simple as casually throwing someone in to earn their reputation.

Liu Bei had no shortage of valiant generals. The Xiliang Soldiers were nominally tied to the Central Army, officially tasked with battle. Any general going on a campaign would take them, and after the battle, they'd return to the Central Army's roster.

This tactic was played out so much in the past that people eventually got tired of it. Although swapping generals frequently hurt morale and esprit de corps, Li Youu's pyramid structure was the most suitable for this tactic—it was practically tailor-made.

"You guys go in the afternoon. Maybe I can just about make it," Liu Bei thought and said. He really couldn't make it, otherwise, he wouldn't have had someone else step in for him.

"Oh, alright then. I happen to have something to do in the morning. Tomorrow, I'm handing out New Year's money to the kids," Chen Xi nodded. If Liu Bei had said morning, it would have had to be postponed. Boosting the army was much more important than handing out New Year's money to that bunch of kids.

Liu Bei chuckled, "Do you need me to supplement your funds?"

"If Lord Xuande is willing to supplement, that'd be even better," Chen Xi joked.

The Chen Family wasn't poor at all. However, Liu Bei ended up with a Zhang Clan member, and Lady Gan held three-tenths shares of a commercial association. With all these odds and ends, Liu Bei's private treasury grew larger and larger, often supplementing the government treasury—thanks to Chen Xi spending money everywhere.

Liu Bei didn't say much and gave Chen Xi three slips, which turned out to be all real estate, having taken control of over half of Jizhou. Liu Bei had plenty of real estate; he had acquired a lot, and had enough of his own, feeling he couldn't possibly occupy them all and decided to give some away.

"These three estates—I'll just gift them," Chen Xi silently put away the items and added some of his own. This year, Liu Bei had a bit of a lavish aura about him.

"I thought I saw the eldest lady of the Wu Family when I came in," Li Youu quietly changed the topic.

"Yeah, moved in the day before yesterday," Liu Bei said nonchalantly.

"Actually, Lord, taking her as a concubine wouldn't be too bad," Guo Jia suddenly chimed in, almost causing Liu Bei to choke. He really didn't have the motivation for taking concubines. Although he occasionally might take a few Beautiful Ladies, a true concubine was only Lady Gan.

"Why should I?" Liu Bei retorted. At his level, forming marital alliances with aristocratic families was unnecessary unless he was fond of someone. What's the point?

"Fengxiao, have your son come to my house tomorrow," Chen Xi restrained Guo Jia. "Everyone should do the same; those with wives and concubines but no sons should bring their wives and concubines too."

"I'll pass. Let my cousin go," Fa Zheng thought for a moment and awkwardly said.

"I don't need to, either," Guan Ping said, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

In the end, Chen Xi realized that it seemed mostly girls would be visiting his house tomorrow. He glanced at Mi Zhu to the side, "Zizhong, haven't you found a suitable match for your sister yet?"

Mi Zhu, helpless, glanced at everyone present, "Not yet. The outstanding figures here were once my targets, but I watched them get married and take concubines one by one..."

"Zizhong, who do you think is suitable? Mi Zhen is not getting any younger," Liu Bei coughed twice and commented. Although Mount Tai no longer enforced taxes and compelled girls to marry at fourteen, Mi Zhen should find a partner from any angle.

"I think many are suitable, but those who can debate with my sister without surrendering are few," Mi Zhu laughed bitterly, glancing at Liu Yan, who looked equally helpless. As a notable minister recognized by the Human Cauldron, able to manifest the Shun Li phantom, he could confidently say that winning Mi Zhen's heart required a shared language.

Speaking of this, it's necessary to mention Liu Yan. Liu Yan couldn't manage state affairs or excel in military strategy, but he was eloquent and understood publicity, and he was very self-aware. Having pledged allegiance early on, he ascended with Liu Bei's promotions.

He was extremely handsome, a charming man in his twenties. Just in terms of discussing philosophy, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, he was first-class. Moreover, he was charismatic, with friends all over the world, a true notable among notables.

He epitomized the so-called eminence grise. At home, Liu Yan had the most concubines, but none were coerced or harmed, so no one bothered about the number of concubines he had.

Yet Liu Yan, over twenty, remained unmarried. Despite having many concubines, his character was excellent, so many people introduced women to him as a Legal Wife.

It's worth mentioning that Liu Yan excelled in publicity, earning him many favors, with many noted scholars coming under Liu Bei's governance to roam and provoke, handled with Liu Yan's assistance. Consequently, in terms of achievements, he accomplished much, which is why no one looked down on Liu Yan.

However, Liu Yan initially set his sights on Cai Yan, and the result was a fiasco. His philosophical discussions, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were trounced by Cai Yan, making him realize he couldn't marry her, feeling he wouldn't be able to hold his head high if he did.

After glancing around, honestly, Liu Yan was a total beauty lover, admiring beautiful women. Soon, the unbetrothed Mi Zhen caught his eye. Mi Zhu and Liu Yan had a decent relationship, and morally speaking, Liu Yan was decent, so Mi Zhu was happy to see them together.

But the result was that Liu Yan surrendered to Mi Zhen. At that time, Mi Zhen was diligently studying mathematics, thoroughly defeating Liu Yan. In the end, Liu Yan offered Mi Zhen an original Former Han text, the "Zhou Bi Suan Jing," acknowledging he wasn't fortunate enough to be with her.

"Alas, all in all, we'll take it step by step. Actually, Boyan is quite a good kid, but Zhen'er always feels he's too young, though she seems to have softened a bit," Mi Zhu sighed. If only Lul Xun and Mi Zhen's ages could swap—Lul Xun sixteen and Mi Zhen twelve—it would be much better.

"Boyan, ah, oh, right, have your sister come tomorrow to draw a red envelope too. I've prepared a big red envelope this time, a huge one. Whoever draws it won't have to worry ever again," Chen Xi said with a smile.

"Zichuan, what did you wrap in the red envelope?" Liu Bei was shocked, seeing that Chen Xi rarely acted recklessly on such occasions. He immediately spoke up, "My son wants to draw, too." (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read it at m.qidian.com.)