Chapter 1231: Traveling with the Gentleman
"Hmm, he's also someone who understands the situation. I'll remember the Xuu Family." Chen Xi nodded and said, those who help him will never feel they owe him anything.
The status of the Hundred Crafts has reached a time for improvement, the sages of the world are well aware of this, since that's the case, it's better to seek something tangible.
With the appearance of Qu Qi, Zheng Hun, and others, those who truly support the Empire's long-term survival have emerged, and the record of five stones per mu in yield has finally appeared in public.
Xuu Shao is willing to use this Civil Official List, which countless people desire, to pave the way for Qu Qi, which indeed makes Chen Xi feel his sincerity.
Raising the status of the Hundred Crafts was indeed Chen Xi's hint to Xuu Shao, but if Xuu Shao didn't agree, Chen Xi had no good solution. As for the second point, paving the way for Qu Qi, Chen Xi didn't have high hopes, but didn't expect Xuu Shao would achieve this level.
"The time has come, Xuu Zijiang is indeed excellent." Chen Xi said with a face of sentiment, the Civil Official List combined with Qu Qi's saying of five stones per mu, this Official Announcement has become the ultimate list leader!
"Elder Xuu asked me to pass a message to Marquis Chen." A servant bowed and said to Chen Xi.
"Speak." In front of strangers, Chen Xi also appears cold and authoritative.
"As Marquis Chen leads the list yet does not care for the name, what meaning does the Civil Official List have? Thus, this list might as well be left for Qu Hanmo; at least that would be ingenious!" The servant repeated Xuu Shao's words.
Chen Xi nodded, signaling the servant to go and claim his reward. However, Xuu Shao made a valid point, if the leader of the Civil Official List does not value the list, what meaning does it have? Given that, why not follow the leader's heart and make it unique.
After understanding these, Chen Xi took large strides towards the door; the horses of the Northern Grasslands have already started their journey southward, and here in Ye City, Qu Qi is also ready to measure the world with his feet. He is leaving, to fulfill his vision.
"I thought you wouldn't come." After Chen Xi arrived, Qu Qi, who was already sitting in the carriage, jumped out and said with a laugh.
"How could I not come?" Chen Xi sighed, "You've successfully caught up with your dreams and started to pursue your larger vision; I couldn't possibly not come to send off a successful predecessor."
"Hahahahaha!" Qu Qi laughed heartily, picking up the wine glasses prepared by the Escort and filling them for the two of them, "I never thought one day I would be your predecessor, Chen Zichuan; this makes me happy!"
"Did you bring a cook and doctor?" Chen Xi took the wine glass and drank it in one go, looking sideways.
"I only brought the cook." Qu Qi said with some twitching at the corner of his eyes.
"This journey is long; how can you not bring a doctor? Do you want to die in a foreign land?" Chen Xi straightforwardly said such ominous words during the send-off.
"That's not it." Qu Qi wasn't shy about it either, "Earlier I was intending to bring the doctor along, being just one step away from my dream; how could I not cherish myself, but Physician Hua said there's no need."
Qu Qi recalled the dark night a few days ago, when Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing broke in, one tying Qu Qi up with rope, then pouring a bowl of unknown broth down his throat, further injecting something; making him have clear consciousness, able to see but not speak or feel pain.
Afterwards, Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo began with needles, drips, and pulse checking, tossing him around all night; Qu Qi watched helplessly as they toyed with him, unable to speak or move.
Finally, Hua Tuo took out a knife and cut a small incision on Qu Qi's arm which healed within less than half an hour. Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing were finally satisfied and gave Qu Qi medicine so he was jumping again.
At that time, Qu Qi felt like he was going insane, yet after recovering he exhibited surprising calm.
Seeing the two excitedly tell him that basically no illness in the world could knock him down now, and that consuming ordinary poison would only cause diarrhea, Qu Qi didn't know what expression to give; truly those two are monsters.
But when he went again five days later and heard they had experimented ten kinds of plagues on him, stating that Qu Qi could henceforth ignore those deadly plagues, he felt extraordinarily tough to have survived; since not even ten kinds of plagues killed him, why bring a doctor!
"You seem a bit distracted?" Chen Xi looked curiously at Qu Qi.
"Just thinking of some things." Qu Qi trembled slightly.
"You seem to be shaking; could it be you're feverish?" Chen Xi puzzled over Qu Qi.
"No, it's just a normal reaction; I need to leave this dangerous place." Saying so, Qu Qi ordered people to bring the horse stool, preparing to board.
"Hanmou!" Just then, Liu Bei and Wuu Anguo arrived.
"Lord." Qu Qi bowed in salute.
"No need for formality, I came to see you off. The journey to Chang'an is long, Hanmou, take care of your safety." Liu Bei raised Qu Qi up and said.
Qu Qi knew that in this era there are bandits, mountain bandits, and robbers, but despite this he still must pursue his ideals. Moreover, as long as the knowledge he holds is confirmed correct, even mountain bandits and robbers will escort him safely out of borders.
This era still adheres to the principle of honor among thieves, like Zheng Xuan encountering Yellow Turbans who avoid confronting him, precisely because even the common folk know who genuinely benefits them, even in rebellion they don't harm such people.
***************, that's what it speaks to, just one year, as long as the first year passes and people understand the current best farming methods, Qu Qi no longer need worry for his personal safety.
In this era there's nothing more important than letting people have enough to eat, so Qu Qi doesn't worry about his safety.
"The matter Lord contemplates, Qi also has concerns, yet ultimately, this task must be done by Qi." Qu Qi sighed deeply.
Seeing Qu Qi so resolute, Liu Bei knew he had made up his mind, patted Qu Qi's shoulder and sighed, "Take care all the way!"
Qu Qi looked at the group before him, cupped his fists and saluted them once more, "Take care, everyone!"
Having said that, Qu Qi stepped onto the horse stool and jumped into the carriage, paused slightly at the entrance but said nothing and went inside. Accompanied by veteran soldier escorts, he went westwards on the highway, next time meeting likely years hence.
At that moment, Wuu Anguo mounted his horse, saluted Liu Bei, and then rode towards Qu Qi.
"General Wu'an, what brings you?" Qu Qi asked Wuu Anguo who caught up.
"I'm visiting Kong Wenju in Chang'an, coincidentally traveling together with sir." Wuu Anguo smiled.