Mythical Three Kingdoms

"Although the saying 'A true man has no worries about lacking a wife' is often said, any sensible person knows that this is either an excuse or a helpless assertion."

"Now both of them have a good option, and Liu Bei indeed wants to see how Liu Xie is doing lately. Sending an ordinary person wouldn't gather in-depth insights, but sending Guan Yu is much more reassuring."

"Liu Bei gave Chen Xi a meaningful look. This matter has moved beyond idle talk; although it seemed for Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, the underlying intentions have completely changed."

"'General Guan, make a grand commotion this time. Don't be afraid to spend money, prepare elaborate gifts for His Majesty, and ideally obtain a decree for marriage from the emperor, and make it known across the world,' Chen Xi smiled and said."

"At this time, Chen Xi was not particularly keen on sending Guan Yu to Yongzhou, but since Liu Bei agreed, Chen Xi wouldn't cause trouble out of nowhere, so he just followed along."

"'However, there should be a plan, and if we are to go, it should be done quickly. Perhaps we can catch the Grand Assembly,' Li Youu suggested, taking over the conversation."

"'Hmm, that is indeed the best time for us to contact His Majesty,' Liu Ye instantly understood and said."

"'Yes, that would be the best time to learn about His Majesty's current situation,' Lub Su nodded in agreement, as he had little loyalty to Liu Xie since they never met."

"'I think we should make it grander; isn't there news about Sunx Ce and Cao Cao forming an alliance?' Chen Xi said thoughtfully. Although alliances through marriage are unreliable, they can also be the most reliable form of alliance. It's hard to believe Sunx Ce doesn't feel a sting in his heart."

"There were already many conflicts between Sunx Ce and Cao Cao, so Chen Xi didn't believe Zhou Yu wouldn't be wary of Cao Cao. It was just a convenient move, and whether it succeeds or not is not important."

"'Cao Cao and Sunx Ce are not united, and neither are Cao Cao and the Ma Clan,' Fa Zheng scoffed, it's impossible for them to be completely harmonious."

"'Then I'll set off tomorrow,' Guan Yu, being a person who acts without delay, was not particularly worried about the danger. The troublesome part was the unresolved matter regarding Zhao Yun..."

"'That's fine; since General Guan is going personally, then the gifts must be selected carefully,' Lub Su said with a frown, 'Come to the Government Treasury tomorrow for the gift list and gifts. In the evening, let's discuss with my Lord which items to take?'"

"'Yunchang, come to the Government Treasury tomorrow morning. I will personally select the gifts tonight,' Liu Bei thought for a moment and agreed with Lub Su, realizing it's more sincere to choose the gifts himself."

"'Ziyang, have someone copy a version of our plan book and bring it tonight,' Liu Bei turned to instruct Liu Ye, clearly intending to participate in the Grand Assembly."

"Chen Xi and Liu Ye exchanged glances, and both Li Youu and Lub Su also did not look comfortable but agreed to it. It's risky to present the plan book as it might surely lead to trouble."

"'Farming as the foundation, salt tax as secondary, it might be beneficial to present these to encourage the emperor's confidence in the world,' Chen Xi said slowly. Reporting it in full might lead to Liu Xie not raising taxes, which would be a miracle."

"Although they could completely ignore Liu Xie, they had agreed to shoulder the banner, and completely disregarding him would be too excessive."

"'My Lord, when we reported the salt tax to you earlier, we re-evaluated the pricing. Next year, we will promote the average price throughout the Han Dynasty, which requires the emperor's approval,' Liu Ye smartly picked up on Chen Xi's meaning immediately."

"Previously, the major taxes of the Han Dynasty were farm taxes and salt taxes, with commercial taxes being minimal. Reporting it this way would indeed cause no issues. Liu Ye quickly remembered the issue with the salt price earlier. Isn't this a perfect subject to bring up at the Grand Assembly? This way, there's no time for Cao Cao to react. Liu Xie approves, Liu Bei implements, the aristocratic family supports, and Cao Cao and Sunx Ce would be rendered powerless."

"'That would be good; such matters of great importance to all the people should indeed be approved by His Majesty,' Liu Bei, distracted by Liu Ye, agreed and asked no further questions."

"In truth, Liu Bei had noted some things. His subordinates either didn't take Liu Xie seriously, considering only him, or they cared about the Han Territory without regard for who the emperor was. No one seemed genuinely concerned about Liu Xie!"

"[Ah, these guys. With farm and salt taxes, let it be. It's not good for Cao Cao to fully understand our capabilities.] Liu Bei thought helplessly."

"Guo Jia observed Liu Bei's expression, guessing seven or eight parts of his mindset, and didn't see any issue with Liu Bei's considerations. This group of people all had their own ideas, yet Liu Bei could align them toward a common goal."

"'Recently, there hasn't been much activity in the Shu Region,' Jia Xu smoothly changed the topic, 'but speaking of it, Sichuan and Shu indeed have valiant generals.'

"'There are also many good ministers, but unfortunately, Liu Yizhou does not know how to employ them. But since good ministers and valiant generals are plentiful, defending the Han Territory shouldn't be a problem. I heard he recently subdued the Southern Barbarians,' Fa Zheng followed, not expecting Liu Zhang to be this formidable."

"'Quite impressive,' Chen Xi commented silently. They were completely unaware of how incompetent Liu Zhang was in history, yet somehow believed this Liu Zhang was weak."

"To be frank, with the natural barrier of Sichuan and the current combat power under Liu Zhang's command, Cao Cao couldn't invade without thorough preparation."

"According to Chen Xi's estimation, Liu Zhang must have waged a remarkable battle right after ascending to power. After sparring with top Feudal Lords, gained courage, and then crushed the invading Southern Barbarians, his confidence soared noticeably."

"Truth be told, no one wants to be a loser. If there is an ability to rise, who would want to lay low? Likely in a previous life, Liu Zhang hadn't committed to fighting Zhang Lu, faced internal restraints, and lacked a proper general. Losing was inevitable."

"After consecutive defeats, surely his courage would dwindle, unable to even defeat such a weak feudal lord like Zhang Lu, Liu Zhang would surely give up."

"In this lifetime, it is completely different; no exaggeration, tying with the third-ranked Yuan Shu in the world, neither gaining the upper hand, halving main forces to suppress Zhang Lu to a war of attrition, then deploying troops to quell the Southern Barbarians, Liu Zhang would see himself as weak only if he were insane."

"That's also why Zhang Song shows no signs of betraying Liu Zhang. Life is good, who would do something so dishonorable.""And even if Liu Bei succeeds in rejuvenating the Han Dynasty, even better. Liu Zhang, being soft in nature, would surrender if slightly coerced, as the only remaining Liu surname provincial governor with no resistance, living peacefully. Therefore, Yizhou is indeed united right now!"

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