Chương 103: Playing with Zhicai

When Zhang Zhongjing received the imperial edict, he was practicing medicine in Nanyang.

He is in his thirties and is a renowned doctor of our time.

He frowned after reading the imperial edict.

Was he conscripted to Youzhou? Or was he personally selected by the Marquis of Champion?

Zhang Zhongjing's first reaction was: No, he practiced medicine to cure the sick and save lives, not to become a private doctor for the powerful and wealthy.

However, the imperial edict stated, "Go to Youzhou to treat the border people and promote medical skills."

Border residents...

Zhang Zhongjing wavered.

He knew that conditions in Youzhou were harsh and that there was a lack of medical care and medicine.

If I could practice medicine there, I could indeed save many lives.

After much hesitation, Zhang Zhongjing decided to go.

"Just think of it as a traveling doctor," he told himself.

Xi Zhicai, Xun Yu, Chen Gong, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Yu Jin...

Talented individuals from various regions received the imperial edict one after another, and their reactions varied, but they all ultimately decided to embark on their journeys.

After all, this was a requisition by the imperial court, and no one could bear the crime of disobeying an imperial decree.

Moreover, they were indeed somewhat curious about the legendary champion.

In Luoyang, Liu Ce was completely unaware of all this.

He had a very busy few days: teaching Liu Bian to ride a horse in the morning, playing the zither with Cai Yan in the afternoon (or being "thanked" by He Lian), and handling various affairs in the evening.

For example, Qin Qiong, Zhang Fei, and Cheng Yaojin sent news from Zhuojun that the Yellow Turban legacy had been transported to Youzhou.

For example, the Zhen family sent someone to ask when the fifth daughter's wedding would be held.

Liu Ce was at his wit's end and could only vaguely say that they would talk about it once Youzhou was settled.

He's been sneezing a bit lately.

Liu Ce guessed that this might be because the people who had been conscripted were discussing him on the way.

During this period, Liu Ce has placed orders for many seeds, as well as some medicines (antibiotics, antipyretics, etc., in case of emergency).

That night.

Liu Ce was alone in the study of the Marquis of Champion's mansion, studying the situation in Youzhou on a map.

Youzhou comprised eleven commanderies and kingdoms: Zhuo Commandery, Guangyang Commandery, Dai Commandery, Shanggu Commandery, Yuyang Commandery, Youbeiping Commandery, Liaoxi Commandery, Liaodong Commandery, Xuantu Commandery, Lelang Commandery, and Liaodong Dependent Kingdom.

It has a large area, but a small population, and the majority of the population is concentrated in the southern Zhuojun and Guangyangjun counties.

Many of the northern prefectures were invaded by the Xianbei and Wuhuan, and the people were displaced.

"The task ahead is arduous and the road is long," Liu Ce sighed.

But he wasn't afraid, as he had troops at his disposal (three thousand Xuanjia Iron Cavalry, two thousand Yellow Turban Warriors, and more than ten thousand elite infantry; he could recruit the rest when he returned).

Soon there will be more people (Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, Yuwen Chengdu, and Lu Bu, Zhang Liao, Huang Zhong, etc. who will arrive soon), as well as strategists (Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Jia Xu, Guo Jia, etc.).

This lineup is more than enough to govern Youzhou, let alone conquer the world.

Of course, Liu Ce has no intention of conquering the world yet.

His plan was to stay put in Youzhou for now, develop the economy, train the army, and wait until the world was in chaos before making any further moves.

"Professional at slacking off, amateur at fighting," he told himself.

"If I can slack off, I will; if I can't... I'll just beat the crap out of him."

Just then, the steward came to report: "My lord, Attendant Zhang sent someone to say that the transfer orders for the talents you requested have all been issued. The earliest batch should arrive in Luoyang in three or four days."

Liu Ce nodded: "Understood."

After the butler left, Liu Ce walked to the window and looked at the moonlight outside.

The night in Luoyang was quiet, but he knew that this quiet wouldn't last long.

Liu Hong's health deteriorated day by day; historically, he was expected to die in five years.

Once he dies, the conflict between He Jin and the eunuchs will erupt, and then Dong Zhuo will enter the capital, plunging the country into chaos.

We need to hurry.

First, go to Youzhou and establish a solid foundation.

Only when things get chaotic will there be capital to participate in this game.

As for He Lian, Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, and the five daughters of the Zhen family...

Liu Ce rubbed his temples.

Having too many emotional debts is also a problem.

But since things have come to this, we can only take it one step at a time.

"Go to sleep," he told himself.

"I still have to teach Liu Bian how to ride a horse tomorrow."

The candle was blown out, plunging the room into darkness.

Outside the window, the moonlight was perfect.

A few days later, Luoyang City began to bustle with activity.

It wasn't a festival, nor was it a war; it was just that people from all directions were starting to flock here, drawn in by Liu Ce's conscription list.

Every day, carriages and horses from all over the country arrive at the gate of the Marquis of Champion's mansion.

The housekeeper was extremely busy, registering names, arranging accommodations, and preparing meals; he was overwhelmed.

"My lord, our front courtyard is almost full!" the steward said with a distressed expression.

"All the side rooms in the front courtyard are full, even the small hut next to the stables has been vacated!"

Liu Ce chuckled: "We can arrange them in the backyard. The backyard is spacious anyway, and these are all talented people. Once we get to Youzhou, I guarantee each of them a large mansion!"

The first to arrive was Xi Zhicai.

That day, Liu Ce was dozing off in the study of the Marquis of Champion's mansion. He Lian had come again yesterday, saying that she was "saying goodbye in advance," but she ended up saying goodbye until evening.

Liu Ce's back was still a little sore, and he cursed inwardly: This woman looks dignified, but she's really a pain when she gets going.

When the butler knocked and came in, he was drooling over the table.

"My lord, someone requests an audience."

"Who is it..." Liu Ce looked up groggily.

"His surname is Xi, his given name is Xi Zhong, and he said he came from Yingchuan."

Liu Ce instantly regained his senses.

Xi Zhong and Xi Zhicai! They were one of Cao Cao's early strategists. They died young in history, but their abilities were absolutely first-rate!

He quickly sat up straight, straightened his clothes, and cleared his throat:

"Please come quickly!"

A short while later, the butler led in a young man.

The man looked to be around eighteen years old, not very tall, and slender. He was wearing a faded blue shirt.

But his eyes were exceptionally bright, like a cat catching mice at night, with a gleam in them when he looked at people.

Name: Xi Zhong, courtesy name Zhicai Gender: Male Age: 18 [Strength]: 28 [Command]: 72 (Third-rate) [Politics]: 91 (Top-tier) Intelligence: 95 (Top-tier) [Appearance]: 75cm Special skills: [Talent foresight]:...

[Heaven's Jealousy]:...

Liu Ce stood up and said very politely:

"Zhicai, you've come all this way, you must be tired. Please have a seat."

Xi Zhicai returned the greeting, sat down, and glanced around the study.

He lingered for a few seconds after seeing the map hanging on the wall before turning to Liu Ce.

Liu Ce brewed the tea himself, although his tea-brewing skills were not very good. He put in too much tea leaves, and it tasted as bitter as medicine.

Xi Zhicai took a sip, his face scrunched up, but he didn't say anything.

There was a moment of silence.

"It is my honor to be summoned by Your Excellency," he said calmly.

"However, I am foolish and do not know why Your Excellency has summoned me."

Liu Ce secretly praised him: This opening was both humble and direct; he's a sensible person.

He didn't mince words: "I invited Zhicai here because of the matter of Youzhou. I have been appointed by His Majesty as the governor of Youzhou, in charge of the military and political affairs of Youzhou. However, Youzhou is a vast and sparsely populated region, and is frequently plagued by barbarian invasions, making it difficult to govern. I would like to ask for your assistance, sir."