Reborn Liu Bei: I'll lead this Three Kingdoms to victory!

On the first day of the third month of the sixth year of Jian'an (200 AD), it was the day of Jingzhe (Awakening of Insects).

The permafrost in Liaodong began to loosen, and people were already leading oxen to the fields in the muddy ground where the snow and ice had melted. In the fields outside Xiangping City, Tian Yu personally supervised the distribution of the last batch of farming tools to the refugees—an improved version of the "curved plow" designed by Zhuge Liang, which was lightweight and labor-saving, and could be pulled by a single ox.

"Twenty mu per person, put your fingerprints on the contract!" the clerk shouted from the field ridge. "The government lends seeds and oxen, and exempts you from taxes for the first three years! But there's one condition—the land cannot be left uncultivated; for every mu left uncultivated, you'll be fined three mu!"

The refugees lined up, each stepping forward to leave their fingerprints. These people, who had escaped the war, trembled as they held the land deed stamped with the seal of the Liaodong Governor's Office. To them, this was not just a piece of paper; it was their lives.

At the same time, a special assessment was being held in the main hall of the Governor's Office.

Zheng Xuan sat in the main seat, flanked by Tian Yu, Xu Shu, and Sima Yi, who had just been able to get out of bed and walk—he had been kept in bed by Hua Tuo for half a month and was only allowed to participate in the meeting today. Standing below were more than thirty people, all scholars who had come to him in the past month, ranging in age from twenty to fifty.

"Today's test will not be difficult for you," Zheng Xuan said gently. "I will only ask three questions: first, governing the people; second, governing the army; and third, governing the mind. You may choose one to answer and speak freely."

A thin, middle-aged scholar stepped forward first: "I am Thang Lam from Hanoi, and I wish to answer your questions regarding governing the people."

"please."

"In my opinion, the key to governing the people is equality," Chang Lin said loudly. "If taxes are levied equally, the people will not complain; if land is levied equally, the people will not fight; if labor is levied equally, the people will not be exhausted. However, equality does not mean inequality. It should be distributed according to the number of people, land ownership, and skills. This is what is meant by 'each giving full play to their abilities and receiving their due reward.'"

Zheng Xuan stroked his beard: "What if powerful figures seize our land?"

"Take a thorough survey of the land and register it. Anyone who conceals any land will be fined and have it confiscated; anyone who reports such a case will be rewarded with half the amount of the concealed land." Chang Lin paused, "However, we must proceed step by step, first demonstrating our authority, then showing our kindness. A sudden implementation of strict laws may cause unrest."

Sima Yi suddenly spoke up: "What if the powerful clans unite in rebellion?"

Chang Lin looked at the pale-faced boy, neither humble nor arrogant: "Divide and conquer. Win over the weak, isolate the strong; promote them in name only, lure them away from the mountain; if they remain stubborn..." He made a chopping gesture, "kill one to warn a hundred."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Zheng Xuan then asked, "If we kill him, we will lose our reputation for benevolence and righteousness. What should we do?"

"I have heard Prefect Liu say: 'Benevolent governance is the outward appearance, while the rule of law is the inner essence.'" Chang Lin bowed and said, "In times of chaos, severe punishments should be used, and lenient governance should be implemented only when peace is restored. If evil is tolerated for the sake of empty fame, it will harm the people and is not true benevolence."

Zheng Xuan looked at me with approval in his eyes.

I nodded slightly.

Next was Sun Li from Bohai, who answered the question about military administration: "The key to an army lies in clear rewards and punishments and unified commands. However, I believe that it is even more important to 'know the soldiers'—to know whether the soldiers are well-fed or hungry, whether they are warm or cold, and whether they are happy or angry. A general who does not know his soldiers will surely be defeated even if he wins a hundred battles."

The last person to step forward was a young man named Du Xi, a native of Yingchuan. He answered the question about governing the mind: "Governing the mind means governing desires. When people have desires, they become greedy, and greed leads to chaos. Therefore, we should guide the people to rectify their desires: if they want to be well-fed, we should encourage agriculture and sericulture; if they want to live in peace, we should encourage craftsmanship; if they want to achieve prominence, we should promote education. By guiding without blocking, and by channeling without stagnation, the people's hearts will naturally settle down."

The assessment lasted for two hours. After it ended, Zheng Xuan and I discussed the matter privately.

"Chang Lin can be appointed as the prefectural magistrate, Sun Li can join the army as a military advisor, and Du Xi..." The old gentleman pondered, "This boy has great talent. He can stay at the academy to teach for the time being, and be given important responsibilities after gaining experience."

"As you wish, sir," I said. "In addition, I would like to add a 'Current Affairs Training Program'—selecting young and intelligent students, with you, Yuanzhi, and Guorang as instructors, focusing on practical matters. The program will run for six months, and graduates will be assigned to various counties as assistant officials."

Zheng Xuan's eyes lit up: "This is an excellent plan! It can not only solve the urgent shortage of officials, but also cultivate loyal followers."

Just then, Zhuge Liang came in carrying a stack of documents: "Teacher, the progress reports on spring plowing in each prefecture have arrived."

I took the document and looked through it. The fastest progress was in Liaodong County, where 70% of the newly reclaimed land had been completed; the slowest was Youbeiping, where only 30% had been completed due to the later resettlement of displaced people. But overall, the new land reclaimed in this month had already exceeded the total for the entire previous year.

"Kongming, how much grain do you estimate we'll harvest in the autumn?"

The boy had already calculated: "Based on a yield of one and a half shi per mu, the newly reclaimed 400,000 mu can yield 600,000 shi of grain. Adding the existing land, the total is about 1.5 million shi—if the weather is favorable, it will be enough for Liaodong to be self-sufficient, and there will be a surplus of 200,000 shi of grain."

"Not enough." I shook my head. "We currently have over 400,000 people. At an annual consumption of six shi per person, we need 2.4 million shi. There is a shortfall of 900,000 shi."

Zhuge Liang frowned: "Then..."

"So we need to find a way to increase production." I unfurled a roll of patterns. "This is a new seed drill made in the workshop, which can sow three rows at the same time. And this—the 'dragon-bone waterwheel,' which can draw water from low-lying areas to higher ground. Have the craftsmen work on it as quickly as possible; each village should have at least two before the spring planting season ends."

"The student understands."

"There's one more thing," I called out to him. "You need to draft a plan for the placement of those scholars. There are three principles: First, appoint them based on their talents, regardless of their background; second, properly settle their families, and allow their children to attend academies; third..." I paused, "Establish a 'performance evaluation system,' with evaluations every quarter, promoting the excellent and eliminating the poor."

Zhuge Liang quickly wrote it down: "I will take care of it today."

After he left, Zheng Xuan sighed softly, "Kongming... he's growing up too fast. Sometimes when I look at him, I forget he's only fourteen."

"Turbulent times hasten one's aging." I looked out the window. "Sir, do you think this path we're on is viable?"

Zheng Xuan remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "I have read the classics all my life, and only now do I understand one thing: the benevolent governance described in books is for times of peace. In this chaotic world... swords must come first, then pen and ink; a way to survive must come first, then reason."

He stood up, walked to the bookshelf, and pulled out a volume of Mencius: "Mencius said, 'The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important.' This statement is both right and wrong. Without a ruler to govern and control the state, how can the people be valued? Without a state in peace and prosperity, how can the ruler be considered insignificant?"

The old man put the book back on the shelf: "Xuande, what you have done is unprecedented. There is no need to be bound by ancient methods, just strive to have a clear conscience."

I bowed deeply: "Thank you for your guidance, sir."

In the afternoon, I went to the medical school to visit Sima Yi and Fu Shou.

Fu Shou was already able to sit up and was leaning against the couch drinking her medicine. The eight-year-old girl was so thin she was just skin and bones, but her eyes were bright. When she saw me come in, she struggled to get up.

"Don't move." I held her down. "How do you feel?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency. I'm much better," Fu Shou said softly. "Mr. Hua said that I'll be able to get out of bed in another half month."

I glanced at Sima Yi on the couch beside me. The young man was looking at a map, and looked up when he heard the noise: "My lord."

"You too, you're seeing these things before you've fully healed." I took the map away. "Hua Tuo said you need to rest."

"The students can't stay still," Sima Yi said with a wry smile. "I've heard these past few days that Cao Cao is implementing a 'rent and tax system' in Ji Province, charging four liters of rent per mu, and requiring each household to pay two bolts of silk and two catties of cotton... more than double our taxes. If implemented properly, perhaps..."

"Could you instigate the people of Jizhou to migrate north?" I took over the conversation.

The young man nodded: "Exactly. Ji Province has been plagued by war for years, and the people are already under immense burden. Now that Cao Cao has increased taxes, it is our opportunity. We can send people infiltrate and spread the word that Liaodong will only pay one liter of tax per mu, and that the first three years will be completely free... This will surely attract a large number of farmers to come and join us."

I thought for a moment and said, "But we are still facing a food shortage. If too many people come, it will only cause chaos."

"Therefore, it must be orderly." Sima Yi was clearly deep in thought. "We can set up an 'immigrant quota,' accepting only five thousand households per month. First, register them and send them north in batches. Set up supply points along the way to provide food and lodging. Once they reach Liaodong, they can be directly resettled by distributing land—in this way, we can increase the population without overwhelming the granaries."

Looking at his pale face, I suddenly asked, "Zhongda, why are you working so hard?"

The boy was stunned.

"The student...doesn't know." He lowered his head. "I just felt it was something I should do, so I did it."

"Not for fame and fortune?"

"Fame and fortune are fleeting," Sima Yi said softly. "I simply... don't want to see this world continue to deteriorate. I'll do what I can."

I patted him on the shoulder: "Once you're healed, go help Yuanzhi reorganize the 'Night Scouts.' That place is too chaotic right now and needs someone with brains to sort it out."

"The student obeys."

After leaving medical school, I went to the workshop district in the west of the city.

This place was originally Gongsun Du's armory, but it has now been transformed into a multi-functional workshop. The sounds of hammering, sawing, and shouting blend together, and black smoke billows from the chimneys—the blast furnaces for iron smelting are in operation.

The workshop was run by a young man named Ma Jun, only twenty years old. He had a stutter but was very skillful. He was originally a craftsman from Chang'an, but fled there when Cao Cao moved the capital.

"My lord..." Ma Jun nervously rubbed his hands, "The new waterwheel is finished."

I followed him into a large shed. Inside stood a wooden machine, about two people tall, with gears, cranks, and impellers; its structure was ingenious.

"Try it?" Ma Jun asked.

"try."

Several craftsmen turned the crank, the gears turned, and the impeller rotated. Water was scooped up from the lower trough and flowed down the wooden channel to the higher level—slowly, but definitely moving.

"One, one hour is enough to irrigate three mu of land." Ma Jun grinned sheepishly. "If we use oxen, it will be even faster."

"Good!" I praised. "Hurry up and make fifty first. Ma Jun, from today onwards, you will be the workshop supervisor, with a monthly salary of twenty shi (a unit of dry measure), and two apprentices assigned to you."

The young man was so excited that his stammering became even more pronounced: "Thank you, my lord!"

It was already dusk when I left the workshop.

At the city gate, Zhang Fei was escorting more than a dozen large carts into the city. The carts were piled high with sacks of grain that had just been transported back from Jiangdong.

"Brother!" Zhang Fei jumped off the cart, covered in dust. "One hundred thousand shi! I personally escorted the shipment, not a single grain is missing!"

I glanced at the convoy: "Was the journey smooth?"

"Successfully!" Zhang Fei grinned. "Only when crossing the Yangtze River did we encounter some river bandits. I killed over twenty of them, and the rest all ran away. Those bastards, when they heard I was Zhang Fei, they pissed their tails in terror!"

Just then, a crying sound came from behind the convoy.

I walked over and saw several ragged women and children cowering behind the car.

"This is?"

Zhang Fei scratched his head: "Oh, these are people the river bandits robbed. Their homes were burned down, and they had nowhere to go. I felt sorry for them, so I brought them back... Brother, if... if it's not possible, I'll send them back..."

I looked into those terrified eyes.

"No need to send him," I said. "Go to the Refugee Resettlement Office to register and get the land allocated according to the rules."

The women were stunned, then knelt down in unison, kowtowing repeatedly.

Zhang Fei's eyes were a little red: "Brother...you really are..."

"What a fool!" I laughed and scolded. "Alright, hurry up and unload the grain. We'll have extra dishes tonight, and I'll treat you to drinks."

"Really?! Then I want to drink 'Liaodong Shao'!"

"Enough is enough."

That evening, three tables were set up in the backyard of the Governor's Mansion.

All the key civil and military officials were present. Guan Yu rushed back from Youzhou, Zhao Yun returned from the water fortress, and even Sima Yi, who was recuperating from his injuries, was granted special permission by Hua Tuo to "drink half a bowl of wine." Zheng Xuan, Tian Yu, Xu Shu, Zhuge Liang, Ma Jun, Chang Lin... were all gathered together.

After a few rounds of drinks, I raised my glass: "This first glass is to our brothers who died in battle—Li Gan, Zhao San, and those whose names we didn't leave behind."

Everyone solemnly raised their glasses, spilling the wine on the ground.

"The second toast is to everyone present. Without you, Liaodong would not be where it is today."

"The third cup..." I looked at the new faces below, "to our new friends. From now on, we'll be in this together."

The atmosphere only became lively after three cups were drunk.

Zhang Fei, carrying a wine jar, went around toasting everyone. When it was Ma Jun's turn, the young man's hands trembled with nervousness, and half the wine spilled. Zhang Fei laughed heartily, "Director Ma, don't, don't be nervous! I, I won't eat you!"

He imitated Ma Jun's stutter, which made everyone laugh.

Zhuge Liang and Sima Yi sat at the same table. The young man served Sima Yi some food: "Brother Zhongda, Master Hua said you need to replenish your qi and blood. This is chicken stewed with angelica root, specially made for you."

Sima Yi looked at the mountain of chicken piled in his bowl and said helplessly, "Young master, I can't eat this much..."

"You must eat," Zhuge Liang said seriously. "You've lost too much blood; you need to replenish it."

Guan Yu watched from the side, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly: "These two lads... get along quite well."

Zhao Yun chuckled: "We're all smart people, we appreciate each other."

The banquet lasted until 9 PM before the crowd gradually dispersed.

I sat alone in the courtyard, gazing at the full moon.

Zhuge Liang brought over some hangover soup: "Teacher, there's spring plowing inspection tomorrow, so please get some rest."

Instead of taking the soup, I asked, "Kongming, what do you think... how will history record what we're doing now?"

The boy thought for a moment and said, "They would probably say that the teacher took in refugees, distributed land and exempted them from taxes, and promoted education; he was a benevolent ruler."

"What about the part that wasn't mentioned?"

"What wasn't said..." Zhuge Liang said softly, "was the one who used strategy to seize Youzhou, plotted to take Liaodong, and won people's hearts with his methods. But future generations will not know these things, nor do they need to know them."

"Why not?"

"Because the result is more important than the process." The boy's eyes were clear. "If Teacher can ultimately bring peace to the world, then those methods are 'wisdom born of necessity'; if he loses... then they are 'schemes and tricks'. Therefore, we can only win."

I laughed.

"You're becoming more and more like me."

"This student dares not," Zhuge Liang said, bowing his head. "This student simply...understands the teacher's good intentions."

I drank the hangover soup in one gulp and got up.

"Let's go to sleep. Tomorrow... there's always tomorrow."

Moonlight bathed the courtyard.

The sound of the night watchman's gong came from afar.

It's past midnight.

But the people on this land can finally sleep peacefully.