On the way back, Chen Xi wasn't in a hurry. He leisurely looked around, seemingly trying to find something to nitpick about. However, upon entering Taishan, where he managed the political affairs himself, he no longer had the intention of stirring up trouble.
"It seems I've done a pretty good job," Chen Xi remarked, pleased as he observed the citizens registering their households as they entered the city. Over time, Lu Su had taken over Li You's duties and had successfully implemented the household registration system.
"This is beyond just 'pretty good'," Lu Yu commented from the carriage window, marveling at the bustling crowds outside. Although he had been to Taishan once before, seeing it again still filled him with awe.
"It will get even more prosperous in the future," Chen Xi shrugged. "This is just the beginning; the city isn't fully built yet. You can tell Zijing hasn't finished everything, like the markets outside the city."
"Heh heh heh," Zhuge Liang chuckled slyly. Lu Su really had his hands full; anything that wasn't completed became his responsibility.
"Look at this, even entering the city still requires payment. We've been waiting here for so long and haven't seen a single person or merchant who didn't have to pay. The plan I left with Zijing clearly hasn't been implemented," Chen Xi said helplessly.
"Zijing truly has it tough," Zhuge Liang remarked with a shake of his head. "You should be more understanding. He has many responsibilities, and your plan might not have been prioritized. Perhaps there's even an issue with your plan."
"There's nothing wrong with the plan; it just requires a lot of calculations," Chen Xi shrugged again. "A small amount of money shouldn't be something to haggle over with the people, nor should it be something we cling to."
"Halt!" The gatekeeper at the city gate commanded Chen Xi's driver. "Present your household registration, pass, or documentation. Any one of the three will suffice."
"Oh, it's you, Yuanjian. What are you doing guarding the gate?" Chen Xi leaned out of the carriage window and noticed Liao Hua, whom he recognized.
"Greetings, Chief Advisor," Liao Hua respectfully saluted and replied, "General Guan believed I had a talent for reading, studying military strategies, so he approved a document for me to return and study. In the meantime, the lord appointed me as the gatekeeper to gain experience."
"Oh, so these fifty-plus people are under your command now?" Chen Xi asked curiously. "Not bad, you've quickly risen to the rank of Tun Leader."
"During the battle in Licheng, I ambushed an enemy deputy general and earned a military merit. General Guan promoted me to Centurion, and I was further promoted when I returned," Liao Hua said with a sheepish grin, scratching his head.
"Keep up the good work, study hard, and you'll become a general," Chen Xi encouraged with a smile. Liao Hua then ordered his men to let Chen Xi's carriage pass through.
Looking at the wide and orderly city of Fenggao, Chen Xi couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. This city had been built bit by bit under his supervision and had now become the center of Liu Bei's domain!
Within this city were complete infrastructures and numerous officials under Liu Bei's command. Among these people were individuals who history had overlooked, and Chen Xi was carefully working to correct those historical oversights.
In this era, some had already risen to prominence, some were just beginning to show promise, and others remained unknown. But Chen Xi knew the value of these people, and compared to others, he clearly understood how these unrecognized talents should develop. This understanding was Chen Xi's greatest support!
"Zichuan is back," Liu Bei quickly learned of Chen Xi's return soon after he entered the city.
"Zhongkang, come with me to greet Zichuan. No need to go outside the city this time. I wonder what surprise he'll have for me this time," Liu Bei said with a smile to Xu Chu. As for Li You, who had returned a few days earlier, he had already been pulled into work by Wang Xiu, sent by Lu Su.
"Understood," Xu Chu replied respectfully, following closely behind Liu Bei.
"Zichuan is back?" Lu Su didn't even look up as he listened to the report. "Send someone to have Shuzhi bring him in. I won't be going; if Lord Xuande is there, tell him there's too much work, and I need Zichuan to help manage it. Let Shuzhi handle the rest."
"..." Li You furrowed his brow slightly as he heard the resentment in Lu Su's tone but said nothing. On the other side, Liu Ye, busy calculating accounts, also paused for a moment before continuing his work. There was no way Lu Su would let them leave without finishing.
Twisting and turning through the streets, Chen Xi calmly avoided the administrative office and didn't report to Liu Bei. Instead, he successfully made his way back home.
"Knock, knock, knock!" With Chen Xi away, his household kept the gates closed at all times, so the only way to enter was to knock.
"The master is not home. Guests, please come another day," came the voice of the old housekeeper from inside, likely a phrase he had repeated many times.
"I'm back," Chen Xi replied calmly.
The gate quickly opened wide, and the housekeeper bowed low. "Welcome home, Master. The two mistresses are still studying at the Cai residence. I will send someone to bring them back immediately."
"That's fine," Chen Xi waved his hand. "Did anything happen at home while I was away?"
"Forgive me, Master!" The housekeeper suddenly knelt, his voice trembling with fear.
"There's no need for such formality in this household. Stand up. You've served my family since my father's time and have taken care of me all these years. What is there to be afraid of?" Chen Xi said as he pulled the housekeeper to his feet. With the housekeeper's cautious nature, the worst that could have happened was something being broken by the maids.
"Your study was burned," the housekeeper admitted, his head lowered in alarm.
"..." Chen Xi rubbed his temples. "It's fine; it's not your fault. You can't enter the inner courtyard without permission, so it's understandable. If it burned, it burned," Chen Xi said with a wry smile. "Find me a female housekeeper to manage the inner courtyard. It was my oversight."
"Thank you, Master," the housekeeper said respectfully. "I'll have a candidate ready for you by this afternoon."
"Alright, you can rest now. I'll ask Jian'er later who burned my study," Chen Xi said dismissively, indicating that the housekeeper needn't worry further. After all, without his orders, no man besides Zhuge Liang could enter the inner courtyard.
Meanwhile, in the Jingling Hall, where he had been chanting scriptures and praying, Zuo Ci suddenly stopped. "Nanhua, come out. I know you're here."
"It's been a long time, Yuanfang. You've always had the sharpest eyes among us," Nanhua, the old immortal, revealed himself, standing behind Zuo Ci.
"Hmph, and yet here you are," Zuo Ci glanced back at Nanhua. "Zixu, stop hiding. I can see you too."
"Times are hard for everyone," Zixu appeared beside Nanhua with a smile. "But I'm surprised, Nanhua, that you're still alive. When Zhang Jiao claimed to have inherited your teachings, I suspected you were dead."