Chapter 63: A Month of Frenzied Growth

Previously, when Liu Xie departed, he had already instructed Jia Xu to use Cai Mao as a bargaining chip with Liu Biao. As expected, Liu Biao agreed to the exchange. He was willing to give them whatever they asked for. In the end, they traded Cai Mao for a vast amount of grain and weaponry. With this windfall, the conscripted soldiers could be equipped almost instantly.

“However, Young Master, though we now have many soldiers,” Zhang Xiu said, his expression grave, “our weapons and armor are still insufficient. And the materials for forging them are clearly not enough.”

Hearing this, Liu Xie frowned slightly. Indeed, having more soldiers was a good thing, but the resources required would also increase dramatically, and the amount needed was by no means small.

But soon, a spark of inspiration lit up Liu Xie’s eyes. “No matter. If we lack resources, we will open mines.”

Yes, the mineral resources in this region were still abundant. As long as they could mine them, resources would be available.

“But Young Master, we don’t know where the mines are,” Zhang Xiu said with concern.

Liu Xie shook his head, exasperated. “Master Zhang, we must use our brains. You don’t know, I don’t know, but that doesn’t mean others don’t. There are so many people in Nanyang; surely some are knowledgeable in this field. Issue a decree to seek them out, spare no expense, recruit all kinds of talents—miners, carpenters, blacksmiths, every skilled artisan. I want to form a special unit. And this unit shall be called the Construction Corps.”

In truth, this idea had just occurred to him. Coming from the twenty-first century, he possessed advanced thinking. If there were soldiers for war, there should be other specialized units as well. The so-called Construction Corps would not go into battle, but would focus on all kinds of development—mining, manufacturing equipment, and other technical tasks.

“Very well, I will see to it immediately,” Zhang Xiu replied firmly.

Liu Xie then turned to Jia Xu. “Master Jia, how is agriculture progressing? How are the other counties developing?”

“Reporting to Young Master, agriculture in each county is steadily improving—digging wells, reclaiming land, planting crops. Everything is expected to be completed by the end of the month. As for Wan City, harvest will be ready in another month.”

Wan City, being the first to undertake these efforts under Liu Xie’s leadership, would naturally reap the earliest rewards.

“Excellent,” Liu Xie nodded with satisfaction. “We shall await the great harvest in a month’s time. By the way, Master Jia, arrange lodgings for Yuan Gonglu and his household. Gonglu, from now on, you’ll remain here. Of course, if you wish to venture out, you may leave at any time.”

Liu Xie had no intention of imposing strict orders on Yuan Shu, nor did he wish to force him to stay. In Liu Xie’s eyes, though Yuan Shu had come to Wan City with him, his heart had not yet relinquished his imperial ambitions. He would need time to adjust.

“Yuan Shu thanks you, Young Master.” Yuan Shu said nothing more and left with his retinue.

The hall grew quiet; both Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu cast anxious glances in Yuan Shu’s direction as he departed.

“Young Master, why did you bring him here instead of killing him?” Jia Xu asked, puzzled.

When the topic was raised, Liu Xie drew a deep breath and explained, “Indeed, I once considered killing Yuan Shu. But I believe keeping him alive serves us better than his death.”

When Liu Xie first arrived in Shouchun, he had indeed thought of eliminating Yuan Shu. Later, he changed his mind. Few understood why Yuan Shu dared proclaim himself emperor. Yuan Shu had few soldiers and not many generals, but he possessed something unmatched by others: his family background and the power behind it.

Yuan Shu was known as ‘Four Generations of Three Dukes,’ his clan’s disciples and relatives scattered throughout the realm, wielding immense influence. If the Cai clan held high status in Jingzhou, then the Yuan clan was esteemed across the entire age, with tremendous power. ‘Four Generations of Three Dukes’ was not just an empty title; it represented much. Especially since Yuan Shu was the legitimate heir of the Yuan clan, far superior to Yuan Shao, who was of lesser birth. In this era, legitimacy made all the difference.

“Alright, in the coming period, we will devote ourselves to recuperation and development. Recruit talents from all over Nanyang as soon as possible. And train the seven hundred thousand strong army—within a month, it must be ready for battle. The lords are contending; our time is short.”

There was one thing Liu Xie did not say aloud: his own identity. He believed it would not be long before Cao Cao deduced the truth.

The days that followed saw all of Nanyang bustling with activity. Having just taken control, their foundation was not yet secure. Their only priority now was to consolidate their strength.

One day, Liu Xie visited the residence where Yuan Shu and his family were lodged.

“Yuan Shu, welcome His Majesty!” Yuan Shu and his household hurried forward as Liu Xie approached.

Liu Xie waved them off casually. “Rise, there is no emperor here. We’ll speak of that when I reclaim the throne. Well, Gonglu, how are you adapting to life here?”

Yuan Shu replied, “Thanks to Young Master’s concern, we are well. But, Young Master, is there anything I might assist you with?”

His words surprised Liu Xie. Clearly, Yuan Shu wished to contribute in Wan City, perhaps feeling uneasy at being supported by Liu Xie without earning his keep.

“Then, Gonglu, what would you like to do? Choose freely—anything Nanyang has, you may undertake.”

“I leave it to Young Master’s discretion,” Yuan Shu replied respectfully.

Liu Xie paused. “It seems Gonglu truly wants to be useful. In that case, follow Master Jia. Currently, Master Jia oversees Nanyang’s civic affairs; you must learn from him.”

Yuan Shu, when he declared himself emperor, was the epitome of a tyrant. His subjects suffered greatly under his rule. Teaching him to manage civil affairs would be difficult, but still fitting.

“And your other retainers may accompany you.” Liu Xie resolved to give Yuan Shu and his family something to do, helping them gradually integrate into their new environment.

Over the next period, Yuan Shu remained diligent, accompanying Jia Xu daily, assisting with Nanyang’s agricultural affairs.

He also joined in recruiting talents from across Nanyang to form Liu Xie’s so-called Construction Corps. Unexpectedly, within less than half a month, Jia Xu and Yuan Shu gathered nearly a hundred thousand skilled artisans—miners, carpenters, blacksmiths, and other craftsmen.

Indeed, Nanyang was full of talented individuals, and their eagerness to join was remarkable. All were skilled in their trades, but ongoing wars had rendered their expertise useless. Now, with the government recruiting en masse, their abilities finally found purpose. The people were excited.

With these recruits, Liu Xie turned his attention to new inventions. The Construction Corps established, many with expertise in minerals began discovering abundant mines throughout Nanyang and commenced extraction.

With manpower and resources secured, Liu Xie could now employ his twenty-first-century skills.

He summoned dozens of blacksmiths and carpenters, gathering them together.

“Gentlemen, you are all highly skilled artisans and the first members of the Construction Corps. Now, I will lead you to invent some interesting things. I ask for your utmost cooperation,” Liu Xie said with a smile.

“Rest assured, Young Master, just give the orders. Whatever you say, we’ll do,” the artisans responded, trusting Liu Xie. After all, he had ensured their livelihoods and protected them from the ravages of war.

“Good. I need to create some things. Come with me.”

In the ensuing days, Liu Xie brought together thousands more members of the Construction Corps, establishing a factory-like site in a mountainous area. There, steel was smelted daily, and wood was crafted in various forms. No one knew what they were making, nor what achievements the Construction Corps would eventually reach. Many awaited eagerly.

Time passed.

A month later, Wan City was filled with joy—for at last, the seeds sown earlier were ready for harvest.

That morning, as Jia Xu prepared to lead the people to the fields, Liu Xie, absent for over twenty days, finally reappeared.

“Young Master, where have you been these past days?” Jia Xu asked. “Our crops are about to be harvested, and I estimate this year’s yield will be extraordinary.”

His excitement was evident to all. The fields were in plain sight, and everyone could see the bounty. This was why so many had come seeking refuge—because here, there was food.

“I have been preparing for what comes next,” Liu Xie replied. “Since it’s time to harvest, summon the army. Let everyone join in.”

Everything proceeded swiftly. To harvest the crops, everyone mobilized—tens of thousands took to the fields, and within a single day, all the crops in Wan City were gathered.