Chen Xi, who had just set foot on the port of Donglai in Qingzhou, had no idea that such a great upheaval had occurred in Yongzhou during his absence. He also didn't know that Sima Lang, with his extraordinary charisma and unmatched eloquence, had managed to convince Han Sui and Ma Teng to cease hostilities. What's more astonishing was that Ma Teng was even persuaded to enter Chang'an personally to negotiate an alliance with Li Jue and the others.
As a result, under the dual incentives of the "stick" and grain, the Xiliang Qiang people were pacified. The originally planned excavation of the Zheng Guo Canal and Liu Fu Canal officially began. However, while the ideal was grand, the reality was harsh. Although the Qiang people were willing to work on these canals for the sake of their future livelihood, Li Jue lacked the capability to manage such a vast project. Mobilizing a million laborers is no small feat.
It wasn't just Li Jue—realistically, there were only a handful of people in the entire world, aside from Chen Xi and Lu Su, who had actually done this kind of thing and had the confidence to handle it. Mobilizing a million laborers efficiently would require decades of experience, and Sima Lang, despite his exceptional talents, simply wasn't equipped to handle it.
In the end, as Xu Shu had predicted, the task fell to Zhong Yao. With a mindset of not bothering two masters for one task, Li Jue, along with Guo Si, Zhang Ji, Fan Chou, and Ma Teng, took a large number of Cai Yong's scrolls to visit Zhong Yao. The commotion was so large, and the number of people involved was so great, that it nearly resembled an official court meeting.
Zhong Yao accepted the gifts with a sigh, expressing that he would take care of the matter. Internally, however, he was cursing Xu Shu. He knew Xu Shu was paving the way for him, but taking on a project involving a million laborers was no small matter. If it succeeded, he would undoubtedly be the top civil official under Cao Mengde after Xu Shu. But if it failed? He'd be lucky if he wasn't buried alive.
"Berda, why are you here again?" Zhong Yao sighed as he looked at Sima Lang. "Xu Wenruo really had the nerve to give me such a difficult task. With the arrow already on the bowstring, I have no choice but to take it on. Ah, what a Xu Wenruo—always thinking three steps ahead."
"Lord Zhong, the Chamberlain asked me to give you this letter, saying that you'd understand everything once you read it," Sima Lang replied, bowing as he handed over a letter. He then stood quietly with his eyes downcast, waiting.
Since arriving in Sili, Sima Lang had observed the Xiliang army closely. Having over-fulfilled Li Jue's mission, Li Jue trusted him and allowed him access to much of the military affairs. This made Sima Lang lose all confidence in Xu Shu's plan. After all, it's easy to have a strategy, but executing it requires strength—and the Xiliang army was indeed strong.
After a moment, Zhong Yao finished reading the letter. He calmly burned it in an oil lamp and looked at Sima Lang with a serene expression. "Berda, from now on, follow Li Jue's orders. The fruit of Yongzhou will not fall into Xiliang's hands. Xu Wenruo truly plans three steps ahead. Go back and inform the Cavalry General that I will need a large number of civil officials for administration."
"Yes!" Sima Lang's eyes flashed with surprise. Although he didn't know the contents of Xu Shu's letter, Zhong Yao's words indicated that Xu Shu's plan for Yongzhou was already well underway.
After Sima Lang left, Zhong Yao sighed. "Xu Wenruo, you're indeed impressive. These people have all become your chess pieces. I just wonder what role I play in your scheme."
He gazed eastward with another sigh. "But this makes things interesting. There are still people in the world who can challenge you, forcing you to this point. Let's see who can outmaneuver the other in the end."
Chen Xi, just stepping off the boat, was unaware of these developments. Even if he knew, the distance would make it difficult for him to intervene. Moreover, the reopening of the Zheng Guo Canal had become the desire of millions of people in Yong, Liang, and Sili, fueled by the influence of the Xiliang army and Ma Teng. At this point, the canal had to be dug, whether they wanted to or not.
In the late Han period, all the people wanted was a full stomach. Why did the Yellow Turban Rebellion occur? It was all for food. When Li Jue and the others promised that reopening the canal would feed the people, the project became inevitable. To oppose it would be to block the people's path to survival.
The tide of public opinion is unstoppable. Once an issue is raised, it must be resolved. Li Jue may not realize it, but when he decided to reopen the canal, he set in motion an unstoppable force. And now, the one holding their fate in his hands was Zhong Yao...
"Zhuge Liang, Boyan has left. Let's see how Donglai has developed. We may not excel in everything, but when it comes to construction, I'm confident that no one can match us," Chen Xi said with a smile as he patted Zhuge Liang and Lu Xun on the shoulders, surveying the bustling scene around them.
When Chen Xi had left, this place had been nothing but barren land. Now, upon his return, he found that the port was not only complete but already bustling with activity.