Mythical Three Kingdoms

"So, it’s this kind of situation; it seems I have wrongly blamed you." Cao Cao remained silent for a while and then said, "But according to what you said, even if you control it this way, it doesn’t have much meaning."

"It has great meaning; it can recover the funds." Chen Xi spread his hands and said, "Alright, let’s not talk about this. Let’s discuss the road from Chang’an to the Western Regions."

"Since the cost is so low, I have nothing to say. With the road accessible, the cavalry can shorten the travel time to one-third, thus controlling the Western Regions as we do domestically." At this point, Cao Cao expressed no objections.

"Let’s settle this matter then." Chen Xi looked at Liu Bei, and Liu Bei spoke on behalf of Chen Xi, "Meng De, we’ll all send a portion of craftsmen."

"It’s possible indeed." Cao Cao nodded. Building roads, if considered difficult, is actually not that hard. Even at a thousand miles, building is just what it is. As for the difference between novices and veterans, it’s not that significant either.

"Is there any other issue?" Liu Bei signaled Chen Xi, and Chen Xi asked, but before Cao Cao spoke, Chen Xi already guessed, as the current situation was too obvious.

"I need the recipe for cement." Cao Cao boldly made his demand.

"Alright, I knew you would have this thought." Chen Xi said helplessly, "Aim a little lower, alright? If I give this to you, it means no exclusive business can be done; try another approach."

Cao Cao was left speechless by Chen Xi’s straightforward response. He originally intended to set a high price, only for Chen Xi’s response to leave him without words.

"Then let’s change another..." After thinking for a while, Cao Cao spoke.

"Forget it, even if you say to build a cement factory in Chang’an, take a break; it’s like the previous request," Chen Xi said, waving his hand helplessly, blocking Cao Cao’s demand.

Cao Cao looked displeased, as Chen Xi stopped him before he even spoke. He originally hoped Chen Xi would reject the bigger demand but agree to the smaller one, thinking Chen Xi couldn’t reject him twice in a row, but Chen Xi didn’t even give him a chance to speak.

"Don’t look at me like that, your second request is entirely the same as the first one." Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said.

"It’s slightly different; at least I hadn’t made the second request before you vetoed it." Cao Cao grumbled, "Since you disagree with both, tell me what you can agree on, so I don’t keep making requests that you reject."

"I can sell to Chang’an at a price that only adds transport costs; how about that?" Chen Xi asked with a negotiating tone.

"The volume? Just giving a portion of the condition and hiding the other is not a good practice." Cao Cao looked at Chen Xi sternly.

"Hmm, however much you can procure, I’ll give you that much." Chen Xi replied calmly.

"But it’s still controlled by you; how can I trust? Although we are as close as one family now, we all know there will be another fight sooner or later. Even if you, Chen Zichuan, are a genius, you can’t stabilize the current situation forever. You probably also hold the thought of a peaceful separation." Cao Cao looked at Chen Xi calmly, saying things others wouldn’t say.

"Hey, hey, although what you said is true, I indeed can’t always suppress the current situation and do hold the thought of a peaceful ending when the battle is unavoidable. Emotions remain, but don’t go too far. Don’t think I don’t know that the price I offered is already above your baseline." Chen Xi said exasperatedly; these bastards always want to take advantage.

"Humph." Cao Cao snorted coldly, not speaking. These people had thick skins; even when exposed, they could continue the discussion without embarrassment.

"Alright, alright, it can only be like this now. See if there’s anything else you want." Chen Xi sighed helplessly. If these thick-skinned guys weren’t his people, he would have called them out.

"What if other items are also priced equally?" Cao Cao immediately inquired.

"I knew it would be this routine. Can’t you change the routine? It’s very boring. How about I give you some lottery spots?" Chen Xi sighed and then had an idea.

"Lottery spots?" Cao Cao looked at Chen Xi with slight confusion.

"Last year’s lottery?" Liu Bei asked, and Chen Xi nodded, "Like last year, only women can participate, or can both men and women?"

"Men and women alike; last year, it was agreed with Zizhong to match Boyan with his sister, so men were not allowed to participate. This year, both genders are fine." Chen Xi thought for a moment and said, realizing he also planned Sima Yi as the grand prize this year.

"In that case, give me some spots." Liu Bei said straightforwardly, then asked, "How many prizes have you prepared?"

"Plenty of small prizes, only a few grand prizes, and some aren’t suitable. I’m adjusting, thinking it’s better to focus on things related to living needs." Chen Xi rubbed his chin and said.

"Several grand prizes?" Liu Bei frowned. The grand prize Chen Xi prepared last time, if not for various limitations, would have allowed Wang Yi, Chen Shuang, and Gan Lu to enter Han Dynasty’s top hundred in wealth.

After all, Sunx Min’s efforts in cultivating fungi are already in the top hundred. As Chen Xi said, these things about living needs, occupying even one aspect, can earn substantial profits, so Liu Bei felt the need to control it.

"Hmm, prepared seven or eight grand prizes." Chen Xi thought and said, "But although last year was redundant, this year is better as individual prizes, to prevent the previous situation."

"It’s still better as redundant; finishing it would be bad." Liu Bei said grudgingly, "These things, any family occupying them, is enough to earn massive profits, and you’re just casually placing them as prizes for random draws."

"Hmm, in that case, maybe I’ve gone a bit overboard." Chen Xi considered and said.

Liu Bei replied helplessly, "Won’t you prepare something for your son-in-law?"

"Ha, alright, I’ll send him a gift later." Chen Xi thought and nodded, feeling that he hadn’t prepared a gift for Adou was indeed negligent.

Cao Cao, overhearing Chen Xi and Liu Bei’s casual talk, hesitated as he knew Chen Xi’s previous lottery was grand. Considering if he could get something, it would be profitable.

[Well, I can bring along Wen Ruo, Gong Da, their sons and daughters; I won’t believe I won’t win something. I heard Gan Xingba did this last time; if worse comes to worst, I’ll do the same.] Cao Cao silently thought.

"If that’s the case, I can agree, but you must ensure fairness." After contemplating, Cao Cao said. Seeing Chen Xi wasn’t keen on sharing benefits further, continuing wouldn’t make sense.

"Oh, then we will supervise together." Chen Xi shrugged; it was already planned for Cao Cao and Sunx Ce. As for the road, even if Cao Cao didn’t mention it now, he would later provide it at a low price to Cao Cao and Sunx Ce.

"Meng De, remember to prepare some prizes too, not necessarily grand; small prizes are still needed." Liu Bei squeezed in as he saw Cao Cao agree.

"Whatever you prepare, I’ll match." Cao Cao looked at Liu Bei calmly; for them such treasures were just toys. Whatever Liu Bei could provide, Cao Cao could follow suit.

"True, you’re not lacking some items, just for fun. Speaking of the most basic reward, what is prepared this time?" Liu Bei thought aloud.

"One pound of fructose." Chen Xi pondered and said.

"You seem to be always focused on eating, drinking, and having fun." Liu Bei said helplessly, "Can’t you prepare something else, like Shu Brocade for women, and Armor and Weapons for men; it’s much better than yours."

"That’s fine too." For Liu Bei’s suggestion, Chen Xi didn’t mind; whatever you want, it doesn’t affect the essence.

"Lord Cao, what do you think?" Chen Xi turned and asked Cao Cao.

"I’m not familiar with such matters; mainly depends on your view." Cao Cao nonchalantly replied. His intention was to gain benefits; the actual small prizes didn’t matter to him.

"In that case, let’s proceed." Chen Xi nodded, regaining seriousness, "We are in consensus on handling the issue of the Western Regions. Next, let’s discuss who to send and how many troops."

"I think Zhang Wenyuan and Gao Gongzheng are highly suitable. Pair them with Chen Gongtai’s wisdom, and having three lead Bingzhou soldiers to the Western Regions will surely accomplish much." Cao Cao promptly suggested.

During this period, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and Chen Gong were subtly linking with Liu Bei’s side, and Cao Cao was not blind. Zhang Liao and Gao Shun still engaged with Cao Cao’s military generals, but Chen Gong had defected, never to return.

Under Chen Gong’s influence, Cao Cao clearly felt it was highly unlikely he could recruit Gao Shun and Zhang Liao. Instead, Liu Bei might absorb them due to his previous display of benevolence.

Initially, Liu Bei was stronger than Cao Cao, and if he absorbed these capable ministers and generals, the gap would widen significantly. Yet, to prevent this, Cao Cao found no viable method as Gao Shun and Zhang Liao trusted Chen Gong’s judgments.