Mythical Three Kingdoms

[Forget it, I’ll just prepare the resources for them. As for how far they can go, that’s beyond my control. I don’t know Ziyi’s situation now, but I hope nothing goes wrong.] Chen Xi stood in Zhou Yu’s courtyard, gazing towards the east, as if his sight had surpassed the horizon and seen the East Sea.

While Chen Xi was finalizing things for Taishi Ci and Gan Ning, Taishi Ci had already received Li Youu’s orders to head to his old home in Donglai, Qingzhou, to receive the navy’s greatest weapon, namely the Seventh Generation Ship that Lul Jun had burned half of the Lul Family’s fortune to construct.

Along with him were Cai Mao and others. Speaking of this, after Sunx Ce dispatched Liu Biao and others from Jingzhou, Cai Mao was half-avoiding disaster and half-sent to Sili, considering his relatively decent relationship with Cao Cao and his excellent capability in naval battle training.

Cao Cao welcomed his former friend’s reliance without hesitation, yet Cao Cao’s situation was significantly flawed, lacking a place to train sailors. Although he did not treat Cai Mao poorly, simply idling around wasn’t a solution.

Hence, although Cai Mao had an official position, it was practically as if he were idling at home. Meanwhile, Gan Ning’s fall meant Taishi Ci’s ability to command the navy wasn’t ideal.

Li Youu and Chen Xi simultaneously realized that amidst Gan Ning’s absence, they must find someone to hold up the front for Taishi Ci; otherwise, their navy was virtually done for.

Cai Mao instantly became the prime choice, partly because the scattered naval generals among civilians were limited, and barely anyone could withstand trials—Cai Mao was among the foremost, despite having been ousted by Zhou Yu, which from a certain perspective, was almost an inevitable force; in the Three Kingdoms era, battling Zhou Yu in naval warfare rarely ended well.

Additionally, Cai Mao was Huang Chengyan’s wife’s brother; even among Liu Bei’s circles, he wouldn’t end up too badly. Thus, when Li Youu sincerely invited him, Cai Mao decisively moved his family under Liu Bei’s administration.

Li Youu reciprocated fairly, assigning a location near the Huang Family for the Cai Family, allowing Cai Mao and his family to reside, which left Cai Mao deeply satisfied.

Presently, Li Youu had arranged for Cai Family, comprising hundreds, thus Cai Mao had no further issues. Following Li Youu’s order, he and Taishi Ci proceeded to Donglai, Qingzhou, for Lul Jun’s Seventh Generation Ship.

Li Youu had managed funds on various fronts, and Chen Xi, after much hesitation, eventually approved this batch of funds; despite Lul Family’s desire for ten billion coins in research funds being utterly unrealistic, Chen Xi didn’t lay it out too harshly, providing two million coins for research funds, leaving the remaining part to future navy achievements.

Upon departure, Cai Mao took three hundred escorts who migrated together; evidently, these were navy members from Jing-Xiang. Although certain captains stood among them, the term loses significance during these times—it’s first about rebuilding a navy, else the rest are just fish for the drying.

After sending off Cai Mao and Taishi Ci, Li Youu returned to Ye City, stating, "If I weren’t born inland, still needing these folks, I’d train them myself."

Returning to Ye City, Li Youu skipped the Political Office, heading instead to the camp Wan Peng used for training the Xiliang Iron Cavalry; the soldiers were currently in the third training phase, barely usable.

"Meng Gong, how is the training of these soldiers progressing?" Li Youu inquired while observing the soldiers’ true-weapon clashes below, and the row of medics standing around.

"Not great, though conditions are better than before, I feel they’re even harder to train than in the past. These bastards, in my view, need harsh drilling." Wan Peng shook his head repeatedly; this batch of recruits’ performance seemed unimpressive in his eyes.

"Later, move the camp to the Yellow River bank, add a task to prevent seasickness onboard." Li Youu took a glance at those soldiers below, finding them inadequate for now—though inadequacy was fine, continuing to train they’d become competent.

"Unswayed on board?" Wan Peng felt awkward, as he too experienced seasickness, with only those achieving Inner Qi Manifestation avoiding it among the Liangzhou folk.

"If you’re seasick, you train nonetheless." Li Youu glanced around, saying, "Though we aren’t adept in naval battles, we can rely on the Seventh Generation Ship against foes then transport troops ashore. I refuse to believe opponents’ defenses prohibit landing?"

"..." Wan Peng found this remark unspeakable, realizing their strategist had likely been provoked by naval incapabilities, intending alternative compensations.

"Currently, I lack time for mastering naval warfare, which is as intricate as land battles. Reaching this level is unfeasible, and learning below this tier lacks significance—it’s better to shift strategies, using ships for transportation directly delivering elite land forces to enemy territories." Li Youu shared his resignation.

Wan Peng nodded in understanding; potentially, amid disparities in naval competences between parties, this method genuinely signifies a solution.

Moreover, the Han Dynasty’s famed land forces have been historically renowned for combat prowess. From then till the present, it’s undeniable—sending ten thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry ashore necessitates no less than five to six thousand navy troops resistance, else it’s futile.

"Then I’ll subsequently relocate the camp along the Yellow River, yet I can’t guarantee training sailors unfazed by vessel conditions." Wan Peng acknowledged his orders yet voiced concerns, which Li Youu didn’t impose.

This, indeed, reflected Li Youu’s greatest shortcoming: his friends and circle were exclusively northerners, none understanding this field. Li Youu hadn’t wished to partake ship-bound activities, thus regarding Wan Peng’s request, he only showed comprehension.

"How come sending Ziyi left you empty, returning after lunch only?" Lub Su questioned, observing Li Youu’s return with slight bewilderment.

"Went to the camp making training adjustments; are you certain you won’t go to Chang’an?" Li Youu replied casually.

"Not going, that place is a den of trouble presently. Whoever wishes, they may go. After all, I don’t need achievements; let’s manage our jurisdiction first." Lub Su shook his head, replying, "Besides, it’s not just me refraining; neither have you gone?"

"Forget it, no more on this topic, Zijing, confirm if utilizing this place poses problems during practice?" Li Youu gestured towards an island on Qingzhou’s east, querying.

"Training further south certainly won’t work, hence practice locations are few; this appears optimal." Lub Su sighed, stating, "However, Zichuan shared earlier there’s scarce navy presence there and it’s severely backward, but alternative training remains conceivable. Besides, Wen Ru shared similar sentiments."