Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 618 - 585: Becoming a Marquis and Prime Minister at the Age of Twenty

"Wen Ru, what are you doing?" Jia Xu peered over and saw Li Youu scribbling on paper. He was somewhat curious and asked.

"I’m adding some spice for Yuan Benchu, urging him to hurry up and use Yuan Shu’s hand to attack Xuzhou, then we’ll counter-attack Yuzhou, completely causing a rift between Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao!" Li Youu said nonchalantly.

"It’s probably not that easy, Xuu Ziyuan and Ju Gongyu won’t be so eager, right now is not the time for them to prepare for the decisive battle," Chen Xi also peered over and looked at the defense distribution map of Xuzhou that Li You had drawn.

"Sometimes, finding oneself riding a tiger is quite normal. They may not want to move, but after I left, there were signs of a resurgence among the Xuzhou aristocratic family. Once Zilong leaves, the Xuzhou aristocratic family will certainly be ready to try. How about I give them an opportunity to covertly cooperate with Yuan Shao?" A chilling smile surfaced on Li Youu’s face.

Zhuge Liang sighed helplessly as he watched the three guys across him smiling deviously. He reached out, pulled over the candied fruit in the center, ate a couple of pieces, and then gulped down a big swallow of specially-made extra strong bitter tea. His face immediately crumpled into a wince, but after downing one cup, Zhuge Liang was completely refreshed and continued to handle political affairs.

"Kongming, you really don’t need to be so diligent. Sleeping at the Xu Hour and coming to work at the Mao Period would be fine. There’s no need to work overtime. Are you and Zijing competing to see who gets home the latest?" Chen Xi said helplessly as he watched Zhuge Liang gulp down tea, thinking there was no need for him to push himself so hard.

While Chen Xi influenced everyone in the Political Office to be more laid-back, some were trying to stop this detrimental influence, especially once Zhuge Liang joined in, the number of "diligent party" members significantly increased. Now, Chen Xi even felt embarrassed to arrive too late.

Indeed, as you influence the world, the world also influences you.

"Yo, what’s this?" Chen Xi curiously looked at the diagram in Li Youu’s hand, which seemed to be some kind of formation. "Military Formation?"

"Hmm, Zijian said he was defeated by the Vanguard, so he asked me to help him find a solution. I’m thinking about it," Li Youu sighed, agreeing with Hua Xiong’s suggestion to use the Xiliang Iron Cavalry’s spear to challenge the Vanguard. It was only appropriate to get back up where one had fallen.

"I’m simulating a new military formation. I’m planning to research a formation suited for Zijian, but it’s quite difficult. Wen He is helping out." Seeing Lub Su also peer over, Li Youu explained a bit.

"Simulating a new military formation?" Lub Su couldn’t help but pull a face, others were learning, and you’re already innovating. You’re really something else.

"Yeah, Wen Ru has been pushed to the edge and is preparing to research a formation suited for Zijian, tailor-made, and I got dragged into it too—no choice, I owed them favors in the past," Jia Xu said with a helpless expression.

"Does Master Li need help?" Zhuge Liang stood up and asked.

"Do your political work and don’t go looking for trouble," Li Ru said with a sideways glance at Zhuge Liang, who had brought upon himself a great deal of his work, much like Lub Su—a classic example of someone who sought out more work for himself.

Zhuge Liang wisely remained silent, while Jia Xu wore an expression of resignation as he began to calculate the variations of the military formation with Li Ru. He was fed up; the substantial loss of the Xiliang soldiers was also a major blow to Li Ru, and he believed that even if Hua Xiong didn’t seek revenge, Li Ru would seize the opportunity to teach Juo Yi a lesson.

"Boyan!" Fa Zheng burst through the door of Lul Xun’s room and bellowed.

"Prime Minister Fa, what did you want to see me for?" Lul Xun said somewhat helplessly. After spending some time with Fa Zheng, he had finally understood why Zhuge Liang had that look in his eyes when he left.

By now, Lul Xun no longer struggled; he was completely outmatched by Fa Zheng. The disparity in their ages was just too great, making all other concerns seem as insubstantial as drifting clouds.

"Come, follow me back to Mount Tai," Fa Zheng yawned while speaking. He had been in a good mood recently since the New City of Linzi, Qi State had been thoroughly planned. Moreover, with the Great Confucian Scholar Wang Lie in residence—although reluctant to take an official position—it did not mean Fa Zheng couldn’t leverage his influence to balance the situation in Qi State.

"Back to Mount Tai?" Lul Xun was stunned, then overjoyed. He could finally return to follow his master, and of course, it was fitting to pay a visit to Zhuge Liang. As for competing with Zhuge Liang, that desire had vanished. The more Lul Xun understood, the more he recognized Zhuge Liang’s formidable depths—truly unfathomable.

"Yes, back to Mount Tai. I have finished planning for Linzi of Qi State thoroughly, and the rest can be done by others without my involvement. It’s time for me to return," Fa Zheng said calmly. "Once you’re at Mount Tai, you’ll meet many others, some of whom even put pressure on me."

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"Oh, I understand," said Lul Xun steadily. He now understood where he stood. Although he had been praised by the likes of Chen Xi, Zhuge Liang, and Fa Zheng, he was well aware that he still had a long way to go.

"Don’t worry, don’t worry. Back at Mount Tai, there will be no shortage of people interested in you. Of course, you’re also going to meet Lu Zijia, who I’ve heard is studying with Master Wen He." When mentioning Jia Xu, it was quite evident that Fa Zheng expressed a hint of respect—as he greatly admired Jia Xu.

"Hmph, I definitely won’t lose to him," Lul Xun said confidently.

"Don’t underestimate him. If Zichuan has entrusted him to Master Wen He, then he must possess extraordinary talent. The fact that Master Wen He has taken him under his wing underscores this point," Fa Zheng cautioned gravely. "Don’t look down on your opponent."

"I won’t, but I’m even more confident that I won’t lose to him," Lul Xun boasted proudly.

"That’s good to hear. After I return this time, I expect the friction with the north we’ve had all along is going to escalate next year. The strategy for the Establishment of Capital in the north will hinge on this. Times of chaos offers us the best opportunity to earn our merits. Missing out on this chance would make it very difficult to be ennobled and appointed as Prime Minister around the age of twenty," Fa Zheng said, on a rare occasion allowing a trace of sharpness to show. Ennoblement before the age of twenty-three was the goal he had set for himself.

"Ennobled and appointed as Prime Minister at the age of twenty." Lul Xun looked at Fa Zheng in shock. How many people in history could claim such a feat? And how many could speak of it as calmly and confidently as Fa Zheng did at this moment?

"Surprised, are you?" Fa Zheng asked placidly, and Lul Xun nodded. Being ennobled and appointed as Prime Minister at the age of twenty was shocking to anyone, after all.

"What’s there to be surprised about? We’ve already had a Marquis of Yingshang Pavilion who hadn’t even reached eighteen here before!" Fa Zheng said calmly, looking at Lul Xun. "I am confident I can earn the merits for ennoblement on the upcoming battlefields. Missing out on this opportunity, who knows how long it will be until the next one arises?"

Lul Xun opened his mouth, unsure of what to say. The confidence exuding from Fa Zheng was astonishing; he didn’t know what had spurred Fa Zheng to make such a statement. If Fa Zheng truly became ennobled at the age of twenty, it would absolutely signify youthful success!

"Get your things ready; we’ll be departing soon," Fa Zheng said casually, waving his hand before heading outside. (To be continued. If you like this work, please feel free to vote for it at qidian.com with recommendation tickets or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)