Chapter 63: Old Liu's Childhood Friend Tian Chou Arrives!

Soon, Liu Bei and Li Yi began to meticulously hammer out the specific procedures for the military merit-based peerage system.

Naturally, it did not involve as many rigid formulas and harsh measures as Shang Yang’s reforms. After all, Xuzhou did not need to be forged into a total war machine; such a path could never be sustained for long in the long run. Building upon the foundational framework of the State of Qin, Li Yi excised a multitude of draconian laws. At the same time, he elevated the treatment and welfare of the rank-and-file soldiers, granting the common infantry greater opportunities for promotion.

Furthermore, a decree was instituted: every single soldier who marched onto the battlefield and participated in combat would be universally rewarded with half a bolt of coarse linen, half a stone of millet, and fifty cash. Those who displayed exceptional bravery and achieved brilliant military exploits would be granted ten catties of meat and a jar of fine wine every three months.

This was a remarkably generous remuneration. A single bolt of linen was worth three hundred cash, and a stone of millet—calculated according to Xuzhou's market prices, even accounting for the bountiful harvest of the previous year—cost another two hundred cash. Had one attempted to purchase these provisions in neighboring Yanzhou, five or six hundred cash would not have sufficed. Such economic dynamics were precisely how grain speculation flourished.

Meanwhile, measured against the standard military pay of the commandery troops during the twilight of the Eastern Han Dynasty, a basic foot soldier was only allocated a monthly grain ration valued at one hundred and twenty cash. Consequently, this compensation package represented a massive gamble and a tremendous financial hemorrhage for Liu Bei. Had he not relied on the generous financial backing of the Mi and Lu families, he would never have dared to embark on such an ambitious endeavor. Of course, the refined salt provided by Li Yi had also generated vast wealth for Xuzhou.

Elevating soldiers' welfare to boost the enthusiasm of commoners for enlisting in the army was a relatively common practice in the late Eastern Han period. Take their neighbor Cao Cao, for instance; he frequently rewarded his troops with silk fabrics and grain. Yet, that privilege was strictly reserved for Cao Cao’s personal bodyguards and elite vanguard units. To extend such provisions to every single soldier at the base of the military hierarchy, as Liu Bei was doing, required an immense expenditure of material resources and financial capital.

In the midst of their discussions, Liu Bei had briefly worried whether Xuzhou could bear such a heavy military budget. After all, as a regional governor, military expenditures were not his only financial burden. Agricultural investments, diplomatic expenses, and a myriad of other domains all demanded funding. Pouring such vast sums into military affairs while cutting back on civilian expenditures risked slowing down Xuzhou's economic recovery.

Li Yi countered by explaining that Xuzhou was already utterly devastated. If they relied solely on the slow, traditional method of farming and developing the land step-by-step, it would take eight or ten years before any meaningful prosperity could emerge. By the time that happened, the Battle of Guandu would have already been fought and won. What weapons would Liu Bei possess to contend with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao?

Let it not be forgotten that Cao Cao held a monumental advantage: he had absorbed over a million Yellow Turban refugees—men, women, and children—from Qingzhou and Xuzhou. While these people initially imposed a crushing burden upon Yanzhou, once fully assimilated and digested, they would cause Cao Cao’s national power to surge exponentially. In ancient times, population was paramount as the ultimate strategic resource; whoever commanded the largest populace reigned supreme. Virtually every statesman and reformer throughout antiquity incorporated population growth stimulation as a core pillar of their strategic doctrines.

Therefore, when it came to organic development and nurturing strength, Liu Bei actually held no advantage over Cao Cao. Once Cao Cao digested that massive population base, within a few short years he would possess the strength to challenge Yuan Shao. It was abundantly clear that Liu Bei could not afford to take the slow road of agrarian self-sufficiency.

The only viable superior strategy was to ignite Xuzhou's dormant military potential and strike outward proactively, thereby constraining and checking the expansion of both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

After conversing for an entire morning, Li Yi and Liu Bei finally finalized the embryonic framework of the military merit peerage system. The specific details, loopholes, and refinements would still require considerable time to study and polish down the line.

At that moment, the cook had already delivered the meal: four dishes and one soup, featuring one meat dish, two vegetable dishes, and fresh melon and fruit.

Li Yi possessed a distinct dining habit—he always liked to eat fruit alongside his meal. Quwu pears, persimmons, and dried jujubes were all among his absolute favorites. In particular, the pears produced in Yongzhou possessed a crisp, refreshing texture that did not harm the teeth, releasing a burst of sweet juice with every single bite.

Influenced by prolonged exposure to Li Yi, Liu Bei had gradually grown accustomed to this habit and now also enjoyed eating fruit with his meals.

Replenishing vitamins—it was quite beneficial.

"Come, My Lord, please partake."

Li Yi picked up a slice of pear with his chopsticks and placed it into Liu Bei's bowl.

"Ziyu, please enjoy as well."

Liu Bei reciprocated by picking up a candied jujube and placing it into Li Yi's bowl.

As the two men dined beneath the small pavilion, a domestic servant suddenly hurried over in a breathless rush.

"Governor! Governor!"

The servant stumbled as he ran up. "Governor, there is a man outside who claims to be an old friend of yours, come to pay you a visit!"

"Oh! It must be Zijing who has arrived!"

Hearing this, Liu Bei was overjoyed. He immediately laid down his chopsticks and sprinted out of the room.

As he crossed paths with the visitor, the two men locked each other in a tight embrace, overflowing with unconcealed delight.

"Zijing, you have finally come! How I have missed you, my brother!"

Li Yi followed closely behind. He had not witnessed Liu Bei display such unbridled excitement in a very long time. Perhaps only a long-awaited reunion with a childhood confidant could evoke such genuine ecstasy.

Qian Zhao wore a broad smile as well:

"Ever since I received your letter, younger brother has traveled day and night to hasten to Xuzhou."

Although Qian Zhao was smiling, tears already shimmered in the corners of his eyes.

"Since parting ways with my elder brother, several years have flashed by in the blink of an eye. Little did I expect that your bearing would remain as magnificent as ever, imbued with an even greater vigor. Recalling the days of our youth when I followed by your side, I received countless teachings and guidance for which my gratitude remains undiminished. Now, hearing that my brother holds sway over Beiping and Langya, your martial renown shaking all of Xuzhou, it fills every old acquaintance with boundless admiration and awe! Today, by sheer fortune, I am blessed to behold you once more, deeply soothing my long-pining heart."

Hearing his old friend's teasing praise, Liu Bei felt a sudden pang of bashfulness. He hurriedly pulled Li Yi from behind him and introduced him to Qian Zhao:

"Whatever success I, Bei, have achieved today is entirely thanks to Ziyu devising strategies and charting the course for me. Without his guidance, heaven knows how many detours I would have wandered down."

Li Yi immediately cupped his fists in a formal greeting:

"I have frequently heard the Governor speak of Brother Qian. Today, upon meeting you face-to-face, I see your reputation is truly well-deserved."

Qian Zhao hastily bowed in return:

"You flatter me. For you, sir, to have achieved such remarkable accomplishments at such a tender age fills me, Zhao, with profound shame!"

Liu Bei chimed in with a chuckle:

"Ever since the sixth year of the Zhongping era, Zijing, you have remained secluded at home, farming and studying while rarely taking up official office. Naturally, you have fallen behind others."

This was playful banter, gently reproaching Qian Zhao for not entering official service sooner.

Qian Zhao laughed heartily:

"My brother's reprimand is entirely just. In truth, over these past years, quite a few county magistrates have extended invitations for me to serve, but I declined them all. Only a few days ago, Yuan Shao, the Governor of Jizhou, also sent emissaries to summon me, offering the post of Chief Inspector of Military Affairs to help him command the Wulan elite cavalry. I was originally inclined to accept his commission, but then your letter arrived, my brother. After pondering deeply and weighing the options, I ultimately chose to come to Xuzhou instead."

Hiss...

Upon hearing these words, both Liu Bei and Li Yi inwardly drew in a sharp breath.

Qian Zhao was remarkably candid, speaking his mind directly in Liu Bei's presence. Perhaps this was a testament to the genuine depth of their friendship, compounded by the fact that Li Yi was not viewed as an outsider, which gave him the confidence to speak so freely.

Nevertheless, both Liu Bei and Li Yi felt an overwhelming wave of private relief.

They had formulated a plan to summon Qian Zhao to Xuzhou quite some time ago. It remained unclear whether family affairs had delayed him, causing him to arrive only now. Historical records merely noted that Yuan Shao had summoned Qian Zhao as a Chief Inspector of Military Affairs, without specifying the exact date. One could only roughly deduce that the event occurred after Yuan Shao became the Governor of Jizhou and prior to his elimination of Gongsun Zan.

Therefore, whether they could secure Qian Zhao's service depended entirely on sheer luck. Had Yuan Shao preempted them and seized the opportunity first, given Qian Zhao's steadfast character, he would have essentially slipped through Liu Bei's fingers forever.

The terms offered by Yuan Shao were exceptionally generous; as the scion of a distinguished lineage spanning four generations and three dukes, his immense prestige across the northern plains was more than sufficient to sway Qian Zhao. Had Liu Bei not already attained the position of Governor of Xuzhou, combined with his personal ties to Qian Zhao, he genuinely might not have emerged victorious in the competition against Yuan Shao.

Only now did Liu Bei fully comprehend why Qian Zhao had arrived so late. To willingly abandon a heavyweight contender like Yuan Shao and travel all the way to Xuzhou to forge a shared enterprise with him—Qian Zhao must have resolved himself with absolute determination.