Chapter 372

Su Xuan thought again.

He would not wait to leave Zhuge Liang for Liu Bei and cause trouble for himself.

Although, there was a high probability that Liu Bei would not live to see that day, as Su Xuan estimated he would have already unified the world by then.

But it was still very necessary to recruit and cultivate Zhuge Liang's talent and intelligence in advance.

In the future, he still had to conquer the Heavens and Myriad Worlds.

The more top-tier talents, the better.

"The Lord is wise!"

Guo Jia immediately cupped his hands and praised.

Gu Yong and Lu Su were indeed exceptionally talented.

He was eager for the Lord to have as many top-tier talents as possible; that way, he could slack off more often.

He himself did not have much pursuit for position or power; as long as he had enough money, enough wine, and enough beautiful women, that was enough.

Life, after all, is about living comfortably—that is the most important thing.

Half a day later,

Su Xuan and his party returned to Jiangling City.

After meeting with Xi Zhicai and Li Yan and resolving the matters that had accumulated over these days, Su Xuan said to Xi Zhicai: "Zhicai! The commanderies of Wuling, Changsha, Jiangxia, Lingling, and Guiyang have all been taken!"

"Based on the future situation, it is no longer appropriate to keep the Provincial Governor's Office in Jiangling City!"

"Therefore, I plan to relocate the Provincial Governor's Office to Xiangyang City!"

"However, Xiangyang City is currently only a county seat and is too small in scale. I plan to expand or even rebuild it. Do you have any thoughts?"

Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai shook his head immediately and said: "None! I think the Lord's idea is excellent!"

"Indeed, with Jingzhou taken by us, in the future, we will mainly face military conflicts in Nanyang, Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Sili, Yizhou, Jiangdong, and other places!"

"Jiangling City is still a bit too far south; Xiangyang City is more suitable;"

"However, building Xiangyang City will likely take quite some time;"

"Even with steel and cement, and even if we can conscript enough able-bodied men to build it, I fear it will take at least a year or two."

"During this period, the Governor's Office must still remain here in Jiangling City."

"So, there is no rush for the relocation!"

"Let's build Xiangyang City first!"

Come to think of it, this Jiangling City had developed step by step to its current state in his hands.

It must be said, he was truly a bit reluctant to leave this place!

"Hmm!"

Su Xuan nodded upon hearing this and said: "Then let's use steel and cement and conscript enough able-bodied men to build it!"

"Remember to pay sufficient wages so the common people won't have any complaints;"

"Additionally, we can build the Provincial Governor's Office, the officials' residences, and the city walls first;"

"Then build the commercial district, and finally the residential district;"

"In this way, half a year should be enough for us to move over."

Residential areas can be done slowly; once the other parts are built, it will not affect the operation and defense of the Provincial Governor's Office and Xiangyang City.

"That is a good idea! In that case, half a year is enough!"

Xi Zhicai's eyes lit up when he heard this: However, who does the Lord plan to entrust this matter to?

Su Xuan looked at Li Yan, who was standing to the side, and said: "Zhengfang, I will entrust this matter to you to lead! I will have Xu Shu, Gu Yong, and Lu Su assist you. Do you have the confidence to complete it within the specified time?"

Li Yan was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed: "I will certainly not fail the Lord's heavy trust!"

He did not expect Su Xuan to entrust such an important matter to him.

This fully demonstrated the high esteem the Lord held for him!

How could he not be happy?

Perhaps, after this mission is completed well, his position could catch up to that of Tian Feng and the others, right?

He never felt his talent was inferior to Tian Feng and the others.

Hmm! At most, he just lacked some experience.

"Good!"

Su Xuan nodded with a smile and said: "For the cement and steel, go find Huang Chengyan and have his side cooperate with the production!"

"I will also instruct him later to build several cement plants and steel mills near Xiangyang City."

As it happens, there are quite a few steel blast furnaces in the secret valley base in the western suburbs of Deng County, and Su Xuan feels that production there can be fully restored.

In fact, even more blast furnaces should be added.

Afterwards, Su Xuan thought for a moment, left the Prefect's Office, and came to the academy, where he saw Cai Yong and Confucian Xun Shuang Shuang playing chess.

"Master Cai! Father-in-law!"

Su Xuan stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Governor, you are too polite!"

Cai Yong stood up quickly to return the bow when he saw him.

Su Xuan's status was different now, and he really couldn't just sit there.

Confucian Xun Shuang Shuang, however, sat calmly and looked at Su Xuan: "How do you have time to come to the academy today, kid?"

"I assume you have something on your mind?"

"Haha!"

Su Xuan smiled slightly and waved his hand at Cai Yong first: "Master Cai, there is no need for such formalities. Here, I am merely your student;"

Cai Yong felt very pleased to hear this and said happily: "Not at all! Not at all! I haven't taught you anything; I am ashamed, truly ashamed!"

Su Xuan then looked at Confucian Xun Shuang Shuang: "Nothing can be hidden from you, Father-in-law!"

"I do indeed have something on my mind this time!"

"With the various commanderies of Jingzhou, except for most of Nanyang which is still in Yuan Shu's hands, the others have basically been taken!"

"It is no longer appropriate to keep the Provincial Governor's Office in Jiangling City!"

"Therefore, I plan to relocate the Governor's Office to Xiangyang City!"

"But Xiangyang City was previously just a county seat and is not sufficient to be the capital of Jingzhou, so I plan to expand it;"

"I have already appointed Li Yan to preside over the construction, but I still lack a few deputies;"

"Currently, the people under my command are not enough! I heard there are several great talents here at the academy, so I came specifically to meet them."

Confucian Xun Shuang Shuang and Cai Yong nodded in understanding.

Cai Yong said: "There are indeed a few great talents! One is Lu Su, Lu Zijing, whom you called here to study years ago; one is Gu Yong, a disciple I took when I was in Wu; and one is Xu Shu, who joined the academy two years ago. These three are all excellent!"

"I suppose, with the Secret Guards' intelligence capabilities, you came here specifically for these three, didn't you?"

"They happen to be at the academy right now. Do you need me to call them over for you to see?"

Cai Yong did not resent Su Xuan's approach.

After all, this academy was established by Su Xuan himself, and it had been said from the beginning that it was to cultivate talents for Su Xuan.

It was only natural for Su Xuan to come and recruit talents.

"Then I will trouble you, Master Cai!"

Su Xuan nodded with a smile immediately.

Cai Yong immediately ordered someone to call Lu Su, Gu Yong, and Xu Shu over.

When the three saw Su Xuan, they were stunned for a moment, and then a look of excitement appeared on their faces.

It seemed they had already guessed the purpose of being called here.

They all had intentions of entering officialdom, and Su Xuan's appearance could not have been better for them.

"Greetings to Master Cai, Lord Ciming, and the Governor!"

The three of them bowed to the three men together.

Cai Yong waved his hand first: "You were called here because the Governor wants to see you. Discuss the specifics yourselves! I won't interfere!"

As he spoke, he sat down and continued playing chess with Confucian Xun Shuang Shuang.

Su Xuan smiled knowingly, beckoned the three to walk ten steps away, and looked at them: "With your intelligence, I estimate you have already guessed the purpose of my visit!"

"Therefore, I won't beat around the bush. Are you willing to join me and serve under my command?"

As soon as Su Xuan finished speaking, the three looked at each other.

Then they bowed together: "We are willing! We are grateful that the Lord does not abandon us, and we are willing to serve unto death."