The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 69 Liu Bei: "Who still has dreams?"

In history, Chen Deng did not stay in Guangling for a long time.

But his political achievements are very remarkable.

In addition to restoring the population production of Guangling, he not only defeated Sun Ce twice in the military, but also successfully withstood the attack of Yuan Shu.

He recovered Sheyang from Yuan Shu.

Chen Jiao participated in all of this, and Chen Deng’s success was inseparable from Chen Jiao’s silent efforts behind the scenes.

After hearing about Chen Jiao's achievements in Guangling that year, Liu Bei praised his virtues and ordered his men to reward him with silk, cloth, wine and meat to commend his achievements.

"Deng has received accurate intelligence that Yuan Shu is gathering troops in Jiujiang and will attack Xuzhou in the spring of next year."

"Your Excellency should make preparations early!"

Although Chen Deng had reminded Liu Bei in the letter, he couldn't help but remind him again when he saw him in person.

"Humph, he came just in time."

"If he doesn't come to me, I will go to him."

Liu Bei showed disdain on his face and was eager to fight Yuan Shu as soon as possible.

Chen Deng said again:

"Deng wanted to dig a western route to the Han Canal in Guangling, and then build a strong city."

"This way we can attack Yuan Shu's confidants if we advance, or we can defend Yuan Shu from going north if we retreat."

Otherwise, how could Chen Deng be called a hexagonal warrior? He was not only proficient in water conservancy, but also well-versed in city-building techniques.

The third purpose of coming to Xia Pi is to ask for money.

Because the project of digging a canal was too huge, Liu Bei, the helmsman, had to make the final decision personally.

Moreover, even a powerful family like the Chen family could not afford to undertake the construction of the river alone.

This requires Lao Liu to step forward and help out.

"How much does it cost?" Liu Bei asked.

"Only ten million!"

Chen Deng answered without blinking.

The number is already very small, and thanks to Chen Deng's knowledge, a lot of cost waste can be reduced.

Moreover, he had previously suppressed a large number of rebellions in Guangling, and could reduce labor costs by conscripting prisoners as labor.

However, this number is still not small. Repairing the river requires not only money, but more importantly, food.

Liu Bei did not make a decision immediately.

Li Yi gave his own opinion on the side:

"As early as the time of King Fuchai of Wu, the Han Canal was dug to connect the waterways of the Yangtze River and the Huai River."

"If we can shorten the route for Yuanlong now, we can avoid the dangers of wind and waves in Sheyang Lake and prepare for the navy to go south in the future."

Water routes can also greatly reduce transportation costs, and this alone is worth investing a lot of money and grain.

Anyone with a strategic vision will attach great importance to the development of waterways.

In fact, with Li Yi's promotion of refined salt in Xuzhou, the number of Xuzhou salt farmers and salt merchants has doubled compared to last year.

The salt tax Liu Bei collected last year alone was as high as eight million coins.

Ten million is something you can actually get by with just a little grit.

Chen Deng also chimed in:

"I want to connect small lakes such as Jinhu Lake and Baima Lake in series, which will greatly shorten the transportation between Guangling and Xuzhou headquarters."

"In the future, whether it is deploying troops or transporting food and goods, the time cost can be greatly reduced."

"Besides, Guangling is flat. Apart from the Huai River in the north and the Han Canal that runs from north to south, there are no other strategic points to defend."

"If we can build this waterway, we can not only defend against attacks from the south, but also develop water conservancy projects according to local conditions."

"If it is used to irrigate farmland for a long time, Guangling will surely become a fertile farmland in Xuzhou."

“This kills three birds with one stone!”

Chen Deng spoke proudly and explained to Liu Bei the benefits of developing the Hang Canal waterway.

Liu Bei asked again: "When will it be completed?"

Chen Deng replied: "At least three years, at most five years."

Liu Bei pondered for a while and said:

“Although the project is large, the benefits are not small.”

"Since Yuanlong has such ambition, let's go for it." "I will discuss this matter with Zi Zhong later and send the money and food soon."

This is Liu Bei. As long as his subordinates have abilities and ideas, he will definitely give you opportunities.

Better than many current leaders.

Li Yi held Chen Deng's hand and whispered to him privately:
"The Han Canal waterway project is huge. Yuanlong boasted that it could be completed with 10 million yuan. Isn't that just bullying?"

Chen Deng chuckled:
"If I don't say so, I'm afraid you will have doubts and delay the construction."

"But Ziyu, you don't have to worry too much. Waterway shipping is beneficial to the country and the people. My Chen family will never stand idly by."

Li Yi thought about it and it made sense. In history, the Chen family built the Hang Canal on their own to resist Yuan Shu's attacks.

It is not easy to be true.

It also proved once again that Chen Gui and his son Chen Deng were truly loyal to Xuzhou.

For Xuzhou, I can really give up anything.

"Let's get back to the point. Just now the envoy said that he wanted to build a navy, but the army lacks commanders who can train the navy."

"I just mentioned that I would like to recommend two people to you, Lord. They are the perfect talents for naval warfare."

Back to the topic, Chen Deng brought two strong men to Liu Bei.

Both of them were dressed as rangers and introduced themselves:

"Jiujiang Zhou Youping——"

"Jiujiang Jiang Gongyi——"

"Greetings, Lord Envoy!"

These two people turned out to be Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin, whom Li Yi had previously recommended to Liu Bei.

He didn't want to get Chen Jiao and the other two into a car crash with Chen Deng.

In fact, the two of them are considered to be local powerful people in Jiujiang, but they are not powerful enough.

He is roughly the same as Xu Sheng. He doesn't have to worry about food and clothing like ordinary people, and he can also mobilize dozens of people.

But that’s all. It can’t compare to the powerful bosses who can easily bring out thousands of child servants.

"We two originally made our living on the water, and we have about a hundred men under our command."

"But this is not a long-term solution. The other day I was summoned by the envoy, so I came to serve you."

Originally, the two of them were planning to join Sun Ce because they were close to each other and the dry bones in Yuan Shu's tomb were not worth mentioning.

Sun Ce was a hero and was fighting in the south of the Yangtze River, so the two of them had a good chance to show their skills there.

Unexpectedly, he received a call from Liu Bei in a carriage.

The two changed their minds immediately.

Without him,

Liu Bei was a senior provincial official, and his reputation for benevolence and righteousness was known throughout the world.

In contrast, Sun Ce was merely a captain under Yuan Shu at that time, living under someone else's roof, and he didn't know when he would be able to make a name for himself.

Don't underestimate this.

A very important reason why Taishi Ci did not surrender to Liu Bei in his early years was that Liu Bei was still a younger brother of Gongsun Zan at that time.

Taishi Ci's ambition was: "Carrying a three-foot long sword, ascending the steps to the emperor."

So he would rather go to Yangzhou to find Liu Yao than to join Liu Bei.

The same applies to Sun Ce now.

Previously, Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin had no choice, but now they have to choose Lord Xuande, who is the popular choice!
Moreover, Liu Bei took the initiative to come and recruit them, which shows that he truly admired their talents.

A gentleman will die for his friend. Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin chose Liu Bei just for this reason.

Chen Deng explained:
"In fact, when I arrived in Guangling, I found that pirates were rampant here, so I wanted to recruit heroes from all over the world."

"I didn't expect to run into these two brave men, both of whom are heroes on the water. I will bring them both to you and recommend them to you."

Liu Bei was overjoyed and said:
"I am truly delighted that you two brave men have not abandoned my shallow virtues and have come from afar to serve me."

Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin both bowed and said:

"We are all willing to work hard for you!"

……

　Thank you brothers for your follow-up reading. The book will be on the shelves on Sunday. I hope you brothers can accompany me to finish these last few days.

　　Thank you brothers, if you have time, you can join the group. The author will send red envelopes in the group from time to time to give back to the brothers for their support along the way.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)