Chen Xi didn't say much more. The Lu family's gift was essentially designing a warship for Xu Sheng. Of course, if Xu Sheng hadn't been there, the first warship would have naturally gone to Gan Ning. After all, once the shipyard in Donglai was established, Liu Bei's policies would favor such projects.
The first ship was intended as a trial, with Liu Bei's side providing the materials. It served not only as practice for the Lu family but also as a gesture of goodwill. After all, in this era, the core technology of shipbuilding was monopolized by only a few families, and the key craftsmen were also under their control. The Lu family was indispensable, and the first ship would be a statement to other lords: don't mess with the Lu family.
"Xingba, pick up the pace and head towards Chaohu. We've achieved our goal. Let's return to the Yangtze River, sail downstream, and head back to Mount Tai. We have no reason to continue fighting," Chen Xi instructed Gan Ning.
At the same time, Jiang Qin was leading over five thousand Jiangxia naval troops down the Yangtze River, preparing to meet up with Zhou Yu near Jiujiang and intercept Chen Xi and his group.
"Is that so?" Li You in Xiapi looked at the group of timid family heads standing in the government office and waved them off, indicating that they could leave. The arrogance that the Xuzhou aristocratic families once displayed had completely vanished. Even Chen Deng felt a bit intimidated in front of Li You. His methods were ruthless—so ruthless that no one dared to defy him.
"Yuanlong, is there anything else you need to report?" Li You asked calmly as he placed the military orders from Zhao Yun and Chen Dao on the desk.
Not long ago, Liu Bei's dispatch had reached Xuzhou, ordering Zhao Yun and Chen Dao to head to the border between Xiapi and Jiujiang to gather intelligence on Chen Xi. If the situation turned unfavorable, Zhao Yun was authorized to lead troops into Jiujiang for rescue.
"Reports from Yuzhou indicate that Sun Bofu is bringing the Jiangxia navy into the Yangtze River, heading downstream. By now, they should be nearing the waters of Lujiang," Chen Deng replied, keeping his head down, unable to meet Li You's gaze. The brilliance of Li You's manipulations left Chen Deng both shocked and fearful.
"Oh, is that so? Has there been any new information from Zichuan? Do we need to provide assistance or anything else?" Li You asked calmly. He knew he had been a bit too harsh earlier. The aristocratic families of Xuzhou had nearly been wiped out, and worse, they gained nothing from it, only deepening their mutual grudges.
"Chen Hou's orders are for us to patrol the Xiapi and Jiujiang areas. If anyone dares to invade, we are to capture them immediately," Chen Deng replied, still not daring to look up.
"Yuanlong, do you think I've been too harsh in my actions? That ruthless methods may suppress them but won't win their genuine loyalty?" Li You asked with a smile.
In truth, the strategy that Jushou and Xun You had sent was a trap—a plan that would leave Xuzhou rife with hidden dangers. But after careful consideration, Li You extended their strategy further, making it even harsher.
After all, when Jushou and Xun You saw the results, they would likely attribute it to Li You's eagerness to prove himself, which might raise suspicions from Jia Xu and Guo Jia. However, this would also align with his role as an incompetent ally.
In short, what Li You had done was detrimental to Liu Bei. At least for now, 95% of the Xuzhou aristocratic families harbored resentment towards Liu Bei. With the recent orders, their hatred had reached its peak. Unfortunately, given Liu Bei's overwhelming strength, none of them were willing to be the first to rebel—though they might do so if an opportunity arose in the future.
However, there was a benefit to being ruthless. At least now, no one dared oppose Li You. His reign of bloodshed, harsher than even Tao Qian's final days, left the families powerless. They could only endure in silence.
"Yes!" Chen Deng hesitated for a moment before responding with a heavy heart.
"I've given them chances. How about this? I'll give them one more chance. I'll allow local officials to stay in Xuzhou instead of sending them to Qingzhou, but they must stop meddling in the military," Li You said dismissively.
Chen Deng was baffled. After everything that had happened, why was Li You suddenly showing mercy? Either crush them completely or don't start at all. After all that had been done, did Li You really think a small favor could undo the damage?
Chen Deng couldn't make sense of Li You's actions. Earlier, Li You's ruthless precision had earned Chen Deng's respect. But now, this sudden compassion and self-righteousness made Chen Deng question whether the previous plans had really come from this same man.
"Looks like you don't understand either. Well, go inform all the families. Tell them to behave. I don't want any more grudges. It's better for everyone if we get along," Li You said with a forced smile.
Before Chen Deng could respond, Li You waved him off and retreated into the inner hall, leaving Chen Deng standing in the middle of the room, utterly perplexed.
Li You thought with a smile.
As Li You quietly planned out the current situation, he realized that he too could play the game of "killing with a borrowed knife."
Feeling reassured after surveying the nearby conditions, Li You was confident that once this was done, all internal dissent would be silenced. No one would undermine their efforts again, and the blame wouldn't fall on him.
Without even realizing it, Li You had once again veered towards exploiting the aristocratic families.
Li You picked up a pen and paper, his face filled with scorn, as he quickly scribbled down the current situation to Jushou. Keeping them jumping into traps was the best strategy—after all, unexpected events were constantly unfolding!