Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

It can't be completely uncivilized...

If it were completely uncivilized, forcing them to pick cotton would require chains and whips.

Just barely civilized is the perfect level; the influence of religion on them will be amplified infinitely, allowing the Wa people's initiative to be fully utilized.

Especially since Yingzhou is now implementing a caste-like system, which will further amplify the influence of religion to the extreme.

As for whether cotton cultivation will lead to a reduction in arable land within Yingzhou and a further decrease in grain production, these are minor problems.

The arable land in the Jiangnan region continues to be reclaimed, grain production continues to increase daily, and the fishing industry has also been booming in recent years with the continuous innovation of fishing boats.

At least, for the time being, it seems that the Jiangnan region will not face a grain shortage problem.

On the contrary, the granaries in Wu County have seen a backlog of old grain year after year.

In the future, these old grains can be sent to Yingzhou as a gift from the Great Han Dynasty in exchange for cotton to be transported back to Wu County, only needing to ensure that Yingzhou does not experience a large-scale famine and can barely feed itself.

Of course, if a natural disaster or war leads to increased grain consumption, then the Wa people will have to suffer temporarily and go hungry for the development of the Great Han.

After Li Ji had initially finalized all aspects of cotton in his mind, a clear smile couldn't help but appear on his face.

This smile was caught by Chen Gong, who was sitting opposite him, and he keenly asked,

"Why is Master Zikun so happy?"

Li Ji slightly regained his senses and replied,

"To be honest, Gongtai, my wife at home is fortunately pregnant before I set off on this expedition. Considering that if this court meeting goes smoothly, I might be able to make it back to Wu County in time for my wife's delivery, so I can't help but feel joy in my heart."

Upon hearing this, Chen Gong suddenly had a realization.

If Cai Zhaoji were pregnant, then it would seem reasonable for Li Ji to be particularly concerned about his wife at home.

Immediately, Chen Gong offered his congratulations.

"Congratulations, Zikun, perhaps another Qilin son will be added to your family."

"I already have a son; I hope to have a daughter this time."

As he said this, Li Ji's tone clearly revealed a hint of anticipation.

It's not that Li Ji doesn't like Li Xiang; it's just that Li Xiang has been educated by Cai Zhaoji to be independent and sensible at a young age, which makes Li Ji occasionally feel a little strained, as if Li Xiang doesn't need paternal love from birth.

'Perhaps, did I return to Wu County too early? If I had delayed my return by a few more years, Li Xiang might have been crying and asking where his father had gone...'

Occasionally, such a thought would even flash through Li Ji's mind.

Therefore, Li Ji, who temporarily couldn't find any sense of accomplishment as a father in Li Xiang, naturally had the idea of starting a new account, and he was wholeheartedly thinking about Zhaoji giving birth to a lovely daughter.

Just imagining that his daughter's appearance might be similar to Cai Zhaoji's usual dignified and elegant demeanor, full of scholarly air, but a well-behaved, clingy, and cute version, Li Ji felt like his heart was about to melt.

'Please don't be another son...'

Li Ji silently hoped.

In Li Ji's view, since Li Xiang's existence was enough to complete the political tasks, another son would only come to divide the family property with Li Xiang, so it would be better to have a daughter first.

On the contrary, Chen Gong, who held the mainstream concept of "valuing men over women" in this era, looked at Li Ji's overflowing anticipation and only felt that Li Ji was truly a strange man, saying,

"Then I wish that your wife will give birth to a daughter this time."

After saying this, Chen Gong immediately felt strange...

Looking through history books, there is probably no precedent for wishing someone to have a daughter; this statement is often used for sarcasm or scolding.

However, facing Chen Gong's blessing, Li Ji was quite happy, pulling Chen Gong and starting to discuss how to name his daughter when the time came, citing classics and allusions.

Chen Gong didn't want to spoil Li Ji's enthusiasm, so he could only echo Li Ji somewhat absentmindedly.

It wasn't until they arrived outside the Nangong Palace gate that Li Ji reluctantly ended his discussion with Chen Gong, getting off the carriage with Chen Gong and waiting outside the palace gate for the court meeting to end.

This also convinced Chen Gong of something: the "National Scholar" Li Ji, who is famous throughout the country, is actually an unusually family-oriented person, especially when mentioning his wife and daughter, his enthusiasm cannot be said to be not high.

That kind of enthusiasm that seemed to rise from the inside out could not be faked, let alone acted out.

In the carriage, Li Ji even proposed more than twenty alternative names in one breath, discussing them with Chen Gong one by one.

This made Chen Gong's head, which was already filled with various exotic flowers and plants, forcibly crammed with a large number of female names and related classical content.

As a result, after Chen Gong got off the carriage, he stood in place somewhat dazed, inexplicably feeling a kind of indigestion.

However, Li Ji and others did not wait long outside the palace gate. The court meeting, which had lasted for nearly half a day, finally came to an end. A group of lords, not without beaming faces, strode out of the palace gate.

Obviously, the results of this court meeting allowed most of the lords to obtain the benefits they wanted.

Only Yuan Shu and Cao Cao, both with gloomy faces, walked out. After leaving the palace gate, they didn't even have the mind to communicate with other lords, getting into their carriages and leaving in a hurry under the guard of their personal soldiers.

Among the lords, Liu Bei was the one with the most smiling face, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei behind him were even more obvious.

Guan Yu's already crimson face seemed to have been poured with a few pounds of fake wine, with a layer of red light directly covering his face, and even his walking had a floating feeling;

Zhang Fei was grinning, with his neat and white teeth fully exposed, looking like he couldn't close his mouth with happiness.

However, before Li Ji could ask how the harvest was, Liu Bei took a step forward and walked to Li Ji, saying.

"Congratulations, Zikun."

Li Ji immediately guessed a bit and asked. "Could it be that I also have a reward?"

Immediately, Liu Bei didn't waste any words, directly took out an imperial edict from his sleeve and handed it to Li Ji, saying mysteriously.

"Zikun will know at a glance."

Li Ji took the edict, opened it, and the first thing that caught his eye was "Bestowed the title 'National Scholar Marquis,' belonging to the township marquis..."

This made Li Ji slightly stunned, this was obviously a special title.

Just like Huo Qubing in the past, Emperor Wu of Han waved his pen and directly took the meaning of "Merit Crowned the Army" to bestow Huo Qubing the title "Champion Marquis," equivalent to a county marquis.

Of course, the gold content of Li Ji's title must be much lower than that of Huo Qubing.

Among the three levels of marquises, the order from smallest to largest is: Pavilion Marquis, Township Marquis, County Marquis.

This time, Li Ji's title "National Scholar Marquis" is only a Township Marquis.

"Champion Marquis" is equivalent to a County Marquis, and has completely reached the top among the marquises. Further steps can only be the duke or king exclusive to princes.

"This..."

Li Ji was caught off guard by this title and felt that it was a hot potato.

As far as Li Ji knew, in the Han Dynasty, there were only three people who were honored with special titles: Huo Qubing's "Champion Marquis" for his merit crowning the army, Wei Qing's "Changping Marquis" for lasting peace, and Zhang Qian's "Bowang Marquis" for broad vision.

Li Ji knew that his apparent achievements were far from being comparable to Huo Qubing, Wei Qing, and Zhang Qian. Being conferred the title "National Scholar Marquis" was putting himself on the fire to roast.

"What virtue and ability do I have to receive this title?" Li Ji said helplessly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei almost blurted out, "That three-surname slave dares to receive the 'Unrivaled Marquis,' so what's wrong with our Master Zikun receiving a National Scholar Marquis?"

"Huh? Unrivaled Marquis?"

Li Ji widened his eyes, unable to imagine that Lu Bu really dared to put gold on his face!

Is this Chen Gong's idea? Or is Lu Bu inflated?

Unrivaled Marquis, its meaning is undoubtedly to show the meaning of "Unrivaled in the World."

"I see..."

Li Ji thought for a moment and understood the key, saying.

"I'm afraid Lu Bu is worried that receiving the 'Unrivaled Marquis' will be criticized by the people of the world, so he took the initiative to put a 'National Scholar Marquis' on me."

(End of this chapter)