Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Liu Bei's expression was so serious, a sight rarely seen in Li Ji's memory.

“Your Majesty, please do not worry, the young master is unharmed.”

“Don't call me Your Majesty. It seems in your eyes, Li Zikun, I am not a king at all…”

Listening to the faint arguing between Liu Bei and Li Ji coming from outside, Jiang Gan, lying inside the room, almost subconsciously twitched his ears, even slowing his breathing, carefully eavesdropping.

Liu Bei and Li Ji in conflict?

As this thought sprouted in his mind, Jiang Gan felt his heart accelerating.

However, before Jiang Gan could continue eavesdropping, Liu Bei pulled Li Ji away to personally confirm Li Xiang's safety.

This time, Liu Bei was truly enraged. Only after confirming that Li Xiang had not suffered any external injuries did his expression soften slightly.

Immediately, Liu Bei was invited by Li Ji to the deserted council hall.

However, before Li Ji could speak, Liu Bei slammed the table and roared.

“You, Li Zikun, how can Jiang Gan's few dog lives be compared to Xiang'er? How could you let Xiang'er take such a risk? What if something unexpected happens?”

“And you dared to act first and report later, hiding it from me.”

By the end, Liu Bei couldn't help but laugh in anger, repeatedly slamming his palm on the table.

Li Ji smiled sheepishly, not daring to speak.

Why act first and report later? Wouldn't reporting first make it impossible to act?

Even though Zhang Ren was riding the horse and Zhao Yun was protecting him, Li Ji had no worries about Li Xiang's safety, but this was clearly not the explanation Liu Bei wanted to hear.

Therefore, Li Ji thought it best not to explain. After Liu Bei's anger subsided slightly, he stepped forward and said.

“Jiang Gan is a spy sent by the Cao贼. If we can successfully deceive him, it will be of great use for the Northern Expedition in the autumn of next year. For the sake of pacifying the chaotic world and restoring the great Han Dynasty, even if it means the young master taking a small risk, what is wrong with me, Ji, entering the game myself?”

These words instantly extinguished Liu Bei's anger. He regretted that his words to Li Ji earlier seemed too harsh.

But Liu Bei couldn't be blamed for being angry. Li Ji only had one son, Li Xiang. If anything happened, Li Ji might become childless.

Liu Bei usually treated Li Xiang even better than his own son, compensating Li Xiang for the things he felt he owed Li Ji.

This caused Liu Bei to almost black out when he heard the news that Li Xiang was almost hit by a frightened warhorse, to the point that he couldn't control his anger and came to confront Li Ji.

“Forget it, forget it…”

Liu Bei sighed repeatedly, his tone completely softening, and said. “But Zikun must promise me that you must never again put Xiang'er in danger.”

“Never again.” Li Ji readily agreed.

After thinking for a few breaths, Liu Bei added.

“Even if we need to set up a scheme to gain someone's trust next time, we can let A Dou go. Do you understand, Zikun? With A Dou's status, he is more convincing than Xiang'er.”

… …

Li Ji.

He understood, but Li Ji wouldn't respond to that.

Helpless, Li Ji had to repeat.

“Never again.”

“Then I will remember what Zikun said. If there is a next time, I will definitely…”

When Liu Bei said this, he couldn't bring himself to say harsh words. After a long pause, he vaguely said.

“I will definitely punish you severely.”

Li Ji didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but to save Liu Bei's face, he had to pretend to be frightened.

Looking at Li Ji's fake frightened expression, Liu Bei waved his hand and said.

“Alright, alright. How should we arrange for Jiang Gan next?”

Li Ji replied. “Hua Tuo diagnosed that his injuries are not light. Two of his ribs are broken. He needs to recuperate for at least a month. When the time comes, we will use the excuse of gratitude, reward him generously, and give him important positions. Cao Cao and Jiang Gan will definitely not be suspicious.”

After pondering for a while, Liu Bei said.

“In that case, I, Bei, might as well personally come forward to appease and reward Jiang Gan, lest your acting skills, Zikun, are not good enough and ruin things.”

“Then I will trouble Your Majesty.” Li Ji smiled.

Afterwards, Liu Bei, who had been patiently waiting in the Prime Minister's residence, personally went to visit Jiang Gan after learning that Jiang Gan had woken up.

During this process, Liu Bei's sincerity and gratitude deeply moved Li Ji, who was also present, to the point of tears, as if he really almost had his son killed and saved by Jiang Gan.

To express his gratitude to Jiang Gan, Liu Bei immediately gave Jiang Gan a mansion in Shouchun City, where every inch of land was precious. He also asked about Jiang Gan's official position and promoted him to Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister, asking Li Ji to cultivate and value him.

Li Ji nodded repeatedly. After sending Liu Bei away, Li Ji also privately expressed his gratitude to Jiang Gan and kept Jiang Gan in the mansion for several days to recuperate.

Only after the mansion Liu Bei had bestowed upon Jiang Gan was cleaned up did Li Ji personally send Jiang Gan over.

It was said that he needed to recuperate for a month, but from half a month later, even though the cold wind outside was constant, the guests who took the initiative to visit Jiang Gan were countless, making Jiang Gan a hot commodity in Shouchun.

After recovering from his injuries, Jiang Gan, who took office as the Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister, was always by Li Ji's side.

The position of Chief Secretary is essentially similar to the office secretary of later generations.

This allowed Jiang Gan to quickly come into contact with important documents he had never dared to imagine, and Jiang Gan also saw Li Ji's usual whereabouts and arrangements.

Jiang Gan gradually understood why Li Ji had not been able to show up in the official office for a long time. Li Ji, who held the positions of Prime Minister and Chief Commander, was indeed very busy.

On the third day that Jiang Gan officially took office as the Chief Secretary of the Prime Minister, Li Ji left Shouchun again with a retinue of guards and some accompanying officials, and Jiang Gan was among them.

“The snow hasn't stopped, where is the Prime Minister planning to go?”

Jiang Gan, who was riding in the same carriage as Li Ji, asked in confusion.

“Do you need to be informed of everything the Prime Minister does?” Gu Wei asked sarcastically, fiddling with the small brazier.

Jiang Gan replied innocently. “Why are you speaking so unkindly, Master Gu? Gan is only asking so that he can assist the Prime Minister in a timely manner and share the Prime Minister's worries.”

“You…”

Before Gu Wei could speak again, Li Ji, who had been closing his eyes to rest, suddenly spoke and scolded.

“Do not be rude to Ziyi.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

Gu Wei quickly lowered his head, and then had to apologize to Jiang Gan under Li Ji's gaze, which made Jiang Gan secretly rejoice.

'Hmph, a mere native of Jiaozhou dares to oppose me. This is just the beginning…'

After Li Ji took the warm tea that Gu Wei handed over, he said.

“This time, we are braving the snow to go to Wujun Port.”

“What important matter is there at Wujun Port that requires the Prime Minister to go there in person?” Jiang Gan became even more puzzled.

Li Ji sighed and then said. “In fact, the Lord has spent countless money and grain to build a fleet that is about to set sail, so I need to go and preside over it.” (End of chapter)