Three Kingdoms, Myth

Chen Xi's words once again left Liu Bei baffled. However, Liu Bei had a good habit—if he didn't understand something, he wouldn't pretend to. When it came to those he trusted, he was willing to hand over full authority to them to solve the issue. As long as it was resolved in the end, that was all that mattered.

"Lord Liu, you should eat something first. I'll explain it to you later. This matter is quite complicated," Chen Xi said, pointing to the dishes on the table. If they didn't eat soon, the food would get cold.

At that moment, the door creaked open again, and a waiter entered with a large plate of lamb. He seemed to know when not to disturb the guests and when to serve the food. As for overhearing things he shouldn't, these people, being servants of Mi Zhu, knew well enough to keep such matters buried in their hearts.

"Let's eat," Liu Bei said with a smile, using a small fork to cut some food onto his plate before starting to eat.

After the waiter made several trips to serve the food, he didn't appear again. Liu Bei, Li You, and Chen Xi began chatting about past events, comparing them with the present and marveling at the twists of fate.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, there was a knock at the door.

"More dishes? We haven't even finished the ones we have. This fried dish with soybean oil is delicious, but we shouldn't be so wasteful," Liu Bei remarked, glancing at Chen Xi. Chen Xi looked at Li You, and with no other choice, Li You went to open the door. Being the closest to it, he figured he should take care of it.

"Oh, it's you, Zhongkang," Chen Xi said with a smile, raising his wine cup in greeting. "I was wondering how we could have so many dishes. What happened to that little brat you were supposed to bring? Don't tell me he escaped from you."

"How could I let him escape?" Xu Chu grunted, pulling the boy out from behind him. "No way he could've gotten away from me!"

Chen Xi nearly choked on his drink. After forcing it down, he coughed a few times and stared at the boy in disbelief. "Are you sure this is the same kid? Did you get the wrong person?"

The boy standing before him now was a far cry from the dirty street urchin from before. He was dressed in plain but clean robes, his face handsome, his lips red and teeth white. He wore a gold crown on his head, a jade pendant at his waist, and held a folding fan made of wood—one that had become quite fashionable in the Han Dynasty. The transformation was so drastic that it was as if someone had swapped him out entirely.

"Who would believe this kid is a thief? And look at how clean he is for a beggar. Are you playing the role of a fallen nobleman?"

"You're the thief!" the boy retorted angrily, instantly losing his refined demeanor.

"Oh, now I believe it. You can change the clothes, but you're still the same little thief inside," Chen Xi remarked, shaking his head.

"Alright, Zi Chuan, don't quarrel with a child. Come, come, young man, tell me which family you belong to. Have a seat here," Liu Bei said. He hadn't quite grasped the situation but saw that this boy was quite bold and handsome, with a strong presence that suggested he was close to reaching the level of refining qi into gang. He clearly came from a good family.

"That kid is a thief. But I guess it just goes to show that clothes make the man," Chen Xi muttered in dissatisfaction. If he hadn't known that this boy was a thief, he would've taken a liking to him. He had the looks, and at such a young age, he was already strong enough to take on several grown men. Truly a good seedling.

"It's just a bag of gold beads. I'll pay you back when I have the money," the boy grumbled. Then, with a more formal tone, he introduced himself, "My name is Ma Zhong. Greetings, General of the East."

"Good, good," Liu Bei said, patting Ma Zhong on the back. "Strong, capable, but it seems you haven't had proper guidance."

Chen Xi stood there in shock. This kid was named Ma Zhong? At this time and age, with such skills, it could only be the same Ma Zhong—infamously known as a general-killer. Given his humble background, it wasn't too far-fetched for him to have ended up as a beggar. After all, even at the peak of his career, Ma Zhong was only a military scribe, yet he managed to be recorded in history as a general-killer, a rather ironic distinction.

Sitting awkwardly, Ma Zhong fidgeted in his seat, clearly unused to the situation. His eyes locked onto the food on the table, and he swallowed hard. Liu Bei, noticing this, smiled and served him a plate full of meat, showing no signs of disdain. He even handed Ma Zhong a small fork, indicating that he should help himself to whatever he liked.

"Zi Chuan, care to explain? Even if it was a bag of gold beads, that doesn't seem like enough reason for you to pay him so much attention," Liu Bei said, watching Ma Zhong devour the food. He patted Ma Zhong on the back, trying to remind him to slow down, but Ma Zhong, still chewing a mouthful of meat, turned his head in confusion, not understanding Liu Bei's intent.

"I just found him a bit of an eyesore. Besides, transforming these street kids is part of my plan. I intend to give them a chance—a chance to learn a trade, acquire knowledge, or develop martial skills. And since this one stole from me and I caught him a second time, he makes for an excellent test subject. By the way, hand over my wallet," Chen Xi said, glaring at Ma Zhong as he continued to scarf down food. He then began to explain the entire plan in detail.

"So that's how it is. Every young person deserves a chance. It's the right thing to do," Liu Bei said, looking at Ma Zhong with pity as he continued to gobble down his meal.

"We'll mobilize the citizens to help locate all the street kids. We'll provide them with three meals a day and a place to stay. The younger ones will be taken care of by designated caretakers, and as they grow older, they'll be educated," Chen Xi said, eyeing Ma Zhong. "Of course, the first thing we'll need to do is break their habit of stealing. For kids like this one, I think a stint in military training would be a good start."

"Zi Chuan, you seem to have quite a grudge against Ma Zhong. He's just a child; show some leniency," Liu Bei said gently. He couldn't help but feel sympathy for Ma Zhong, who was still struggling to finish a pig's foot. If this fine young boy had been starved to this extent, how many others like him were out there in the Han Empire?

"Fine, I won't hold it against him," Chen Xi waved off, seemingly letting go of his irritation. "Honestly, I've occasionally thought of gathering all the kids and educating them. Teach them about loyalty and righteousness, military and national matters, even the duties of a great nation. After all, these children are the future, and many of my ideals rest on their shoulders."

Chen Xi wouldn't tell Liu Bei that his real goal was to mold the next generation according to his vision. After all, with control over printing and papermaking, he could determine what was taught. Instilling the values he wanted in them was just a matter of deciding what went into the textbooks.