Chapter 157: Poisonous Scholar 2

In the afternoon, Li Xian began to arrange a series of matters.
First and foremost, the most important task was to officially announce to Anyang that Li Xian has returned.

Next, the resumption of production and continued recruitment of refugees, etc., were all entrusted to Yan Ze’an.

Third, recruiting soldiers, which goes without saying, was handed over to Beichen Yuqing.

Fourth, Fang Shijing was to take sole responsibility for the affairs of the Brilliant Stars Group and to quickly resume production.

Fifth, scientific research and other related projects cannot be stopped; more research projects must be accelerated. The Great Xia Empire is already on a countdown, and chaos is also on a countdown!

Sixth, the search for oil. Specifically, efforts should be focused on finding oil in Anyang and the surrounding areas. Of course, in this world, oil is referred to as “underground turbid gas.”

To develop industry, energy is essential; however, spirit stones are too expensive and too rare. Even though they can be used for energy, their output is too low and the cost is too high.

Seventh, the issuing of a talent recruitment order. In the past, Li Xian had not set his attitude right; now, Li Xian has set his attitude and personally signed the talent recruitment order. Those who possess both virtue and talent are prioritized, followed by those with excellent talents. Those with virtue but no talent… are not mentioned, but essentially, they are not needed!

In other words, Li Xian has for the first time clearly put forward the slogan “hire based on talent.”

Needless to say, this talent recruitment order from Li Xian met with strong opposition from the current top officials of Anyang, including Xu Ren, Yan Zean, Beichen Yuqing, Fang Shijing, Yan Zhengqing, Ling Zhifeng, and others.

Of course, those who possess both virtue and talent should be employed, but those who are talented but lack virtue cannot be accepted! The opposition was intense and straightforward, to the point that Li Xian was somewhat stunned. Were they really that emotional?

Seeing the strong reaction, Li Xian had no choice but to temporarily set aside this seventh point, intending to revisit it later. What Anyang needs right now is not more talent, but stability and development.

Next came the business matters, which are the foundation of Anyang’s development.

The business matters have been passed around and now all fall under Fang Shijing’s responsibility. Li Xian personally handed over many tasks, such as agents, after-sales, dumping, etc., which must continue. Additionally, preparations for increasing arms sales were to be made! This will be Anyang’s major source of revenue in the future!

In the early stages of industrial development, the textile industry was the most profitable; once industrialization is established, arms sales will be the most profitable!

The first batch of items allowed for sale included: a large amount of weapons, armor, and other cold weapons, crossbows, siege machines, motorcycles, and artillery under 105mm. Currently, Anyang only has three calibers: 47mm (aircraft secondary guns), 57mm (armored vehicle), and 105mm (aircraft main guns).

Additionally, firearms are not for sale! Never underestimate firearms, as their technical complexity is high. Furthermore, firearms are easy to hide and can easily backfire.

The most important thing is that artillery shells use gunpowder, while firearms bullets use explosives! Explosives need to be kept secret.

Oh, and the most primitive war instruments captured from the Cai Kingdom—Li Xian also plans to sell these, as these antiques are now useless.

Ironclad ships will temporarily only be sold to the East Sea Dragon Palace in exchange for spirit stones. Everything else will be ignored.

After going through all the matters and ensuring nothing was overlooked, Li Xian instructed Fang Shijing to exchange 300,000 taels of gold, silver, copper coins, and other valuables, and have them sent to the imperial tomb via an aircraft. This time, the wealth acquired from defeating Zhongshan County was countless; one could say they had packed up half the wealth of Zhongshan County.

Once the aircraft had left, Li Xian finally had time to meet someone. This person was none other than—Li Yuanming! The Poison Scholar, Li Yuanming!

Both Zhao Guoshan and Li Yuanming were individuals of status, though their cultivation was sealed, their lives were still well ensured. When Li Xian saw Li Yuanming, he was actually brewing wine. Truly a leisurely sight.

As soon as Li Xian entered, Li Yuanming had already prepared two wine cups. “Young Master Li, please take a seat.”

Li Xian glanced at Li Yuanming. “Are you accustomed to living here?”

Li Yuanming shook his head. “I heard Young Master Li had returned, so I specially asked around for a pot of wine. You’ve arrived just in time, the wine is already warmed. It’s been a long time since I’ve warmed wine, and I didn’t use bamboo charcoal. I hope you don’t mind.”

Li Xian quietly watched Li Yuanming pour the wine. His posture was elegant, and his expression was focused, even carrying a peculiar charm. Just looking at his demeanor, who could believe this person was the Poison Scholar feared by everyone like a venomous snake?

The warm wine flowed into the white porcelain cup. The sound wasn’t as crisp as cold water, but rather it was soft and lingering like a gentleman’s grace, almost like silk brushing through a gentle breeze, or lotus leaves swaying in the wind. This was the elegance of a gentleman, which made Li Xian unconsciously straighten his posture and lift the wine cup with both hands.

The wine was light and smooth, and just inhaling its fragrance made Li Xian feel refreshed, as though a faint fragrance had entered his soul, easing his body and mind.

Taking a light sip, it was like clouds flowing into his mouth—soft, continuous, and almost like a warm spring entering his body, causing his pores to relax.

“Ha…” Li Xian gently exhaled, feeling his mouth full of moisture. Unknowingly, he kept drinking one sip after another, and when he no longer felt the smoothness, he realized that his cup was already empty.

Li Xian did not try to hide his embarrassment. “Is this wine from Anyang? I’ve never had it before!”

Li Yuanming filled Li Xian’s cup again. “Young Master Li, you should recognize this wine jug. According to the guards, it’s just their usual allocation.”

Li Xian looked again, and sure enough, he recognized the wine jug. This was the same type of wine issued as a standard ration to the soldiers in the army, something Li Xian was not unfamiliar with. The system of rationing wine had actually been proposed by Li Xian himself. Soldiers were usually under great stress and fatigue, so Li Xian allowed them to drink at specific times.

However, Li Xian was puzzled. Could this wine really be that good? It seemed that the wine he had drunk in the Imperial Capital, even in the palace, didn’t have this kind of effect!

Seeing Li Xian’s confusion, Li Yuanming explained, “Young Master Li, this is the technique of warming the wine, which brings out its full characteristics. I’ve been warming this pot of wine for a full half-hour.”

Even Li Xian, who wasn’t dense, understood the implication in Li Yuanming’s words: “Did you predict that I would come at this time?”

Li Yuanming smiled openly, “I beg your pardon, it’s just a little trick that doesn’t amount to much.”

“You humble yourself too much, Mr. Li. If everyone had such little tricks, wouldn’t I have to sleep with one eye open all the time? Thinking back, I can’t even be sure when I would arrive, but you were able to warm the wine in advance and wait. Truly, you are a person of great talent!”

This time, Li Yuanming smiled wryly, “Young Master Li, please don’t mock me. When I arrived in Anyang in the middle of the night, Xu Ren had already set a trap for me to step into. Now, I’ve become a prisoner, so talk of great talent is meaningless.”

Li Xian’s eyes flashed. “With your abilities, you must know that entering Anyang is almost a death sentence. Why still risk it?”

Li Yuanming suddenly sat up straight, and a trace of a divine radiance appeared on his face. “The strategist’s creed: Eat the ruler’s grain, serve the ruler’s will! A poison scholar is also a strategist! Or rather, all ‘masters’ follow this creed. Without a creed, one is not a poison scholar, but a calamity.

It is because we have this creed that those with ambition, like you, Young Master Li, dare to employ us. And it is because of this creed that we can continuously improve.”

“Simply put, it’s professional ethics.”

“Professional ethics? Yes, that’s the right term. When Lü Liang County had no better options left, I had no choice but to risk everything for a slim chance of survival.”

Li Xian stared at Li Yuanming for a long time before finally speaking seriously, “I wonder, Mr. Li, do you think highly of this small pond called Anyang?”

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