Chapter 25: From Now On, Mr. Li Is Our Strategist!

"The military advisor has passed the age of twenty and is now at a suitable age for marriage."

"Mi Zhu of Donghai possesses wealth exceeding one hundred million, and his sister is a lady of high breeding."

"You two are truly a perfect match in talent and beauty. If the advisor has no objections, I, Bei, would be honored to preside over your wedding."

"What does the gentleman think?"

Liu Bei smiled as he spoke to Li Yi. He had just appointed Li Yi as his military advisor, partly out of genuine admiration for his talent, and partly to elevate his status. A military advisor was essentially his deputy and would always be part of the future inner circle of power. The Mi family, as a powerful clan in Donghai, would be firmly bound to his own if they were united through marriage with his advisor. From then on, they would prosper or perish together.

Li Yi was momentarily stunned, not expecting the old Liu to be counting his eggs before they hatched in this manner. It reminded him of the game *San11*, where he frequently played matchmaker for his subordinates. In the game, even Lu Bu would become loyal and devoted to you through such arrangements. Of course, in reality, it was never as exaggerated as in a game, yet marriage was indeed a common political tool. Old Liu’s goal was clearly to unite his financier with his strategist; only when his subordinates were unified could they unleash greater power. Otherwise, Zhang Fei and Cao Bao served as a negative example.

Another reason was that Liu Bei himself was truly not lustful and had no interest in taking wives. Throughout his life, aside from the early years when his wives kept dying of illness and he was forced to remarry, the wives he had with known names were few, and most were political marriages. He married the sister of Wu Yi to gain the support of the Yizhou group. He married Lady Sun to foster the Sun-Liu alliance. He married Lady Mi because he had a transactional relationship with Mi Zhu at the time. As for Lady Gan, who had no background, it was only because his legitimate wife had no children, and he was forced to take a concubine to continue his lineage. Furthermore, these wives either died of illness or, like Lady Sun, left on their own accord before he married again. He never married simply for pleasure.

Contrast this with his neighbor, Old Cao. He had fifteen wives with known names, several of whom were already married women, and he fathered twenty-five sons and six daughters. The phrase "Wei Wu wields the whip" was not just talk. If Old Cao loved beauty, what did Old Liu love? According to historical records: "The First Sovereign loved dogs, horses, music, and fine clothing." Liu Bei enjoyed keeping dogs and horses, and then dressing in fine clothes and listening to music.

Liu Bei appreciated Mi Zhu, but he truly had no interest in his sister. If not for political necessity, Liu Bei had little interest in marriage; he preferred the company of his sworn brothers. However, if he could facilitate a marriage between his advisor and his financier, Liu Bei was certainly interested. Just as he had helped Zhao Yun arrange his marriage, he felt it was his duty.

"A great man possesses world-shaking talent; how can he be without a wife or heir?"

"Does the gentleman fear that the young Lady Mi might be unattractive and thus dare not marry her?"

"If that is truly the case, I can arrange an introduction for you both. If you are truly displeased upon meeting, it will not be too late to refuse then."

"What does the gentleman think?"

Liu Bei was quite thoughtful; he did not impose an arranged marriage and took Li Yi’s feelings into account. Li Yi thought to himself that since he had already transmigrated, he should accept the situation as it was—sooner or later, he would have to settle down. Xuzhou was Liu Bei’s power base and was tied to his own interests. The Mi family, as the wealthiest in Xuzhou, possessed massive riches. In the future, when he set out to reorganize Xuzhou and develop production, where would he not need money? If he could become the son-in-law of the Mi family, it would surely be of great help to his future career. Moreover, history recorded Lady Mi as virtuous and kind; she would surely be a good wife who would not hold him back.

Reflecting on this, he replied: "I dare not deceive you, my lord. In the past, the Marquis of Champion once said, 'How can I think of home while the Xiongnu are not yet destroyed?' I had originally intended to wait until you had achieved your great cause before speaking of personal matters. But since this concerns your great undertaking, I have no reason to refuse. It is just that the Mi family is a prominent clan of Donghai, and I am but a man of no status. Even as your advisor, my background is shallow, and I may not command respect. I fear the Mi family may not accept me."

Li Yi’s personality was quite proud; even if he were to live off his wife’s status, he would do so with dignity and would absolutely never be a submissive son-in-law.

Liu Bei replied without hesitation: "Mi Zizhong and I have a close friendship. I shall go personally to act as a matchmaker and guarantor. What do you think?"

Liu Bei was certainly acting out of kindness. In ancient times, class prejudices between noble families were deep. Although Li Yi had become famous overnight, he lacked a pedigree. If he could lean on the Mi family of Donghai and gain the status of their son-in-law, it would certainly help his standing in the army.

Li Yi shook his head and said: "The Mi family is a prestigious clan; they look down on a man of no status like me. If I have to rely on others to act as matchmakers and guarantors, it will only make them look down on me even more. It is best if I rely on myself; that is the most stable path."

Liu Bei frowned slightly. "Then what brilliant plan does the advisor have?"

Li Yi touched his chin, a faint smile playing on his lips. "My lord, rest assured. I already have a plan in mind. I will surely make Mi Zizhong value me for who I am, rather than relying solely on political pressure. I only ask that you introduce us when the time comes."

"That is easily done. I shall send word when the time is right..."

Liu Bei nodded, agreeing immediately. "Since you have a plan, I shall not worry further. You may act as you see fit when the time comes."

Though he said this, he was secretly wondering what method Li Yi would use to move the heart of the Donghai tycoon. He could not help but add a word of advice: "Although Mi Zizhong comes from a merchant background, he is an honest gentleman. I believe that if you treat him with sincerity, he will surely treat you with sincerity in return."

This was Liu Bei sharing his own philosophy on how to conduct himself. Li Yi bowed gratefully: "Your words are like gold and jade, my lord; I shall keep them in my heart."

After a slight pause, he added: "In that case, the matter of the Mi family can be set aside for now. Next is..."

Before he could finish, the sound of footsteps was heard outside. A servant in green clothing and a small cap walked in quickly and bowed, saying: "Governor, the Third General has arrived."

...Yide?

Liu Bei was slightly startled, only realizing then that the sky had unknowingly brightened. He and Li Yi had talked throughout the entire night. How quickly time had passed...

Just as Liu Bei was about to order someone to invite Zhang Fei in, he heard Zhang Fei’s boisterous laughter. A moment later, Zhang Fei strode in alone.

"...Elder brother!"

"Oh? The gentleman is here as well."

Li Yi stood up and said with a smile: "...It seems brother Yide does not wish for me to be here."

Zhang Fei hurriedly said: "Eh! Not at all, please do not misunderstand, sir. I was just curious. The sky has only just turned white; I thought I had arrived early enough, but I did not expect you to be here even earlier than me."

Li Yi found it amusing; he hadn't left at all, having stayed the entire night. Of course he was earlier than him.

Liu Bei stood up and said seriously: "...Yide, Master Li is now the military advisor for our army. In the future, when you see him, it is as if you see me; you must respect him as you respect me. You must never be lacking in courtesy."