Chapter 33: A Stable Sugar Daddy

After treating Chen Deng’s ailment, Li Yi handed the bottle of antibiotics to him.

"Consider this medicine a gift to you, Yuanlong. Should your illness flare up again in the future, it may provide you with urgent relief."

Chen Deng was startled and hurriedly demurred.

"No, no! This is a divine medicine capable of curing all maladies. I have done nothing to deserve such a boon; how could I possibly accept it?"

For the Chen clan, no matter how vast their wealth and influence, such a panacea was something that money simply could not buy. That Li Yi would offer it so casually left Chen Deng feeling deeply unsettled. However, Li Yi would not permit a refusal and firmly placed the bottle in his hand.

In Li Yi’s view, a few hundred yuan worth of antibiotics was a small price to pay to secure the loyalty of the Chen clan. Moreover, he had plenty of stock, and since this particular bottle had the shortest shelf life, giving it away was a win-win. Of course, the expiration date was merely a manufacturer’s disclaimer; the medicine remained effective long after.

Having handed over the medicine, Li Yi rose to take his leave. Chen Deng, still somewhat bewildered, watched as Li Yi walked away. He remained rooted to the spot, gazing at the departing figure, who stood as tall and elegant as a lonely bamboo or a flourishing pine.

"To be capable of maneuvering through the chaos of battle, and yet also possess the miraculous touch to heal... Li Ziyu, how many more surprises do you hold in store? I shall wait and see."

...

The late Eastern Han Dynasty had entered a new cycle of the Little Ice Age. It was a time of drought, scarce rain, and winters that stretched far longer than the summers.

Mi Zhu, the esteemed Assistant Governor of Xuzhou, stood braving the bitter wind, leading a retinue of servants as they waited outside his residence. The freezing gusts made the servants tremble; they could not fathom what manner of person was worthy of such a grand reception from their master. Even when Governor Tao Qian had visited personally, the master had not shown such deference.

Amidst the biting cold, Mi Zhu tightened his fur-lined coat. His expression remained calm, utterly indifferent to the harsh elements. His gaze was fixed solely on the horizon, quietly awaiting his guest.

The answer soon revealed itself. A carriage slowly rolled into their field of vision. Driving for Li Yi was Chen Dao, whom Liu Bei seemed intent on placing under Li Yi’s tutelage. Chen Dao was loyal, brave, and diligent, yet his seniority in the army was low; by becoming a staunch supporter of Li Yi, he would likely elevate his own future standing within the ranks. Accompanying them were over twenty elite armored guards, specifically assigned by Liu Bei as Li Yi’s personal escort. Although Li Yi preferred to travel light, Liu Bei had insisted on this arrangement, fearing any unforeseen trouble.

The party soon approached the Mi estate.

Mi Zhu adjusted his attire and stepped forward to greet them. Li Yi alighted from the carriage and moved ahead to offer a formal salute.

"I have long admired your name, Assistant Governor, and have hoped to pay you a visit. That you would labor to come out and welcome me in person leaves me deeply humbled. I beg your forgiveness for this trouble and trust you will overlook my presumption."

Mi Zhu was slightly taken aback. Although he had heard that Li Yi was a refined and courteous gentleman, seeing it in person was quite another matter. Perhaps this was why he had been appointed as an advisor at such a young age. Mi Zhu immediately bowed in return.

"Ever since I saw you at the banquet that day, I have wished to form a deeper acquaintance with you, sir. I was delighted to hear of your promotion to the position of advisor to the Governor. Upon receiving your message yesterday, I was overjoyed. The thought of such an honored guest arriving left me restless with anticipation, hence I brought my people to greet you."

Li Yi took Mi Zhu’s hand, his expression earnest. "You are a vital pillar of the Governor’s administration and my senior. I am young and inexperienced in the ways of the world; there is much I have yet to learn from you. I am grateful that you would spare the time to see me, and I shall listen intently to any guidance you may offer."

Mi Zhu’s eyes twitched slightly. He found the young man’s humility and impeccable manners almost overwhelming—he possessed none of the arrogance typical of one in his position. From their first meeting, Li Yi struck him as refined as jade and elegant as a scholar—a true gentleman, untainted by the dust of the world. It was a refreshing, spring-like presence, one Mi Zhu had only ever felt from Liu Bei before. Li Yi was the second.

Mi Zhu finally understood why Li Yi had risen to become Liu Bei’s trusted advisor in such a short time. Perhaps they both possessed a certain magnetic charm.

"The wind is biting; this is no place for conversation. If you would not mind, sir, shall we enter my humble abode for a cup of warm tea?"

At Mi Zhu’s invitation, Li Yi readily agreed. The two walked into the residence together, and the servants finally let out a sigh of relief. Mi Zhu led Li Yi into the main hall, and they took their respective seats.

"As an Assistant Governor, to have you visit my home is a great honor; my humble dwelling is truly brightened by your presence."

As he spoke, a maid brought in fragrant tea. Li Yi thanked her, took the cup, and sipped gently.

"Excellent tea! And such fine vessels! Truly a feast for both the palate and the eyes."

The Mi family had been engaged in trade in Xuzhou for generations, and since the time of their ancestors, they had been the foremost merchants in the land. They were not known for being cruel or greedy; on the contrary, they were generous to their community, which had earned them an excellent reputation. However, mere wealth and a good name were not enough for a merchant family to compete with ancient, prestigious clans like the Chen.

What truly allowed the Mi family to stand on equal footing with the Chen was their formidable family strength. As the historical records noted, their ancestors had amassed vast wealth, with ten thousand servants and fortunes beyond measure. This was a power capable of swaying the political landscape of Xuzhou.

Beyond their wealth, the Mi family maintained a private army of ten thousand men. Their ability to thrive amidst so many rival clans proved their combat prowess was no trifle. It was this influence that had compelled Tao Qian to appoint Mi Zhu as his Assistant Governor—a position second only to the governor himself.

Historical records suggest that Mi Zhu’s military and administrative abilities were mediocre, and even when he followed Liu Bei into Shu, he was often given idle posts. This confirmed that he had risen to such heights solely through his family’s sheer power. The only limitation for the Mi family was that they were not a traditional scholarly or official lineage, so they were always ranked below the Chen clan in terms of prestige.

Yet, in terms of pure influence, the Mi family sat firmly on the throne as the premier clan of Xuzhou. With ten thousand sturdy laborers, thousands of tenant families, and a thousand private soldiers, even a provincial governor would have to treat them with caution.

This was precisely why both Tao Qian and Liu Bei had exerted every effort to court the Mi family. In these chaotic times, whether for external expansion or domestic development, money and grain were indispensable. A financial backer who could provide both was essential—much like Wei Zi was to Cao Cao, or Lu Su to Sun Quan.

Though Li Yi had yet to state his purpose, Mi Zhu already had a fair idea. He was here for money! What else could it be? Aside from wealth, the Mi family had little else to offer.