Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

This conversation with Zuo Ci went on until the lanterns were lit, establishing all the details of the Natural Academy.

When Zuo Ci left the county office, he walked with a light step, a mix of fatigue and excitement.

Li Ji personally escorted Zuo Ci to the entrance of the council hall, and after watching him leave, he turned to look at Zhuge Liang, who emerged from behind the screen.

After Zhuge Liang further stabilized the internal affairs of Ruyang, he arrived at Nantun City with the grain transport team.

Zhuge Liang appeared carrying a large stack of freshly inked papers, which undoubtedly recorded the details of Li Ji's conversation with Zuo Ci.

As Li Ji took the papers and began to read through them, Zhuge Liang, standing by his side, expressed his concerns, saying:

"Teacher, I observe that the Taoist Zuo Ci is not a benevolent person. His eagerness to serve is merely for fame and fortune. He may not be trustworthy, especially considering the establishment of the Natural Academy specifically for him."

"Liang'er is right, but how can we expect everyone to be loyal and righteous? The world is bustling, all for profit, and this is the norm."

After a pause, Li Ji continued, saying.

"Moreover, the establishment of the Natural Academy is not due to trust in Zuo Ci. On the contrary, it is precisely because of a lack of trust in Zuo Ci that I intend to use Zuo Ci's hand to cultivate talents who are truly loyal to the Great Han."

"Can Taoist studies revitalize the nation?" Zhuge Liang was somewhat unable to react.

"Taoist studies cannot, but the vast knowledge contained within, if further developed for the use of the Great Han, will bring tremendous changes to the Great Han."

At this point, Li Ji hesitated slightly, but still decided to speak out.

When facing Zuo Ci, Li Ji would naturally choose to hold back, not revealing the immense potential and effects of various things, so as not to arouse any evil intentions or ulterior motives in Zuo Ci.

But Zhuge Liang is undoubtedly trustworthy, and in the future, Li Ji will also need trustworthy people to assist in supervising all matters.

Immediately, Li Ji pointed to the alchemy department that had been separated from the Natural Academy, saying.

"Alchemy explosions may seem commonplace, but the power of the explosions varies. If we can understand the principle behind these explosions, stably control when they explode, and further increase the power of the things that cause the explosions."

"Wouldn't this be an unparalleled weapon for opening mountains, quarrying stones, and killing enemies on the battlefield?"

After a pause, Li Ji pointed to astrology, saying.

"Astrology is not like those Taoist priests and diviners who predict good and bad fortune, but it can observe the changes in the four seasons, determine seasonal orders and solar terms, which is of great use to the country and the people."

"In addition, medicine, astrology, the Five Escapes, and so on, each disassembled, are all very useful. It is right to discard the useless and take the useful."

Hearing this, Zhuge Liang suddenly felt enlightened, and looking at the detailed plan for the Natural Academy in the records, he immediately understood the profound meaning behind it.

In the Natural Academy, all kinds of Taoist studies have already been disassembled into individual departments for teaching.

When persuading Zuo Ci, Li Ji's reason was "Specialization of skills."

Not everyone can become a Taoist sage as proficient as Zuo Ci. Disassembling it into individual departments and teaching according to aptitude is more conducive to quickly cultivating a group of helpers who can assist Zuo Ci.

Zuo Ci did not suspect this, but was happy to accept this arrangement, believing that in this way, he would not have to worry about the students in the academy affecting his position.

Little did he know that this undoubtedly fell into Li Ji's trap.

Zuo Ci cannot be fully trusted, especially with national treasures that surpass the times, such as gunpowder once successfully developed, Li Ji is even more unwilling to completely entrust it to someone as complex-minded as Zuo Ci to lead.

"Teacher's foresight is far beyond what this disciple can reach."

Zhuge Liang said admiringly.

Li Ji couldn't help but reveal a smile on his face, and then said.

"However, next, I will need to trouble Liang'er. Designate another area next to the Yuzhou Academy for the construction of the Natural Academy and complete it as soon as possible."

Zhuge Liang was not unhappy about being burdened with more responsibilities, but instead solemnly agreed, and then confirmed some details about the construction of the Natural Academy with Li Ji one by one before taking his leave.

It must be said that even using the youthful version of Zhuge Liang made Li Ji feel extremely comfortable.

He is not afraid of Zhuge Liang being lazy, but even more afraid of Zhuge Liang being overworked;

He doesn't even have to worry about Zhuge Liang messing up the things he has entrusted, but will only complete them much more beautifully than expected.

Even after Li Ji got used to the youthful version of Zhuge Liang, he inexplicably began to dislike Gu Yong.

Compared to Gu Yong, who only added points to governance, Zhuge Liang is still too all-powerful. Apart from not being as considerate as Sima Yi in his actions, who can refuse such an all-around deputy?

On the second day, Zuo Ci, who was so excited that he didn't sleep all night, hurriedly came to bid farewell to Li Ji, preparing to start preparing the teaching staff for the Natural Academy.

Even if Zuo Ci is proficient in Taoist studies, he cannot teach the entire Natural Academy at the same time due to lack of manpower.

More importantly, Zuo Ci's goal is to become the leader of Taoist studies and achieve the unification of Taoist studies. Therefore, he needs to win over a group of Taoist priests and alchemists to join his camp.

The Natural Academy is undoubtedly the huge bargaining chip that Zuo Ci now possesses. He is not afraid of failing to persuade Taoist priests and alchemists to lean towards him.

Especially since the Taiping Dao has completely become a stepping stone for Liu Bei's destiny, which makes the chips in Zuo Ci's hands even more important.

Therefore, to show his importance to Zuo Ci, Li Ji personally took A Dou and the Li Xiang siblings to the city gate to see Zuo Ci off, and also presented him with a thousand gold as travel expenses.

In the next few days, a large number of teams that were originally out searching for A Dou and the Li Xiang siblings also returned to Nantun City one after another.

However, Li Ji did not show his face again, and even most of the government affairs were handed over to Zhuge Liang to handle, putting a lot of thought into accompanying A Dou and Li Xiang and Li Xi.

Until the banquet prepared by Sun Ce was arranged properly, after a large number of civil and military officials and Yuzhou aristocratic families gathered in Nantun City were invited, Li Ji took Li Xiang and Li Xi to the banquet.

This time, Li Xiang's calm performance in the face of being trapped by wind and snow was quite satisfactory to Li Ji.

In addition, after Liu Bei unifies the world, the talent gap created by this revitalized Great Han is undoubtedly huge.

Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi, and Pang Tong, the "Dragon, Tiger, and Phoenix" trio, are now only about thirteen years old and have begun to step onto the stage of the times, with a bit of Gan Luo's style from the pre-Qin period.

This made Li Ji realize that Li Xiang might officially step onto the political stage earlier than he expected, and Li Xiang is definitely not a mediocre and incompetent person, so it is better to bring Li Xiang by his side to teach in advance.

As for bringing Li Xi along, it was purely because Li Ji couldn't resist Li Xi's coquetry, and considering that this banquet, even if it contains political implications, is essentially a private banquet, it is okay to bring Li Xi along.

And I don't know if it's the change in identity that makes the steady Li Ji can't help but have a little bit of showing off his children's thoughts. (End of this chapter)