Chapter 116: A Frenzy of Invention

To put it bluntly, marrying Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao was little more than acquiring two decorative vases. In terms of true utility, only two women could offer him genuine support: Fu Shou and Yuan Ying.

Fu Shou had been with him through his most difficult times, standing by his side from his lowest point to the present day. They had weathered many storms together, forging a bond born of shared hardship. As for Yuan Ying, as Fu Shou herself had often remarked, her capabilities were, in truth, even sharper than her own. Beyond her integrity and high moral character, her virtuous nature allowed her to work alongside Fu Shou to manage Liu Xie’s domestic affairs with great efficiency. She was, by all accounts, an exceptional woman.

"Very well, if my dear Empress has no objections, then I shall take them into my household," Liu Xie decided. Within a few days, he proposed marriage to the sisters. For a family of their standing, marrying into the Emperor's favor was the highest honor; thus, Elder Cao and the Qiao sisters offered no resistance and readily agreed. Just like that, in less than a few days, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao joined Liu Xie’s side, becoming part of his inner palace alongside Fu Shou and Yuan Ying.

Time slipped away, and another Spring Festival arrived. As the holiday approached, the provinces of Jingzhou and Yizhou were filled with a bustling, festive atmosphere. The people lived in peace and contentment, their livelihoods prosperous—all thanks to Liu Xie, who had provided them with the means to fill their stomachs. Consequently, Liu Xie’s reputation in Jingzhou and Yizhou soared, and over time, he became the enlightened ruler in the hearts of countless subjects.

On the eve of the New Year, everyone gathered at the Governor’s Mansion in Jingzhou. As always, Liu Xie sat at the head of the table, hand-in-hand with Fu Shou. However, there was a notable change: this time, Yuan Ying was seated there as well. This surprised many, as in this era, only an Empress was typically permitted to attend such an event, and Yuan Ying was merely a concubine. Yet, Liu Xie had brought her up to the dais regardless.

"Do not be surprised, everyone. Both the Empress and Lady Yuan are exemplary," Liu Xie explained with a smile before raising his glass to drink heartily with the assembly. "If it were possible, I would have liked to name two Empresses. But today, we are here to celebrate, so let us set such matters aside."

As they had spent so much time together, the generals and strategists had grown familiar with one another, though some underlying tensions remained—such as the friction between Zhang Fei and Lu Bu. However, with Liu Xie present, they kept their grievances in check. On the whole, the atmosphere remained harmonious and pleasant.

"Gentlemen, several months have passed. How is the training of your respective troops coming along?" Liu Xie asked with a smile. The training of his forces had always been his primary concern, for he knew that more great battles lay ahead, and success in such conflicts demanded formidable soldiers.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, most of our 1.4 million troops have seen combat and possess a degree of experience," Hu Che’er replied, summarizing the situation. "With the daily drills led by the generals, they have long since become a capable fighting force. However, Your Majesty, our naval strength remains our weakest point."

Hearing this, Liu Xie tapped his forehead. He had been so focused on infantry and cavalry that he had neglected the navy. "Gan Ning, Wen Pin, Huang Zu," he commanded, "from now on, the three of you shall lead our naval forces. General Hu, shift your focus toward the navy; do your utmost to bolster our strength at sea. Furthermore, select one hundred thousand men from the infantry who are skilled in water-faring and incorporate them into the navy."

Liu Xie knew how vital the Jingzhou navy was, especially with Sun Ce’s forces in nearby Jiangdong. Since Sun Jian had perished at the hands of Huang Zu, the hatred the Jiangdong faction held for Jingzhou was profound. Should they ever clash, the navy would be essential.

"We obey your command!" the generals replied.

"Your Majesty, when shall we march again?" the soldiers asked, restless for action.

"There is no rush to campaign; what we need now is to strengthen ourselves," Liu Xie replied. "I decree that for the next year, we shall conduct no military campaigns. We will dedicate ourselves to recuperating and building up our reserves. We will decide on our next move after a year has passed."

Though the soldiers were eager for battle, they respected his decision.

"Lord Liu, how is the progress of the palace construction?" Liu Xie turned to ask.

Liu Biao stepped forward quickly. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the palace is mostly complete, with only the final finishing touches remaining. It will be done in two months at most."

"Excellent," Liu Xie declared with newfound confidence. "Then let us enjoy ourselves tonight. Starting tomorrow, I shall lead you all in a great push for development. I guarantee that within a year, we shall become an invincible force."

During the Spring Festival, Liu Xie let everyone rest, but once the holidays passed, he threw himself into work. With the vast resources at his disposal, he set out to innovate. After extensive surveys of the mining districts, he integrated various materials to create things previously unknown to the era: cement and concrete.

Once production began, he immediately put these materials to use, renovating the city walls throughout Jingzhou and Yizhou. With concrete reinforcement, their sturdiness increased tenfold. Throughout that year, Liu Xie acted as a scientist, constantly researching and inventing. He also promoted animal husbandry across the regions, encouraging the common people to raise chickens, ducks, pigs, and cattle. While he had solved the grain crisis, he knew the people needed more than just a vegetarian diet; they needed protein.

With breakthroughs in both agriculture and military technology, the strength of Jingzhou and Yizhou grew ever more formidable.