The hermit stayed because of the delicious food.

Shenxi had Li Qin prepare a variety of dishes for the hermit, and the hermit became increasingly addicted to them.

This stay lasted for a week.

During this time, Shenxi often came to chat with the hermit. The hermit knew that Shenxi was capable, but he did not expect him to be this capable.

No matter what you say, you can always add something to the conversation.

He is extremely knowledgeable.

Especially in numerology, his abilities have surpassed his.

Chen Xi couldn't help but chuckle. "Do you think all those years of schooling were for nothing? Even higher mathematics is a required course in university."

Thus, the hermit indulged in both gourmet food and numerology.

Finally, under Shen Xi's influence, he met directly with Qi Xiuwen and the others.

When Qi Xiuwen and the others learned that the hermit was named Zhou Gongfu, they were all greatly surprised.

Everyone knows Zhou Gongfu, a great Confucian scholar who later went into seclusion because he couldn't stand the current emperor.

I never imagined they would be living in seclusion here.

With his help, why worry about students from all over the world not coming?

Because Chenxi was a woman, many people were content with just having enough to eat, and they obeyed regardless of whether you were male or female.

But the students are different. Many students chose to go elsewhere because it was a women-run management program, and those from other places were even less likely to come.

But with Zhou Gongfu, it was different. Zhou Gongfu had students all over the world, and every student who met him would respectfully call him "teacher".

It means that those who are accomplished can be teachers.

With Zhou Gongfu around, we can attract a large number of students. How can we worry about not having enough talented people to use?

Then someone will manage the territory that has been conquered.

Therefore, Qi Xiuwen, Gu Beitian, and others used all their skills to attract Zhou Gongfu.

Who knew that Zhou Gongfu would choose Shen Xi and Shen Qing as his disciples?

Taking Shen Qing as a disciple is fine; it might even be better for Shen Qing's future development.

But to accept Chenxi as a disciple would be quite an achievement.

In the eyes of his subordinates, once the leader unifies the country, he will definitely declare himself emperor.

The Imperial Tutor held immense prestige and was highly respected.

While his subordinates were still pondering, Chenxi readily agreed.

It's just about finding a master. Besides, the other person is really knowledgeable and has no airs. They're like a teacher and a friend, which Shenxi agrees with.

So he agreed very readily.

At the same time, Chenxi said, "Master, now that you have acknowledged Qing'er and me as your disciples, you must truly educate us and take responsibility for our future!"

Zhou Gongfu chuckled as he munched on a chicken leg. "Mmm, it tastes really good."

"Don't worry, my disciple. I've already written to my disciples and their followers, and they will come to assist you."

"Really? How many disciples and grand-disciples do you have?"

Without hesitation, Zhou Gongfu replied directly, "I don't know either. It seems like it's dozens or hundreds?"

I've forgotten how many apprentices I had, haha.

When Zhou Gongfu's servant compiled the list of these people and handed it to Qi Xiuwen, asking Qi Xiuwen to find someone to write letters to these people, Qi Xiuwen was surprised again.

It really was over three hundred people.

Moreover, among these people, there are more than a dozen who are world-renowned figures.

If all of these are brought in and put to use by the leader, then what can't be resolved?

These people were not only outstanding in literature, but some of them were also exceptional in martial arts.

The vast majority of them were skilled in both literary and military arts, and some even held local positions or led troops.

I just don't know if these people are willing to come to the leader's place.

However, even if only a portion of them come, the talent pool will be sufficient.

"Disciple, don't worry, these people are all of excellent character. I would have expelled those who were not of good character from the sect long ago."

Shenxi was overjoyed. This wasn't just a master; it was a treasure trove, the kind that could provide anything one wanted.

If you want talent, you can get it.

Those whom Zhou Gongfu would invite by letter are probably his loyal disciples; otherwise, he wouldn't have made such a bold move.

The talent shortage in Chenxi was solved in an instant.

While preparing for battle, Shenxi waited for talented individuals to arrive.

Sure enough, within a month, people started arriving here one after another; they were all Zhou Gongfu's disciples, and disciples of his disciples...

More than eighty people arrived at once.

Both literary and martial talents are present.

Shenxi personally received them and then instructed Qi Xiuwen to assign tasks based on their abilities.

It was two months later when everything was stable and preparations were complete.

Qi Xiuwen no longer opposed the war, after all, he had made full preparations.

Haozhou Prefecture is the target this time.

Because of the deep-seated grudges with Haozhou Prefecture, they showed no mercy in the fight, using all the advanced weapons at their disposal.

Furthermore, the two teams were led by Zhao Rong and Qi Xiuwu respectively, and their generals included Shen Qing, Mo Yuhua, Yunnan Ze, Feng Tao and others.

They mobilized 200,000 troops and marched straight to Haozhou Prefecture.

The prefect of Haozhou was so scared that he wet his pants.

They offered little resistance and fled directly towards the Miao region.

This immediately put Qiong'an Prefecture and Hejian Prefecture on high alert.

Hejian Prefecture and Qiongan Prefecture have stopped attacking each other and are both preparing for war.

However, Hejian Prefecture was already plagued by frequent internal strife, and its army was utterly corrupt. As soon as Chenxi's troops arrived, they started fighting amongst themselves before the battle even began, and a large portion of them surrendered.

The rest followed the governor to the Western Qiang, and through the Western Qiang they entered the Western Frontier, where they were captured and killed.

At this time, Qiong'an Prefecture was surrounded on three sides. The prefect of Qiong'an Prefecture held out for three months, but seeing the heavy losses, he was about to abandon the city and flee.

But who knew that before he could escape, the powerful families in the city launched a coup, surrounded his mansion, captured him alive, and opened the city gates to welcome Shenxi into the city.

Although these aristocratic families knew about Chenxi's methods towards them, they believed that as long as they obeyed, they would be given a way to survive.

If they were to flee, their only options would be the Western Qiang or the Western Frontier, but they feared they would suffer the same fate as the governor of Hejian Prefecture there, as the region was too chaotic.

It was originally next to Zhongdao Prefecture, but it was separated by layers of deep mountains, making it extremely difficult to get there.

After Shenxi led his men into the city, he dealt with the aristocratic families according to different circumstances.

Those who are relatively law-abiding and have not committed any major offenses may be given leniency and have some of their assets retained.

For those aristocratic families who act recklessly, execute those who act recklessly, and then punish them according to the severity of their crimes.

For those family members and relatives of these prominent families who have not committed any wrongdoing, they will not be made difficult; they will be given a way to survive.

Therefore, the families that truly surrendered to Chenxi were those whose families did not have many particularly heinous criminals. If a family had heinous criminals, they would have fled long ago.

But who knows what will happen after they escape? The Western Qiang and Miao regions, as well as the winding mountain roads of Zhongdao Prefecture, are not easy places to go.

If these aristocratic families have truly talented individuals, Shenxi will also give them important positions.

Therefore, if a family wants to prosper, it needs to have real skills. It cannot rely on the glory of its ancestors to enjoy itself. It must strive and fight for itself.