NOVPUB...
Chen Xi left, leaving behind a bitter-faced Lub Su. Lub Su was a local tyrant, and Chen Xi was from an aristocratic family. It was that simple, at least in Lub Su’s eyes.
Picking up the seal ribbon Chen Xi had set down, Lub Su felt for the first time that his fate had already been sealed. He was experiencing the terror of a millennia-old family for the first time. He had thought he wasn’t much different from Chen Xi, but now he realized that there were always those who held the pieces, while he was just a puzzle piece.
"Is this the spirit of a family that has thrived for millennia? To split the best and the strongest to bet, with those who leave gaining freedom and those who stay gaining the family, and the one who survives becomes the family head! Indeed, that’s the grandeur of a millennia-old family!" Lub Su first muttered to himself, then roared loudly, venting his dissatisfaction.
Of course, Chen Xi had no idea that he gave Lub Su the impression not of being a discarded member of the Chen Family, but rather a young master showcasing the grandeur of a millennia-old family, a young master who chose freedom, while Chen Qun, the family head, seemed more like an aristocratic family member who had chosen the family. Freedom versus family, a collision between the best and the strongest, the surviving patriarch! That was Lub Su’s impression.
Soon, Lub Su composed himself. Even if he saw Chen Xi as a representative of the aristocratic families, strategically there was not the slightest flaw—in fact, it was stunning. So, Lub Su, feeling like a pawn, was loath to allow personal grievances to affect public duty, despite his frustration.
"I am Lub Zijing, and my wisdom shall not be inferior to anyone. I will certainly break free from these shackles!" Lub Su’s eyes shone with determination, silently swearing to himself, driven by the immense pressure and shock from Chen Xi’s previous performance, which only fueled his fighting spirit.
Chen Xi had no idea that his words had led Lub Su down the wrong path, but even if he had known, he wouldn’t have explained. After all, the beginning and end were predestined, changes to the process could not match the impact of the outcome, and words could never be as convincing as actions. As long as Lub Su wasn’t blind, he would see what Chen Xi was doing and for what purpose. All notions of aristocratic families and clans were just passing clouds.
Carrying his orders, Chen Xi went to find Liu Ye, only to hear Liu Ye suggest that instead of following Chen Xi to Qingzhou, it would be better to think about how to gather forces after defeating the Yellow Turbans. Ultimately, Mount Tai wants not the defeat of the Yellow Turbans, but their transformation into population. Furthermore, Liu Ye expressed his high regard for Chen Xi, confident that he would surely defeat the Yellow Turbans and such. In short, Liu Ye decided not to go.
"Forget it." Since Liu Ye was unwilling, Chen Xi had no choice but to give up the idea of asking for Liu Ye’s help. "If Ziyang is reluctant, then I will just defend the Qing and Yan border with Lord Xuande."
"Zichuan, you can’t tell me you don’t understand what I mean," Liu Ye said with a wry smile, "After you combed through the Qing and Yan border, there won’t be much trouble there. Aren’t you placing Lord Xuande there just in case we fail to defend against Cao Mengde, to have a greater buffer afterward?"
"What a joke," Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said, "You think too much. Just a casual move from me, and you come up with all these bizarre ideas! What strategic depth, buffers... Do you think Cao Mengde could defeat us? Don’t joke! He doesn’t have the leisure."
"What is strategic depth?" Liu Ye caught on to the unfamiliar phrase in Chen Xi’s speech.
"It means breadth, which can be used for avoiding, retreating, and moving distance," Chen Xi explained with a wave of his hand, "Don’t overthink it. Although Cao Mengde is strong, it won’t be easy for him to decisively defeat Yu Jin and Lub Su." n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
"Zichuan, coming from Yingchuan, you should be aware of the capabilities of those people. Though I hate to admit it, each of them is no weaker than me," Liu Ye said, rubbing his hair with a bitter smile. He knew his limits. Although he was intelligent, ever since he faced the impeccably perfect Xun Yu, he realized that he fell short of the very top echelon.
"I roughly know a bit about them, but that’s about it. They can be considered as top figures of our times," Chen Xi nodded and said, "However, if Zijing is only defending, they won’t have many good moves against him."
"Zijing is too simple and straightforward," Liu Ye frankly expressed his perception.
"You may not believe it, but Zijing’s capabilities are not inferior to those on the opposite side. He’s just slower to respond, but he’s steady. He’s not good at ingenious strategies, which is why I didn’t leave you and Guo Fengxiao Xiaozhi by his side. Your ingenious strategies could be countered by the enemy, whereas Zijing and Wen Ze are both strategists who seek victory through steadiness," Chen Xi explained with a gesture, "But since you are unwilling, I won’t say more. However, if you stay in Fenggao, you must follow Zijing’s command; otherwise, if Zijing deals with you, don’t blame me."
"Good!" Liu Ye mused for a long time before speaking, Liu Ye always had some doubts about Lub Su’s capabilities. After all, Lub Su seemed very wooden and rarely showcased himself, although he had strong judgment skills, he had not demonstrated any abilities in other areas.
Chen Xi finished giving instructions and twisted away. Since Liu Ye was not at ease, he would not bring Liu Ye with him. There were other strategists like Mount Tai with ingenious strategies, and with Guo Fengxiao staying by Liu Bei’s side, even if they were calculated against, Chen Xi wouldn’t worry. Therefore, the only one he could take along was Fa Zheng.
"Xiaozhi, get up!" Chen Xi called out loudly outside Fa Zheng’s room, no longer caring about manners.
"What’s the matter, Governor of Chen Commandery?" Fa Zheng, with disheveled clothes and unruly, unwashed hair, stuck his head out of the window and asked sleepily.
"I’m going on a campaign and need a mastermind. Do you dare to join me?" asked Chen Xi.
"What? What, what?" Fa Zheng was initially stunned, then immediately snapped awake, shouting, "Say that again, again, I’ll come down right away, wait for me!"
After saying that, there was a jingle and clatter from the second-floor loft, followed by thumping sounds of someone rushing downstairs.
"Clatter!" Fa Zheng, wearing one boot and in disheveled attire, stood excitedly in front of Chen Xi and asked, "Say it again, what do you need me for?"
"Alright," Chen Xi said, ignoring the fact that Fa Zheng, full of excitement, was tugging at the front of his own clothes and said word by word, "I’m going on a campaign and am missing a mastermind. Do you dare to join me?"
"I dare!" shouted Fa Zheng excitedly.
"Then let’s go. If we can’t take Qi State and Jibei Commandery, get ready to take the blame," said Chen Xi, looking down at the excited Fa Zheng. "Ah, I wonder if you’re even close to Fengxiao’s level."
"I won’t lose to him!" Fa Zheng instantly bristled as if his tail had been stepped on.
"Oh, I hope so," Chen Xi turned and walked away, "We set off tomorrow. If I don’t see you at the North City Gate by Chen Hour, I’ll leave without you. Don’t expect me to wait, and you should understand what defying military law would mean."
"I’ll definitely be there! Don’t worry!" Fa Zheng said excitedly. "I will prove that making me your mastermind is the best decision for your campaign. Hahaha, I, Fa Xiaozhi, have finally gotten my chance."
"Not to burst your bubble, but actually, the others find it not challenging, which is why they’re not going. So don’t get too excited, just go wash up and continue your nap. Choosing you as a mastermind, I’m really at my wits’ end..." Chen Xi yawned and threw cold water on Fa Zheng’s excitement.
[bookid=3280030,bookname="Immortal Three Kingdoms"]
[bookid=3260799,bookname="Rebirth Grand Player"]
