NOVPUBThinking about all this, Chen Xi couldn’t help but think of Guan Yu, who was stationed in Jingzhou during the time when the Three Kingdoms coexisted. This was also a case of military and governance being grasped in one hand. Liu Bei didn’t have that many sons nor did he have that many from the Imperial Clan, just two sworn brothers, so Guan and Zhang became the first choice.
It seemed that from this perspective, everyone was quite harmonious, apart from the tragic Yuan Shao, it appeared that no one else had any issues. However, Chen Xi also vividly remembered Li Yan from the time of Shu Han, a Minister of Guardian who was good at handling both military and governance. He didn’t go to Hanzhong to fight the Wei Kingdom but proposed the creation of Bazhou from five counties. What was that all about?
Because of this, such matters must be carefully considered. Chen Xi felt that he had already done enough, and he had brought this issue up in advance. After that, he didn’t need to say anything more and just watched to see what methods Lu Su and the others could come up with. It was safer not to talk about such dangerous things, especially since Chen Xi felt that he wasn’t too good at politics.
Three days later, Chen Xi’s carriage finally made its way to Licheng, and he no longer needed to arrange things. Stepping onto this land, Chen Xi’s greatest feeling was one of safety. In Jizhou, which could almost be considered enemy territory, he felt uneasy no matter how cautious he was.
"Finally back!" Chen Xi’s carriage passed through the gates of Licheng, and after the army returned to the barracks, this war could truly be considered completely over.
"Congratulations to Zichuan for the triumphant campaign!" Fa Zheng said sourly, looking at the wagons of spoils. He knew that Chen Xi must have had a great victory this time; the Nanpi Prefectural Treasury, if not emptied, probably had little left. 𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑝𝘶𝘣.𝑐𝘰𝘮
"It was a necessary move. I was gambling on Ju Gongyu’s intentions, and fortunately, I won. Otherwise, it would have been troublesome. I think you’ve also seen the biggest issue with the current military system," Chen Xi said with a bitter smile on his face.
"Quit pretending! If you hadn’t guessed Ju Gongyu’s intentions, you definitely wouldn’t have taken the risk. The Zhen Family might be critical to future plans, but it’s not worth taking such a risk for them. By the way, is Zhen Mi really that beautiful?" Fa Zheng first snorted in disdain and then asked curiously.
"She is beautiful, but there are countless beauties in the world, and Zhen Mi may not be the top among them. Wait until we return to Mount Tai, and I’ll introduce you to Mi Zhen, then you’ll understand," Chen Xi paused for a while, recalling Zhen Mi’s appearance before he spoke. For Chen Xi, Zhen Mi’s appearance wasn’t as important as her demeanor.
"Mi Zhen?" Fa Zheng was taken aback. "Don’t mess around, I am a married man. I can’t afford to marry the sister of Mi Zhu, the brother of the wealthiest merchant in the world," Fa Zheng said, dragging out his words. Clearly, his family’s past teachings were still in his mind; in his eyes, merchants were still seen as a base profession.
"Put that look away; you still have an issue with your perspective. It seems a considerable amount of reeducation is needed," Chen Xi looked at Fa Zheng and then turned away to speak indifferently, "Until you understand what’s wrong with your thinking, I won’t allow you to hold office."
Chen Zichuan never intended to reverse such deeply entrenched ways of thinking that had been fixed for hundreds of years. What the common people thought was their business, but as an official, you should not be concerned with who is base or what profession is lowly. Your concern should be how to make the people under your governance prosperous.
Whether you use strategies to keep the populace ignorant or methods of enlightenment, your goal is to ensure that the people can live harmoniously with enough food and warmth. Ideally, each one should be honest and kind—that’s enough.
In an era where providing a meal was considered a favor, in Chen Xi’s view, one needn’t be concerned about the personal virtues of officials. Whether they were vengeful, inclined to greed, or lascivious, these traits were insignificant. What mattered was that if you could govern a region well, that was enough.
Chen Xi never considered himself a paragon of integrity. Can you imagine that at certain times, taking a concubine could be an act not of oppression but of salvation, and that marrying ten concubines could be a way to save ten landlords’ lives? During the Three Kingdoms Period, such seemingly irrational things actually happened!
In the year 193 of history, Qingzhou was so devastated by natural disasters and human calamities that it became a land without people, a field without green grass, devoid of life! The survivors were lunatics who fed on corpses and plundered others. That’s why, after Cao Cao took over Qingzhou, not a single villager opposed his harsh laws. For Cao Cao’s severity still offered a way to live, while the people of Qingzhou could see no way out. At that time, a tax rate of sixty percent wasn’t exploitation but a favor!
It was for this reason that when the Talent Recruitment Order was initially issued, Chen Xi almost had Liu Bei word it as "appointing on talent alone," but considering the situation, Chen Xi still endured and had Liu Bei write it as "regardless of origin, only merit counts."
To the current Chen Zichuan, as long as officials could ensure that the people under their governance had enough to eat and warm clothes to wear, even if they committed minor transgressions like bullying men and seducing women, Chen Xi would turn a blind eye. But if someone’s rule led to a land of starvation and they dared to commit such acts, Chen Xi wouldn’t mind letting Mann Chong execute them, nor would he mind Mann Chong using cruel officials’ methods against these people!
However, considering the current situation in Mount Tai and Qingzhou, if local officials managed their jurisdiction well, desiring any local girl would require no more than a hint, and even if her family was unwilling, the community would persuade them to agree. Ultimately, there was no need for the deplorable act of forceful marriage.
For instance, if Zhao Yun were to stroll around Mount Tai and asked for water at a household, the one to serve him would definitely be the daughter of the house, and if Zhao Yun expressed the slightest interest, none of them would mind. Being an official to this extent, one would probably die without regrets. However, this likewise has to do with Zhao Yun being a dashing single nobleman.
"Ah?" Fa Zheng was shocked, wondering how Chen Xi, who previously seemed to approve of him, had now adopted this tone. Was it just because he mentioned he had no interest in Mi Zhen? How did it come to this?
"Keep striving, and when you understand, I’ll recommend you for Prime Minister of Qi State," Chen Xi patted Fa Zheng on the shoulder and turned to leave.
If Fa Zheng couldn’t change his perspective, he would always just be a military advisor. While this position might be valuable in troubled times, since it came without military authority, it would be equivalent to having nothing once peace arrived.
One moment you hold power and influence, but in the blink of an eye, all that’s left is a lonely title. Considering Fa Zheng’s pettiness, he would definitely be unable to tolerate such a drastic change. If left to retire, he would surely harbor dissatisfaction, but if asked to do something else, without understanding certain principles and only relying on cunning schemes, he would eventually invite disaster.
"Ha?" At first, Fa Zheng felt joy, but then he started scratching his head, not knowing what was problematic about his previous words, "Never mind, I should communicate with others. Henghengheng, I’ve set my sights on the position of Prime Minister of Qi State!" (To be continued. If you like this story, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian [qidian.com]. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
