NOVPUBThe political affairs at Mount Tai are rather leisurely. For instance, Chen Xi is currently taking a little rest in the Political Office. After the weather warmed up, Chen Xi didn’t really stick to his own home. Of course, there was also a need to set an example for Jia Xu and Li Youu, who had only recently arrived. If he didn’t show up every day, it’s likely that these newcomers would follow suit, and then one day he might find himself with no one to draft for service.
Of course, the reality is rather sad. While some have leisure time, others are busy, such as Liu Ye, who is frantically writing at the desk, and Lub Su, who is ceaselessly reviewing and annotating governmental documents. These two unlucky fellows had been doing this for more than a dozen days. The so-called easy tasks had completely driven these two unlucky eggs to madness; they couldn’t handle it at all!
"How’s it going, Xianhe?" Chen Xi didn’t dare ask Liu Ye and Lub Su, but turned to quietly ask Jian Yong, who was casually reviewing matters relating to the division of Qingzhou’s land. Asking the other two would definitely have earned him a furious glare.
"Probably a few more days," Jian Yong shook his head slightly. Even he was left tongue-tied by this matter, which seemed trivial but had turned out to be quite complicated.
"Oh, that’s good. If this goes on, I might need to help out. Ziyang has thought things through too meticulously," Chen Xi shook his head slightly. Since it would only take a few more days, there was no need for him to worry.
The main troubles in Qingzhou had already been handed over to Chen Xi to print, after Liu Ye came up with a solution, so there was no rush for anything else. As for the selection of minor officials in Qingzhou, after distributing a book to each of the more than one hundred officials, Chen Xi handed over full authority to them. Given the situation where their fortunes were interlinked, these people would naturally be cautious in their selection.
Li Youu came in with a light cough, carrying a document bag, and then handed it to Chen Xi with a poker face, "Jia Wenhe handed it to Lord Xuande, who after reviewing it asked me to bring it to you for handling."
Chen Xi opened the document bag and pulled out the contents inside, frowning slightly, "Hmm, help yourself to some tea, you’ll have to pour it yourself, I won’t be able to assist." He casually handed the teapot to Li Youu.
"Regarding this situation, did Wen He mention how to deal with it? I remember he has the authority to dispose of it," Chen Xi pondered for a moment before deciding to leave it to professionals like Jia Xu and Guo Jia to handle. As for Fa Zheng, who was still in training, it was time to bring him out to meet people.
"Wen He didn’t say," Li Youu stated matter-of-factly, without expressing any personal opinion, simply stating the facts.
"All right, then find someone to notify Yuan Gonglu. Since Cao Cao has turned his sights on Yuzhou, it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t give him some trouble," Chen Xi said with narrowed eyes. "Xianhe, you wouldn’t mind making a trip to Jingzhou as an envoy, right? It’s only proper to congratulate Liu Jingsheng as a clansman."
"I’ve long wanted to meet the Liu Jingsheng from among the Eight Steeds," Jian Yong said with a hint of excitement.
Jian Yong’s nature was simple and straightforward, unconcerned with trivialities. If he were an envoy from some minor feudal lord, notable figures like Liu Biao might find him embarrassing, but when Jian Yong wore the coat of Liu Bei, the Central Plains Dominator, even if he were to act as a lobbyist, he would be one in noble scholar’s garb.
"There’s no need for much effort on this trip. Participate in banquets and dances if you can. Oh, and bring Weishuo with you. He will make you appear more like a noted scholar. Remember, you are there to visit friends, not to talk about state affairs. Your presence in Jingzhou will represent the highest gesture from Lord Xuande. After all, the world is still under the Han Dynasty!" Chen Xi thought for a moment and decided that it would be better for Liu Yan to go as well. The title of Central Plains Dominator was not enough; gaining widespread fame would be even better.
"This task isn’t bad at all," Jian Yong quipped after listening, immediately extinguishing any thoughts he had about meeting Liu Biao and persuading Jingzhou’s civil and military officials. "Hmm, this must be what you often refer to as an ’all-expenses-paid trip’."
"It’s pretty much like that. Once you guys go, Liu Jingsheng will need to think it through. Whether he sends troops or not, the impact on Cao Cao will be huge. After all, even if you go there in a private capacity, a proper welcome will still be needed for notable scholars!" Chen Xi’s smile grew even wider as if he’d thought of something amusing, "Oh, and I heard that Liu Biao is quite fond of his ’scholarly trio’ cups—’Boya,’ ’Zhongya,’ and ’Xiaoya.’ Don’t be shy when you’re there; drink him under the table if you can, and it’d be even better if Liu Jingsheng gets knocked out too."
"…" Jian Yong was speechless, then burst out laughing, "Zichuan, remember to bring some of your strong liquor for me. Scholars have the wine; having class is enough. I may not have enough class, but having enough wine works!"
"I won’t forget something like that. But don’t you really make Liu Jingsheng chug those three cups; it could be lethal," Chen Xi nodded but cautioned. He certainly didn’t want Liu Yan and Jian Yong getting too excited and actually filling the cups Liu Biao prided himself on—it was his habit to show scholarly grace by not leaving a drop, which could really get someone dead drunk.
"Wen Ru, tell Jia Wenhe my plans. The rest is up to them. I’m still contemplating how to build a grand house for Lord Xuande and select beautiful ladies to fill his rooms. Got any good ideas?" Chen Xi turned to Li Youu, as recently, this was his main focus.
"Cai Zhaoji is a good choice!" Li Ru said, expressionless.
"Don’t tell me you don’t know that Cai Zhaoji is already betrothed, though not yet married. The marriage contract is set, and she’s currently in mourning. She might even observe chastity for three years," Chen Xi shot a glance at Li Ru.
"Cai Zhaoji won’t get married. Weii Zhongdao is doomed. Her life as seen from her face foretells the death of her mother at a young age, the loss of her father in her youth, the loss of a husband, and a life full of upheaval—quite tragic. I promised her a life of glory, and it would take a death to offset such misfortunes," Li Youu did not bother to hide anything from Chen Xi, since the three of them were in it together.
"You’re not seriously considering Lord Xuande, are you? If it weren’t for that Chang’an incident involving Cai Yong, she indeed would have been the best choice. But now…" Chen Xi left the words unsaid, trusting that Li Youu would understand.
"That’s why I was just saying," Li Youu’s tone remained even.
Chen Xi almost choked on Li Youu’s tranquil tone and, after calming himself, looked at Li Youu and said, "What’s your plan? Give me a proposal; you’re good at this."
"Just let all the feudal lords know. They’re not short of beautiful women. It’s only right to forge some alliances too. As for the interior, leave it to the merchants," Li Youu said indifferently, no stranger to handling such matters in the past.
"Fine, I’ll leave this task to you, and I’ll go build a house. I want to show the world what truly resplendent grandeur is!" Chen Xi habitually prepared to dump the burden onto Li Youu.
"I’m leaving; you keep doing your thing," Li Youu, without even acknowledging Chen Xi, calmly turned and walked away.
"Huh?" Chen Xi was taken aback, facing someone who didn’t fall for his schemes for the first time. Upon further thought… it seemed… Jia Xu, through Liu Bei, had dumped onto him the task he was supposed to handle. Unfortunately, traversing too many dark paths had finally led him to encounter a ghost, [These two bastards... clearly veterans in trickery! How did I fall for it! Is it really that Jia Xu can’t handle these matters? This is awful…]
As expected, it wasn’t long before Liu Bei’s orders came, instructing Chen Xi to ponder over the situation in Yanzhou in his spare time and also pay close attention to the situations in Qingzhou and Jizhou. After all, Licheng’s Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci were already at a standoff with Zhang He and Gao Lan across the line. Chen Xi’s previous actions had already put the region near Qingzhou on heightened alert! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to support it by casting your recommendation votes or monthly votes at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)
