NOVPUBLiu Bei was startled, then nodded. This incident indeed served as a wake-up call for him. If his wealth had been clearly defined, he could claim that spending a billion was from his own assets, but now it was not so easy to say that. Chen Xi’s methods could indeed solve many problems.
Clearly, Liu Bei lacked that kind of far-sightedness that transcended time, and Chen Xi was sure that half of those present understood what he was preparing for. The sooner some matters were handled, the less damage they caused and the smaller the resistance they faced.
[Chen Zichuan is really planning ahead. If implemented now, it would be difficult to change later. Once the Emperor’s wealth is controlled, the National Treasury’s funds will become pure, and not even the Emperor will have the right to use them. Public and private finances are now completely separated. In the future, even if the Emperor is extravagant, it will only be a matter of personal style, not one that concerns the home and the world.]
Jia Xu and Li Youu exchanged glances, both seeing a glint of something in the other’s eyes. Since their arrival at Mount Tai, they had realized that Chen Xi always looked far ahead, arranging each chess piece seemingly haphazardly, yet as the game unfolded, these pieces suddenly revealed incredible effects, as if Chen Zichuan had foreseen the end from the beginning.
"Please, Lord Xuande, prioritize the people!" Well, Liu Yan played the role of the foolish ally and launched an attack that struck Chen Xi hard.
"..." Chen Xi felt that his gaze was sharp enough to pierce two holes in Liu Yan, yet Liu Yan maintained his righteous and impassioned demeanor, pleading for the people.
Jia Xu silently lowered his head to count ants, Li Youu picked up his wine goblet and slowly drank, his face obscured, while Liu Ye used his chopsticks to vigorously grab meat, then firmly held a hand halberd in his left hand and furiously sliced the beef below, as if he had a life-and-death grudge against the meat, chopping away!
Guo Jia was completely drunk, eyes glazed, and Fa Zheng crazily stuffed his mouth with lots of meat, then began patting his chest as if he was choking, showing he was unable to speak anymore.
"Hehe, Zichuan needs not be so, whether it is for the people or for something else, I agree, so there’s no need for that kind of stare at Weishuo, hahaha~" However, Liu Bei did not feel cornered, instead, he looked at Chen Xi’s bitter smile and Liu Yan’s impassioned speech, as well as everyone else’s feigned death and laughed heartily, not taking it to heart.
"Lord (Lord Xuande) is wise." The responses were a jumbled mess, and with so few people, even those were disorderly. Chen Xi couldn’t help but wildly imagine what it would be like at a Grand Assembly in the future, how chaotic the responses would be – indeed, television shows are unreliable!
With Liu Bei’s assurance, Chen Xi felt much more at ease. When the time came, he would just need to have Liu Bei sign a contract, not to mention surpassing ancestors and progenitors, Chen Xi estimated that in the current situation, restoring the Han Dynasty was no problem at all!
Considering the contract to be signed by the ancestor Liu Bei, in the filial Han Dynasty, future emperors could only reluctantly accept it. If it really achieved surpassing ancestors, then this would carry even greater binding force, and emperors henceforth would have to draw from the National Treasury for major expenditures. This way, many excessively burdensome projects would not be completed in a single generation, significantly reducing the likelihood of turmoil due to disregard for the people’s welfare.
In the backyard, Lady Gan was carefully flattering Zhang Clan, with no choice but to realize after being informed she was to greet the female guest, that her status was now vastly different from those singers and concubines. And the identity of this female guest would surely have a tremendous impact on her future.
Zhang Clan also felt this, but did not point it out. She greatly admired Liu Bei, for since entering Qingzhou from Nanpi, then hurrying to Fenggao, she witnessed prosperity along the way that was in no way inferior to Yecheng of Jizhou. What she saw with her own eyes was far more shocking than what reports on letters could convey. Then, upon her arrival at Fenggao, she immediately heard that Liu Bei had defeated the legitimate son of the Yuan Family – Yuan Shu of Yuzhou.
Initially, the Zhang clan thought that the battle report was merely for comforting the public. However, observing the caravans of supplies, as well as the craftsmen who were brought back afterward, she realized that this was not just the victory of one city or commandery—it was even possible, just as the rumors in Fenggao suggested, that four commanderies in Yuzhou had fallen!
Despite not understanding war, Zhang clan members were not hindered in recognizing who won. From Liu Bei’s radiant return, she knew Liu Bei had won, and the endless procession of seized supplies was proof enough of Liu Bei’s strength!
Returning triumphant would have been the ideal time for the Zhang clan to pay a visit, but she was keenly aware of how her previous actions with the two Zhang and Su families, and even earlier giving up on Liu Bei, were surely thorns in Liu Bei’s side; she needed to wait for someone—Chen Zichuan!
Without visiting Qingzhou or coming to Fenggao, the Zhang clan would never have believed anyone could reach such heights. The Zhen family’s loss to such a person was not unjust; this was her first impression upon seeing the prosperity of Fenggao.
Zhang knew that instead of seeking Liu Bei now to improve her impression, it would be better to wait for Chen Zichuan’s return before meeting; she was already prepared to spend a billion to curry favor with Liu Bei, so timing was crucial.
The wealth of the Zhen family gave Zhang the boldness to do so, and Liu Bei’s might sent chills down her spine—she finally understood the indifference Chen Zichuan had shown her before, as she realized Chen could crush their family just as she could crush a merchant. Amid such a vast disparity in strength, all schemes of power lost their effect.
To flatter and ingratiate was the best option, and Zhang, born a legitimate daughter of an aristocratic clan, knew well when to make which choices. Liu Bei was powerful, so powerful that she felt he might unify the north and pacify the realm. With this impression, Zhang’s interest in Liu Bei grew even more.
Following Yuan Shao was no longer seen as a good choice; everyone in the Zhen family was in agreement. Thus, the only option for the Zhen family was to follow Chen Zichuan’s script and secretly communicate with Liu Bei. However, with the previous incident involving Yuan Shao, they became much more cautious. What if this Liu Bei, touted as a benevolent and mighty lord, was not what he seemed? After all, hadn’t Yuan Shao also been hailed for his virtue and yet committed despicable acts?
As a result, the Zhen family had to send their top echelons to investigate Qingzhou firsthand, so it wasn’t just the Zhang clan but many high-ranking members of the Zhen family who wandered in Qingzhou, hoping to glean a more complete picture of Liu Bei. But even before obtaining information about Liu Bei, they were shocked by the prosperity of Fenggao, which had grown to rival the opulence of Nanpi from its previous state as a decrepit little city.
This was of great importance for a clan poised to stake their future, as it concerned the lives of all; the Zhen family members dared not be careless.
Indeed, when Chen Zichuan met with the Zhang clan, he practically guessed what the Zhen family was planning. After all, there weren’t many options for the Zhen family, and thus, he stepped aside—besides not wanting to be a third wheel, he also intended to focus the Zhang clan’s attention on Liu Bei.
After all, as long as Chen Zichuan was present, he would be Liu Bei’s biggest trump card. Sometimes, it is best for a monarch not to rely on subordinates but to win people over with their own charm and strength instead.
The Zhen family had been cornered by Chen Zichuan. If Liu Bei could not win over this aristocratic clan now, Chen could only say that these aristocratic clans were truly fated to be out of Liu Bei’s reach. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
