NOVPUBZhuge Liang now felt extremely grateful for his proactive spiritual talent. Had it been passive, he estimated that in a place like Liu Bei’s, where such talents were common, his lifespan of over a hundred years would have been depleted in no more than five years.
Calculating roughly, that would mean losing twenty times the upper limit of his life. Zhuge Liang reckoned that, if necessary, activating it to turn the tables was still bearable. Regardless of his satisfaction with the talent, its effectiveness was certainly top-notch. When it was essential, he could simply keep it activated for a month straight, and as long as his comrades were reliable, Zhuge Liang could slay gods in that one month.
The talent had its perks, but also significant drawbacks. This thought led Zhuge Liang to feel an urge to strangle Pang Tong. He couldn’t believe that moron had damaged him like this!
Chen Xi had no idea that the two most ruthless figures of the Three Kingdoms Era had arrived in Fenggao; he was still dealing with the scholars wanting to enter the Library Pavilion and causing a scene. In the Han Dynasty, where civil officials could become military generals at any time, each of these scholars possessed some Inner Qi.
Those who could afford books naturally could afford food, and those who could afford food could generate Inner Qi. Thus, these scholars all had varying levels of Inner Qi; seeing such a large, bustling crowd was actually quite intimidating.
"Go tell them, the one who made promises to them has come. Those who were willing to come, stand on the left; those who were brought by force, stand on the right," Chen Xi ordered an aide of Hua Xiong to relay the message. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝔠𝔬𝖒
"Marquis Chen’s decree: All scholars who willingly came to Fenggao, stand on the left; those who were bound and brought, stand on the right," Hua Xiong’s trusted aide announced fearlessly as he charged forward.
"Shuzhi, keep an eye on this crowd for me; I’m going to protect the military strategist," Hua Xiong said. Ever since Chen Dao caught him that day, they had hit it off instantly. Consequently, Hua Xiong prepared a recruitment notice and brought Chen Dao under his command as a Military Marquis.
It should be noted that with Hua Xiong’s legion of seven thousand men, upon transferring Chen Dao into his ranks, though the title was Military Marquis, in reality, Chen Dao was given command of three thousand men. This was partly to avoid suspicion and partly because Hua Xiong truly appreciated Chen Dao.
"Don’t worry, no one will get past me here!" Chen Dao said impatiently. He was planning to settle down here; after all, he was a lone man. Plus, he was quite satisfied with Mount Tai, at least in terms of the availability of military books!
Upon hearing the message from a soldier and seeing the expressionless man in white leading two young officials, it was easy to guess that this guy was probably Chen Xi. As for impersonation, that was highly unlikely. Only someone with a malfunctioning brain would attempt such foolishness in Fenggao.
Looking at the young officials behind Chen Xi, the scholars guessed that these two were probably high-ranking officials from Qingzhou. A notable difference in Fenggao was that high-ranking officials tended to be very young. The higher the official position, the greater the authority, and the more likely they were to be young.
"Marquis Chen, you once promised us the right to access the books. Why then are soldiers now stationed to guard the place? Is this not breaking your word?" One of the scholars stepped forward before the group split into two, dubious about the Library Pavilion’s collection. Only because Chen Chi’s thin aura of authority and his previous entrance to the Library Pavilion, claiming there were nearly a hundred thousand volumes, did this man not challenge Chen Xi. Instead, his doubts now focused on the existence of the books Chen Xi mentioned.
"Did I say that? Alright, let’s say you’re right by taking things out of context. But I did say to divide the scholars into two groups—left and right," Chen Xi glanced casually at the man.
From his balcony seat at the restaurant, Sima Yi watched the scene below with a hint of irony on his lips, utterly disdainful of the scholars.
"Please explain, Marquis Chen, why you won’t grant us the right to access the books," the leading scholar demanded firmly.
"I only mentioned the existence of a Library Pavilion; I never said I would lend you books. You don’t have the qualifications to set terms for me right now. I provided the opportunity; seizing it is your prowess, but if you can’t catch it, too bad," said Chen Xi indifferently, his confidence rooted in being in Fenggao.
"That’s different from what you said before!" the leading scholar protested angrily.
"If you’re unsatisfied, you can leave. There are witnesses here to my actual words; I never mentioned the Library Pavilion, I merely granted land. The Library Pavilion is a privilege, and I’ll bestow it upon whomever I please," Chen Xi said dismissively, making it clear that he had never promised access to the Library Pavilion. All he ever spoke of was granting land. Li Youu was the one spreading misinformation, and regarding household registration, did any of these nobodies even have that?
"Incidentally," Chen Xi said languidly, making all the scholars shudder, "access to the Library Pavilion requires eligibility. This is about books, not anything else. I do want to do good, but I can’t just let anyone in. Whether you are eligible or not is something I believe you know for yourselves. To besiege a noble family and plunder their collection, you know what crime that is."
"It seems you are all aware of the crime," Chen Xi said, narrowing his eyes. "I don’t wish to quarrel over this. Disperse, all of you. Soon, the regulations on how to gain borrowing privileges at the Library Pavilion will be published, and you’ll understand once you’ve seen them." Most of these scholars had just followed the crowd here, and Chen Xi couldn’t care less about the leader’s intentions; he simply wouldn’t allow it now.
"Those who have already moved to the sides may come over," Chen Xi said casually, intending to divide the group.
Upon hearing this, those who had moved to the left and right sides, regardless of their initial intentions, now approached Chen Xi.
"Congratulations, you are now eligible to borrow books. Go to Li Wenru to register your household," Chen Xi arranged nonchalantly, stunning the blindly following scholars who suddenly realized that just moving a step or two to the side earlier could have earned them their registration! Why hadn’t they remembered to move then?
No matter how the others regretted their actions, the thirty or forty people approved by Chen Xi were utterly ecstatic.
"Zijian, have someone take them to Wen Ru to issue household registration proofs," Chen Xi said, turning to Hua Xiong. It was all about playing a game of divide and conquer, and that’s all there was to it.
Hua Xiong gave them a look that said "you guys are lucky," then found a trusted aide to take Chen Xi’s seal ribbon to Li Youu. The household registration, being a first impression for people, naturally had to be impressive!
Despite the defeated expressions of some, Chen Xi’s style had always been capricious. He had brought Lub Su and Fa Zheng over, thinking there might be trouble, but now he felt no pressure at all.
Glancing at the leading scholar, Chen Xi saw many fellow scholars resentfully watching his retreating figure. Just by looking at that individual’s ashen face, Chen Xi knew he was in a bad spot—he had managed to offend so many at once; Chen Xi even felt it was a pity to watch, alas, a self-inflicted misery.
"Zijian, continue guarding the Library Pavilion," Chen Xi gestured for Hua Xiong to leave him be and attend to his duties.
"If the strategist needs me, just call, and I will come immediately," Hua Xiong nodded and returned to his previous position.
Chen Xi glanced at the scholars who were still spectating without leaving and, seeing the crowd that seemed to have something to say but hesitated, turned and walked away, unwilling to waste more time with them.
As Chen Xi turned to leave, a clamor arose behind him. He reckoned if he walked a few more steps, a fight would likely break out behind him—serves the leader right for being so presumptuous!
"Zijing, Xiaoo Zhi, go tend to your official duties. I’m going to check on Qu Hanmo to see how the task I assigned him is going," Chen Xi said, ignoring the cries behind him and instead inquiring of Lub Su and Fa Zheng with a smile without looking back.
"Ah, self-inflicted troubles!" Lub Su sighed.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, just look, that’s what fame does," Fa Zheng marveled.
Chen Xi paused, gave Fa Zheng a look, and thought—there are advantages and disadvantages to everything! At least Fa Zheng, who had not experienced yearlong frustration and disillusionment, took the greatest temptation of life very lightly. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)
