NOVPUBWith the return of Zhao Yun, envoys from various Feudal Lords and descendants of Aristocratic Families gradually gathered at Fenggao, needing to see Chen Xi whether they came in the hope of forming an alliance or as a representative of the Aristocratic Families betting on the current situation.
In the intercalary November of the third year of Early Ping, all the civil and military officials under Liu Bei had finally made it back to Mount Tai before Chen Xi’s wedding, and consequently, Chen Xi was overwhelmed with receiving congratulatory gifts!
After a whole year of undefeated warfare, naturally every minister had plenty of wealth, and since Chen Xi held a high position and wielded great power under Liu Bei, none of the civil and military officials skimped on their share of gifts.
Moreover, with the commerce flourishing in Mount Tai, even though the Mi Family, Zhen Family, and Lady Gan were officially in charge of handling these affairs, all the major merchants knew that it was Chen Xi who initially set the rules; thus, to prosper in Mount Tai, one could not do without owing a favor to Chen Xi.
Once Chen Qun submitted his visiting card punctually into Chen Xi’s residence, it wasn’t long before Chen Xi, accompanied by Butler Chen, personally came out to greet him. It was said that if there were a female host, Chen Xi would have brought her along to greet the guest, but lately, Chen Lan and Fan Jian were absent from the Chen Household not just at night, but during the day as well.
"Yingchuan Chen Family Head Chen Qun, Chen Changwen," Chen Qun gave no further introduction as he was there solely as a family head.
"Alas, Yingchuan Chen Family, Chen Xi, Chen Zichuan," Chen Xi said with a wry smile, "After seeing you, suddenly, it all seems so meaningless. Please, come in."
Chen Qun walked calmly towards the Chen residence, while Butler Chen quietly closed the door and followed behind Chen Qun with his head lowered.
"Please take a seat. There’s no need for other words; it truly is a pity we didn’t have the chance to meet earlier," Chen Xi calmly stated, slightly taken aback by Chen Qun’s composure and serene demeanor. After all, Chen Qun was facing an enemy vying for the family’s rightful leadership, and yet he still managed to maintain such refined elegance. It seemed that the Aristocratic Family education of the Chen Family was exceptionally excellent.
"I also feel it’s a pity that such a notable figure wasn’t cultivated by my Chen Family with great effort. But there’s not much to it since you bear the Chen surname," Chen Qun said with some regret, "There are some things I should tell you now, you have proven your capabilities."
"If it’s about solidifying the Scholar Family matter, I already know about it, and I don’t agree," Chen Xi waved his hand, "You should be aware of what Lord Xuande proclaimed at the altar before the multitude, so on this issue alone, we are on divergent paths. Is there anything else?"
A flicker of complexity crossed Chen Qun’s eyes, but without much surprise, "You can now utilize the Chen Family’s resources. From this point forward, you may represent the Chen Family, and your every action will be followed by countless Aristocratic Families."
"So what you’re saying is, the deeds I am currently undertaking could be considered a trial by the Chen Family or possibly by the Aristocratic Families Under Heaven?" Chen Xi looked at Chen Qun evenly, "Indeed, none of the Aristocratic Families Under Heaven are simple; or perhaps it’s better to say, even within a single family there can be divergent thoughts."
"Yes, you can now be the face of the Chen Family, serving as one of the exemplars of Aristocratic Families. Regardless of whether your choices are right or wrong, there will be people who follow. If the work you do now represents the weaker forces that have always existed in all Aristocratic Families, then with you stepping forward, those Aristocratic Family Members who were once suppressed for sharing your ideas will now be used as pawns and placed under your command, for you represent the Chen Family," Chen Qun said with a hint of scorn.
"I figured as much; the Aristocratic Families are not a monolith. Where there are people, there are myriad complexities. That settles it, tell those families that we in Mount Tai will take these people," Chen Xi said, shrugging his shoulders.
"I had initially thought you and Liu Xuande were about to annihilate the Aristocratic Families after hearing his vow at the altar. Yet, your tone doesn’t hold the vehemence of those Humble Families that vehemently reject Aristocratic Families. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this, enlighten me," Chen Qun asked with genuine interest.
"After all, I too come from an aristocratic family," Chen Xi glanced at Chen Qun and said, "What about those people who usurped my property?"
"They have been demoted to the status of servants. With the family being large, no one can ensure complete cleanliness," Chen Qun said with an unwavering tone, his familiarity with such matters was all too evident.
"Even if a Humble Family wins, in the end, it would become an Aristocratic Family itself, so there is no need to intentionally destroy an Aristocratic Family due to one generation’s reasons. I can only say that if there is an Aristocratic Family who is blind enough to block my path, then destroying it is natural. As for specifically targeting Aristocratic Families, I am not that foolish," Chen Xi said nonchalantly.
"Through the ages, eternity is always a paradox. The Aristocratic Families will naturally disappear when the time comes, and by then, there will naturally be people who will reach out to give a push. As for now, even if there is universal education, even if it’s a well-funded universal education, can it truly lead to the extinction of Aristocratic Families?" Chen Xi looked to the side and sneered coldly.
Chen Qun’s eyes slightly hardened, finding it increasingly difficult to grasp what Chen Xi was truly thinking. He lowered his head and took a sip of tea without speaking. 𝓃𝓸𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
"Afraid I might trick you, huh?" Chen Xi said casually.
"After all, you, Chen Zichuan, are not an easy opponent. If I’m not cautious, I might not even realize if the family is sold out from under me," Chen Qun said somberly.
"Let’s just go our separate ways. Time will tell whether your rigid class system is correct, or if my way is right," Chen Xi said, not wishing to elaborate further to Chen Qun. He had to admit that universal education combined with the imperial examination system could indeed lead most Aristocratic Families to their doom, but it could also create families whose elite members continue to thrive generation after generation.
Honestly, Chen Xi never intended to destroy Aristocratic Families; what he did was to sift out the dross, giving those at the bottom hope for growth. And when those from the lower echelons did grow up, and the geniuses who emerged from their vastly greater numbers still could not match the elites of the Aristocratic Families, there would be nothing more to say. If suppressed by Aristocratic Families, they should not complain, and at that time, Chen Xi would definitely not intercede.
Chen Xi could allow Aristocratic Families to enjoy extended prosperity through generations, but the condition was that the Aristocratic Families must display abilities that matched the benefits they received. The loss of ambition that comes with a rigid class hierarchy was, in Chen Xi’s opinion, completely unacceptable.
"Very well, let us each validate our own plans. Currently, the Yuan Family and Yang Family, respectively from the bottom-up and top-down approach, are vying for the legitimate claim to rule over the world. Our families—Chen, Xun, and Cui—stand as the bets staked on this contest. However, I’m not optimistic about the Yang Family’s chances," Chen Qun had no desire to argue with Chen Xi about right and wrong in a valueless debate. His visit was merely to convey a few matters and then present Chen Xi’s status openly.
No matter how much Chen Qun resented it, the emergence of someone like Chen Xi from the Yingchuan Chen Family demanded recognition. Rather than allowing others to acknowledge it later, potentially undermining the authority of the family head, it was better for Chen Qun to recognize it himself.
Every head of a family has moments when they are compelled by circumstances. To gain power is to bear responsibility; to gain freedom, one must leave the family behind and strike out on their own. This is the reason why the families of Qin and Han have continued through the ages.
After sending Chen Qun out the door, Butler Chen followed behind Chen Xi. When they had almost reached the inner courtyard, Butler Chen finally spoke up, "Now that you are a marquis, my lord, why didn’t you take the opportunity just now to thoroughly humiliate him?"
"Because there was no need. For a proud person, to witness someone they once looked down upon slowly overtaking them, until they have no choice but to look up, is more painful than any humiliation. Their pride will torment them forever," Chen Xi gazed into the sky and said calmly, "The truth is right before their eyes—they will see it. Verbal humiliation only reveals a lack of character." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets, monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
