NOVPUBJia Xu was directly startled, and Liu Bei too was caught off guard, his mouth hanging open, not knowing what to say.
Although Fa Zheng was treated like a lucky charm in Mount Tai and sometimes he could act foolish, even Liu Bei would find him trivial tasks to practice on, it was undeniable that Fa Zheng was a genius. After all, would so many people bother to give him tasks or create challenging situations for him to tackle if he wasn’t a genius?
"I think it’s your words that scared the Lu family. Even if they originally intended to move, your irresponsible statement must have terrified them, making them reconsider the decision to come," Jia Xu sighed dejectedly, "Don’t make reckless promises. Some words can have the opposite effect when spoken and cause people to waver."
"I was telling the truth. You haven’t met Uncle Lu, ahem, that young man Lu Xun. Let me put it this way, did you think there was someone as smart as Kongming in this world before you met him?" Chen Xi sighed, "Lu Xun is just a little less capable than Zhuge Kongming but also a prodigy on the level of genius."
Jia Xu and Liu Bei exchanged looks. They had both met Fa Zheng and Zhuge Liang. The first time Jia Xu met Fa Zheng, he felt that the youth had great potential and was very promising, a true prodigy.
Upon encountering Zhuge Liang, although Jia Xu didn’t interact much with Zhuge, he could sense that Zhuge Liang’s temperament was significantly better than Fa Zheng’s, and even in terms of intelligence, he was slightly superior. That was the mark of a genius, indeed Jia Xu had previously seen too little...
"If Lu Xun is really as you say, then the value of the Lu family is even higher. The middle layer can be cultivated, but the top needs not only the right training but also sufficient talent," Jia Xu sighed, "But you shouldn’t have said that phrase, too much is as bad as not enough."
"Is Lu Xun truly of the same caliber as Kongming?" Liu Bei was obviously doubtful. He admired Zhuge Liang more than Fa Zheng. After all, Fa Zheng’s personality was somewhat eccentric, and although Liu Bei was tolerant of Fa Zheng, comparisons are inevitable, and once you start comparing, everything becomes apparent.
"Even if he’s not, if he receives the same education as Kongming, there likely won’t be much of a difference," said Chen Xi with a sigh. Lu Xun’s misfortune was the period in his childhood where he had to hide and flee. Otherwise, with proper education, he might not be much inferior to Zhuge Liang. It was just his temperament that was unknown.
"Send another letter inviting them over. The border between Yuzhou and Yangzhou has been somewhat unstable lately," Jia Xu thought and said. From any perspective, Jia Xu felt it was necessary to extend an invitation to the Lu family.
"I’ve arranged for Xingba and Ziyi to switch to new warships in Lujiang after finishing business in Qingzhou and instructed Xingba to pass a message to the Lu family. If they are willing to come, then they will come. If not, there’s nothing much we can do," Chen Xi nodded, having already explained the matter to Gan Ning.
"That’s good. If our predictions are correct, the battle in Qingzhou will likely end within a few days. I expect it to be easier than the last uprising of a million Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou. Guan Hai, truly a righteous bandit!" Liu Bei nodded, and upon mentioning the battle in Qingzhou, he couldn’t help bringing up Guan Hai, his expression showing admiration.
"Rest assured, General Guan cuts to the chase with three slashes, but the outcome will be like at Hulao Pass. If General Guan says he’s dead, who would know the truth amidst the dust and chaos? Prepare the coffin, toss Guan Hai inside, and after that, he can simply change his identity and start anew. Such a righteous bandit is rare," Chen Xi said nonchalantly.
"This matter will likely make the Feudal Lords take notice," said Jia Xu with a sigh, "but now that it has come to this, the incident with Xuangao has been thoroughly obscured, and the Black Mountain Army will be much easier to handle." True evidence had finally emerged, and from now on, even if someone claimed that Liu Bei orchestrated the first emergence of the Yellow Turbans from Qingzhou, there would be no way to prove it—the deed has been done by Guann Hai himself.
"Sometimes, a moment of valorous fervor is all it takes for many cowards to become heroes," Chen Xi said with a smile on his face.
"I’ve come to realize you’re quite ruthless. The Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou and the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans are both Yellow Turbans, yet the Qingzhou Yellow Turban Commander sacrificed his life for the cause and for the passing of the Taoist Fire. Don’t the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans feel any shame?" Jia Xu, glancing at Chen Xi, coldly sneered as he spoke. This matter could be manipulated in far too many ways.
Guan Yu was just a day’s journey from the North Sea, and the entire Yellow Turban Camp erupted in cheers. Guann Hai finally felt completely at ease; the news from Liaoo Hua pleased him greatly. He could now accept the glory of the Great Leader with no regrets, rather than remain a Great Commander in name only as before.
"Commander, we still have food reserves for two days. Why not feast to our hearts’ content today?" Guann Cheng said, grinning as he looked up at Guann Hai, seated at the head.
"If we were to eat our fill, I’m afraid we wouldn’t have enough rice, as our people could consume a peck each. If we let everyone eat their fill, we wouldn’t even make it through the day. We should continue steaming buns—two per person," Guann Hai replied calmly. "I’ve summoned you all because there’s something I want to inform you about. I fear that you might act irrationally after hearing it, so I am giving you a day to process this information."
"Just tell us, Commander. What sort of irrational acts could we possibly commit?" Standing up with a laugh, Jiang Gong thumped his chest, and then a cacophony of jesting ensued from the crowd of Channel Commanders.
"My brothers, be still and listen," urged Guann Hai with a deep voice. The noise died down, and everyone found a place to sit, ready to hear what Guann Hai had to say.
"I’ve negotiated with the Mount Tai side. After our surrender, we are to receive all due entitlements. Those among you willing to serve can join the military as Garrison Commanders or as Military Marquis. Those who don’t wish to fight may join the common ranks and till the fields. In regard to military service, Mount Tai will show no prejudice against you and will not slight you because of your origins," Guann Hai calmly relayed the promises of benefits from Guan Yu, and the Yellow Turban Commanders’ faces lit up with joy.
Seeing the cheering faces around him, Guann Hai’s own face brightened with a trace of a smile.
"And what about you, Great Commander?" There are always wise ones in any crowd. After Guann Hai had explained the Yellow Turbans’ benefits, most of the Commanders were rejoicing, but Sima Ju and Huang Shao exchanged glances with bitter expressions, and Guann Cheng had already fallen to his knees.
"Someone must take responsibility for this. The former Great Leader chose death to protect a million Yellow Turbans, and now it’s my turn. I am here to tell you not to die foolishly for my sake, and not to hold any resentment against Mount Tai because of me," stated Guann Hai calmly. Although his voice was soft, to the euphoric Yellow Turban Commanders, it sounded like a bolt from the blue. (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 visit m.qidian.com to read.)
