NOVPUBUpon understanding these facts, Chen Xi’s reverence for the millennia-old family greatly diminished. Indeed, every household has its own difficult scripture, and though the members of such families seemed to be outstanding talents generation after generation, the thought of Xun Yu’s circumstances led Chen Xi to express myriad feelings with a single word, "Alas".
If the family was strong, its members were strong as well, and naturally, the splinter factions were even stronger. Xun Yu and Xun You had their conflicts, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. Anyone who could rival such dazzling, unparalleled talents, and not be completely defeated, would themselves have to be prodigies of rare occurrence; otherwise, they would have long perished. That’s reality...
One thing Chen Qun was most proud of was that under his management, the Chen Family didn’t engage in large-scale internal strife. Although it did produce a Chen Xi, that was simply a rational bet, completely different from squandering the family’s resources in internal conflicts. As for who would win or lose, those who survived would still continue the Chen Family legacy. Although Chen Qun was displeased with someone gambling against him, compared to bloodshed within the family, Chen Xi’s straightforward approach met with the family’s approval.
This was also why some of the older generation in the Chen Family began to lean towards Chen Xi. Those elders who, worldly-wise and disinterested in power and influence, only cared for the continuation of the family, they saw both Chen Xi, now nearly famous throughout the land, and the exceptional Chen Qun, with equal favor. The family needed such characters, so during the distribution, they purposely allocated to Chen Xi many of the resources he needed.
Every time he thought about those four thousand plus people who had split from the Chen Family, Chen Xi couldn’t help but feel that it truly lived up to its reputation as a millennia-old family. Perhaps they didn’t have even one-tenth of the Mi Family’s wealth, but such foundational depth wasn’t just for show!
Among those more than four thousand people, nearly three thousand were various craftsmen proposed by Chen Xi. Although apprentices and journeymen made up the majority, there were a few who had the skills of a Grand Craftsman, and astonishingly, they all had contracts. Some even had been granted the Chen surname, clearly indicating that they hadn’t been hastily gathered but were slaves raised by the Chen Family. This was mind-blowing!
From this perspective, not to mention anything else, just considering the privately kept slaves and concealed populaces, it’s estimated that they might very well make up one-tenth of the Great Han State’s population. However, Chen Xi was more curious about which family’s heritage the Chen Family’s family studies had scavenged from.
At least from what Chen Xi could see, the Chen Family’s family studies seemed to include Taoism, Legalism, Confucianism, Mohism, Yin and Yang, the Famous Family, and the Strategists, and they even possessed some essence of each. To call it a Miscellaneous School seemed unscientific, as the Miscellaneous School hadn’t produced many notable figures, nor left behind classic books.
As for examining the Chen Family’s private collection, it seemed there was no record, although other families’ were mostly accounted for. But concerning how their own family studies came about, was it considered a disgrace not to be aired publicly?
With these thoughts, Chen Xi couldn’t help but speak up, "Kongming, are you asleep? I have a question."
"Not yet, what do you want to ask, Zichuan?" replied Zhuge Liang in a drowsy voice.
"From which of the Various Masters did the Chen Family’s family studies take?" Chen Xi inquired.
"The Chen Family’s studies... you are of the Qi State Imperial Clan, and the Hundred Schools of Thought rose up in the Jixia Academy, reaching their epitome through debates there and subsequently flourishing. The Jixia Academy was founded by you people; you don’t need to take from anyone else," Zhuge Liang said sleepily.
The maturation of the ideologies of the Hundred Schools of Thought actually happened within Jixia Academy through repeated debates, failures, or successes followed by practical application, then summarizing experiences and refining their own school of thought before entering the debates again. Those that reached perfection would, being the landlord that provided the venue for these debates, the Qi State, even if they didn’t place much importance on the Hundred Schools of Thought, record at least some of the essence. This is how the Chen Family came by their family studies.
"Jixia Academy..." Chen Xi muttered to himself, it was akin to not seeing the woods for the trees.
[It seems I understand what those old men of the Chen Family have in mind now; no wonder Chen Qun said the Chen Family had already gained the initiative. Isn’t this just a replica of the original Jixia Academy? After all, I am the landlord. Even if I don’t intentionally reap the harvest, I will record the sparks of thought that arise. Besides, having experienced Jixia Academy once before, the Chen Family will surely harvest vigorously.] Chen Xi suddenly became clear-headed, no wonder the Chen Family was so generous!
[Thinking this way, it seems that no matter whether Lord Xuande’s education reform succeeds or not, the Chen Family will reap the greatest benefits. Should I say it’s no surprise for a millennia-old family with such rich experience? The moment so many craftsmen were sent over, the smile on Lord Xuande’s face bloomed, alright then, harvest, I’ll let you harvest.] Chen Xi felt a hint of annoyance, the Chen Family’s method of starting work without notifying him was ruthless.
However, Chen Xi quickly calmed down, the Chen Family’s approach was very reasonable, and indeed it should be. After all, they hadn’t done anything illegal or disorderly, and actions within the rules should not be discouraged.
[But why do I feel somewhat displeased?] Chen Xi opened his eyes wide as he gazed at the tent, ruminating over and over again until he confirmed that it was the Chen Family’s doubt about his failure that dissatisfied him.
[I’ll talk to those people of the Chen Family when I get back. Just as I started working, they raised their forks and knives, ready to share the final cake, treating me like I’m nobody, Hengheng, I need to teach you a lesson.] Chen Xi lifted his left hand, observing the lines in his palm, then silently lowered it, palm facing upwards resting on his forehead, deciding to deal with those faithless individuals of the Chen Family when he returned.
[Sigh, almost all the members of the Great Aristocratic Families are cunning and past the stage of using schemes. Whatever they do, they do it openly, and even if you see it, you can’t criticize it. I’m speechless; what’s more, this isn’t even a loophole, from every angle, it is justified.]
Chen Xi thought with a headache that the Great Aristocratic Families were too difficult to handle. He guessed that all the Great Aristocratic Families had realized his attitude towards them was not what the rumors claimed, that he wasn’t out to overturn everyone with a single shove, nor did he have a clear intention to resist the Great Aristocratic Families.
If they were to strike them all down in one blow, then without question, the Great Aristocratic Families and Chen Xi would not have any possibility of coexistence, it would be a fight to the death. But as things stood, in reality, it was like a purification movement within the Great Aristocratic Families.
Chen Xi himself was the public figure of the Chen Family. Even though his thoughts were somewhat nonconformist, that was negligible. There were plenty of nonconformist thinkers within the Great Aristocratic Families. Confucius’s opinions were not recognized by the ruling class at first, yet aren’t they now the prevailing school of thought? Who knows what the future holds, as long as Chen Xi isn’t out for a fight to the death with the Great Aristocratic Families, there is no need for them to clash with such a powerful individual.
As for following Chen Xi’s rules, that was no big deal, they were just game rules. Whoever owns the bigger fist now makes the rules—if you don’t play, there are plenty of others who will.
The Great Aristocratic Families are now agonizing because they can’t figure out what Chen Xi really wants to do. One moment he aims to provide universal education to level the playing field with the Great Aristocratic Families, the next he’s handing out massive benefits, and a few days later he allows the Great Aristocratic Families access to local education. Is this thinking in disarray? What a joke!
By now, the Great Aristocratic Families had recognized Chen Xi’s competence, and they would no longer belittle him as before, becoming much more cautious. Many irrational situations put together, from the Zhang Family to the Wang Family, the Wang Family to the Li Family, and after going round in circles, the Great Aristocratic Families felt they understood Chen Xi’s thoughts. Isn’t this just the tactic of clearing out the Various Masters which they employed at the end of the Warring States? (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)
