NOVPUBJia Xu, Guo Jia, Liu Ye, Li Youu, and others were originally masters of deception—what’s known as strategic deception essentially means sustaining war through war, relying on plundering as the foundation, abandoning self-development, and directly assimilating the Four Directions. Before internal threats could emerge, they would defeat all sides and then rest and recuperate.
This path isn’t impassable. For instance, historically, Cao Cao, and in this era, Cao Cao essentially practiced the Deceptive Way. It’s not that using Deceptive Way is bad; it’s just that one must be fast enough, and when practicing the Deceptive Way, there can be no unexpected events in strategy and tactics. Because the Deceptive Way enables rapid success without foundational support, it’s essentially a race against fate. As long as you are fast enough, there will be no problems at all.
As for now, Jia Xu, Guo Jia, and the rest have all been pulled back onto the path of the King’s Way by Chen Xi, which is to build high walls, stockpile a great amount of grain, and proceed cautiously. The failure of one or two battles will not affect the overall situation, and even if there is a massive defeat by accident, it will not lead to a collapse.
The advantage of the King’s Way lies in its strong foundation, while the benefit of the Deceptive Way lies in its rapid success. However, while following the King’s Way, one can always employ the Deceptive Way. If you follow the Deceptive Way, it is impossible to switch to the King’s Way without subduing all sides first.
The path of the King’s Way gets wider as one goes, which is why Li Youu and others are only maintaining internal unity and rarely provoke others; because Chen Xi has opened up the path of the King’s Way. They just need to maintain the situation, and the gap between the Feudal Lords and Liu Bei will only grow wider. In the end, it will only take one valiant general leading an army, and everyone in his path will surely surrender.
When the gap reaches such a magnitude, strategy and tactics will no longer be needed, and that is the highest realm for a strategist. No matter how hard you ponder, I will simply throw a punch, and either way, you’re finished.
This is also why after much consideration, Li Youu still plans to cut down those disobedient aristocratic families in Xuzhou because he needs to maintain stability.
As for how terrified the remaining aristocratic families will be, Li Youu is not concerned. Although Li Youu doesn’t understand Stockholm syndrome, when he was cultivating loyal ministers for Dong Zhuo in Luoyang, he came to a realization—an enemy so strong that you can only kneel will make you exceedingly grateful for even a small act of kindness.
Of course, Li Youu also knows that this is not true loyalty but a compliance mixed with fear and reverence. However, as long as you remain strong enough to keep them kneeling, you might as well consider their loyalty as full.
As for whether this will create a bad impression among the aristocratic families, Li Youu’s various actions from beginning to end represent Chen Xi’s attitude towards the aristocratic families: "You won’t die if you don’t seek death. My territory, my rules—whether you’re a dragon or a tiger, coil or burrow at my command. Obey and there will be rewards; disobey and expect punishment. Of course, we won’t deliberately trouble you, but if you act out of line, law enforcement is only to be expected."
However, as each Prefectural Governor has a different style, some faces are slapped, while some lose their heads. Legal principle yields to human sentiment, who knows if you’ve touched the governor’s raw nerve. The same action by different people can lead to different outcomes, and since you are different and meet different people, tragedy is inevitable.
By now, the Great Aristocratic Families have essentially summarized Chen Xi’s overall attitude towards them, and the attitude is quite decent, with just one demand—follow the rules. As for what happens if you don’t, it could range from the annihilation of the family to getting off with a mere chuckle, depending not only on the rules but also on the local governor’s judgment.
In the end, this affair has come to pass, and as long as half of the aristocratic families still exist, the others can’t really fault Li Youu. In times of chaos, military power is not something that just anyone can meddle with. Even the smaller aristocratic families in Xuzhou now remaining couldn’t possibly contemplate challenging Liu Bei’s military authority without facing intolerance from anyone in that position.
After returning home, Chen Deng gave a bow to Chen Gui, "Father."
"Sit down, it’s just the two of us here, no need to stand on ceremony." Chen Gui had aged drastically in the past few months, from a relatively sturdy man to one relying on a walking stick, "Are you displeased with Li Wenru’s methods but also somewhat fearful that he will turn his blade towards us?"
"The death of one is the mourning of another," Chen Deng said without elaboration.
"Alas, Yuanlong, you still need more tempering. I’ve been thinking it over carefully at home for several days, and I fear that Li Wenru won’t be able to stay in Xuzhou for much longer, and sooner or later the position of Governor of Xuzhou will be yours," Chen Gui sighed, slightly disappointed in the astute Chen Deng.
"Li Wenru is too ruthless. I’m afraid that after he’s had his way with them, not many of the Xuzhou Aristocratic Family will remain, except for those truly reclusive families who do not vie for power. After this, how many will be left in Xuzhou? I don’t believe that those families do not harbor resentment towards Li Wenru now. Before I returned, I thought he had displayed the mercy of a woman, but now it seems he might be baiting those people." Chen Deng said lowly, with a hint of fear, realizing that Xuande intended to eradicate the families of Xuzhou by placing such a man there!
"My son, your mind is in disarray," Chen Gui sighed, "Yuanlong, continue to follow Li Wenru. Just carry out his orders, and Xuzhou’s Chen Family will eventually fall into your hands. Because of my health, I am no longer suited to be the head of the Xuzhou Chen Family."
"Father, you shouldn’t speak such disheartening words!" Chen Deng was taken aback, speaking with a pained expression as he looked at his father.
"Succession within a great family is but a natural law. It is my great fortune to have my son succeed me as head of the family," said Chen Gui sentimentally, reflecting on his own path to becoming the family head, which had been much less straightforward than Chen Deng’s would be.
"Both the Chen Family of Xuzhou and Xuande’s position will eventually fall to you. Do not harbor any ill intentions. Chen Zichuan, Jia Wenhe, and others are all outstanding men, while Guan Yunchang, Zhang Yide, and others are matchless valiant generals. Xuande himself possesses the broad-mindedness to accommodate others. Our Chen Family of Xuzhou must stand behind Xuande, no matter what," Chen Gui advised persistently, already making plans to pass on the headship to Chen Deng.
"Speaking of which, I really admire Mi Zizhong. The Mi Family was not as prominent as our Chen Family back then, but now Mi Zizhong’s name is probably renowned throughout the land. His vision was surely good. Yuanlong, in the future, you should interact more with him. After all, he is also from Xuzhou and we have old ties," Chen Gui said to Chen Deng with a hint of admiration, knowing that besides intelligence, magnanimity and foresight are equally important for a man.
Chen Deng silently listened to Chen Gui’s teachings, while Chen Gui himself did not expect that his casual remarks would lead Chen Deng to guess Li Youu’s strategy, showing Chen Deng to be indeed sharp-witted.
[Li Wenru, you are formidable, being able to do this. No wonder you are so composed. You are just arousing others’ greed, and what follows is already destined...] Chen Deng thought bitterly, understanding Li Youu’s approach and that the aristocratic families of Xuzhou were merely his playthings. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
