NOVPUB"The son of Minister Lu?" Chen Xi looked curiously at the young man who was about the same age as Lu Xun, a figure who was not famous in this era but quite renowned during the era of the Nine-Rank System, one of the founders of the Aristocratic Family system, and a master of political power struggle.
"Yes, I, Zigan, and Ci Ming were once classmates and have known each other for a long time. When Zigan passed away, Ci Ming’s great-grandson, Xun Gongda, was still in Chang’an, so he entrusted his son to Ci Ming for education," the old man said, shaking his head.
"…" Chen Xi thought for a moment and realized who the mentioned teacher was—Chen Shi, his great uncle. However, Chen Shi had so many disciples that it was hard to know who this young man before him was.
"Naturally, before I left Liaodong to visit Ci Ming, he asked me to take the boy to Mount Tai," the old man said with a somewhat helpless expression. "The original plan was to visit the General of the East at Mount Tai, but in my view, the Lu Family still needs someone to supervise him for a while longer, otherwise he might cause dissatisfaction to the General of the East."
By now, Chen Xi had guessed the identity of the person and also understood why Xun Shuang had asked Wang Lie to take Lu Zhi’s son to Mount Tai. Liu Bei could now be considered Lu Zhi’s most outstanding disciple, and since in ancient times one would treat one’s teacher as one’s father, it was only natural to hand over his own son to Liu Bei as the most correct decision.
"I see this child is very clever and full of spirit; how about I take over his education?" Chen Xi eyed Lu Yu, who was rolling his eyes animatedly. This child would, from having nothing, go through five Monarchs of the Wei Kingdom and eventually establish the Lu Family as one of the super political families among the Five Surnames and Seven Aristocratic Families—when it comes to political struggle, this one was an absolute master.
As for the fact that the old man was reluctant to reveal his family name, Chen Xi wouldn’t expose it. Whatever the elder chose to do was proper, and now his goal was to acquire Lu Yu—a true grandmaster of Power Schemes.
Wang Lie was obviously hesitant. The main reason he kept Lu Yu by his side, leaving the rest of the Lu Family at Mount Tai, was that Lu Yu was a bit mischievous. Although he was known for filial piety and fraternal duty, his temperament seemed somewhat affected by a great trauma he suffered when he was young. While he appeared bright and sunny, there was always something shadowy about him.
Wang Lie, feeling responsible towards Lu Zhi, hoped to steer Lu Yu back onto the right path. To say nothing else, at least he should not be as mischievous as he was currently—using others to kill, leveraging power for oppression, driving a tiger to devour a wolf, pulling the ladder from under someone. The things he learned were not many, but they were hardly upright. Thinking this, Wang Lie was filled with indignation. Was this how Xun Shuang educated Lu Zhi’s son?
In any case, Lu Yu was not normal, and Wang Lie’s plan was to stay with him and educate him properly, at least to prevent Lu Yu’s nature from turning malignant. For the time being, Lu Yu could only be described as having a strong instinct for self-protection. His character was not yet corrupted, but he had gone through quite a lot in his childhood...
However, thinking about it, it was understandable. For a child of seven or eight to lose both parents, and before he was even ten, both of his brothers died. Then, he had to look after his sister-in-law and nephew. It would be difficult for a child like that to grow up normally, let alone resurrect the fallen Lu Family and help it thrive.
"If the elder has any concerns, please voice them. Perhaps I can help resolve them," said Chen Xi with a smile. Lu Yu indeed wasn’t bad, but it depended on who you compared him to. Jia Wenhe, adept at scheming from the shadows, was a Divine Being. His single phrase, "The Monarch does not see Yuan Benchu; Liu Jingsheng huh?" dashed Cao Zhi’s hopes entirely. Such a good child, what need is there for cultivating virtue? He has so much talent for thriving in the dark, it would be a waste not to use it.
"…" Wang Lie frowned, not sure how to explain Lu Yu’s issues to Chen Xi. But seeing Chen Xi’s interested expression, Wang Lie felt it wasn’t his place to elaborate. After a long silence, he finally spoke up and asked, "If I hand this child over to Marquis Chen for education, what do you plan to teach him? Will you focus on cultivating morality, or will you prioritize cultivating conduct?"
"Teaching strategic power schemes, self-preservation in office, and the art of harmonizing factions," Chen Xi said without any hesitation. Lu Yu was a promising talent on this path, sure to make the most of his specialties. History had proven that he truly excelled in the art of power struggle, like a weathervane standing firm from Cao Cao’s era through to the times of Sima Zhao.
Chen Xi wasn’t speaking carelessly. Factions were bound to emerge sooner or later. They might not be visible in the short term, but as Liu Bei’s strength gradually increased, the emergence of factions had become almost inevitable!
The Elder Faction, led by a group of military generals headed by Guan, Zhang, and Zhao, and the civil officials led by Chen Xi, would have the absolute advantage of suppressing all factions within ten years. However, as the Thirteen Prefectures were gradually secured, suppressing all factions would become a joke.
This was absolutely indispensable. Initially, Chen Xi had planned on having Zhuge Liang be the one to harmonize the factions and resolve future conflicts, but he always felt it was somewhat a waste and would distract Zhuge Liang. After meeting Lu Yu, Chen Xi realized that Lu Yu was more suitable for battle. After all, he was one of the rare few political experts in history who rose steadily from the beginning to the end of a dynasty.
It’s important to realize that when he started his official career, besides the ten-year old network his father had left him, he had nothing else to rely on, yet he forged a foundation not inferior to an aristocratic family over the decades. His prowess in the political arena was definitely up to the mark!
"This... I’m afraid that won’t do," Wang Lie was taken aback and then turned to look at Lu Yu, who was kneeling beside him. He didn’t want Lu Yu to become a cold-hearted and ruthless character, but he had to admit that what Chen Xi said was very right—the arts of power schemes, self-preservation in office, and harmonizing factions were indeed very suitable for Lu Yu.
"Whether it works or not, old man, your word might not suffice. With your kind-hearted nature, if he wishes to leave, you probably wouldn’t stop him, right?" Chen Xi said with a smile. "Why not ask for his own thoughts? As a person of your virtue, you naturally understand that only the path one treads by themselves is useful. Is it really appropriate for him to remain under your wings?"
Wang Lie sighed deeply and turned to Lu Yu, "Zijia, the choice is yours. Will you follow me and cultivate virtue to dissolve the resentment in your heart, or will you follow Marquis Chen to learn the art of power schemes and walk further on that path?"
"Thank you, uncle, for your care in recent days. I wish to follow Marquis Chen to learn the art of power schemes. As for moral conduct, I believe as long as I have a clear conscience, that’s enough. Even if one day my hands become dirty, I believe I will not lose my way," Lu Yu expressed his serious resolution to Wang Lie with a formal bow.
"Well said. You are most suited to harness strategic power schemes, to control them with your fingertips, not to be like others, blinded by them," Chen Xi said with a smile. "Lu Zijia, is it? After returning to Mount Tai, I will find you a most suitable teacher. He will instruct you, and within eight years, you need to graduate."
Jia Xu’s strategies were good, but his approach was mostly about self-preservation, whereas Lu Yu was the opposite. He needed to fight. Only by constantly defeating others could he grow stronger, making sure that he would not fall back into the precarious situation of his youth. Eight years later, when various factions would rise, that would be the stage Chen Xi had prepared for Lu Yu.
"Alright," Lu Yu said calmly, a harmless smile crossing his face. He then rose silently, gave another bow to Wang Lie, and finally walked over to Chen Xi.
"Old man, rest assured, Lu Zijia will certainly walk a dignified and broad path. For him, power schemes are but a toy, not the most important thing in life. He won’t get lost in them," Chen Xi assured Wang Lie, who seemed slightly uneasy, as he spoke.
(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com), as your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
