After the banquet, Chen Xi personally led his two friends to the residence prepared for them. Fan Jian took Cai Yan to her temporary residence, while Hua Xiong was kept back by Liu Bei, who was ready to inquire about the events that had occurred during their trip to Chang’an, especially since Hua Xiong had spent an unusually long time in Yongzhou.
"Wen He, Wen Ru, please come in," Chen Xi said with a smile, making a welcoming gesture. Jia Xu and Li Youu also walked in casually, as if the three truly were old friends reunited after many years.
After the three took their seats in the living room, they casually chatted about the affairs of Yongzhou; soon after, Chen Xi took his leave.
The next day, during the Mao Period, Li Youu and Jia Xu appeared at Chen Xi’s doorstep together, and after Chen Xi invited them in, they entered the house.
"How was it?" Chen Xi asked with a smile.
"Indeed, it is not bad. There are no scouts planted in either of our houses. Liu Xuande is a man of benevolence and virtue after all," Li Youu said with a stiff smile.
"If it were not so, I would prefer to remain hidden than to expose myself under the sunlight," Chen Xi said to Li Youu, with a hint of pride.
"Let’s speak frankly. Why would you think of asking him and me to join? You should know, without saying it myself, the trouble that would arise if his identity were ever exposed. I do not like to leave my life in the hands of others," Jia Xu said, frowning slightly. "It’s really too dangerous. If there were any other choice, I wouldn’t have asked that question before."
"Because both Lord Xuande and I need you. As for the identities, he is Li Wenru and you are Jia Wenhe; you have both been cleansed. I believe that with your abilities, it won’t take long before you become indispensable characters in all of this. Lord Xuande has grand ambitions, and I am convinced that when a certain level is reached, even if the identities are exposed, it would not matter much to Lord Xuande," Chen Xi said, shaking his head and dismissing Jia Xu’s concerns.
"Lord Xuande has grand ambitions!" Li Youu exclaimed with his eyes wide open.
"Indeed, from the tone of his previous answers to you, I could almost feel that ambition aimed at the whole world. It’s certainly not an exaggeration to call him a Mighty Lord. However, it’s a pity that his background is too humble, his vision too narrow," Jia Xu said with admiration before sighing, recalling Liu Bei’s behavior in front of Cai Yan.
"I would only dare to speak so openly to characters like you two who can keep everything deep in your hearts," Chen Xi sighed. "Lord Xuande aims to surpass the ancestors completely, and unless he can achieve that, he will never covet the imperial throne. That is his vow."
Jia Xu and Li Youu were both taken aback by Liu Bei’s ambition, then they looked at each other and shook their heads before Jia Xu spoke, "His ambition and vision are fine, but have you not noticed the previous situation?"
"Lowly born, never having enjoyed wealth, never having encountered true beauties—all these can be resolved by me; it’s simply a matter of fighting poison with poison. I can handle it. As for why I had to bring you two to Mount Tai, one reason is that you are too dangerous, but another is that Lord Xuande needs you," Chen Xi said, waving his hand to indicate these were not problems.
"There’s no need to explain the danger, it would be surprising if the matter in Yongzhou wasn’t your doing. As for Lord Xuande needing you, that is indeed true. To achieve Lord Xuande’s goals, relying on just one or two strategists is simply not enough. And you, having proven your capabilities to the world as civil officials, are the prime candidates."
"Since there are no issues with these matters, let’s discuss something else. What is your view on the current situation?" Jia Xu was very satisfied with Chen Xi’s response, but he still asked this question. Li You, on the other hand, began to close his eyes and rest after learning what he needed to know.
"I don’t have much of an opinion. I focus on developing my own territory, and they do their thing," Chen Xi shook his head and said. He hadn’t made any particular effort to pay attention to the other feudal lords, except for the desire to cause trouble for Cao Mengde when he was able to free up his hands, although clearly, that time hadn’t come yet.
"If it weren’t for the fact that you crushed a million Yellow Turbans and at the right time, pressed your forces against Jizhou, and managed to transform Mount Tai from a poor land into such prosperity, I would have doubted whether you, Chen Zichuan, were an imposter stealing fame under false pretenses," Jia Xu said calmly.
"I had no choice, my manpower is limited, so I could only pick one," Chen Xi said unflinchingly, "Besides, I believe that if I were governing Qingzhou, I could do even better, steadily increasing the gap between me and others. It’s safe and effective—why would I choose another way?"
"Indeed, if you continue to develop at the rate of Mount Tai, the choice you made might even turn out to be better. However, it’s a bit of a pity to completely write off external affairs," Jia Xu said in amazement, for Chen Xi’s governance truly was astonishing.
Chen Xi sneered inwardly; this thing was meant for you from the start. Guo Jia would also be suitable, but his current main responsibility is to educate Fa Zheng, and all other matters are postponed accordingly. If he were to manage Fa Zheng’s education while simultaneously trying to trouble the feudal lords around, he might carelessly give Cao Cao an opening.
Entrusting this task to Jia Xu, then allowing Guo Jia, who’s guiding Fa Zheng, to lend a hand occasionally, would enable both of them to study and explain together. Even if it were not enough to suppress Cao Cao, it would certainly not be easy for Cao Cao to find an opening.
"Wen He, rest assured that since I was able to recruit you, I’ve naturally arranged everything. Go to the Political Office today, and you’ll know your assignment. However, I urge you, Wen He, to strive hard and not to give Cao Mengde any opportunity to exploit," Chen Xi stared at Jia Xu and said. His biggest worry was Jia Xu not putting in effort, because as long as Jia Xu put in normal effort, just on the defensive, it would be very difficult for Cao Mengde to find an opening.
"Hahaha..." Jia Xu laughed out loud but said nothing. Asking him to give his all was unlikely, but Chen Zichuan pointing out the threat of Cao Mengde did put Jia Xu more at ease.
"As for Wen Ru, please continue as before, helping to identify and fix any oversights for Lord Xuande. It’s obvious you have health issues right now, so I won’t trouble you with other matters. Your experience is urgently needed. Right now, each person in Mount Tai is truly talented but still quite young. If they act too rashly in any respect, please point it out," Chen Xi said, bowing to Li Wenru.
He brought Li Wenru out of Chang’an for his experience. To speak frankly, Li Wenru’s ability might be first-class, but it pales in comparison to his experience. He has encountered various situations during this era, and with his knowledge of high-level military operations, elite force tactics, inter-provincial warfare, and grand strategic planning, probably the only one who could claim such experience is the man before him.
As for the others, first of all, they haven’t reached the omnipotent official status that Li Wenru once held. So at this period, Li Wenru could not possibly lose to anyone in the world because while others are doing it for the first time, he’s already going through it a second round. Even if you have higher intelligence, could you outmatch him by several degrees? That’s the difference between a veteran and a novice! (. Mobile users, please go to to read.)