Chen Xi looked at Liu Bei, whose throat sounded somewhat hoarse. He didn’t know what to say. He originally thought he would have to persuade Liu Bei to get him to side with him. Chen Xi had prepared his arguments before coming and was clear about the high possibility of Liu Bei agreeing. Unexpectedly, Liu Bei agreed so readily.
Liu Bei agreed with him as expected, but not because of his arguments; it was because he was Chen Xi. Liu Xuande trusted him; there were no other reasons but trust. Even if everyone else opposed, Liu Bei was willing to stand behind him and support him.
"Lord Xuande, thank you! I’ve never considered myself one of the strategists; I always felt I have too many shortcomings compared to others. Although I do have many advantages, since Lord Xuande is willing to believe that I can outshine everyone, then I will strive, I will prove myself," Chen Xi’s eyes sparkled with a hint of madness.
Even if it wasn’t for the sake of ending the chaos, even if it were only for the trust of Liu Bei, he would prove it. A gentleman would die for those who appreciate him; at this moment, Chen Xi somehow had this realization.
"Go do it, Zichuan!" Liu Bei didn’t say another word.
"Yes," Chen Xi bowed deeply in respect.
Chen Xi might have been confident when he arrived, but he didn’t have complete certainty. However, after leaving Liu Bei, Chen Xi once again regained his composure, feeling assured. Even if it was to live up to Liu Bei’s trust, Chen Xi decided to make this matter shock everyone.
Chen Xi took one of the swords from Liu Bei’s pair of double-edged swords. If his authority wasn’t enough, he would just have to add more until it was sufficient.
He went to see Liu Bei in the afternoon and by the time they finished talking, it was evening. Liu Bei didn’t ask Chen Xi to stay for dinner; he just gave him a sword. The bold and impassioned Chen Xi walked out only to cool down immediately when the night breeze hit him.
[...] Chen Xi thought about his previous behavior with a blush on his face. After a long while, he sighed and slowly calmed down.
[My life is sold to you!] At first, Chen Xi was embarrassed, but then he regained his composure. Even if he had been carried away by his youthful enthusiasm, if he didn’t mean to compete in earnest, he wouldn’t have spoken up. [Alright then, I’ll make a big move when I get back. I refuse to believe that these people can be better at enriching the nation than I am!]
Chen Xi shook off the influence Liu Bei had on him. As for Liu Bei’s trust, he would remember it. The idea that a man dies for his confidants seemed a bit risky to him, and he might not be able to do it, but who knew what would happen if it really came to that? Maybe, like today, he would just get fired up and go for it.
After Chen Xi left, Liu Bei massaged his temples. Suddenly, he felt he had been impulsive—there was someone else in the room! Excited by his conversation with Chen Xi, he forgot many things. Thinking it over now, the things Chen Xi had talked about were too broad. It wasn’t an issue for him, but if the other person heard them, it would be a big problem. Chen Xi’s entire strategy was exposed.
"Lady Zhen, please come out," Liu Bei reluctantly called towards the inner room.
The woman from the Zhang Clan walked out calmly and sat where Chen Xi had previously been. She understood that she was caught in an undeserved disaster. Chen Xi’s earlier words contained too much information, even touching on the strategy for the Four Directions; these things could only lead to death if overheard by outsiders.
"I wonder what Lord Xuande intends to do with me, a widow," said the woman from the Zhang Clan, a bitter smile appearing on her face. Faced with the greater cause of the world and personal desires, the Zhang Clan thought there was no need for consideration—a potential overlord would certainly not let her go.
Liu Bei remained silent. The Zhang Clan, as represented by this woman, was an important chess piece on Chen Xi’s board; eliminating her would mean the collapse of Chen Xi’s entire Jizhou strategy, making future confrontation with Yuan Shao a huge trouble.
The woman from the Zhang Clan could not die. Liu Bei thought for a long time and finally had to let go of the thought of killing her in this room. The importance of the Zhen Family saved her life, but that was all it could save.
Seeing the evil qi dissipate from Liu Bei, the woman from the Zhang Clan felt much relieved. Her greatest worry was Liu Bei acting rashly and getting rid of her on the spot. If that happened, all her words would be worthless, leaving only death.
Although the woman from the Zhang Clan heard about the Zhen Family’s plans during Chen Xi and Liu Bei’s conversation, she couldn’t be sure whether those plans would be enough to save her life.
After all, from their conversation, she realized that Chen Xi’s capabilities far exceeded her expectations. From the Hulao Pass to now, and even further, although the world was ever-changing, Liu Bei was following Chen Xi’s designs step by step. With such a man by his side, the woman from the Zhang Clan understood the presence of the Zhen Family wasn’t so crucial.
"Please stay within Mount Tai for the next couple of years, and as for contact with the Zhen Family, please understand," was Liu Bei’s final decision. He gave up the thought of killing her. It was out of the question to trouble Chen Xi by hurting her!
"Lord Xuande is merciful and righteous. Would you allow the Zhen Family to join in Chen Zichuan’s earlier plans? The Mount Tai Chamber of Commerce interests me, and my Zhen Family can also sway some of the northern merchants," said the woman from the Zhang Clan, relieved to see Liu Bei had no intention of eliminating her. She made her request while staring intently at Liu Bei.
After hesitating for a moment, Liu Bei agreed to her request. After all, having been dealt a harsh blow, he needed to offer a sweet date in return, especially in the case of an innocent victim like her.