"Are you sure you won’t fail?" Guo Jia stared seriously as he asked.
"Hmph, no need for such petty tricks." Chen Xi scoffed disdainfully, "I won’t fail. I will always press down on the world’s general trend. I am Chen Zichuan. When I can see the trend of the world, I will follow it; when I cannot, I will create it. I have that ability!"
Everyone was somewhat puzzled by Chen Xi’s words, but only Chen Xi was aware that the situation of the world he had orchestrated was a mess, no longer decipherable by the course of history. With the future so chaotic, as the strongest, it was his role to sweep away the fog before his eyes and pave a broad avenue!
Guo Jia frowned—Chen Xi had actually taken his words seriously, making it difficult to say anything further. He remembered that Chen Xi used to keep a low profile, but today’s behavior was a complete departure, almost like someone intoxicated with arrogance.
"Do you want to say I’m arrogant?" Chen Xi glanced casually at those present and understood their thoughts from their expressions.
Chen Xi’s left hand rested on the table, and the confidence that radiated from him shocked everyone. "I am now eighteen years old, but I’ve already helped Lord Xuande, who started from scratch, to become a feudal lord with no lack of money, grain, valiant generals, or good ministers—a lord impressive enough to draw the attention of the world, and powerful enough to make everyone wary. I have the right to be arrogant, and I have the strength to be arrogant."
"I am not here to discuss with you how things should be. I am here to command you. I have absolute control over the governance, bestowed upon me by Lord Xuande and earned by myself. That is my pride," Chen Xi surveyed everyone as they pondered with furrowed brows, "So, whether you allow it or not, I will go ahead with my plans! Incidentally, the only person in the entire administration who can stop me is Lord Xuande himself!"
"Zichuan, must it be this way, with no room for turning back?" The instinct of measurement and assessment, innate in a merchant, allowed Mi Zhu to clearly sense Chen Xi’s determination!
With Xi having spoken to this extent, others found it impossible to continue. Chen Xi rarely used or directly exercised this absolute power, but the fact that he had chosen to wield it this time spoke volumes about his resolve.
"No! I must do this. The gap between Xuande and the other lords is too narrow, so small that it is not enough to carry out our original plans. Without seizing that one opportunity, it’s already impossible for us to keep pressing down on the world’s trend! And once we can no longer control the trend, the future holds far too many variables!" Chen Xi firmly refused Mi Zhu first, then softened his tone somewhat to explain to those present.
"Why must we carry out that plan? Zichuan, tell me, is proving yourself that important?" Lub Su, usually the nice guy, finally lost his temper, slamming his hand on the table and glaring angrily at Chen Xi, "With the current situation, we just need to develop further. There’s no need for such haste. After a period of calm, steady progress is more important than anything!"
"Do I need to prove myself? Zijing, do you think I still need to prove my ability? I am no longer the young man who just emerged at Hulao Pass. My reputation as Chen Zichuan is now sufficient to make any lord wary. I have passed the time when I had to use merit or the prosperity of my lands to prove myself! Even if the plan succeeds, for my fame, it would be just gilding the lily!" Chen Xi let out a derisive laugh. He truly had moved past that age; his name, if not known throughout the sea, was certainly enough to intimidate the lords in all four directions!
"Then why do you still want to do this? Isn’t steady progress good?" Lub Su almost roared, slapping the table!
"To solidify the foundation! The base in Qingzhou of Mount Tai is too flimsy! We need prosperity, we need money and grain! Our ambition is to pacify the world, not to be cornered!" Chen Xi said to Lub Su, emphasizing every word, "So we must amass enough strength to face any danger before it arrives! Zijing, help me. We have known each other for so long, you should know what kind of person I am better than anyone!"
Chen Xi’s words completely calmed Lub Su down. Having worked with Chen Xi the longest, Lub Su knew him best and understood that for someone with Chen Xi’s character to show such determination and seek to convince everyone, he must have made a weighty resolution. Lub Su’s face showed changing emotions before he let out a sigh after a long while, "Zichuan, promise me that you will indeed succeed!"
[Trust him. With Zichuan showing such determination, he definitely won’t be swayed. That he could ask me is already...] Lub Su thought resignedly.
Chen Xi’s face brightened, then he took a deep breath and looked solemnly at Lub Su, "I will succeed. Soon you will see."
"Ah, I’ll trust you on the basis of your past credibility." Lub Su walked over helplessly and held out his hand to Chen Xi, "Let’s shake on it. If you fail, you shouldn’t use this authoritative power again in the future. We are all for Lord Xuande, after all."
"Agreed!" Chen Xi nodded at Lub Su, who gave everyone a way out with his gesture. Indeed, among this group, there was a need for a nice guy to mediate; otherwise, each proud individual would eventually cause a calamity.
As Lub Su and Chen Xi shook hands, Liu Ye looked on with restrained frustration at his comrade-in-arms. He didn’t know what to say about Lub Su, who he consistently considered a good man. Now, this good man was the first to capitulate.