Mythical Three Kingdoms

At this moment, as long as Chen Xi tacitly consented, those tenant farmers who had once been dependents of the aristocratic families would, under the direction of these families, migrate to the Northeast.

Then even if the common people wanted to curse their misfortune, they wouldn’t be able to blame Chen Xi and Liu Bei. With numerous aristocratic families sharing the common resentment and with Chen Xi covertly dispersing land to the commoners through the aristocratic families, the situation was set.

Essentially, by that time the development of the Northeastern Great Plain would be a certainty, and both the commoners and the aristocratic families would have received what they were due. The government’s pressure and internal conflicts would thus be alleviated.

Therefore, sometimes even if you have a good political strategy, you must also be able to implement it. Otherwise, even if you know these actions are beneficial, but are unable to show results to the common people, how could the shortsighted civilians possibly keep pace with you?

What the populace needs are tangible, visible benefits. If you can’t provide them, it might be okay for a short time, but if it drags on, don’t be surprised when the formerly obedient common folk turn into crafty people.

”Does Zichuan have any lessons for us, members of the aristocratic families?” asked Chen Shang with a smile. Having had a series of in-depth exchanges before, he had come to understand Chen Xi’s attitude towards the aristocratic families. It wasn’t very positive, but after all, Zichuan was still a member of an aristocratic family, so Chen Shang planned to listen to what Chen Xi had to say.

”It’s not so much a lesson but rather a piece of advice. If Uncle Ancestor wishes to listen, he may; if not, then let it be,” said Chen Xi, shaking his head.

”Just speak your mind, Zichuan,” Chen Shang urged, looking at Chen Xi, whose expression was nearly unflappable.

”If the aristocratic families wish for their power to last forever and their privileges to remain by their side, then they must make sacrifices,” Chen Xi said, staring at Chen Shang. ”There has to be a give to get a take. To legitimately acquire these things, the aristocratic families must put forth something of corresponding value.”

”...” Chen Shang fell silent. He understood what Chen Xi was getting at, but how could the aristocratic families always move in step with the state? It was inevitable that there would be times when the interests of the state and those of the aristocratic families clashed.

”You’re mistaken. Actually, the interests of the state and the interests of the aristocratic families can be aligned,” Chen Xi stated calmly. ”Admittedly, this requires the aristocratic families to keep their greed within certain limits, but I think that’s far more stable than risking an entire family lineage on one speculative outburst.”

”If it were truly possible to align the interests of the state and the aristocratic families forever, we wouldn’t mind curbing our greed. No one wishes to gamble an entire family on a faint hope,” Chen Shang spoke soberly; which family would deliberately risk complete ruin unless it were driven to desperation?

”That’s good. In fact, I think you’re not foolish. How come after hundreds of years, you’ve never seen through this issue? Actually, to align the interests of the state with those of the aristocratic families, just like now, as Mount Tai expands, the aristocratic families are also being pulled into expansion,” Chen Xi nodded and then spoke quite casually.

This time Chen Shang didn’t respond but simply listened quietly to Chen Xi’s words; he didn’t quite understand what Chen Xi was saying.

”Put it this way, the state government needs to own one-third of the power, the aristocratic families one-third, and the Monarch one-third; with that, the world would actually be stable,” Chen Xi explained, not concerned whether Chen Shang understood or not.

”But most of the time, this balance is impossible. However, as long as no one party has more than half the power, there is no problem. Even if one party does hold more than half, as long as everyone has the same goal, there’s no harm,” Chen Xi’s words allowed Chen Shang to grasp something, though he couldn’t fully comprehend it.

”Actually, discussing these points is not overly important. Let me be more specific. When do all parties strive for the same goal?” Chen Xi looked at Chen Shang, who wore a contemplative expression, and posed a question.

”During times of war, when everyone strives for unification of the land. At that time, regardless of whether it’s the aristocratic families or the Monarch, their goals are the same because unification holds the greatest benefit for both the aristocratic families and the Monarch,” Chen Shang continued, ”Even after unification, they may peacefully coexist for several decades.”

”Exactly,” Chen Xi clapped his hands, ”You and the state can actually move in unison. Sometimes dying for the family also means dying for the state. You can clearly march in step.”

”However, after the upheaval ends, the aristocratic families and the state will gradually drift apart. As time passes, the bonds of mutual support formed earlier will be gradually obliterated to nothingness,” Chen Shang calmly recited a truth that had been proven time and again, that the interests of the state and of the aristocratic families would eventually clash.

”Heh, why turn your battle inward? What do you know of the vastness of the world beyond? Why not attempt to see? Conflicts will inevitably arise domestically, but when has the Great Han Dynasty ever disappointed the aristocratic families? Why don’t you rely on your strength to encroach upon other countries? As long as you clear certain junctions within the Great Han...”

In that moment, Chen Xi’s calm voice seemed to hold boundless temptation, alarming Chen Shang, yet also giving rise to countless fanciful thoughts. Indeed, all around the Great Han were vassal states, yet which among them fully performed their vassal duties? Putting them in order would naturally be justifiable.

”In the Great Han, the power of the aristocratic families is strong, but the power of the state is stronger. But what about those other countries? I know the strength of the Chen Family well enough; five Chen Families could bring a small country to heel, and then pay a protection fee to the state. How much would remain after that windfall is divided among you?” Chen Xi coolly laid out the facts.

”The interests of the state and the aristocratic families overlap, and even if they don’t, looking at the protection fees that are actually paid, they still overlap. Moreover, the aristocratic families grow stronger, and in necessary situations, could even invite the Border Army to act jointly, clearing the entire junction, or even dragging everyone along that line into the water, forming a collective,” Chen Shang had already completed the thought before Chen Xi could speak.

[It seems the aristocratic families will never change their core way of thinking, well, I won’t insist, let them be, however they please.]

Chen Xi was at a loss as well; he clearly hadn’t meant that, but the aristocratic families interpreted it as such. What else could he say, knowing fully well by Chen Shang’s tone that the aristocratic families had not seldom engaged in such acts before.

”However you want to take it. The aristocratic families are more pragmatic than the state, and you must recognize this. The aristocratic families seek benefits, whereas the state seeks righteousness. When righteousness and interests collide, you can go head-on,” said Chen Xi, no longer wishing to explain his earlier words, continuing on his own thread.

”The righteousness of the aristocratic families applies to their own people; it’s unnecessary to be so for others. It’s true they need benefits. Indeed, there have been many instances of conflict between state righteousness and interests, with some matters the state cannot well handle but we can easily do so. The problem is the state doesn’t trust us,” said Chen Shang, grasping the meaning in Chen Xi’s words. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it at Qidian ), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)