Mythical Three Kingdoms

While Fa Zheng was making his raid on Shouchun, Chen Xi had already begun the pacification efforts for the Families of Mount Tai in Qing and Xu. Of course, with those steadfast clans in Xuzhou who had gone too far to turn back, Chen Xi could only feign ignorance for the time being.

”Clan Head,” Chen Shang, having rested for a day, appeared before Chen Xi with the standard decorum expected of a Clan Elder, not colored by any other emotions.

”Please, have a seat, Uncle,” Chen Xi gestured to the chair opposite him. He instructed Chen Yun to serve the tea and snacks. After that, Chen Yun, holding the tea tray, slowly withdrew, leaving only Chen Shang and Chen Xi.

”Zichuan...” Chen Shang seemed at a loss for words as he watched Chen Xi lift his teacup and heaved a long sigh.

”There’s no need to be like this, Uncle. Each person has their own aspirations. The choices they have made aren’t necessarily wrong. And you can rest assured, I don’t have any intention of digging deeper, otherwise, I wouldn’t be in such a hurry to appease the Aristocratic Clans,” Chen Xi said calmly as he set down his teacup, ”We will utilize what we should.”

Chen Shang opened his mouth, then simply managed a bitter smile a couple of times, indicating that he understood.

”For this afternoon’s meeting at Fragrance Pavilion, the Chen Family should not attend. You’ll take over the businesses under my control. I’ll have Chen Ge send the documents to you this afternoon,” Chen Xi said, noticing Chen Shang’s silence, knowing that the incidents of the previous day had greatly affected him. While it was true that families of their stature act in self-interest, violating agreements in such a way was too shameful for the Aristocratic Clans!

”This...” Chen Shang was shocked, and then he looked up at Chen Xi, whose expression remained unchanged.

”I have no intentions of severing ties with the Chen Family,” Chen Xi explained with a smile when he saw the drastic change in Chen Shang’s expression, giving the latter an unfavorable implication.

”Then why take such actions?” asked Chen Shang, puzzled.

”The Chen Family needs to keep a low profile, just like it did in the past. We have no need to compete. With me leading the way, we’ll have the greatest benefits. Why be greedy and try to have it all? Being generous benefits everyone,” Chen Xi said, using ’we’ for the first time when speaking with a Chen Clan Elder.

”Alright!” Chen Shang’s heart swelled with joy. It was the first time Chen Xi had made his intentions clear, and Chen Shang wasn’t a fool. Chen Xi’s words made perfect sense. As long as he was present, the Chen Family would mean countless opportunities. They didn’t need to chase petty advantages. They could afford to be more relaxed and steady in their dealings.

”Normally, I wouldn’t try to control the Chen Family. The Clan Elders, whether they want to tend sheep or do whatever else, it’s fine. But in critical circumstances, if I need the Chen Family to move east, you must move east. However, rest assured I will not harm my own interests. Our stratum requires reform to align with the law and humanity,” Chen Xi explained smoothly.

”The Clan Head is naturally the helmsman of the family. It’s only right,” Chen Shang nodded in agreement.

”If the Chen Family has outstanding youth, remember to inform me. I will take care of their education,” Chen Xi sighed. ”The Yingchuan Chen Family’s too. In the end, we are all one Chen Family.”

A gleam of joy appeared in Chen Shang’s eyes. Chen Xi, who had ignored the relocating members to Mount Tai for years, was finally becoming involved in the affairs of the Chen Family, and it seemed he was preparing to integrate the family.

”Clan Head, this is...” Chen Shang looked at Chen Xi with a puzzled expression, wondering about the sudden change.

”Aristocratic Clans need a leader, just like the Yuan Family and Yang Family of old. Now, with the Yang Family barely holding onto Chang’an and unable to protect themselves, the Yuan Family’s influence is tremendous, though they are not on the same path as me,” Chen Xi said, looking at Chen Shang.

Just as previously estimated, after the Establishment of Capital in the North, the next stage of governance wouldn’t be as simple as suppressing the Aristocratic Clans and supporting the common people. The Aristocratic Clans were, after all, a group with considerable knowledge and energy. It is better to channel them, rather than block them. At that point, a person is needed to stand as a symbol to lead these people, to at least prevent them from taking the wrong path.

Chen Shang swallowed hard. After the Yang Family and Yuan Family were ruled out, the remaining top Aristocratic Families were the Xun Family, the Chen Family, and the likes. While the Xun Family flourished, the current Chen Family was not to be underestimated.

Thinking of the possibility of becoming the standard-bearer for the Aristocratic Families Under Heaven, Chen Shang felt an enthusiastic fervor from within. Fame and fortune beckoned; an opportunity like this could catapult the Chen Family to the forefront among the Aristocratic Clans. How could Chen Shang not be excited?

”So the Chen Family needs to keep a low profile, so low that others don’t notice us. All we need to do is silently do good deeds,” Chen Xi taught Chen Shang, a Chen Clan Elder, with earnestness.

”Hmm, that makes sense. In that situation, any small mistake could be magnified many times over. Being cautious and keeping a low profile to focus on doing good deeds does seem wise,” Chen Shang said thoughtfully as he stroked his beard. ”But the Yuan Family won’t be easy to overcome. Even if we act lowkey and end up failing, we can’t avoid being targeted and harassed by the Yuan Family.”

”The Yuan Family may be strong, but they’re still not my match. I’m displeased with the ways of the Aristocratic Clans, and I need change from the top down as well as from the bottom up to happen simultaneously, to make the Aristocratic Clans rapidly complete their reform,” Chen Xi spoke frankly to Chen Shang.

”What matters most to me in the Aristocratic Clans is morality, but I can’t stand their ways. I need the Aristocratic Clan’s conduct to match their moral standing, so I will act as the head of the Chen Family,” Chen Xi continued to speak to Chen Shang.

”The Yuan Family...” Although Yuan Shao’s scheming had failed this time, the turmoil in Mount Tai had already shown the strength of the Yuan Family; they were not weak.

”Yuan Shao is not the issue; the Yuan Family is even less of an issue. What I want is for the Chen Family to undergo a low-profile reform, and before Lord Xuande secures control of the Central Plains, I want the Aristocratic Clans to see a successful case of reform, to show them there is another path to follow,” Chen Xi said, seeing Chen Shang’s hesitation. He didn’t wish to say more and didn’t give Chen Shang a choice in the matter.

”Since the Clan Head has made a decision, why issue orders in the guise of a discussion instead of commanding directly?” Chen Shang was left almost breathless by Chen Xi’s tone and then questioned back dissatisfied.

”To help you understand,” Chen Xi said casually as he picked up a pastry and swallowed it, then before Chen Shang could speak again, Chen Xi continued, ”It’s best if you can understand, but if there’s a lack of understanding, I can only let you grasp it during the reform. After all, I’ve decided to do this, and it can’t be stopped.”

Chen Xi’s words made Chen Shang’s face look sullen, but they also made it clear that Chen Xi’s will was unshakeable. After a long while, Chen Shang sighed deeply, ”Whatever your demands are, please state them. I believe the elders of our Chen Clan will understand.”

At this point, what more could Chen Shang say? Morally and emotionally, he could only agree to Chen Xi’s demands, then go on to be the first to take the plunge. Whether the first among the Aristocratic Clans to reform would succeed or fail, it would decide too many things to come. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)