Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1054: Chapter 1010: Two Diverging Paths

Chen Xi’s words left everyone looking at each other in dismay. What kind of statement was that? Hadn’t we already agreed on our plans? How could it change just like that?

”There’s nothing we can do, plans can’t keep up with changes. Look at how many aristocratic families have arrived, and then look at how many of them agreed with our proposal. The bit of land we divided isn’t enough to show sincerity!” Chen Xi spread his hands, showing a helpless expression.

”That little bit of land?” Fa Zheng rolled his eyes and said.

”Just a metaphor; it’s just that if we have to distribute to so many aristocratic families, it does seem a bit insufficient.” Chen Xi chuckled as he spoke.

Firstly, it was unexpected that so many aristocratic families would come, except for the Yang Family, almost all of the First Sequence families were here. Secondly, unexpectedly, nine-tenths of the aristocratic families accepted my proposal.

”No, it’s already quite a lot, more than they ever owned before, and all are truly fertile lands, real rich soils.” Liu Ye said discontentedly, ”These places shouldn’t be given to them.”

”They shouldn’t be given to them.” Chen Xi lowered his head, contemplated for a moment, and said, ”But in my view, there is no land more suitable than this.”

”Zichuan, do you really not understand what we are talking about?” Liu Ye’s eyes showed a slight coldness, wanting to speak more frankly.

”I understand, it’s just that I’ve already done it, and if I’m not mistaken, I don’t need to be accountable to any of you for anything I do, right?” Chen Xi squinted at Liu Ye, showing rare discontent.

Although Chen Xi indeed did not need to be accountable to anyone present, the way he stared at Liu Ye explained many issues. As for others, they also knew about Chen Xi and Liu Ye’s conflicts; after all, Liu Ye, with the surname Liu, had privately caused trouble for Chen Xi before!

Chen Xi’s words made Liu Ye’s eyebrows twitch continuously, but he ultimately contained his impulse. What Chen Xi said was unpleasant, but it was the fact that Chen Xi only needed to be responsible to the people in Liu Bei’s faction, which was Chen Xi’s privilege.

”Alright, Zichuan, Ziyang, calm down. Things have happened, and until there is a result, there’s no need for this.” Lub Su continued to mediate. He was also somewhat puzzled by today’s matters, but he was more willing to trust Chen Xi, even though there were indeed many issues within it.

Chen Xi nodded and said, ”Let me first say this: under Han law, newly reclaimed land does not need to be taxed for the first three years, and afterwards, as long as taxes are paid on time, the cultivated acreage belongs to the individual, provided the land does not belong to the riverbank.”

Before Liu Ye could refute, Chen Xi directly interrupted, ”Firstly, that piece of land was originally ownerless, so whoever develops it owns it. Don’t tell me that it belongs to the state. The state shouldn’t compete with the people for profits. This is written in Han law. So tell me, you, I, the aristocrats, who are not part of the people, and who has violated this law?”

Liu Ye had caused trouble for Chen Xi numerous times, but Chen Xi had never held grudges, given that Liu Ye was different from the cautious figure who joined Cao Cao’s faction in history. Liu Ye now had both the title of an Imperial Relative and real abilities, being within Liu Bei’s faction, the flag bearer of the Han Dynasty.

If it weren’t for Chen Xi’s overpowering strength in internal affairs, Liu Ye, with his capabilities and standing, would be enough to become the first among Liu Bei’s men. Unfortunately, Chen Xi’s strength was stifling for Liu Ye.

After Chen Xi dominated Liu Ye, the others had nothing to worry about. Lub Su, Jia Xu, Guo Jia, and Li Youu, none were inferior to Liu Ye, and naturally the originally overwhelmingly dominant Liu Ye, was overshadowed by Chen Xi above and surrounded by others at his side.

”Zichuan, enough, no one is talking to you about these things, give me an explanation why, what we originally planned as a granary for our rear, is now divided among the aristocratic families, give me a reasonable explanation.” Li Youu, seeing the tension between Chen Xi and Liu Ye, immediately cut off the topic.

”Because I think it’s more convenient this way.” Chen Xi took a breath and explained to Li Youu, after all, neither Li Youu nor Jia Xu would confront others head-on, and though they sometimes concealed their true thoughts, they were quite amiable.

”This reason doesn’t pass with me. The explanation I want is why did you allocate these lands to the aristocratic families, those fertile lands surpass the total of combined Central Plains acreage.” Li Youu unhurriedly said, ”If I were to say your aristocratic mindset has awakened, I wouldn’t believe it.”

Chen Xi smiled, at least Li Youu, Lub Su, and Fa Zheng were on his side, Guo Jia and Jia Xu were hard to read, but based on past experience, Fa Zheng acted as an extension of their influence.

Liu Ye furrowed his brows, though Li Youu’s words had no biased intent, they hinted for him to stay calm, from when did his mindset start becoming unstable.

”I didn’t give it to them; it’s just borrowing a chicken to lay eggs. You all must have an estimate of how they will proceed. Ziyang, your agitation must be driven by your concern, isn’t it?” Chen Xi shook his head and said. ”At that point, Wen Ru, you’ll probably have a clear grasp on how to break such a situation.”

”...” Li Youu was suddenly enlightened, while Jia Xu watched Chen Xi expressionlessly, and Guo Jia furrowed his brows but said nothing.

”This reason is also reasonable, and indeed fits your nature.” Liu Ye tapped the table while looking at Chen Xi, but he truly couldn’t ensure Chen Xi wouldn’t tread down another path. And here lay the fork diverging into two opposite directions, and Chen Xi stood at the intersection while they could only watch.

”I want to know your honest thoughts, Ziyang, do you really believe I would follow the path you are currently thinking of?” Chen Xi suddenly laughed, directly exposing the question Li Youu and Jia Xu had refrained from asking all along.

Li Youu furrowed his brow, but said nothing, since Chen Xi had broken the silence, he wanted to listen. Prior to this, he dared not consider the other path, which indeed was difficult for top civil officials like Li Youu and Jia Xu who contemplated others with the worst intentions. After all, they were human too, capable of emotion, not wanting their inner sanctum of purity to be sullied with selfish desires.

For this reason they clearly knew there was another answer, but they hadn’t delved deeply into it.

”Enough, Zichuan.” Guo Jia suddenly spoke up, ”As long as you keep silent, I can patch everything back up. My Spiritual Talent is sufficient to alter unoccurred futures, nothing will happen as long as you don’t speak of it. I can guarantee that.”

As Guo Jia spoke, his face turned pale, yet he didn’t spit blood. Soon, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he cast a scornful look toward Chen Xi. Even with a fifty percent probability, initiating an event potent enough to alter history didn’t result in any backlash, and Guo Jia instantly understood! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users should visit m.qidian.com for reading.)