Mythical Three Kingdoms

That night, Chen Xi urgently prepared the lottery box, which wasn’t very large, just a foot-square box. He also ordered the craftsmen to urgently make over a hundred hollow wooden balls. Speaking of which, the craftsmanship of this era’s carpenters is truly impressive.

After coloring them various colors, Chen Xi placed the names of the prizes inside the small balls. When it’s time for the lottery, everything will be fair. After all, if it’s not fair, what’s the fun in playing?

”Master, these balls are too many; they won’t fit,” Chen Yun said awkwardly. ”Although we can fit them all in the box, it won’t be easy to pick them out. Also, Master, giving out red envelopes like this for the New Year doesn’t seem right.”

”Have the craftsmen redo it quickly, give them three thousand coins to settle it,” Chen Xi immediately ordered. ”As for whether it’s appropriate, the New Year is just for having fun.”

”But Master, some of the things you put inside are too expensive,” Chen Yun said to Chen Xi after sending someone to find a craftsman to remake the lottery box.

”Are you talking about those things?” Chen Xi didn’t even look up. Unlike others, he wasn’t strict with not allowing the maids to inquire. Since Chen Yun was involved, she had the right to know.

”Yes.” Chen Yun stared at five of the already sealed balls. She saw them while Chen Xi was packing because she was making him tea. Although it was just an abbreviation, as his personal maid, how could she not know what was written?

”Taking everything for ourselves is pointless,” Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said, ”Why don’t you take one first?” Chen Yun shook her head, declining; she was only suggesting.

”Then there’s nothing to be done,” Chen Xi laughed. The four-part rotating heart lottery box was already prepared, ensuring those who wanted to draw could draw what they wanted.

In the morning, Chen Xi opened the door to welcome guests. Before long, many people came to visit. Soon, the central hall and main courtyard were filled with a large crowd. Of course, seeing the dark circles and slightly swollen cheeks of Lul Xun, Chen Xi couldn’t help but chuckle.

”Disciple greets the master, wishing the master health and prosperity every year,” Lul Xun greeted Chen Xi with a grand bow, unlike usual. It happens only once a year. Chen Xi smiled and helped Lul Xun up.

”Here, take half a red envelope first,” Chen Xi said with a smile, taking a wrapped ’Introduction to Management’ book from his sleeve and handing it to Lul Xun.

This time, the content was compiled and edited by Chen Xi based on his understanding and previously reviewed books. He also had Cai Yan embellish it, removing all the unnecessary talk. The content was left with just a few dozen pages. Incidentally, after Cai Yan’s embellishment, the book almost reached the level of a sect-defining work in Baijia Town.

Actually, Chen Xi was now very curious about whether Cai Yan would evolve after reading so many books. Supposedly, Cai Yan had seen all existing content and what he wrote, whether contrarian or loyal and benevolent words.

So far, all the books in the Book Pavilion of Mount Tai had been streamlined by Cai Yan for easier reading, making them much smoother than when Chen Xi initially wrote them. The core idea remained unchanged, integrating the classics of the ancient sages.

This was something Chen Xi only noticed later while browsing. With these ancient classics as support, although the author occasionally wrote some extreme words, they provided clarity and understanding for readers.

Moreover, now, the ”Old Man Defying Age” is considered a pivotal figure. With Cai Yan’s embellishment, he fiercely tears through the Hundred Schools of Thought. Still, all who read his books generally do not judge him, only read his works.

In the words of these people: It’s clear that this guy belongs to the rank of ancient sage who can establish a school. In this era, we better not judge their good or bad, just comprehend their thoughts.

It was because he read the books revised by Cai Yan that Chen Xi looked at Cai Yan strangely; being able to revise to this extent without changing its thoughts meant Cai Yan had thoroughly grasped the book’s content.

Although he previously thought Cai Yan’s reading ability was amazing, it seemed even more so now. Recalling when Chen Xi once said he found a phrase in an ancient book, the look Cai Yan gave made him feel like she knew he was lying, having seen no such book.

Whenever he thought of someone reading all thirty thousand volumes of the Eastern Pavilion’s books representing the Han Dynasty’s collections, most even memorized, and only in her twenties, Chen Xi felt that some people’s existence was purely to impact others.

Given Cai Yan’s current lifestyle, frequently flipping through the classics without misery, in twenty years, she might be able to rewrite all of Eastern Pavilion’s collection from memory, making her no different from a mobile library.

”Could this person have been naturally maxed out in understanding and memorizing texts?” Chen Xi thought resentfully.

Cai Yan, just slightly over twenty, once visited Zheng Xuan during her time at Mount Tai. It was unclear if she was taking an unconventional route or a combination of orthodox and unorthodox, or perhaps Zheng Xuan was lenient. Regardless, after a day of discussion, Zheng Xuan remarked, ”Truly, a formidable young one.”

From then on, Cai Yan was widely known as Great Scholar Cai. It indicated her prowess nearly matched that of a Great Confucian Scholar, and she was just over twenty, having no rivals.

It was precisely because Cai Yan often revised Chen Xi’s works that he realized how terrifying the sages of the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States were, and how foundational the era was for Huaxia culture. What he wrote, those sages had all addressed, differing only in depth.

”Study well. If there’s anything you don’t understand, find Cai Zhaoji or Jia Wenhe,” Chen Xi patted the already book-biting Lul Xun and said with a smile.

”What does Marquis Chen need from me?” Cai Yan’s serene and gentle voice entered, instantly silencing the once noisy courtyard. Half of the women present were Cai Yan’s students. Faced with this erudite and ethereal beauty, most people were quiet.

”Afraid he won’t understand. You know about these and have plenty of leisure time,” Chen Xi lifted Lul Xun’s hand, who was a bit stunned. Cai Yan’s charm wasn’t limited by age or gender; even Cai Zhenji’s child preferred Zhaoji over Zhenji.

”Management?” Cai Yan slightly frowned, but it was true. Being the only one who understood it, could explain it clearly, and had time, ”Boyan, if you don’t understand, you can come to me.”

”Thank you, teacher.” Lul Xun quickly bowed. Cai Yan’s status under Liu Bei’s rule was remarkably unique. If initially somewhat like a vase, now her wide-ranging knowledge was astonishing.

After Lul Xun paid respects, silence enveloped the crowd. Cai Yan slightly bowed to everyone, then followed a maid to the rear courtyard. With Cai Yan present, most people in the main hall could hardly speak.

Regardless of gender, being confident and calm in her presence was an achievement. Wisdom and beauty always deserve pursuit. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian.com to recommend and vote monthly, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)