Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1397: Chapter 1348: Something Went Wrong

Zhang Hong was clearly a bit dejected when he left, but he couldn’t turn back now. As Chen Xi said, they were the rebels, and the situation had reversed.

”Zhang Zigang seems to be just like that. I wonder how the other of the Two Zhangs is doing.” Chen Xi watched the dejected Zhang Hong leave. He now stood at the pinnacle of the aristocratic families, and his will represented the will of half of the aristocratic families under heaven.

As for the other half, it’s either ******, or like the Wu Family in Yizhou, where the mountains are high and the emperor is far. They can only verbally agree but can’t actually do anything.

[But even if this fact is revealed now, it’s not a big deal. I actually hope that Sun Ce and Cao Cao will again wield the butcher’s blade against their subordinate aristocratic families, unlike Yuan Shu, who nearly stood at the pinnacle of aristocratic families as a crazy reformist. If these two were to wield the butcher’s blade...]

Chen Xi was actually very aware that what he said to Zhang Hong would be relayed word for word to Sun Ce, and the Eastern Wu aristocratic families would likely be thrown into a pit because of this, but it’s nothing.

For the current Chen Xi, if Sun Ce acted against the Eastern Wu aristocratic families, it would truly be news too good to be true.

”But it’s a pity that Zhou Yu isn’t a fool; he will surely point out the hidden dangers within. However, once some things are revealed, they’re destined never to be restored.” Chen Xi laughed to himself as he said this, looking towards where Zhang Hong was disappearing, feeling slightly proud.

The residual heat of the imperial examinations had not yet dissipated, and while half of the aristocratic families were still in Ye City, Liu Bei and the Zhang Clan’s wedding finally began.

It was completely different from back when he married Lady Gan with only three or five friends attending. Of course, Lady Gan was just a concubine, but Liu Bei could still feel the vast difference.

Regardless of whether they were genuinely sincere or forced by circumstances, the aristocratic families appearing under Liu Bei all presented a gift. Originally, people like Zheng Xuan would not have missed personally attending Ye City to congratulate Liu Bei.

After all, great Confucian scholars are also human; they have not transcended life and death, nor detached from the mortal world. They are still constrained by the mundane, and thus would not have missed coming to congratulate. However, the current situation is a bit strange, with holes being dug to bury the Confucian School, all great Confucian scholars are deep within Mount Tai.

Therefore, only the disciples of those great Confucian scholars could come. But it also created a very distinct divide, and the few surviving heirs of the Hundred Schools of Thought looked at the opposing Confucian disciples, clearly feeling unfriendly, the two sides bearing essentially a vendetta.

However, fortunately, they knew this place and mostly restrained themselves. There was no verbal combat between the two sides, but glaring hostility was unavoidable.

In summary, the dispute between the Hundred Schools of Thought and the Confucian School seemed to have been brought to the forefront, and without a leader, the Confucian School was losing face and ground.

Of course, there were Confucian disciples offering toasts to Xun Shuang, but this old man was unable to hold his liquor and was carried back by the Xun Family after a few cups, while Xun Yue conversed happily with the Legalists. With things like these, the Confucian School can hardly not understand the meaning.

The Xun Family is, after all, pragmatic, and they weren’t a family that rose by relying on Confucian studies, thus they didn’t pay much attention to whether the Confucian School was thriving or not. Moreover, any clear-minded person across the land could see that this wave was indeed overwhelming the Confucian School, but it wasn’t dying.

When the time comes, the grudges of the previous generation will need to be handled by the next. During this vacuum period, both the Hundred Schools and the Confucian School must do their utmost to educate disciples, as the Confucian School has fallen off the altar, it certainly needs a new school of thought to take the lead.

This vacuum period is very important for all factions that require inheritance. Even if they can’t take the leading position, the faction’s studies must be passed down, and this forces the Hundred Schools to follow Chen Xi’s pace in enlightening the masses.

If the aristocratic families are tied by bloodlines as their bond, then schools of thought are tied by ideologies. However, historically, ideologies have surpassed bloodlines too many times. Chen Xi enjoys watching the aristocratic families’ jokes.

”Congratulations, Lord Xuande.” At the evening banquet in the garden, Chen Xi raised his cup to toast Liu Bei, and the wine from other tables could be shielded by this fatty, Xuu Chuu, but not at this table.

”Zichuan, you are indeed reliable.” Liu Bei’s cheeks were flushed, clearly a bit tipsy, unlike Inner Qi Manifestation, Liu Bei doesn’t have the capacity for countless drinks without getting drunk. Though Xuu Chu could block the drinks at other tables, Liu Bei still drank quite a bit.

”Let me drink for my husband.” Zhang Clan, with cheeks also flushed, looked at Chen Xi, having clearly drank quite a bit as well.

”Drink less, Lady.” Chen Xi sighed, cupping his hands and raising his cup to Liu Bei in a toast, then slowly drank it down, while Liu Bei also raised his cup and drained it.

”In the future, Zichuan, please point out my mistakes more often.” Liu Bei laughed heartily, bloodshot eyes fixed on Chen Xi after downing his drink.

”Lord Xuande, you have already done well. Just continue along the path most suitable for yourself.” Chen Xi smiled, ”Once, we said that we would surpass all our predecessors and inspire countless successors to look up to us.”

”Good, let’s finish this cup!” Liu Bei laughed, pouring a bowl of wine, swaying as he handed it to Chen Xi.

Chen Xi took the bowl, slowly drinking it down, then flipped the bowl over, looking at Liu Bei. Compared to when they were under Hulao Pass, Liu Bei now exuded more aura and authority, with many changes, but unchanged is knowing what he’s doing, what he’s willing to sacrifice for his goals, and what he cannot abandon.

”Zichuan, what are you reminiscing about?” After Liu Bei left, Li Youu turned his head, inquiring.

”Just feeling that time has passed quickly, many things haven’t been done, and yet so much time has already passed. Did anything happen to Wen He suddenly disappearing before?” Chen Xi, slightly nostalgic, then turned his thoughts back.

”I don’t know, Wen He didn’t say.” Li Youu shook his head, indicating that he wasn’t very clear either.

”It’s really strange, Wen He suddenly left. Fortunately, he had already shared a toast with Lord Xuande earlier, otherwise, he would certainly be inquired about. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious.” Chen Xi glanced around, noticing that many people were missing from Liu Bei’s wedding at this time, especially since those from the front lines, both generals and strategists, couldn’t make it back.

”If Wen He personally went, could it be a minor matter?” Li Youu chuckled, showing disdain for Chen Xi’s feigned ignorance, ”Moreover, this is the wedding banquet of our lord, celebrating the marriage to his legal wife. Given such sudden departure, how could it possibly be a minor matter?”

”You know something big happened, why aren’t you promptly following?” Chen Xi looked at Li Youu speechless; this one was truly calm even if the sky collapsed.

”Even if I went, it wouldn’t help. Let’s wait, Wen He will handle it well. Even if it were a monumental affair, Wen He could think of a way to deal with it. Besides, if something emerges that Wen He can’t resolve, he will surely send someone to inform. He knows how to weigh priorities.” Li Youu nonchalantly said. Sharing years of working together with Jia Xu, he still greatly acknowledges Jia Xu’s capabilities.