Gongsun Gong naturally did not know what Chen Xi was thinking; in fact, Chen Xi also only thought of him as a good pawn after eting him.
"Brother Gongsun, spend more ti admiring the prosperity of the Central Plains. Once you return to the North, you may not have such an opportunity again," Chen Xi’s calm tone sent a slight chill into the ears of Liangg Mao and Gongsun Gong.
"Marquis Chen is joking. How could General Gongsun do sothing to disappoint Lord Xuande?" Liangg Mao said with his head lowered humbly, unsure if Chen Xi was teasing or hinting at sothing, though he could sense Chen Xi was testing sothing.
"I hope so. Since the matter has been resolved, I will not stay longer. After all, many matters in Ye City are undecided, and I still need to handle a few things," Chen Xi said, seeing that Liangg Mao had a plan in mind and stood up.
"Ye City is of great concern; since both parties have reached an agreent, I will travel through Mount Tai of Qing Xu for a while before going to et Lord Xuande to settle the docunts," Liangg Mao did not delay Chen Xi, recognizing Chen Xi’s lack of desire to stay long; leaving a good impression was beneficial for both sides.
Chen Xi said nothing more, nodded, and turned to leave; there was nothing else to say. Liangg Mao wanted to see the true strength of the overlord of the world, not just the combat power demonstrated on the battlefield.
Combat capability is indeed crucial and even can be decisive, but it does not indicate whether a power has the confidence to remain strong; losing one battle and the world changes owners is not unheard of.
Take Cao Cao, for instance. He was strong all the way, and at his peak, his montum was enough to rival Yuan Shao and Liu Bei, yet he nearly fell in a single battle.
Looking back at Yuan Shao, he progressed steadily without any significant increase in strength. However, if Yuan Liu had fought continuously for three to five years if Yuan Shao hadn’t died, and the Zhen Family had not defected, it wouldn’t have been strange. Even now, with Yuan Shao dead, the Yuan Family supported by Yuan Tan, Chen Xi found it not easy to defeat them with a reversal.
What Liangg Mao wanted to see was whether Liu Bei, who rose so quickly, would sustain his montum like Cao Cao in the past by supporting the war with war. If that were the case, he would have to think it over thoroughly. Supporting war with war has no issue until you lose one battle, which can endanger the entire structure.
Chen Xi had no specific thoughts about Liangg Mao’s requirents. Observing and thinking more, a cautious person would not make reckless choices. With soone like that arriving, and also as the full authority representative of the mission, Gongsun Du’s subsequent choices were already set; their foundation is the most substantial among all the feudal lords, though they rose from nothing!
Chen Xi did not give special instructions when leaving—just left with almost no expression, making Liangg Mao and Gongsun Gong very surprised when they received gifts from Chen Xi the next day as they prepared to head to Mount Tai of Qing Xu. Upon reaching Mount Tai, they were even more amazed.
"Ah, looks like the matter is settled," Gongsun Gong breathed a long sigh of relief after seeing Chen Xi off, "He’s younger than , yet during that ti I didn’t even have the courage to make eye contact with him."
"After all, the other party is Marquis Chen. However, at such a young age, he’s already at the highest ministerial rank, how can a dandy like you compare?" Liangg Mao said, glancing speechlessly at Gongsun Gong.
"Just terrifying. Is he really younger than ?" After Chen Xi left, Gongsun Gong gradually reverted to his aristocratic persona, but his face was still filled with great apprehension because the suppression of montum was too terrifying.
"Yes, I’m also curious," Liangg Mao said with a bitter smile. They knew Chen Xi’s age, but upon eting him in person, it felt worlds apart. Contrary to how young he is, so of his qualities are akin to those sly and cunning old foxes.
After coming out, Chen Xi felt sowhat aimless. After all, today’s main task was to pressure the Gongsun Family, and Liangg Mao was indeed savvy this ti, so Chen Xi didn’t go harsh on them; not exactly great news, but it had given Chen Xi half a day’s break.
"Chen Ning, report back to Zijing that I have settled the matter in Liaodong and have him prepare so gifts for the delegation, letting them go wherever they wish," said Chen Xi calmly. "Tell Zijing to open all convenient doors for them, without hesitation."
It was already the second ninth month, and since it had already stepped into winter, normally Lub Su would not be at the Political Office, instead sitting at ho by the heater, wrapped in a blanket, handling political matters.
"Understood!" From afar, a guard erged and quickly left after acknowledging Chen Xi’s instruction.
Upon receiving Chen Ning’s report, Lub Su swiftly prepared a docunt and had his guard send it to Li Youu, covering it properly with the official seal, fulfilling Chen Xi’s so-called opening of convenient doors.
"Looks like they need two guides," Li Youu said flatly after personally confirming a few things with Chen Xi.
"That’s your business," Chen Xi did not take the bait.
"You asked for it," Li Youu replied calmly.
"I like it that way," Chen Xi responded with a cold snort.
"Heh," everything ended in unspoken words.
Li Youu’s expression made Chen Xi’s hair stand on end, but before Chen Xi could argue, Li Youu turned away, though his voice carried over. "I’ll handle the subsequent matters; you quickly settle things with all the aristocratic families. Necessary marriages aren’t beneath you, avoid making yourself uncomfortable; the rest of us suffer, and others disapprove."
Li Youu supported Chen Xi marrying Zhen Mi, considering that Liu Bei marrying the Zhang Clan was a certainty, and it was beneficial for all if Chen Xi married Zhen Mi. Now with such upheaval, if not for everyone knowing that Chen Xi and Liu Bei had an excellent relationship, they would’ve suspected so discord.
Chen Xi stood silently without speaking, and after a long pause, shook his head and turned away, having nothing to say and not wanting to say anything.
As Chen Xi, looking depressed, turned and walked to the other end of the road, he didn’t notice soone observing him from a nearby tavern.
"Sister Zhen, you can actually go over there," Xin Xianying said, pulling on Zhen Mi’s sleeve.
"For what? We need to wait a while. He’s in a bad mood, and so am I, so going over won’t help communicate," Zhen Mi glanced at Xin Xianying, who was advising her, and tapped her on the forehead, then rubbed her cheeks, saying, "You little girl are truly mature beyond your years."
"If you don’t want my help, then I’ll go see my papa," Xin Xianying struggled out of Zhen Mi’s grasp, then jumped far away, making a face at Zhen Mi and running off. (To be continued. If you like this work, welco to Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian to read.)
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