Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Of course, I’ve secretly used Wen He’s intelligence network in recent times to investigate about seven to eight hundred scholars from various levels, and once I integrated my Spiritual Talent, the answer came out so easily. Those who can become scholars lack neither money nor honor, but rather status, rank, and special privileges, so I gave them all of those!” Fa Zheng said proudly.

With Fa Zheng’s Spiritual Talent in analyzing people, dealing with this kind of thing was really easy, although studying seven to eight hundred people to find a commonality was a bit headache-inducing, it could guarantee the effectiveness of the results.

”Let’s do that, but add one more thing, the exchange of benefits for Money and Grain at the same level.” Chen Xi estimated that there wasn’t a big problem and thus added this condition, ”Moreover, Xiaozhi, you’ve done a good job. These levels are quite detailed!”

Over one hundred independent assessment criteria represented more than a hundred different benefits. The ultimate benefit was to borrow books from the Library Pavilion at any time, apply for publication of one’s own book every ten years, directly fill vacant Official Positions, and be able to report to the state and request Great Confucian Scholars to write their biographies and accounts.

The benefits were truly attractive, but after seeing those requirements, Chen Xi knew that Fa Zheng was joking, for achieving these things was easy—if one were at Mount Tai with the intention to take Official Positions, Liu Bei would invite them, and if one wrote a book, Chen Xi would publish it.

As for borrowing at any time, didn’t Fa Zheng shamelessly treat the precious books from the Library Pavilion as if they were his own? And as for writing one’s own biography and accounts, once all those conditions were met, naturally, someone would do it for you!

”It’s fine. There are always some people in need. Converting benefits to Money and Grain is also possible.” Fa Zheng waved his hand casually, indicating that it was all good with him and Chen Xi could decide as he pleased, ”In fact, I’ve found that most of these benefits are on paper only, but why do so many people chase such a name.”

”’Fame and fortune’ are ever elusive—now you’re young, rich, holding a good position, and a title is within easy reach. Fame will accumulate sooner or later, hence you have no desires,” Chen Xi patted Fa Zheng on the shoulder and said, ”That’s why we seem to be free of the desire to bend the law for personal gain; after all, we’re too young. To be honest, if it weren’t for these troubled times, it’s likely that none of us could have attained my position.”

”Indeed, Governor of Qingzhou, Marquis within the Pass, not even twenty years old and already holding a position with a stipend of two thousand bushels of grain!” Lub Su chimed in from the side, ”In any other era, Zichuan might have struggled his whole life without ever rising to prominence. Of course, the same goes for us. But now, we’re already considered accomplished at a young age.”

”That’s why I say, young man, you don’t understand the human heart.” Chen Xi patted Fa Zheng on the shoulder again, although Fa Zheng was capable of analyzing what others wanted and what they intended to do, he still didn’t understand the human heart.

Fa Zheng was no longer that middle-aged man who, because of war in Fufeng and family misfortune, had no choice but to enter Sichuan, struggling as a county official for twenty years without ever making a name for himself, becoming twisted by his experiences.

The Fa Zheng of now had a father who was a Great Confucian Scholar, had obtained an Official Position at fifteen and was about to take office. Frustrated with his boss, he took off from work and wandered half the Han Dynasty to end up at Mount Tai; at just seventeen, he was already holding the position of Prime Minister of Qi State, a case of early accomplishment. Other than being spiteful, he was more or less an example of youthful achievement; at least Fa Zheng had recently gathered the courage to write home to report his recent status.

In other words, Fa Zheng was currently riding on the tailwind, free from disaster or hassle, and it was only natural for his gaze to be lofty. He would not understand the thoughts and concerns of those scholars from Yuzhou — the difference in their perspectives was vast! If this was placed on that suppressed and never-bloomed Fa Zheng of twenty years, he would naturally understand.

”I don’t understand the human heart?” Fa Zheng was taken aback, and then sniffed at Chen Xi’s assessment with disdain. With his Spiritual Talent in analyzing people, was he not supposed to understand the human heart? Was this some kind of joke?

”You two stop bickering. Perhaps Zijian is already annoyed by it.” Seeing that Fa Zheng was ready to argue with Chen Xi, Lub Su hurriedly interceded. There was no choice; since holding a formal Official Position, Fa Zheng was no longer afraid of Chen Xi and had become accustomed to talking back. Such are the joys of youthful success...

”The human heart is very complicated, just like how Fengxiao tortures you every day, yet you still look forward to his return to challenge him, even when you know very well that you’re definitely not his match. Why seek out this abuse?” Chen Xi said with a laugh as he pushed away from the recliner and walked out.

”Who said I’m not his match!” Fa Zheng, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, bristled instantly. His current dilemma was none other than Guo Jia.

”See?” Chen Xi spread his hands in helpless resignation and walked out. Lub Su sighed, drank down the tea Chen Xi had poured for him, and followed. Only Fa Zheng remained, huffing angrily at the tea cup, as if staring down at Guo Jia’s maliciously smiling face, wishing he could crush it into a ball.

”Guo Fengxiao, let’s have a one-on-one when you come back!” Fa Zheng jumped to the chair where Guo Jia used to sit, pointed at the chair, and roared, then with a relieved sigh, he flicked his hair, looking smug and left with a stride.

In a military camp to the north of Licheng, Guo Jia sneezed. Guan Yu, somewhat curious, asked, ”Military Advisor Guo, have you caught a cold? Tanzhi orders someone to make some ginger sugar water, and boil up a big rooster.”

”Understood,” came Guan Ping’s voice from outside the tent.

”Hengheng, instead of saying that I’ve caught cold, I feel more like Xiaozhi is challenging me. Who knows what that guy is up to,” Guo Jia muttered to himself.

”Just eat the chicken that Tanzhi cooks for you.” Guan Yu glanced at Guo Jia and did not hesitate to order extra meals for his own son—his only son who resembled him greatly, was skilled with his hands, and whom Guan Yu had taken a liking to, even though he never showed his affection openly.

”Alright, I’ve caught a cold,” Guo Jia said helplessly. ”Let’s go test Zhang He and Gao Lan. Although our mission is just to suppress the enemy from moving north, we still need some military achievements.”

”What if Tanzhi takes the vanguard?” Guan Yu was keen to train his son. At sixteen, it was about time for him to taste battle and kill a general or two to gain experience.

Indeed, in Guan Yu’s view, Zhang He and Gao Lan were nothing but whetstones for his son; he had already ascertained that those two were merely at the pinnacle of Qi Refining to Gang!

If that were so, Guan Yu wasn’t worried about his son encountering any trouble. Even if both were at the pinnacle of Qi Refining to Gang, Guan Yu was confident his son was far superior at the same level. Without claiming he could defeat higher-level adversaries, at the very least he wouldn’t fall short in spirit.

”That could work, though it is also a challenge. I’ve heard that Zhang Junyi is adept in using troops flexibly, good at arranging camps and formations, and skillful at exploiting terrain. Wouldn’t it be rather poor of us to not let him show his capabilities?” Guo Jia said with a smile.

Guan Yu didn’t quite understand, but he was well aware of the abilities of Chen Xi’s group and naturally wouldn’t underestimate the seemingly frail Guo Jia. Following Liu Ye, the incessant scheming had instilled reverence in Guan Yu for these cunning individuals, none of whom were to be trifled with. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it at Qidian ), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)