Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi sighed helplessly and chose not to continue the conversation. This was a problem that wouldn’t be resolved even thousands of years into the future. It was fundamentally insoluble. Perspective shapes vision, and vision determines the path forward; unless everyone’s thoughts are interconnected, this matter remains irresolvable.

”My lord, our forces have taken control of the residences where Yuan Shao’s senior ministers lodged their family members in Ye City,” Guan Ping reported excitedly to Liu Bei.

”No harm was done, right?” Liu Bei asked.

”There were barely any guards, mostly private soldiers of the families, and they are now under our control. However, Yuan Shao’s senior ministers had relocated very few family members to Ye City,” Guan Ping responded with some frustration. He had hoped to encounter Yann Liang and Wen Chou’s sons but learned they hadn’t moved their families here at all.

”Which ministers’ families were relocated?” Chen Xi asked curiously.

”Only the families of the Xin Pi brothers and Tian Feng,” Guan Ping answered with resignation. He had looked forward to earning some merit but ended up with just a meager accomplishment.

”Seal off the Xin Family’s residence and meet any needs they may have. Do not harm their families. As for Tian Yuanhao’s family, treat them with kindness,” Liu Bei said solemnly. ”Ensure no accidents occur.”

”Understood!” Guan Ping clasped his hands in salute and quickly left. His somewhat impulsive temperament was slightly at odds with his father Guan Yu’s demeanor.

Soon, Liu Bei and his group arrived at the place where Yuan Shao had stored the Xuanyuan Cauldron. It was evident that the building, resembling an indoor altar, hadn’t been properly constructed.

”It’s over there, Lord Xuande. You may proceed; we won’t follow,” Chen Xi said as he stopped, making a gesture of invitation. Though the suppressive aura of the Xuanyuan Cauldron had waned significantly, avoiding its direct influence was preferable.

”My lord, we will wait here for you,” Jia Xu said, bowing in respect. The others also clasped their hands and bowed, signaling they would stay behind and watch Liu Bei.

Liu Bei nodded calmly and strode forward. As he took those few steps, countless thoughts flooded his mind—from the playful oath he made as a child under a locust tree to the vows made in the Peach Orchard of Zhuo County, to his early reverence for the alliances formed before battle, to his reflections on the unfolding structure of power at Hulao Pass, and finally, the pledge he made on the Heavenly Altar under the watchful eyes of thousands!

”I, Liu Xuande, have fought all my life for those early vows: A shelter for the weary, healthcare for the sick, work for the diligent, reward for labor, education for the young, and care for the elderly. I, Liu Xuande, vow to strive tirelessly toward these goals!” Liu Bei murmured to himself before the Xuanyuan Cauldron. No matter how external circumstances changed, they could not alter his unwavering heart and steadfast determination!

Slowly, Liu Bei placed his hand on the rim of the Xuanyuan Cauldron. The bronze cauldron suddenly emitted a golden radiance, and behind Liu Bei, a figure appeared momentarily in the void, bowing slightly before retreating. It was the immortal who had been silently protecting Liu Bei all along.

”If Zichuan had asked me back then, I might have had some ambiguity, but now everything is crystal clear. All I need is the peace and prosperity of the people, and the strength of the Han Dynasty. For this, I am willing to give up everything, including myself,” Liu Bei said serenely, even showing a faint smile.

After speaking, Liu Bei slowly removed his hand. He could distinctly sense that from now on, not even an Inner Qi Manifestation practitioner would be able to touch the Xuanyuan Heaven Cauldron without his acknowledgment. The cauldron had recognized his resolution.

”Let’s go. We’ll leave the Xuanyuan Cauldron here. Anyone who wishes to see it may do so; it needs no protection,” Liu Bei said as he walked out with a calm demeanor. There was no imposing presence of a dragon or tiger, nor any grandeur followed by a dragon and phoenix—just the casual ease of someone taking a stroll after a meal.

”Later, I want to discuss with all the aristocratic families about engraving what I once said onto the Xuanyuan Cauldron, along with their responsibilities and obligations,” Chen Xi said, completely unconcerned about how shocking such an act might be.

”You truly have the nerve to do it!” Liu Bei said with a smile. ”But it’s fine. Engrave the responsibilities and obligations on it—not just those of the aristocratic families but the responsibilities and obligations of every person under heaven, including the Emperor! Write them down and forever remind the people of this world!”

”Oh, I won’t hold back,” Chen Xi said with a nod. ”When the time comes, I’ll engrave everything I told the aristocratic families, right in front of all the family heads with everyone as witness.”

”Leave a spot for Boning to engrave the Code of Law!” Liu Ye said timidly. Truthfully, he didn’t have the courage to carve anything onto a divine artifact. This was just a passing suggestion, though he thought perhaps Mann Chong might dare to do it—who could say?

”The Code of Law, huh... Fine,” Liu Bei said after a moment of thought. ”Human governance and rule by law will forever be difficult to reconcile. Let’s hope Boning, when he picks up the engraving tool, doesn’t leave trouble for future generations.”

[Don’t underestimate Boning! If my guess is correct, Boning might initially plan to engrave something else, but when the time comes, he’ll almost certainly carve that line: ’The Emperor breaks the law and faces the same punishment as the commoner.’ That maniac is bound to carve those words onto the cauldron!] Chen Xi thought to himself.

Chen Xi even speculated that the emotional impact of engraving those words would be enough to turn Mann Chong into a living embodiment of the law.

Li Youu and Jia Xu both looked slightly melancholic; they too had anticipated such an outcome. The likelihood of Mann Chong engraving the Code of Law was slim; engraving that famous maxim from Shang Yang was almost guaranteed. Liu Ye was simply muddled by his concern.

As for Guo Jia, upon hearing Liu Ye’s suggestion, his face paled and twitched repeatedly. If anyone in this group had the most reckless behavior, constantly testing the edges of the law, it was undoubtedly Guo Jia.

Lub Su, meanwhile, chuckled and stared at Guo Jia with a mischievous grin, clearly enjoying his discomfort.

”Let’s head to Ye City’s government office and gather information about the current situation in Wei Commandery,” Liu Bei said. He didn’t linger on Guo Jia’s expressions too much. Though he could discern some underlying issues, they weren’t serious.

As for the engraving of the Xuanyuan Cauldron, Liu Bei didn’t view it as critical. He knew his own goals clearly, and if the text engraved on the cauldron could help him achieve those goals sooner, he wouldn’t mind endorsing such actions.

”Let’s go and take a look. Although I have a deep understanding of Jizhou, there’s always a difference between intelligence reports and firsthand observation. Perhaps seeing it in person will make the construction of Jizhou more convenient,” Lub Su said with a smile, ready to take on his role. After all, when it came to construction, he was the lead figure.

”The framework for Jizhou’s development has already been laid out by Zijing, but in my opinion, we first need to construct a national road directly connecting Zhuo County. Opening up that region will undoubtedly require such a road, and this will be the first national road we build!” Chen Xi said cheerfully. Now that Jizhou had been conquered, the main focus would shift to construction and development! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can read at m.qidian.com.)