Mythical Three Kingdoms

For Chen Xi and the others, they didn’t need Liu Bei to be exceptionally capable. What they needed was for Liu Bei to have the discernment to identify the right talents and place them in the right positions, guiding those under heaven to take steps forward as a leader, rather than stepping down to personally handle things himself.

Because within Liu Bei’s faction, the civil official team led by Chen Xi could have decision-making power, but that power must always originate from Liu Bei. Even if Liu Bei could overlook this fact, the others could not.

”I don’t need to go; you can just say it yourself. It’s not a big deal, Lord Xuande will understand. After all, everything upcoming will unfold in the North, and as for Chang’an, we are determined to seize it. Luoyang? Heng, heng, heng!” Chen Xi cast an unamused glance at Li You—he really had been ruthless back in those days.

”Chang’an is indeed a great place,” Li You rolled his eyes, ignoring Chen Xi’s remark, and spoke with faint bitterness flashing in his gaze. That had been the closest he’d ever been to realizing his ideals. Of course, compared to back then, now he was even closer to that realization.

Li You no longer cared to explain the Luoyang situation. In the past, Dong Zhuo had the opportunity to unify the world with his support, bringing an end to the chaos of the Feudal Lords’ war at the swiftest pace. But sadly, Dong Zhuo had changed. He was no longer the valiant and straightforward man of Xiliang; people, after all, inevitably change.

After Li You’s words, both Chen Xi and Li You fell silent for a while. Chen Xi even felt that his prior remarks may have gone too far and sighed lightly, saying, ”Apologies, my earlier words were a slip.”

Then, without looking back, Chen Xi waved his hand dismissively. As if sharing a tacit connection, Zhen Mi reached out and pulled Xin Xianying away, leaving Chen Xi and Li You to speak privately.

”You don’t have to say that. The events of those days are long past, and I don’t mind others commenting on them—it was just a failure, nothing more,” Li You remarked as if indifferent, though a cloud of gloom lingered in his eyes.

Chen Xi opened his mouth, intending to speak, but ultimately refrained. Certain matters were simply unsuitable to discuss with Li You right now. After all, the man before him was no ordinary strategist; his heart was almost flawlessly resolute—willing to employ any means for his goals.

”Actually, I’m very worried—will our Lord change? When Zhongying fell to decadence, I was at my peak, so was our faction; my dream was within arm’s reach. But just as I reached out to touch that dream, it shattered,” Li You lamented with a long sigh.

Not waiting for Chen Xi’s reassurances, Li You answered himself instead, ”Zichuan, did you know? I understood Wang Yun’s schemes clearly. I also witnessed how much Lyu Bu treasured the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry. Do you know why I didn’t stop it?”

Chen Xi shook his head. He had always wondered about this. With the vision of someone like Li You—or Jia Xu—it was impossible not to see through such petty schemes. If it were a suicidal move, Jia Xu wouldn’t have made escape preparations. It seemed entirely irrational.

”I tricked Wen He. At the time, Wen He thought I was letting these things unfold, preparing to step forward after Zhongying’s death—whether under the banner of purging the nation’s traitors or avenging Dong Zhuo—and seize leadership of Xiliang. After all, my status within Xiliang wasn’t inferior to Zhongying’s,” Li You chuckled softly, his smile widening as he remembered Jia Xu frantically digging escape tunnels. Rare were the instances he managed to outwit Jia Xu.

”I indeed saw through it. Such a scheme wasn’t even worth a second glance to people like us. Besides, I monitored every move in Chang’an at the time—how could I not understand? I was just exhausted. Zhongying was someone I had supported step by step, a companion who shared my ideals!” As Li You spoke, his eyes gleamed resolutely, to the extent that even Chen Xi dared not meet his gaze directly.

”Yet in that very moment, he still succumbed to corruption. The man who once shared my ideals simply perished. His resolve hadn’t even fully manifested before it was completely eroded—how laughable! Such remnants without ambition, without original thought, reduced to puppets manipulated for vile purposes—what meaning did his life hold?” Li You stared at Chen Xi as he posed his rhetorical question.

”Likewise, I felt I lost my own reason to live. A strategist who misjudges people has no business staying alive. I didn’t want to become a monarch. At the time, Zhongying was already beyond saving. I could only watch him walk toward death’s path—and as someone who had always depended on him, I should have followed him toward destruction,” Li You’s voice carried a heavy sobriety. Back then, he had fully intended to die alongside Dong Zhuo.

”Do you understand what I’m saying?” Li You abruptly stopped, his story cut off midway, incomplete yet bearing emotional weight, before turning his head and asking.

Chen Xi suddenly felt an urge to wipe sweat from his brow. He had understood Li You’s meaning thoroughly—but surely things weren’t as straightforward as Li You recounted. Hua Xiong had previously mentioned that Li You had even considered eliminating him during that period, proving how dire things had been. If not for Jia Xu drugging Li You with a farewell cup of poisoned wine, Li You surely would have died. At that time, he was truly despairing beyond measure.

”Let’s discuss this further. I understand everything you’re saying, but it all boils down to me uncovering the shadows lurking in your heart with one careless sentence,” Chen Xi said with a slight pout, though he acknowledged it internally.

After all, the faction founded by Li You and Dong Zhuo had survived its most challenging period, yet fell apart when nearing their ambitions. Of course, most of the responsibility lay with Dong Zhuo himself.

”What if, in the future, such circumstances arise again? This is my second opportunity in life to approach my goals. If I miss this, I’m not sure I’ll have the patience to wait for a third,” Li You stared fixedly at Chen Xi, his inner shadows evidently stirred.

Truthfully speaking, with Liu Bei’s current strength, aside from the advantages in money, grain, and population, he might not necessarily fare better than Dong Zhuo in a field battle. The valiant warriors of Xiliang weren’t just hyped up; their reputation was earned through blood and victories!

Similarly, as circumstances now eerily mirror those of the past, Li You—already burdened with lingering doubts—was further provoked by Chen Xi’s questions. He inevitably worried about the possibility of history repeating itself. After all, even the most flourishing powers weren’t immune to collapse. External invaders might fall short, but internal decay would spell ruin.

”The only thing I can say is that Lord Xuande is completely different from that man,” Chen Xi replied hesitantly, his expression uneasy. Whether or not he could truly convince Li You, he wasn’t confident.

Li You’s words had also stirred Chen Xi’s own worries. He similarly wasn’t sure if Liu Bei, who hadn’t experienced prolonged hardships and displacement, could maintain his inner resolve as he once had—especially now that the tides of the world were becoming clearer. After all, Liu Bei was merely human, not a god.

”I hope so,” Li You said with a bitter smile and sighed before continuing, ”Do we have any more realistic solutions?”

Chen Xi also smiled bitterly. If Liu Bei were to truly succumb to corruption, then even with extraordinary skills, there was nothing he could do. ”Find a system, perhaps. Humans are ultimately less reliable than systems.” (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)