Mythical Three Kingdoms

The next morning, Yi Ji and Liang Xi, newly appointed subordinates of Liu Bei’s Chen Xi, came together to visit Chen Xi, to get acquainted.

There’s not much to say about Yi Ji, who admired Liu Bei and had long wanted to switch allegiance. However, since Liu Biao treated him well, he remained loyal until Liu Biao was defeated. After settling things post-floods, he headed to Mount Tai.

As for Liang Xi, he was originally a military officer recommended by Zhou Yu but was captured during Fa Zheng’s scheming in Xuzhou and had been detained ever since.

By the time Liang Xi was released, the world had changed. Simply put, if Liu Bei was a hegemon before, he was now vying for the throne.

Liang Xi is the kind of person who submits to the strong. Having been detained for so long, he switched allegiance when Liu Bei emitted his dominative presence while recruiting Li Tong. After some assessment, Liu Bei found Liang Xi capable, so he sent him to serve as a subordinate to Chen Xi.

After all, Chen Xi was now one of the Nine Ministers, the Minister of Finance, overseeing the nation’s salt and iron, taxes, money, and grain, mainly managing the country’s financial revenues and expenditures. Although Chen Xi was not in the central government, managing Liu Bei’s territory wasn’t an issue for him.

When Chen Xi met these two individuals, he didn’t think much of it. He had seen many capable people by now. It was somewhat unfortunate for Liang Xi to serve as a subordinate under him; this person was more suited to be a prefectural governor and regional inspector in the border commanderies.

In any case, Liang Xi, who seemed harmless now, had killed plenty when he was a regional inspector in the border commanderies. Naturally, he was also skilled at educating the populace and was one of the six great regional inspectors of the late Han era, managing the border commanderies excellently.

However, Chen Xi didn’t straightforwardly say Liang Xi was unsuitable to be his subordinate; he wasn’t that foolish. Even if Liang Xi wasn’t high-profile, he was a minor celebrity.

Thus, Chen Xi thought for a moment and assigned Liang Xi to manage trade with foreign clans involving cattle, sheep, wool, jewelry, and beautiful jade. As for Yi Ji, Chen Xi decisively appointed him as the Minister of Granaries. Although the position wasn’t high, it was in line with Chen Xi’s fondness for strategic reserves.

This arrangement clearly satisfied Yi Ji, while Liang Xi felt a bit frustrated as he wanted to go to war. Although he had been dealt with last time, he still wanted to fight. With Liu Bei backing him and a full treasury, Liang Xi felt he couldn’t keep losing!

Chen Xi noticed Liang Xi’s frustration but didn’t intend to change his position. If he couldn’t even handle the finances, what made him think he could lead forces elsewhere?

Chen Xi chatted casually with Yi Ji and Liang Xi for a bit, then saw them off. Since they came together, they naturally left together.

”Ziyuu, are you displeased?” Yi Ji, being adept at observing expressions, couldn’t miss the still somewhat naïve Liang Xi.

”Not really.” Liang Xi slightly startled, adjusted his mindset, and appeared much calmer. Yi Ji smiled, knowing Liang Xi was indeed talented.

”Ziyuu, there’s no need to hide your thoughts. I understand what you’re thinking, but if you can’t even manage the current finances, how can you talk about holding the fort in the future?” Yi Ji said with a smile, stroking his beard.

Liang Xi fell silent. Though hard to admit, seeing the young prodigies under Liu Bei’s command often vexed him. Why hadn’t he encountered such opportunities to side with a dragon back in the day?

”The Lord rose from humble beginnings, once inviting talented families with a guest’s courtesy only to be rejected. Who knew then what would happen today? Focus on the present before talking about anything else later,” Yi Ji replied with a calm heart, having offered his allegiance early, even though he hadn’t been able to join immediately.

Liang Xi said little more, though he harbored some resentment. Chen Zichuan’s generation of high officials was too young—young enough to rule for forty years; those not entering that circle in this era were destined to be mere foils.

Yi Ji didn’t say much more either. These matters needed careful thought, and Liang Xi, in Yi Ji’s eyes, wasn’t a fool; he knew what mattered more.

After seeing off Yi Ji and Liang Xi, Chen Xi paid them no further attention. He initially planned to write a couplet to impress, but realizing his handwriting was somewhat second-rate, and getting someone else to write it just seemed pointless, so he simply hung a peachwood talisman instead.

Lying vaguely on the rocking chair, Chen Yun came over quietly to wake him, ”Family head, there’s a young visitor at the door.”

Chen Xi was extremely surprised, as his Chen family rarely had outside visitors, sparking some curiosity. ”A young visitor? Do we know who it is?”

”The name card says it’s from the Wenn family of Bingzhou,” Chen Yun answered softly.

Chen Xi frowned, having never really interacted with the Wenn family of Bingzhou. Then he smiled, thinking it didn’t matter if they had met; he could ask when they came in. Perhaps it was a friend of his late father.

”Invite him in,” Chen Xi said to Chen Yun with a smile.

”To the inner courtyard?” Chen Yun frowned, asking.

Chen Yun had stayed in the inner courtyard for so many years, and even Liu Bei had barely entered it. The most imposing figure to stay was Zhuge Liang, who had only been teased by them for a while before leaving.

As for Lul Xun, he was too young, his thinking matured, but he wasn’t fully grown, and being Chen Xi’s disciple, the maids didn’t dare to act too rashly.

”To the main hall of the front courtyard,” Chen Xi replied, then got up to change clothes. By the time Chen Xi arrived at the main hall of the front courtyard, Wenn Hui was already sitting there, drinking tea.

Entering from the side hall, Chen Xi swept a glance at him. Clad in velvet, his attire wasn’t opulent but fitting for his appearance, subtly highlighting his image as a noble young man. Chen Xi couldn’t help but nod slightly.

”Wenn Hui of the Bingzhou Wenn family, Wenn Manki at your service, Marquis Chen,” Wenn Hui stood up and bowed upon seeing Chen Xi.

”Ah, no need for formalities,” Chen Xi smiled lightly and said, ”I’m not sure...”

Mentioning Bingzhou, Chen Xi could almost ascertain that the Wenn family had interactions with his father’s generation. Back then, Chen family’s major businesses were in Bingzhou, even dealing with Bingzhou Wang family’s businesses, which showed Yingchuan Chen family’s considerable influence.

Wenn Hui didn’t digress, courteously recounted the previous day’s events, and then presented the gifts to Chen Xi, with the word ”Xi” shining conspicuously in the bracelet, reinforcing Chen Xi’s understanding of the enduring potency of the officialdom mindset from ancient times to the present.

”Wenn Manki, is it?” Chen Xi pondered briefly as he watched Wenn Hui’s departing figure, ”Chen Bo, have the files on Wenn Manki pulled up; if he has ever passed the ’Filial and Incorrupt’ examination, arrange for him to take a separate exam and appoint him as Salt Official.”

By this time, Chen Xi recalled who this fellow was. Compared to Liang Xi’s temperament, Wenn Hui, true to his surname, was just too useful—capable, good-natured, and eager to advance.