Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi poked at the dried meat cooking in the small pot with his chopsticks, feeling a bit depressed. He had to rely on dried goods for long expeditions, and although he could eat something cooked when setting up camp, it still tasted terrible.

”You really are quite particular,” Zhou Yu remarked, taking a piece of dried meat from Chen Xi’s pot with his chopsticks and quickly eating it. The tone in his voice was a mix of mockery and envy.

Chen Xi looked up at Zhou Yu somewhat helplessly but said nothing. He tossed another piece of dried meat into the pot, poured in some pre-prepared seasonings, and resigned himself to the poor taste, as there was no time to cook with large spices under the circumstances.

”Though you hail from the Chen Family, you are not from the main branch, so you’re not really from an aristocratic family. Why do I feel like you are more particular about certain things than I am?” Zhou Yu asked curiously, watching Chen Xi cook the dried meat.

”Because you’re just eating, without elevating it to an art form. Plus, your focus is still on eating to fill yourself, while I’m just starting to move towards eating well,” Chen Xi replied with a smile. Though it sounded a bit boastful, even with people studying agriculture and animal husbandry under him, it was still somewhat exaggerated to claim quick success.

At least, under Liu Bei’s rule, the people could now see some meat on their tables. This was one of the reasons the populace supported Liu Bei. After all, despite the saying that those who eat meat are ignorant, many still aspired for power, showing how much the Gourmet Empire of this era yearned for meat-eating as a symbol of power.

”You’re really boring.” Zhou Yu looked at Chen Xi, speechless.

”You don’t understand that eating is the grand cause. Hanmou solved the problem of eating in the world; while I aim to solve eating and living well. Once we settle these, all other problems can be resolved in time.” Chen Xi glared at Zhou Yu, suddenly realizing Zhou Yu’s internal affairs understanding seemed quite basic.

”You don’t even know what the people need most; I really don’t know where you get the confidence to think you can handle me.” Chen Xi swirled a piece of meat in the pot with his chopsticks.

”Those without a fixed occupation and income who can still maintain a loyal heart — only the learned can do this. But the people, without stability, lack this resolve. Without resolve, they become reckless and indulgent.” Chen Xi continued to cook the meat and, turning to Zhou Yu, said,

”Though the saying isn’t my favorite, I do appreciate the theory behind it. With no food, no stable industry, being unable to support themselves, how can people use morality to fill their stomachs?” Chen Xi casually teased Mencius, knowing he wouldn’t jump out to confront him.

Chen Xi’s words were scattered, but Zhou Yu fully understood the core message, and even extrapolated a lot from what Chen Xi said.

”Sometimes I truly don’t understand what it is that you and we are fighting for? Power? Perhaps some people are after that, but you, Sun Bofu, and General Yuan clearly aren’t. To bring glory to your family name — at this stage...” Chen Xi shrugged as he looked at Zhou Yu.

”Actually, from everything you said, what impresses me the most is how you crafted such grand insights to justify your luxuries,” Zhou Yu suddenly laughed.

Chen Xi also chuckled, but it wasn’t the hearty laughter of before. After laughing for a while, he regained his composure, ”I suddenly feel that pretending to be confused is really uninteresting; even the laughter is not as satisfying as before.”

Zhou Yu showed no sign of embarrassment; pretending to be confused was sometimes necessary, as some things indeed couldn’t be bypassed. What Chen Zichuan said made sense, but understanding someone doesn’t always mean agreeing with them — understanding is merely a prerequisite for agreement.

”I once had the thought that what I eat today, in twenty years, everyone in the world should be able to eat. But seeing the current situation, it seems some people will never understand. Gongjin, let me formally ask: if someone obstructs your ambitions, what would you do?” Chen Xi asked Zhou Yu, with a grave expression mixed with a hint of a smile.

At that moment, the aura emanating from Chen Xi made Zhou Yu cautious, even adding a touch of apprehension. Despite Chen Xi’s usual laziness, he truly wielded power over the world. When he became serious, he was exceptional.

”That depends on who it is,” Zhou Yu replied, sitting up straight.

”It’s me!” Chen Xi proudly looked at Zhou Yu.

”If it’s Marquis Chen, then we’ll debate it. If reasoning doesn’t work, then we’ll compete further, to clearly establish the correct reasoning,” Zhou Yu laughed heartily, the arrogance in his expression showing Chen Xi the depths of Zhou Yu’s confidence.

Chen Xi nodded, acknowledging that Zhou Yu’s demeanor in that moment was indeed worthy of the praise ”Handsome Zhou Yu.”

”However, usually those who know they’re wrong and stubbornly refuse to change get electrotherapy, like mischievous children,” Chen Xi suddenly changed the topic, realizing there was no point in continuing; Zhou Yu remained steadfast in his opinions.

”Electrotherapy?” Zhou Yu looked at Chen Xi puzzled. He was aware of the basics taught in early education, which Chen Xi had dubbed elementary school, and if things continued at this pace, the traditional studies might soon fall out of favor.

”It involves someone summoning lightning from the sky to shock you a few times; maybe then you’d understand,” Chen Xi retorted, exasperated. ”Forget it, joking aside, from tomorrow on, we’ll move during the night and sleep during the day. Let’s first see which nearby forests are suitable on the map.”

”I’ve already chosen. We shouldn’t travel in straight lines, and I feel we shouldn’t start from the South,” Zhou Yu replied, reliable in this aspect, despite often having the urge to battle Chen Xi. Chen Xi understood.

”Hmm, starting from the North is tougher, but if you’re confident, it’s not impossible,” Chen Xi considered, ”I can at most prepare some autumn fog for you.”

”The autumn fog will be enough. If you have a large Spiritual Capacity, you can even influence the Celestial Phenomenon on a large scale now. That way, by the time we arrive at our destination, the weather will feel more natural,” Zhou Yu calmly replied, looking at Chen Xi.

”That shouldn’t be a problem,” Chen Xi nodded, ”But I do think it’s a bit risky; I just wonder who’ll rescue us later on.”

”Don’t be a jinx; we don’t need reinforcements,” Zhou Yu replied, displeased.

Zhou Yu hated this idea of considering defeat even before the battle started, although the notion of planning for defeat was a type of war strategy. Chen Xi’s defeatist attitude before the fight made Zhou Yu want to hit him.

”And don’t talk about any inevitable defeats in front of me!” At that moment, Zhou Yu glared at Chen Xi, exuding an aura of dominance, ”Even with no chance of victory, I, Zhou Yu, will emerge victorious—there’s no such thing as an unwinnable battle!”