Mythical Three Kingdoms

”What’s wrong, Zilong?” Ma Yunlu looked at Zhao Yun in confusion, this was the first time she had seen such an expression on Zhao Yun.

”Yunlu, if one day I have nothing left, how would you look at me?” Zhao Yun said with a mournful face, suddenly realizing that all the wishes he had promised Ma Yunlu a few days ago were gone.

”Uh, you haven’t left, how could you have nothing?” Ma Yunlu tilted her head and said, looking utterly puzzled.

Zhao Yun’s originally mournful expression improved instantly, but soon he was filled with fury, and even Chen Xi could see the anger burning in Zhao Yun’s eyes.

”Zilong, were you conned out of your funding by Hanmou?” Chen Xi asked curiously, seeing Zhao Yun’s towering rage.

”I was swindled out of all my savings by him, I don’t even have money to marry Yunlu now.” Zhao Yun’s resentful voice appeared in Chen Xi’s mind, catching him by surprise.

”Really? Hanmou wouldn’t do something so inhumane, would he?” Chen Xi said in disbelief, thinking that swindling someone out of their wedding fund was indeed a bit too much.

Zhao Yun just stared at Chen Xi without speaking, and Chen Xi promptly believed him, though he felt there might be some chaotic elements involved, but seeing Zhao Yun like this, he naturally ought to believe him.

”That guy truly has no scruples, fine, I’ll first approve Hanmou’s stipend for you, talk it over when he comes back.” Chen Xi said shamelessly.

After all, he had the final say in such matters, if he said there was this account, then there was this account, likewise if he said he’d allocate Qu Qi’s stipend to Zhao Yun, then it was done, if Zhao Yun couldn’t handle Qu Qi when he returned, he could just allocate Zhao Yun’s stipend to Qu Qi instead.

However, speaking of which, Qu Qi seemed to have spent all his stipend, but it’s okay, he’s still alive and has a feud, matters concerning money and grain couldn’t bypass Chen Xi, Liu Bei’s side was also managing the feud.

If worst came to worst, they could refund the victim Zhao Yun with taxes from Marquis Cang’s feud in light of his contributions, though there should be interest, Chen Xi thought slyly.

At that moment, Qu Qi suddenly felt a chill, then looked outside the village uneasily, after some looking around suspiciously, he rested again. With Wuu Anguo around, there wouldn’t be any problems even if there were beasts lurking.

Chen Xi’s response reassured Zhao Yun a lot, honestly, discovering inexplicably that his household was so drained to the point that even marrying was an issue, Zhao Yun was indeed startled.

Liu Bei, who had been walking at the front, couldn’t help but shake his head repeatedly after eavesdropping for so long, his subordinates all had unreliable sides, but this was likely a common affliction of youth.

Liu Bei went out ten miles to welcome them, then stopped there to wait, and before long, a dense row of small black dots appeared on the horizon, advancing neither fast nor slow, with orderly steps and mighty momentum, compelling attention from Chen Xi and the others.

”Cao Mengde’s abilities aren’t bad.” After several battles, Xu Shu’s field of vision expanded considerably, he could discern the quality of the troops at a glance, not to mention anything else, these soldiers’ orderly conduct indicated substantial training, only lacking in a few battles.

”Hmph, in Zichuan’s words, they are merely a façade, lacking much killing intent. General Hua, let the Xiliang Iron Cavalry launch an assault.” Fa Zheng said dismissively, turning to Hua Xiong with the excitement of wanting to create big news.

But before Hua Xiong could respond, Jia Xu silently placed his right hand on Fa Zheng’s shoulder, and Fa Zheng fell silent, he was just joking around, sending Hua Xiong to charge would definitely intimidate the Cao Army, making Cao Cao’s expression hard to look at.

Now was a time for cooperative battle, the Han Dynasty united, no need for such a show of force, Fa Zheng’s trolling was merely talk.

With a raise of Cao Cao’s hand, the Cao Army stopped, while Liu Bei tugged on the reins to ride toward the middle of the two armies, witnessing this, Cao Cao urged his horse forward as well.

Chen Xi tugged at his mouth and followed slowly, after which both sides’ high-ranking civil and military officials rode toward the middle too.

When only three to five steps remained, both Liu Bei and Cao Cao reined in their horses and stopped, gazing at each other, both had much to say and ask, but neither opened their mouth upon meeting, simply watching each other.

”Hahaha.” Suddenly Cao Cao burst into laughter. ”Since Hulao, years have passed swiftly, who would’ve thought we would stand shoulder to shoulder once again.”

Liu Bei’s expression softened slightly as he looked at Cao Cao, sighing, ”We both strive for the people, unchanged from Hulao to today.”

Cao Cao was silent, their fallout wasn’t due to the Shao Alliance and Technique Alliance, but because of their differing beliefs.

”Long time no see, Minister of Works Cao.” Chen Xi suddenly spoke up, knowing well that Liu Bei’s words wouldn’t sway Cao Cao, Cao Cao could admit mistakes but would never regret, his resolve was of sovereign king level, further discussion would result in embarrassment for both.

Liu Bei glanced at Chen Xi, seeing him shake his head slightly, realized he went too far but didn’t back down either.

”Zichuan remains as exceptional as ever.” Cao Cao said with a smile, as if Liu Bei’s earlier words had scattered in the wind.

”I do not deserve such compliments, these years haven’t been easy for me either, quite exhausting, especially mentally.” Chen Xi said with a smile. ”Speaking of Lord Xuande and I, aside from my clan brother, we haven’t met the others, perhaps Lord Cao could introduce us.”

Chen Xi stopped speaking, retreating to Liu Bei’s side, truth be told, with Chen Xi’s horseback skills, retreating posed quite a challenge for him.

With Chen Xi’s intervention, Liu Bei ceased mentioning unpleasant matters, and both Liu Bei and Cao Cao began introducing their civil and military officials.

Truthfully, most of the civil officials were somewhat familiar with each other, among the military, aside from Li Dian and Zhao Yun’s feud, hardly any had great animosity.

On the other hand, quite a few from the Cao Family had feuds with Gan Ning, but it didn’t matter since Gan Ning wasn’t present, thus not much conflict arose, especially with Zhao Yun mediating, Zhang Fei shamelessly calling Xiahou Yuan uncle-in-law and brother-in-law, overall relatively harmonious.

”Boda, honestly, I haven’t met you before.” Chen Xi said, quite impressed with Sima Lang’s demeanor, the younger generation of the Sima Family was notable, ”Zhongda didn’t come? I wanted to introduce him to a friend.”

”Zhongda stayed in Chang’an, not really wanting to come.” Speaking of his younger brother, Sima Lang couldn’t help but think of Zhuge Liang, feeling that compared to Zhuge Liang, his brother’s personality was somewhat sullen, although Zhuge Liang wasn’t exactly cheerful either.

”He’s not up to mischief again, is he?” Chen Xi said casually, making Sima Lang quite embarrassed.

”Haha, I was just kidding, this must be Xun Wenruo.” Chen Xi chuckled awkwardly, bowing to Xun Yu, the latter stood slightly to the center of the group, allowing Chen Xi to guess his identity.

”Marquis Chen, finally fulfilling my long-held desire.” Xun Yu said warmly, then introduced Xun You, Cheng Yu, Du Xi, and others to Chen Xi.

As for Chen Qun and Fan Qin, Chen Xi knew them, albeit not too well, but he had their impressions. However, Xun Yu left a much deeper impression, his demeanor and knowledge were remarkable.

Most surprising to Chen Xi was that Jia Xu and Xun You knew each other, and had recognized each other quite early. Upon casually asking, he learned that these two had served as attendants in Luoyang over a decade ago.

Though merely nodding acquaintances, neither expected the companions from back then to climb so high; confronting each other once more, they unearthed from their near-photographic memories, causing some sighs of times past.