Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1869: Chapter 1716: Too Simple, Sometimes Naive

”To erase a nation, one must first destroy its history. The Northern Huns have no written language, and I doubt they can transfer all their heritage in such a short time. After all, a Chanyu who can even sacrifice himself surely can choose a suitable candidate. However, even if chosen, it would be meaningless.” Chen Xi calmly looked north, where the dust flew, soon to bury history.

”Indeed, a remarkable figure, his wisdom no less than others, yet his resources are too scarce. Among us, the wisdom differs little; more depends on the resources each can wield.” Jia Xu glanced at Chen Xi, then spoke to the empty space.

Xun Yu and Zhou Yu were silent upon hearing this, while Zhuge Liang showed a thoughtful expression.

”The resources we can mobilize currently,” Chen Xi stroked his chin, thinking for a moment, ”are far from the limits I estimated. At present, at most, the essence of the upper echelon can be unified in dispatch, while the broader fundamental aspects are far from being uniformly deployed.”

”That would be your task then.” Jia Xu reached out and patted Chen Xi’s shoulder, Chen Xi looked at Jia Xu, speechless and unwilling to speak with him.

”Hmm, we’ll definitely need to report to the Grand Ancestral Temple later.” Chen Xi changed the topic, looking at Xun Yu, attempting to set a trap for him.

”Naturally.” Xun Yu nodded, saying, ”Such a significant event must be reported to the Grand Ancestral Temple and the ancestors of the Han Dynasty. It would at least be at a reporting level, but given the current situation, the possibility of a tiered sacrificial ceremony is very high.”

Chen Xi raised an eyebrow, at that moment Jia Xu and others showed a different expression and looked towards Xun Yu.

”My lord is entering Chang’an to sacrifice at the Grand Ancestral Temple?” Jia Xu looked at Xun Yu in disbelief, struggling to understand Xun Yu’s actions, though he had suspected this for some time, Jia Xu found it hard to believe Xun Yu would reveal things so openly.

”Grand Commandant Liu is a Han Imperial Kinsman with outstanding meritorious service, already qualified to sacrifice at the Grand Ancestral Temple. Could Wen He have misunderstood somewhere?” Xun Yu calmly looked at Jia Xu and said.

Jia Xu’s eyes narrowed slightly, subtly looking at the civil officials behind Xun Yu. He noticed different expressions among those behind Xun Yu, but since these words came from Xun Yu’s mouth, it means they are credible.

”Liu Ziyang, what have you done?” Jia Xu coldly transmitted his voice to Liu Ye’s ears. Jia Xu had entrusted Liu Ye with all matters concerning the Imperial Family on Cao Cao’s side. Now, such a significant error has occurred, Jia Xu felt like killing Liu Ye.

”Impossible, earlier Liu Xie was still gathering people, preparing against Cao Cao, and I found him a group of loyal ministers!” Liu Ye’s sullen voice transmission arrived.

”Then explain to me what’s going on here, did Cao Mengde suddenly back down?” Jia Xu now really wanted to kill Liu Ye; what was Liu Ye doing?

Though Jia Xu heard about the Chang’an matter from other sources, he couldn’t fathom Cao Cao’s psychological state. Just like before, when Jia Xu understood Liu Xie remained silent, watching Wang Yun leap from the city wall to commit suicide, severely affecting those loyal to the Han Dynasty, but exactly how affected, Jia Xu found it hard to grasp without experiencing it.

”Alright then, I’ll report this to Lord Xuande later.” Chen Xi smiled and said, ”Is His Majesty well, and has Lord Cao left an escape route?”

Xun Yu was startled, Chen Xi’s calm tone exerted too much pressure on him. After a moment of silence, ”It is not Lord Cao’s escape route, but His Majesty leaves a path for the lord once he reaches that point, then loyalty and treachery will become clear.”

Jia Xu looked at Chen Xi’s indifferent demeanor and Xun Yu picking up the conversation, reassuring his heart, afraid no one dared to pick up the talk. Xun Yu’s startled expression caught Jia Xu’s attentive eye, reassuring him as he looked at Chen Xi.

Though throughout the seasons, Chen Zichuan is unreliable, when serious, he’s no joke either.

”Loyalty and treachery will become clear, then we must go.” Chen Xi smiled, ”Brother Wen Ruo, whose stance are you on?”

”I stand on His Majesty’s stance.” Xun Yu’s eyes looked as calm as water. At this moment, Jia Xu and Guo Jia both stared at the individuals behind Xun Yu, clearly showing a disharmonious expression behind Xun Yu. But the next moment, Xun Yu continued, ”I also stand on Lord Cao’s stance.”

”I see.” Chen Xi nodded; he wasn’t surprised by Xun Yu’s words. The opponent is just such a person, willing to pay with life for this.

[Xun Wenruo’s words imply His Majesty and Cao Mengde reached an agreement? No, if so, then there wouldn’t have been the previous statement, and Liu Ziyang’s words are credible, then what’s happening? It couldn’t be that Cao Cao suddenly had a lapse and backed off, absurd!] Jia Xu’s face remained unchanged, but his mind was already in motion.

Chen Xi, however, didn’t consider as deeply, so he easily found the answer.

”Marquis Chen approves?” Xun Yu looked at Chen Xi and asked.

”Hmm, but some things may look beautiful, may not be as Brother Wen Ruo imagines, His Majesty’s stance may not be Lord Cao’s stance, nor may it be your stance. Moreover, I didn’t expect you all to be so... naive!” Chen Xi said to Xun Yu.

Xun Yu felt numb; he understood the previous words, but the latter part he couldn’t grasp at all. Yet listening to the tone, Xun Yu could tell Chen Xi’s contemptuous undertone.

”So Marquis Chen disagrees?” Xun Yu responded.

”Why disagree?” Chen Xi rolled his eyes, ”Beneficial to the whole world, why would I refuse?”

Truthfully, Chen Xi found Liu Xie quite intriguing, but the current Liu Xie only warranted a mere chuckle. If Liu Xie, twenty years from now, having suffered trials and understanding the warmth and coolness from people, Chen Xi might see hope in the current plans Xun Yu and Cao Cao contemplate.

Now, if Liu Xie succeeds, the first one he’d eliminate would be Cao Cao, and subsequently, neither Xun Yu nor Zhong Yao, these Han officials would escape death.

Presently, Liu Xie’s thought process is abnormal, lacking gratitude, filled with the notion that if a ruler commands a subject to die, they must obey, otherwise, they are disloyal. Liu Xie is still in a phase of cold-heartedness, acting like everyone in the world owes him.

Sadly, this attitude, when faced with true villains, leaves him unable to utter a single conciliatory word, timid, while towards his supporters, he assumes an emperor’s air of entitlement. When his supporters die for him, yet acts dismissive and detached.

Such is Liu Xie, whom Chen Xi sees little value in. If there’s a time when Liu Xie can truly consolidate power given the chance from Xun Yu and Cao Cao now, it would be twenty years hence, understanding the meaning of ”If the ruler treats subjects as hands and feet, then subjects regard the ruler as heart and soul,” the essence of this saying, but with empty hands, Liu Xie.