Mythical Three Kingdoms

”However, are you prepared to become the enemy of the Aristocratic Families Under Heaven? The Northern Aristocratic Families are constrained by Chen Zichuan, and my Yang Family keeps the Guanxi noble family in check. We all know the drawbacks, yet we dare not raise the butcher’s knife.” Yang Biao said with a sardonic smile.

”You are the first aristocratic family member since Guangwu to ruthlessly use a blade against the aristocratic families, and you’re the family head of the Aristocratic Yuan Family. Be grateful, for your status protects you; otherwise, you would have long met a tragic end on the streets!” Yang Biao leveled a gaze at Yuan Shu, brimming with unspoken scorn.

Yuan Shu’s face was cold and severe, yet he said nothing. He finally understood why Chen Xi handed this matter to him at the city gate: to inform the Northern Aristocratic Families of this situation. It’s likely that Chen Xi was also tired of their endless dithering.

As for why it was entrusted to Yuan Shu, he now understood that there was no other option, and he alone was the most suitable.

Yuan Shu, as the leader of the families in Jing, Xiang, Yu, and Yang, was responsible for clearing out the corrupt elements in his lineage. Though it caused quite a stir, these families were nonetheless part of his group. His approach might have been radical, but there were still aristocratic family members who understood his actions, and others who disdained the actions of those corrupt elements.

With these people, Yuan Shu, though inevitably viewed with hostility, was safeguarded by the strong backing of the Yuan Family. No one would dare move against him, as the Yuan Family leads that faction, and Yuan Shu is both the head of the Yuan Family and the one wielding the cleaver on his own kind before turning it on others.

This approach, while radical, is still defensible.

But if Yuan Shu were to cut down the Xun Family or the Chen Family, just imagine the consequences.

The aristocratic families of Jing, Xiang, Yu, and Yang form the Yuan Family’s core, but although other aristocratic families respect the Yuan Family’s reputation, they do not belong to the same faction. It’s fine to cheer in support, but if the executioner’s ax is drawn against them, huh, does my family not have its own death spies?

Chen Xi’s handover to Yuan Shu in the streets of Chang’an was meant to signal to the Northern Aristocratic Families: I’m sick of dealing with you fools. I’ve entrusted the power of the Chen Family and the Xun Family to Yuan Gonglu. If you continue your antics, and Yuan Gonglu puts an end to you, don’t blame me.

After Chen Xi released this signal, all the Northern Aristocratic Families received the message. Those who once mocked the unfortunate from Jing, Xiang, Yu, and Yang now saw Chen Xi let Yuan Shu loose to target them, and those with their senses intact surely wouldn’t keep watching idly.

Yuan Shu, in the eyes of most aristocratic families, is a fanatic. If caught with decisive evidence, he would not argue with you, nor inform your main family branch — he would simply eliminate you without offering you an out.

Once Chen Xi granted Yuan Shu power, Yuan Shu effectively gained control over two-thirds of the aristocratic families Under Heaven, leaving Yongliang and Guanxi as Yang Family’s domain.

Yang Biao is not foolish; he understands everything. Yet the Yang Family could never relinquish power to Yuan Shu as Chen Xi did. The differing management styles of the two families dictate the different methods of conferral.

Chen Xi’s laissez-faire management essentially provided no substantial benefits to the aristocratic families; if they provoked Chen Xi, and he sent Yuan Shu to attack them, it would be the aristocratic families’ own fault.

Who told you to eat Chen Xi’s food and take Chen Xi’s possessions? Chen Xi could turn a blind eye and not bother with it, yet you went too far.

The relationship between the Yang Family and other aristocratic families is akin to collecting protection money and needing to protect them.

On Chen Xi’s side, Yuan Shu can freely cut down the corrupt; on Guanxi’s side, the Yang Family, having taken protection money, must back the Yuan Family. After all, having taken others’ benefits, one must provide protection.

This is why, initially, the Yang Family needed to bring the Yuan Family into the arena, and why many aristocratic families had to negotiate. It’s also the reason why later, the Yang Family would rather die in battle than hand power over to the Yuan Family — accepting protection money and failing to protect spells disaster for their reputation!

Without a banner, ha, the Yang Family wouldn’t have a single chance to rise again in this lifetime.

”Ha, does your Yang Family think you’re the only ones ready to face death? Do you think I, Yuan Shu, am not ready?” Yuan Shu sat up straight, looking at Yang Biao opposite him.

”I’m long fed up with that bunch. Even if it means being a sword for Chen Zichuan, if I can use its sharpness to hone the tenacity we Aristocratic Families once had, I’m not at a loss. Anyway, I, Yuan Shu, have no sons anymore, and my daughter will eventually marry; as a solitary soul, shouldn’t I resolve conflict myself instead of leaving it to the next generation? What do I have to fear!” Yuan Shu roared arrogantly.

”After you leave, first search my mansion, Yang Biao’s. Inside, you’ll find a record of our Yang Family’s wrongdoings over the last twenty years — use that as a basis and come after us, the Yang Family first.” Yang Biao suddenly said to Yuan Shu.

”Even if you do that, I won’t let your Yang Family off!” Yuan Shu initially hesitated, then said quite displeased.

”Our Yang Family hasn’t fallen so low as to need your Yuan Family’s sympathy.” Yang Biao replied with a cold smile. ”If you don’t want to be hated by the Aristocratic Families Under Heaven, you’d best follow my advice.”

Yuan Shu looked at Yang Biao, his eyes flickering, and after a long pause, said, ”Don’t think that just because I’ve heeded your advice, I’ll spare your Yang Family.”

Yang Biao glanced sideways at Yuan Shu, not even bothering to speak to him. He had said all he needed to say. The Imperial Clan’s animosity had been quelled, and the Guanxi noble family had been dealt with to the best of the Yang Family’s ability before their exit. The Grand Princess would soon understand the significance of the Yang Family’s actions, and finally, all that remained was Chen Xi’s resentment.

”Your Yang Family is probably finished.” Yuan Shu, feeling he might have gained the upper hand over Yang Biao, opened his mouth, still somewhat displeased.

”Hmm?” Yang Biao raised an eyebrow, knowing no news could stir his heart more than this. For such individuals, their own lives were not particularly important; what mattered was the family’s legacy.

”For certain reasons, whenever I inquire, Chen Zichuan rarely hides anything. By offending him at this juncture, your family will likely take five hundred years before rising again. Chen Zichuan, it seems, is not just suppressing one era but intends to keep the next five hundred years firmly under control.” Yuan Shu said quietly.

Fifty years, indeed, Yang Biao, you’ve schemed meticulously, but to what end? If your machinations could evoke even aversion from Chen Xi, that would already be remarkable.

But if you continue down this path, do you understand what your Yang Family is losing? Chen Xi is planning to rebuild the barriers of aristocratic families in South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and even Western Asia, and this will occur over the next fifty years.

After these fifty years, should your Yang Family step outside, there may no longer be any place for you among the Guanxi noble families holding various fiefdoms, none would continue to regard the Yang Family as their leader on account of some outdated sense of camaraderie. You should spare yourself those dreams — such a thing is simply impossible!