Mythical Three Kingdoms

With Chen Xi’s command, all the elders currently still in Ye City received emergency notifications. The biggest trouble in this wave wasn’t the fifty billion coins, but the fact that Lul Jun had too many financing targets, so many that even with the intention to verify, it would be difficult to do so.

Liu Ye was caught in a trap, which Chen Xi was willing to believe, but Liu Ye must avoid suspicion. More importantly, Liu Ye was being protected by not appearing in public.

On the other hand, the official sent by Li Youu also recounted the whole incident without adding any personal bias to Liu Bei. Although Liu Bei did not intervene in state affairs, he knew what such matters signified at this time. Even if it were certain that Liu Ye was used as a pawn, Liu Ye could not personally investigate it now.

Even if Liu Bei were certain that this incident was not orchestrated by Liu Ye, at this time, Liu Ye had to be kept behind the scenes. Otherwise, those plotting this matter, once they involved Liu Ye, could rally a group of people around him, even if it wasn’t Liu Ye’s intention. Sometimes reaching that position means there’s no turning back.

Or more appropriately, like during the chaotic period of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, people below forcibly supported those above. Whether the supported person was eventually killed by those above, or succeeded, rewards for these people were inevitable in the end.

This is also an important reason why Chen Xi directly characterized it as a divide-and-conquer strategy, and even if it did not happen, even if there were indeed accidental causes in this, Chen Xi still directly characterized it as a divide-and-conquer strategy. Those wanting to win amidst chaos, fine, even if it didn’t happen, will still be sent off into retirement.

The power Liu Ye had was far less than that of Chen Xi, and Jia Xu wasn’t enough, but if you counted those who had followed Liu Bei for many years and gradually grew old without emerging, if these people directly promoted Liu Ye, even if Chen Xi ended up deposing Liu Ye who was forcibly promoted, at that time, Chen Xi would have lost.

Sometimes, it’s not because you have such thoughts, but because some of your actions coincide with others’ plans, forcing you into the fray. Unfortunately, Liu Ye, tested twice, seemed very suitable for this plan in some people’s eyes, even thinking that when they counterattacked, Liu Ye would follow the general trend. However, the facts are known to everyone.

”Ziyang, you are...” Liu Bei, after listening to the official’s account, directly went to Liu Ye’s residence. As for the elder meeting, it did not matter whether he attended or not; others would certainly make the right decisions beyond what he could foresee. It was Liu Ye who caused Liu Bei some concern.

”Heh, it’s nothing, my lord.” Liu Ye remained silent for a while, tidying up his hair, not wanting to appear disrespectful in front of Liu Bei.

”Now we’re not in front of others. You and I are both from the Imperial Clan, so it’s fine to call me cousin.” Liu Bei smiled as he spoke, seeing that the situation did not seem as dire as he thought, given Liu Ye was still tidying his appearance.

”Alright, cousin, I got played.” Saying this, Liu Ye stopped tidying his hair, threw his disheveled long hair behind his back, sat on the ground with a gloomy expression, and looked at Liu Bei.

”It’s impossible for anyone to never make mistakes in life, let alone this time, which also wasn’t your problem.” After all, Liu Bei was an outsider. The official sent by Li Youu had explained everything very clearly.

”Indeed.” Liu Ye gazed out the window at the snow, his eyes revealing endless brilliance. The limit of his Spiritual Talent was nearly reached, ”Actually, you don’t need to console me. My Spiritual Talent allows me to make judgments from others’ perspectives, so once I calm down, I can understand everything.”

”Understanding is one thing, but sometimes people don’t make decisions based on rationality.” Liu Bei smiled, saying, ”Sometimes it’s okay to be a bit impulsive. I can see you’re indeed not angry anymore.”

”Alright, Zichuan is fair enough. Wen Ru could have handled it, but yet he let Boning take charge, which was already giving me a way out.” After calming for a while, Liu Ye looked for a table, found it, touched all around until he found a teapot and cups, pouring tea for both Liu Bei and himself.

Mann Chong and Liu Ye had a good relationship, as the lawmaker, back then, Chen Xi jokingly asked Mann Chong in front of Liu Ye, ”If Ziyang breaks the law, what would you do?”

Family hiding affairs is human nature; after all, legal principles ultimately boil down to human governance: small offenses are concealed, large ones lead to demise.

Mann Chong’s meaning was clear. If you ask me what I would do, I would certainly hide offenses of close ones. If it’s a minor issue, I’ll hide Ziyang. If it’s too big, I cannot cover it; then I’ll surely let Ziyang run first.

So, Chen Xi halted Li Youu from executing punishment, letting Mann Chong handle arrests and executions, already providing Liu Ye a way out. Essentially, even if Liu Ye did commit this, at most they’d act as though he never existed afterwards.

Of course, if it wasn’t done by you, Chen Xi had another condition, transferring all personnel involved in this matter to irrelevant, insignificant positions.

Remember that auditing was initiated by Liu Ye. Once it’s confirmed Liu Ye did not orchestrate the matter, then after its resolution and Liu Ye’s period of rest, the related official positions would be handled by Liu Ye.

These positions were important, some even involving ranks of about Two Thousand Bushels; although pre-arranged by Chen Xi and others, in time, Liu Ye would also gain a significant role.

Likewise, if Liu Ye orchestrated the matter, there’s nothing more to say. These positions, split partially by Chen Xi and others, would leave quite a few for Cui Yan and Jia Mu.

The appointment of these positions would significantly advance both their standings, yet comparatively, Jia Mu stood with Jia Xu behind him while serving as a pawn, thus would receive more.

In simple terms, this time the issue was about determining who was used as a pawn. Whosoever was used ultimately received compensation. This is why, after calming down, Liu Ye chose to remain silent. Chen Xi continued growing stronger, and unlike internal administration’s abyss, Chen Xi’s political advancements were unequivocally visible.

However, before Chen Xi’s emergency meeting could commence, Lyu Bu’s roar echoed from the sky, ”Zhao Zilong, I’m here to see you!”

Sitting upright on the bluestone, facing the snowstorm and adjusting his breath, Zhao Yun was both surprised and relieved to hear the roar. Finally, he’s here. After waiting for so long, he’s finally here. I no longer have to be on edge.

With Lyu Bu’s shout, various masters in Ye City appeared.

Watching Lyu Bu riding the Red Hare Horse, embracing Diao Chan, and with a mere gesture summoning the Sky Piercer to his hand, everyone knew that the real deal had arrived this time.

”It seems that must be Zhao Zilong’s home. I’ll take you to meet Qiling,” Lyu Bu said as he got the Sky Piercer in hand and confirmed Zhao Yun’s family’s location. The Red Hare Horse turned into a streak of fire and flew to Zhao Yun’s doorstep.

At that moment, clad in silver armor, with the Dragon Gall Spear on his back and holding the Green Steel Sword, Zhao Yun stood at the door.

”Not bad, quite brave...” Lyu Bu started mocking Zhao Yun the moment he saw him at the door, but before he could finish, Diao Chan stopped him.

”General Zhao, are you not inviting us inside?” Diao Chan’s melodious voice naturally covered Lyu Bu’s taunting.

Lyu Bu and Diao Chan stood in the wind and snow, with all snowflakes naturally sliding aside a few feet away from them. Even if Diao Chan’s Inner Qi Manifestation was forcibly drawn out by Lyu Bu, it still had a hint of essence.

Originally gearing up to fight Lyu Bu, Zhao Yun felt a bit awkward upon hearing this and silently stepped aside to make a gesture of invitation.

”Lucky for you!” Lyu Bu’s sharp gaze swept over Zhao Yun, indicating his current mood.

Zhao Yun couldn’t be bothered with his father-in-law, while Diao Chan’s gentle demeanor left him with no choice but to comply. From the perspective of etiquette, they were indeed his father-in-law and mother-in-law.

”I’ll beat you up later!” Lyu Bu continued to torment Zhao Yun with his gaze, but Zhao Yun didn’t even respond, only inviting Diao Chan inside.

”Probably won’t be a fight after all, this time,” Zhang Fei muttered.

”It’s best not to fight. If they really do, Zilong will surely suffer. Last time, just a doppelg?nger was frightening enough, and this time the real one is here. Even I’m not optimistic about Zilong,” Tong Yuan shook his head and said, ”Zilong has a mindset issue.”

After Lyu Bu and Diao Chan entered, they quickly met Lyu Qiling and Ma Yunlu. Compared to Lyu Bu’s icy demeanor, Diao Chan’s gentle manner quickly calmed them down.

”Second Mom, what’s Father planning? I see him glaring at Zilong all the time,” Lyu Qiling asked quietly, leaning against Diao Chan, though everyone present heard clearly.

Lyu Bu glared at Lyu Qiling and then coldly looked at Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun also returned an equally defiant glare, creating a heavy atmosphere between them.

”It’s fine; your father wants to have a grandchild,” Diao Chan laughed softly, initially not realizing when she saw Lyu Qiling. But now, holding her, she reacted, realizing her joking words had inadvertently become reality.

Lyu Qiling blushed at these words, pinching her fingers, ”How did you know, Second Mom?” Diao Chan glanced languidly at Lyu Qiling, smiling without speaking.

Lyu Bu did not come around to the meaning; he only wanted to hit Zhao Yun now, while Ma Chao’s innate intuition told him to leave early. Otherwise, they’d already be fighting.

Seeing his wife chatting intimately with his daughter, Lyu Bu lost interest in eavesdropping and gestured for Zhao Yun to follow him.

Zhao Yun understood and coldly walked outside. If Lyu Bu wasn’t afraid, then why should Zhao Yun be?

”I think we have a lot to discuss. Thank your mother-in-law; she said if I beat you so you couldn’t get out of bed for three months, my daughter might tearfully tend to you and then sever her relationship with me,” Lyu Bu said, his coldness fading into warmth, as he patted Zhao Yun’s shoulder gently after stepping outside.

Zhao Yun was momentarily stunned but naturally nodded, and then Lyu Bu landed a punch on Zhao Yun’s face. With tremendous momentum, that punch sent Zhao Yun spiraling into the sky.

”But, after thinking it over, how could a Breakthrough Level master like you be bedridden for three months? So I’m going to beat you!” Lyu Bu roared, transforming into a golden-red radiance, his speed leaving afterimages even in the eyes of Zhang Fei and others.

Mid-air, Zhao Yun abruptly halted his spiraling launch, forcibly curbing his momentum. As he drew his Green Steel Sword, the dark snowy sky was suddenly illuminated, and for that instant, even the onlooking masters in Ye City felt a stinging sensation on their skin from Zhao Yun’s move that was impossible to evade!