Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

After Xi Zhicai fainted that day, Chen Qun was so frightened that he immediately ordered someone to report to Cao Cao. Although Xi Zhicai had exhausted his spiritual power, he only suffered from a loss of vitality. He survived and regained consciousness after resting for a night. By then, Cao Cao’s personal guard, Dian Wei, had already arrived with a letter from Cao Cao.

”Erlai, why aren’t you protecting the lord? What are you doing here?” Xi Zhicai asked as soon as he woke up and saw Dian Wei standing before him.

”The lord requests that the strategist return to Chenliu,” Dian Wei replied in his deep, gravelly voice.

”No need to return to Chenliu. Tell me the rest of the lord’s message,” Xi Zhicai said, shaking his head. He knew Cao Cao well enough to understand that if he was being called back, it must be because Cao Cao knew there was no way he could avoid this journey.

”The lord said that if you don’t wish to return, he has ordered me to accompany and protect you,” Dian Wei said, scratching his head with a somewhat naive expression.

Xi Zhicai sighed. He understood that, in Cao Cao’s eyes, this journey was undoubtedly dangerous and must be for the sake of the Cao family’s future. Cao Cao hadn’t asked Xun Yu or the others about Xi Zhicai’s mission because he trusted him completely. This trust made Cao Cao even more reluctant to let Xi Zhicai face any danger. Now, having suffered a significant blow before even reaching Taishan, Cao Cao couldn’t help but suspect that this journey would be perilous.

When Cao Cao received Chen Qun’s letter, he thought quietly for a moment before sending Dian Wei to protect Xi Zhicai. After all, Dian Wei was his strongest warrior, and Cao Cao trusted that if Dian Wei was by his side, Xi Zhicai would be safe.

Thus, Dian Wei took charge of the group. After the previous incident, Chen Qun adamantly refused to share a carriage with Xi Zhicai. As a result, the journey slowed considerably under Dian Wei’s careful protection, which prevented Xi Zhicai from encountering Sima Yi, the one who had unknowingly drained him.

Xi Zhicai had already acquired Sima Lang’s talent. Although he hadn’t fully tested its effects, he knew Sima Lang wasn’t the one who had inadvertently harmed him. Once in the carriage, Xi Zhicai warmly engaged Sima Lang in conversation, offering him drinks. High-ranking as he was, Xi Zhicai’s affable demeanor quickly won over Sima Lang, who began to think that perhaps serving Cao Cao—who had defeated Yuan Shu and ruled over a province—might not be such a bad idea.

Chen Qun, who had originally hoped Sima Lang would join Cao Cao’s service, also did his best to persuade him. After all, they shared the same bloodline, and it didn’t take long for Sima Lang to agree to meet Cao Cao.In truth, Sima Lang had always favored Cao Cao. Compared to Liu Bei’s somewhat rigid personality, Cao Cao’s willingness to use any means necessary suited him better. After all, every noble family had its dark side, and there were times when bending or even breaking moral boundaries was necessary.

Sima Lang shared his observations from his time in Fenggao, particularly emphasizing Liu Bei’s military and popular support, the discipline of his troops, the prosperity of the city, and the abundance of books in the library. Xi Zhicai listened with growing concern.

Before coming to Taishan, Xi Zhicai had thought that his side was evenly matched with Liu Bei’s. However, after entering Taishan, he clearly felt the difference. Taishan was much wealthier than Cao Cao’s territory, and the roads were in much better condition. He often saw groups of people carrying tools, heading out to work on infrastructure projects.

In Taishan, Xi Zhicai didn’t witness the heartbreaking scenes of people selling their children that he had seen in Yanzhou during the harsh winters. Here, as long as someone was willing to work, they could find food. The infrastructure teams were always hiring, and there was no shortage of opportunities to earn a meal.

When Sima Lang mentioned Liu Bei’s efforts to promote education and teach literacy to children, Xi Zhicai was momentarily stunned. Coming from a humble background, he knew what such an initiative meant for the common people. However, he quickly suppressed the tremor in his heart and calmly said, ”Human efforts have their limits.”

”Yes, it’s a dream—one that cannot be realized,” Sima Lang replied, closing his eyes. ”But even so, hearing such grand ambitions makes us all feel a certain respect for Liu Xuande. No one, not even the sages, has ever truly uttered those words.”

Chen Qun remained silent. Liu Bei’s grand vision had left him shaken. After all, he had once harbored similar dreams—perhaps the simplest yet most challenging dream: to ensure that everyone in the world had enough to eat.

Chen Qun thought of Chen Xi, whom he had never met, and sighed. He had been just as naive in the past, thinking the world could be easily changed. But after experiencing so much, he had matured.

The three of them exchanged glances and smiled, each reflecting on their past selves. It was only through failure that one grew mature. Even Cao Cao had started with fervent ideals, only to later realize that force was necessary to forge the path he believed was right.

In history, Liu Xuande had been known for his indomitable spirit, ultimately establishing his own realm. However, with each failure, he gradually tempered his sharp edges and became more rounded. At the beginning, he had been willing to give up his official post and whip a corrupt official rather than allow the official to exploit the people. Later, he became capable of accepting those he once despised, like Lu Bu. After taking Jingzhou, Liu Bei learned to control his emotions. By the time he entered Shu, he had mastered concealing his true feelings—until the deaths of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei rekindled the impulsive youth who had once flogged an official.

Yet, despite all his changes, Liu Bei never raised his blade against the common people. Whether out of genuine benevolence or mere pretense, even in his final days, Liu Bei never resorted to the massacres that Cao Cao and Sun Quan had committed. He remained steadfast in his beliefs.

Unfortunately, Liu Bei never managed to fully instill his ideals in the people, and in this lifetime, the setbacks he faced had been mere minor inconveniences. Thus far, he remained the same forthright Liu Xuande—quick to speak his mind, unafraid to confront those who wronged him, and always ready to admit his mistakes.

In this life, the world hadn’t taught Liu Bei to be more cunning. Instead, with Chen Xi’s guidance, Liu Bei had developed even grander ideals and found the strength to pursue them.

He firmly believed in Chen Xi’s words: ”If you know something is right but cannot achieve it, does that mean you should pretend to be ignorant and continue down the wrong path, growing further and further from the original road?”

”No, even if there is no result, I will point the way. History always needs pioneers,” Chen Xi had answered his own question. ”Besides, how can you know whether something is difficult or easy if you’ve never tried it?”