Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi generally won't mistreat those who truly treat him well, and as Butler Chen felt the star markings on the chessboard, he was filled with emotion. Although he hoped Chen Xi would elevate the Chen Family one day, he never anticipated that Chen Xi would truly reach such heights.

After one game, more than half an hour had passed. Chen Xi's skill in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting wasn't particularly great, but it wasn't bad either. Nonetheless, he still lost to Butler Chen. If Chen Xi's father was able to present the chessboard to Butler Chen, the latter's chess skills must be quite good.

"I'm still no match for Chen Bo," Chen Xi said with a smile, tidying up the chess pieces as he did back then. He wasn't particularly good at chess, nor did he have the time to spend on such activities, using it merely for relaxation.

"The Family Head's mind simply wasn't on the game," Butler Chen lamented, knowing that Chen Xi's thoughts weren't focused on such matters. They chatted about past events before sending Chen Xi off.

"Phew, so that's the Family Head?" A long breath escaped the child who had been cautiously hiding behind Butler Chen once Chen Xi left.

"You coward," Butler Chen said regretfully, stroking his beard. "I was hoping to let you make an appearance before the Family Head, but look at how timid you are."

The child pouted, "I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension when the Family Head came. And he's so formidable, it'd be strange if I weren't scared."

Being grandfather and grandson, the child was not afraid of Butler Chen at all, and instead explained himself with reason.

"If you could have behaved earlier the way you do now, I wouldn't have worried," Butler Chen said, reaching out to grab his grandson.

Just as Butler Chen said, if his grandson had been as composed earlier as he was now, worthy of Chen Xi's regard, Butler Chen would have swallowed his pride and pleaded with Chen Xi, but it was a pity.

Having followed Chen Xi for so many years, Butler Chen understood that Chen Xi was not the type of person to be entirely selfless. Although public interest was paramount, he wasn't above seeking some benefits for himself.

To put it simply, if Chen Xi's nephew and another stranger both qualified for a certain position and their abilities were almost the same, Chen Xi wouldn't even consider the stranger.

As for abandoning relatives to recommend outsiders, that's something Chen Xi would never do. Since their abilities are the same, why not choose someone he trusts? If the relative also has the ability, then let them take the position. If there's a chance for them to shine, Chen Xi wouldn't mind giving them a push.

However, this is all based on the condition that their abilities are nearly equal. Chen Xi would never purposely suppress one person to allow his recommended person to rise. By this time in history, there was no one worth suppressing.

If one's ability doesn't reach a certain level and they come to Chen Xi for help, it's better not to mention it. Speaking out will only hurt relationships. Chen Xi is willing to help, but the ability has to be there.

In Chen Xi's view, relatives are not there to demonstrate his fairness and integrity. To be more precise, when an official removes their relatives from consideration not due to merit and ability, then their selfishness is glaringly apparent.

So Chen Xi consistently held contempt for those who used their relatives to display their fairness and integrity. For the sake of their own path, they cut off their relatives' paths, making them unworthy friends, better left as strangers.

Of course, this isn't about blindly favoring relatives. Chen Xi was clear about the degree of nepotism. He remembered someone once told him that if they didn't meet a basic criterion, don't come to him. If they did, they would be dealt with accordingly.

Butler Chen also understood this, which is why he didn't approach Chen Xi. There was no need to put Chen Xi in a difficult position, as his grandson Guo Kai was not considered exceptional.

"Come, let me see if your chess skills have improved," Butler Chen said with a smile after setting aside his concerns.

Then grandfather and grandson started a game in the room. Unlike Chen Xi's fast-paced style, both Butler Chen and Guo Kai moved very slowly. However, if Chen Xi were to come over and see Guo Kai's thoughtful expression, he might take a closer look.

In Yongzhou, Chang'an, the team led by Guan Yu escorting the treasures and gifts finally arrived on New Year's Eve, barely making it in time for the court conference.

Seeing the burgeoning prosperity of Chang'an, Guan Yu couldn't help but nod in acknowledgment. Indeed, there were capable people under Cao Cao.

Truth be told, Guan Yu didn't hold a negative view of Cao Cao. If not for the Xuzhou event, perhaps Guan Yu and Cao Cao could have shared drinks and enjoyed camaraderie. After all, back at Hulao, Guan Yu still remembered the cup of wine Cao Cao offered, back when he was not yet famous.

"General, may I have a ride?" Just as Guan Yu was reminiscing about the past, a raggedy and disheveled figure suddenly called out to him from a short distance away.

Guan Yu was not entering the city yet, waiting at the city gates for a reception. After all, this was Liu Bei's envoy seeking an audience, and it wasn't insubstantial for one of the Nine Ministers, the Grand Herald, to come and welcome him. Liu Bei was perhaps the only feudal lord who paid tribute annually, and he was also of the Imperial Clan.

Guan Yu glanced at the extremely disheveled Liu Ba. Honestly, if Liu Ba hadn't signaled to him, Guan Yu would have likely mistaken him for an ordinary refugee.

Incidentally, there were practically no refugees in Liu Bei's domain at the time. Manpower was defined by Chen Xi as the greatest resource. Construction and road building everywhere required manpower, accepting anyone willing to come.

Guan Yu cast another glance at Liu Ba before closing his eyes to rest. Zhou Cang immediately understood, leading Liu Ba aside. In all his years of seeking help from garrisoned troops despite their reluctance, the only one who approached Guan Yu like this before was Chen Xi.

Recalling the past, Guan Yu didn't trouble Liu Ba. As for his appearance affecting public decency, Guan Yu didn't pay much mind. They'd part ways once in the city. Fulfilling the man's request was a mere trifle for Guan Yu.

"Many thanks to General Guan. I will repay you generously someday," Liu Ba said, though dressed in rags and in a sorry state, there was still an unusual aura in his gestures.

Guan Yu didn't speak, keeping his eyes closed until the Grand Herald Zhou Huan came to welcome him. As it turned out, after Li Jue and Guo Si resolved the grain issue, they didn't fight, and most of the senior ministers who should have died in the chaos of Guo and Li were still alive.

Upon entering Chang'an, Cao Cao watched Guan Yu from afar with Cao Ang. For some unknown reason, Cao Cao had always greatly admired Guan Yu. Of course, he particularly envied Guan Yu's big beard, though now if they met, it would only be awkward. So, Cao Cao could only spy from afar.

Of course, Cao Cao's actions didn't escape Guan Yu's notice. As he entered Chang'an, he was aware of Cao Cao's presence. But since the Xuzhou incident, things had changed irrevocably.

"Ang'er, keep an eye on your brother Cao Zhen," Cao Cao said, withdrawing his gaze and looking at Cao Ang. (To be continued. If you like this piece, please consider voting for it on Qidian (qidian.com), as your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)