Mythical Three Kingdoms

"No, the Chen Family hasn't really caused me any trouble. As for black sheep, every family has them. Besides, I don't concern myself with these matters," Chen Xi said nonchalantly.

It's true that it's impossible to repay grievances with kindness, but seeing those who once bullied him now as insignificant as ants before him, Chen Xi didn't have the heart to kick them while they're down. In Chen Xi's view, his current situation was already the greatest trouble for them.

Chen Xi didn't believe for a moment that anyone could still eat and sleep well after realizing that the person they bullied just a couple of years ago had become the Prime Minister.

If there really was such a thick-skinned person, Chen Xi would definitely salute them. He didn't need to do anything; bureaucracy and internal family matters would solve it naturally.

"Does the Family Head think that the Chen Family hasn't provided enough support in recent years?" Chen Shang said, looking at Chen Xi's indifferent expression and understanding that their assumptions were incorrect.

"Not really," Chen Xi reacted somewhat sluggishly. "Your support, let me think, it was basically just those four thousand artisans that were very useful; the rest didn't matter much. As experts at embellishing accomplishments, you did make my work a little easier."

Chen Guang and Chen Shang exchanged bitter smiles, feeling that the value of their Chen Family, one of the nation's prominent aristocratic families, was reduced to just this. Their political power, public support, did they not count for anything?

"May I ask the Family Head, who suggested that the Chen Family go to the Western Regions?" Chen Guang went straight to the point, gritting his teeth. Though he knew that since Chen Xi approved it, it meant the matter was acceptable to him, the rest of the Chen Family at least needed to know who the adversary was.

"I suggested it," Chen Xi said, looking helplessly at the Chen Family Elder. "If I hadn't suggested it, who would dare? Non-military events are decided by me."

"Family Head, can you really bear to let your cousins go to that distant Western Region?" Chen Shang was almost in tears. From the era of nobility, for a millennium or two, they'd never seen a Family Head so unconcerned with family.

"Oh, the Western Regions are quite good," Chen Xi said, rolling his eyes. "I handpicked it, Zijing even advised me against it, but I rejected his advice."

At this point, Chen Shang and Chen Guang no longer knew what to say. This was not how one promoted noble spirit; how did the Chen Family end up with such a Family Head?

"Alright, I know what you mean, but..." The frivolity left Chen Xi's face, becoming solemn, "From now on, remember that everything I say is for your ears only. Do not speak of it unless it is to a die-hard loyalist of our clan."

Chen Guang and Chen Shang watched Chen Xi's eyes, which had never shown such a chilling look in all the time they had known him, despite his always gentle demeanor.

Seeing that Chen Shang and Chen Guang were prepared, Chen Xi ordered Chen Yun to bring out the map and hang it on the back wall, where Chen Yun then stood quietly.

"Chief Shang should remember what I said before, about using one or two great aristocratic families to control a small country," Chen Xi mentioned, not pointing to the map behind, only referencing past conversations.

"The Family Head did indeed mention it once," Chen Shang nodded, "And upon returning to the Chen Family, I also ordered an extrapolation of the method. Indeed, it is feasible. However, firstly, small countries have sparse populations, and secondly, they are close to the Han Court. Aristocratic families like ours in the Central Plains can control them from afar, so why migrate to such barbarian lands?"

When Chen Xi first proposed the plan, it was half to fool Chen Shang, who took it seriously and went home to have it analyzed, ultimately finding it a good strategy; a potential fallback for the Chen Family, one that only needed another great aristocratic family or two to implement.

This way, the main aristocratic families could stay in the Central Plains, enjoying the vastness of the Han Dynasty, while also having an income-generating and life-saving fallback abroad. Should things go awry, they could return to their homeland, and after one or two generations, reestablish themselves; all it would take is secret setups abroad.

However, until now, the Chen Family still hadn't chosen a third alliance family, though the second was settled as the Xun Family, with whom they've had a relationship for a century, knowing each other well, and neither side had to worry about being set up. Both had very deep foundations.

Originally, the third was decided to be the Sima Family. Though not particularly wealthy, they were considered part of the Chen Family, making it easier to deal with the Xun Family. With the eight dragons of the Xun Clan not completely gone, their next extraordinary generation had begun to emerge. Though the Chen Family was also impressive, even a tiger couldn't withstand a pack of wolves; a helper was needed.

However, recently Sima Fang kept having children, adding more mouths with differing opinions. The Chen Family decided to wait a bit; after all, aristocratic families plan over generations and are not in any rush. Those rushing to reach the top soon perished.

Only a family taking a relaxed approach, planning over decades, could leisurely watch the changing times, knowing that as long as their family didn't perish, they had time to watch the world rise and fall. A millennia-old family had time to watch the farce play out.

"Oh, I scrapped that plan," Chen Xi casually dismissed Chen Shang's plan, which cost him great effort and made Chen Guang's eyes light up. At that moment, Chen Shang felt an old blood clogging his heart, really wanting to spit it in Chen Xi's face.

"Family Head..." Chen Shang's complexion turned blue and pale. "Even if you scrapped the plan, at least give a reason; this plan could benefit the Chen Family for a century!"

"Because it's too small. I know you're staying with the Han Dynasty mainly because of its vast and abundant resources. Look, I changed the plan; I'm preparing to give the Chen Family a nation." Chen Xi calmly said words that almost made Chen Shang's heart explode.

This time, Chen Guang's breathing also became noticeably heavier, but then he calmed down, stabilizing his mindset, "Family Head, the Chen Family has held kingdom titles twice, but both inflicted the greatest damage on the Chen Family."

Chen Shang also calmed his heart, continuing Chen Guang's discourse, "Once, the Chen Family's main lineage was reduced to a single direct lineage member; another time, without early preparation and preemptive splitting, the clan's direct lineage would've been wiped out. Kingdom titles, for millennia-old families, are avoided unless absolutely necessary."

"We only ever provide assistance from the sidelines; who has seen us stand on the pinnacle?" Chen Guang's face even showed a touch of sarcasm.

"The best way to ensure the longevity of a family is to push branches into the Imperial Court, gather officials from Humble Families into civil and military positions to form our power. If not for eras of chaos, when have we ever taken the stage ourselves?" Chen Shang mirrored the same sentiment, understanding that a family enduring 500 years had wise elders with clear minds.

"We used to all take office when young but would retire roughly when the time came, never returning even if invited by the state." Chen Guang nodded in agreement.

In their youth, they were ambitious and shown brightly, serving as the voice of the family. However, upon reaching a certain level, they would retire, keeping only a few suitable individuals as the heads and opiners of their power, ensuring the main family's voice in the Imperial Court.