Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi didn't care at all what Chen Shang and Chen Guang had in mind. The conditions he proposed were irresistible to the Chen Family; if he didn't offer substantial benefits, how could other aristocratic families be tempted?

Although encouraging these families to leave the Central Plains is all but a fixed strategy, there is still a significant difference between them leaving on their own accord and being forced to leave.

Appeal to their emotions, clarify the reasoning, entice with benefits, and only as a last resort, threaten with disaster. It's best to retain some warmth than to resolve everything through coercion, which indeed isn't a good approach.

As for Gao Shun and Zhang Liao, Chen Xi was ready to use them as a mobile Great Wall, crushing the North, then building grave mounds for the Hu People, flattening and solidifying them—will Bingzhou still count as a border?

Since your vow is to stay away from matters of the Central Plains and diligently guard the border, let me show you the empire's border, a true border!

Never mind Gao Shun, just Zhang Liao's capabilities alone could rank among the Seventy-two Sages in the Martial Temple. Renowned for defense and offense, placing such a person at the empire's border ensures minimal worry of others breaking through.

Moreover, unlike the stingy Wei Kingdom who gave Zhang Liao insufficient troops and poor conditions, Chen Xi wouldn't stoop so low. Since you are to guard the empire's borders, I will provide you a proper border location, where battles with Parthia and Rome would ensue daily.

If the fight ends with a foothold in the Mediterranean Sea, Rome would be mad not to go crazy!

Will Zhang Liao and Gao Shun resist? Generals with integrity might resist internal conflicts, but in external wars, whether invasions or defending against them, no true warrior would resist, especially not Zhang Liao the renowned general.

"You can start rallying the family's talented youths now," Chen Xi said to Chen Shang and Chen Guang. Although the family might not see talents of Chen Qun's level again, there certainly wouldn't be a shortage of capable individuals for positions like prefectural governor or county magistrate.

"What if other families find out about our actions?" Chen Shang hesitantly asked.

The Chen Family had confidence in secretly relocating a group of people elsewhere, but recently they were involved with Xun Shuang in maneuvering the Western Regions' small countries, so if this batch of people disappeared, Xun Shuang wouldn't be guessing rightly that they'd relocated.

"Can't the Chen Family manage even this?" Chen Xi looked perplexed; when had a millennia-old family sunk to such a level?

"Cough cough, we can hide it from other families, but not the Xun Family," Chen Shang replied bitterly, recounting his plans to Chen Xi.

If the Chen Family hadn't had this plan or hadn't dragged the Xun Family into it, relocating descendants to the Western Regions would have gone unnoticed with Chen Xi's cooperation and concealment, but previously, Xun Family was involved too.

Now, the Xun Family is undoubtedly watching the Chen Family. Even if they don't know where the Chen Family's people went, they'd inquire. If the Xun Family in the Central Plains can't find them, with Xun Shuang's sharp mind, they might still guess right, as genius is plentiful among the Xun Family.

"Just drag the Xun Family into it. Since we can't hide it, bring them along. When it comes to dividing territories, take a little less," Chen Xi said indifferently, merely seeking a family to take the initial risk; he didn't mind involving the Xun Family.

Chen Shang felt himself almost explode; what was his Family Head thinking? Why drag the Xun Family into it, when having the whole region to themselves was much better!

"If you don't bring them along, the Xun Family will surely inform the aristocratic families under heaven that you are monopolizing the benefits," Chen Xi removed himself from the equation, knowing from Chen Shang's expression what they were thinking.

"Then we'll have to discuss it with Ci Ning..." Chen Guang sighed, realizing there was no alternative; it seemed the Chen and Xun families always ended up together.

Whatever talks with the Xun Family would involve Chen Xi no further; the Patriarch of the Xun Family might not appear, nor would the Chen Family Head, leaving family elders to make autonomous decisions.

Watching Chen Guang and Chen Shang depart, Chen Xi silently sighed; Chen Shang and Chen Guang consistently prioritized family over the nation, but this way, there's always a leverage to urge them into action.

"Yun'er, do you think there's any flaw in what I said earlier?" Chen Xi turned to look at Chen Yun, who was following him.

"Everything the Family Head said is reasonable," Chen Yun bowed and replied respectfully.

"Alright, let's be direct: Jian'er won't let you go out to perform, so reading at home is also beneficial," Chen Xi stepped forward, and Chen Yun hurriedly followed.

"Can the Central Plains accommodate your ambition, Family Head?" Chen Yun pondered for a moment, then whispered softly.

"Even my family's two elders can't discern this," Chen Xi sighed.

Chen Yun remained silent, simply following behind Chen Xi with her head lowered, ready to abide by whatever Chen Xi said.

"The Civil Official List will be published in a few days. Guess which rank your lord will achieve," Chen Xi reclined in the backyard chair, basking in the sun, and asked with a smile.

"Wen Wu might be first, but the Family Head ought to break this record," Chen Yun replied gently, and at this moment, Fan Jian casually appeared before Chen Xi.

"Greetings, Lady," Chen Yun bowed and saluted, but Fan Jian waved her away with a flick of her hand, then smiled at Chen Xi.

Chen Xi chuckled and pulled Fan Jian closer, causing her to exclaim in surprise as they reclined together.

As Chen Xi anticipated, Xuu Shao had already met all the prominent and well-known young civil officials in the nation. With his sharp eyes, he naturally observed the Fortune Manifestation of civil officials stirred by the Human Cauldron under heaven.

This made ranking much easier, as anomalies inherently vary in levels. Even for those whose full abilities haven't emerged, Xuu Shao had grounds for recognition, though the Civil Official List had a defined focus due to Chen Xi's intentions.

Xuu Shao ultimately promised Chen Xi, leveraging the accumulated reputation from previous official announcements to pave the way for Chen Xi's ambitions. Ambitious people are often inspiring.

"Zijiang, are you going to issue this document?" Xuu Jing asked his younger cousin, as his cousin Xuu Shao found the task overwhelming and called him to share the burden, allowing Xuu Jing to see the document first.

However, Xuu Jing wasn't interested in the rankings of civil officials in the document; he simply wanted to argue with Xuu Shao, yet Xuu Shao gave him no opportunity, having summoned him solely to bear the burden together...

"Why not? I'll rank them this way. Besides, I'm not ranking strategists, but civil officials who have achieved historic feats for the nation and its people, so why shouldn't they be on the list?" Xuu Shao laughed heartily.