...
Chen Xi ultimately disclosed his general strategy to Lu Su, as two heads are better than one, and Lu Su, being a strategic expert, could help Chen Xi identify any flaws.
"Now I see. At first glance, this strategy seems hard to implement, but upon careful consideration, it actually fits perfectly. Once achieved, your status will undergo a significant transformation, and by formally joining Lord Xuande, the northern aristocratic families will likely have to reconsider their alliances," Lu Su acknowledged after contemplating Chen Xi's strategy.
"That's precisely why I must suppress the Zhen family. Beyond immediate concerns, the Zhen family holds significant sway. The Qinghe Zhang family and the Jizhou Cui family are also viable targets, but there's no pretext to act against them. Moreover, the Zhen family is easier to handle," Chen Xi nodded. He wasn't targeting the Zhen family for mere petty gains; their suppression was crucial to his overarching plan.
Chen Xi wasn't pursuing a minor profit by clashing with the Zhen family. Taishan and the Zhen family's prior grievances were merely over some financial disputes. Mi Zhu had already mentioned that the investment amounted to around a billion coins, a sum that wasn't worth Chen Xi's elaborate schemes.
Taishan wasn't short on money. Whether through the salt industry, papermaking, or wool textiles, any single venture's profits far exceeded the Zhen family's small benefits. If it was merely about money, Chen Xi's resources would suffice.
What Chen Xi sought was the Zhen family's network. As a centuries-old family, the Zhen family's connections in Jizhou were what Chen Xi needed. If he wasn't plotting the grand strategy, Chen Xi wouldn't persist against the Zhen family. For any stable ruler, their wealth alone surpassed the Zhen family.
When Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were embroiled in a critical conflict, Mi Zhu would play his card. For the sake of the larger picture, Yuan Shao would abandon the Zhen family. This abandonment, contrasted with Liu Bei's compassion, would create the desired scenario for Chen Xi. He needed a family to infiltrate, and the higher their status, the better.
"Did you plan this strategy back when you returned to Yingchuan? Was the Zhen family's downfall orchestrated by you?" Lu Su's face showed a hint of bitterness. If Chen Xi had foreseen this, he must have already selected the talents needed for each phase. Compared to such far-sighted planning, what role was Lu Su playing?
"The Zhen family was an unexpected variable, but it opened up other opportunities. Without the Mi family, I couldn't have maneuvered as I did. As for the larger scheme, I began planning when Tao Gongzu and Kong Wenju recommended Lord Xuande for the position of Taishan Prefect. Naturally, I had already identified the necessary talents," Chen Xi smiled, recalling Liu Bei's reluctance at Hulao Pass, his smile broadening. "I had several contingency plans."
"Did these plans include me and Xingba?" Lu Su asked, his voice trembling.
"Yes, you were part of my blueprint. Once my two friends arrive, even if this setup isn't perfect, it will suffice to endure the toughest period. Once we survive that, we—" Chen Xi's eyes gleamed with determination.
"—can expect great things. Reaching that stage would mean the situation is essentially secured. Your strategy is audacious; I doubt anyone but you would think of it. Even Xun Wenruo's strategies aren't as astonishing as yours. You always claim to be inferior to Xun Wenruo, but I'm not so sure anymore," Lu Su said, trembling slightly as he forced himself to calm down, realizing Chen Xi's strategy was highly feasible.
"Xun Wenruo is an all-rounder. I can ensure my overarching strategy surpasses his, and my governance can overshadow his. However, he can unify all his subordinates' strengths, which I can't. I know what needs to be done, but I can't do it myself. I need others to help. Even in administration, I write the plans and hand them to you. If I had to do it myself—" Chen Xi glanced at Lu Su.
"This..." Lu Su hesitated, realizing Chen Xi indeed rarely handled matters personally. He either gave tasks to Lu Su or Xianhe. Apart from making tea and eating snacks, Chen Xi seldom engaged directly.
"My hands-on ability is poor, but I know what needs to be done. My habit is to delegate tasks to those proficient in them," Chen Xi said nonchalantly. His knowledge was vast but superficial, relying on sharp insight and unique thinking, along with experiences from over two millennia. These sufficed to resolve most issues, but practical execution wasn't something insight and experience alone could achieve.
"Let's not dwell on this. Just remember, a noble family's scion doesn't do everything himself; he strategizes," Chen Xi said, waving off further questions. He didn't want to revisit certain unpleasant memories.
"Heh, I almost forgot you belong to the Gui clan of Chen. Going back a few hundred years, you're essentially royalty, descending from Emperor Shun, Yao Chonghua," Lu Su's face showed discomfort but refrained from asking more. This also explained why, even as a collateral branch, Chen Xi was referred to as "young master."
"Those details aren't important. What's crucial is my current status. In my plan, my status will be legitimized. Once successful, my bloodline will necessitate taking over as the head of the Chen family, consolidating it," Chen Xi shook his head. He knew the significance of his bloodline.
Bloodlines were paramount in aristocratic families. Marrying within one's rank ensured the purity of lineage. In the late Han era, bloodlines were the essence of these families. Yuan Shu's claim to be the Zhong Emperor was essentially a nod to his ancestors. Besides official positions, power, and wealth, lineage was a major point of comparison among families.
If Chen Xi's plan succeeded, becoming the family head would drastically shift the balance. His allegiance to Liu Bei would mean a top-tier family like the Chen clan firmly backing Liu Bei, reshuffling the aristocratic landscape.
This was the crux. Taking this step would change the nation's dynamics. Aristocratic families would have to reconsider their moves. The biggest obstacle—opposition from other families—would be mitigated. At least in the short term, these families would no longer pose a problem, allowing Chen Xi the respite needed. After that period, many issues would no longer be issues.