Chapter 50: Great Clans

……

Chen Xi smiled without responding. He understood this very well, and he understood something else even more clearly: the Chen family was currently betting everything on Chen Qun. Even though they had seen him, they treated him as a mere idle piece on the board—or more bluntly, as a sacrificial pawn.

However, one had to admit Chen Qun's excellence. After Xun Yu's death, he became the administrator of Wei's internal affairs. He could be described as one of the rare statesmen in the entire history of the Three Kingdoms; his implementation of the Nine-Rank System had completely completed the great clans' control over the state, serving as a banner for all aristocratic families.

"Brilliant talent" was insufficient to describe his ability, and "heaven-sent genius" could hardly express his natural gifts. One could say he was endowed with extraordinary grace. Unfortunately, Xun Yu surpassed Chen Qun in both character and ability, which was nothing short of a disaster for Chen Qun—an unparalleled disaster. This was especially true because although Xun Yu was his fellow townsman, they rarely met in person, and Chen Qun's knowledge of him was limited to what was gathered by family retainers. In other words, Chen Qun didn't truly know his fellow townsman.

After Xun Yu arrived at Cao Cao's camp, Chen Qun, full of self-confidence in his own brilliance, believed he could do everything Xun Yu could do—and felt he could do it even better. Consequently, he kicked aside Liu Bei, with whom he had gotten along quite well, and joined Cao Cao's camp. He intended to use his abilities to make Xun Yu feel ashamed of himself, prompting him to voluntarily step down and yield his position. Then, out of respect for their shared hometown, Chen Qun planned to make him his deputy. After all, the old Chen family was a prestigious clan of Yingchuan; it was only right to look after a fellow townsman.

Driven by this thought, Chen Qun abandoned Liu Bei to join Cao Cao. However, once he truly faced Xun Yu, Chen Qun realized that from every angle—from moral character to social conduct—he was no match for him. Most frustratingly, his buddy and comrade-in-arms, Sima Yi, also seemed to be no match for Xun Yu's nephew, Xun You. Chen Qun's world turned gray.

In short, Chen Qun had failed due to a lack of careful observation. His comrade Sima Yi learned from this lesson, keeping his eyes wide open at all times, which eventually led to Zhuge Liang being worn down to death.

To put it simply, this man was a complete tragedy—so much of a tragedy that Chen Xi didn't even want to speak of it. If not for Xun Yu's stubbornness in refusing to let Cao Cao ascend to the position of Duke of Wei, and if not for Cao Cao's brain malfunctioning as he became increasingly arbitrary and self-willed, leading to Xun Yu's downfall, Chen Qun would never have had his chance to rise. Otherwise, given Xun Yu's physical constitution, Chen Qun might never have had an opening in his entire life.

After Xun Yu fell, Chen Qun finally saw his day in the sun. Shortly thereafter, Xun You died, and Sima Yi finally had the opportunity to become active. By then, Cao Cao was already abnormal—to put it simply, he thought he was incredibly brilliant when, in reality, he had become a fool.

Now, as Chen Xi sought to form a "Dream Team," he wanted the best generals and, similarly, the best civil officials. Was Chen Qun the best? Clearly not; Xun Yu was not yet dead.

Furthermore, once Xun Yu passed away, Zhuge Liang would be in the midst of freely radiating his brilliance. The Dream Team would naturally come in waves, and each wave had to be the absolute best. Chen Qun was not the best, so Chen Xi wouldn't bother bringing in a substitute until it was absolutely necessary.

These were just Chen Xi's thoughts. Whether he could actually secure Xun Yu was another matter entirely. As for Chen Qun, he was decent, but unfortunately, he was a direct descendant of the Chen family, while Chen Xi was merely from a branch line. There was simply no comparison. To go and invite him now would only result in being looked down upon.

Chen Xi wanted helpers, not masters. The Chen family was a blur in his memory; all he could recall was how the family had opportunistically plundered after his father's death. As merchants, their status was still too low. Even if they had served the family back then, they would not receive the family's recognition once you fell.

Chen Xi had nothing to say about this. The instigation by those relatives wasn't "wrong"—wealth is dazzling, after all—it was just that the younger Chen Xi lacked the ability to protect that inheritance.

Therefore, although Chen Xi was grateful to the Chen family for providing him with the opportunity for an education, he held little affection for them. He had repaid everything he owed. Chen Xi was waiting for the day the Chen family would come looking for him; until then, he would not seek them out. He believed that day would not be far off.

Three days later, inside the main residence of the Chen family, Chen Qun frowned slightly as he looked at the intelligence sent by the family retainer. He gave a contemptuous laugh and tossed the white silk onto the table. "There is no need to send such trivial matters in the future. He returned to Yingchuan without coming to kowtow to the head of the house; does he truly think he has found a wise lord? Has he forgotten the education of the Chen family? Since he refuses to kowtow to the head of the house, he should no longer call himself a descendant of the Yingchuan Chen family. Strike his name from the records and send him back to Chen Zichuan. Let him understand that the Chen family is neither diminished by his presence nor enhanced by his absence."

Chen Xi sat in his own home with the housekeeper by his side. Chen Lan was pouring wine for him using a wine pot. Chen Xi was waiting.

Chen Xi was waiting to see how the Chen family would deal with him. The Chen family placed great importance on ritual; the "Three Gentlemen" had gained fame through virtue and filial piety, so the family rules placed heavy emphasis on these outward formalities. Chen Xi wanted to know what the punishment for being three days late would be: indifference, a moderate clan punishment, or being made an example of.

Watching the Chen family servant announce his expulsion from the clan with a face full of disdain, Chen Xi smiled. He hadn't expected to truly be made an example. It was likely Chen Qun who had handled the matter. As the last thread of connection to the Chen family was severed, Chen Xi felt no great emotion. The Chen family... had never truly belonged to him.

Chen Xi felt little regarding the servant's contempt. If he was expelled from the family, so be it. His connection to the Chen family was essentially non-existent anyway. However, upon hearing the news, the housekeeper turned pale and burst into loud sobs after the servant left, repeatedly kowtowing to the memorial tablet of Chen Liang's father.

"Get up, Uncle. It is nothing. As for things like families... once we are strong enough, they will come crawling back. Seeing as Chen Qun chose Cao Mengde, the Chen family will also decline. In the end, we will become the main lineage—that is nothing but a joke." Looking at the desolate housekeeper and the somber Chen Lan, Chen Xi smiled.

They did not understand. An era of chaos is the junction where great clans are redistributed. Every succession of an ancient family is incredibly bloody; there will always be those forced to choose the wrong side. Therefore, what a family must do is carve out its excellent descendants and distribute them among the lords favored by the clan elders.

Chen Xi had been "distributed" to Liu Bei's side through this process. Perhaps in the eyes of the Chen clan leader, Chen Xi would understand. After all, only the survivors are the direct lineage and the main house; everything else is merely servant. This is how the bloodlines of great aristocratic clans are refreshed. Thus, being expelled from the family during chaotic times is acceptable, as long as one emerges as a victor, the clan leader will eventually claim them.

Chen Xi didn't bother explaining. He would simply rebuild his own family when the time came. However, he would not take in anyone from the Chen family. It was better to keep the reins in his own hands!

Chen Xi was confident that Chen Qun would fall at his hands. The reason was simple: after he had navigated through all his troubles, Liu Bei would unify the world. Chen Qun would not join Liu Bei's camp. It was as simple as that. The accounts would be settled later; for now, Chen Qun could do as he pleased. There would come a time when the Chen family would come begging.

(End of Chapter)