Chapter 49: Hometown in Yingchuan

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The army was stationed outside the administrative seat of Yingchuan Commandery. To be honest, Liu Bei's arrival had scared the Governor of Yangdi half to death. Although this was the seat of Yingchuan, seeing over ten thousand elite infantry and cavalry stationed outside the city would terrify anyone, especially in such uncertain times of chaos.

Chen Liang, the Governor of Yangdi, immediately locked the city gates and mobilized all defensive forces within the city to prepare for a siege by Liu Bei. After all, the Han Dynasty had not yet fallen; moving over ten thousand troops within its borders without an official mandate was strictly forbidden.

After Liu Bei sent the Grand General's mobilization order up from beneath the city walls, Chen Liang finally realized it was a false alarm. Of course, he could see that no matter which way one traveled back to Mount Tai, they wouldn't end up in his territory. However, at a time like this, no one would be foolish enough to dwell on such details. He had absolutely no desire to provoke this high-ranking official, who clearly held both military and civil authority—a man who couldn't be compared to a provincial governor like himself who lacked military power.

To put it bluntly, if Liu Bei's army besieged the city now, they could wipe him out and find someone to replace him, then report it to the central government; in these chaotic times, practically no one would care.

"Governor Chen is too kind. It was improper of me to pass through here, but for the sake of peace under my jurisdiction, I had to come to a place as spiritually gifted as Yingchuan to seek out a few talents," Liu Bei said, giving Chen Liang face. Seeing that the other man was standing behind the city gates, he showed no arrogance; instead, he cupped his hands politely, offering Chen Liang an easy way out.

"Lord Xuande is too kind. Governing a region requires a balance between civil administration and military prowess. Banditry is rampant in Mount Tai Commandery, and Lord Xuande's soldiers are brave and robust, making it no problem to crush bandits. However, they lack civil officials, whereas our Yingchuan is famous for producing many scholars," Chen Liang replied, taking the opportunity to pivot. He showed great interest in the large number of cavalry under Liu Bei's command, hinting at it with a casual laugh.

Since the other party was playing along, Liu Bei followed suit. These soldiers were his lifeblood; even Liu Bei himself didn't have enough to go around, and Chen Liang thought he could skim some off the top? What a joke. Giving someone a way out is meant to let them move on, not to give them a ladder to climb. To think he actually dared to eye the soldiers—Chen Xi truly didn't know what his kinsman was thinking.

A banquet was held to welcome the guests, and the soldiers were rewarded. It was unclear whether Chen Liang had lost his wits or if he truly saw potential in Liu Bei, but the hospitality was beyond reproach. He even specifically invited the prominent families of the city to join the welcome feast; strangely enough, Chen Xi's father-in-law was among them.

"Zichuan, why are you here?" After the feast, seeing Fan Liang nod to him with his eyes, Chen Xi slipped away from the banquet. Liu Bei was exceptionally tolerant toward the few subordinates he currently had.

"How is Uncle? Xi has already gone to Hulao Pass to witness the various lords of the world. Their ambitions are almost entirely on display now. The destiny of the Guangwu lineage has reached its end. I am currently following Lord Xuande, planning to secure some wealth and status," Chen Xi said with a smile. Fan Liang was a trustworthy man, so he didn't mind saying such world-shaking words.

"Watch your words!" Fan Liang barked.

"It is only because it is you, Uncle. I wouldn't say this to anyone else. What do you think of Lord Xuande?" Chen Xi asked with a smile.

"Inexpressibly noble," Fan Liang said after a long silence. "The aura of a King or a Marquis."

"Only the aura of a King or Marquis?" Chen Xi's face was playful, lacking much reverence. To him, Fan Liang was more of a relative, and one didn't need much ceremony with family; truly, etiquette was for outsiders.

"The aura of an Emperor. However, it should have been tempered by the misfortune of losing a wife, but for some reason, that has been suppressed. His original path of displacement and late success has been forcibly elevated to a grand highway. This is not the countenance of a founding emperor; without sufficient hardship, it is impossible to establish a kingdom!" Fan Liang spoke after another long silence.

"Uncle's eyes are as sharp as ever," Chen Xi said with a smile. A thousand-year-old family inevitably possessed knowledge that differed from ordinary people; even in decline, they were not comparable to common families.

"Your physiognomy..." Fan Liang frowned.

"Uncle, you should talk about Sister Fanjian instead. Don't bother looking at my face," Chen Xi said with a smile.

The topic was instantly diverted. What did facial features matter compared to his daughter's marriage? If she wasn't married off soon, Fan Liang wouldn't just be unable to pay the double head tax—he wouldn't be able to bear the shame!

"Jian'er is well; she is just waiting for you to marry her. I can see that Liu Xuande treats you very well. Since you have already chosen your path, I will say no more. Take Jian'er and leave; just notify your aunt and me when you marry. I will come to Mount Tai then. As for you, Zichuan, to be honest, I underestimated you," Fan Liang said, his face first smiling before gradually turning calm as he praised Chen Xi.

"Just take her away? That doesn't seem to follow proper etiquette," Chen Xi said, frowning. "As for whether you underestimated me or not, it doesn't matter. I know my own worth."

"Just take her. Since you intend to build a career, you should first establish a family. Cao Mengde revealed your hand while he was talking; how do you think the various lords will view you?" Fan Liang waved his hand, signaling Chen Xi not to worry about such trifles. The Fan family was no longer the great aristocratic house it once was, and the engagement had long been set; they could just take her.

"It's nothing. Lord Cao has gained a good subordinate. I suspect he wants Lü Bu to eliminate Li Ru and Dong Zhuo, bringing the distrust among the three directly into the open. Normally, if they were transparent at this stage, a scheme of sowing discord would be difficult to execute against them. Unfortunately, Li Ru is highly intelligent, Lü Bu is lacking in strategy, and Dong Zhuo is tyrannical. Bringing it into the open will instead make them even more distrustful of one another," Chen Xi said with a shrug. This was a pure "open scheme"—it was simply bullying.

Upon hearing Fan Liang's words, Chen Xi understood that Cao Cao's first capable minister had appeared. Xi Zhicai, a figure not found in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* but recorded in the *Records of the Three Kingdoms*, had finally emerged. Cao Cao had officially begun to amass his strength. Similarly, Zao Zhi, who had joined Cao Cao early on, had basically completed the groundwork for the *tuntian* (agricultural colony) system and would likely be able to implement it very soon.

"Zichuan, you seem very proficient in these matters. To think that the sickly youth of the past has grown to this extent. I imagine Brother Chen would be immensely surprised if he were still alive," Fan Liang said with emotion, looking satisfied at Chen Xi's nonchalant expression.

Seeing that Chen Xi remained silent, Fan Liang thought for a moment and said, "Zichuan, I suspect that besides seeking me and Jian'er, you came to Yingchuan with the intention of seeking talents for Liu Xuande. But remember, do not go to the Chen family unless one day they seek you out, hoping to use your connection to reach Liu Xuande. Otherwise, do not involve yourself with them. Great families have their own ways of conducting business; until you have sufficient capability, do not touch these things."

(End of Chapter)