Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 749 - 713 Understanding the Times
Follow the dragon, follow the dragon, by what right do we, the Qing Xu Families, have to trail behind the Jizhou Aristocratic Families? We had enough of that two hundred years ago. Why should we follow you this time? This is the fury of the Qing Xu Families. Two hundred years ago we did not gamble, but this time they are willing to take the chance!
As Chen Xi was riding his carriage back to Mount Tai on the official road, he had already heard plenty of rumors. He could understand the Aristocratic Families' quest for power, yet actions of such petty theft could only invoke sighs from Chen Xi. Had he not left them a path to ascend? No, on the contrary, he had left one, and not just one.
"Zhongkang, what do you think the Aristocratic Families really want to do?" Chen Xi made a gesture, letting Hann Qiong block the sound from escaping. By now, he was increasingly less pressured in instructing Hann Qiong.
"They probably want you to step back," Xuu Chu hesitated before speaking. Unlike Dian Wei, Xuu Chu, though not fond of studying, had been exposed to family education and had his own understanding of the struggle.
"They want me to step back?" Chen Xi laughed, then sighed, "Do they have the right to ask me to step back?"
In that moment, a hint of helplessness flashed across Chen Xi's eyes. Why, when he had already shown mercy, did these fools still not know better? It wasn't as if he could not crush these shameless Aristocratic Families that were overstepping their bounds. He had imposed restrictions before, but those who had followed his lead a few years ago had already regained their lost wealth, several times over.
"There are always some fools who cannot see the situation clearly. Let's go, we'll take a detour through Pingyang and see what's really going on with those joyous Aristocratic Families." Chen Xi yawned, but his eyes concealed no hint of the coldness within. There was a Bao Family in Pingyang that was making such a commotion that even Chen Xi had received news of it.
"Pingyang?" Xuu Chu frowned and hesitated before speaking, "Strategist, wouldn't it be better to return to Fenggao first? Pingyang has been somewhat disturbed recently."
"Disturbed?" Chen Xi gave a cold laugh, "Let's go there. I have some connections with the Bao Family. Let's see what the Bao Family is up to."
"We should head back to Fenggao first. Surely our Lord has been waiting there for us for quite some time." Xuu Chu was still somewhat apprehensive. The Bao Family in Pingyang had been very active recently; even Xuu Chu on the march had heard the news, and he didn't want Chen Xi venturing into danger.
"To Pingyang," Chen Xi said calmly, and then looked up at Xuu Chu. That look immediately extinguished any further explanation Xuu Chu had in mind.
Chen Xi turned the official road from Feicheng to Fenggao towards Pingyang. Fortunately, the roads around Mount Tai were well-connected, saving Chen Xi from a rough journey. By the time Chen Xi was close to arriving at Pingyang, the Bao Family finally received news of his coming.
"Uncle, at most, in half an hour Marquis Chen will be in Pingyang. What do you think he is coming for at this time?" Bao Xun posed this question with evident concern upon receiving the news of Chen Xi's imminent arrival.
"Should we open the gates of Bao Family to welcome him, or should we close our doors and turn him away?" Bao Shao said with some hesitation, unsure what Chen Xi's visit opportune visit meant, and despite the Bao Family having over a thousand private soldiers, he dared not suggest any rebellious ideas.
"What we need to consider now is why he is coming. Lately, we haven't spared ourselves from educational considerations," Bao Tao furrowed his brows.
After Bao Xin's death, and hearing that Liu Bei had defeated the Yellow Turbans, the Bao Family had moved back to Mount Tai. And now, with Bao Dan, the Elder Bao keeping silent, the Bao Family's reins were mostly in the hands of Bao Tao.
Bao Tao didn't die in Xingyang partially because of the failure of Dong Zhuo's arrangements by Chen Xi in Luoyang beforehand, but after Bao Xin's death, Bao Tao resigned his official position and moved his family to Mount Tai. On one hand, he saw potential in Liu Bei; on the other hand, it was also because the Bao Family could be considered a time-honored Clan at Mount Tai, where they once raised a private army of twenty thousand!
Moreover, although the Bao Family had left the territory governed by Cao Cao, whether it was their support to Cao Cao during the initial campaign against Dong Zhuo or after Bao Xin's death when Yanzhou fell into Cao Cao's hands, they still shared a kindred spirit. Even if Cao Cao rose to power later, he would not make things difficult for the Bao Family; thus, Bao Tao decided to move his family back to their ancestral land.
Unfortunately, by the time the Bao Family returned, Chen Xi had already distributed Mount Tai's land to the common people. Although the Bao Family held the Land Deeds, they were unable to reclaim the lands from the people. Fortunately, Chen Xi was not thoroughly ruthless, and the Bao Family, being aware of the times, followed Chen Xi's direction and shifted their focus to commerce.
As a result, over the years, the Bao Family's wealth reached its peak, and the Land Exchange Vouchers they were allowed to retain under Chen Xi's orders were still valid. According to Chen Xi, the lands would be repaid when the world was unified, and this benefit was only for Clans that were astute in recognizing the situation at the time.
It could be said that the Bao Family suffered hardly any losses, but alas, sometimes having full granaries and knowing one's honor is not all that matters. The Bao Family and many other families with ample resources began to set their sights on power again; the thoughts of vying for power and profit re-emerged.
"Maybe we should refuse all visitors; that one is a bit too eerie. Better not to meet if we can avoid it," Bao Xun frowned and said. This was how most members of Aristocratic Families felt about Chen Xi; when a person became so powerful that they could no longer see the whole picture, it would naturally inspire fear and wariness in them.
"Our whole family will go to the city outskirts to welcome him, and invite him with heavy ceremonial gifts. Whatever he asks, we'll answer honestly, without harboring any ulterior motives," Bao Tao was still pondering when Elder Bao, who seldom appeared, surfaced in the main hall, walking with a cane, swept a glance at his son and grandchildren, and spoke.
"Father, why are you here?" "Grandfather, please take a seat," the people in the Bao Family's main hall hurried to make room for Bao Dan.
"How could I not come at a time like this for the Bao Family," Bao Dan slammed his cane on the floor several times forcefully, and suddenly his sons and grandsons all lowered their heads in silence.
When Chen Xi arrived in Pingyang, the entire Bao Family was there to meet him outside of the city, with Old Master Bao personally receiving Chen Xi.
"Elder Bao, it's been a long time." Chen Xi sighed deeply as he looked at the calm expressions of the Bao Family, dismounted the carriage, and gave a bow to Bao Dan.
"Marquis Chen still possesses great talent and heroic appearance, please," Old Master Bao straightened his back and gestured for Chen Xi to enter.
"Well, I originally wanted to see what was going on, but seeing Elder Bao so poised I won't ask anymore," Chen Xi shook his head, indicating he would not enter.
It was already a lack of respect that other families gathered to welcome Chen Xi while he behaved this way, but Old Master Bao still treated him with great reverence and showed no sign of dissatisfaction.
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"Lord Marquis, you might as well ask. After you have asked, my Bao Family will give a reply, so that both your mind and mine can be at ease," Bao Dan propped himself up with his cane and looked at Chen Xi as he spoke.
"I am simply wondering, is my reputation already sufficient for your Bao Family to change its course so radically?" Chen Xi asked, helplessly. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at . Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
