Mythic version of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 7112 Your Uncle is Your Uncle
There are only so many wealthy families in Yingchuan. Several families have intermarried and become relatives. But because they are relatives, they are generally of the same generation. Xun You and Zhong Yao were at the bottom of this generation. Later, Chen Xi also joined this generation and gained a high position.

Later, Chen Qun was killed by Xun Yu's daughter and fell to the bottom of the food chain. Chen Xi became the highest-ranking member in the entire circle.

Because of Zhong Yao's age, he rarely called others "uncle." When they met, they would just exchange polite greetings, since they weren't considered direct relatives. Xun Yu wouldn't force Zhong Yao to call others "uncle." Only Chen Xi often teased Zhong Yao, constantly telling him to "listen carefully" when he spoke to his uncle.

Zhong Yao was disgusted by this, so he turned around and looked for Chen Xi's weakness. He found Zhen Mi and said, "You, Chen Zichuan, actually went to find a ten-year-old girl. Look at you, what kind of beast are you!"
Chen Xi was speechless after being teased, so he stopped yelling. The two lived in peace for a long time, occasionally teasing each other when they met. But if Zhong Yao did the same thing, he was convinced that Chen Xi, that shameless guy, would turn it into a joke or even a script, making it known to everyone.

Moreover, Zhong Yao was also aware of his shortcomings. Compared to Chen Xi meeting Zhen Mi when he was eighteen and she was ten, at least it could be said that he was a young man admiring a young woman. At most, the young man was a little older, but an eight-year age difference was not a problem at all in this era.

There are plenty of powerful men who remarry and find wives who are seven or eight years younger than themselves. Look at Xun You, Chen Qun, and Zhuge Jin. Aren't they all powerful men? Aren't their wives all more than ten years younger than themselves?

And then there's Guo Huai. When Guo Huai came to Wang Fan's house to say he wanted to marry her, Wang Fan was only five years old. But now Wang Fan is the matriarch of the Guo family in Taiyuan. These things don't really matter. At least maintaining proper etiquette isn't a big problem. Very few people in the world would pursue this matter.

Zhong Yao's biggest problem is that he is old. Even if he takes good care of himself and is in good health, Zhong Yao is already fifty-eight years old this year and will be fifty-nine in a couple of days. According to ancient times, if we follow Confucian principles, this age is close to being improper. Moreover, Zhang Changpu is only ten years old. If Zhong Yao has to wait until he reaches the appropriate age like Chen Xi, then Zhong Yao will definitely be against the rules of propriety.

So this is quite awkward. At this stage, for Zhong Yao, either he doesn't marry Zhang Changpu, or he does bring Zhang Changpu out as requested, and many heads of aristocratic families have seen her. Moreover, because no one knows Zhang Changpu's age, they just think that Zhong Yao has found a young mistress.

But that wasn't a problem, since Zhang Changpu looked like a fifteen-year-old young woman who should be getting married, so everyone else congratulated Zhong Yao.

The problem is that Zhang Changpu is only ten years old, while Zhong Yao will have to wait at least four years.

If the heads of other families knew this, how they would view Zhong Yao would be a huge problem. If they refused, given Zhong Yao's situation, Zhang Changpu would most likely have a hard time getting married, and even if she did, she would have to marry down, which would be terrible.

So in an instant, Zhong Yao found the most correct and effective solution: change her age to fourteen, marry her first, and keep her at home. The Zhong family is large and wealthy, so feeding a few more people wouldn't be a problem. Once she's in the family, other families won't pay attention to this issue, and all problems will be solved.

"Are your parents in Chang'an?" Zhong Yao used his wisdom to the fullest at this moment. Since no one knew Zhang Changpu's age, including Chen Xi and others who thought Zhang Changpu was fourteen or fifteen years old when they first met her, why not confirm this fact?

As for other issues, they can be resolved later. In short, the matriarch of the Zhong family must not be ten years old; a ten-year-old would be the death of an old man.

Turning ten would make Zhong Yao completely lose face in front of Chen Xi, and it would also make all the good things he did before be attacked. But as for giving up on Zhang Changpu like that, Zhong Yao thought, what was Xun You thinking back then? Bullshit! Come on, even if it's a complete waste, I will protect my safe haven. Damn it!

“It’s over in the East Market of Chang’an.” Zhang Changpu nodded, still somewhat confused.

"Yu'er, you stay here for now and offer your congratulations on my behalf. I'm going to the East Market in Chang'an." Zhong Yao's decisiveness was terrifying, and once he made up his mind, he acted swiftly and decisively without any delay. After all, some things are useless to hesitate about. After making a decision, it might be wrong to start immediately, but it is definitely wrong not to do it.

After saying this, Zhong Yao quickly left the Kou family with Zhang Changpu, then boarded the Zhong family's carriage and headed to the East Market of Chang'an to meet Zhang Changpu's parents.

"Zichuan, what's wrong?" Liu Bei tugged at Chen Xi's sleeve. They were all watching the dance with Huangfu Song, because today was the auspicious day for Huangfu Song to marry off his granddaughter and announce his nephew's engagement. Huangfu Song had also managed to bring out the Eight-Row Dance that he had previously failed to return.

In addition, today's event was very grand, with Huangfu Song providing the venue and the scale. Chen Xi specially found a group of elite dancers. It wasn't just that they gathered the most beautiful and skilled dancers in Chang'an, but at least they caught up with the vast majority of them.

As I said before, the Eight-Row Dance is a symbol of status, and being able to dance it is also a symbol of status. Even dancers, who belong to the lowest of professions, have a hierarchy. Being pulled into the Eight-Row Dance once can really elevate one's status.

So when Chen Xi, using Huangfu Song's name, formally announced to all parts of Chang'an that a grand dance would be held as a celebration, and also to broaden the horizons of the marquises, the dancers of Chang'an were practically ready to step forward and let Huangfu Song choose them. After all, in the end, all art forms need the approval of the upper class.

Therefore, Huangfu Song's dance this time was of a very high level. To be realistic, it was even more dazzling than the performance at Weiyang Palace.

After all, Liu Tong is a princess. Even if she doesn't care much about this, she shouldn't make it too extravagant. Moreover, even the people choreographing the dance would be mindful to avoid upsetting Liu Tong.

As for the emperors before them, such as the young emperor, the Min emperor, the Ling emperor, and the Huan emperor, they were all so poor that even if they had eight rows of dancers, their financial resources were insufficient, and they still had a somewhat desolate atmosphere. They were not on the same level as Chen Xi, who played with money as if it were nothing.

So much so that the younger generation of noble families who came to the Huangfu family were somewhat dumbfounded. It wasn't that they had never seen the Eight Rows of Dancers before, but they really hadn't expected that the emperor's happiness could reach such an extent. It was completely different from the things they had seen before. It was truly magnificent!

However, it was precisely after witnessing such a dazzling dance that this group became even more determined to establish a nation. They had to establish a nation; only by establishing a nation could they play like this on their own turf.

Chen Xi, on the other hand, watched this calmly. In his previous life, he had seen a more magnificent dance than this. Even though this era had internal energy and other secret techniques for light and shadow manipulation, it was still quite different from the professional dances created by decades of prosperity in later generations.

After all, things like eating, drinking, and having fun can only be created when a country is prosperous, wealthy, and rich enough. The Han Dynasty has only been prosperous for a little over ten years now. Although it is much better than the previous decades or hundreds of years, to say that it can catch up with later generations is really not good.

The fact that certain artistic aspects haven't been developed yet is a huge problem, so Chen Xi finds these things that are so amazing to others quite indifferent.

Even though Chen Xi organized the team and taught Liu Luo the relevant knowledge before having her choreograph the dance, in Chen Xi's opinion, it was just so-so.

However, Chen Xi has a habit of taking even the most ordinary things seriously as long as they represent progress in this era. Even if he's just going through the motions, he'll still put on a serious expression.

Therefore, things like getting distracted should not happen.

Liu Bei understood this well, so when he noticed that Chen Xi was somewhat distracted, he realized that something might have happened.

"Ah, sorry, someone was talking about it just now, so I checked it out," Chen Xi said with a dry laugh. In Chang'an, anyone with a bit of experience knows not to casually mention Chen Xi's name, because it might attract his attention.

In other places, it might be one thing, but in Chang'an, Chen Xi was extremely perceptive.

"Who would be talking about you in Chang'an?" Liu Bei asked with some curiosity.

“My old nephew,” Chen Xi said with a half-smile. From the moment Zhong Yao mentioned Chen Zichuan, Chen Xi’s gaze fell on him. Unlike other times when he would just glance at him or ignore him, Chen Xi immediately focused his attention on the old man after realizing that it was Zhong Yao who was talking about him.

Then Chen Xi discovered something astonishing: Zhang Changpu, the little girl Chen Xi had previously thought was fifteen years old, was actually only ten.

What else is there to say? Of course, we have to pin the blame on Zhong Yao, and do everything we can to ruin him!
When Chen Xi first met Zhang Changpu, he assumed she was an adult. After all, she was quite tall, only slightly shorter than Zhang Shi, and clearly a young woman. At that time, although Chen Xi opposed Zhong Yao, his reasons were not sufficient. The relationship between an older man and a younger woman was common, not only in the third century but also in the twenty-first century.

So Chen Xi made a few jokes, but then stopped talking. He didn't expect the other person to be only ten years old!
What else is there to say? Of course, we should shove the blame onto Zhong Yao's head. If we miss a single one, it's because Chen Zichuan disrespected Zhong Yao!
No, Zhong Yao is my nephew, what respect do I need? I didn't kick his ass because he's old.

"Zhong Yuanchang?" Liu Bei asked Chen Xi telepathically, and Chen Xi nodded.

"Yes, that's the guy." Chen Xi said in a somewhat flippant tone, preparing to tell Liu Bei Zhang Changpu's age, but just as he was about to speak, he suddenly realized that he couldn't just say it carelessly.

"That guy insulted you again?" Liu Bei said with a hint of teasing. He actually had a very high opinion of Zhong Yao; he was a very capable guy with excellent character and morality.

"He's the only one who ever yells at me," Chen Xi said irritably. "I'll have to find someone to teach him a lesson later."

Liu Bei was speechless upon hearing this. It wasn't that Chen Xi and Zhong Yao were at odds; rather, they both held each other's weaknesses, so it was inevitable that they would annoy each other when they met.

However, Liu Bei felt there was no need to interfere in such matters.

"I'll be right back." Chen Xi nodded to Liu Bei, who didn't think much of it.

Chen Xi looked around for a bit after going outside, and then found Xu Yue, Zhao Shuang, and Guo Kai, who were having an academic feast, in another living room.

Sun Qian and Jian Yong sat at the head of the table, giving a lecture on the future vision of logistics and transportation to a group of ambitious family leaders. After all, Sun Qian was being treated like an NPC and was getting a little tired of it. Realizing that he couldn't avoid it today, he pulled Jian Yong along to give a lecture to these ambitious guys.

Zhao Shuang and Guo Kai, being Sun Qian and Jian Yong's private supercomputers, were naturally brought along. And with them, Xu Yue followed. After all, the things Xu Yue liked weren't things that normal people would like, but exchanging ideas with Zhao Shuang and Guo Kai might bring some new insights.

So recently, the three of them have been getting mixed up together, and Guo Kai's math skills have improved dramatically thanks to the teachings of the two math geniuses. He has even reached the point where he can develop mathematical tools.

This is terrifying. It can only be said that Guo Kai is still young and has great potential. In addition, his mental talent is indeed in things related to mathematics, such as finding optimal solutions for graphs. He has a natural aptitude for graph theory. So, after messing around with Zhao Shuang and Xu Yue, he seems to be turning into a math whiz.

However, none of that matters. What matters is that the three of them found a spot in the living room, sat there eating and drinking, and listened to Sun Qian and Jian Yong talk about their vision for the future of logistics and transportation. Of course, the three of them had no interest in it at all, but they were very interested in eating and drinking.

So these three were indulging in academic gluttony. They weren't really listening to the lectures, since the stuff the other two were talking about wasn't really relevant to them. But of course, they couldn't let any of the high-end fruits that the Huangfu family brought from Lingnan, the top-quality pastries from Yanzhou, or the tribute snacks from the palace go to waste. They had to eat it all, because either their brains or their stomachs had to be filled.

"The last time I ate this well was at Chen Hou's house. Although there wasn't any seafood this time, the fruit, desserts, and snacks were really good." Xu Yue poured a bowl of pearl coconut milk into his mouth and muttered to Guo Kai.

"We haven't even started the main banquet yet. There's a dinner banquet tonight. I secretly went to the kitchen earlier, and wow, it feels like everything was brought from the palace. The food is definitely no less than what we had at Marquis Chen's house last time." Guo Kai squeezed out a longan, put it in his mouth, and savored its sweetness, a smile spreading across his face.

"No, which time was it that you were talking about at Chen Hou's house?" Zhao Shuang asked, somewhat puzzled. What's going on? They were sneaking a meal without me? Is it because my rank isn't high enough?
"You've gone to get married," Xu Yue said irritably, then gestured to the maid waiting nearby, signaling her to continue serving fruit and snacks. Attending a meeting? What meeting? Get some food!
"Oh, I see." Upon hearing this, Zhao Shuang didn't ask any more questions and continued to be an academic locust.

"It's really strange. I've seen this kind of fruit in southern Yizhou, but I don't know why the sweetness and texture here are so much better than what I've had. Even if it's carefully selected, it's a bit of an exaggeration. Mine were also carefully selected. Surely Dr. Sun wouldn't give me something bad to eat." Zhao Shuang said with some curiosity, holding the perfectly textured peach in her hand.

Zhao Shuang was puzzled as to what Sun Qian ate and what Zhao Shuang ate.

"That's what you don't understand. Let me tell you, all fruits can be cultivated. After selective breeding, their quality will improve dramatically." Xu Yue peeled a piece of mandarin orange, savoring its sweet and sour taste. No doubt about it, he's going to eat a whole basket of them today. He's definitely going to become an academic expert.

"Ailao tangerines, right? I like these too." Guo Kai glanced at them, then reached into his pocket and stuffed them into his pocket. As a dignified academic glutton, since I've already chosen to have an empty mind, of course I have to have a full stomach. I'll eat whatever General Huangfu said we should eat our fill, so I have to give him face!

At this moment, the heads of the prominent families below listened to Sun Qian's road plan with utter fascination and excitement, as if they were witnessing a bright and promising future. As for the Lingnan fruits, Yanzhou pastries, and imperial snacks on their table, they didn't touch a single one.

Seeing this, Sun Qian was speechless, but he still gestured to the maid waiting beside him, instructing the Huangfu family's maid to prepare more for the three academic gluttons.

As for whether doing this would be embarrassing, it doesn't matter. As long as I, Sun Qian, am not embarrassed, it is definitely the Huangfu family who are embarrassed because they didn't prepare tea, refreshments, snacks, and fruit, right?

"What's wrong?" Xu Yue asked, feeling Guo Kai pulling at him.

"It seems like Chen Hou is looking for you." Guo Kai put down the half-eaten pineapple and pointed outside the living room. Xu Yue turned his head and saw Chen Xi standing there. He tiptoed out and remembered to bring Chen Xi a handful of dates.

Seeing the jujubes Xu Yue pulled out of his pocket, Chen Xi was both amused and exasperated, but still put them away. He then looked at Xu Yue and went straight to the point, "Gonghe, do you have control over the backend of Wenru's recording-type secret mirrors? I want to go in and modify something."

"Lord Chen, the Secret Mirror is with Vice Minister Li. How could I possibly have such a thing?" Xu Yue said without looking to the side, as if to say, "I don't have it."

"Lend it to me for a bit, I need to modify something." Hearing this, Chen Xi knew that Xu Yue definitely had it. "I'll return it to you after I'm done, and I won't tell Wenru."

"Really, no," Xu Yue said.

"Sigh, how could I run into such a noob? He didn't even prepare a backup plan." Chen Xi lamented. The math genius didn't even prepare this?

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