Mythic version of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 7116 Chen Xi's Choice
Just as if the United States had granted Mexico a claim in the future, most Mexicans would naturally have considered themselves Americans rather than Mexicans.

The Yuan family is better than Rome, or Mexico compared to the United States, but under such claims, the number of traitors is countless. Some traitors are not even aware that they are traitors, but take it for granted.

The so-called problem of cultural erosion is so brutal because the power to define civilized society is not in our hands. No matter how much you recite it, you cannot change those who have already accepted this doctrine.

For example, thank God for sending technology, tsk, there's no way to refute that. The only thing to do is to eliminate that soil and let it die out on its own after a few generations. The Yuan family's misfortune is that they eliminated the soil for Roman culture to survive in just ten years, and now Rome has returned and nominally incorporated them.

And reputation, sometimes, really does possess power.

Rome could easily find a pro-Roman Slavic figure within the Yuan family with just a glance, and people would flock to him. Yuan Tan couldn't just kill him off casually.

What if Rome made contact with the internal forces of the Yuan family and supported a pro-Rome faction within the Yuan family?

It may sound strange, but remember that the kings of Armenia were once appointed alternately by Rome and Parthia. However, Armenia eventually sided with Rome because Rome cultivated a pro-Roman faction within Parthia and developed it into the king of Armenia, around the time Parthia died.

Similarly, if Rome were to foster a pro-Rome faction within the Yuan family, the Yuan family would be doomed. Currently, the most suitable Yuan family members to be pro-Rome members are Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, who have already made contact with Rome.

As for whether it's a delusion to refute Rome or just empty talk with a hidden agenda, it's hard to say. To reiterate, a traitor may not truly want to be a traitor, but driven by self-interest, the future of being a traitor is broader for some.

More importantly, Yuan Tan accepted the investiture, even if it was with the tacit approval of the Han Dynasty. As long as it was an investiture, certain outrageous behaviors of the Yuan family could not be directly proven to be treason. With a loophole to exploit, some things would be hard to avoid.

After all, under such circumstances, some people treat certain ideologies as a business, and even if you know that the other party has malicious intentions, you are in a position where you simply cannot refute it!
Therefore, under the current circumstances, Xun Chen felt that things had to be made clear. Even if this was a family matter of the Yuan family, what family matter did the feudal lords have? They were all matters of the world!
“If that’s the case, then this old man will handle it,” Yuan Sui said with a hint of ruthlessness. Anyone who’s lived to this age knows everything.

As far as Yuan Sui was concerned, if things really came to that point, rather than having the Yuan family's civil officials exhaust themselves and end up carrying out the execution, it would be better for him, the old man, to do it. At least, this would prevent the family and the core civil officials from becoming alienated.

After all, even if a prince's ministers are of the best interests of the people, if they execute a prince's family member, they will inevitably be purged by the prince's descendants in the future. In Yuan Sui's view, this was really wrong.

Xun Chen remained silent upon hearing this, while Chunyu Qiong silently touched the sword at his waist. If there were some things that really needed to be done, only this old minister could handle them.

Given Chunyu Qiong's relationship with Yuan Shao, as a senior minister among senior ministers, there were some matters that only he was qualified to handle.

"Gongjin, two of Cao Cao's core civil officials have been taken away by Chen Zichuan." Sun Ce said to Zhou Yu telepathically while singing wedding songs, as he was also watching the scene closely.

“That’s normal. The Cao family didn’t send anyone to present gifts at that time. If Chen Zichuan doesn’t take action, then the Prince of Jin will have to. After all, the rules that need to be followed in this matter don’t just apply to the Prince of Jin and Chen Zichuan.” Zhou Yu said in a low voice. If Liu Bei and Chen Xi don’t deal with the Cao family, then others will have to tie them up and teach them a lesson, because that’s the rule.

“But these are Chen Changwen and Xun Gongda.” Sun Ce said in a solemn voice transmission. As a civil official he had met in the northern frontier, the two were once full of vigor and ambition. He could clearly feel their talent standing at the pinnacle. But now, with just one sentence from Chen Xi, they were forcibly transferred without even the right to refuse. No, let alone refuse, they couldn’t even open their mouths!
"Even if it were me, what could I do?" Zhou Yu said with a hint of dejection. "He is already invincible, and even his previous words were considered respectable in my eyes. If not, what about Chen Changwen? What about Xun Gongda? Bo Fu, you haven't forgotten that after the incident the other day, you and I rushed over immediately? Our dignity was given to us by them, but if they hadn't given it to us!"

If you don't give it to me, what can I do?

If they are not given the money, they will even have to think about what they did wrong and have to smile apologetically!
"Chen Zichuan is already quite respectable. He even managed to eliminate everyone and everything he disliked, and he tolerated these things that he disliked but that didn't significantly affect the functioning of society, and he still managed to communicate with us properly." Zhou Yu said this with a hint of self-abandonment. After having his fun the day before, Zhou Yu realized that he seemed quite pathetic, especially in front of Chen Xi.

"This is probably what they call saintly virtue. Thinking back on how I praised Chen Zichuan to death back then, it's really laughable. People really can't escape their own perceptions," Zhou Yu said with a hint of disappointment.

The deeper one's understanding of the Han dynasty, the more one can comprehend the terror of Chen Xi. But it is precisely because one can comprehend this terror that Zhou Yu finds this era truly uninteresting.

“That’s good too. At least in this era, we don’t need to think about all sorts of things. With Chen Zichuan in power, others can focus on their own tasks without worrying about arrows coming from behind,” Sun Ce said calmly. “Thinking too much won’t solve anything. It’s better to put that mental energy into what we should be doing.”

“Bo Fu, that’s you. Most people in this world can’t do that, especially smart people who always want to control everything.” Zhou Yu shook his head and explained. Sun Ce couldn’t help but laugh out loud in the transmission channel when he heard this.

“Even Chen Zichuan didn’t expect to be able to control everything, yet you guys are expecting this.” Sun Ce laughed happily, and Zhou Yu didn’t refute him. To be honest, this goal was just the most extreme scenario.

"Just do what you need to do and don't overthink things. We have a lot to do too." Sun Ce turned to look at Zhou Yu and smiled. He was very open-minded about these things and didn't want Zhou Yu to get lost in unrealistic fantasies.

"I've simply come to understand Chen Xi better through this incident," Zhou Yu said with a touch of emotion, but without any hint of disappointment.

After all, Zhou Yu had realized long ago that Chen Xichun was a monster.

For humans, there is actually no difference between a monster that can kill them in one move and a monster that can kill another monster in one move.

After receiving positive results from Chen Qun and Xun You, Chen Xi focused his attention on the wedding and began singing joyful songs to bless Kou Feng and Huangfu Liangmiao.

"Zichuan, I have a question for you." Just as Chen Xi was singing "Joyful Song," Fa Zheng's voice came over, and Chen Xi's song paused for a moment.

"What is it?" Chen Xi asked telepathically, puzzled.

"Should I go to the Ganges next, or should Master Li go to the Ganges?" Fa Zheng went straight to the point. There was no need to beat around the bush with Chen Xi; he could just ask directly.

“I think you are more suitable,” Chen Xi replied in a calm voice.

"Alright, so you mean our lord thinks Li Shi should go this time?" Fa Zheng replied after a moment of silence. "In the end, it still came to this."

Fa Zheng had previously thought that he should accompany the army again, since he had a more thorough understanding of the situation in the Ganges and had served as a strategist there for a long time. In addition, there was a major case in the Ganges that he needed to investigate, so Fa Zheng had always felt that he should be the first choice.

Judging from the recent situation and Liu Bei's attitude, it seems that he will not allow Liu Bei to accompany the army.

"It can't be said that it has come to this point, so don't talk nonsense to me." Chen Xi said with a hint of helplessness in his voice. There is still no certainty about Liu Bei's choice to have Li You accompany the army, but in Chen Xi's judgment, it is highly likely that it is Li You. Now Fa Zheng also feels that way, so it can basically be confirmed.

“If Master Li goes, he will definitely carry out a purge,” Fa Zheng sighed. “The problem is that it’s happening at this time…”

“You’ve misunderstood. Lord Xuande’s going there is a final act of kindness, giving some middle and high-ranking officials a dignified end. If Lord Xuande hadn’t gone, many of them would have died from greed. But if Lord Xuande had gone, many of them would have died in battle.” Chen Xi said with a hint of unspoken sorrow.

"Then those who didn't die will have to face Master Li's methods." Fa Zheng said helplessly, "To be honest, I'm not saying that the purge is wrong, but that things have come to this point, and carrying out this purge is very problematic. In fact, to put it bluntly, if we really wanted to purge, we should have done it long ago!"

"The matter I wanted to investigate is now completely ruined, right? After the battle, there's no need to investigate anymore. The Kushans have taken the blame directly, and we don't even need to go through the details, right?" Fa Zheng said with some dissatisfaction, as if he already knew the outcome. "It's not that I really care who killed them, but I think as personnel sent down from Chang'an, we should at least investigate and give an explanation."

"Actually, we knew the answer from the very beginning." Chen Xi was silent for a moment, then said with a hint of revelation in his voice, "Some things are not that they can't be found out, but that they can't be found out."

Why did Zhong Yao say it was a clash between mountain peaks? Because if you investigate, it is indeed a clash between mountain peaks.

The management of Zhao Yun's group definitely went wrong. Although according to the rules, Zhao Yun, as the commander of Zhao Yun's group, should be held responsible since the people sent down from Chang'an did die on his side, especially since both the overt and covert leads were gone, Zhao Yun must be punished!

Zhu Ling was terrified because she knew that both the main and secondary leads had died on Zhao Yun's side, and then Zhao Yun went back, and that was the end of the story. This was truly terrifying.

The problem is that, at this point, it's definitely not appropriate to punish Zhao Yun; that's a matter of principle. Therefore, it's necessary to formally close the case in other ways.

“It’s clearly something we could investigate, something we could clearly do to clear Zilong’s name. We know very well that Zilong didn’t do this,” Fa Zheng said, his voice tinged with anger.

“But if you investigate, it will eventually fall on Zilong. If you investigate, Zilong will take the blame for those people.” Chen Xi said helplessly, “That’s the kind of person he is. You know it, I know it, and the people who did this know it too.”

Zhao Yun was willing to take the blame, so what could Chen Xi do? Actually, when Li Tiao went to find Zhao Yun, Zhao Yun knew everything, but Zhao Yun's final choice was to stop it.

Chen Xi knew what Zhao Yun was thinking, but could Chen Xi persuade Zhao Yun? No, he couldn't.

This is a feudal era, and in the universal morality of this era, brotherhood is very important. The matter is serious, but Zhao Yun can still handle it. Moreover, since things have come to this point, let's leave it at that and save face. I, Zhao Yun, will suppress them and tell them not to do it again. I will take responsibility for this matter and not investigate!

So Chen Xi said okay, we'll do it your way first, and Fa Zheng stopped.

Chen Xi's attitude was one of complete abandonment, waiting for a reckoning later, while Fa Zheng's was, "I can choose not to deal with it, but I need a precise answer and a detailed process."

Clearly, since Li You went, there are no accurate answers or detailed processes left, only a result, and even that result's authenticity is questionable.

“Let me go,” Fa Zheng said after a moment of silence. “I need a definite answer to this matter. It’s an explanation for those investigators who were sent down to risk their lives to investigate.”

"I made a suggestion, but it was rejected," Chen Xi said after a moment of silence.

Chen Xi was aware of Liu Bei's concerns. There was no doubt that Zhao Yun was innocent, but if the investigation continued, both Liu Bei and Chen Xi worried that Zhao Yun might take the initiative to push things forward and take the blame upon himself, which would leave loopholes for criticism.

Chen Xi believed that Fa Zheng understood as well, but what Fa Zheng said was also correct. What he needed was not the result, but a complete process and answer, which was an explanation to those investigators who risked their lives to investigate.

"I just don't understand. Haven't you always opposed the Great Purge? Why didn't you stop it this time?" Fa Zheng asked with some disappointment.

“My reason for opposing the purge is simple: it would destroy the foundation of mutual trust between the leadership and subordinates. Without this trust, the stability of the entire organization would be greatly compromised. But the reality is…” Chen Xi looked at Fa Zheng with a hint of disappointment.

The reality is that there's no genuine trust or open communication among people these days, which is quite ridiculous.

Fa Zheng remained somewhat silent.

“Actually, there’s something you might not realize: there’s a huge rift between Wenru and the Liangzhou faction,” Chen Xi sighed. “To put it bluntly, aren’t the Marquis of Chiyang, the Marquis of Meiyang, and the Marquis of Wannian worried that Wenru will purge them as well?”

Fa Zheng was taken aback, and the silence that had been there began to continue.

“The executioner’s knife can indeed intimidate others, but all power is only meaningful if it gains the recognition and trust of those around it. The executioner’s knife, or rather, the great purge, will consume this recognition and trust, because the executioner will worry that one day the executioner’s knife will fall on his own body.” Chen Xi said with a hint of helplessness, “That’s why I have always rejected the so-called great purge.”

“Master Li…” Fa Zheng said with some worry.

“He did have the belief of sacrificing himself for righteousness, but it was meaningless if only he had it. Moreover, the thoughts of those who followed him were constantly changing. Therefore, Wenru’s path was destined to fail because he was destined to be unable to unite others,” Chen Xi said with a hint of sorrow.

Suppression through slaughter and purges will inevitably be overthrown sooner or later, unless all those carrying out the orders are robots. Distance breeds aspiration, but as distance grows, the illusion shatters, and people begin to contemplate certain commands. Once humans start to think, many problems will arise. Without the constraints of unified beliefs and ideals, the backlash from slaughter and purges is only a matter of time.

When Chen Xi realized that all the major families and all the wise men of this era were waiting for his death and for the next era to arrive, Chen Xi understood that Li You's approach was bound to fail, because humans are not made of special materials and all have emotions and desires.

"Then why do we have to do it again this time?" Fa Zheng asked with some caution. Chen Xi was the most opposed to the Great Purge and massacre, and Fa Zheng agreed with Chen Xi's view on the backlash of the Great Purge. But since that's the case!

“I don’t like to hold people accountable when we lose at the front, because the strategy at the front is something we all work on together and it’s been approved. The commanders at the front are also trying their best to be proactive. We selected the commanders ourselves, and I’ve done my best to provide them with logistical support. From the generals to the soldiers, everyone really wants to win, but sometimes we still lose,” Chen Xi said with a hint of disappointment. “After all, the enemy is also fighting for their lives.”

“So unless there is a truly fatal command error on the battlefield, I will basically not hold anyone accountable.” Chen Xi said to Fa Zheng, “After all, war is not just fought on the front lines, but actually fought by all of us. If we are to hold a general accountable, we need to go through the process together from the central government to the front lines.”

"But that was before. This time, there will definitely be accountability. Or to put it more directly, this accountability is to purge some bad apples. Those who died in battle, whether from greed or other causes, will be counted as sacrificing their lives for their country. But those bad apples who didn't die have sufficient reason to be removed this time," Chen Xi said indifferently.

I'm outta here, the temperature difference these past few days has been terrifying.