Chapter 40

Chen Deng, also known as Chen Yu Long, was from Huai Pu County in Xi Pi Commandery. He was the son of Chen Gui, the former Prefect of Pei. At the age of twenty-five, he was recommended as a filial and clean official and served as the magistrate of Dongyang County. This time, Tao Qian summoned him to serve as the Chief Agricultural Officer, and Shi Kuan was sent to invite him, so he came to Tan County with Shi Kuan.

Chen Deng was famous for his arrogance in history. The scholar Xu Si once said to Liu Biao and Liu Bei, "Chen Yu Long is a man of the lakes and seas, and his arrogance has not been eliminated." This meant that Chen Deng was too arrogant, treated people rudely, and behaved like a wandering knight. Liu Bei asked, "What makes you draw this conclusion?" Xu Si replied, "One year, I visited Chen Deng, and he did not know how to treat guests. He did not talk to me for a long time and lay on a large bed, making me lie on a low bed (at that time, beds were actually sitting furniture that could be half-lying and half-sitting)."

Later, when Chen Deng became the Governor of Guangling, he sent his subordinate Chen Jiao to Xu Capital on official business and instructed him, "I heard that my reputation in the capital is not good. Help me find out and report back to me." When Chen Jiao returned, he reported that people were discussing how arrogant Chen Deng was.

But did Chen Deng deserve this arrogance? When Xu Si called him a "man of the lakes and seas," Liu Bei laughed and said, "Chen Deng did well. Mr. Xu, you bear the name of a national scholar but have done nothing for the country. If it were me, I would lie on a hundred-foot tower and make you lie on the ground, not just a difference in bed height."

When Chen Jiao reported that everyone thought he was too proud, Chen Deng explained, "In this world, I only admire a few people like Chen Ji, Hua Xin, Zhao Xu, Kong Rong, and Liu Bei, and I treat them with the utmost respect. How can I be called proud? Others are mediocre and not worth my attention."

In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, although Chen Deng did not have many scenes, he was quite impressive. He and his father Chen Gui manipulated Lu Bu and Chen Gong like puppets. Historically, Chen Deng was even more formidable. As the Governor of Guangling, he defeated Sun Ce's army twice and sent a large number of spies to Jiangdong to incite local warlords to oppose the Sun family, achieving significant results. According to several papers that Shi Xun had read, Sun Ce's assassination was actually orchestrated by Chen Deng.

Even Liu Bei thought Chen Deng's arrogance was justified. How could Shi Xun look down on him just because of his 45-degree sky-gazing pose?

So when Shi Kuan and his brothers discussed it, he said, "Chen Yu Long lost his wife last year and has not remarried. It would be a good match for my younger sister." Shi Zhuo, who was a bookworm, said, "I find him very arrogant. I wonder what classics he studies?" Shi Yu, though practical, did not understand the situation in Xu Province, and said, "I don't know how he manages his property. Can he prosper the family?" Shi Xun quickly raised his hand and said, "Chen Yu Long is both literate and martial. He will soon be famous throughout the world. It's him. We mustn't let him slip away!"

Shi Kuan gave him a strange look, "Hong Fu seems to know a lot about Yu Long." Shi Xun quickly explained, "During my time in Xu Province, I often heard people say that Chen Deng, as the magistrate of Dongyang, cared for the elderly and orphans and loved the people like his own children. Such a virtuous official will surely be famous and respected in the future."

Shi Kuan was young but studious, and his older brother also liked him. Unlike his brother who read books to death, Shi Kuan was practical and respected his third brother. After all, if he didn't have some social experience, who would let him travel alone? Shi Zhuo also wanted to travel, but Shi Yi firmly refused—how could he let the eldest son die mysteriously in a foreign place?

Although Shi Xun was a distant cousin and had not been back to his hometown in Beihai for long, he had won the praise of Kong Rong, the teaching of Sun Qian, and single-handedly repelled the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou. He was also gentle and sweet-talking, so Shi Zhuo and Shi Kuan had a high opinion of him and felt closer to him than to their youngest brother, Shi Jun.

Therefore, since both Shi Kuan and Shi Xun were in favor of Chen Yu Long, Shi Zhuo and Shi Yu no longer had any doubts. Shi Yu instructed Shi Kuan, "It's best if the third brother first probes Chen Yu Long's attitude. If he is interested, we can write to our father for a decision—since we all agree, our father will not object."

Shi Kuan nodded and said it would be best to invite Chen Yu Long to stay at the manor for the New Year, so there would be several days to find an opportunity to talk to him. After the meeting, Shi Xun asked, "How did the third brother and Chen Yu Long meet? Are you on good terms?"

Shi Kuan replied that after fleeing from Jingzhou to Xu Province, he visited local celebrities like Zhao Xu, Mi Zhu, Cao Hong, and Cao Bao, including Chen Gui, the former Prefect of Pei. He also delivered a letter to Chen Deng, who was serving in Dongyang, and thus they met. "Chen Yu Long has great ambitions, which I cannot match. We had a pleasant conversation, but I wouldn't say we are close."

Shi Xun thought that Chen Deng probably didn't treat him very well, even if they didn't sit on different beds, they were probably just nodding acquaintances. He wanted Shi Kuan to introduce him to Chen Deng, but Shi Kuan said, "When we entered, we introduced all the brothers to Chen Yu Long. Whether we can talk further is up to you."

Shi Xun scratched his head.

He really wanted to meet Chen Deng—this meeting was not just a formal greeting, but a desire to be friends. There were two reasons. First, in his previous life, he had studied the history of the Three Kingdoms and greatly admired Chen Deng, often thinking of his extraordinary demeanor. Of course, it wasn't just the 45-degree sky-gazing pose, but a deeper level of character. He had met many famous people in this life, but they were of different levels. Only those who left an indelible mark in history and were sincerely revered by later generations, like Taishi Ci, aroused his desire for deeper interaction. Compared to Taishi Ci and Chen Deng, people like Shi Yi, Kong Rong, Guan Hai, and Cao Bao were nothing. Meeting them might make him happy for a while, but not meeting them wouldn't make him regretful.

Moreover, among the famous scholars of Xu Province, only Chen Deng had real investment value... perhaps Mi Zhu as well, but mainly because of his wealth. Regardless of whether Tao Qian, Liu Bei, Lu Bu, or Cao Cao ruled Xu Province, Chen Deng remained in a stable position, which was a testament to his political wisdom. More importantly, if he had to stay in Xu Province for a long time, relying on Chen Yu Long would be more reliable than relying on Cao Bao or Mi Zhu.

But how could he approach Chen Deng? If Shi Kuan had a good relationship with Chen Deng, he could ask Shi Kuan to introduce him, and he would have a chance to have a deep conversation. However, it seemed that Shi Kuan didn't have that much influence and was hesitant, seemingly afraid of rejection. In the current situation, did he really have a chance to marry his sister to Chen Deng as a second wife?

Shi Xun indirectly raised his doubts to Shi Kuan, who thought for a moment and suddenly asked, "Has Hong Fu met the younger sister? What do you think of her?" Shi Xun replied that he had only met her once, and her appearance and talent were excellent, but what did that matter? In the current marriage practices, the main consideration was the match of family status. Although the Shi family was not of low status, they were from another province. How could he make Chen Deng interested?

Shi Kuan replied, "The younger sister is not only beautiful but also well-versed in classics and history, with more insight than the eldest brother..." Shi Xun thought to himself: "You mean she's not as good as you?" He continued, "Chen Yu Long has no relatives in Tan County. The New Year is coming, and Governor Tao will soon close his office. It's a good opportunity to invite him to stay at the manor for the New Year. Then we can find a chance for him to meet the younger sister. I believe it will work."

Shi Xun cursed in his heart, "Are you planning another romantic encounter in the snow? Are you addicted to matchmaking?" He found it unreliable. It seemed that to get closer to Chen Deng, or even to marry into his family, he had to rely on himself.

But how could he do it? According to the typical plot of穿越 novels, he should directly meet Chen Deng and analyze the current political situation. This was the unique strength of a穿越 person, who knew the future development of history. He would raise two fingers and speak with authority, like Lu Su's "Bedside Strategy" or Zhuge Liang's "Longzhong Plan," leaving the other person speechless and bowing in admiration...

Unfortunately, this plot was not realistic at this time. If it were after Emperor Xian fled from Chang'an, he could copy Xun Wenruo's "Support the Emperor to Punish the Disloyal." If it were before the Battle of Guandu, he could copy Guo Jia's "Ten Victories and Ten Defeats." Later, he could copy the "Bedside Strategy" and "Longzhong Plan"... But what was the current situation? Saying that Yuan Shao would definitely defeat Gongsun Zan? That Cao Cao would definitely control Yanzhou? That Lu Bu would also seize Xu Province? What was the basis? Would the other person think he was a fortune-telling charlatan?

Moreover, without a reputation, a nameless young man predicting the division of the world would not be believed. If it weren't for Xu Shu and Sima Hui's recommendations and the three visits to the thatched cottage, would Liu Bei even listen to a farmer from Longzhong?

Furthermore, Chen Deng was a famous arrogant man, who even posed with a 45-degree sky-gazing pose when staying in someone's house. How could he start a conversation without being kicked out? Even if he wasn't kicked out, if he kept gazing at the sky and ignored him, it wouldn't work.

This was a big problem—should he give up? Or wait for Shi Kuan to get lucky and really introduce his sister to Chen Deng, and then talk about the marriage after they were engaged?

No, no, Shi Xun encouraged himself. He couldn't give up easily. He knew his own worth. To stand out in this life and live better, he had to master the skills of interacting with others, especially important people. Even if it meant deceiving, he had to make these important people willing to accept him. It was a pity he hadn't heard that Chen Deng liked poetry, otherwise, he could continue to plagiarize Tao Yuanming...

He thought and thought, suddenly slapped his thigh, and said, "I've been thinking the wrong way—let's go and meet Chen Deng. This method might work!"

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