Chapter 51

Chen Xi is now somewhat depressed, mainly because he misjudged Chen Qun's reaction. In times of chaos, it is the time for noble families to vie for power and re-establish their status. At such times, collateral branches, secondary families, and illegitimate children all try their luck.

Generally, when the head of a family discovers such internal hints, they will take action. Most of the time, they are simply sent away, or if the situation is unclear and the family cannot make a clear bet, they will be separated from the family. In more severe cases, they will be expelled from the family.

A representative example is Yuan Shu. If Yuan Shu had won, the head of the Yuan family would have automatically moved from Yuan Shao to Yuan Shu. Even if he had been expelled from the family by Yuan Shao, once the tide turned, the records would show that Yuan Shu expelled Yuan Shao from the family. After all, only the victor has the right to inherit the family's legacy. However, Chen Xi doesn't think his intelligence and behavior are the same as Yuan Shu's.

Chen Xi had just released the information about his independence when he was kicked out of the family. This made Chen Xi very unhappy. Normally, for someone like him, who is not particularly important, the family would give him some travel expenses and let him go out on his own. He didn't expect to be directly expelled from the family. Although his parents' memorial tablets are still kept in the ancestral hall, it is clear that this action is too harsh!

Chen Xi carefully considered his current situation and looked at the Chen family's direction with a gloomy face. He already understood what Chen Qun was doing and couldn't help but sneer.

Is he trying to make an example out of me? Chen Xi asked himself and then laughed. Chen Qun is too confident. He really thinks he doesn't need to make a bet. Even the Xun family can't guarantee that their chosen lord is correct, so they bet on both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Does the Chen family really think Chen Qun is a sage who appears once in a thousand years?

Chen Xi basically understood Chen Qun's way of thinking. In Chen Qun's view, the wise lord he has chosen will surely unify the world with his assistance.

Unfortunately, he did choose the right lord, but the problem is that the lord didn't achieve it with his help. The overconfident Chen Qun will only realize the world is vast when he meets Xun Yu, who can outperform him. Now, Chen Qun is probably still in the arrogant phase of his youth. It's hard to simulate the thinking of a middle-aged person in this period with conventional thinking. Let him be.

Once Chen Xi understood this, he had nothing to worry about. Being expelled from the family is actually better; without the constraints, he can do many more things. As for Chen Qun, there will be a time to see him fail.

Liu Bei, upon learning that Chen Xi had been expelled from the Chen family, immediately came with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Hua Xiong.

"Zi Chuan, since you have no home because of me, you will follow me from now on. As long as I have food, you will not lack it," Liu Bei said, holding Chen Xi's hand and not asking why he was expelled from the family.

"Hmph, what a lousy Chen family. I'll go and teach them a lesson right now," Zhang Fei said angrily.

Chen Xi felt warmth in his heart. These people didn't care about him being expelled from the family, which, in this era, means a lack of virtue. Now, these people didn't care about it.

"Brother, there's no need for that. I chose to be independent. The Chen family will give an explanation in the future. Don't worry, they will definitely give an explanation," Chen Xi said confidently to the group.

Seeing that Chen Xi was still his usual self, Liu Bei and the others were relieved. They were most worried that Chen Xi would be discouraged by this.

"Zi Chuan, Yingchuan is indeed a place of talented people. Although we haven't obtained the great talents you mentioned, we have recruited a batch of scholars," Liu Bei said with a sigh. His status as a member of the Han imperial family and the governor of Taishan, along with his force of over ten thousand elite soldiers, is very attractive to scholars who want to display their talents.

"Hmm? Lord Xuande, you didn't meet Xun Wenruo?" Chen Xi asked curiously. "According to reason, as long as Xun Yu is at home, even if he is unwilling to accept your recruitment, he would still have a conversation with you. Why didn't you meet him?"

"Alas, the timing was not right. His fourth brother, Xun Chan, said he went out to visit friends and might not return for three to five months," Liu Bei said helplessly. "I could only leave a letter and gifts and ask him to speak on my behalf when his elder brother returns."

"Xun Chan?" Chen Xi felt his eyelids twitching. The Xun family has many talents, and Xun Chan is one of them. If I remember correctly, he was a strategist for Yuan Shao. The Xun family plays both sides, so if Xun Yu's strategy is a hundred, Xun Chan should be around ninety-two or ninety-three.

Thinking about it, Xun Chan seemed to have secured a large territory for Yuan Shao. Han Fu was convinced by Xun Chan, and during the Battle of Guandu, he outperformed Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Xu You, and Shen Pei as a strategist. Most importantly, he remained silent throughout the Battle of Guandu and then disappeared, much like Li Ru.

Well, this is a mysterious figure. In terms of ability, he is probably slightly better than Ju Shou. He is a person worth recruiting.

Thinking about this, Chen Xi spoke up, "Lord Xuande, since we didn't meet Wenruo, let's go see Youruo. Any member of the Xun family can handle state affairs. Don't worry, if we can't find the elder brother, we'll find the younger brother, and if we can't find the younger brother, we'll find the nephew. As long as they are willing to follow us, we will take them. After all, Taishan lacks scholars, and we will take anyone who comes."

Liu Bei thought for a moment, remembering Xun Chan's composed behavior at the Xun family's gate, and nodded, agreeing with Chen Xi's suggestion.

Liu Bei and his group took Chen Xi to the Xun family and presented a large number of gifts. However, this time it was interesting. Xun Yu, Xun Yan, Xun Chan, and Xun You, all the capable members of this generation, were not at home. Xun Yu went to visit friends, Xun Yan went on a journey, Xun Zhan went north to find a wise lord, and Xun You went to find his uncle Xun Yu.

Well, even if Chen Xi were a fool, he would understand that the Xun family doesn't want to bet on Liu Bei right now. It's understandable; he is indeed asking too much. Liu Bei may seem successful now, but in reality, he is a tree without roots. To make these people recognize and join him, he needs to show them something that gives them hope. Otherwise, it's impossible.

"Lord Xuande, it seems our timing is not good," Chen Xi said, still maintaining a smile. Noble families seek stability first, and then further progress. Since they think it's not the right time, there will be no opportunity in the future. Chen Xi felt a bit regretful that the dream team is probably impossible. Ah, that's just fate!

As for the rest, Chen Xi doesn't feel regretful. Without these people, he still needs to do what he needs to do. Since these noble families don't see Liu Bei's potential, he, Chen Xi, will show them how a man with no roots, a weaver and a shoe seller, can step by step ascend to the throne. He is very interested in seeing their regretful expressions.

"Yes, our timing is not good," Liu Bei said, showing no sign of being affected. He has experienced enough hardships, and this is nothing to him.

PS: See, I knew the cover would come no matter what.

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