Chapter 67

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Before the banquet, Chen Xi curiously looked at Lu Su. With his keen eyesight, he naturally noticed Mi Zhu frequently signaling to Lu Su. However, Lu Su neither showed any intention of refusing nor of joining. What was going on? Could it be that this guy was just here for a visit or a tour?

Regardless of Chen Xi's confusion, even Lu Su himself was somewhat dazed. Although his experience was limited, the demeanor of a long-time warlord's head naturally allowed him to see that Liu Bei's actions were not just for show but genuine. This made Liu Bei stand out compared to the reckless Yuan Shu, clearly meeting Lu Su's criteria for choosing a lord.

Moreover, since Mi Zhu had already joined, leaving Lu Su in an awkward position, following Mi Zhu's signals and joining Liu Bei would have been a good choice. In Lu Su's view, the prosperity of the world and the personal virtues of a ruler had little to do with each other. As long as the ruler had a decent sense of public morality, dared to use capable people, and governed the world, virtuous talents would naturally accomplish the tasks. Being overly involved in every detail did not align with Lu Su's thinking.

After all, Duke Huan of Qi had once straightforwardly asked Guan Zhong, "Prime Minister, I like beautiful women, horse racing, hunting, and can't resist treasures. Does this affect my becoming a hegemon?" Chen Xi imagined that when Duke Huan said this, his voice must have gotten lower and lower, and he must have felt less and less confident, eventually feeling that it was a bit excessive.

But Guan Zhong's response was interesting. He glanced at Duke Huan and said, "It doesn't affect it." When Chen Xi read this part, he thought Guan Zhong must have been too lazy to answer; these were not issues.

Duke Huan was delighted and asked, "Then what affects my becoming the leader?"

This time, Guan Zhong's response was more serious. With a solemn expression, he said, "Not knowing virtuous scholars, knowing them but not using them, using them but not trusting them, and trusting them while allowing petty people to interfere—these things affect your hegemony."

After hearing this, Duke Huan entrusted the position of prime minister to Guan Zhong, allowing him to manage the state, and he indeed became a hegemon.

Similarly, Lu Su also believed in Guan Zhong's theory. The world could not be governed by a single ruler. The ruler's job was to select and employ virtuous talents. As for the ruler's personal issues, Lu Su believed in not criticizing the ruler's faults. After all, Guan Zhong never criticized Duke Huan's greed and lust, so why should later generations do so?

Since Lu Su met Chen Xi, who was in his early twenties and had been appointed by Liu Bei to govern Tai Shan County, he was greatly satisfied with Liu Bei's approach of appointing the most capable. Wasn't this the ideal model of a ruler in his mind? What did it matter if someone was in their early twenties? As long as they were capable, the ruler should include them in the selection process. The story of Gan Luo becoming a prime minister at a young age was a timeless tale.

As for the ruler's personal virtues, Lu Su did not have many requirements. Whether the ruler was kind and benevolent or greedy and lustful, as long as they appointed the most capable, the state would remain the same. At worst, the subordinates would have a headache, but they wouldn't mysteriously disappear. As long as the ruler kept the world in mind, the subordinates would at most have a headache.

Because of these beliefs, after meeting Chen Xi and seeing Liu Bei's actions, Lu Su had already recognized Liu Bei. However, he was still conflicted about his previous thoughts. He had said he would stay in Tai Shan County to thoroughly understand Liu Bei's character before deciding whether to join. Joining directly now felt too hasty to Lu Su.

"Zichuan, please entertain Zijing. I believe you two have much to discuss. If Zizhong does not mind, he can stay overnight. Zhongkang." Liu Bei smiled, finally understanding Chen Xi's repeated signals and making this unconventional decision.

"Thank you, Lord Xuande." Chen Xi smiled. He was very curious about how a famous minister like Lu Su would evaluate his governance in Tai Shan. Was it good or bad, and what mistakes were there?

Leaving Liu Bei's residence, Lu Su finally came to his senses. He turned to Chen Xi and bowed, "County Magistrate Chen is truly favored by Lord Xuande..."

As soon as he spoke, Lu Su realized what was wrong. Since meeting Liu Bei and Chen Xi, he had never heard Chen Xi call Liu Bei "lord." During the welcome, Chen Xi had only stood half a step behind, not following Liu Bei. He then laughed bitterly, wondering why he hadn't thought of such a simple way to gauge the relationship. The simplest methods are often forgotten.

"You and I are not so different in age. Let's use our courtesy names." Saying this, Chen Xi removed his headgear, showing his sincerity to Lu Su.

Lu Su was taken aback. He understood the significance of removing the headgear, a gesture of equality and freedom, but doing it on a public street seemed too bold and inappropriate. In this era, people who walked the streets with their hair loose and faces covered were often ruffians. However, he said nothing, just silently removed his headgear. "Forgive me, Zichuan, have you always been so unconventional?"

"Just a bit itchy." Chen Xi scratched his head and casually put the headgear back on.

"Ha ha ha, Zichuan is indeed a remarkable person." Lu Su, not yet as smooth as he would become, laughed heartily at Chen Xi's carefree attitude.

"Come, let's go to my place for tea, and you can tell me your thoughts on Tai Shan." Chen Xi shook his long hair and smiled.

"Alright, I have many questions for you, Chen Zichuan!" Lu Su, freed from restraint, said boldly.

"Then let's have a good debate and see if you, Lu Zijing of Dongcheng, can refute me, Chen Zichuan of Tai Shan!" Chen Xi laughed.

Chen Xi and Lu Su sat down, and soon Chen Lan brought the food. Fan Jian stayed for a while and then left, closing the door behind him.

"When I met you, Lu Zijing, I expected you to have questions. Unfortunately, there's no good late-night snack, so just make do with this." Chen Xi poured Lu Su a cup of sweet rice wine. "There's no alcohol, so just drink this. It's quite sweet recently."

"Are you so certain that I will have questions for you, Zichuan?" Lu Su asked with a smile. "Aren't you afraid I might just flatter you?"

"I accept flattery too. After all, these are my achievements. With the granaries full and about to be distributed, a bit of praise is not too much, right?" Chen Xi laughed and scolded. "I, Chen Zichuan, do things well and accept praise, but I also accept criticism and correct my mistakes."

"As for why I'm certain you will have questions, it's simple. A wise person who passes through Tai Shan without thinking is not truly wise. I, Chen Zichuan, am not belittling the world but am confident that my previous actions are enough to stimulate the wisdom of all wise people passing through here." Chen Xi looked proud. "Those who can see the problems are the wise of the world. Those who feel the problems but don't know where they lie are the pillars of the state. As for those who just pass by, they are merely mediocre officials!"

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