Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi looked at Princess Wannian’s expression and had already understood that she had been persuaded, but even though she was persuaded, there were still other struggles within her. Just as he was about to speak a few more words of encouragement, he saw her raise her head.

"Minister Jia, may I speak with you in the courtyard? I don’t trust Chen Zichuan, but I feel I can trust you, Minister Jia. Would you please join me in the courtyard?" Princess Wannian shifted her gaze from Chen Xi to Jia Xu and spoke calmly.

Chen Xi glanced at Jia Xu with a slightly peculiar expression, then urged him with a tone of encouragement, "Go on, go on, I feel you should be able to convince her. She’s only hesitating a little now."

Jia Xu did not reply to Chen Xi, but calmly followed Princess Wannian into the courtyard, closing the door behind him.

Chen Xi had no intention of eavesdropping, but when Jia Wenhe hadn’t come out after one quarter hour, Chen Xi became curious. After an hour’s wait, his curiosity was at its peak, and he had thoughts of eavesdropping.

Fortunately, before Chen Xi could eavesdrop, the courtyard door opened again, and Jia Xu had already brought Princess Wannian out.

Chen Xi raised an eyebrow; Jia Xu returned the gaze, and Chen Xi looked at Jia Xu with a slightly peculiar smile, while Jia Xu silently shook his head, and Chen Xi pursed his lips.

"Since that’s the case, Your Highness doesn’t need to send me off for long. Come to the Weiyang Rear Hall after the Shen Hour." Jia Xu bowed to Princess Wannian. During the previous period, Jia Xu had clearly explained the pros and cons of regency to Princess Wannian.

Watching Jia Xu and Chen Xi leave, tears quickly welled up in Princess Wannian’s eyes again. From Emperor Ling’s line, she was now just this unaccomplished daughter. Originally, they should have been competing for the emperor’s position, using any means necessary, but truly none of the brothers are left.

[Jia Wenhe, back then you probably wouldn’t have bothered to say so much to me.] Princess Wannian thought with a dark expression.

Back in Luoyang, Jia Xu’s humanity was minimal; saving Lady Tang was merely a convenient action, and as for Princess Wannian, at most, Jia Xu had looked after her as a small child because he had protected Lady Tang.

During Luoyang’s chaotic times, not even Princess Wannian could feel any safety there, and though Jia Xu was extremely aloof in his interactions with others, Jia Xu’s residence was one of the few places where Liu Tong could feel at ease.

More importantly, Jia Xu’s wisdom allowed Wannian to truly feel what it means for the wise to rule, and Wannian truly experienced the value of wisdom.

Unfortunately, as just a small child, Jia Xu basically ignored her at the time. All Wannian could remember was Jia Xu’s indifferent demeanor.

No matter how Wannian remembered, except for before the age of nine when Liu Hong was still alive, and when she was hiding with Lady Tang at Jia Xu’s place, along with after Lady Tang left and she secretly hid at Jia Xu’s place, those were the most reassuring times.

Because apart from those two periods, as a Grand Princess her own safety was hardly assured, and compared to her carefree childhood, when under Jia Xu’s protection, she had at least gained some intelligence.

According to Princess Wannian, Jia Xu cannot be considered a good person, but a wise person can survive in any situation, as good or bad is merely an expression of wisdom.

[Although he cannot be considered a good person, his words have always been trustworthy.] Wannian thought silently and then slowly retreated inside the courtyard, closing the door once more.

"Speaking of which, I always feel like there’s something else between you and her." Chen Xi touched his chin, speaking with a hint of mockery.

"Because relatively speaking, she trusts my judgment, just like those ministers who have lived from the Luoyang era to now in Chang’an. No matter their dissatisfaction with Minister Dong and Wen Ru, they acknowledge the power and wisdom of the two." Jia Xu said blandly.

"That’s right, recognition of wisdom and power never cares if it’s one’s own people." Chen Xi nodded, just like now Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the Xiahou Brothers all recognize Zhou Yu’s ability as Commander-in-chief.

"However, do you need me to help?" Chen Xi suddenly diverted the topic and asked.

"It’s a simple matter for you, and if you are willing, you’ll naturally do it." Jia Xu’s expression did not change, "Or rather, your active promotion of this is itself an indication of your calculation."

"Speaking it out feels rather dull." Chen Xi said helplessly.

"Generally speaking, falling into your calculation is not necessarily a bad thing, as your path is often much better than the paths chosen by those who think themselves to look far ahead, so when people are brought onto your path, the actual benefits make them submit to your calculation." Jia Xu calmly turned to look at Chen Xi.

"There’s some truth in that, so what do you think I’m calculating?" Chen Xi nodded, then looked at Jia Xu and asked.

"I wouldn’t know about this; who knows how many years ahead your calculations will be, you’re not good at playing chess, but you excel at making moves in reality, so these moves now may not cause an effect until decades later." Jia Xu shook his head.

"Jia Wenhe, you’re getting more and more impressive." Chen Xi praised, "Then what do you think we should do next?"

"It’s not what we should do, it’s what you should do." Jia Xu said earnestly, "Only you can truly bring about change unnoticed and naturally plant seeds undercover."

"But such matters can’t be done without your help." Chen Xi nodded, indeed the coming time is the best opportunity, even if splits are unavoidable in the future, many matters achievable in times of unification can still be accomplished now, he has the ability to do so.

"Next, after the emperor’s funeral arrangements come out, the first task will probably be to propose you as Minister of Personnel, to handle affairs of the Prime Minister. This period will not be long, and your so-called constitutional monarchy will allow everyone to understand its principles in the coming period." Jia Xu continued, Chen Xi nodded; this is the greatest test.

"Words without evidence; presumably Wen Ruo and Gongjin are also waiting to test this system in the coming period. After all, it’s all theoretical without practical exercise, making them understand more clearly." Chen Xi’s expression was serious; previously proposing the suspension of the throne was also for this reason.

"When Lord proposed the suspension of the throne, I already guessed that. Next, the configuration of the central government official system, though this is a validation move, is likely to serve as a reference in the future." Jia Xu looked at Chen Xi earnestly, "At that time, whether there will be one or two Ministers of Personnel will depend on you."