Mythical Three Kingdoms

Liu Ba harbored ambitious thoughts and began to work diligently for Cao Cao's cause. Naturally, when Guan Yu saw Liu Ba appearing in the imperial court and sitting behind Cao Cao, his dissatisfaction was evident and needed no concealment.

However, to Guan Yu, Liu Ba could only apologize, indicating that he would definitely repay the favor in the future. Yet, Liu Ba didn't like Liu Bei, nor did he like the youthful success of Chen Xi, which is understandable.

Especially after Liu Ba discovered Chen Xi's methods; although he was about to use such methods, he still believed that these tactics were deceiving people, and in Liu Ba's eyes, such methods of deceiving people were not straightforward or honorable.

When Chen Xi received information about Liu Ba, Chen Xi felt nothing special. Just Liu Ba, not an important figure. As for his expertise in economics, Chen Xi didn't think there was anything commendable.

After all, Chen Xi's economic skills weren't bad, and he understood the potential downsides of flourishing commerce better than Liu Ba. However, he knew how to manage these powerful merchants better than Liu Ba.

In the end, even scumbags will produce their own value in the right place. There's nothing that's trash in this world; at most, you don't know how to use it, or you dare not use it due to ethics and morals, so you have to treat it as trash.

With the year-end approaching, the dining table at Chen Xi's family also featured many festive dishes. However, Fan Jian and Chen Lan took their meals to their rooms due to other commitments. Similarly, Chen Yun was called away, leaving Chen Xi to dine with Lu Xun.

"Boyan, what are your thoughts after reading the essays written by Zijia?" Chen Xi wasn't too particular about not speaking while eating or lying down, so he started asking after taking a couple of bites.

Lu Xun quickly swallowed the food in his mouth, aligned his chopsticks, straightened his back, and said, "Master, the things Zijia and I have seen and heard are the same, yet our essays are vastly different. Zijia focuses on bureaucratic systems, while I emphasize the contradictions across different social strata."

Chen Xi nodded. With Lu Xun sitting so upright and serious, he didn't put on a casual demeanor, "So who do you think is right?"

"Initially, I believed my essay should be better than Zijia's, but now I feel we both are wrong," Lu Xun said slowly, and Chen Xi gave a knowing smile.

Lu Xun felt slightly uneasy, but he genuinely thought both he and Lu Yu had issues. Though their focus points were different, leading to different conclusions, neither considered the big picture, both being partial views when political and strategic plans should be based on an overall perspective.

Meanwhile, Jia Xu, who had just finished fooling Zixu, was sipping tea while asking Lu Yu the same question. He was quite satisfied with Lu Yu; although he felt the guy was somewhat slippery, being able to outmaneuver Jia Wenhe was also a talent.

"I've heard you also read Lu Boyan's essay. What are your thoughts?" Jia Xu's daughter noticed Jia Xu putting down his teacup and quickly refilled it, also adding a cup of tea for Lu Yu.

"He focuses on social contradictions, while I pay attention to existing systems, leaning more towards the bureaucracy," Lu Yu said calmly, showing a sense of concern for the nation quite different from his previous slippery demeanor, no longer the mischievous brat.

Jia Xu took a sip of tea without looking at Lu Yu, seemingly indifferent to everything, speaking casually, "Who do you think is right between the two of you?"

"Both of us are right," Lu Yu said after a brief moment of thought.

Jia Xu put down the teacup without saying anything. Lu Yu felt a bit anxious, but he didn't think either he or Lu Xun was wrong. He intended to grow in this aspect; after all, there were indeed no issues with Lu Xun's essay.

"The day after tomorrow is the New Year; tomorrow you can take a break. When the time comes, ask Lu Boyan, and you'll know," Jia Xu said expressionlessly.

"Disciple takes leave." Lu Yu rose, saluted, and slowly withdrew.

[Tomorrow, Lu Boyan and Lu Zijia will probably fight each other; should I ask Zichuan to watch these two guys brawling?]Jia Xu thought darkly.

Jia Xu could easily guess that Lu Xun would say they were both wrong. What Lu Xun and Lu Yu learned was destined to lead them to different conclusions.

Lu Yu learned to mediate power schemes, which fundamentally seeks common ground while preserving differences, while Lu Xun learned to coordinate overall, but Lu Xun was simply too young to achieve comprehensive coordination. However, even if he couldn't achieve it, he could at least distinguish right from wrong.

So after mutual assessment, Lu Xun would definitely think he and Lu Yu were wrong because neither considered the whole picture, whereas Lu Yu would think both realized the issues and combining them yields the correct answer, so neither was wrong.

To Lu Yu, as long as a comrade standing on the same battle line has no faults, it counts as merit. No errors means correctness, which is a political correctness that must be upheld!

When Lu Yu and Lu Xun meet tomorrow, they'll definitely bicker over this and probably fight. But after the brawl, they'll realize what Chen Xi and Jia Xu wanted them to understand: when using one's perspective to judge another's right or wrong, one needs to consider if the other is also based on this perspective.

When Zhuge Liang arrived at Li You's house, Cai Yan happened to be there too. Like last year, Li You gained a whole year's worth of new clothes, including linen, silk, brocade, and velvet, suitable for every season and festival.

"Greetings to Master Li and Miss Cai," Zhuge Liang respectfully saluted first, and Huang Yueying followed suit, saluting the two.

It's worth mentioning that any woman who could attend Cai Yan's lessons would go whenever they had time, as Cai Yan never repeated herself, and there was always something new to learn. After visiting Mount Tai, Huang Yueying also attended the lessons when available, although she was talented, her specialization was truly different.

"Greetings, Secretary-General Zhuge, Yueying," Cai Yan responded coolly, then bowed to Li You, saying, "I apologize for the disturbance, uncle, and hope for your pardon."

Li You nodded, instructing his daughter to escort Cai Yan to the carriage while he stayed to host Zhuge Liang.

Li You truly admired Zhuge Liang, initially planning to marry his daughter to him. However, realizing Zhuge Liang was already betrothed, the matter was dropped. His legitimate daughter should become a legal wife, after all...

But even after this event, there was no slack in educating Zhuge Liang; Li You knew too much and was capable of teaching everyone from military strategy, political strategy, power schemes—it was all taught.

Although not superior in any single discipline, he was first-class in all areas, even mastering specialized formations and mystical tactics. Such a person was perfect for teaching Zhuge Liang, a versatile genius. One enjoyed teaching; the other enjoyed learning, making Li You and Zhuge Liang very compatible. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)