Three Kingdoms, Myth

Liu Bei usually didn't have much going on, but when his interest was piqued, he would find something to do on the same day. For instance, after settling Ma Zhong and the others at the Zhang residence, he decided to convene his civil and military officials to discuss state affairs.

"Zichuan, why do you think Lord Xuande is urgently gathering us today?" Lu Su asked as he walked beside Chen Xi, holding a half-completed plan.

"Lord Xuande saw some unpleasant things today, and now he's probably going to find something for us to do," Chen Xi replied casually.

"I think this is mostly your fault!" Liu Ye grumbled from the side, clearly displeased. "After all, you turned the lord's new home into that. Do you think he can live there in peace given his current mindset?"

"Indeed, indeed. Zichuan, you really went overboard this time. Didn't you see? That house is so colorful; it practically glows with the splendor of a mythical phoenix," Mi Zhu chimed in, leaning over to join the conversation.

Recently, Mi Zhu hadn't needed to run his businesses as much. A commercial regulation had been stuck in a stalemate for some time, mainly because Chen Xi hadn't pushed for speed. Now, a group of people, including Mi Zhu and Zhang, were in a heated debate, which was only intensifying as commerce in the Qingzhou region, centered around Fenggao, grew more prosperous and worthy of such disputes.

"A phoenix is also a symbol of virtue. It's said that a phoenix has five virtues. Good! From now on, that residence shall be called 'Five Virtues Residence,'" Chen Xi shamelessly renamed the place, knowing no one would suggest tearing it down.

"Military Advisor..." Zhao Yun called out, but then everyone turned their heads to stare at him. Although many could serve as military advisors, and Chen Xi was usually the one referred to without mentioning names, everyone was bored enough to tease Zhao Yun for fun.

"Ahem, your design for the residence is far too extravagant. It goes against the Han Dynasty's tradition of simplicity," Zhao Yun said, hesitating before finally speaking up.

"You should ask Gongyou about that. I only provided the materials; how it was built is his responsibility, not mine," Chen Xi deflected the blame onto Sun Qian, who could only sigh in resignation.

"Without those materials, I wouldn't have been able to build these structures, you know? Even I found it overwhelming once I finished, let alone Lord Xuande. My biggest worry now is that the people under our rule won't be able to accept it," Sun Qian replied, clearly exasperated.

Everyone fell silent until Fa Zheng suddenly piped up from the side, "If I had the money, I'd build one just like it. This can be one of my three great life aspirations."

"Such modest aspirations, Xiaozhi. As a young man, you should have grander dreams. Come on, tell us what your other aspirations are," Chen Xi teased, looking at Fa Zheng with a hint of disdain.

"Hmph! My first aspiration!" Fa Zheng puffed out his chest proudly. Everyone stopped walking, curious to hear his answer. But after building up suspense, Fa Zheng deflated a bit and hesitated before saying, "One day, I want to get back at Guo Fengxiao. He's always messing with me."

The room went silent. After a long pause, Jia Xu gave Fa Zheng a thumbs up. "Xiaozhi, keep working hard. I believe you might stand a chance within your lifetime."

"Exactly, exactly!" "Mm-hmm!" "Xiaozhi, I'm rooting for you!" Everyone responded half-heartedly. They all knew how tricky Guo Jia could be. While they believed Fa Zheng might eventually reach the same level as Guo Jia, they doubted he could ever successfully get back at him. Guo Jia's instincts alone were enough to avoid nine out of ten potential pitfalls.

Fa Zheng looked around at the group of dismissive faces, frustrated that they didn't take him seriously. He had recently started taking on official duties, thanks to Chen Xi involving him in various affairs. Yet here they were, all treating him as a joke. He thought to himself, I'm Fa Xiaozhi, with a talent for analyzing people—how could I not see through their facade?

"Alright, alright, let's stop joking around. Xiaozhi, what's your second aspiration?" Chen Xi asked, suppressing his laughter.

"To cook lamb in a bronze cauldron, just like Lord Xuande..." Fa Zheng said wistfully.

"Sigh..." Chen Xi patted Fa Zheng on the shoulder and walked away.

"Hopeless," Lu Su muttered.

"Such a waste of potential," Liu Ye added as he shook his head and walked past Fa Zheng.

"Hey, hey, hey... What are you all doing?" Fa Zheng protested. To him, this seemed like a grand aspiration.

"Xiaozhi, besides the first one, your other aspirations are really disappointing," Jia Xu said, patting Fa Zheng on the shoulder with a look that said, It's my fault you turned out this way.

"Hey, hey, hey..." Fa Zheng was dumbfounded. What's going on here? Why do they all look at me like I've gone astray? I'm not connected to Jia Xu—how did this become his problem?

"I think I'll go back to reviewing the laws," Man Chong said coldly, giving Fa Zheng a hard look before patting him twice on the shoulder and walking away.

"Keep up the good work, Xiaozhi!" Jian Yong said, wearing a pained expression.

"Ah, youth wasted," Sun Qian added, following suit.

"Sigh..." Mi Zhu shook his head as he passed Fa Zheng. It was clear that Chen Xi's unconventional thinking had influenced this group. As young men with few inhibitions, they were more than willing to play along and tease each other.

"Weishuo, you're not going to say something too, are you?" Fa Zheng asked, now thoroughly confused by the situation and wondering why everyone looked at him with such disapproval.

"Sigh, my life goal is simply to follow in their footsteps. Xiaozhi, my condolences," Liu Yan said, delivering a final blow.

"Con... Condolences?" Fa Zheng was taken aback. How did we go from discussing aspirations to offering condolences?

"Hey, Wenhe, Ziyang, Zijing, did you notice? Weishuo is the harshest of them all. Last time, it was me; this time, Xiaozhi's completely lost. Famous scholars really are tough," Chen Xi remarked.

"Indeed. We should let Weishuo handle the final step in such matters. His words really are a finishing blow. Xiaozhi, who was so proud just now, seems to have been completely disoriented," Liu Ye added, stroking his beard and sneaking a glance at Fa Zheng.

"Oh, right. Shouldn't we give Xiaozhi his own seat now? He's capable enough to be of use, after all. He's been stuck at Fengxiao's table long enough. Look, Xiaozhi's about to sit in Guo Jia's old spot—clearly, he's been messed with so much that he's forgotten he should have his own seat," Lu Su observed.

"How tragic. He's forgotten that he should have his own place at the table and not just be sitting at a deputy's spot," Jia Xu said, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Xiaozhi, you're now qualified for your own seat. You don't need to sit as a deputy to Fengxiao anymore," Li You said with a smile, seeing through the antics of Chen Xi and the others. He decided to inform Fa Zheng of this happy news.

Fa Zheng immediately perked up, realizing that he had earned his own seat at the table. Only those with their own seat could be considered primary officials. Even if it was the last seat, it was far better than being stuck as a deputy to Guo Jia.

After all, no matter how well a deputy performed, the credit would go to the primary official. But once he became a primary official himself, glory and achievements would be within his grasp.

"Where do I sit? Where do I sit?" Fa Zheng asked excitedly.

"Next to me," Jia Xu and Man Chong said simultaneously, pointing to the seats beside them. Overjoyed, Fa Zheng hurried over without a second thought. Li You exchanged a glance with Chen Xi, who nodded in agreement. Fa Zheng's seat, placed between Jia Xu and Man Chong, wasn't likely to change anytime soon.