Chapter 7079 This is the Future

Chapter 7079 This is the Future
After all, Xun Chen's most admirable quality lies in his spiritual talent, which allows him to acquire the thought patterns of others. Even if his knowledge reserves and understanding of the world differ, preventing him from making the same judgments as others, his ability to speculate on others' thoughts is already accurate enough.

"I think we can control it," Chen Xi said calmly.

"We've put a lot of effort into the Slavs over the years, especially into the next generation. We've tried to Sinicize them, but most of the Slavs who are attracted to Rome at this stage are failures." Xun Chen explained in detail, while Chen Xi listened attentively.

“Cyprian is indeed impressive.” Chen Xi gleaned a lot about Cyprian from Xun Chen’s explanation, and he didn’t feel any aversion. He just nodded silently. After all, only a few people in this era had a significant impact on the history of the next thousand years, and Cyprian, as one of the stars of humanity, was indeed the elite among elites.

“Yes, he’s the most amazing young man I’ve ever met in all these years. He’s so amazing that I’m starting to wonder what I was doing back then.” Xun Chen said with a bitter smile. “If I hadn’t experienced so much in life and was still that young man from thirty years ago, I might have collapsed mentally from the shock when I met Xiprian.”

“That’s normal. Some people live to show the limits of humanity,” Chen Xi said calmly. His words naturally drew the attention of those drinking and eavesdropping around him. This statement was appropriate for Cyprian, but it was equally appropriate for Chen Xi. Both of them were monsters, and Chen Xi was clearly more of a monster.

"I've been through so much too, otherwise I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to withstand this kind of blow." Xun Chen said this with a hint of bitterness, but he also calmed down. After all, speaking of monsters, there was one right in front of him, and it was no weaker than Cyprian.

"Speaking of which, does Marquis Chen intend to keep Xipulian in Chang'an?" Xun Chen suddenly asked, as if he had realized something.

After all, he had already stayed in Chang'an because of Liu Bei's words, so now it was just a matter of Chen Xi asking Xipulian to stay.

Faced with this situation, what could the Yuan family say? They could say nothing and could only accept this reality. After all, only what the emperor bestows upon you truly belongs to you. As for everything else, it is all disobedience. Liu Bei is indeed not the emperor now, but what difference is there between Liu Bei and the emperor?
“No need for that. The Grand Commandant left you in Chang’an because I have other matters to attend to, so I can’t be in Chang’an. Now that Zijing is in the Ganges, someone else needs to be in Chang’an to help with the work I left behind.” Chen Xi told Xun Chen the truth, without any intention of intimidation.

"In that case, what about Jiangdong and the Cao family?" Xun Chen asked thoughtfully.

"As for Jiangdong, Gongjin has already agreed. As for the Yuan family, the only ones I can think of are you and Xu Ziyuan. As for the others, let's forget about them. Of course, I can also think of Xiprian, but he's too young, and he hasn't adapted to the culture of the Central Plains yet. If I really want to use him, I'll need to train him a lot. So, I'd rather you stay in Chang'an." Chen Xi said very calmly. Of course, no one could detect the lies in his words, especially regarding everything involving Xiprian.

With Xun Chen detained in Chang'an, unable to return to Eastern Europe, Xun Chen had to write back to Yuan Tan to explain the situation and then, based on the circumstances, hand over the reins in Chang'an.

It's not that the Yuan family lacked suitable civil officials; Gao Rou, Xin Pi, and Yan Pu were all considered elites. However, they were only elites. With their abilities, they could barely take on Xun Chen's work, but it was absolutely impossible for them to completely satisfy Xun Chen.

Over the years, Chen Xi has come to realize that Xun Chen's abilities are probably on par with Xun Yu and Xun You, making him one of the most outstanding elites of the Xun family in this generation. Moreover, after so many years of honing his skills, it can be said that if one were to look for a replacement, there would be only a handful of suitable candidates in the world.

What's worse is that none of these few people are under Yuan Tan's command, so Xun Chen, forced to stay in Chang'an, really only has one person to hand over to!
This refers to Xipulian, which is currently under Yuan Tan's rule.

Indeed, in Chen Xi's judgment, after leaving Xun Chen in Chang'an, Xun Chen would most likely choose to hand over his work directly to Ciprian after writing a letter to Yuan Tan explaining the situation. After all, Ciprian was the only suitable person in the entire delegation, and among those who remained in Eastern Europe, there was indeed no one who could surpass Ciprian. Of course, Sima Yi was also good, but Ciprian was more outstanding.

In addition, since Cyprian is an outsider, he can be recruited and absorbed. Entrusting the Yuan family to Cyprian at this time might lead to Cyprian being captured!
After all, the other party is only twenty years old. Entrusting the country to him and letting him do as he pleases is an absolute sign of unparalleled trust. Under such trust, Cyprian, who originally had some resistance to the Yuan family, will naturally develop a sense of identification because of this trust.

For Xun Chen, bringing Xipulian into the Yuan family's group of strategists and making him the next generation's core is absolutely the most important thing at this stage. Only in this way can the Yuan family, which currently lacks a strategist and a core of the next generation of civil officials, smoothly hand over power in the future.

Only in this way can we quickly win over Xiprian's heart. After all, Xun Chen has observed this overly capable young man countless times and finally found that he was just acting on a whim. He only stayed in the Yuan family because he found it interesting and could run away at any time.

More importantly, the Yuan family really couldn't find a suitable way to recruit and absorb Xipriyan. Now that Xun Chen has been recruited by Liu Bei, although it's not exactly a good thing, it's also an opportunity—an opportunity to break through the limits of the Yuan family's civil official group!

Xun Chen couldn't be sure exactly how high Xiprian's potential was, but Xiprian was definitely higher than most people Xun Chen had ever met, so taking a gamble on Xiprian was perfectly appropriate when there were no other options.

After all, Rome is currently in turmoil and cannot spare the resources to deal with the Yuan family. Cyprian is stationed in Sishao City, and even if some mistakes are made, he will not get bogged down in the quagmire. And after this point in time, Xun Chen is not joking, the Yuan family and Rome will have to fight sooner or later.

Therefore, Xun Chen was somewhat nervous when Chen Xi mentioned Xipulian, but he could not refuse Chen Xi's summons on Xipulian's behalf. Even with the dual monarchical view of the Han Dynasty, Xun Chen could not find any reason to refuse when faced with a god-like figure like Chen Xi.

Fortunately, Chen Xi rejected the suggestion, which reassured Xun Chen a lot. However, just as this feeling of reassurance began to rise, Xun Chen cursed inwardly, wondering when someone like him could be so easily swayed by the words and actions of others.

"Alright, there's no point in saying more." Chen Xi waved his hand. "Let Xiprian stay with the Yuan family. He's a genius, a genius who can truly stand at the top, even stronger than Sima Zhongda. Don't let him go to waste."

When Xun Chen heard this, it was the first time he had heard Chen Xi praise someone so directly, which shocked him somewhat. However, he then thought that this was Chen Xi's goodwill towards the Yuan family.

Even though Yuan Shao died at the hands of Liu Bei's forces, the Yuan family still held a certain high respect for Chen Xi, Liu Bei's highest-ranking civil official. This was because Chen Xi was truly meticulous and dignified, always keeping his word and never harming anyone. In fact, he was always trying to prevent others from harming each other, but the effect was not very good. After all, in the environment at the end of the Han Dynasty, it was not as simple as just telling people not to harm each other. Many people had become accustomed to that kind of behavior.

"The Yuan family will certainly do their best to cultivate Xipulian and make him a pillar of the Han Dynasty." Xun Chen expressed his attitude very solemnly.

“Yes, nurture them well. It’s already very rare for someone like this to appear.” Chen Xi nodded. “If we’re talking about your Yuan family now, you actually have everything you need in all aspects. But if you think about it carefully, there are still some shortcomings in all aspects. If I were to make arrangements, what I give might not be what you want. Why don’t you tell me what you need?”

The Yuan family has always been focused on development, and to be honest, their development has been quite impressive. However, the Yuan family is located too far away, and even if they are taught many things, it is difficult for them to adapt them to local conditions. As a result, although the Yuan family has been making progress, the pace of progress has been quite slow.

"The Yuan family needs a power source that converts the essence of heaven and earth into electricity." Xun Chen stated his needs almost without hesitation. Clearly, Xun Chen had already thought about this before coming here. Although he never thought he would have the opportunity to say it, he was indeed always prepared.

"Is it the complete etching technology? The one for etching plates? So it's semi-manual, semi-automatic?" Chen Xi asked Xun Chen calmly, his expression showing no emotion.

“Yes, Lord Chen, Eastern Europe is not short of minerals or food; what it lacks is the core of the equipment that drives external objects.” Xun Chen lowered his head, showing some respect for Chen Xi, but his tone was unusually calm.

"Lord Xuande, the Yuan family needs a device that converts the essence of heaven and earth into electricity. It's the engine we saw in the textile workshop that provides power; it's the driving force behind almost all machinery," Chen Xi asked Liu Bei telepathically, as he was unsure about this.

To be fair, this thing isn't actually that valuable, but if you really think about it, if you can keep developing it, its potential is far greater than the livestock industry in Jiangdong. Xun Chen may not have realized the future of this thing, but Xu You, with his spiritual talent that bursts forth with extreme wisdom through wealth, probably really saw this possibility.

However, judging from Chen Xi's intuition, Xun Chen probably didn't know the true value of this thing. Xu You might have told him about it, but definitely not completely, because if he had, Xun Chen wouldn't have dared to accept it.

"What does the Yuan family want this for?" Liu Bei asked, somewhat puzzled.

“This thing can do so many things.” Chen Xi chuckled twice. “I was thinking about whether to give it to the Yuan family. But then I thought, it’s only an early-stage power unit. It still needs further optimization, and many details are not yet complete. A pure assembly line still can’t replicate it. It can only be said to be the future. I’ll give it to them.”

"You can make the decision yourself. You know what's going on in your mind." Liu Bei didn't ask any more questions, because he really didn't understand this matter.

After a long silence, when Zhou Yu vaguely sensed that there was something wrong between Xun Chen and Chen Xi, Chen Xi slowly spoke up, "Chief Secretary Xun, how about this, I'll ask you a question, and you can answer truthfully."

"Lord Chen, please ask." Xun Chen calmed himself and held his breath. Chen Xi's silence for so long had made him feel somewhat oppressed. Fortunately, the other party finally spoke.

"This was suggested by Xu Ziyuan, right?" Chen Xi asked with a smile.

Xun Chen nodded, but at this moment he realized something. Xu You asked him for this, could it really be something very important?

“This is the future,” Chen Xi stated clearly. “If the Han Dynasty wants to continue to increase productivity, and even develop to the point where one person can support five or six people, then the future development of this thing is an indispensable part of it.”

Upon hearing this, Xun Chen and Zhou Yu's pupils contracted sharply. Chen Xi was not one to joke about important matters, let alone speak so solemnly. At this moment, Xun Chen could not even control his heartbeat. He could no longer guess how Chen Xi would view this matter.

"However, since the Yuan family wants it, then we'll give it to you. The future is just the future. This thing hasn't been developed to that level yet. Even if your Yuan family gets it, who knows how many more years it will take to develop it to that level." Chen Xi changed the subject and, to Xun Chen's astonishment, agreed to transfer the Heaven and Earth Essence-Electricity Conversion Device, along with the complete technology of the electric motor itself, to Xun Chen.

"Thank you, Lord Chen!" Xun Chen was overjoyed.

"Since I've taught you all of this, and I heard you're currently reclaiming wasteland, how about this: when you leave, go to the Imperial Household Department and take the newly designed agricultural machinery blueprints with you. I won't provide you with any craftsmen or anything; you have the blueprints there, so you should be able to replicate them." Chen Xi glanced at Xun Chen, implying that since he'd already given them the lion's share, he might as well include the freebies.

"Thank you!" Xun Chen thanked him repeatedly and hurriedly poured wine for Chen Xi. Chen Xi did not stand on ceremony and drank it all. After drinking so much wine, Chen Xi was obviously drunk and felt a little lightheaded, even though he deliberately did not restrain himself.

Seeing that Xun Chen had already received the reward belonging to the Yuan family, Zhou Yu sent Xun Chen away on behalf of Chen Xi, and then returned to continue toasting Chen Xi. Chen Xi was already a little tipsy at this point, and he hadn't thought that sometimes felines would do something reckless right after acting cute, so he drank along with him.

After drinking more than a dozen cups, Chen Xi was dizzy and could see Zhou Yu double. Zhou Yu, noticing that Chen Xi seemed completely out of it, started to try and trick Chen Xi into giving him gold coins.

"Lord Chen, I think that stove in Donglai is quite impressive," Zhou Yu said tentatively as he poured wine. "That stove seems particularly powerful."

"Nonsense, of course they're amazing. Those are the only two furnaces in the Central Plains capable of producing special steel. Bingzhou produces tungsten steel, and this place produces antimony alloy. They're both incredibly powerful, on par with the best in the world." Chen Xi, a little drunk, said with great pride when he heard Zhou Yu mention this thing.

"You know tungsten steel? After it's been nurtured, it can withstand even a Boundary Breaker's attack in non-cloudy conditions," Chen Xi said proudly. Of course, this nurturing refers to Boundary Breaker level nurturing, not ordinary veterans. After all, some of the Boundary Breaker's heaven-defying methods are indeed a bit ridiculous. Without nurturing at the same level, these people could really destroy tungsten steel.

"Look, there are two in the Central Plains, why not make one that's unique?" Zhou Yu started to persuade him. He had wanted to take this furnace back the last time he saw it, and now he had finally got his chance. He had to make it!
"Hey, you want this furnace, don't you?" Chen Xi laughed. "Even if I gave it to you, you wouldn't be able to use it, hahaha, you can't find the right ore!"

The absurd thing about tungsten steel is that more than half of the world's reserves are in the Central Plains, and more than 80% of the tungsten ore suitable for development is in China. In other words, if you leave China, you can basically forget about it. This is why, even though tungsten steel is the most suitable material for armor-piercing projectiles, only China has deployed it on a large scale, because other countries simply don't have it.

"Never mind whether it's useful or not, just give it to me first." Zhou Yu was taken aback by Chen Xi's words, but he didn't care and continued to try to deceive her. As long as he got the raw materials, he was a dignified Marquis of Shu. He could find no mines. If necessary, he could just import them from the mainland.

"Slap!" Just as Zhou Yu was continuing his charade, a hand landed on his left shoulder. Zhou Yu turned his head, somewhat annoyed, only to see Liu Bei holding a wine cup, looking at him with an unfriendly expression.

Originally, Liu Bei didn't want to get involved in Chen Xi teasing Zhou Yu, but after a few drinks, he discovered that Chen Xi was actually drunk. And then that bastard Zhou Yu, completely unfazed, was still trying to fool Chen Xi and was preparing to scam him!
Liu Bei was immediately displeased. "You little brat, do you want to lose your position? Don't you know whose territory this is? And do you even know what you're here for today? We're here to present your petition to me to ascend the throne. Although I don't intend to become emperor, I need to make you understand who the real kings are!"
I was satisfied with your performance before, Zhou Yu, but this performance now? You actually dared to bully my Chen Xi, do you want to die?!

"Lord Shu is drunk, carry him out." Liu Bei said with a very amiable smile to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei beside him. The two chuckled, grabbed Zhou Yu's arms, and carried him out. Since Liu Bei said Zhou Yu was drunk, then of course Zhou Yu had to be drunk!

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