Chapter 7083 Counterproductive

Chapter 7083 Counterproductive
To be fair, it can't be said that the acting head of the Xiao family was overthinking things. After all, everyone in their family knows what they're doing. Plus, the sudden appearance of two marquises in the middle of the night, accompanied by a group of tough guys who looked to be at least at the sixth level, would make even an innocent family think twice and take precautions.

After all, this person truly has the power to kill your entire family on a whim.

Any normal person would feel a little scared when facing such a creature; after all, it's a biological instinct, right?
"They've arrived. Please wait a moment, Marquis Changting and Marquis Duting. We'll open the main gate now." Xiao Xiu's smiling voice rang out, and then at midnight, he opened his main gate. Forget about formal invitations or the timing. Two meritorious marquises had arrived, accompanied by seven or eight seasoned guards who looked like tough guys. They had to think twice before speaking to him.

"Creak!" The gate of the Xiao family slowly opened, and Xiao Xiu personally went out to greet them, while Xiao Bao led his guards to line up in two rows inside the gate, making an inviting gesture.

"Gentlemen, please come in." Xiao Xiu stepped out and saw that, after all, they were the heads of a noble family who had watched the Grand Martial Arts Competition from the outside of the small world. Unlike the steward who had no sense of propriety, Xiao Xiu glanced at the people following Li Tiao and Guan Hai. They were all tough guys. Even Hua Chen, who did not participate, had a nephew who was an evil god!

So what was originally intended as an invitation to the two marquises turned into an invitation to everyone to go in together.

"It's a bit of an inconvenience to bother the Xiao family at this time. I didn't expect you to make such a grand spectacle. Actually, it's not necessary, really not necessary," Guan Hai said with a smile, following Xiao Xiu's lead and walking inside, not paying too much attention to Xiao Xiu's expression.

"I apologize, but I have come with urgent business. Please forgive me, Patriarch Xiao." Li Tiao chuckled dryly, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and then followed him inside.

The other Yellow Turban brothers also bowed and followed them inside. After entering the main gate, passing the screen wall, and entering the front yard, these ignorant Yellow Turban brothers began to mutter, "Indeed, Brother Zhang is right. Look at the Xiao family's courtyard, the grandeur! Brother Tiao, look at you, is your courtyard even bigger than the Xiao family's front yard? Not to mention the scenery!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiu's face turned somewhat green under the lamplight. What level was the Xiao family? Although they were a prominent family and a local gentry, they only had one Marquis within the Pass. After all, they had not yet reached their peak. They were just a family with a long history and some accumulated wealth, so they appeared to be a large household.

To be honest, the highest rank the Xiao family could enjoy in the political landscape of the Han Dynasty was Marquis within the Passes. Putting aside everything else, even this residence was an overreach.

It's not just that the Eastern Han Dynasty was known for its indulgence of powerful families; even during the Western Han Dynasty, the regulations on residences were not strictly enforced. However, residences were indeed categorized by rank. The limit for a Marquis within the Passes was 80 residences, with specific standards for size and number.

To put it bluntly, the Xiao family's courtyard is definitely not in accordance with regulations, but over the years, no one has mentioned it, and even most officials have overlooked the existence of such a rule.

But some things are like this: if you don't say them, you'll be fine, but if you do, they could really get you a death sentence!
What do you mean by "Brother Tiao"? Look at yourself! Is your yard even bigger than the Xiao family's front yard? Damn it, is this something a human being would say? Is this something a human being would do?
Was Li Tiao a marquis, or was the Xiao family a marquis?
This is completely contrary to the Heavenly Gang!
It's one thing for a mere Marquis within the Pass to live better than a Marquis within the Pass, after all, you have money and can afford to come up with fancy things, nothing to say about that. But this area, damn it, the Marquis within the Pass's front yard is bigger than the Marquis's residential area. Okay, enough said, at least I'll teach you a lesson for overstepping your bounds!
In feudal times, what was most important was etiquette and law. This was the foundation for restraining all people under heaven. Each level had its own enjoyment and privileges. This was the foundation. It didn't matter if you, a Marquis within the Pass, indulged in fancy things, but if your courtyard was larger than that of a Marquis, then you would definitely have to deal with it!

Was it a special gift from the Emperor?
No?

You dare to build something this big? You're asking for trouble!
Before Xiao Xiu could explain, Li Tiao chimed in, "Indeed, this courtyard is much bigger than mine. But that's normal. Mine is just a small courtyard. This house looks about the same size as mine in Mount Tai. It's just that the people and scenery are nicer. I'm a roughneck, I don't know anything about these things. You guys should stop talking nonsense!"

Zhang Du, Chen Hong, and the others laughed heartily upon hearing this, not taking it to heart. They just accepted whatever Li Tiao said. But Xiao Xiu was already sweating profusely. The main residence of Marquis Duting, Li Tiao, was located in the secondary capital, Mount Tai, and it was only about the same size as this courtyard!

That was a mansion built by the state according to the official regulations for a marquis, but it turned out to be about the same size as the villa of a marquis from the Xiao family of Lanling. Moreover, it fell into Li Tiao's hands. What else can we say? Let's wait to be taught a lesson. Let's see what the two marquises have to do with this. If we have to give it away, we'll give it away. We don't need this mansion!
Guan Hai and Li Tiao passed through the front yard and entered the main hall. At this time, the main hall of the Xiao family was already brightly lit, and the late-night snack prepared by the kitchen, as well as some braised dishes, had been served. No matter what the other party was here for, even if they had any ideas about the Xiao family, as long as they had not spoken, the visitor was a guest, and they were treated with the etiquette due to a guest.

As for what happens later when they turn against each other, we'll talk about that later.

When there is still a chance to turn things around, don't push things to the brink. This has always been the Xiao family's motto. So when Guan Hai and Li Tiao entered the main hall, they were led to their seats by the Xiao family.

Moreover, because of their status, the Xiao family directly invited Guan Hai and Li Tiao to take the seats of honor.

As for past identities and family lineages, they are all useless. Families that can reach this level are extremely pragmatic and know best what to do.

Although they had questions they wanted to ask, seeing that the Xiao family had already prepared a banquet, honest people like Guan Hai and Li Tiao couldn't very well refuse to eat, so they followed Xiao Xiu to the table. After a few rounds of drinks and several dishes, Guan Hai and Li Tiao put down their chopsticks at the same time, and Xiao Xiu followed suit and sat up straight.

At this point, Xiao Xiu was somewhat confident. Although he didn't know what the two marquises meant by bringing so many ruthless people to knock on their Xiao family's door in the middle of the night, at least they weren't there to cause trouble for the Xiao family. If they really wanted to cause trouble, they wouldn't have drunk to this extent, and they certainly wouldn't have touched the food.

As for the few words spoken in the front yard, whether they were unintentional or a test, Xiao Xiu didn't want to consider them. He would just change residences tomorrow. Although the Xiao family was also short of funds, it was not worth provoking other marquises at this time. Besides, it was an overstepping of authority. At this time, the fewer mistakes the better. Why offend people?
"Patriarch Xiao, we have come here with a question we would like to ask you." Li Tiao put down his wine cup, cupped his hands to Xiao Xiu as a pre-emptive apology.

"Lord Li, please speak. What harm is there in telling you anything that my Xiao family knows?" Xiao Xiu said very respectfully. The other party was a noble marquis, so he had condescended to give him face. What else could he say but agree? Besides, it was just something he knew. He could just say it if he wanted to.

"The Grand Commandant has stepped onto the jade steps. What is Patriarch Xiao planning to do next?" Li Tiao asked directly. It wasn't that he didn't understand rhetoric, but at this level and given his background, he simply didn't like it and preferred to speak frankly.

Xiao Xiu was taken aback and remained silent for a moment. His mind was racing. He was thinking about who had asked Li Tiao to ask this question, what kind of answer Li Tiao wanted, and more importantly, whether this was a new test.
In short, countless thoughts surfaced in Xiao Xiu's mind, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Of course, I advise the ruler to ascend the throne as soon as possible, to follow the will of Heaven and appease the people, and to become a sage like Shun and Yao." Xiao Xiu pondered for a moment and gave a completely flawless answer.

"I see. Then what should we do?" Upon hearing Xiao Xiu's words, Li Tiao naturally understood that the Xiao family, like himself, fully agreed with Liu Bei's ascension to the throne and his becoming the new emperor. Therefore, he naturally asked what they, at their level, should do next.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiu calmed himself down and held his breath, because he needed to think about the underlying implications of these words, or more directly, who needed them to do what, what the benefits of doing these things would be, and whether his family could bear the consequences. All of these were very important.

"What are you doing?" Xiao Xiu already had a plan in mind, but he remained unmoved on the surface, tapping the table lightly with a calm expression. "What are the plans of the two marquises?"

"We both naturally hope everything goes smoothly, but we don't know what we should do," Guan Hai explained with a smile. "After all, it was thanks to the Grand Commandant that we have enjoyed so many years of prosperity. I have suffered, so at this time, what should I do to express my identification with this era? How can I let others know that I am sincerely hoping for it? Oh, and also, for such an important event, shouldn't we write something or send something?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiu lowered his head in thought. Listening to Guan Hai's words, Xiao Xiu understood Guan Hai's thoughts. It was as if he, as a marquis, was asking what he should give to show his loyalty when the new emperor ascended the throne. But for some reason, Xiao Xiu felt that it was not such a simple intention.

“If that’s the case, you two might as well do nothing. After all, doing nothing is worse than doing more and making more mistakes. If the Grand Commandant is to ascend the throne, Marquis Chen will surely submit a petition, and he will definitely not overlook you two.” Xiao Xiu said with a somewhat conservative tone, but he was inexplicably trembling because of his speculation.

The Han aristocratic families did not really want to break the existing situation, after all, they were developing very well, and the Han court was constantly providing them with support, allowing them to grow wildly.

As any normal person knows, when a system is operating smoothly and is thriving, it is best not to change anything and just continue as it is, as this is the best thing for everyone.

But Liu Bei was too powerful, so powerful that if he really wanted to do something, the Han aristocratic families were powerless to stop him. Therefore, all the heads of the aristocratic families knew that Liu Bei's ascension to the throne was not a good thing for them, but when it actually happened, they could only stand aside and nod in agreement.

However, the current behavior of Guan Hai and Li Tiao made Xiao Xiu vaguely realize that there was a force that did not want the Grand Commandant to ascend the throne at this time.

After all, if Liu Bei were to truly ascend the throne, no one could stop him. So, if those loyal to Liu Bei were to test him at this time, it would only mean that, in Liu Bei's mind, some people disagreed with the matter. Of course, the important thing is not that they disagreed, but that this disagreement could create resistance.

Who in this world could stop Liu Bei...?

A strange glint flashed in Xiao Xiu's eyes; he seemed to have discovered something extraordinary.

“If you two gentlemen trust me, then why don’t we do nothing for now and wait and see? It won’t waste too much time anyway,” Xiao Xiu said tentatively. If it was really as he estimated, then things would be very interesting.

Guan Hai and Li Tiao exchanged a glance upon hearing this, thinking that what Xiao Xiu said seemed to make sense. If the Grand Commandant were to truly ascend the throne, it seemed that they wouldn't need to do anything. They could simply wait for Chen Xi to give the order. Chen Xi would take the petition for the throne, have the marquises sign it, and they would just need to put their bloody handprints on it.

Without this, the current situation is indeed hard to predict. What if it's a false alarm? After all, there seem to be quite a few false alarms that have occurred in the Han Dynasty over the years.

After hearing this, the two, who were already at a loss, adopted the suggestion. They then got a few bowls of wine and water from the Xiao family and returned home with their brothers.

However, Guan Hai and Li Tiao were unaware that their actions led to another interpretation of the incident. Although this interpretation was not quite right, given the current situation of the Han Dynasty, even a powerful figure like Chen Ji from a prominent family could be 90% certain that this was a test of obedience, meant to make the feudal lords and Han families understand who the real kings were. But what about the remaining 10% possibility?

Maybe it's true, right? After all, there really is a being in this world that can stop it, and it did stop it once, right?

Therefore, after Xiao Xiu saw Guan Hai and Li Tiao off and closed the main gate of the Xiao family, he let out a breath and felt weak all over. He leaned against the wall of the courtyard, and it was his son Xiao Bao who rushed over and helped him up.

"Let's go, let's go to the Xie family. We don't need to stay in this courtyard for a while. Let's stay in the villa next to the Xie family. The villa there is smaller and won't be presumptuous." As soon as Xiao Xiu was helped up by Xiao Bao, he called out to his son. Xiao Bao didn't ask why or what they talked about. He decisively led his father onto the carriage and braved the snow to go to the Xie family's villa in Chang'an.

The Xiao family and the Xie family were not far apart. Soon, Xiao Xiu arrived at the Xie family with his family members. Although Xie Zhongyong did not know what had happened to the Xiao family, the two families had indeed signed a blood oath, so he personally came to greet them after they arrived.

"Brother Xiao, what's wrong with you?" Xie Zhongyong could tell at a glance that Xiao Xiu seemed to have gone through some kind of crisis, and he looked completely exhausted.

"Brother Xie, please allow my Xiao family to temporarily reside in the courtyard on the left side of your house." Xiao Xiu went straight to the point. Xie Zhongyong was puzzled, but he nodded and instructed the steward to take the able-bodied men and servants from his household to help the Xiao family quickly tidy up the courtyard.

Afterwards, he even had the kitchen prepare ginseng chicken soup for Xiao Xiu, partly to warm him up, and partly to let Xiao Xiu explain what had happened. After all, it was quite frightening for the Xiao family to suddenly move like this, considering they were a prominent family after all.

Xiao Xiu drank a few sips of hot soup and his condition improved significantly. He then quickly described to Xie Zhongyong what had happened to him without any personal analysis or perspective. At that moment, sweat poured out of Xie Zhongyong's forehead.

"Hey you, give me a bowl of chicken soup too." Xie Zhongyong's legs trembled with fear. After all, from Xiao Xiu's completely neutral perspective, Liu Bei, who didn't need to ask what the aristocratic families thought or what they should do, actually sent his lackey to ask such a question. What the hell did that mean? It meant there was resistance!
After all, what level of power and influence did Liu Bei possess? Could their aristocratic families possibly stop him, whether they wanted to or not? Of course not!
To put it bluntly, given the current state of Liu Bei's power, if he were to ascend the throne with a single word, all the Han aristocratic families, whether they liked it or not, would have to outwardly appear very willing. They would all have to chant those lines urging the ruler to ascend the throne as soon as possible, to follow the will of Heaven and bring peace to the people, to act like the sage-king Shun and Yao, and be so respectful that they would practically kowtow to Liu Bei a dozen times. Are these people even worthy of being seen as obstacles at this time? What a joke.

That's pure nonsense!
Is Liu Bei asking them this question?
Absolutely not. Liu Bei was asking about the person behind these aristocratic families. And who is that person behind these aristocratic families?

Is it the Yuan family of Runan? Is it Yuan Shu? No, neither, it's Chen Xi!
Behind the Han family is Chen Xi!
Whether this is true or not, no one can say for sure, but because people have heard it so many times, they all believe it. Chen Xi has never specifically refuted it, and Chen Xi did indeed take over the banner of the Han family, and even served as its leader.

As for Yuan Shu later on, well, there's nothing to say about Yuan Shu being the standard-bearer. But there's one thing that all the major clans know: Yuan Shu was able to do this not only because the other party was indeed a very suitable tool, but also because Chen Xi was truly standing behind him.

In other words, if the Han aristocratic families were not an obstacle, why would Liu Bei still send someone to inquire about their thoughts on his ascension to the throne? Need I say more about who he was asking?
It was Chen Xi, it was Marquis Chen, who had objections to this matter!
This answer was enough to make the two people who came to this conclusion tremble with fear and break out in a cold sweat.

Hey everyone, read a book every day and remember to vote for the event! The author is practically being harassed to death.