Chapter 7175 Ascending to Heaven Again

Chapter 7175 Ascending to Heaven Again
Chen Xi didn't really agree with letting Fa Zheng go to the Ganges right now. It wasn't that Fa Zheng lacked ability or experience, but rather that at this stage, it was perfectly correct for someone else to do these things instead of Fa Zheng.

Moreover, even if merit is truly needed, it will still be available during the final battle later on. Why bother at this time? It would be better to stay in the country and serve as an important force for the veteran faction to suppress internal conflicts.

When it comes to carrying out a major purge, it all depends on Li You. To be honest, if Chen Xi doesn't keep Li You in check, Li You could definitely pull off some catastrophic mess for Chen Xi.

After finalizing the agreement, Liu Bei didn't say anything more and naturally returned to his position. Sun Qian and Mi Zhu smiled and left. Then Fa Zheng leaned forward and sent a telepathic message to Chen Xi.

"Zichuan, is it all settled? I can't go?" Fazheng asked with a hint of resentment. He didn't really like staying in China. There were always some petty squabbles and backstabbing going on there. But abroad, Fazheng felt that he only needed to think about how to destroy the other side, and he was really good at that.

"Nonsense, what are you going to do? Stay in the country. Wen Ru and the others are on the front lines. Whether you go or not makes no difference," Chen Xi said irritably.

To be honest, Chen Xi could understand why Fa Zheng didn't like staying in China. It would be so much more satisfying to become a regional governor in your thirties, suppressing a region with your every word and action. Although Fa Zheng was a big shot in China, he still had a few superiors. But abroad, he was basically the king. Which was more satisfying? It was obvious.

"That's it, then. When you go to Jizhou to conduct the troop deployment verification, take me with you. After the verification is completed, take me with you when you make your western tour in the country." Fa Zheng felt that since things had come to this, he might as well cling to Chen Xi's coattails and see if he could go somewhere else to have some fun. Just sitting here in the country like this was too much of a pain.

"Alright, I'll take you with me when we're mobilizing troops for the verification, but it's hard to say about the western tour. We might not have enough manpower then, so I might not be able to take you with us." Chen Xi thought for a moment and didn't reject Fa Zheng's suggestion. Taking Fa Zheng along wouldn't be a big problem, and besides, Fa Zheng was one of Chen Xi's little brothers.

Even though he learned from Li You and Jia Xu, back when Mount Tai had just developed and swept through Qingzhou, Chen Xi led Fa Zheng to conquer the Yellow Turbans, and they ended up all the way to Jizhou. Those were truly his youthful days, and he had a blast.

"It's alright. Chen Changwen and Xun Youruo are quite good. As for Zhang Zhao, although he has a serious mental illness, he's still somewhat of a human being if he's used for work," Fa Zheng said in a very calm tone. Chen Xi couldn't help but grin upon hearing this.

To reiterate, among Chen Qun, Xun Chen, and Zhang Zhao, Zhang Zhao might be the best at domestic affairs. Although Chen Qun is also very capable, his strength lies not in administrative matters, but in policy continuity. If we're really comparing abilities, Zhang Zhao actually has a greater advantage in domestic affairs.

Given what Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong did back then, if Zhang Zhao were to temporarily take Chen Xi's place, Fa Zheng would have to collude with others to find a very good reason to kill Zhang Zhao as soon as Zhang Zhao took office.

Moreover, this "completely destroy" is not a casual remark, but a genuine attempt to utterly kill the other party. For someone like Fazheng, Zhang Zhao's lack of anger, considering that the other party was living a life of ease under the protection of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, and was essentially acting like a dog, meant that Fazheng would not say anything.

But if this thing dares to jump in front of me, I, Fazheng, have plenty of skills to kill it. Do you really think I, Fazheng, don't remember anything? Do you really think I, Fazheng, have a broad mind? Come on, let me show you. I'll skin you alive!
"I estimate it's barely possible, but to be honest, I'm not very optimistic. You know the work I have on hand; it looks normal, but in reality, some other problems are bound to arise," Chen Xi said after thinking for a moment. Although the plan was to have Chen Qun, Xun Chen, and Zhang Zhao come to Chang'an to oversee things, and preparations had been made, Chen Xi's consideration was that the three of them working together could barely maintain the stability of policies and the operation of the court when he was not in the central government.

This also takes into account that Zhuge Liang and Jia Xu were still in Chang'an. If these people also ran away, it would be absolutely impossible for Chen Qun and others to maintain the situation.

The handover of duties alone, and the familiarity with the situation in the Central Plains, was enough to make these three unfortunate kids collapse, after all, their understanding of the Han Dynasty was very different from the real Han Dynasty.

In essence, what most people see of Chen Xi is only a glimpse of him, and what they know about the power of the Han Dynasty is merely a shadow cast by Chen Xi.

Just the funding allocated to roads, logistics, transportation, and education alone, if the actual figures were discussed, would be enough to cause an uproar in the entire government. Although many people estimate that the amount will be huge, there is a difference between the guessed amount and the actual amount seen. Furthermore, there are some things that are difficult to imagine. Without this understanding, you wouldn't even dare to think about them.

Therefore, the first thing Chen Qun and his two companions had to do upon taking control of Chang'an was to adjust their mindset and understanding. Otherwise, if they were to view the problems facing Chang'an based on the understanding they had formed under the Yuan, Cao, and Sun families, they would be terrified.

"Don't worry, it's just me. Besides, there's Kongming," Fa Zheng said calmly, as if he were treating his Zhuge brother like a beast of burden.

"Uh, didn't you and Kongming have some disagreements?" Chen Xi was taken aback when he heard this. Everyone knew that Fazheng and Zhuge Liang didn't have a good relationship. After all, they were from the same generation and had competed for some things in the past. Although it was a healthy competition, who would want to lose to their opponent?
"Not really, it's just that the more time goes on, the more I realize that some things are better left to Kongming. What I'm good at is completely different from what Kongming is good at," Fa Zheng said calmly. "Besides, I believe in Kongming's growth rate. In fact, I have some doubts. You brought Chen Qun and the others here because you wanted them to realize a certain fact."

Chen Xi smiled upon hearing this but said nothing.

Fa Zheng's statement is correct. Chen Xi had the idea of ​​killing several birds with one stone by leaving Chen Qun and others in Chang'an. Among these several benefits, making these people realize the future was the most important thing for Chen Xi. Chen Xi was able to suppress these people because he relied on one victory after another and on this magnificent era to make them fully realize that the two sides were not on the same level.

But what if Chen Xi leaves?

After all, Chen Xi knew his own situation best. He had to leave this position. If he didn't leave, and he waited until he was old and didn't have enough energy to hand it over to someone else, then if problems arose, it would be difficult for the successor to correct them, and it would only bring a huge impact to the world.

Therefore, leaving early and handing over the reins early allows Zhuge Liang enough time to verify and adjust the situation, and enables them to work together to make repairs while Zhuge Liang still has sufficient time. This is very important.

Zhuge Liang was very capable, but he and Chen Xi were different. No matter how well Zhuge Liang performed, many people would inevitably think that Zhuge Liang's success was largely due to taking over Chen Xi's position. They would say that if Chen Xi hadn't been so capable, Zhuge Liang wouldn't be where he is today.

Some ignorant scoundrels even come up with things like, "If I were to take over Chen Xi's job, I would do a better job than Zhuge Liang."

It's an instinct for many people to be unwilling to accept others' opinions, but most people lack self-awareness and the wisdom to recognize people's true character.

Even without thinking, Chen Xi knew that this was the situation Zhuge Liang would inevitably face after taking office. This was why Chen Xi insisted on promoting Zhuge Liang during the grand court assembly in the eleventh year of Yuanfeng. He wanted to promote him now while he could still give him a helping hand. If he delayed it, the situation would be much more difficult to predict.

The person Chen Qun and his two companions will work with next is Zhuge Liang, and this process of working together will also be a process of getting to know Zhuge Liang.

Strength isn't something you can just talk about; actions speak louder than words.

Chen Xi completely believed, and sincerely believed, that Zhuge Liang could completely overpower these three guys in domestic affairs. Once these three guys were subdued, they would definitely have to think twice before causing trouble. Moreover, once these three guys were subdued, they would definitely stop anyone from causing trouble.

After all, the smarter a person is, the less willing they are to waste their efforts.

“That guy Kongming…” Fa Zheng listened to Chen Xi’s explanation and gained a much clearer understanding of the general situation.

“There’s no other way. The only option is Kongming. You’re better at the battlefield and at winning big with small resources. If you were in my position, you’d want to run away within six months at most,” Chen Xi sighed. “The rest of the candidates either exiled themselves or weren’t capable enough.”

Fa Zheng paused for a moment upon hearing this. The reason why Zhuge Liang was forced into this role was because Lu Su, who was supposed to be a stepping stone, had taken on a major task, leaving Zhuge Liang as the only option.

"Kongming is kind-hearted, so you should help him out. He has relatively high moral standards. The phrase 'high moral trap' sounds harsh, but you've all seen the situations I've faced, and you should all know that having too high a moral standard makes some things difficult," Chen Xi advised with a touch of melancholy.

"Why do I feel like you're entrusting your child to someone else?" Fa Zheng said irritably.

"Get lost, can't you speak properly?" Chen Xi said with a laugh.

“Actually, I think it would be better if you brought Zhong Yuanchang back. He can do everything and knows everything; he’s a rare all-rounder.” Fa Zheng glanced at Zhong Yao, who was sitting to the side with his eyes closed, and thought highly of him. But after what happened at the Ganges, Fa Zheng definitely had to give Zhong Yao a good beating. Ability is ability, evaluation is evaluation, but the law is the law.

Fa Zheng was not unaware that Zhong Yao was quite innocent in this matter, but once someone is involved, they are involved. He could be given a lighter sentence or allowed to make an explanation, but he could not go unpunished no matter what. What do you think the laws of this world are?

What do you consider those who died there serving their country to be worth?

How could we not investigate!
"It's highly unlikely he'll come back. Isn't it good for him to be a high-ranking official in the Ganges? Coming to Chang'an and all this fussing around is meaningless to him," Chen Xi said, shaking his head. After all, that guy was his nephew, and Chen Xi had been paying attention to him.

"I think Zhong Yuanchang is the only suitable one. The others are just so-so." Fa Zheng looked around. In Fa Zheng's opinion, the governors of the fifteen prefectures were indeed outstanding people, but that was all. Only Zhong Yao really had the air of a strongman. The others were really not that good.

“But he won’t do it. You might as well rely on his son instead,” Chen Xi said casually.

"His son? Zhong Yu? I just met him before, and he seemed just average." Fa Zheng thought for a moment and said. He had also learned about the sons of these high-ranking officials and ministers, and most of them were not as good as his cousin's son, Jiang Wei.

"Maybe it's the second son," Chen Xi said with a grin.

Upon hearing this, Fa Zheng turned to look at Zhong Yao. Although he was well-preserved, Zhong Yao was already sixty years old. Could a sixty-year-old Zhong Yao really have another child? What kind of joke was this?
Zhong Yao noticed Fa Zheng's somewhat questioning gaze, followed it, and found it was Fa Zheng. He quickly sat up straight and bowed to Fa Zheng. There was nothing he could do; the trouble he had recently caused was related to Fa Zheng.

Upon seeing this, Fa Zheng chuckled twice and withdrew his gaze, leaving Zhong Yao completely bewildered.

“Look at Wenhe, didn’t Wenhe just take in a daughter?” Chen Xi said calmly. Zhong Yao is only sixty, okay? Look at Jia Xu, he’s over sixty.

"..." Fa Zheng was silent for a while, then habitually looked at Jia Xu. To be honest, Fa Zheng used to respect Jia Xu quite a bit, but Jia Xu had a daughter when he was in his early sixties, and Fa Zheng felt somewhat disgusted. Oh well, maybe people from Liangzhou are indeed physically strong, so he had to understand.

"By the way, I've also looked into Cyprian. Are you sure you want to keep him in the Yuan family? I feel he's more valuable in Chang'an. As for his way of thinking, he should be able to change it by learning more about the Central Plains." Fa Zheng said with a hint of caution as he glanced at Cyprian sneaking up to Zhang Ren's side.

Some people's intelligence is the kind that you can sense just by looking at them. Even with Fazheng's talent, he felt that Cyprian would be a problem if he stayed in the Yuan family.

“If he stays in Chang’an, he’ll fight me sooner or later,” Chen Xi said helplessly.

"Then forget it." Fa Zheng didn't say another word and made a clean break. No matter what talent you have, you can't fight Chen Xi.

On the other side, Cyprian also felt Fazheng's probing gaze, but he didn't even turn his head and continued to reach out to Zhang Ren.

"Oh, my esteemed Archangel, you seem to be in a very strange state." Cyprian said in a damned translator's tone, bouncing around in front of the half-dead General of the West.

Zhang Ren was forcibly activated by Liu Zhang and Yuan Shu, and his knowledge in his brain has not yet been integrated. He is in terrible condition. However, as the General Who Guards the West and a marquis, he must attend such grand court assemblies and banquets. At such a time, Zhang Ren still has some sense of shame about asking for leave.

So he dragged his crippled body to attend the banquet, and was still having a headache. Then, after the court session, Pope Cyprian, who was theoretically under his name, came over and started rambling on and on. This made Zhang Ren somewhat want to tear Cyprian to pieces.

Unfortunately, Zhang Ren was in really bad shape right now, with dark circles under his eyes and a foggy mind. He simply didn't have the energy to do this, so he could only roll his eyes and tell Cyprian to get lost.

"Oh, my Archangel, what happened to you after you ascended to heaven? Do you need a new faith to fill the void?" Cyprian continued to tease, oblivious to the danger. After all, it was normal for the Pope and the angels he worshipped to be different.

“I’m not in a good state right now. Just wait until I’m in better condition, and you’ll see how I deal with you.” Zhang Ren said wearily. “I guess you saw the Tomb of Odin scene. If you’re smart, sit back down now. Otherwise, wait until I recover, and you’ll see how I deal with you.”

Zhang Ren was in very poor condition, but because the knowledge he had acquired had been pieced together, he had already crossed the threshold. Coupled with his accumulated ambition, even in his extremely poor condition, his words still carried a touch of domineering arrogance.

It's fair to say that any normal person would have turned and run away without a second thought upon hearing Zhang Ren's words. But this was Cyprian, the human constellation. Zhang Ren's bravado was essentially useless against him.

“The battle at Odin’s Tomb was indeed impressive. I never expected my archangel to have such abilities. He is much stronger than he was back then,” Cyprian said with a smile. “However, your current condition is not a physical problem, but rather the oppression of the weight of knowledge. This is not so easy to resolve. Moreover, I personally witnessed your ascension to heaven, so there are some things that cannot be hidden from me.”

Cyprian had actually witnessed the battles between Lord Wu'an and Marquis Huaiyin against Caesar, so he knew very well what his archangel was capable of. You could say that this person was completely useless in practice, but when not engaged in practical combat, his vision and ability were both top-notch.

Therefore, Cyprian was well aware that the Zhang Ren in Odin's Tomb was definitely not the real Zhang Ren. The current Zhang Ren might be acquiring and absorbing that knowledge, but with Zhang Ren's current hardware, he was far from being able to run that kind of top-tier stuff.

"Considering you took me away in a sack back then, you've found me a decent new home. I can help you digest and absorb this knowledge," Cyprian said slyly.

"My dear Pope, you are my guiding light on earth, we share both glory and shame." Zhang Ren's expression changed instantly, he was practically kneeling!

Oh my god, my invincible, dazzlingly cool archangel should be able to make it to the final battle!