Chapter 955: The Aristocracy and Reputation

"Don’t worry, Xingba said that his family will soon move from Yizhou to Yecheng, and they will bring a family with strong expertise in water management," Lu Su said with a smile. "This family has a long-standing reputation in waterworks and has proven its abilities in history."

"Yizhou?" Chen Xi frowned, "Is there really a family in Yizhou that specializes in water management?"

"You’re confused again. Yizhou is home to a famous figure in water management, the great Li Bing of Sichuan!" Li You sighed, looking at Chen Xi with some exasperation. At times, it seemed like Chen Xi forgot even the most basic common knowledge.

"Although their ancestral home is likely in Guanzhong, they moved to Sichuan during the turmoil at the end of the Qin Dynasty, over four hundred years ago. Thanks to their ancestor’s achievements, they have prospered for a thousand years," Jia Xu added calmly.

"If there’s any family in this world that has comprehensive experience in flood control, irrigation, and navigation, it would be this one. The only question is how much of their ancestors’ knowledge they’ve managed to retain," Liu Ye said solemnly, acknowledging the enduring legacy of the Dujiangyan project that everyone admired.

The so-called "Land of Abundance" was, after all, created by Li Bing. The region was once plagued by droughts and floods, known as a "red basin" and a "waterlogged country." Li Bing’s efforts turned it into a fertile land, a feat unmatched throughout history under similar technological conditions.

Chen Xi quickly realized who Lu Su and the others were referring to. How could he not know? Dujiangyan was a water project that had remained operational for over 2,200 years, a man-made wonder even more impressive than the Great Wall.

"This family still exists?" Chen Xi asked incredulously.

"Why wouldn’t they? Only four hundred years have passed. With the protection of their ancestor Li Bing’s legacy, how could his descendants not survive for four centuries? They would have had to commit severe misdeeds for such a decline," Fa Zheng said, looking at Chen Xi as if he were being unreasonable.

In this era, respect for one’s ancestors was paramount. The honor attached to an ancestor’s legacy often provided descendants with protection and opportunities. With Li Bing’s achievements in transforming Sichuan from a waterlogged country to a fertile land, his descendants would be safeguarded for centuries as long as they carried on his legacy.

"I’m really looking forward to meeting them," Chen Xi said seriously, nodding. If this family could indeed produce a figure as talented as their ancestor, then building a grand canal combining flood control, irrigation, and navigation might actually be possible.

"Don’t get your hopes too high," Lu Su interjected, bringing Chen Xi’s fantasy down to earth. "Xingba mentioned that there aren’t many members of the family left, and the only one who retains any of the ancestral knowledge is an old man who barely knows enough to get by. As with any skill, without practical experience, it’s hard to gauge one’s true capability."

"There’s been no grand waterworks for them to practice on, so whether their expertise is at fifty percent or even just ten percent, or perhaps even beyond their ancestor, no one can say until we test them," Guo Jia added nonchalantly. The only way to know for sure was to give it a try.

"Well, let’s give them the best possible reception and see how it goes. I don’t believe they won’t give their all," Chen Xi chuckled. In his view, regardless of how much of their ancestor’s skill they retained, the family likely had detailed records of Li Bing’s work on Dujiangyan, which would be invaluable.

That was the real foundation for a family’s survival. As long as they maintained their records and the reputation of their ancestor, they would be valuable even in the peak of any dynasty’s waterworks projects.

"They will undoubtedly give it their all. From what Xingba said, they’re volunteering to help because they heard about our plans for large-scale water projects," Lu Su said with a smile.

This was the advantage of fame. Their reputation had grown so large that talents from far-flung regions were now coming to them. Moreover, this family was protected by their ancestral fame. Upon hearing their offer of assistance, no one would doubt their abilities. After all, they were descendants of Li Bing, a name that carried significant weight.

"This is great news. Let’s assign some capable apprentices to learn from them," Chen Xi said with a smile.

China had never lacked geniuses. With a bit of searching, unexpected talents always emerged. Chen Xi had never expected Li Bing’s descendants to offer their help, but no matter the reason, their ancestor’s name alone was reassuring.

Chen Xi now understood why, in ancient times, families rarely cut ties with each other unless absolutely necessary. The honor wasn’t just given to the individuals but also to their ancestors. An ancestor’s glory could indeed protect their descendants.

Hearing that Li Bing’s descendants were involved gave everyone confidence in their waterworks expertise. Hearing that Confucius’ descendants were involved would give confidence in their knowledge of rituals. Hearing that Mencius’ descendants were involved would assure everyone of their moral integrity. This was the power of ancestral glory.

"Zichuan, what are you thinking about?" Guo Jia asked with a smile, noticing that Chen Xi had suddenly fallen silent, as if lost in thought.

"I’m thinking about what I need to leave behind for my descendants to protect them for a thousand years," Chen Xi replied, looking up at everyone.

"Just leave them your wisdom," Jia Xu said with a smile. "But sadly, the most frustrating thing for ancestors is that, while they may leave behind the wisdom and principles to safeguard their descendants for a thousand years, future generations often fail to follow or understand it. Times change, and without the ability to foresee the future, who can truly protect their descendants for a millennium?"

"I was being arrogant," Chen Xi smiled faintly, before recalling a particular saying. A mocking smile spread across his face. "But who says I can’t see a thousand years into the future?"

Everyone in the room was momentarily speechless, staring at Chen Xi as if he had lost his mind. Although they had seen him act arrogantly before, to openly declare something like that was truly going too far.

"Hahaha, surprised, aren’t you? Remember this: all history is contemporary history. Everything we do is just repeating what has already been done," Chen Xi said, laughing as he looked at their stunned expressions.

As for how to protect his descendants for a millennium, Chen Xi had already pushed the matter aside. There’s a saying: "Every generation has its own fortune." If his descendants became indulgent and corrupt, nothing Chen Xi left behind would matter. On the other hand, if they remained diligent and strong, they would achieve everything they deserved, even without his guidance.

"That’s a very wise saying," Li You commented with a smile. "To see a thousand years into the future—if we look back at history, we can indeed discern many patterns. For example, your theory of dynastic cycles, Zichuan, and how we might break free from the seemingly eternal cycle of rise and fall."

"Those things... I haven’t quite figured out yet. I’m still working on it. As for breaking free from that cycle, it’s incredibly difficult. Right now, I only have a rough idea, but whether it can be achieved, I’m not sure. After all, Lord Xuande isn’t quite there yet," Chen Xi said with a sigh, his tone filled with contemplation.

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