Chapter 1012: Zhongyuan ≠ The World

The people here were all wise men who understood power and how to wield it correctly. Once they began to act, Chen Xi believed it was better to eliminate any potential troubles before they could sprout.

It was simply too dangerous. Chen Xi was fully aware that Liu Bei's current power had reached a certain saturation point. Of course, this saturation was due to a limited vision, causing an inflated sense of strength. While it was enough to dominate internally, Chen Xi saw it as hollow. Naturally, people like Liu Ye would not feel the same way.

Even though Chen Xi was strong, as long as he remained in Liu Bei's service, there would be no major upheavals, only minor actions like Liu Ye’s. However, Chen Xi disliked such maneuvers and preferred that conflicts not escalate to involve the highest-ranking officials, especially the founding veterans. As for the power struggles below, whether for power or profit, they were insignificant—he could wipe them out with a wave of his hand.

Chen Xi wasn’t foolish. He knew why Liu Ye acted the way he did. From Liu Ye's perspective, he wasn’t wrong—he was purely fighting for his ideals. No matter the means, Liu Ye believed they were justified, and that was what frustrated Chen Xi the most.

Conflicts over basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter, and power struggles derived from such things, seemed trivial when compared to a conflict of ideals. Struggles for power and profit could be manipulated, but once the clash was about ideals, the fight would rise to a purer level.

In the name of justice, any means would be justified. As long as the belief was unwavering, there would be no weakness in resolve.

Such clashes would not end unless one side was completely annihilated. Even if only a trace of the ideal remained in the world, as long as there were people who believed in it, the “passing of the torch” was always possible.

So, to Chen Xi, the usual mundane conflicts were trivial. Power struggles based on force, authority, or profit could easily be divided and conquered. But once the struggle was elevated to a battle of ideals, it would become a matter of life and death, with both sides holding on until one was completely defeated.

Chen Xi wasn’t sure if Liu Ye possessed such unshakable conviction, but he wasn’t willing to find out. Before these conflicts escalated to a moral and ideological battle, Chen Xi decided it was time to show everyone just how vast the world truly was.

"Alright, we've reached this point, and each of us can be considered successful. From a certain perspective, we've all left our marks in history," Chen Xi said slowly. "But from my perspective, it’s still far too shallow."

Before anyone could respond, Chen Xi turned and walked away. "Wait here. I’ll show you something. Once you see it, you’ll realize just how small we all are."

His words about being small left everyone stunned. After all, each of them had earned titles, achieved great military exploits, and earned glory in Zhongyuan. If even they were considered small, then what could greatness possibly mean?

Soon, Chen Xi returned, holding a large silk scroll about one zhang long. "You should be grateful that my memory has been enhanced through my spiritual energy. Otherwise, I’d have forgotten many of the details. This map might have some inaccuracies, but the overall layout shouldn’t have changed much."

He directed Fa Zheng and Lu Su to push two tables together. Chen Xi couldn't help but marvel at the strength of China’s compulsory education system, which, in theory, taught all the basic skills one would need later in life.

What lay before them was a world map. It included the topographical map of China, the distribution of China’s rivers, a map of the late Han dynasty’s borders, and the surrounding regions beyond Zhongyuan.

"Is this... a map?" Jia Xu frowned, unable to determine which region the map represented, since there were no labeled borders. He could only tell that the drawing on the white silk was indeed a map.

"Yes, take a guess where this map is showing," Chen Xi nodded, looking at Li You and Jia Xu. He suspected only these two, given their vast experience, could make an educated guess.

"If this river is the Yellow River..." Guo Jia rubbed his temples. Although the rivers appeared different from what he knew from contemporary maps, the resemblance to the Wei River, the Huai River, and the Yangtze allowed him to catch a glimmer of recognition.

"I didn’t expect it, but Fengxiao, you’re the first one to figure it out," Chen Xi said with admiration. Although the Yellow River and Yangtze were indeed depicted, they weren’t particularly prominent on the map, and Zhongyuan wasn’t centered. Chen Xi was impressed that Guo Jia had recognized it so quickly.

"This is impossible," Fa Zheng gaped, finally speaking after a long pause. "How can the Yellow River and Yangtze be so small?"

"Because this is the world," Chen Xi declared with pride. "What you’ve been striving for is only this tiny piece, but what I desire is the whole world!"

"The Zhongyuan that Cao Mengde dreams of, the Zhongyuan that Yuan Benchu covets, the Zhongyuan that Sun Bofu longs for, and the Zhongyuan that the aristocratic families lust after—all of that is nothing more than this insignificant patch of land!" Chen Xi’s hand pressed down on the small portion of the map representing Zhongyuan.

"This small stretch of land under my palm has already intoxicated the world’s ambitions. We are hailed as being invincible within the ‘world,’ but just how powerful are we really? When faced with this vast world that could take generations to explore, what do we truly amount to?" Chen Xi seemed to be questioning the famed ministers gathered before him, but also reflecting on his own place in history.

"Look here," Chen Xi slowly raised his right hand, like a slightly intoxicated youth. He placed his index finger against his lips, gave a gentle whistle, and then lowered his hand. Everyone’s eyes followed his finger. "See this? This tiny piece, no bigger than the palm of my hand, is the 5 million hectares of fertile land we’ve been discussing."

Chen Xi's calm tone didn't stir the hearts of others, yet in that moment, even the most composed minds like Guo Jia, Jia Xu, and the others could feel their hearts racing. Their blood surged with excitement.

Han Qiong, who had been silently guarding Chen Xi, could no longer suppress his emotions. His presence became visible, his gaze burning as he stared at the map.

Similarly, Zhong Lin, who was guarding Li You, revealed himself for the first time, his eyes filled with eagerness. For the first time, the vast world beyond was unveiled before their eyes.

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