Chapter 1001: The Vision of the Aristocratic Families

Yuan Shu fell silent for a moment before apologizing, "That was merely my personal oversight. After watching the Perfect World, I feel like I need to reflect." He then immediately retreated and sat back in his previous seat.

Chen Xi glanced strangely at Yuan Shu, not expecting him to back down so easily. In reality, Yuan Shu had lost all hope after witnessing the prosperity under Liu Bei's rule, comparing it to the dismal state of his own territory. It seemed that the aristocratic families had truly become obstacles to the wheel of history.

Could it be that the time has come for the aristocratic families to exit the stage of history? Yuan Shu felt an overwhelming sense of bitterness. Once, they were so glorious, and now, they had fallen to this point.

After this turn of events with Yuan Shu, Chen Xi no longer felt like scolding the aristocratic families for their incompetence. He got straight to the point.

"What I want you all to do is very simple. I need you to walk the path of your ancestors once again. As for how to proceed, I already have a comprehensive plan. In fact, I can give you the first step right now, but I must find someone I can trust." Chen Xi said as he looked at the members of the aristocratic families.

"I can tell you that following this path will be difficult, but everything you enjoy will be justified, and history will remember you. The aristocratic families should not be parasites. Instead, as per the original oath, we are the agents of Heaven's mandate." Chen Xi said slowly.

His calm tone, almost devoid of any fluctuation, ignited a fire in the eyes of the aristocratic families present. Chen Xi's words were always well-targeted, and his far-sighted approach greatly increased their trust in him.

"We were once the agents of Heaven's mandate, even speaking Heaven’s edicts!" Chen Xi continued slowly, "It wasn’t because of our overwhelming strength, but because the people followed us. Our ancestors used their corpses to pave the road to civilization for the world, and they recorded the inheritance of Hua Xia with their blood and tears."

"Now look at yourselves. Do the people under your governance respect or fear you? I believe you all have a clear sense of that." Chen Xi sneered. At this point, the aristocratic families were not yet at the level where they were universally reviled, but they were already sliding toward that abyss.

"Don't think about mocking me. As long as I stand in Yuzhou, they will naturally protect me," Yuan Shu said with a cold smile, looking at Chen Xi.

Chen Xi twitched his lips. There was no way around it. Yuan Shu did nothing, yet in this era, doing nothing was sometimes more effective than doing something.

"That’s acceptable. But what do you think about Lord Xuande compared to you?" Chen Xi couldn't stand Yuan Shu’s smugness and immediately challenged him.

"..." Yuan Shu gave Chen Xi an annoyed glance but remained silent. Everything was left unsaid.

Chen Xi ignored Yuan Shu and continued, "I’ve already borrowed the Xuanyuan Cauldron. You don’t even need to inspect it to know whether it’s genuine or not. There are three items in this world that cannot be counterfeited. Gonglu, wouldn’t you agree?"

This time, Yuan Shu remained silent, while Chen Xi smiled and continued, "For those aristocratic families willing to trust me, you will have the opportunity to carve a blood oath onto the Xuanyuan Heaven Cauldron. I will engrave your rights and duties on it, and it will be overseen by the ages and the people."

"Hiss!" A collective gasp echoed from the group.

"So you can rest assured of my sincerity," Chen Xi said, scanning the room of stunned aristocrats. Even Chen Shang, who already knew about this plan, couldn’t help but gasp when Chen Xi brought it up again.

"I will only carve one sentence. We also have the secret technique for blood inscription. Those who agree will each contribute a drop of blood, and with the blood of all who agree, we will engrave it." Chen Xi said calmly, "The content inscribed this way must be upheld. Any family that violates the oath will be abandoned by both Heaven and man."

Zhang Chen of the Zhang family in Jizhou, the uncle of the Zhang clan, spoke up after a brief moment of contemplation. "May I ask, Lord Chen, what exactly will be inscribed?"

"Our privileges and rights stem from equal or even greater responsibilities and duties, witnessed by Heaven and man!" Chen Xi replied calmly.

All the aristocrats were carefully weighing the appropriateness of this condition. It was indeed a guarantee to solve all problems, but to swear on the family’s name, using the blood of the patriarch, and to inscribe it on the treasure of Zhongyuan’s heritage—this made them seriously consider the consequences of such a decision.

If this sentence was inscribed on the Xuanyuan Cauldron with the blood and witness of 70% of the aristocrats in the land, it would become more binding than any law, and it might truly be enforced forever.

"Our privileges and rights stem from equal or even greater responsibilities and duties." Xun Shuang slowly repeated the phrase, sensing the deeper meaning hidden within those words.

"What is the upper limit of privileges and rights?" Sima Fang narrowed his eyes and muttered as he looked at Chen Xi.

"Is it to be witnessed by everyone present and those who are not present as well...?" Cui Yan furrowed his brow and asked, representing both the Cui family of Boling and Qinghe. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been seated in the first row.

"In other words, what exactly are we supposed to do?" The young Wang Chen, eager to prove himself, asked excitedly. The Wang family had already lost too much. If they didn’t take this chance, the once-glorious Wang family of Taiyuan might fade into history along with its past splendor.

[In truth, none of this matters. What’s crucial are the words ‘equal exchange’!] Xun Shuang had already grasped Chen Xi’s intent. The equality he referred to was not just among the aristocrats but also among the commoners and even the emperor. The exchange of rights and duties under the witness of all the aristocrats was not something meant solely for the aristocratic families.

[He is creating opportunities for all the people.] Meng Gongwei’s eyes narrowed slightly. Although he seldom appeared in public, his mind was remarkably clear. Otherwise, the Meng family wouldn’t have sent him to this meeting so easily.

[We are the aristocratic families! How could we possibly be surpassed by the commoners we have educated and governed? If that day ever truly comes, I would rather bring the brilliance of the aristocratic families down from the heavens and perish along with it!] Shi Guangyuan thought coldly. Unlike Meng Jian, his humble appearance hid a proud heart.

Sweeping a glance at the aristocrats who were still privately discussing among themselves, Shi Tao sneered and transmitted his voice to Yuan Shu, who was seated in front.

"Patriarch Yuan, would you mind if I said a few words?" Shi Tao’s voice directly reached Yuan Shu.

"Speak," Yuan Shu replied coldly without opening his eyes.

"Even if we give them a chance, can they surpass us? If we can’t even guarantee this, then what value do we still have?" Shi Tao’s voice was filled with arrogance.

"Our Pang family wouldn’t mind agreeing to Lord Chen’s proposal," Pang Shanmin, seated in the latter half of the first row, suddenly stood up before Yuan Shu could reply.

Immediately, all eyes turned to this young man representing the Pang family of Jingzhou. While others were still hesitating, Pang Shanmin, son of Pang Degong and brother-in-law to Zhuge Liang, had already made his decision.

[What a slippery fellow!] Chen Shang and Xun Shuang exchanged glances, both seeing the understanding in each other’s eyes. Pang Shanmin’s move was shrewd—if anything went wrong, he could simply switch sides later. And as for the Pang family in Jingzhou, wasn’t there still Pang Tong?

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