Chapter 722: You Really Don't Have to Do This

At this point, as long as Chen Xi gave his tacit approval, the tenant farmers who had once been vassals of the noble families would migrate to the northeast under the nobles' direction.

By then, even if the common people wanted to curse their misfortune, they wouldn’t have any grounds to blame Chen Xi and Liu Bei. The nobility would share the public's grievances, and with Chen Xi providing additional land to the people via the nobility, the development of the vast northeastern plains would be practically guaranteed. Moreover, both the commoners and the nobles would receive their fair share, easing the government’s burden and internal tensions.

Sometimes, even if you have a brilliant strategy, you need to be able to implement it. Otherwise, even if you know it’s beneficial, if you can’t show the people tangible results, how could the short-sighted common folk possibly follow your lead?

The people desire tangible benefits that they can see with their own eyes. If you can’t provide those, they might tolerate it for a while, but over time, don’t be surprised if your formerly loyal citizens turn into troublesome dissenters.

"Do you have any advice for us, the noble families?" Chen Shang asked with a smile. After their deep conversation, he had come to understand Chen Xi’s attitude towards the nobility. It wasn’t exactly favorable, but at the end of the day, Chen Xi was still a product of the noble class, so Chen Shang decided to hear him out.

"It’s not so much advice, just some suggestions. If you’re willing to listen, great. If not, that’s fine too," Chen Xi said, shaking his head.

"Go ahead, Zichuan, say what you will," Chen Shang responded, observing Chen Xi’s calm demeanor.

"If the nobility wants power to remain in their hands forever, if they want privileges to always be by their side, they must be willing to make sacrifices," Chen Xi said, looking directly at Chen Shang. "Only with sacrifice can there be rewards. If the nobility wants to gain these things legitimately, they need to offer something of equal value."

Chen Shang fell silent. He understood what Chen Xi was saying, but he knew that the interests of the state and the interests of the noble families could never fully align. There would inevitably come a time when the two would clash.

"You’ve misunderstood. The interests of the state and the nobility don’t have to be in conflict," Chen Xi continued calmly. "Although it requires the nobility to keep their greed in check, I believe that’s a more stable approach than risking the entire family on the slim hope of a sudden windfall."

"If the interests of the state and the noble families could always align, we wouldn’t mind curbing our greed. No one wants to risk the downfall of their entire family for some faint hope," Chen Shang said in a steady voice. After all, what family would willingly risk annihilation unless they were forced into a corner?

"That’s good to hear. Honestly, I don’t understand why you haven’t seen this problem in the past few centuries. In truth, aligning state and noble interests is entirely possible. Just look at now—Tai Shan is expanding, and the noble families are being pulled along with it," Chen Xi nodded, speaking casually.

Chen Shang remained silent, carefully listening to Chen Xi. He wasn’t entirely sure what Chen Xi was getting at.

"Let me put it this way: if the government controls one-third of the power, the noble families another third, and the emperor the final third, the world would be stable," Chen Xi said, not caring whether Chen Shang fully understood.

"But most of the time, it’s impossible to be that balanced. However, as long as no one party holds more than half of the power, there shouldn’t be a problem. Even if one party does hold more than half, as long as everyone’s goals are the same, it won’t matter," Chen Xi continued. Chen Shang caught onto something but couldn’t fully grasp it.

"There’s no point in discussing this too deeply. Let me ask you a straightforward question: when is it that everyone’s efforts align towards the same goal?" Chen Xi asked, noticing Chen Shang’s thoughtful expression.

"During times of war, when there’s a drive to unify the land. At such times, the goals of the noble families and the ruler are aligned because a unified land brings the greatest benefits to both," Chen Shang responded. "Afterward, they can even coexist peacefully for decades."

"Exactly," Chen Xi clapped his hands. "The nobility and the state can actually move in unison. Sometimes, dying for your family is also dying for your country. You could very well be on the same path."

"But once the war ends, the noble families and the state gradually drift apart. Over time, the bonds formed during mutual support are eventually erased," Chen Shang calmly recounted a truth that had been proven time and time again: the interests of the state and the nobility would inevitably clash.

"Hah, then why focus on internal strife? Look outward. The world is vast, and you don’t even know how large it is. Why not give it a try? Internally, conflict is inevitable. Externally, when has the Han Empire ever disappointed the nobility? Why not use your power to erode other nations? As long as you can work through certain channels in the Han Empire..." Chen Xi’s calm voice took on an almost hypnotic quality, sending shivers down Chen Shang’s spine while filling his mind with endless possibilities. Indeed, the neighboring states were all vassals of the Han Empire, but when had they ever fulfilled their obligations? Taking action against them was only just.

"Within the Han Empire, the noble families are strong, but the state is stronger. But in those other countries? I have a rough idea of the Chen family’s strength. Five Chen families could subdue a small country, hand over protection fees to the state, and share the spoils—how much would that be?" Chen Xi laid out the facts calmly.

"The interests of the state and the nobility would align. Even if they didn’t, the protection fees would make them align. The nobility would grow stronger, and if necessary, they could even enlist the border troops to help. Open up the whole system, maybe even pull everyone along to form a collective," Chen Shang finished Chen Xi's sentence, his mind racing with the implications.

The nobility still can’t change their core thinking. Oh well, I won’t push them. Let them do as they please, Chen Xi thought, feeling a bit exasperated. He hadn’t meant to suggest this, but the nobility had interpreted it that way, so what could he say? Judging by Chen Shang's tone, it was clear the nobility had done similar things before.

"Interpret it however you like. The nobility is more practical than the state—that’s something you must understand. The nobility seeks profit, while the state seeks morality. When morality and profit clash, you can step in," Chen Xi continued, not bothering to clarify his earlier statements.

"The nobility’s virtue applies only to its own. We don’t have to concern ourselves with others. Seeking profit isn’t wrong, and when the state’s morality clashes with profit, we’re in a better position to handle it. The problem is, the state doesn’t trust us," Chen Shang acknowledged Chen Xi’s words.

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