Chapter 52: Loss in the East, Gain in the West

"Lord Xuande, you are truly broad-minded. You must know that Xun Yu is a statesman comparable to Zhang Liang, and Xun You is an exceptional strategist," Chen Xi said with a playful smile.

"So what? No matter how good they are, if I can't get them, they're not as valuable as the ones I have. Don't you agree, Zichuan?" Liu Bei turned and looked at Chen Xi solemnly.

Chen Xi was silent for a long time before he spoke, "I won't let you down. At least, I don't think I'm weaker than them. Let's go. If the aristocratic families don't welcome us, we'll show them our strength that will make them sit up and take notice. Let them regret their choices today."

Liu Bei looked at Chen Xi, sensing the strong confidence radiating from him, an arrogance that seemed to envelop everyone around.

"Alright, let's show our strength and make the world tremble under us. Let's make them regret their choices today!" Liu Bei stretched out his hand, his voice full of grandeur. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Hua Xiong all looked enthusiastic.

Chen Xi knew that what they said at this moment would spread to the ears of all the aristocratic families in Yingchuan. But that was exactly the effect he wanted. Since they had been given face and they didn't appreciate it, then it was time to tear it apart.

Chen Xi had originally intended to take the brunt of the blame for what he said, but he hadn't expected Liu Bei to repeat it and extend his hand to him.

"Let's go, Lord Xuande. There's no room for us in Yingchuan. Since we've already said it, the aristocratic families will be watching us, waiting for us to fail. Believe me, within three years, we will return here, and by then, everyone will bow to you," Chen Xi said with a smile, but his face could not hide a hint of coldness. The pride of a transmigrator was something they would never understand.

"Alright, let's go!" Liu Bei said no more, mounting his horse and urging it towards the east gate of Yingchuan. Since there was no room for him here, he wouldn't waste any more time.

Liu Bei didn't even attend the farewell banquet and left Yingchuan directly, taking his army and his deep memories of Yingchuan with him.

"Lord Xuande, this is my fault. Although the aristocratic families have many talents, we can only attract talents from humble backgrounds. To them, we are not worthy," Chen Xi said coldly, then thought of the scholars Liu Bei had recruited in Yingchuan, which was better than nothing.

"Oh, that reminds me of something interesting. A wandering swordsman wanted to join me, saying he wanted to be my chief secretary. I tested him and found that he knew nothing. I asked the local elders and found out that this scholarly-looking man was actually a well-known swordsman. I didn't know what I was thinking, but I told him, 'Study the classics of history and the Art of War, then come to me. By then, I will certainly appoint you.'" Liu Bei laughed heartily. "Zichuan, do you know what his reaction was?"

Chen Xi raised an eyebrow. Could it be such a coincidence? But he still took the conversation, "He must have said he would study the classics and master the Art of War, asking Lord Xuande to keep the position for him. He said he would come back in three to five years, or as little as one to two years, right, Lord Xuande?"

Liu Bei was taken aback, looking at Chen Xi with some surprise. "Zichuan, were you there at that time? How do you know so clearly?"

"Was his name Shan Fu or Xu Shu?" Chen Xi asked, holding his forehead.

"Xu Shu?" Liu Bei asked, confused. "You weren't there?"

"So it really is him," Chen Xi rolled his eyes. This was a classic case of losing in the east but gaining in the west. Xu Shu was more suited for Liu Bei than any of the Xun family members. As aristocratic sons, they would never look up to Liu Bei.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with him?" Liu Bei asked curiously.

"Lord Xuande should keep a chief secretary position for him. He has given up martial arts for literature and made a firm decision to walk a different path. His determination is strong, and he will not change his mind. Since he has chosen this path, he will undoubtedly become one of the top strategists in the world in a few years," Chen Xi said seriously. He didn't want Liu Bei to take Xu Shu lightly. If he did, Xu Shu might recommend Wolong (Zhuge Liang) and Fengchu (Pang Tong) to someone else, and that wouldn't be fun.

"Zichuan, you seem to know him well?" Liu Bei nodded in agreement with Chen Xi and then asked curiously.

Chen Xi sighed internally. Liu Bei didn't ask about anything else or question what if Xu Shu didn't succeed. He simply agreed.

"I can't say I know him well. He used to be a wandering swordsman in Changshe. He killed for a friend and walked down the street with a sword. When he was caught, no one dared to identify him because of his imposing manner. Later, he was rescued, and the matter was left unsettled. But if he said he would give up martial arts for literature, he definitely will. He is known for being resolute," Chen Xi said solemnly.

Chen Xi didn't want to say that Xu Shu was essentially a ruffian who had only decided to switch to literature a few days ago. After studying diligently for up to five years, his personality completely changed. The originally brave and combative person became refined and elegant. Most importantly, in just five years, he became one of the top strategists of his time. His talent was so extraordinary it was maddening.

As a swordsman who had wielded a sword daily, Xu Shu reached the level of the top strategists in just a few years after gaining enlightenment. Think about how long it took Guo Jia and Xun You to reach their level, and then think about how long it took Xu Shu. You will understand why Xu Shu's talent is the most terrifying. Unfortunately, his talent came too late.

It must be said that being a ruffian was always a small path. To truly succeed, one must be able to both write and fight, to command with pen and sword. This way, they could turn black into white and white into black, saying whatever they wanted. Who would dare to defy them? It seemed that Xu Shu's switch from martial arts to literature was driven by this great dream.

"Oh, I see," Liu Bei nodded. "In that case, I will keep a chief secretary position for him. But when he comes, I will thoroughly test him."

"Yes, at that time, you can gather all your capable civil and military officials to test him together. He will definitely pass," Chen Xi said with a smile. Since they had picked up Xu Shu, there was nothing else to worry about. Although Xu Shu was still an unripe fruit, he was still on the tree. Sooner or later, he would mature, and by then, he would be theirs, bringing his two comrades along.