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Chapter 668: Eradicating the Roots
🕑 Added 2024-10-01 05:23:32 +0000 UTC"Xiaozhi, I hear you've gotten married," Guo Jia casually mentioned to Fa Zheng as they strolled around. Just as Fa Zheng was beginning to feel uneasy, Guo Jia suddenly asked the question.
"A man should marry when he comes of age, and a woman the same. Isn't that how it should be?" Fa Zheng replied, unsure of Guo Jia's intentions, so he responded with righteous conviction.
"Hmm, that makes sense," Guo Jia agreed, gazing into the distance at Lü Bu’s camp before suddenly asking Fa Zheng a rather strange question, "That camp over there belongs to Chen Gongtai. Interested in seeing the prowess of the world’s greatest warrior?"
"The world's greatest?" Fa Zheng scoffed. "Is there really someone daring enough to claim that title without fearing they'd be beaten to death?"
"Given the current state of affairs, it seems no one can defeat him," Guo Jia chuckled. "So, calling him the greatest isn't far off. Maybe in the future, Generals Guan, Zhao, and Zhang will achieve his level of power, but only he can truly be called the greatest."
Fa Zheng fell silent, finally understanding the underlying message in Guo Jia’s words. Even if others had the same potential, it was crucial to demonstrate that potential as early as possible.
As things stood, Guan, Zhang, and Zhao might eventually reach the same peak as Lü Bu, and perhaps others would too. But by then, Lü Bu would already have stepped off the stage. In a future where so many could claim equal strength, the title of the greatest would be meaningless. At that point, people would look back and remember the warrior who had already left the stage because he was the one who had once defeated all these men. Even if they weren't at their peak at the time, no one would care—he won, they lost, and that's all that mattered.
"The world's greatest, huh?" Fa Zheng murmured, furrowing his brow. "Sometimes timing is more important than ability. I'm at least more fortunate than the geniuses of the previous generation, and I’m more fortunate than the next. I am confident that I will be part of the founding generation, and my footprints will be left in the lands that will be expanded."
Guo Jia chuckled lightly, then burst into unrestrained laughter, full of joy. After three years, Fa Zheng finally understood the point Guo Jia had been making all along.
"Xiaozhi, you're smart, but your vision is too narrow. Our era is the best in over three thousand years. I dare say our time is better than any that came before, and we hold more cards than they ever did," Guo Jia said, turning to face Fa Zheng.
"I will do better than you," Fa Zheng finally voiced what he had always wanted to say, openly declaring it before Guo Jia for the first time.
"I'll be watching," Guo Jia said, clapping Fa Zheng on the shoulder. "Since you'll do better than me, I'll leave the next task to you. I'm off to have a drink."
"..." A breeze swept past as Fa Zheng realized that once again, Guo Jia had tricked him. With a dark expression, he headed toward Lü Bu’s camp.
"Strategist, the Chancellor of Qi, Fa Xiaozhi, requests an audience," Gao Shun said, entering Chen Gong's tent and saluting.
"Fa Xiaozhi? Invite him in," Chen Gong said after a brief moment of thought. Soon, Fa Zheng, escorted by Gao Shun, was brought into Chen Gong’s tent.
"I've long heard that Chancellor Fa of Qi is a young hero who made Qi prosperous within a year. To meet you today is truly impressive," Chen Gong said as he stood to greet him.
Chen Gong wasn’t exaggerating. When he first met Chen Xi, he was struck by how young he was. Now, seeing Fa Zheng, who was even younger than Chen Xi, he couldn't help but be amazed. After all, the story of Qi’s prosperity had spread throughout Ji and Yan provinces, and seeing how young Fa Zheng was only deepened Chen Gong’s astonishment.
"Strategist Chen flatters me. My success is merely due to good fortune. Without Chief Secretary Sun’s passing through Linzi, Qi would not be as prosperous as it is today," Fa Zheng said modestly.
In truth, Fa Zheng felt a growing sense of admiration for Chen Gong. Everyone enjoys hearing praise, especially about something they take pride in. Fa Zheng was particularly proud of his achievements in Qi, and Chen Gong’s words naturally made him more favorable toward him.
"Even with such opportunities, it takes someone with vision and courage to make it happen," Chen Gong said with a smile, leading Fa Zheng to sit down. By now, all the warlords were envious of Sun Qian’s ability to construct infrastructure. Within just a month, the framework of a county-level city had already been completed.
After some small talk, they quickly got down to business.
"Strategist Chen, I’ve come today with a great gift for your army," Fa Zheng said with a smile.
"Xiaozhi, do tell," Chen Gong replied, his expression unchanged. But inside, he was weighing the possibilities. After all, Liu Bei’s support for Lü Bu’s northern campaign had already been considerable. Hearing about a “great gift” naturally piqued Chen Gong’s interest.
"There are many wealthy and unscrupulous families in Yan Province. You’re aware of our army's policies, so you know these people need to be dealt with. However, when our army entered Yan Province, many of these families fled to Chenliu and Guanzhong. Currently, our forces are stretched too thin, so we request Strategist Chen’s assistance," Fa Zheng said with a smile.
It was certain that these fleeing families were the ones who disliked Liu Bei’s policies—the wealthy and unscrupulous. While some of them might not be too corrupt, who cared at this point? Let Lü Bu take the blame, and Yan Province would quickly stabilize. As for causing trouble for Lü Bu, with him soon off to Bingzhou on a righteous mission, who would dare?
"All seized goods will belong to us, and I’ll handle this task," Chen Gong said without hesitation.
"..." Fa Zheng was momentarily stunned. His biggest concern was that Chen Gong might suspect Liu Bei’s forces of using this as a ploy to divide and conquer Lü Bu’s army. He hadn’t expected Chen Gong to show no such concern.
This was a conclusion Fa Zheng had reached using his spiritual abilities. If it were that simple, he wouldn't have had to go back and forth with Guo Jia.
"I trust that Lord Xuande’s forces wouldn’t use this to deceive us. And even if we are deceived, we’ll accept it as our misfortune," Chen Gong said with a hearty laugh when he noticed Fa Zheng's hesitation.
"Alright, it’s settled then. All the seized goods will be yours, and the matter is in your hands," Fa Zheng said, deciding not to overthink it. If it could be resolved this easily, all the better.
"Rest assured, no one will suspect your side. I'll make it clear that we’re the ones taking action, so you can be at ease," Chen Gong’s words left Fa Zheng even more surprised. Chen Gong had anticipated Fa Zheng’s concerns and addressed them before he could even voice them, causing Fa Zheng to feel a bit wary of the seemingly straightforward middle-aged man before him.
"Aren’t you worried that by plundering the wealth of these families, you’ll be targeted by the aristocracy later?" Fa Zheng asked, puzzled.
"That's why I need you to provide me with all the incriminating evidence you have on these families," Chen Gong laughed. "I’m sure you’ve been gathering such information as part of your governance in Yan Province."
"No problem. I’ll leave everything in your capable hands," Fa Zheng said, still feeling a bit uneasy but deciding not to press further. He realized that Chen Gong seemed to understand their side’s situation very well.
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