Chapter 1128: Public Duty and Personal Interests

Chen Xi never mistreated those who had truly been kind to him. As Uncle Chen touched the stars etched on the chessboard, he was filled with emotion. Though he had hoped back then that Chen Xi could help the Chen family rise to prominence, he never imagined that one day Chen Xi would reach such great heights.

After one game, more than half an hour had passed. Chen Xi’s skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting weren’t exceptional, but they were not too poor either. Still, he lost to Uncle Chen. After all, if Chen Xi’s father had gifted the chessboard to Uncle Chen, it was because the man had a strong grasp of the game.

"As expected, I’m no match for you, Uncle Chen," Chen Xi said with a smile, as he tidied up the chess pieces just like in the old days. Chess wasn’t something he was deeply passionate about, nor did he have much time to dedicate to it. At most, it served as a form of relaxation.

"You weren’t focused on the game," Uncle Chen remarked, knowing that Chen Xi’s thoughts were elsewhere. After some casual reminiscing about the past, Uncle Chen saw Chen Xi out.

"Wow, is that really the master?" Once Chen Xi had left, the child who had been hiding behind Uncle Chen let out a long breath of relief.

"You coward," Uncle Chen said with a touch of regret. "I had hoped you’d present yourself before the master, but look at you, too scared."

The child pouted, "When the master arrived, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. I mean, he’s so powerful—who wouldn’t be afraid?"

As his grandfather’s grandson, the child wasn’t afraid of Uncle Chen and explained himself quite confidently.

"If you had acted as naturally earlier as you are now, I wouldn’t be worried," Uncle Chen said, reaching out to grab his grandson.

As Uncle Chen had mentioned, if his grandson had behaved calmly before Chen Xi, he would have swallowed his pride and asked Chen Xi for help. But, alas, the child didn’t show any potential.

Having followed Chen Xi for so many years, Uncle Chen understood well that Chen Xi wasn’t purely selfless. Although he put public interest first, he didn’t ignore the welfare of his family and friends.

Simply put, if Chen Xi’s nephew and a stranger both qualified for a particular position, and their abilities were about equal, Chen Xi wouldn’t even consider the stranger.

Chen Xi wasn’t the type to give up supporting his relatives in favor of recommending outsiders. If the skills were equal, why not choose someone he could trust? If his relatives were capable, he would give them a push when needed.

However, this was based on the assumption that both parties had similar abilities. Chen Xi would never suppress someone else just to elevate his own pick. By this point in time, there was no one worth suppressing in his eyes.

If someone didn’t meet the required level of competence, seeking help from Chen Xi would only harm their relationship. Chen Xi was willing to help, but only if the person had the necessary abilities.

In Chen Xi’s view, family and friends weren’t meant to be used to showcase one’s impartiality. He believed that if an official deliberately excluded their relatives from consideration when they were qualified, it was likely because their personal bias had grown too large to ignore.

Therefore, Chen Xi had always looked down on those who used their family to prove their so-called integrity. Sacrificing one’s relatives to prove fairness and even cutting off their opportunities didn’t make for good friends; such people were better kept as strangers.

Of course, this didn’t mean Chen Xi promoted nepotism. He knew how to strike a balance. As someone once told him, if you don’t meet a certain standard, don’t come looking for help. But if you do, then everything’s fair game.

Uncle Chen understood this well, which is why he hadn’t bothered seeking Chen Xi’s help for his grandson, Guo Kai. The boy simply wasn’t outstanding enough.

"Come, let’s see if your chess skills have improved," Uncle Chen said with a smile, setting aside his concerns.

Grandfather and grandson began their game in the room. Unlike Chen Xi’s fast-paced style, both Uncle Chen and Guo Kai played slowly and carefully. If Chen Xi had been there to see Guo Kai’s thoughtful expression, he might have taken a closer look at the boy.

Meanwhile, in Yongzhou, Chang’an, the convoy led by Guan Yu, carrying treasures and gifts, finally arrived in time for the New Year's court session.

Looking at the flourishing atmosphere in Chang’an, Guan Yu nodded approvingly. It was clear that Cao Cao had capable men under him.

Guan Yu didn’t have a particularly negative view of Cao Cao. Had it not been for the incident in Xuzhou, the two might have enjoyed sharing drinks together. After all, back during the Battle of Hulao Pass, Cao Cao had shared a drink with him, something Guan Yu still remembered from his days of obscurity.

"General, may I trouble you for a ride?" As Guan Yu was reminiscing, a ragged and disheveled man suddenly approached him, calling out from a distance.

Guan Yu wasn’t entering the city just yet, as he was waiting at the gate for an official welcome. After all, as the envoy of Liu Bei, a member of the imperial family and one of the few lords who regularly paid tribute to the emperor, he would be greeted by one of the Nine Ministers, the Grand Herald himself.

Guan Yu glanced at the bedraggled Liu Ba. Honestly, if Liu Ba hadn’t directly addressed him, Guan Yu would have assumed he was just a common refugee.

Incidentally, in Liu Bei’s domain, there were hardly any refugees left. Human labor was regarded by Chen Xi as the most valuable resource, and with all the construction and road-building underway, they accepted every laborer they could get.

After a glance at Liu Ba, Guan Yu closed his eyes again to rest. However, his subordinate Zhou Cang understood immediately and led Liu Ba to the side. Throughout all his years, Guan Yu had only encountered one other person who sought help from the military without hesitation—Chen Xi.

Recalling that memory, Guan Yu didn’t feel the need to make things difficult for Liu Ba. His disheveled appearance was not something Guan Yu cared about. Once they entered the city, they could part ways. Helping Liu Ba was a trivial matter for Guan Yu.

"Thank you, General Guan. I will repay this favor in the future," Liu Ba said. Despite his ragged clothes, he maintained a dignified air in his gestures.

Guan Yu didn’t respond, remaining silent until Grand Herald Zhou Huan came to greet him. Thanks to Li Jue and Guo Si solving the grain shortage, the major ministers who should have died in the chaos of the Guo-Li rebellion were still alive.

After Guan Yu entered Chang’an, Cao Cao, accompanied by his son Cao Ang, watched from a distance. For some unknown reason, Cao Cao had always admired Guan Yu. In fact, he was even envious of Guan Yu’s large, imposing beard. But given the current circumstances, both men found it awkward to meet face-to-face, so Cao Cao could only watch from afar.

Of course, Cao Cao’s actions did not go unnoticed by Guan Yu. As he entered Chang’an, he had already noticed Cao Cao. But after the Xuzhou incident, things had changed—both the people and the situation.

"Ang'er, make sure to keep an eye on your brother Cao Zhen," Cao Cao said as he turned his gaze back to his son, Cao Ang.

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