CHAPTER 999: CHAPTER 956: GLORY TO ALL

Li Youu silently nodded, indicating that he understood. If it were really easy to break out of the cycle, then throughout the ages, with so many wise sages, not a single one had managed to ensure the eternal continuation of the empire.

"What are you talking about?" Fa Zheng asked in confusion. The words from Li Youu and Chen Xi suddenly became incomprehensible to everyone present, leaving them puzzled.

At this moment, others also looked at Chen Xi and Li Youu, curious about what this so-called cycle of dynasties actually was.

"Zichuan derived a rule for the development of dynasties from historical deductions, and it’s said to contain the secret for the empire’s eternal existence," Li Youu said with a teasing expression, and then briefly described the cycle of dynasties to the disbelieving gazes of the others.

"Isn’t it impossible to break free from this?" Jia Xu said with a wry smile. "Though Wen Ru, what you say is indeed correct, it does contain the secret for the eternal flourishing of the empire, but no one can decipher it."

"That’s not entirely true; theoretically, there’s a balance point — a state of dynamic population equilibrium and sustainable resources. It’s just that I don’t know where this point lies," Chen Xi said helplessly.

"So what you said is essentially meaningless," Liu Ye said with a wry smile, the thought of an eternal empire sending shivers down his spine.

"It’s not entirely meaningless. Who knows, maybe someone will find that balance point someday," Chen Xi said flatly. "Who can predict the future?"

As the group was casually chatting, a large number of letters were sent out from Ye City. All the feudal lords in the north received Jia Xu’s assessment of the situation in the Northern Frontier, leading some to sneer coldly, some to sigh deeply, and others to be eager to try.

While wandering around the vicinity of Ye City, Liu Bei happened to encounter the physiognomist Liu Liang, who had once given Zhen Mi an exceptionally grand prediction at her birth. This time, he encountered Liu Bei.

"I suppose, sir, you must be Lord Xuande." Liu Liang appeared as if floating, stopping five steps before Liu Bei, slightly bowed, and asked with a smile. His gentle demeanor made Liu Bei feel a touch of goodwill.

"And who might you be?" Liu Bei asked after returning the courtesy.

"A humble man of the mountains and forests, Liu Liang. I came to see the man who single-handedly supports the Great Han Dynasty. Indeed, you are a dragon and phoenix among men, a rare hero," Liu Liang said with a smile.

"I don’t deserve such praise from you, sir," Liu Bei said with a smile, gesturing to invite him to sit, then found a slightly secluded spot to sit on the ground.

"In past years, I have read the faces of many, but I’ve never seen such a wondrous visage as yours. Though it lacks imperial signs, its brilliance illuminates the heavens," Liu Liang said astonishingly.

Despite Xuu Chu staring intently behind Liu Bei, Liu Liang showed no fear. Though he had no special abilities, his courage was enough to amaze most people.

Liu Liang’s direct words left Liu Bei unsure how to respond, but Liu Liang continued, "Lord Xuande, do not be alarmed. I am skilled in physiognomy and can foresee different futures from one’s face. Truly, Lord Xuande is a person of great virtue."

Liu Bei smiled wryly, and Liu Liang carried on, "I actually came here for the Zhen Family. Over ten years ago, I saw Zhen Mi once, and recently I caught a glimpse of her again by chance. She’s vastly different from before. Though still remarkably noble, different changes have arisen in between."

"Xuande, where are you?" Just as Liu Bei was about to inquire further, Zhang Clan’s voice was heard calling from afar.

Lately, Zhang Clan had been quite troubled, as her daughter was rejected, putting both mother and daughter in a state of resentment. One could even say that if Zhang Clan were feisty enough, she would have gone to trouble Chen Xi by now.

Because Zhen Mi was recently heartbroken, Zhang Clan turned her attention from Liu Bei to care for her daughter. A potential future husband was not as important as her own daughter. In such circumstances, Zhang Clan spent considerable effort to finally persuade Zhen Mi and took her out for some sightseeing.

As long as Liu Bei was in Jizhou, it was only a matter of time before the Zhen Family found him. Soon, Zhang Clan came with Zhen Mi. Unable to deal with Chen Xi, Liu Bei was easy; if not, spending money to persuade the Little Emperor for a marriage decree was always an option, and for the Zhen Family, money was never an issue!

The main difference between Zhang Clan and Zhen Mi was that Zhang Clan had experienced a political marriage. The union between the Zhang Family and the Zhen Family was itself a political marriage among aristocratic clans. If Zhen Yi were still alive, Zhang Clan’s life would have passed like that, uneventfully and comfortably.

Zhang Clan couldn’t believe it — offering such a city-level beauty as Zhen Mi to Chen Xi, how could Chen Xi resist?

The incident where Chen Xi and Guo Jia went to a brothel without taking money wasn’t unknown to Zhang Clan. Had it not been for the owner being extremely watchful, Chen Xi and Guo Jia would have embarrassed themselves thoroughly.

Following that, Chen Xi even took Guan Ping to Fragrance Pavilion to seize someone. From these incidents, Zhang Clan understood that Chen Xi wasn’t a saint; he was human, with emotions and desires, and cherished relationships deeply. Otherwise, Lady’s Writs for Chen Lan would never have been obtained!

However, it was precisely this that made Zhang Clan find it odd. Although Chen Xi wasn’t a playboy flirting everywhere, he wasn’t an untainted pure youth, either. What’s more, Chen Xi did have feelings for Zhen Mi, and Zhen Mi, a city-level beauty, was willing to humble herself for Chen Xi.

Thus, Zhang Clan was even more confused. Clearly, both parties had mutual feelings, her daughter wasn’t aiming high, and Zhen Mi had even stepped back from the position of legal wife. Having reached this point, why insist on severing their emotions?

There was no issue of being unworthy, nor unwillingness, and deep feelings on both sides, with the woman even lowering her dignity, yet it still fell apart. What was this nonsense? Playing with her daughter’s emotions, Zhang Clan didn’t see Chen Xi as such a person.

"Lord Xuande should still go meet Madame Zhang and marry her. Only then will Jizhou truly be in your grasp, solving many problems," Liu Liang suddenly shifted from his previous righteousness, speaking with a lascivious expression.

Liu Bei was startled, surprised by Liu Liang’s sudden change of demeanor. His old face blushed slightly, but he didn’t deny Liu Liang’s words.

"Indeed, at one point, I thought I was mistaken. The Zhen Family’s nobility lies not only in the daughter but in the mother as well," Liu Liang said, turning his head to look at the slowly pressing earthy yellow cloud light, which had almost merged with Liu Bei’s Vitality Number, blending into one indistinguishable whole.

"The sir certainly has an eye for it," Liu Bei smiled, responding to the voice from the direction, and continued his casual conversation with Liu Liang.

"However, Zhen Mi’s Vitality Number is becoming increasingly intense," Liu Liang said. Through the Method of Observing Qi, he could clearly see the pure white Vitality Number emitting seven-colored radiance, almost identical to the merged Vitality Number of Liu Bei and Zhang Clan, harmoniously inseparable with another equally colored Vitality Number. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)