CHAPTER 1111: CHAPTER 1067 ZHANG FEI’S TROUBLES

Originally, it was said that after finishing off the bandits, all civil officials and military generals were to be recalled for a reorganization of defenses. Unfortunately, upon returning, they received news of Gongsun Du’s defeat. The original plan encountered some deviations, so everyone needed to take a break in Ye City and wait for new orders.

In other words, after a year of hectic activity, everyone suddenly found themselves free. Actually, it wasn’t that they were entirely free—those who were busy remained busy, and those who were idle stayed idle. It was just that suddenly everyone was gathered together.

Unlike before when Guan Yu was free, Gan Ning was busy; when Gan Ning was free, Zhao Yun was busy; when Zhao Yun was free, Zhang Fei was busy; and when Zhang Fei was free, Hua Xiong was busy—a group that could never convene together.

This time, due to Gongsun Du’s unexpected defeat, everyone gathered together. Previously, there was never an opportunity for everyone to sit together, but now they could have a proper gathering.

Upon discovering this situation, Liu Bei received the latest intelligence from Jia Xu about the northern regions, indicating heavy snowfalls north of Youzhou. This meant that the Wuhuan, Eastern Xianbei, and Southern Huns were unlikely to move south from Youzhou this year.

After receiving this information, Liu Bei hesitated briefly before deciding to give everyone a holiday, while also sending a bunch of treasures to Liu Xie in Chang’an.

Later, Liu Bei summoned Lub Su and inquired about the current state of affairs within his dominions, confirming that it would take over a year of rest and adjustments to reach the level Chen Xi desired, hence he was no longer in a rush to expand. Instead, he opted for a stable and steady reform of Jizhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou.

During this period, Chen Xi mostly engaged in socializing and feasting. Liu Bei’s followers rarely gathered all together like this.

After Liu Bei treated everyone collectively, others also began hosting feasts. Initially, Chen Xi managed to welcome all comers with enthusiasm, but after eating for five consecutive days, Chen Xi started to feel overwhelmed.

Of course, among the civil officials, by the sixth day, only the new talent Xu Shu remained nonchalant about dining and drinking; the others were having trouble keeping up. As for the military generals, they were completely unfazed—Xuu Chu and the others never missed a meal, and after eating, they often got into brawls, whether in hand-to-hand combat, weapon fights, or horse battles. This group was fearless.

Whenever the mood struck, they’d start fighting at any time, and gradually, the festive atmosphere began to emerge amid the eating, drinking, and brawling, quite different from the previous years when everyone was busy during the new year.

"Zichuan, are you going to attend the welcoming banquet for Ziyi and Shuzhi tonight?" Zhang Fei shouted outside Chen Xi’s courtyard.

Before Chen Xi could answer, Zhang Fei rushed inside, only to see Chen Xi lazily reclining on a deck chair, lying on a bear skin, covered by a blanket. As a side note, this bear skin was a gift Zhang Fei brought back for Chen Xi not long ago. Two fire pots are placed beside him, and he’s holding a book, flipping through it.

"Of course, I’ll definitely go~" Chen Xi slowly put the book down, resembling a small old man, moving at a leisurely pace.

Previously, Chen Xi had accompanied the group to welcome Taishi Ci and Chen Dao upon their return; it was impossible for him to skip the welcoming banquet. Even though he felt slightly uncomfortable from overeating these past few days, he still had to attend. It’s just a pity that Zhuge Liang hasn’t returned yet.

"Then why are you still lying here? Where’s my niece?" Zhang Fei said cheerfully, teasing.

"There’s no niece of yours here, so don’t think you can take advantage of me." Chen Xi slowly sat up, unwilling to argue with Zhang Fei. The latter was the typical example of someone whose loud voice seems to win every argument, leaving others in a mess if they weren’t careful. Such a volume was an intimidating talent.

"Who says otherwise!" Zhang Fei, pressing a hand on Chen Xi’s shoulder, said with a playful smile, "Lady Zhang is about to become the wife of my old Zhang."

"Alright." Chen Xi said helplessly. The current fervent atmosphere in Ye City was due not only to the return of various civil and military officials but also more so because Liu Bei was going to marry into the Zhang Clan, with the wedding set for next July.

Although Madame Zhang was marrying again, this wasn’t considered unusual at this time, and since she was becoming Liu Bei’s legal wife, the ceremonies must be flawless, adhering to feudal lords’ rites for half a year.

"How are things between you two?" Zhang Fei winked, teasing.

"Just like that." Chen Xi said calmly, as Zhang Fei’s skills wouldn’t allow him to discern anything from Chen Xi’s expression.

"How prepared are you? You’ll be the Commander-in-chief going to Liaodong next February, knowing that the snow has blocked the route, preventing the Hu People from moving south, but once the snow thaws, the hungry and cold Hu People will certainly come south." Chen Xi, not waiting for Zhang Fei to continue his teasing, directly provoked Zhang Fei.

As Zhang Fei was about to continue joking in hopes of breaking Chen Xi’s calm demeanor, his cheerful expression was met with resistance as Chen Xi hit his weak spot, leaving him momentarily speechless. After a long pause, he sighed deeply.

"You haven’t made any preparations, have you?" Chen Xi looked at Zhang Fei and frowned.

"What do I need to prepare? When the time comes, I’ll just follow Yuanzhi’s strategies." Zhang Fei replied irritably, apparently having resigned himself to following Xu Shu’s lead.

"I recommended you as Grand Commander to Lord Xuande not for this sort of approach. If it were just about following Yuanzhi’s orders, I could find anyone to do that, so why send you?" Chen Xi said discontentedly, "You still don’t understand Lord Xuande’s and our intentions? You are the Commander-in-chief, the leader of the army."

Zhang Fei remained silent, then casually sat on the steps outside Chen Xi’s house, gazed at the front gate, and began to speak slowly, "I’m completely different from my second brother. My second brother initially was just like me—a valiant general—yet he reads military strategy whenever he’s free, reading the Spring and Autumn over thirty times, continually growing stronger."

"You can do it too. If General Guan can achieve such things, why can’t you? He read the Spring and Autumn thirty times; couldn’t you read The Art of War by Sun Tzu fifty times?" Chen Xi crouched down next to Zhang Fei, speaking at eye level.

"My second brother told me that each time he reads the Spring and Autumn, he has different insights, but I’ve read it many times and it’s always the same. I’ve also read The Art of War, but I didn’t feel anything particular." Zhang Fei said with a bitter smile, "It seems like I’m simply unsuited to be a Grand Commander."

"Oh, not necessarily. Some people rise to prominence through military books, while others don’t rely on them at all. Maybe you’re the latter type." Chen Xi smiled and said.

"Throughout history, who has become a commander without studying military books?" Zhang Fei laughed.

"Wasn’t Huo Piaoqi from the Former Han precisely such a case?" Chen Xi replied with a smile.

This might be something Zhang Fei didn’t know, but anyone who had read the Records of the Grand Historian would know about Huo Qubing’s words to Liu Che—’The focus is merely on strategies, not to learn ancient military tactics.’

The meaning of this statement is clear enough that there’s no need for much explanation. Perhaps if someone else said it, it would seem arrogant, but coming from the mouth of a renowned general who had been victorious in many battles, it carried profound significance. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support motivates me the most. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)