Chapter 256: Young Man, You Don't Understand Human Nature!

"Of course," Fazheng said proudly. "During this period, I secretly used Wenhe's intelligence network to investigate around seven or eight hundred scholars from various levels, and then my talent consolidated the information. It was too easy. Those who can become scholars don't lack money; they lack honor, status, and special privileges, so I gave them all of that!"

Fazheng's spiritual talent for analyzing people made handling such matters easy. Although it was a bit troublesome to study seven or eight hundred people to find common traits, it ensured that the results were accurate.

"Let's go with that, but add a clause that allows equivalent benefits to be converted into money," Chen Xi suggested after considering the matter. "Also, well done, Fazheng! The levels of benefits are very detailed!"

There were over a hundred different evaluation criteria, each representing different benefits. The ultimate perk was unrestricted access to the archives, the ability to request book publications every ten years, direct appointment to official positions, and even having a renowned scholar write a biography of you.

These benefits were exceptional, but after reading through the requirements, Chen Xi realized that Fazheng was essentially joking. Anyone who met these criteria in Taishan would likely be personally invited by Liu Bei to take office, and Chen Xi would naturally publish their books. As for the unrestricted access to the archives, well, Fazheng shamelessly treated the Pavilion's collections as his personal library. Writing biographies? If you meet those conditions, someone will definitely write one for you!

"That works. Some people may indeed be short on funds, so converting benefits to money is fine," Fazheng casually agreed, indicating that Chen Xi could do as he liked. "Actually, these benefits are mostly just symbolic, but why do so many people chase after a title like this?"

"Throughout history, no one escapes the pursuit of 'fame and fortune.' You're still young, you don't lack money, your official rank is good, and a title is within reach. Fame will come naturally, so of course, you feel content. But for most people, it's a lifelong pursuit!" Chen Xi patted Fazheng on the shoulder. "That's also why we seem to have no thoughts of corruption. After all, we're too young. To be honest, if it weren't for the current chaos, none of us would be in these positions."

"That's true. The Inspector of Qingzhou, a Marquis within the Passes, and you're not even twenty yet—a position with a salary of two thousand shi," Lu Su added. "In other times, someone like Zichuan might have spent a lifetime without making it this far. The same goes for us. As it stands now, we've already achieved success at a young age."

"That's why, young man, you don't understand human nature," Chen Xi said, patting Fazheng's shoulder again. Although Fazheng could analyze what others wanted and what motivated them, he still didn't fully grasp the intricacies of human nature.

The current Fazheng wasn't the same person who had suffered from the chaos in Fufeng, who had been held back for twenty years as a county magistrate in Shu, becoming a twisted middle-aged man.

This Fazheng was still the son of a Confucian scholar, who at fifteen had been appointed to office. Unhappy with his superiors, he had arrogantly resigned and traveled across half of the Han dynasty, finally arriving in Taishan. Now, at just seventeen, he held the position of Chancellor of Qi, already considered accomplished. Though a bit vengeful, he mostly exhibited the arrogance of youth. Recently, he had even dared to write home and report on his current situation.

In other words, this Fazheng was enjoying smooth sailing in life, with no disasters or difficulties. It was only natural that he would look down on the thoughts and desires of those Yuzhou scholars. The gap in perspective! If this were the Fazheng who had been suppressed for twenty years, who had been frustrated and had failed to achieve success, he would have understood.

"I don't understand human nature?" Fazheng scoffed at Chen Xi's assessment. His spiritual talent was for analyzing people, and now Chen Xi was telling him he didn't understand human nature? It had to be a joke!

"You two, stop messing around. Zijiang is probably getting annoyed by now," Lu Su interjected, seeing that Fazheng was on the verge of challenging Chen Xi. He stepped in to calm the situation. Ever since Fazheng had been given an official position, he had no fear of Chen Xi and had grown accustomed to talking back. It was a classic case of youthful arrogance.

"Human nature is complex. For example, Fengxiao bullies you every day, and yet you're still eager to compete with him when he returns, even though you know you probably won't win. Why seek that defeat?" Chen Xi laughed as he pushed his chair back and walked out.

"Who says I can't beat him!" Fazheng bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. His biggest frustration right now was indeed with Guo Jia.

"See?" Chen Xi spread his hands, a look of helplessness on his face as he walked away. Lu Su sighed, drained the tea Chen Xi had poured for him, and followed, leaving Fazheng fuming at the tea cup as if it bore Guo Jia's mocking grin.

"Guo Fengxiao, let's duel when you get back!" Fazheng shouted at the chair Guo Jia used to occupy. After venting his frustration, he smugly tossed his hair and strutted out.

In a military camp north of Licheng, Guo Jia sneezed. Guan Yu looked at him curiously and asked, "Military Advisor Guo, did you catch a chill? Ping, go make some ginger tea and stew a large rooster."

"Understood," came Guan Ping's voice from outside the tent.

"Hmph, rather than a cold, I feel like it's Fazheng challenging me from afar. Who knows what that guy is up to now," Guo Jia muttered, his tone mysterious.

"Just drink the chicken soup. Once Ping is done cooking, it'll be good for you," Guan Yu said, glancing at Guo Jia. He didn't hesitate to use this as an opportunity to give his son some extra nourishment. Guan Yu only had one son, and Guan Ping was just like him—skilled in martial arts and very much to Guan Yu's liking. However, Guan Yu was careful not to show his affection too openly.

"Fine, I caught a cold," Guo Jia conceded. "Let's go test Zhang He and Gao Lan. Although our mission is to keep them from moving north, we should earn some military merits."

"Shall Ping be the vanguard?" Guan Yu suggested, eager to test his son in battle. At sixteen, it was time for him to get some real combat experience.

Indeed, Guan Yu saw Zhang He and Gao Lan as stepping stones for his son. After all, he had heard that both of them were only at the peak of the Refining Qi stage. Since that was the case, Guan Yu wasn't worried about his son. He was confident that Guan Ping, though of the same level, was more exceptional and wouldn't disgrace him.

"That could work, but we should at least challenge them a bit. I've heard that Zhang Junyi is skilled in tactical maneuvers and adept at using terrain. Wouldn't it be a waste not to see him in action?" Guo Jia replied with a sly smile.

Guan Yu didn't fully understand Guo Jia's strategy, but he respected the capabilities of Chen Xi's group. He had witnessed Liu Xie's countless schemes firsthand, and they had earned his admiration. None of them were to be underestimated.