Wang Lie was very open-minded, and Chen Xi's response pleased him greatly. He wrote this book to educate the people, and if it could be used to enlighten the world, he was more than satisfied. As for the core ideas, he wasn't too attached—gains and losses, fortune and misfortune, were all determined by fate.
"Master Wang, if you wish to establish an academy in Linzi, three days from now, I will send officials to discuss the construction site and building requirements with you. The new city in Linzi is under construction. If you have any specific needs, please consider them in the next three days. Once the planning is finalized, it will be difficult to make changes," Fa Zheng calmly said to Wang Lie, even though he didn't know the old man's exact name. But any great scholar capable of writing books was never easy to deal with.
"Thank you, Chancellor of Qi," Wang Lie said with a smile.
"No need. I am simply doing my duty. Additionally, constructing certain foundational infrastructure for the new city is essential," Fa Zheng replied, his tone indifferent. He wasn't moved by Wang Lie, treating the matter as strictly business. But in reality, the initial city planning carried immense significance—something unimaginable to those unfamiliar with such work.
"Master Wang, thank you. I will take my leave now and not disturb you further," Chen Xi said, holding the scrolls as he bowed to Wang Lie.
"Zijia, you should go with Zichuan now," Wang Lie waved his hand dismissively, but Lu Yu seemed hesitant.
"Is there something else?" Chen Xi asked curiously as he noticed Lu Yu's reluctance, but Lu Yu's face reddened and he remained silent.
Wang Lie glanced at Lu Yu, then fumbled through his belongings before handing a jade pendant to his daughter. "You go with him. And boy, if you ever disappoint my daughter, humph!"
Lu Yu was overjoyed, and the girl who had been standing quietly by Wang Lie's side, Lier, looked a little shy but was slowly inching towards Lu Yu.
"Girls grow up and can't be kept at home," Wang Lie grumbled. "Chen Marquis, look after them for me."
"Of course," Chen Xi nodded. He cast a glance at Lu Yu with a hint of amusement. This fellow had only stayed with Wang Lie for a few days, yet had managed to win over his daughter. Truly impressive.
As they exited with Lu Yu, Chen Xi handed the scrolls over to the soldiers standing guard outside. Although today's primary task was not completed, a greater opportunity had presented itself.
"What a pity that Boyan has to stay in Linzi for a while. Otherwise, I'd introduce you to a remarkable peer," Chen Xi said with a smile to the slightly excited Lu Yu.
Lu Yu raised his eyebrows and glanced at Chen Xi, his gaze sliding over to Fa Zheng before finally settling on Zhuge Liang. "Rather than meeting someone I haven't seen before, I'm more interested in this Zhuge Kongming, who's only slightly older than me."
"He's looking for you," Chen Xi shook his head. Fa Zheng walked over and patted Zhuge Liang on the shoulder, grinning mischievously.
"You should seek out someone closer to your age," Zhuge Liang said, shaking his head. He didn't care much for Lu Yu's somewhat calculating demeanor and was confident that Lu Xun could easily outmatch him.
"What's this all about?" Lu Yu asked, puzzled, as he looked at Chen Xi. He had thought that Zhuge Liang might react differently, but Zhuge Liang's calm demeanor after first glancing at Chen Xi and then Fa Zheng left Lu Yu feeling that his planned actions had little effect. Zhuge Liang was utterly unfazed.
"You should have crushed him," Fa Zheng said with great enthusiasm after Zhuge Liang caught up with him.
"It's meaningless. Let's give Boyan a chance to rebuild his confidence. He's been learning from you, after all," Zhuge Liang said calmly. "Geniuses should have their sharp edges. Lately, Boyan has been under too much pressure from both me and Zichuan."
"Tch," Fa Zheng scoffed, "If he can't handle a little pressure, what kind of genius is he? When I was learning from Guo Fengxiao and Jia Wenhe…"
At that point, Fa Zheng stopped talking. He had been through hell back then, and if not for the obsession Guo Jia had instilled in him, the grinding method they used might have completely broken him.
"Why did you stop?" Chen Xi fell back a few steps to walk alongside Fa Zheng, asking curiously.
"Too depressing," Fa Zheng replied, his tone flat.
"…" Zhuge Liang and Chen Xi were left speechless.
After a series of twists and turns, the group returned to the relay station. "Boyan, come out. Let me introduce you to a peer. He's quite remarkable, so play nice, no fighting," Chen Xi said, deliberately speaking as if he were cautioning two young children not to quarrel. Naturally, when Lu Xun came out to greet them, his expression became somewhat strange as he looked at Lu Yu.
Lu Xun wasn't one for childish antics. He would rather spend his time reading, trying to find ways to close the gap between him and Zhuge Liang. And Chen Xi, as his teacher, wouldn't normally remind him of such trivial matters, so the warning was clearly meant for Lu Yu. Thus, Lu Xun concluded that the newcomer had a somewhat immature disposition.
"Greetings, Master," Lu Xun bowed respectfully.
"This is Lu Yuxu, son of Minister Lu Shangshu—Lu Yu, styled Zijia. I, along with Fa Zheng and Kongming, have some matters to attend to, so you show him around, read some books, and eat something," Chen Xi said, patting Lu Yu on the shoulder.
"Yu greets Brother Boyan," Lu Yu said, his tone polite and refined, as he performed the perfect etiquette. However, internally, he was irritated by Lu Xun's gaze, which had unnerved him. Yet his upbringing and years of schooling had taught him well how to conceal his true feelings.
"Alright, you've met each other. Boyan, he's in your care," Chen Xi said with a smile. Without waiting for Lu Xun to respond, he left with Fa Zheng and Zhuge Liang.
Standing at the entrance, Lu Yu snorted coldly before heading inside with Lier. Lu Xun merely shrugged, thinking that perhaps the other was just indulging in childish arrogance, and followed them in.
With a proud and smug demeanor, Lu Yu walked into the inner room, determined to fully exert his abilities and deliver a surprising blow—like a lion putting all its strength into capturing a rabbit!
"Are we doing the right thing? I remember Kongming's face turning black back then," Fa Zheng said while stroking his beard, his tone suggesting disapproval, though his expression betrayed his excitement.
"…" Zhuge Liang shot Fa Zheng a glance but remained silent.
"They need to understand that there are always others stronger than them. Though scheming is important, sometimes even the most elaborate plan can't match a single, effortless strike from a superior force. The greatest flaw in strategy is incomplete information," Chen Xi shook his head. "It won't take long to figure out who the novice is."
"This won't be over quickly. Though it will soon be obvious who's stronger, there will be repeated probing. Boyan and Lu Zijia are very close in age, and if Lu Zijia is truly talented, he must have something he's confident in," Zhuge Liang recalled how Lu Xun had continued to test him despite realizing that Zhuge far surpassed him. The final result had been an overwhelming defeat.
"This is a tragedy," Fa Zheng sighed, shaking his head. "But in this way, he'll be more cautious in the future. Let's hope that one setback won't ruin him."
"Don't worry, he won't be destroyed. For geniuses, talent alone isn't enough—effort and resilience are just as important. Otherwise, they wouldn't be called geniuses," Chen Xi said with a smile.