The cheers of the people and the shouts of the soldiers made one thing clear to Ju Shou: Liu Bei had truly won the hearts of the people in Taishan, which posed a significant threat to Yuan Shao's ambitions.
"Lord Xuande is serious about this. Zizhong, it's time to pay up—I can't hold out any longer," Chen Xi turned and said to Mi Zhu.
"A mere few billion coins? The Mi family will cover it all," Mi Zhu replied, feeling deeply grateful the moment Liu Bei publicly acknowledged the financial support of the Zhen and Mi families. For a family just starting out as an aristocracy, reputation was everything, and investing a modest sum in education could earn them immense prestige.
Scholars were the most precious group in this world, and they also cherished their reputations the most. If the Mi family funded education for just five years, the first generation of students would emerge, and the Mi family, despite its mercantile origins, would no longer be looked down upon. If anyone tried to tarnish the Mi family's name, countless scholars would rise to defend them. Whether they were merchants or not would no longer matter—what mattered was their virtue!
However, when Mi Zhu thought about how the Zhen family had contributed even more, he felt conflicted. Was his investment too small? Why did the Zhen family always have to be involved in everything? Whether it was setting rules, forming trade associations, or now, funding education, the Zhen family always seemed to be in the picture.
That's why, when Chen Xi jokingly asked Mi Zhu, Mi Zhu immediately responded by pledging that he could cover the costs of all the academies in Taishan and Qingzhou. After all, the potential for gaining a good reputation was enormous.
Chen Xi paused for a moment, then smiled. "Zizhong, some things are not meant to be monopolized. Remember the Chen family's downfall and how it led to the plight of merchants across the land. Even today, wealthy merchants are often accused of having ulterior motives when they engage in charitable acts. If they don't, they're deemed heartless. I'm sure you're well aware of the hardships involved."
Mi Zhu froze, cold sweat soaking through his back. He had only focused on the prospect of elevating the Mi family to aristocratic status, without considering the potential dangers. Merchants were shunned in this era for a reason. During the Spring and Autumn period, merchants were not marginalized, but during the Warring States period, laws restricting merchants began to emerge, largely due to the Chen family's excessive influence. The Chen family had played the game too well, accumulating wealth and eventually buying control of the state of Qi. Over generations, they essentially purchased the loyalty of the people and, eventually, the state itself. In the end, even the Zhou king had no choice but to recognize Tian He as the Duke of Qi.
Since that event, merchants had faced harsh treatment. Any wealthy merchant was constantly under scrutiny, often targeted by the state. Even minor acts of charity by merchants were viewed with suspicion, seen as attempts to manipulate the populace. That's why, in many historical records, when roads were damaged or bridges collapsed, people would turn to merchants for repairs. The authorities would often demand that a particular merchant pay for the repairs—not to extort them, but to give them face. Of course, there were instances of genuine extortion, but most of the time, being asked to pay for public works was a form of recognition.
"Thank you for the advice, Zichuan," Mi Zhu said, bowing slightly in gratitude.
"No need to thank me. Your wealth is still crucial for Lord Xuande's foundation. And with the Zhen family taking the lead, you won't have much to worry about," Chen Xi replied nonchalantly. He wasn't worried about Ju Shou hearing this conversation and holding a grudge against the Zhen family. Ju Shou was well aware that the Zhen family had paid a hefty price—twenty billion coins—for peace.
The other aristocratic families believed this because the Luoshui Merchant Guild, a close second to the top five merchant families, publicly declared itself a Zhen family asset. It was widely known that this guild frequently provided large loans and offered discounted prices, making it plausible that the Zhen family had such vast reserves of wealth. In reality, this was all part of Zhen Mi's dowry.
Ju Shou understood this as well, so he never considered that the Zhen family and Liu Bei had reconciled. As for the Zhen family's presence in Fenggao, Ju Shou saw it as nothing more than a business venture. For merchants, as long as there was money to be made, even sworn enemies could work together. However, Ju Shou didn't believe that any amount of profit could compensate for what the Zhen family had suffered in Qingzhou—it wasn't just about money.
"I suppose I've been too eager," Mi Zhu admitted with a wry smile. "Zichuan, you probably don't understand the kind of pressure I'm under."
"The glory of an aristocratic family, the hope of bringing honor to your ancestors, the blessings of future generations—these are all things worth striving for," Chen Xi replied without turning his head.
"Zichuan, you really do know everything, don't you!" Mi Zhu exclaimed, surprised that someone born into an aristocratic family like Chen Xi could understand the struggles of someone who had always lived a life of privilege.
"Don't worry, Zizhong. The money you've spent won't be wasted. Just from what Lord Xuande said earlier, in the future, whenever your family sells something in Taishan or Qingzhou, even if your prices are slightly higher, the people will still choose your products. Once the news of your contributions to education spreads, your business will flourish even more," Chen Xi said, glancing at Mi Zhu before turning his attention back to Liu Bei.
"What?" In this era, where there was no advertising, Mi Zhu, who relied on the reputation of his products, couldn't comprehend the importance of spreading the word.
"I mean, aren't you envious of how people give Zilong gifts wherever he goes? You could have that too, as long as people know you're Mi Zizhong," Chen Xi said, still focused on Liu Bei.
"To live like General Zhao—now that would be a great joy in life," Mi Zhu said with a touch of envy. Who wouldn't be envious of Zhao Yun, who could walk down the street and receive gifts from beautiful women and never had to pay for anything? The people of this era were still very sincere.
"You'll get there. Zilong gave them the soil they need to survive, and you've given them hope for development. In a few days, I'll send you something you can hang in your main shop. Your business will improve," Chen Xi replied with a smile.
"Thank you, thank you," Mi Zhu said, bowing in thanks.
Meanwhile, Zhuge Jin, observing Fa Zheng standing in the front row beneath Liu Bei, remarked, "That young man is probably even younger than I am, yet he already holds the position of Chancellor of Qi. In Taishan, it seems that talent is not judged by age."
"Fa Xiaozhi," Zhuge Liang whispered the name to himself.
"Chen Zichuan is only about the same age as I am. Truly a prodigy. Kongming, I know I have no hope of surpassing him, so our family's future rests on your shoulders," Zhuge Jin said with a laugh. "Kongming, I'll ask you one last time—are you sure you won't return to Xuzhou?"
"I plan to visit Chen Zichuan. I won't be returning to Xuzhou. If our uncle asks, tell him that 'Kongming has found someone who shares his ideals and no longer wishes to wait for some destined opportunity,'" Zhuge Liang replied without turning his head. "But, brother, are you sure you don't want to stay with Lord Xuande? His dream aligns with your ideals."
"Kongming, we're part of an aristocratic family. If you choose freedom, someone must bear the responsibility. If we both pursue our own paths, who will shoulder the burden of the Zhuge family? Our family has been in decline for too long. In our generation, there is a chance for resurgence. The family won't allow the best of us to join a single faction—they've invested too much in us. Aristocrats have their own rules," Zhuge Jin said, patting Zhuge Liang's shoulder.
"Thank you," Zhuge Liang said, looking at his brother.
"The next time we meet, don't let personal feelings interfere with your duty. We are the Zhuge family," Zhuge Jin said calmly. He glanced back at Liu Bei. "He will be a good lord, but he is not the right one for me."
Zhuge Jin quietly packed his belongings, leaving Zhuge Liang alone. The responsibility of answering to the Zhuge family would fall on his shoulders alone.