Chapter 324

"Su Xuan's New Deal is to regulate these rights and interests, and take back the interests that the scholar-gentry should not have taken, in order to achieve the goal of reforming the world, clearing out corruption, and bringing peace to the world;"

"Everything he does is not out of selfishness, but to let the vast masses of common people survive and let everyone in the world live a good life!"

"And these New Deal policies are not explicitly targeting the scholar-gentry, but are treating everyone equally;"

"He didn't beat the scholar-gentry to death with one stick, and he even gave compensation to the scholar-gentry, or rather, to the people of the world, in terms of titles and commerce;"

"This is also the fundamental reason why scholar-gentry families like Xun Shuang, the Pang family of Jingzhou, and the Cai family are still willing to support him;"

"In the end, it's just an exchange of interests."

"So, you shouldn't be hostile to him, but should admire him!"

"Of course, we must also fight for the interests that should be ours!"

"But things cannot be done to the extreme, so as not to be unable to turn back in the future, understand?"

Understanding is understanding, and admiration is admiration.

Chen Gui also understands the benefits of Su Xuan's New Deal to the world and the common people.

But he will not be soft-hearted when fighting for interests.

Now that the situation is not yet settled, you and I are both pawns.

To really wait for him to determine his thoughts and make a choice, we must wait for Su Xuan to show more absolute power.

Even then, he is not betraying his own class or the scholar-gentry; he is just making a better choice for the family's interests and future.

Life is lived by making choices again and again, isn't it?

"Son understands! Son has been taught!"

Chen Deng was silent for a long while, then bowed deeply to his father and took a deep breath: "I was indeed too narrow-minded before!"

"Indeed! Su Xuan's New Deal is not deliberately targeting the scholar-gentry or wanting to fight to the death with them;"

"If he simply wanted to take the world, he wouldn't need to implement this New Deal, but continue to implement the old system; his current strength and territory would probably have already exceeded this, right?"

"This is also the reason why other warlords won't run off to unite against Su Xuan because of his implementation of the New Deal or the suggestions of the scholar-gentry under their command!"

"From the beginning, my idea seems to be unworkable!"

Those warlords are actually very willing to see Su Xuan implement the New Deal and offend the scholar-gentry.

This is also a disguised weakening of Su Xuan's own strength.

Of course, the premise of all this is that Su Xuan's New Deal is really just weakening himself.

And the New Deal will eventually fail.

If the New Deal succeeds and makes Su Xuan's governance better and stronger.

That is when those warlords will really be unable to sit still.

Just like after the success of Shang Yang's reform in the State of Qin.

"Exactly!"

Chen Gui nodded affirmatively: "Therefore, there will only be two results in the future;"

"Either Su Xuan's reform fails, and his strength cannot keep up with other warlords, and he is eliminated;"

"Or Su Xuan's reform succeeds, and his strength increases greatly;"

"By then, the warlords of the world will naturally unite to deal with him;"

"However,"

Before Chen Gui could finish, Chen Deng sneered: "However, by the time that happens, it will be too late! Su Xuan at that time will inevitably be like the State of Qin in the past, having completely completed his transformation and possessing the strength to crush the warlords of the world;"

"By then, even if the warlords of the world unite to deal with Su Xuan, I am afraid they will no longer be his match."

It can be called unsolvable.

"Exactly!"

Chen Gui nodded affirmatively: "There will only be these two results, no exceptions!"

"And observing Su Xuan's deeds over the years, and the changes in Nanjun and Jingzhou recently, I feel that Su Xuan has a greater chance of success in the future;"

"Therefore, we cannot offend Su Xuan to death, and if possible, it is best to maintain a good relationship with him so that we can have a good way out in the future..."

"Of course, I am old, and I probably don't have many years left to live; this Chen family will eventually have to be handed over to you;"

"In the future, it will probably be you who faces Su Xuan, so the final choice depends on your own decision;"

"I said so much before because your prejudice against Su Xuan is too deep, which has affected your basic judgment;"

"That's why I spoke to enlighten you, hoping that you can make a choice with a clear and wise mind;"

"As for whether you choose to be an enemy, a friend, or neutral with Su Xuan, that is all up to you!"

Children and grandchildren have their own blessings.

If he forces Chen Deng to make a decision.

Then after he passes away, Chen Deng will probably change this decision again.

At that time, the situation will only be worse.

It is better to leave everything to Chen Deng to choose.

"Thank you, Father!"

Chen Deng understood his father's painstaking efforts and said with emotion: "Don't worry, I will not lead the Chen family to destruction!"

"After careful consideration, I have decided to send people to contact Su Xuan in advance and find an opportunity to secretly defect to Su Xuan in advance;"

"To contribute to his taking of Xu Province in the future;"

"Of course, we will not do things like guiding Tao Zou Qian to deal with Su Xuan's arrangements in Xu Province;"

"In fact, not only will we not do it, but we will also help cover it up as a gesture of goodwill, Father, what do you think?"

"Hmm?"

Chen Gui looked at his son in astonishment and asked in confusion: "Why? Why would you make a choice that is completely opposite to before?"

"Don't you hate Su Xuan and his New Deal?"

"Hehe!"

Chen Deng smiled sheepishly: "Isn't this because you taught me well, Father, that those who know the times are heroes!"

"Based on your analysis, combined with my own analysis, I feel that Su Xuan will be the final winner in the world in the future;"

"Instead of wavering now, it is better to defect early and make contributions early, so as to be a minister who follows the dragon;"

"In this way, even if our Chen family loses some interests due to the New Deal;"

"I believe that if we defect early, Su Xuan will definitely give corresponding compensation and will not let us suffer;"

"We might even get a lot of extra benefits."

"You are very right! Choice is very important!"

"Even merchants like the Mi clan know how to take a gamble, and I can roughly estimate that Su Xuan has a better chance of winning, so why can't I make the same bold choice?"

"Could it be that I am not even as good as Mi Zhu?"

Thinking of this, Chen Deng's disgust for Su Xuan was swept away, and he even developed a lot of goodwill and admiration for Su Xuan.

People! Once their stance changes, many previous views will be directly overturned, and even a 180-degree turn will occur.

"Is that so?"

Chen Gui stroked his beard with satisfaction and nodded: "As long as you didn't make the choice on impulse, I have no opinion!"

"Choosing to defect to Su Xuan early is indeed a good choice."

"However, this matter should not be leaked for the time being. If we want to fight for a better position and benefits from Su Xuan and obtain greater merit, we must utilize and preserve our influence and network in Xu Province;"

"To cooperate with him to easily take Xu Province when Su Xuan needs it."

"Hmm!"

Chen Deng nodded affirmatively: "That's what I think too! Let's start by helping Su Xuan hide his influence in Xu Province!"

"I believe they should be able to discover our goodwill and actions very soon."

From the Mi clan, they have already felt that there seems to be a very powerful intelligence team under Su Xuan that has infiltrated various commanderies in the world.

This network has inextricable links with the chamber of commerce under Su Xuan's command.

It may not completely overlap, but the connection is definitely very close.

"Go ahead and do it! I support you!"

— Author's Notes —

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