Chapter 8: Xu Fang, the Renowned Scholar

  Chen Deng, also known as Chen Yuanlong, was a native of Huai'an County in the Lower Bi Prefecture. He was the son of Chen Gui, the former Magistrate of Pei Commandery. At the age of 25, he was appointed as the Magistrate of Dongyang County due to his filial piety. This time, he followed Tao Qian's recruitment and became the Colonel of Agriculture. As a result, he traveled with Xu Shu to Kuaiji Commandery.

  Chen Deng was notorious for his arrogance in history. The famous scholar Xu Xi once told Liu Biao and Liu Bei, "Chen Yuanlong is a heroic figure from the lakes and seas, but his arrogant attitude is unbearable." He meant that Chen was too proud and had no manners when treating others, just like a wandering Jianghu knight. Liu Bei asked, "What makes you come to this conclusion?" Xu Xi said that one year he went to visit Chen Deng, who didn't understand the etiquette of receiving guests at all. For half a day, he refused to chat with me and lay on his high bed, letting me lie on a low and small bed (in fact, there were no beds for sleeping in later generations, and what was called a "bed" referred to a kind of seat that could also be used for reclining).

  Later, Chen Deng became the governor of Guangling and sent his subordinate officer Chen Jiao to Xudu on an errand. He instructed him: "I've heard that my reputation in the capital is not good; can you help me find out what's going on and report back to me?" When Chen Jiao returned, he reported that people were all discussing how arrogant Chen Deng was.

  But should Chen Deng have this pride? After Xu Xi said he was a "scholar of lakes and seas", Liu Bei laughed and said that Chen Deng did well, Mr. Xu, you vainly bear the name of a national scholar, but bring no benefit to the country. If it were me, I would make myself lie on a hundred-foot high building, and let you lie on the ground, what's the difference between a high and low bed?

  When Chen Jiao came back to report that everyone thought you were too proud, Chen Deng explained that in this world, I only admire Chen Ji, Hua Xin, Zhao Yu, Kong Rong, Liu Bei and a few others. I am very respectful to them, where is the pride? Others are all mediocre, why should I bother to deal with them?

  In the novel, Chen Deng's stage time is not much, but he and his father Chen Gui are simply playing with Lü Bu and Chen Gong in their hands. The historical Chen Deng was even more powerful, later becoming the governor of Guangling, twice defeating the army of "Little Overlord" Sun Ce, and also sending a large group of spies to Jiangdong to provoke local clans to confront the Sun family, with remarkable results - Zhen Fu had read not only one paper, all of which believed that Sun Ce's final assassination was actually hidden behind Chen Deng's black hand.

  Even Liu Bei thought he was crazy with reason, is Xun still dare to look down on this person because of that 45-degree pose looking up at the starry sky?

  So they all discussed and decided that Chen Yuanlong, who had not yet remarried after his wife's death the previous year, would be a good match for my younger sister. One of them, a bookworm, said: "I've seen him before, he seems quite arrogant, I don't know what kind of classics he's read?" Another one, who was familiar with practical matters but didn't understand the situation in Xuzhou, said: "I don't know how he manages his property, can he really revive our family business?" Is Yun hastily raised his hand to vote: "Chen Yuanlong is talented in both literature and martial arts, soon he will be famous all over the world, it's him, we must grasp this opportunity and not let it slip away!"

  He Qi glanced at him strangely: "Hong Fu seems to know a lot about Yuan Long." He Xun hastily explained: "My brother has been in Xuzhou for some time, often hearing people say that Chen Deng is the head of Dongyang, comforting the elderly and raising orphans, loving the people like his children. Such a virtuous official will surely be famous throughout the world and respected by public opinion in the future."

  He is open-minded and eager to learn, his elder brother also likes this younger brother, and he is not like his elder brother who only focuses on studying books, but has some practical skills, so he respects this third brother. Thinking about it, if someone doesn't have any social experience, who would let him go out alone to travel and study? He himself had thought about going too, but his mother firmly refused - how could she let her eldest son die mysteriously in a foreign land?

  Although he was a collateral younger brother, and the time to return to his hometown in Beihai was not long, but in this short period of time, he got Kong Rong's praise, Sun Qian's teaching, and single-handedly retreated from Qingzhou Huangjin. Moreover, with a gentle temperament and sweet words, Xihe and Xikuan's evaluation of him were quite high, and even felt that he was closer to his younger brother than Yu Jun.

  So, since both Kuang and Xun highly thought of Chen Deng, also known as Chen Yuanlong, there was no need to question it further. Xun turned to Kuang: "It's best if Third Brother goes first to sound out Chen Yuanlong's intentions. If he is willing, we can then write a letter to ask Father to make a decision - both of us brothers will express our support, and I'm sure Father won't object."

  He nodded slightly and said it would be best to keep Chen Deng at the Zhuangyuan for the New Year, so there would be several days of time. He could find an opportunity to ask him about this matter himself. After dispersing, Xi Zhen asked: "How did San Xiong and Chen Yuanlong get along? Did they hit it off?"

  He is wide to answer, he escaped from Jingzhou to Xuzhou, and then went to visit local celebrities everywhere. For example, Zhao Yu, Milu, Cao Hong, Cao Jiao, etc., including Chen Deng's father, the former Marquis of Pei, Chen Ke, and helped Chen Ke bring a letter to Chen Deng in Dongyang on the way. The two became acquainted with each other - "Chen Yuanlong has great mountains and rivers in his chest, which is not comparable to his brother. Although they talked happily, they couldn't get along."

  It seems that Xun Xin said, Chen Deng probably didn't give you a very good impression. Even if they weren't superior or inferior in their seating arrangement, it was probably just an ordinary nodding acquaintance. He wanted to ask Shi Kuan for help introducing himself so he could have a talk with Chen Deng, but Shi Kuan said: "When we entered the door, I already introduced all of you brothers to Chen Yuanlong, as for whether or not you can have a talk, Hong Fu can go on his own."

  He couldn't help but scratch the back of his head.

  He really wanted to get to know Chen Deng - this acquaintance was not just a courtesy, like what Kuang said, just bowing and asking how you're doing when entering the door. In short, he wanted to be friends with Chen Deng. There were two reasons for this: first, in his previous life, when studying historical materials from the Three Kingdoms period, he had always admired Chen Deng and often thought about his unique elegance - of course, that was not just a superficial admiration, but something deeper. After coming to this world, he had met many famous people, but famous people were also divided into different levels, only those who left an immortal name in history and made later generations sincerely admire them did he have the desire to deeply interact with, for example, Taishi Ci. Compared to Taishi Ci and Chen Deng, what were people like Yi, Kong Rong, or even Guan Yu and Cao Pi? They might be exciting to meet, but if you didn't meet them, it wouldn't be a big deal, and he wouldn't feel any regret.

  Moreover, among the Three Kingdoms generals he admired in his previous life, Taishi Ci was not even ranked, while among the Three Kingdoms strategists he admired, Chen Deng was actually one of the top ten. Since there was an opportunity to meet him, how could he not take a closer look and have a good chat?

  The second reason is that among the Xu Fang Ming Shi, only Chen Deng has real investment value... Hmm, maybe I should add a Mi Zhu, but that's mainly because of his wealth. Whether it was Tao Qian, Liu Bei, Lü Bu or Cao Cao ruling Xuzhou, Chen Deng remained stable and unshakeable, which is truly admirable for his political wisdom. Moreover, if one had to stay in Xuzhou for a long time, relying on Chen Yulang would be much more reliable than relying on Cao Zhi or Mi Zhu.

  But how to get along with Chen Deng? If you have a good relationship with Chen Deng, then please ask Kuan to introduce him, and you will have the opportunity to have a good talk with Chen Deng. However, it seems that Kuan doesn't have such a big face, and he himself has taken the initiative to shrink back, as if afraid of being rejected. In this situation, do you really have the chance to marry your sister to Chen Deng as his second wife?

  He Xun asked, raising his head and posing the question to Kuan, who lowered his head in thought for a moment before suddenly asking back: "Has Hong Fu met Little Sister? What's your impression?" He Xun replied that he had only seen her once, and indeed, she was flawless in both appearance and talent. However, what use is that now? Nowadays, when scholars marry, they mainly look at the family background; although our family's status isn't low, we are still outsiders from another state. What method do you have to make Chen Deng take notice?

  "Little sister is not only beautiful, but also well-versed in history and literature, with insight surpassing even that of big brother..." Is Xun muttered to himself: "In other words, you're saying she's better than me?" Only to hear Shi Kuan continue: "Yuan Long has no relatives in Taoyuan County, and with the New Year approaching, Tao will also be closing up shop. It's a perfect opportunity to keep him at the manor for the holiday. Then we can arrange for him to meet little sister, I'm sure things will work out."

  I'm going to... is Xun scolding in his belly, and you're thinking of directing another snow-encountering play? Are you addicted to pulling strings? What he said was convincing, but Xun felt it wasn't reliable. It seems like he wants to get close to Chen Deng, even wants to form an alliance with him, but still relies on me!

  But what should I do? According to the usual plot of a time-travel novel, at this point I should go straight to Chen Deng and explain the overall situation of the world. This is where people who have traveled through time have an unparalleled advantage, and it's clear that they will be in control of future historical developments. So, with two fingers raised, I spoke loudly and clearly, as if it were Lu Su's "Bedside Strategy" or Zhuge Liang's "Longzhong Plan", leaving the person opposite me speechless, listening to the end and then bowing their head in admiration...

  Unfortunately, this passage is placed at an extremely unrealistic time. If it were after Emperor Xian of Han escaped from Chang'an, it would be better to copy Xun Wenruo's "Support the Son of Heaven to punish the disobedient", if it were before the Battle of Guandu, it would be better to copy Guo Fuzi's "Ten victories and ten defeats". Later on, it would be better to simply copy "The Strategy on the Couch" and "The Longzhong Dui"... But now, what great trend can be spoken of? Is it said that Yuan Shao will definitely win against Gongsun Zan? Is it said that Cao Cao will definitely enter into Yanzhou? Will Lü Bu come to seize Xuzhou? What theory is there? Wouldn't the other side think it's some kind of fortune-telling sorcery?

  Besides, without any past reputation to rely on, a nameless young man suddenly pops up and talks about the world being divided into three parts. Who would believe him? If there were no recommendations from Xu Shu, Sima Hui, and others, and if he hadn't visited Liu Bei's thatched cottage three times, but instead came as a farmer from Longzhong to talk about the overall situation of the world, do you think Liu Bei would have listened to him?

  What's more, Chen Deng is a famous madman. Even when entering the villa to stay overnight, he would strike a 45-degree pose looking up at the starry sky. How could one possibly open their mouth without being blown away by him? And even if he didn't blow himself away, just staring up at the starry sky like that wouldn't work either.

  This is a big problem - should I just give up or wait for good luck, bring the girl to Chen Deng's face and Chen Deng really likes her, then talk about it after the two families are married?

  No, no, it's just to encourage myself, but I mustn't be timid and retreat when faced with difficulties. I know my own abilities clearly, so if I want to stand out in this life and live a better life, I must master the skills of dealing with others, especially those in power. Even if it means deceiving them, I have to make them willing to accept me first. What a pity that Chen Deng didn't like poetry, otherwise I would continue to plagiarize Tao Yuanming...

  He thought and thought, suddenly patted his thigh, hey, he had thoroughly thought about it - let's go see Chen Deng, this method might just work!