#38Chapter 38 Chen Yun: My son has the style of his great father!
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
Chen Xi slowly nodded, looking at Chen Yun and saying, "Father's actions must be to rectify our family's conduct."
He said with a smile, "Family rules are family rules, and national laws are national laws. Although the Chen clan is prosperous, even subtly becoming the greatest aristocratic family in the world, and the foremost among meritorious officials, such a powerful family will naturally make that one wary."
Chen Xi's voice carried a hint of sigh, "I once heard that when Grandfather passed away, His Majesty once visited the Chen Residence to test him, but he did not uncover Grandfather's ambition. Therefore, a few months later, His Majesty bestowed posthumous honors upon Grandfather and ennobled Father's title."
"But... such tests will definitely not end here."
"His Majesty will constantly keep an eye on our Chen clan. If the members of the Chen clan now believe that the Chen clan's family rules can override the imperial court, I'm afraid the Chen clan will be in danger."
Yes.
This was the most crucial reason why Chen Yun decided to hand Chen An over to the imperial court for punishment—namely, to prevent the Emperor from being wary of the Chen clan and, even more so, from suspecting the Chen clan.
No one could guarantee that their act of punishing Chen An according to the Chen clan's family rules, placing family rules above the imperial court's laws, would not displease the Emperor.
For the family to continue to thrive, every step must be taken with caution and meticulousness.
When Chen Cheng had just descended upon Chen Xi and witnessed Chen Yun's handling of Chen An, he instantly understood Chen Yun's intentions.
This was not difficult to understand, but it was very difficult to achieve.
Therefore, Chen Yun's ability to accomplish this now made Chen Xi feel deeply moved, truly, Chen Yun was incomparably intelligent.
The phenomenon of being clever in childhood but ordinary in adulthood did not occur to him.
And Chen Xi was unaware that, compared to his own emotions, Chen Yun was even more thrilled and surprised. He looked at Chen Xi, never expecting that Chen Xi, at such a young age, could understand this point!
Many of those in the Chen clan who considered themselves intelligent had not even seen through this point!
He couldn't help but exclaim, "Chen Xi, that you can see this point truly delights your father."
Chen Yun pondered countless thoughts in his mind, finally making a decision. He smiled as he looked at Chen Xi and said, "Originally, I had planned to follow your great-Grandfather's example and have you stay in Guandu, looking after the clan just like your Grandfather."
"After all, the capital is not a good place."
He looked at Chen Xi and said, "But now it seems you might be more suitable to go to the capital, inherit everything of our Chen clan in the capital, and become the next clan head of our Chen clan."
"I intend to take you to the capital, but I wonder if you are willing?"
Chen Yun's voice was very cautious, "If you wish to stay in Guandu and look after the family, your father will certainly not force you."
Chen Xi barely hesitated, immediately saying, "Father, your son is willing to go to the capital!"
In his opinion, with Chen Lang overseeing Guandu at this time, it was most suitable, while he himself was better suited to go to the capital and help the Chen clan lay its foundation alongside Chen Yun!
Why?
Because the reign of Emperor Wen was, in fact, the most crucial period for both the Chen clan and the Han Dynasty!
When he used to read history books, what he disliked most was the history of Emperor Wen's reign, as the history of this period was truly too boring to read.
It wasn't as grand as Liu Bang's struggle for supremacy, nor as filled with the clash of swords and shadows as the reigns of Lu Hou, Emperor Hui, or Emperor Wen. It wasn't even as intriguing as the power struggles between mother and son or brothers during Emperor Jing's time, nor as tragic and heroic as the period of Emperor Wu.
It was like a glass of plain water, bland and tasteless.
Nothing significant happened during this period!
In fact, if you search for "major events during Emperor Wen's reign," even AI can't provide any truly significant events, only that many fragmented minor events occurred during this period!
The most spectacular major event was Emperor Wen's "opportunistic" ascension to the throne.
But the older Chen Xi grew, the more he realized that, in fact, the most important period of the entire Han Dynasty was this so-called transitional period of "Emperor Wen."
During this period, on the surface, no major events seemed to occur, but in reality, it was full of undercurrents.
At what stage did the meritorious official group in the imperial court decline? During Emperor Wen's reign.
At what stage did the various vassal kings in the regions begin to be weakened step by step? During Emperor Wen's reign.
At what stage did the world gradually recover its vitality? During Emperor Wen's reign.
This was a crucial period!
Emperor Wen, under the guise of his "benevolence," carried out secret actions, gradually weakening both the meritorious official group and the vassal kings in the shadows.
Moreover... this period was indeed a critical time for the Chen clan as well.
The Chen clan has now lost the "Guandu Marquis" as its visible pillar; a second "pillar" must quickly emerge to support the entire clan. Furthermore, after Chen Xi's passing, for this family to truly continue, it must quickly establish a firm footing, both in terms of family conduct and the political significance mentioned earlier.
This is also why Chen Xi descended in this period.
Many once-flourishing families faltered in the second and third generations due to poor succession, directly plummeting to the bottom and planting hidden dangers.
Listening to Chen Xi's words, Chen Yun said with a hint of emotion, "My son's character is decisive, truly possessing the demeanor of your great-Grandfather! In the past, I spent some time under your great-Grandfather's care, and his nature was just as decisive and intelligent."
Chen Yun stroked Chen Xi's head, a hint of pride on his face, "I don't ask you to be as formidable as your great-Grandfather; if you possess even three or four tenths of his ability, perhaps our Chen clan can truly establish the foundation for a thousand-year aristocratic family."
Listening to Chen Yun's words, Chen Xi subconsciously touched his nose.
It was more than just having "Chen Xi's lingering charm"; his core was fundamentally the same, alright?
.... .....
In the winter of the third year of Emperor Wen, the first heavy snow of the year slowly fell, and after Chen Yun dealt with Chen An and some other parasites within the Chen clan, he finally set off for the capital.
After he left, many Qian Shou in Guandu City appeared one after another, standing in the heavy snow, gazing in the direction of Chen Yun's departing carriage, bowing deeply.
They had naturally heard of Chen Yun's actions and understood in their hearts that what Chen Yun did was for them, the humble ones.
"How can we repay the actions of Guandu Marquis?"
The Qian Shou knelt there, silently shedding tears.
Some of them secretly vowed to erect "longevity tablets" for Chen Yun upon their return.
This was the most sincere blessing the Qian Shou in feudal times could offer to the powerful.
.... ....
Chang'an City, Guandu Marquis Residence
Chen Yun looked at the memorial before him; this was an urgent report sent immediately by the Prime Minister's Office after his return.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Is His Majesty... intending to weaken the vassal states?"
PS: Second update. I went out for dinner today and was a bit late, my apologies. I will be on time tomorrow