Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

My son is intelligent, my daughter is adorable; let the world know this.

Therefore, when Li Ji brought Li Xiang and Li Xi into the mansion where the banquet was held, some quick-witted people repeatedly praised and flattered Li Xiang and Li Xi, causing the corners of Li Ji's mouth to twitch slightly.

Li Ji's change in expression also prompted more observant people to join this feast of flattery.

The flattering words, each showcasing the charm of language without repetition, made the precocious Li Xiang feel somewhat dizzy, so much so that one might have thought Li Xiang was about to surpass Li Ji.

As for Li Xi, she was so startled by the lively scene that she became shy and simply shrank into Li Ji's arms.

Seeing that Li Xi seemed a little frightened, Li Ji comforted her in a low voice while also refraining from deliberately lingering, choosing instead to quicken his pace and lead them into the inner hall of the banquet.

Only then did most of the endless flattery cease.

As they continued to walk inside, Li Ji took the opportunity to teach Li Xiang in a low voice, saying.

"How does Xiang'er feel?"

Li Xiang, who had been somewhat dizzy from the praise, tried hard to regain his composure and replied with a stern face.

"Most of it is flattery and adulation, not to be fully believed."

"Not most, but all."

Li Ji corrected Li Xiang, teaching him.

"Xiang'er must remember that honest advice is unpleasant to the ear but beneficial to conduct. Always have a scale in your heart, and never become giddy and lose yourself because of a few words of praise from others."

Li Xiang's expression became solemn, and he replied, "Yes, Father."

"There's no need to be so tense. This time, I'm bringing you to the banquet to relax. However, try to observe, think, and contemplate more."

Li Ji added once more.

Just as Li Ji led Li Xiang and Li Xi into the banquet hall, all the civil and military families who were already seated at the banquet immediately stood up to salute, exclaiming, "Greetings, Marquis."

Unlike the minor officials and small households on the periphery, those who could enter this hall were either high-ranking and powerful or had distinguished military service; otherwise, they were the true prominent families of Yu Province.

Li Ji, holding Li Xi in one arm and pulling Li Xiang with the other, smiled and nodded slightly, responding.

"This is a private banquet hosted by Bofu; there is no need for such formalities, gentlemen."

However, despite his words, no one dared to sit down before Li Ji passed by. Everyone in the hall waited for Li Ji to pass before cautiously taking their seats.

This scene caused Li Xiang's eyes to widen involuntarily.

Previously, even when Li Ji took Li Xiang to banquets, they were all private affairs that did not require much formality.

At this moment, Li Xiang further understood the weight of his father's prestige and power, to the extent that his every word and action could make prominent families bow their heads.

'A great man should be like my father...'

Li Xiang secretly made a vow, then turned to look at his father, feeling that his father seemed much taller than he had appeared in the past.

When Li Ji walked to the depths of the hall, A'dou, who had been arranged to sit in the main seat, had already stood up obediently and bowed to Li Ji, saying.

"Greetings, Adoptive Father."

Li Ji returned the bow with equal respect and was about to take Li Xiang and Li Xi to sit on the upper seat on the right when.

A'dou quickly walked down, saying with a serious face.

"How can a son sit above his father? Please, Adoptive Father, take the main seat; A'dou will stand by your side."

"That is not permissible; it violates etiquette."

Li Ji sternly refused.

"A'dou only knows filial piety; how does this violate etiquette?"

After a pause, A'dou continued, "If Adoptive Father insists on sitting below, A'dou will accompany you on the side, and the main seat will be left vacant."

Li Ji frowned slightly, feeling a bit suspicious, and asked, "Young Master, who taught you these words?"

"No one taught me; it is simply that I have come to understand filial piety."

A'dou replied somewhat naively, with even a hint of a smile of seeking praise on his face.

At this point, Li Ji's doubts disappeared.

At A'dou's age, it was naturally impossible for him to deceive Li Ji with acting skills.

However, this made Li Ji feel somewhat embarrassed. He repeatedly tried to persuade A'dou, but A'dou insisted on serving him with filial piety.

But Li Ji could not possibly do anything that violated etiquette, leaving an excuse that could be attacked or exploited in the future.

Even if A'dou had no other intentions, and even if Liu Bei would not believe such divisive words, it could easily send the wrong signal to others, making them think that Li Ji had developed ideas of becoming a powerful minister.

Liu Bei had placed all his trust in Li Ji, and Li Ji should naturally take the initiative to maintain that trust.

Therefore, Li Ji realized that even if this was a show of filial piety from A'dou, it could not be accepted, otherwise it would easily become a distorted form of filial piety in the eyes of outsiders.

Sima Yi, who had arrived at the banquet early, took in everything and was also considering whether this was a performance deliberately arranged by Li Ji…

However, when Sima Yi saw a look from Li Ji, he immediately realized what was happening and quickly stepped forward to defuse the situation.

"Teacher, this hall is a bit noisy and chaotic. It is not suitable for Young Master Xiang and Miss Xi to stay here for long. How about we go to the side hall for a drink?"

"Acceptable."

Li Ji agreed and tried to secretly press the back of Li Xiang's hand.

Before Sima Yi could speak further, Li Xiang quickly understood and took the initiative to invite A'dou to go to the side hall together.

Without thinking much about it, A'dou was greatly moved, but he did not directly agree. Instead, he asked Li Ji for permission to go to the side hall with Li Xiang and Li Xi.

After obtaining Li Ji's consent, A'dou immediately went to the side hall with Li Xiang and Li Xi, and the undercurrent of danger was dispelled.

After Li Ji took his seat, he said to Sima Yi in a low voice.

"Investigate whether anyone has secretly contacted the Young Master in the past few days."

As he spoke, Li Ji's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

If A'dou had acted unintentionally and spontaneously, then so be it. But if someone was inducing him from behind, their hearts were wicked, and their entire clan should be exterminated.

"Yes, Teacher."

Sima Yi responded and retreated.

Not many people noticed this small disturbance.

After Li Ji took his seat, the banquet officially began.

In name, it was Sun Ce's thanksgiving banquet, where Sun Ce was ostensibly toasting and thanking all the civil and military officials and powerful families for their spontaneous rescue efforts in the snow.

In reality, whether it was the prominent families in the inner hall or the minor officials and small families on the periphery, they were all waiting for Li Ji's voice.

Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion swept through Yu Province, countless Yu Province families had no choice but to abandon their homes and flee to the vicinity of Ruyang to seek refuge.

As a result, a considerable number of Yu Province families saved their lives, but their fields and properties were all equally distributed to the local people by the Yu Province Yellow Turbans.

Now that the Yu Province Yellow Turbans were destroyed and Liu Bei had taken control of Yu Province, the Yu Province families suddenly had nothing. With no danger to their lives, they were naturally eager to reclaim their ancestral properties.

Therefore, during this period, countless Yu Province families gathered near Ruyang were using all kinds of connections to try to get Li Ji to help them take back their properties from the commoners and return them to them.

However, Li Ji had been using the excuse of being busy with government affairs to avoid seeing them, and the families had no choice.

If it were anyone else, the families would have ways to manipulate them, but they had nothing but awe for Li Ji and dared not act rashly.

Until the wine at the banquet gradually thickened, a piercing cry suddenly rang out in the hall, causing everyone to pause.

"Woe is me ~ ~ ~ I have no face to face my ancestors. I beg the Marquis to seek justice for me…" (End of this chapter)