This Set, We're Familiar with It

Xi Zhicai did not know what choice he would have if his gamble failed. No one could say what the future held, even if he prided himself on being a wise man.

But just as Wang Xuan had said, he had very few options.

The Han realm might look vast, but there were very few places he could choose. He definitely could not choose Dong Zhuo in the west, the western Shu region was too exclusionary, and the prominent families of Jingzhou were already saturated. Wang Xuan could not be bothered to mention them, and Xi Zhicai could not be bothered to ask either.

Jiangdong was the territory of the four great clans, while Wang Xuan had already gone through all the remaining parts of the Central Plains Region. Xi Zhicai truly had no good options left.

Wang Xuan had also taken advantage of the timing. Cao Cao had yet to rise again for the second time; otherwise, Xi Zhicai would certainly have chosen Cao Cao, who was closer at hand.

However, if Qingzhou were truly conquered, Liu Bei would really be able to challenge any of the regional lords.

Liu Bei received the Xi Zhicai whom Wang Xuan had brought back with the highest honors. Every official, great and small, in the camp came out in full force. The grandeur of the occasion left even Xi Zhicai somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.

Regardless of how things had been before, Liu Bei was now one of the prominent regional lords of the Central Plains Region. He was also an Imperial Clan Member. Being able to go this far was already giving Xi Zhicai a great deal of face.

Liu Bei had the huge bronze cauldron brought out again, lit a blazing fire, and invited everyone to feast. He took Xi