In this situation, the calculation of taxes on land becomes much easier. At that time, there would be no problem whether it’s the integration of taxes according to the Single Whip Law by Zhang Juzheng or a standard tax on land and people.

The noble families, who haven’t paid taxes for years, felt chills down their spines when they realized, but now they have no choice but to ask Chen Xi for some favors.

They agreed too early, and now it’s too late to regret. The pit Chen Xi has dug is deep enough to bury all those present.

"Don’t be sad, or feel cold, at least you have my promise, I can inform you of a part of it in advance. The value of that promise is a thousand or ten thousand times greater than what you’ve lost, which is what I have truly prepared for you," Chen Xi turned and smiled as he spoke.

The spokesmen of the noble families, who were previously chilling, became excited as if they had found the value to continue living.

"But before this, you are not qualified yet." Chen Xi glanced at everyone present, "You yourselves are not qualified, nor are your descendants, but you still have time. If you want to rely on my promise to regain what you’ve lost a million times today, then you still have a long way to go."

After speaking, Chen Xi turned to leave, no longer caring about this group of noble spokesmen. The road he had chosen was much better than the one this group of noble families saw.

After Chen Xi left, the tent was almost in an uproar.

Some were asking how to verify land registration according to Chen Xi, some were questioning what to do if Chen Xi truly registered their private slaves, and others had begun to curse, showcasing the variety of human dispositions.

"Head of the Song Family, what should we do?" The noble families aligned with Yongliang gathered around the Head of the Song Family of Jingzhao after Chen Xi had left, still with some rationality.

"Trust him, we have no choice now. We’re not just facing Chen Xi alone but the main force of the Han Dynasty. Our strength in the official circles is not enough to confront them." Song Yi sighed and said.

As descendants of the Zichuan lineage, the Song Family has been mingling in the official circles since the Western Han period. Although not as illustrious as the Four Generations Three Dukes of the Yuan Family, their ancestors had numerous Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, making them a low-profile aristocratic family. Unfortunately, the chaos in Luoyang and Chang’an depleted the Song Family’s Vital Energy.

"Shouldn’t we do something?" the spokesman of the Wan Family asked.

"It’s impossible. Even if all the aristocratic families under heaven worked together, they couldn’t defeat the other side, let alone work together at all." Song Yi shook his head and said, "Chen Zichuan’s momentum is unstoppable now, and he fulfills his promises; as long as you don’t offend his taboos, he doesn’t care."

On the other side, those in the Yongliang line still willing to think gathered around Yang Liang, the spokesman of the Yang Family of Hongnong. As a contemporary of Yang Biao, only he in the Yang Family could make decisions; the Yang Family missed the previous Aristocratic Family Alliance, but attended this time.

The Yang Family has realized that they’ve missed the timing and need to find a way out.

"I’m not familiar with Chen Zichuan, but my nephew once said that Chen Zichuan is considered a gentleman, his words must be believed." Yang Liang seriously told his allies, now the Yang Family was somewhat unable to protect itself.

[We must quickly jump out of this quagmire, otherwise the Yang Family might suffer a disaster someday, Dezu’s wisdom is unmatched, but when we trained him, we misjudged the situation, Dezu’s character is bound to cause trouble.] Yang Liang silently thought while looking at the people present.

The Yang Family of Hongnong must find a way out, but unfortunately, the Yang Family’s relationship with the Chen Family is average, while their relationship with the Yuan Family is better. Unfortunately, the attitude of Yuan Shu, the son-in-law of Yang Biao, is difficult to judge, making it hard for the Yang Family, and they don’t want to expose their weakness now.

[Are we not qualified?] The head of the Deng Family of Nanyang thought quietly about Chen Xi’s words, [Now our Deng Family has moved from Nanyang to Jing-Xiang due to the battle, having been cleansed by Yuan Shu by half, suffering enormous losses in power, but saying we’re not qualified...]

[Is it the next generation that is not qualified? Since that’s the case, why not trust Chen Zichuan once?] Deng Zhen was prepared in his heart, [I’ll gather all suitable-aged children of the Deng Family together for education, determined to produce an outstanding individual.]

Deng Zhen had also made up his mind. Although partly due to being almost killed by Yuan Shu, and partly due to being annoyed by Chen Xi, after returning to Jing-Xiang he managed five invitations to the inconspicuous Sima Hui to tutor the Deng Family, so much so that the former Sage who sealed the mountain resided at the Deng Family long-term, educating a generation of the Deng Family, clearly demonstrating Deng Zhen’s character.

Speaking of which, just as Deng Zhen decided, a child was born in the Deng family’s branch lineage, naturally possessing Inner Qi.

"Let’s name him Deng Ai..." The gravely ill father coughed, giving the newborn a name, "Hopefully his future will be complete, cough cough cough..."

Chen Xi, of course, did not know that the renowned general for the later period of the Three Kingdoms, Deng Ai, had just been born. He was now entangled over having stirred up the noble families, slept, woke up to exit the tent, and hadn’t figured out what was going on when a horse fell down in front of Chen Xi, with Sunx Ce hanging on the horse’s neck.

"Eh, can any of you tell me what’s going on here?" Chen Xi looked dumbfounded at Flying Yellow Horse, kneeling with its front hooves struggling to even stand up before him.