Xu Rao listened and said with great emotion, "Oh? Tell me what's good about it."

Xu Di said, "Leaving aside Lu Mingzhang's handsome appearance and extensive knowledge of military strategy, the fact that he was able to use his stepmother's weakness at such a young age to run to Yanmen Pass to join the army shows that he is a shrewd person. The environment at Yanmen Pass is harsh and the conditions are extremely poor, yet he was able to stay there for seven or eight years and, through his own efforts, become a lieutenant general in the army. Father, don't you think he is a talented person?"

Xu Rao said, "But when our family marries off a daughter, it's not just about whether the person is talented and capable. The key is the person's character and whether his family is easy to get along with. He's a soldier, and he can't always be at home taking care of his wife and children. What if his family is difficult to get along with, especially his stepmother, and she tries to torment the daughter-in-law? Wouldn't our daughter be jumping into a fire pit?"

Xu Di said, "I was also worried about this. I asked him, and he said that after the wedding, his wife would live with him in Hexi City. This was agreed upon by his father."

Xu Rao said, "What if his stepmother uses the concept of filial piety to pressure him into staying in the capital to fulfill his filial duties in his place?"

Xu Di said, "Lu Mingzhang said that this would not happen. This is an understanding between him and his family. His family cannot interfere with who he marries, where he lives with his wife and children, or even whether he will move out of the family home with his wife after the marriage."

Xu Rao stroked his beard and said, "In that case, Lu Mingzhang is a very good prospect. We should quickly write home and ask what Liu Yatou thinks. If she really wants to marry Lu Mingzhang, we should arrange the marriage. There are always unforeseen circumstances, so we don't want our daughters to be left without a partner and cause any more trouble."

Xu Rao was truly terrified by the Third Prince this time, fearing that the girls in her family who were not yet engaged would be tricked into marrying him again.

Xu Di agreed and immediately laid out paper and ink. He first wrote a letter to the old lady explaining the situation, then a letter to the Marquis, a third letter to Xu Gui's father, and the last letter to Xu Gui.

Xu Di wrote the most detailed letter to Xu Gui, recounting everything he had learned about Lu Mingzhang from the army. He even included details about the location and size of the three-courtyard house Lu Mingzhang had acquired in Hexi County. Xu Di did this so that Xu Gui could learn more about Lu Mingzhang.

After the letter was written, someone was immediately sent to the capital to deliver it.

Xu Rao asked Xu Di, "Are you going back to Tai'an with your Aunt Ru in a few days?"

Xu Di said, "Yes, next year is the year of the competition, so I have to hurry up."

Xu Rao asked, "How confident are you?"

Xu Di shook his head and said, "I can only say that I have done all the necessary efforts. As for whether it will succeed or not, that depends on God."

Xu Di thought for a moment and said, "Father, has any news come back about my maternal uncle becoming a teacher at Yuyuan?"

Xu Rao said, "No, your uncle has always been aloof, and I'm really afraid he won't agree."

Xu Di said, "Then set the conditions. As long as the conditions are attractive enough to entice him, why would he not come?"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the father and son went to Zhang Zhaoci's yard in the backyard for dinner.

Zheng Boyuan's transfer order came very quickly. Xu Di hadn't even set off for Tai'an yet when a messenger carrying the Ministry of War's documents arrived in Ganzhou on a fast horse.

The postmaster had a good relationship with the Xu family. After finding out the messenger's purpose in going to Hexi, the postmaster became suspicious. After a few drinks, he read the transfer order in the messenger's hand.

That very evening, the postmaster went to the Xu family and delivered a transfer order to Zheng Boyuan, ordering him to take up his post immediately, which meant he had to leave right away.

We were prepared for this long ago.

Xu Rao immediately sent his family to Hexi County to deliver a letter to Zheng Boyuan.

After the messenger left, Xu Di sighed and said, "It's a relief, Father. What should we do next?"

Xu Rao said, "The next step is to ensure that Zheng Boyuan gets to Yuezhou safely."

Xu Di asked, "Should we send out a few more guards from the mansion?"

Xu Rao said, "I have already made arrangements. I have Zheng Boyuan take four guards and go ahead on horseback. As long as he gets to Yuezhou, that will be fine. Gan Wenpei, the naval commander of Yuezhou, is a staunch supporter of the Emperor. As long as we can get under his command, our safety will be guaranteed. What I'm afraid of is the supporters of the Third Prince, who want to use Zheng Boyuan's life to avenge the Third Prince."

Xu Di said, "No matter what, it was our family that dragged Zheng Boyuan into this mess. We have to make sure Zheng Boyuan gets to Yuezhou safely. I have a few friends in the martial arts world who are all highly skilled. I'll ask them to help me make the trip to Yuezhou."

Xu Rao said, "In that case, let's invite a few more people. Whether they want money or goods, we should bring out whatever we have, as long as we can get Zheng Boyuan to the capital."

Xu Di nodded and asked, "What about Xiao Jiu? What will happen to Xiao Jiu?"

Xu Rao said, "Xiao Jiu is not in a hurry. Zheng Boyuan will need to settle down in Yuezhou first. Let Xiao Jiu stay in Hexi for a while. It's not too late to let her go there after she has settled down in Yuezhou."

Xu Di said, "Didn't Xiao Jiu say she wanted to go into business with her third uncle? Is there any other plan for this trip to Yuezhou?"

Xu Rao said, "This was arranged by your third uncle. I didn't ask about the specifics. Don't worry about these things. I can always arrange things properly. Just go back to Tai'an with peace of mind, prepare well for the imperial examination, and strive to pass the exam next year. Once you have an official title, you will be able to do more things."

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