The lobby of the Yizhou governor's mansion is spacious and deep, with carved beams and painted rafters, and curtains everywhere, it is magnificent and gorgeous. Tonight, all the chandeliers on both sides are lit, the lights are bright, as bright as day.

Wei Jing sat in the first seat, and two feet to his side was a slightly smaller seat, which was Shao Qing's seat.

Shi Jun and other envoys from Pingyang sat on his lower right, while on his lower left were Ji Huan, Zhang Yong, Dai Guang and other people from his own group.

Delicacies, melodious music, and beautiful girls dancing.

Wei Jing was well aware of the purpose of Shi Jun and his party's visit, and after meeting them and exchanging pleasantries, he immediately hosted a banquet in their honor.

The banquet was filled with toasts and a lively atmosphere. After a conversation, Shi Jun became more serious about "Yang Ze".

There was also a beautiful young lady in youthful attire at the top. When they heard that it was Madam Yang, Pingyang and his party were quite surprised and puzzled. However, Shi Jun had no intention of paying attention to such trivial matters. The person sitting next to him happened to be Lu Jian. When he heard that the other party was He Hong's old confidant, he immediately attracted his attention.

Lü Jian smiled and said, "Alas, I am incompetent, so it is just right that I respect Brother Yang as the master, and we both get what we deserve."

Shi Jun asked: "Brother Lu is still the governor of Donglin County?"

"Yes." Lu Jian was surprised and asked, "What else?"

While speaking, Shi Jun had been secretly sizing up the other party. He saw that Lu Jian's face was flushed and he looked very high-spirited. It was obvious that everything was going well and there were no obstacles.

He laughed twice and began to ask about other things indirectly, such as whether the county's internal affairs had been interfered with, what kind of person Wei Jing was, and the current situation of the other former county governors who were close to He Hong.

Shi Jun naturally would not hear any bad comments, but he was not in a hurry to send a message after the banquet. Instead, he used the excuse of visiting Gucheng and walked around the city and its suburbs for the next two days. Finally, he wrote a secret letter in his own handwriting and asked his confidant to send it back by express horse.

…

Back in Pingyang County, Shi Zhuo, who received the letter from his son, immediately opened it and summoned his staff to discuss the matter.

In the letter, Shi Jun recounted everything he had seen and heard, including the new ruler of Yizhou who was obviously no ordinary person, the conversation with Lu Jian, the situation in Gucheng, and so on. He did not express too many personal opinions, but only said that no matter from the personal or internal and external situations, Yang Ze seemed to be very capable.

"Yang Ze treated He Hong's surrendered generals well, which was considered benevolent and righteous. He is much more credible than King An in that he honors the alliance and keeps his promise."

Tian Shang, the chief official, asked: "Sir, are we going to form an alliance with them?"

Personally, he actually prefers to form an alliance. Pingyang County seems peaceful, but it is actually full of crises. Yang Ze is a powerful ally. If he can be sure that he has no bad intentions, this is an excellent way out.

However, since it concerns his life and his foundation, Shi Zhuo finds it difficult to make up his mind: "The surrendered general's power belongs to him, and it is not difficult to treat him well, but we are in an alliance."

Alliances are all about handshakes and equality. If one party is too powerful, the other party will always feel a sense of crisis of being eroded.

"Besides, not all of these surrendered generals are safe and sound."

This is referring to Ren Qiong, the former governor of Lefeng County. He was the one who made a big mistake when encircling He Xin, which allowed He Xin's army of 100,000 to break through.

Wei Jing did not punish the other party severely afterwards. However, in the past few months, chaos broke out in Lefeng County during the transfer of power. The generals under Ren Qiong's command rebelled and killed him, along with his three adult sons. Finally, Wei Jing dealt with the rebel general and gave the post of county governor to Ren Qiong's concubine's son.

There has always been disputes between the legitimate and illegitimate sons in the Ren family. The illegitimate son was not favored by Ren Qiong. Some people sighed that he was lucky this time and thought that he had planned more. But the latter all believed that he knew how to seize the opportunity. After all, Wei Jing had just come to power and he should focus on stability. Lefeng County would definitely be returned to Ren Jiazi.

It seemed like internal strife within the Ren family, but Shi Zhuo smelled something different. He really suspected that Wei Jing was secretly behind it.

He was a suspicious person to begin with, and he became even more hesitant after thinking about it. Tian Shang advised: "My Lord, Prince An is ambitious. He can delay it for a while, but not for a long time. I think he will occupy Pingyang anyway."

Next time, Yang Ze may not be an option.

Shi Zhuo frowned even more tightly.

Tian Shang persuaded him a few more times and suggested: "I heard that Yang Ze only has one wife and no children. Why don't we form an alliance with our marriage mates to strengthen our relationship?"

Marrying a daughter is one of the most reliable means of forming an alliance. More importantly, Yang Ze’s wife has not been pregnant for many years, and she doesn’t know if she can give birth.

If it really is not possible, once Ms. Shi gives birth to a child, Shi Zhuo's identity will be completely different.

Even if Yang's wife can give birth, it will not affect Ms. Shi. Anyway, once Mr. Yang of Shi's bloodline is born, the relationship between the two sides will be completely different.

"this……"

Shi Zhuo frowned and paced back and forth for a few times. Finally, he let out a long breath, walked quickly to the desk, and started writing.

"Come here, send a fast horse to Gucheng immediately and hand it over to the eldest master personally."

…

Today is the eighth day since Shi Jun arrived in Gucheng.

Gucheng has always been very considerate in its hospitality, with excellent food, clothing, housing and transportation. We have had leisurely conversations, enjoyed the scenery, and held various banquets, which have made both the host and the guests very happy.

Tonight, Wei Jing held another grand banquet.

Because he knew that Pingyang's reply would arrive this afternoon.

The couple walked hand in hand to the front hall. Shao Qing was a little nervous: "I wonder if Shi Zhuo will agree?"

"If he is smart, he will agree after weighing the pros and cons."

Wei Jing patted his wife's hand to comfort her and said softly, "Don't worry, Ah Qing. I'll take care of everything."

He wanted her to smile more often than to be worried.

Wei Jing's eyebrows softened, and Shao Qing smiled at him: "Well, I listen to my husband."

The tone was quite sweet, but Wei Jing felt very happy listening to it. It was not easy to be intimate with her because there were many people around, so he quietly squeezed her hand.

The couple smiled at each other and walked towards the front hall side by side.

However, Shao Qing's good mood did not last long.

After Meiji finished dancing for a few songs, drank three rounds of wine, and had five kinds of dishes, Wei Jing glanced at Dai Guang.

Dai Guang understood, stood up and toasted Shi Jun across from him with a bottle of wine, then happily continued the previous topic and said, "My master is indeed kind, righteous and capable, and I came here because I admire him deeply. Hey, Brother Shi, it's been a while, I wonder if Mr. Shi has replied?"

Shi Jun was waiting for this sentence. Upon hearing it, he immediately stood up and said with a smile, "Brother Dai, you asked the right question. I just got a reply from my father this afternoon."

He then turned to Wei Jing, clasped his fists, and said with a smile: "Mr. Yang's talent is admired not only by Brother Dai, but also by me and my father."

This opening remark made it clear that they were about to form an alliance. Shao Qing couldn't help but feel happy, but he kept a calm expression on his face. He just stared at Shi Jun below, waiting with bated breath.

But what Shi Jun said was beyond her expectations.

Shi Jun smiled: "Mr. Yang is so young and talented, how can we not be impressed? My father has a daughter, and I have a sister, both of whom are in their prime, and have been engaged. I hope to go to Gucheng and serve Mr. Yang and his wife. Yang and Shi have become a good match, and from now on we are a family, attacking and defending each other, and advancing and retreating together."

Shao Qing's smile froze.

Shi Zhuo wanted to form an alliance through marriage.

In fact, it is not surprising. Nowadays, alliances based on marriages are the most common and reliable form of alliances. Shi Zhuo was not familiar with Yizhou, so it would be strange that he did not bring it up.

But, but...

Before Shi Jun finished speaking, her hands at her sides had already clenched tightly.

However, the reactions of all the people below were completely different from Shao Qing's.

After Shi Jun finished speaking, Dai Guang was the first to laugh: "What a good thing, what a good thing!"

The alliance was finally formed.

Dai Guang smiled and bowed: "Congratulations, my lord!"

"Congratulations, my lord!"

"Haha, congratulations, Lord Nami!"

…

Everyone present was in high spirits, not only the newcomers Dai Guang and Yan Xian, but even confidants like Zhang Yong and Chen Qi, whose faces were flushed and their excitement was instantly boiling.

I think so.

Everyone knows how difficult it is to leave Yizhou. Now that Shi Zhuo, who had the only smooth route, had taken it without losing a single soldier, he should be happy and ecstatic.

Shao Qing knew they were not wrong, but he couldn't help feeling his heart sinking.

In fact, she knew a long time ago that she would eventually face this scene. The situation and interests are objectively irreversible. This is what she fears and the biggest reason why she hesitates to move forward.

Of course, she did not forget Wei Jing's promise.

It was inevitable that at this moment she felt deeply different and out of place.

She is just an outsider.

Lonely, uncertain, with a stuffy chest and anger, but upon closer inspection, there is also a hint of worry and fear.

Shao Qing had a mixture of emotions, and was completely uninterested in the midst of this festive and lively atmosphere. She stopped smiling and stared straight ahead, not turning her head to look at Wei Jing.

However, at this moment, a deep and very familiar voice rang in her ears: "Zhong Lian is wrong."

Wei Jing frowned for a moment, then relaxed his frown. He smiled and said, "Mr. Shi, I am ashamed to accept your compliment. I am extremely grateful for your kindness. But I am a coarse person. Since I already have a wife, how dare I wrong the noble lady of the Shi family? I hope Mr. Shi will tell your father that although I have a sincere wish to make peace with you, I will never dare to offend you."

The author has something to say: In fact, this was a very normal means of forming an alliance at the time, and it was the most reassuring and showed sincerity. A Xiu really didn't do it for the melodrama, hahahahahahahaha

Of course, everything actually depends on the man.