Zhen Yao gathered the servants and escorted Madam Zhen out of the manor.
The four Zhen sisters also wanted to see which angel sister had appeared at this crucial moment, giving the Zhen family a delaying tactic.
Zhen Mi stamped her foot, as if she had finally made up her mind to make a choice, only to be interrupted.
I don't know whether to feel relieved or angry.
Liu Wei followed the crowd out of the manor gate.
Before Zhenjiazhuang, military flags fluttered, warhorses galloped, and knights rode back and forth.
The thunderous hooves kicked up clouds of dust.
Judging from this, the number of cavalry is no less than that brought by Zhang Baiqi and Zhang Yan last time.
Their armor was actually the standard Han Dynasty armor.
So it must be the troops under Yuan Shao of Ji Province.
What are Yuan Shao's men doing at Zhenjiazhuang?
Liu Wei remembered that a month ago, Lu Jianxing, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had privately reported to him that Yuan Shao's second son, Yuan Xi, had visited the Zhen family many times, wanting to marry Zhen Mi.
It is said that Yuan Shao also heard the legend about Zhen Mi, who was dressed in a jade robe by an immortal when she was a child, and was destined for great wealth and honor, and even to become the empress.
If he married Zhen Mi, wouldn't his son be able to become emperor and rise to the highest position in the court?
Therefore, Yuan Shao, thinking it was better to believe it than not, sent someone to the Zhen family to propose marriage for his most beloved second son, Yuan Xi.
However, Zhen Yi politely declined.
Although Zhen Yi had received a promise from Liu Wei and Liu Yu that he would marry their daughter, the matter had not yet been finalized, and Zhen Yi could not make it public.
Despite being a businessman, Zhen Yi had heard about the factional struggles in the court.
He was well aware that Liu Wei and Liu Yu's faction of imperial relatives were long sworn enemies with He Jin's faction, which was supported by Yuan Shao.
If Yuan Shao knew that Zhen Yi had already betrothed his daughter to Liu Wei, he might resort to violence.
I heard that Yuan Shao had led troops to pursue and kill Liu Wei in Mengjin, and now that he has reached the territory of Ji Province, Yuan Shao is even more capable of doing so.
Therefore, Zhen Yi naturally tried various excuses to decline, but she never mentioned that she had betrothed Liu Wei to him.
If Yuan Shao knew that Zhen Yi had already betrothed his daughter to Liu Wei, he might resort to violence.
I heard that Yuan Shao had led troops to pursue and kill Liu Wei in Mengjin, and now that he has reached the territory of Ji Province, Yuan Shao is even more capable of doing so.
The Yuan family had produced three high-ranking officials for four generations, and their protégés and former subordinates were found throughout the court and the country.
Although Yuan Shao was ostensibly He Jin's subordinate, little did anyone know that He Jin was merely a figurehead pushed onto the stage by the Yuan family and a host of other powerful clans.
The powerful clans, such as the Yuan family, were secretly manipulating the political situation of the Han Dynasty.
From this perspective, Liu Wei's power in the imperial court seems to be weaker than Yuan Shao's.
But Zhen Yi had already chosen Prince Liu Wei, so he had no choice but to go down this path to the bitter end.
Right now!
Madam Zhen, Zhen Yao, and others, along with over a hundred servants, stood tensely in front of the manor gate square, armed with short knives and crossbows.
Upon learning that the men Zhen Yao had sent had already left Zhen Family Village through the back gate dog hole before the other party, heading towards Youzhou, Madam Zhen breathed a sigh of relief.
Wuji traveled to Youzhou, a journey through plains with smooth roads. He could return within two days at a galloping pace.
Let's get rid of these people first!
At this moment, the cavalry outside stopped running, seemingly having completely surrounded Zhenjiazhuang.
A young man, dressed in military uniform and wearing a golden crown, with a handsome face, was accompanied by two men, one scholar and one warrior, and surrounded by a dozen burly guards. He strode confidently toward the gate of Zhen Family Manor.
Accompanying them was a group of servants dressed as servants, carrying loads wrapped in red silk cloth.
Upon closer inspection, there were over a hundred loads, a grand and impressive procession.
As the crowd approached, the scholar beside the young man stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said loudly, "Haha, Madam Zhen, Young Master Zhen, how have you been!"
"I am Xu You, the chief strategist under Governor Yuan. I am traveling to Changshan on official business with my second son and General Han Meng. We are passing by your residence and have come to pay our respects."
"I wonder if the philanthropist Zhen is at home?"
Unexpectedly, it was Yuan Xi who came with Xu You and Han Meng.
He said he was going to Changshan on official business. What was he planning to do? Could it be that something went wrong with Gao Lan that Yuan Shao had noticed?
Liu Wei frowned in the crowd.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard failed to obtain this intelligence, or perhaps they had already reported it to Tian Kai.
After all, when Liu Wei left, he instructed that apart from the war in Liaodong and news from Zhao Yun's side, Tian Kai could make decisions on other important matters on his own.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard reported the news about Yuan Shao to Tian Kai, but Tian Kai couldn't find Liu Wei's men.
“My husband is not home, Mr. Xu, please leave!” Madam Zhen said humbly but firmly.
“Madam Zhen, our master has already sent people twice. This time, the second young master has come in person, which is like visiting a thatched cottage three times.”
"If the Zhen family continues with this attitude, shouldn't they consider whether they want to continue doing business in Jizhou in the future?"
To everyone's surprise, Xu You's face turned cold, and his words were full of threat.
"Mr. Xu, are you threatening the Zhen family?"
Madam Zhen's family was the Zhang clan of Jizhou, a prominent family that gave her confidence, so her words carried some weight.
"Madam Zhen, so what if I threaten you? Believe me or not, my cavalry will turn this place into ruins in an instant!"
Before Xu You could speak, the burly man Han Meng stood up and started gesturing.
Han Meng is the beam in the "Four Pillars and One Beam" of Hebei.
Originally, they were Han Fu's beloved generals. When Yuan Shao took office as the governor of Ji Province and Han Fu went to the capital, Han Meng, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Lü Xiang, Lü Kuang, Xu You, Tian Feng, Shen Pei and others all joined Yuan Shao's service after receiving his warm welcome.
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