“???”
Zhang Jing froze for a moment.
His head was practically filled with question marks.
He had no idea what Cheng Yu was talking about.
“Zhongde,” he said hesitantly, “what did you just say? I didn’t hear you clearly.”
“My lord.”
Cheng Yu replied respectfully, “Cai Zhonglang’s daughter is the younger sister of Magistrate Yang Dao’s wife. She was originally staying at the Yang residence. I have just escorted her to your manor, where she is awaiting your favor at any time.”
“…”
This time, Zhang Jing heard him clearly.
And his brain nearly shut down.
It felt as though he’d been struck by lightning.
He had only made an offhand remark that afternoon.
And by evening, the woman had already been delivered?
What kind of speed is this?
How is this even possible?
Isn’t this a little too outrageous?
“Zhongde.”
Zhang Jing felt there was still a chance to salvage the situation.
“Cai Yan is supposed to be in Wuyan? Are you sure you haven’t made a mistake?”
“My lord, there is absolutely no mistake!”
Cheng Yu answered seriously.
“After leaving Hedong, Cai Yan returned to her hometown. Her ancestral home is in Chenliu.”
“After being relocated to Wuyan, she reunited with her brother-in-law, Yang Dao.”
“Yang Dao is the Magistrate of Shouzhang, and his family resides on Long Street in the southern district.”
“I personally went to invite her.”
“This lady possesses exceptional beauty and extraordinary literary talent. She is truly one of the rarest women in the world.”
“She is more than qualified to become Your Lordship’s concubine.”
“At last, Your Lordship’s inner residence will no longer be empty.”
As he spoke, Cheng Yu could not help imagining the scene of Zhang Jing having children.
When that day came, the foundation of Taiping Prefecture would become even more secure.
“Mm.”
Inwardly, Zhang Jing gave Cheng Yu a thumbs-up.
With a peculiar expression, he said, “Your reasoning is thorough and perfectly logical, Zhongde. Quite convincing, in fact.”
“But… you didn’t force her, did you?”
In his previous life, Cai Yan had been captured by the Southern Xiongnu in the second year of Xingping—two years from now.
In this life, however, it seemed she had instead been “captured” by Zhang Jing.
Truly, she could not escape a fate of being taken away by someone.
“My lord, rest assured.”
Cheng Yu replied respectfully.
“When I went to the Yang residence, there was absolutely no coercion involved.”
“Yang Dao’s wife also asked her younger sister’s opinion.”
“She entered the manor willingly.”
How could Cheng Yu force people?
He always preferred to reason with others.
Even if he ended up killing them, he would never resort to coercion.
After all, in Cheng Yu’s eyes, people merely had to choose between surrendering and reincarnating.
“That’s good.”
Zhang Jing nodded.
“You’ve worked hard on this matter, Zhongde.”
“It was no hardship at all.”
Cheng Yu shook his head.
“The truly important matter is for Your Lordship to produce an heir as soon as possible.”
“…”
Zhang Jing’s expression stiffened.
Taking a deep breath, he waved his hand.
“I understand.”
“You should go back and rest early as well.”
“This subordinate takes his leave.”
Cheng Yu respectfully bowed and departed.
“Dian Wei.”
On the way back to the residence, Zhang Jing asked, “How about you? During this time, have you found any woman you fancy?”
“No.”
Dian Wei answered honestly.
“The moment I wake up, I start my duties.”
“Forget finding a woman I like—I’m starting to forget what women even look like.”
“…”
Zhang Jing pursed his lips.
Patting Dian Wei on the shoulder, he said, “Soon.”
“After the autumn harvest, I’ll personally arrange for two respectable women to marry you.”
“Mhm!”
Dian Wei nodded vigorously.
“I remember everything you’ve said, my lord.”
“The situation is still tense, and our grain reserves aren’t abundant.”
“We can only properly deal with these matters after the harvest.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
Zhang Jing nodded.
“It’s nearly the fifth month now. In a little over a month, the early crops will be ready for harvest.”
“When that time comes…”
The two continued chatting as they walked.
Before long, Zhang Jing returned to the government residence.
Creak—
As the bedchamber door opened, Cai Yan—who had finally managed to calm herself—instinctively clenched her delicate hands.
Her stunningly beautiful face turned slightly pale.
“So you’re Cai Yan, styled Zhaoji?”
Standing before her, Zhang Jing spoke calmly, though he could barely control his racing heartbeat.
He had never imagined that a legendary beauty would appear before him in such an absurdly abrupt manner.
“This humble woman, Cai Zhaoji, greets the Lord Governor.”
Cai Yan quickly recovered her composure.
Rising to her feet, she offered him a graceful bow.
“Zhongde told me.”
Looking directly at her, Zhang Jing asked seriously, “That you came here of your own free will. Is that true?”
“Mm.”
Cai Yan’s face reddened slightly as she gently nodded.
Deep down, however, she knew whether it was truly voluntary was not the important issue.
The important thing was that she had no real choice.
In these troubled times, all she could hope for was that Zhang Jing would treat her kindly in the future.
For a beautiful woman living amid chaos, that was already the greatest luxury she could ask for.
“Very well.”
Zhang Jing nodded slightly.
“Then I won’t inquire further.”
“I am not particularly concerned with formal customs.”
“Until now, you are the only woman in my inner residence.”
“As long as you treat me with sincerity, I will not mistreat you.”
“This humble wife greets her husband.”
Upon hearing those words, Cai Yan gently curtsied to Zhang Jing.
“……”
“Despise Cao Cao, envy Cao Cao. Become Cao Cao, surpass Cao Cao.”
Those were the thoughts running through Zhang Jing’s mind an hour later as he held the soft, fragrant Cai Yan in his arms.
………….
The Next Day — Taiping Administration Office
“Zhongde.”
After summoning Cheng Yu, Zhang Jing said:
“Now that the inner household of the Taiping Administration has people managing it, I’ve been thinking. Since there’s still some time before the autumn harvest, why don’t you begin organizing a Matchmaking Office (Meishi)?”
“Once the harvest is over, marriage-age men and women can establish new families. That should save us a great deal of trouble later.”
“What do you think?”
The Meishi was an official Han Dynasty institution.
Its duties included recording unmarried men and women of marriageable age and helping arrange marriages.
“My lord is wise.”
After a moment of consideration, Cheng Yu immediately understood Zhang Jing’s intentions and respectfully bowed.
……………
The Next Day — Yu Province
Pingyu City, Runan Commandery
Inside the governor’s council hall.
“Hahaha!”
After reading the letter sent back by Ji Ling, Yuan Shu burst into laughter.
“I knew it! Lu Bu is nothing more than a reckless warrior. How would he dare provoke me, Yuan Shu?”
“See? That brute Lu Bu took the Julu Road and headed toward my worthy younger brother Yuheng’s Dong Commandery!”
Over this period of correspondence, Yuan Shu had gradually begun treating Zhang Jing as a younger brother.
Whenever he addressed him, it was always “Brother Yuheng” this and “Brother Yuheng” that, with remarkable enthusiasm.
“My lord.”
Yan Xiang rose from his seat and stepped forward.
“In my humble opinion, while you may indeed be difficult to provoke, is Zhang Yuheng really some kind-hearted gentleman?”
“What do you mean by that?”
The smile on Yuan Shu’s face immediately stiffened.
He could still tell when someone was praising him and when they weren’t.
“My lord.”
Yan Xiang spoke solemnly:
“Even if Lu Bu has gone to Dong Commandery, he only has four thousand troops and lacks the means to cross the river.”
“What do you think he will do?”
Yuan Shu’s expression darkened.
“He’ll head west to Puyang.”
“My lord is wise.”
Yan Xiang continued:
“Then allow me to ask another question.”
“If you were given twenty thousand soldiers and stationed at Yangping, while only five thousand men defended Cangting Ford, would you be able to cross the river?”
“No.”
By now Yuan Shu’s face had become completely black.
“And where exactly is Puyang?”
Yan Xiang showed no intention of letting him off the hook.
“Puyang is part of Dong Commandery!”
Yuan Shu replied heavily.
“Dong Commandery belongs to me!”
Suddenly realizing the situation, he barked an order:
“Send orders to Ji Ling immediately!”
“Have him dispatch two battalions to guard Dong Commandery.”
“They are to closely monitor Lu Bu’s movements.”
“If that man dares cross the river and invade my territory, kill him without mercy!”
At this moment, Yuan Shu finally understood.
It didn’t matter which road Lu Bu took.
In the end, Lu Bu’s target was him.
As for “Brother Yuheng,” all Zhang Jing had to do was hold the river crossings.
Without control of a crossing, Lü Bu could do absolutely nothing to threaten Yan Province.
“Yes, my lord!”
A messenger officer immediately cupped his fists and accepted the order.
“Yan Xiang!”
Yuan Shu’s face remained grim.
“Tell Chen Yu and Sun Ben to seize Yang Province as quickly as possible.”
“If war breaks out on two fronts, it will be unfavorable to us.”
“And besides…”
“That bastard-born wretch is still watching from the sidelines like a tiger stalking its prey.”
— The end of the Chapter–
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