The flames of war in the Northern Territories ignited instantly, and a grand battle between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, destined to decide the fate of the region, was about to unfold.
Now…
It had reached the eve of the decisive battle, and Yuan Shao had begun his final preparations for grain, fodder, and weaponry!
Gongsun Zan was not idle either. He dispatched a letter to Zhang Yan, the leader of the Black Mountain Army. Perhaps, with such a powerful ally, he might still stand a chance!
Five days later!
Yuan Shao, accompanied by his second son Yuan Xi and protected by Zhang He, personally arrived in Zhongshan.
Meanwhile, within the Zhongshan Commandery, in Wuji, a luxurious mansion… nearly a hundred servants were diligently cleaning the courtyard and tending to the flowers and trees!
At the entrance of the mansion, a plaque made of sandalwood with golden characters proudly displayed the words "Zhen Residence."
— The Zhen family of Wuji, Zhongshan…
Their ancestor, ancestor, ancestor, ancestor, Zhen Han, had once held the position of Grand Tutor and was later honored as Grand Marshal, Duke Chengxin. Most importantly, he was the fourteenth-generation descendant of Confucius and the son-in-law of Kong Guang, who served as Grand General, Chancellor, and Grand Tutor.
It was from that time onwards that the Zhen family's network of connections had spread throughout the entire Northern Territories!
For a considerable period, it was no exaggeration to call the Zhen family a top-tier noble clan in the four northern provinces.
Alas…
The master of this Zhen residence, Zhen Yi, the Magistrate of Shangcai, passed away ten years ago. His eldest son Zhen Yu, second son Zhen Yan, and third son Zhen Yao subsequently succumbed to illness, one after another!
Only the "female members" of the Zhen family remained…
The title of a top noble clan was, naturally, a thing of the past.
Fortunately…
Leveraging the established network of connections, the Zhen family's businesses flourished under the management of its "female members."
Currently, the head of the household was Zhen Yi's wife, Madam Zhang!
In addition to her, there were her five daughters, born from her late husband, each as beautiful as celestial maidens—
Eldest sister Zhen Jiang; Second sister Zhen Tuo;
Third sister Zhen Dao; Fourth sister Zhen Rong; Fifth sister Zhen Mi.
"Madam, Madam…"
At this moment, a guard rushed into the main hall and respectfully reported, "In half a day, Duke Yuan… Duke Yuan will arrive at Wuji County."
*Hoo…*
From the main seat of the hall, a woman’s tightly closed eyes slowly opened. This woman, nearly forty years old, was dressed in a pale yellow Daoist robe, yet her features were as beautiful as a painting, and her elegance was beyond description.
She was none other than the current mistress of the Zhen residence—Madam Zhang!
In this era, it was rare for a woman of her age to maintain such a refined appearance… she exuded an aura of steady composure.
She slowly placed down the tea cup in her hand.
The Duke Yuan mentioned by the guard was, of course, Yuan Shao, and Madam Zhang was well aware of his purpose for being here.
Her eyes suddenly became sharp. She slowly rose and looked at her eldest daughter, Zhen Jiang, standing beside her. "Are the carriages prepared?"
"Yes!" Zhen Jiang, now in her early twenties, was one of Madam Zhang's few trusted helpers. Without men, the entire Zhen family relied on these two women to hold up their world.
"Then let's hurry…" Madam Zhang stood up and gently stroked Zhen Jiang's forehead, seemingly reluctant. "Mother has specially purchased a residence over there, and there are still Zhen family shops within the city… You should go ahead."
This…
Upon hearing this, Zhen Jiang hesitated for a moment, biting her lip slightly.
"Mother, aren't you coming too?"
"No." Madam Zhang waved her hand… "Duke Yuan will arrive shortly, and Mother must handle matters here."
With that said, Madam Zhang no longer lingered, signaling a guard to escort Zhen Jiang to the carriage.
Besides her, the other four daughters…
Madam Zhang had, in batches, quietly sent them away earlier. The last one sent was the fifth daughter, Zhen Mi, and the eldest daughter, Zhen Jiang, was the last to depart.
"Mother…"
The final call.
Zhen Jiang knew all too well how difficult it had been for her mother to manage the Zhen family over the years!
She dared not disobey her mother's wishes, nor question her mother's arrangements. She could only leave, led by a guard.
However…
She wondered if today would be like this? When would she see her mother again?
*Hoo…*
Watching her last daughter depart, Madam Zhang's eyes finally opened, and she gathered all her energy. Her voice, though not loud, carried immense penetration and dignity!
"Immediately gather all the servants of the mansion and station them at the main gate. We shall welcome Duke Yuan… Anyone who dares to be remiss will be dealt with according to family law!"
With that, Madam Zhang took a firm step and was the first to walk towards the main gate.
— "Yes!"
All the servants and maids responded with utmost respect and quickly followed Madam Zhang out.
The atmosphere of the entire Zhen residence suddenly became much more solemn.
…
On the official road leading to Wuji County.
A cavalcade was galloping along, with Yuan Shao and his second son Yuan Xi seated inside a carriage.
Upon hearing that his father intended for him to marry the youngest daughter of the Zhen family—Zhen Mi!
Yuan Xi's expression was grim.
"Father, how can your son marry a woman from a merchant family? In the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants rank last. Is the Zhen family even worthy of our Yuan family's lineage?"
"What do you know?" Yuan Shao shot him a cold glare and then said sternly, "The Zhen family is no ordinary merchant. They are the largest merchant in the four northern provinces! Their businesses span the entire Han Dynasty, and their connections in the four northern provinces are deeply entrenched. How can they be as simple as you imagine?"
*Hoo…*
Yuan Xi was somewhat bewildered and tapped his forehead.
Indeed… there were rumors in the marketplace saying, "In Lujiang, there are the two Qiaos; in Hebei, Zhen Mi is fair." This was enough to prove that the youngest daughter of the Zhen family must be attractive and exceptionally beautiful.
However, Yuan Xi was not one to covet beauty. The wife of Yuan Xi must be someone who could assist him!
And the Zhen family? A merchant family? Did they deserve to be called deeply entrenched?
With this thought, Yuan Xi's eyes held even more disdain.
Yuan Shao's words continued, "The ancestors of the Zhen family had matrimonial ties with the descendants of Confucius, and the men of the Zhen family once held positions of great power. If not for the early deaths of the Zhen family's men, leaving these women unable to pursue official careers, how would the Zhen family have fallen to become merchants? How would their status have plummeted?"
"Early deaths?"
Yuan Xi was somewhat confused and felt a pang of fear. "Father, then this youngest daughter of the Zhen family is even less suitable to marry! The women of the Zhen family bring misfortune to their spouses! What if your son… what if…"
*Heh!*
Yuan Shao let out a cold snort. "Misfortune to their spouses? Our Ru'nan Yuan clan, with its four generations of high officials, and I, General Yuan Shao, commanding a million troops? Can a few women bring misfortune upon us?"
"You must marry this youngest daughter of the Zhen family whether you like it or not. If you truly dislike her, keep her within the household and take as many concubines as you wish!"
Yuan Shao's tone was like a command: "If this Zhen family does not ascend to the status of our Yuan clan, how will they be willing to hand over their stored grain of a million shi? With this grain, Father can conquer Gongsun Zan of Youzhou. By then… you will be greatly credited, and Father plans to grant you this territory of Youzhou."
*Huo…*
As these words left his mouth, Yuan Xi's eyes fixed. To marry a decorative vase and obtain Youzhou was a highly profitable transaction!
— "My Lord…"
— "We have arrived at Wuji County. The Zhen residence is just ahead!"
Just then, Zhang He spoke from outside the carriage window.
"Good." Yuan Shao lifted the carriage curtain and squinted at the plaque outside the Zhen residence…
Upon seeing this…
He discovered that beneath the plaque bearing the words "Zhen Residence," Madam Zhang, servants, maids, and guards were all lined up on either side, cupping their hands and bowing towards Yuan Shao.
This… was not strange!
Yuan Shao had always emphasized grandeur, and he was accustomed to such respectful greetings from various families!
However… Yuan Shao's gaze sharpened. He noticed that the five daughters of the Zhen family were not present at the gate. This was extremely peculiar! Extremely peculiar!
"Duke Yuan's arrival at Wuji County brings honor to our humble dwelling… The widow Zhang Shi pays her respects to Duke Yuan!"
"We pay our respects to Duke Yuan…"
Madam Zhang bowed, and all the servants of the Zhen residence followed suit!
Yuan Shao stepped down from the carriage, his brow furrowed. "Madam Zhang, why is it only you? Where are your daughters?"
This was not Yuan Shao's first visit to the Zhen family, as a childhood engagement had been made long ago…
And more importantly, because the Zhen family possessed grain and wealth, Yuan Shao had interacted with them frequently over the years to raise funds for supplies.
Speaking of which, Yuan Shao had provided considerable support to the Zhen family's businesses. He had even met these daughters of the Zhen family, and he had been particularly struck by the youngest, Zhen Mi.
"They…"
Upon mentioning her daughters, Madam Zhang's eyes suddenly turned red, and she spoke with immense sorrow, "Regarding this matter, I implore Duke Yuan to be our arbiter!"
"This year, my unfilial daughters, along with money, grain, and a caravan, went to the Central Plains to purchase goods, intending to open trade between the Central Plains and the Northern Territories! To earn more money and grain, to provide military supplies for the Grand General!"
"However, unexpectedly… Situ Lu Yu of Xuchang, seeing their beauty, was overcome by lust and detained them in the Central Plains. He also seized a large amount of gold, silver, and grain from my Zhen family. Furthermore, he threatened my Zhen family, demanding a million shi of grain before they could be redeemed."
"But my Zhen family's grain has already been seized by him, how can we raise a million shi? Moreover, if my Zhen family were to hand over this million shi of grain, wouldn't that be aiding the enemy, Duke Yuan?"
As she spoke, Madam Zhang's tears fell "pat," "pat," "pat." Her voice grew more sorrowful, as if she wished to weep uncontrollably.
"I… I have been weeping these past few days, and I was… just about to seek Duke Yuan to complain! To implore Duke Yuan to march south, defeat that Cao Cao, capture that 'heinous criminal' Situ Lu Yu, and rescue my five pitiable daughters from this 'great lecher'! Duke Yuan, you must… you must bring justice for our Zhen family!"
Her voice was hoarse, and tears streamed down her face.
Many people had gathered at the gate of the Zhen residence. Madam Zhang's words moved many to pity and tears.
"What! You…"
Yuan Shao instinctively clenched his fists.
Instantly, he was filled with rage and was about to speak, but the words caught in his throat.
After calming himself down, he finally spoke.
"...Situ Lu Yu, is it? Raiding merchant caravans is indeed audacious!"
Hearing this, Madam Zhang continuously wiped her tears with her sleeves, her aged tears flowing freely. She wailed, "Even though… even though my daughters were abducted by that lecherous Situ Lu Yu these past few days, my Zhen family has not forgotten Duke Yuan's great undertaking. Yesterday, I sold all of the Zhen family's shops and land in the Northern Territories, raising two hundred thousand shi of grain and thirteen million coins. This is already all… all of our Zhen family's savings."
"If Duke Yuan needs these… take them… I only beg that Duke Yuan, one day, will march south to Xuchang and bring back my five daughters."
*Hoo…*
Hearing this, Yuan Shao took a deep breath, his eyelids twitching wildly. "Madam Zhang, rest assured, one day, I will surely march to Xudu and bring back Lu Yu's head, along with my daughter-in-law!"
With these words…
Yuan Shao turned and stepped back into the carriage. "Where is General Zhang?"
"I am here, sir!"
"Immediately take stock of the Zhen family's money and grain, and transport them to the front lines of Youzhou!"
"Yes!" Zhang He responded.
Yuan Shao had already returned to the carriage, but his expression was exceptionally grim and stiff, like a fossilized creature caught in amber!
The carriage moved, and the cavalry departed.
As for Yuan Xi, it seemed as though a great weight had been lifted from his heart. Truth be told, he was happy not to marry Zhen Mi. These Zhen family women brought misfortune to their spouses. Others sought wives for money, but marrying Zhen Mi was courting death!
However…
Seeing the bruised and battered look on his father Yuan Shao's face.
Yuan Xi was somewhat confused…
He quickly comforted him, "Father, these Zhen family women bring misfortune to their spouses, which is perfect… Now that Father has gained the Zhen family's money and grain, and I don't have to marry this youngest daughter of the Zhen family, everyone is happy. Why is Father frowning?"
*Hoo…*
Yuan Shao still let out a deep sigh. His mind was already narrow, and at this moment, his expression was extremely gloomy, like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
— "You unfilial son, shut your mouth!"
— "You know nothing! I never imagined that I, the dignified Yuan Shao, would be played for a fool by a woman to this extent!"
— "Saying five daughters, and a large amount of grain and money were plundered by Situ Lu Yu. Hmph? Was it plundered, or did she send it willingly? Does she think I, Yuan Shao, am ignorant?"
— "Hmph, no wonder… The Zhen family has managed to support their household with these women over the years. It seems that the women of the Zhen family are not to be trifled with!"
Coldness… Yuan Shao's words carried immense coldness!
*Bang…*
With these words, Yuan Shao slammed his fist onto the table inside the carriage.
The entire table trembled violently.
Yuan Shao might have been slow in his thinking, but he was not stupid!
In the Central Plains, whether it was Cao Cao or Lu Yu, their actions in recent years had paid great attention to reputation!
Cao's army committed no robberies, and furthermore… in recent years, they had never engaged in a single city massacre or surrendered soldier killing. This was something even Yuan Shao could not achieve!
Was this not proof enough? That Lu Yu and Cao Cao adhered to the path of kingship, not hegemony?
Under such a "royal path," how could he detain merchant caravans, detain merchant daughters, or detain merchant grain?
This was clearly a fabricated matter!
It was the arrangement of the Zhen family's "wise" Madam Zhang!
On one hand, she secretly transported her five daughters and a large amount of money and grain to the Central Plains;
On the other hand… she pretended to have exhausted her family's wealth to support Yuan Shao!
In this way, if Cao and Yuan fought, and Cao Cao won, she would provide money and grain to Cao Cao, thus ensuring the Zhen family's safety! If Yuan Shao won, having sold off family assets to support the military, Yuan Shao would not be able to find fault with the Zhen family!
Killing two birds with one stone, a double victory!
Calculations…
Heh heh, Yuan Shao was completely outmaneuvered by this woman this time!
And yet, there was not a single flaw to be found!
Hmph…
With this thought, Yuan Shao let out a cold snort.
Of course, this was not the most shocking thing to Yuan Shao. What surprised Yuan Shao the most was that, under the current circumstances, the Zhen family had chosen neutrality!
A terrifying neutrality!
Even more terrifying was that the Zhen family's choice did not represent a single family, but rather the collective choice of merchants, scholars, clans, and commoners throughout the land… their choice!
In other words.
Currently… although Yuan Shao's troops far outnumbered Cao Cao's, countless merchants, scholars, clans, and commoners did not absolutely favor Yuan Shao!
— Observation, a suffocating observation!
"Hmph, all calculated." Yuan Shao sneered, "The women of the Zhen family? Hmph, they are merely overthinking. Even without their support, I, Yuan Shao, will surely defeat Cao Cao, but the Zhen family will forever lose the marital connection with my Yuan clan! They have lost this chance to climb high and reach the heavens!"
As these words left his mouth.
Yuan Xi's eyes flickered. He understood some of it, but not all of it.
He could only roughly deduce that the Zhen family's choice this time was to invest in both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, seeking not wealth, but only preservation!
However, it was fine…
Yuan Xi mused, didn't this Zhen family woman bring misfortune to her spouses?
Now that they were in the Central Plains, they would undoubtedly interact with Cao Cao and Lu Yu. Heh heh, it was just right to curse them to death if possible!
A welcome sight.
…
"Madam…" a maid respectfully reminded, "Duke Yuan has already left!"
Returning to the main hall of the Zhen residence, upon hearing the maid's words, Madam Zhang slumped back as if her bones had turned to jelly, leaning against a stool.
*Hoo… hoo…*
She panted continuously, as if the confrontation with Yuan Shao just moments ago was still heart-stopping, even after it had passed.
"It's good that he left, it's really good!"
A sigh of relief…
The maid's eyes blinked repeatedly. "Madam? Why… don't you favor Duke Yuan this time? Previously… didn't Madam always have a high opinion of him?"
*Heh…*
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhang let out a bitter smile.
"Yes, previously this old woman favored Yuan Shao, but now… as Cao Cao has taken the lead in the Central Plains and seized the initiative, establishing the Imperial Academy and reviving the Yue Dan Ping… his combat strength and reputation have increased infinitely. Cao Cao's forces are now infinitely close to Yuan Shao's! Moreover…"
As she spoke, Madam Zhang paused.
The personal maid asked, "Madam means Situ Lu Yu, the current Situ? Didn't Madam mention long ago that he might be the Hidden Dragon?"
"Mmm…"
Hearing this, Madam Zhang nodded… "Yes, years ago, when my husband and I visited Scholar Cai in Luoyang, this young master Lu Yu of the Cai residence predicted that… my husband would die in the third year of Zhongping!"
"And his prediction proved true… Since then, with the rumor spreading that the Hidden Dragon leaked heavenly secrets, I began to suspect he was the Hidden Dragon! Coincidentally, with Cao Cao's rise, isn't the name of this Situ beside Cao Cao, Lu Yu? And isn't his sister the eldest daughter of Scholar Cai, Miss Cai Yan?"
"The Hidden Dragon is indeed in the Central Plains, in Cao's camp!"
With these words…
Madam Zhang let out another breath.
After this, she said nothing further.
But the meaning… was already very clear.
If it weren't for the Hidden Dragon, the Zhen family would never have broken off the engagement, nor would they have shifted their investment focus from Yuan Shao to Cao Cao, nor would they have sent the five daughters of the Zhen family to Xudu city!
But… because the Hidden Dragon was in Cao's camp… that was another story entirely. The Zhen family had to readjust their plans, and deploy them with utmost seriousness!
"I hope… I hope…"
Madam Zhang's pearly teeth parted slightly.
"I hope Mi'er and the others can meet the Hidden Dragon as planned. The Zhen family now desperately needs the guidance of the Hidden Dragon… and also desperately needs the help of his position as Situ Lu."
…
…