Chapter 12: Zhang’s Malicious Intent
Liu Zhan, having gained the trust of the beautiful lady, was in high spirits. While the army needed to rest and reorganize, and others were busy to the point of losing their way, he, on the other hand, used the excuse of discussing matters with Madam Zhang to spend time together frequently.
Time travel was great! Liu Zhan had only recently arrived but was already enjoying certain benefits. His skills were formidable, and he even had some special abilities. Dealing with Madam Zhang was a piece of cake; it was effortless for him. This kind of ability was quite valuable, and after this experience, he would have little to worry about in the future—he had plenty of resources. But was this perhaps some sort of dark art?
Thinking about Madam Zhang, Liu Zhan felt secretly pleased. The lady was so beautiful she made one's heart race, impossible to resist. Winning a beautiful woman's affection was one thing, but Liu Zhan's army's provisions were all provided by the Zhen family. This time, the Zhen family was fully committed to supporting the campaign.
It seemed this guy was killing multiple birds with one stone; whatever was the Zhen family's was now his. Whatever Liu Zhan said, Madam Zhang, the beautiful lady, agreed to, even to the extent of wishing to offer her heart. This guy was quite despicable.
Gao Shun, Zhang Liao, and others were outside, busy with recruiting prisoners, reorganizing the army, and training soldiers, making their situation chaotic. Liu Zhan, meanwhile, spent the entire day lazing around in the Zhen family's courtyard, showing signs of being captivated by the pleasure.
During the day, he got quite familiar with the Zhen family's children. Liu Zhan had a conversation with the two elder brothers, Zhen Yan and Zhen Yao, who were eager to pursue an official career.
"If both of you pursue an official career, who will manage the Zhen family in the future? Are you just going to leave it unattended, or rely on your mother alone? That's not a long-term solution, right?"
"Then one should pursue an official career, and the other should stay at home and handle the business."
"Hmm, no need to rush to decide now. You two should focus on your studies. In a few years, based on your strengths, see what suits you best and pursue it. Does that sound good?"
"Alright, we'll follow the general's advice and decide in a few years."
As Liu Zhan spoke, several little girls gathered around. Four-year-old Zhen Mi tugged at Liu Zhan's clothes with her small hand and said in a sweet voice, "Big brother, Mi'er heard that you chased away the bad guys. You're so amazing, big brother is the best!"
Zhen Mi was adorably plump, and Liu Zhan was delighted and picked her up.
"How did you know I chased away the bad guys?"
"I heard it from my brothers. Big brother is so amazing, Mi'er likes big brother a lot."
"You like big brother? Haha, you should grow up quickly. When you're grown up, I'll marry you. How about that?"
"Okay, okay, I want to be big brother's wife. Mi'er is so happy!"
Zhen Mi was thrilled, but Zhen Dao, who was standing nearby, frowned and said, "Big brother should marry sister Zhen Jiang first. Mi'er is only four years old, still a little child."
"Yes, big brother should marry sister Zhen Jiang. Rong'er is already a year older than Mi'er, so it shouldn't be Mi'er's turn."
Even Zhen Rong stood up to speak out. Zhen Jiang, however, kept her head down and said nothing. After all, she was a twelve-year-old girl and understood these matters.
Seeing that a joking comment had stirred up such discontent, Liu Zhan cleared his throat and decided to calm things down quickly.
He reached out and gently held Zhen Jiang's slender shoulder, gazing at her face. She already showed signs of resembling Madam Zhang's beauty, and with a few more years, she would surely become a beauty.
"Zhen Jiang, you're twelve now, right?"
"Yes, I just turned twelve this year."
"Hehe, twelve years old. In three to five years, you'll be of marrying age. Zhen Jiang, would you like to marry big brother?"
"Hmm."