Chapter 100: Too Much

Yuan Xi was triggered.

Damn merchants!

Too sinful!

Landlords, rich peasants, counter-revolutionaries, and bad elements, none of you can escape!

Let me punish you on behalf of the people!

He felt his lips were a bit dry, "The Zhen family has five daughters, each with so much dowry?"

Madam Zhang chuckled: "How is that possible?"

"This old woman has taken out all of her family's wealth, because the future of the Zhen family is all bet on you, young master."

Yuan Xi thought that this was somewhat reasonable. If every daughter could bring out hundreds of millions of coins as dowry, the Zhen family would have been destroyed by the lords long ago.

In fact, the marriage between the two families was indeed a matter of mutual benefit.

The Zhen family needed a big tree to rely on, and Yuan Xi needed the Zhen family's network of contacts in the business world.

Although this marriage was mixed with too many factors, which marriage in the world is completely pure?

Speaking of which, how do you define a so-called pure marriage?

Yuan Xi felt very satisfied, this was enough.

Madam Zhang welcomed Yuan Xi in, and the two sat opposite each other. Madam Zhang said: "I heard that you will be setting off for Qingzhou soon. War is dangerous. Is there anything the Zhen family can do?"

Yuan Xi thought for a moment and said: "What the Zhen family needs to do now is to open up maritime trade routes and build a fleet of ships first."

"For the time being, let's start with Bohai Commandery in Ji Province."

"To the north, if we conquer Gongsun Zan, Yu Yang, Youbeiping, Liaoxi, Liaodong, and Lelang commanderies in You Province will all have ports to operate."

"In the future, after taking Qingzhou, to the south will be Donglai Commandery. I have already discussed it with my eldest brother and secured the port."

"Further south is Xu Province. As long as these three places are connected, we can control the trade routes north of the Yangtze River."

This was Yuan Xi's plan. In the future, he would openly trade through the Zhen family's business routes, and secretly build warships, controlling the coastal commanderies, using the sea to control the land. This was the strategy he had come up with!

At that time, there was no Grand Canal, and land routes were often harassed by hostile forces, with too many variables, making transportation extremely difficult. Only by relying on sea routes could grain and troops be transported at the fastest speed and highest efficiency!

Madam Zhang pondered: "Ji Province is blocked by Qingzhou and Xu Province. There are many Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, and Xu Province has just stopped fighting. It is possible to pass through Langya State, but Xu Province has always been hostile to Ji Province. What if they detain our ships?"

Yuan Xi said: "Madam, don't worry, Xu Province will change hands in the next few months. At that time, the relationship between Xu Province and Ji Province should change."

He said this with evidence. Liu Bei liked to maintain the status quo and develop in the early stage, and after becoming the governor of Xu Province, he had been trying to improve relations with Yuan Shao.

Madam Zhang listened and replied: "Since you say so, young master, there must be a reason. I will do as you say."

Yuan Xi asked curiously: "Why do you trust me so much, madam?"

Madam Zhang was a little surprised: "Don't you know, young master, that your reputation has already spread in Ye City, and even in Ji Province?"

Yuan Xi had been dealing with locust plague affairs with Tian Feng these days and had not paid attention to the news in Ye City. He thought, could something have happened?

After Madam Zhang explained, Yuan Xi understood that his actions in You Province and Xu Province had suddenly spread among the gentry in Ye City.

Defeating the Southern Xiongnu and the White Horse Cavalry, repelling the Xu Province army, and rescuing Cao Cao's family were roughly correct.

But some of the rumors were very outrageous.

In the rumors, Yuan Xi was not only resourceful, but also charged into the enemy's formation alone during battles, killing the enemy's general and laying the foundation for victory!

There were even rumors that he fought against four generals of the Xu Province army alone, repelling and killing them all!

Someone gave him a nickname, Fierce Tiger!

Yuan Xi was stunned. Wasn't this too outrageous?

This was probably Yuan Tan's way of creating momentum for him through his subordinate gentry, but did he have to exaggerate so much?

No wonder Yuan Shang looked at him with such hostility these days. He deeply felt the threat.

Although this was a momentum-building strategy that had been discussed with Yuan Tan beforehand, Yuan Xi really wanted to say that he regretted it a little now, and he wanted to develop in a low-key way!

What if he was targeted on the battlefield in the future?

Thinking that he might be taken special care of by the enemy's generals on the battlefield in the future, Yuan Xi felt a chill down his spine.

This nickname was even more exaggerated. Who was so talented? Was he destined to be with tigers?

Hidden Tiger was not enough, so they came up with Fierce Tiger?

Forget it, he would go home and hug his little white tiger.

Speaking of which, Yuan Xi wanted Wu Zhao to restore her identity and give her a title, but Wu Zhao had always been unwilling, largely because she felt that she was bad luck to her husbands.

Once, she was cornered by him at night and said that she would not bring bad luck to Yuan Xi as long as she did not marry.

Yuan Xi couldn't explain to her that these were all nonsense, so he could only take it slowly.

Madam Zhang didn't know what thoughts were flashing through Yuan Xi's mind at this moment, and said to herself: "Your reputation is growing in Ye City now, and people praise you as a worthy son of a worthy father."

"But I'm worried that Yuan Shang will definitely not let it go."

"Calculating the time, the Yuan family should have sent the betrothal gifts to the Zhen family long ago, but until now, there is no news."

Yuan Xi knew that this was probably Madam Liu's doing behind the scenes, because all six rituals required the consent of the parents.

Especially the marriage certificate, Madam Liu had to sign it herself. If she dragged it on, there was really nothing he could do.

If it really didn't work, he would have to find a way to adopt an heir first. When Yuan Ji's branch was all dead, he would have the final say on marriages.

He said in a deep voice: "Let's wait until I come back to talk about this. I want to ask you this time, madam, I have temporarily taken the position of the governor of Zhuo Commandery. Would you like Zhen Yao to go with me?"

"But there are Gongsun Zan's soldiers everywhere in You Province, and I can't guarantee absolute safety."

Madam Zhang hesitated for a moment. The Zhen family's male descendants now, apart from the young children left by the two deceased sons, only Zhen Yao was an adult.

If something really happened, how could she face the deceased Zhen Yi?

Seeing Zhang Shi's hesitation, Yuan Xi understood that this was human nature, but it seemed that while Zhang Shi was quite insightful in business, she lacked decisiveness when it came to the family's future.

He was waiting patiently when he heard a cough from behind the screen by the side door, followed by a clear and beautiful voice.

"This concubine has something to say to Mother."

Zhang Shi hesitated slightly and said, "Mi'er, you may come out and meet him."

Yuan Xi thought, so Zhen Mi had been listening from the side all along.

In a short while, Zhen Mi, her pretty face slightly flushed, walked out slowly with her head lowered and bowed to Yuan Xi, saying, "Greetings, Young Master."

Today, she was wearing a scarlet jacket skirt, short at the top and long at the bottom, with narrow sleeves and wide sleeves. The swirling hem of the skirt trailed on the ground like a swallow's tail, accentuating her slender and graceful figure.

Yuan Xi thought that Zhen Mi really liked wearing red. He returned the greeting, saying, "Greetings, Young Lady."

Zhen Mi sat down behind Zhang Shi and said, "This concubine has some thoughts that I must express. I hope Mother will allow it."

Zhang Shi nodded and said, "Speak freely."

She explained to Yuan Xi with a wry smile, "It's embarrassing to say, but Mi'er has had many ideas about the Zhen family's affairs in recent years."

"It's only because the men of the Zhen family have died young that we can only temporarily rely on widows and orphaned daughters to manage the family. I am truly ashamed to our ancestors."

Yuan Xi nodded and said, "Women are not necessarily inferior to men. Madam is too modest."

Zhen Mi's eyes flashed with light when she heard this, and she said softly, "Thank you for your praise, Young Master."

Without hesitation, she said immediately, "In this concubine's opinion, Third Brother should leave as soon as possible, preferably within the next few days."

As soon as these words came out, Zhang Shi was surprised, while Yuan Xi raised his head.

Zhen Mi said bluntly, "Because Third Brother has become the Zhen family's and Young Master's weakness."

"Third Brother works under the Third Young Master and may be sent to more dangerous places at any time. He may also be used as a condition to coerce the Zhen family and Young Master into making concessions."

"Therefore, Third Brother's current situation is already holding back the Zhen family and Young Master, and he must leave as soon as possible."

"Otherwise, Third Brother is likely to become a victim of the two young masters' struggle."

"Mother, Young Master came here today to point out a clear path for Third Brother to leave this place of turmoil as soon as possible."

"Even if Youzhou is dangerous, at least he won't be stabbed in the back."

"If we miss this opportunity, and Young Master goes to Qingzhou to fight, there will be no one in Ye City to restrain the Third Young Master, and I'm afraid Third Brother will be in danger!"

Yuan Xi praised after listening, "Young Lady is intelligent. That's why I came here."

Zhang Shi was sweating profusely and bowed, saying, "This old woman is foolish and has only just woken up. I hope Young Master will save us."

Yuan Xi nodded and said, "Everyone is on the same boat now. The Zhen family's safety is closely related to my future foundation. I will never stand idly by."

"Since Madam agrees, I will issue a conscription order when I return, transferring Brother Zhen to Rongcheng County in Zhuo Commandery to be a county magistrate's assistant."

Zhen Mi also bowed and said, "In that case, we will rely on Young Master. The Zhen family will move north as soon as possible to stay away from Ye City."

Yuan Xi asked strangely, "Noble families usually hedge their bets, like Xun Chen in the Yuan clan and Xun Yu in Cao Cao's camp, each serving their own master, and everyone can accept it."

"Why is Young Lady placing such a heavy bet on me alone?"

Zhen Mi said softly, "That's true, but as the lord, you must feel uncomfortable in your heart, right?"

Yuan Xi thought that was right. Apart from Liu Bei and a few others, the families that hedged their bets didn't end up very well.

On the surface, the lord wants to be magnanimous and tolerant, but who knows what will happen in private.

He said in a deep voice, "I will not betray those who do not betray me."

Zhen Mi smiled when she heard this, "This concubine will definitely remember Young Master's words."

Zhen Mi's beauty was so dazzling that Yuan Xi felt a momentary trance.

A sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, in the prime of her youth, in the most beautiful and brilliant stage of her life, already had to consider the future of her family.

He wouldn't be pretentious and ask Zhen Mi if she was wronged by marrying him or anything like that.

Although he felt that he was an ordinary person, if Zhen Mi married him, he would definitely prove that it was the wisest choice.

He stood up and said, "If that's the case, I'll take my leave."

Zhang Shi said, "Mi'er, see the Young Master off."

The two walked side by side on the mansion road, with the maids following far behind.

Zhen Mi suddenly spun around in place, her skirt flying up like a lotus flower in the wind, "Young Master, please don't be offended. This is not in accordance with etiquette."

"Our family doesn't have many rules, and Mother spoils me. If you don't like it, I will meet you with proper etiquette next time."

Yuan Xi shook his head and smiled, "No, it's good this way."

"People are born between heaven and earth, and the pursuit of freedom is human nature. Why should you restrain yourself?"

Zhen Mi giggled, "A few days ago, I heard Young Master talk about the affairs of Youzhou, and this concubine really wants to see it with her own eyes."

Yuan Xi also smiled, "Youzhou is not as safe as Ji Province. Do you trust me that much?"

Zhen Mi tiptoed and hopped a few steps, turning her head and saying, "Young Master saved my elder sister and refused my proposal to be a concubine, not taking advantage of others' misfortunes. You are a gentleman."

Yuan Xi thought, no, I'm a beast, you just don't know it.

Zhen Mi opened her arms and spun around again, her wide sleeves fluttering in the wind, and the golden phoenix hairpin on her head seemed to be flying up, "This concubine has had enough of this deep mansion. If I marry Young Master, of course, I will follow Young Master wherever he goes."

Yuan Xi looked at Zhen Mi's radiant smile and thought, she really is a little girl who doesn't know the taste of sorrow.