The Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Tan, intercepted Guo Jia's...

Chapter 80 Marriage Alliance

The study of the governor's mansion in Linzi, Qingzhou.

Xin Ping was led into the study. Without exchanging pleasantries, he presented Yuan Tan with Yuan Shao's official warrant, a slight smile on his face.

"Congratulations, my lord! Upon hearing your plea, the Grand General has forgiven all past grievances, decreed that the wedding proceed as planned, and entrusted you to hold a grand and magnificent ceremony to demonstrate the Yuan family's favor!"

Yuan Tan took the silk scroll, read it carefully, and a smile appeared on his lips.

He looked at Zhen Yao, who was standing to the side, handed him the warrant, and smiled:

"Father-in-law, it seems the rumors in Ye City have had a good effect. My third brother has probably lost more than he gained this time."

Zhen Yao quickly finished reading it, and was both surprised and delighted.

What was astonishing was that Yuan Tan's methods were so ruthless that he was actually able to reverse Yuan Shao's decision;

The good news is that this marriage, which the family has invested heavily in, has finally come to fruition, and the bond between the Zhen family and the governor of Qingzhou will be even stronger.

He quickly bowed:

"All thanks to your wisdom, my lord! You have turned the tide! The entire Zhen family of Yao Dynasty thanks you!"

Why has this old scoundrel become so respectful?

What happened to your rebellious nature back then?

Why is it that nowadays, when they see their son-in-law, they almost want to kneel down?

Don't you know that if an elder kneels before a junior, the elder will have their lifespan shortened?

"Father-in-law, you're really flattering me."

Yuan Tan was so frightened that he quickly helped him up:

"Although the marriage is settled, things can change in the long run. Yuan Shang, having suffered this setback, will surely be unwilling to give up and may cause further trouble. To avoid any unforeseen complications, I have made up my mind: the wedding should be simple and swiftly arranged, with a one-month timeframe for immediate preparations! What do you think, Father-in-law?"

After a moment's thought, Zhen Yao understood Yuan Tan's deeper meaning.

This is a swift and decisive move, both to completely bind the Zhen family to the state and to demonstrate to the world the stability of Qingzhou.

He immediately replied, "Your Majesty's concerns are absolutely correct! I will cooperate fully and ensure that my daughter arrives in Linzi in her finest attire within a month!"

"Excellent!" Yuan Tan clapped his hands. "Zijing will oversee all domestic affairs, Chen Qun will be in charge of the ceremonies, and Junyi will handle security. Zhongzhi, you've had a hard journey. With this letter in hand, proceed with the formal wedding procession!"

A month later, the city of Linzi was deserted as everyone flocked to the city.

The grand wedding ceremony of Yuan Tan, the Governor of Qingzhou and General of the Former, was held as scheduled. The entire city of Linzi was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the sound of gongs and drums filled the air, creating a festive atmosphere.

Dressed in a bright red auspicious robe, Yuan Tan was full of vigor and composure amidst the crowds of guests and their congratulations. He toasted and laughed, displaying the demeanor of a powerful ruler.

The banquet lasted from noon until late at night. Yuan Tan accepted all the guests' invitations and drank countless cups of wine until he was completely drunk. Yan Liang and Zhang He then helped him back to the inner hall with smiles on their faces.

Inside the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly.

Zhen Mi, adorned in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, with a bright red veil on her head, sat gracefully on the edge of the bed.

Yuan Tan glanced at her briefly before impatiently dismissing the servants, then looked at the graceful figure before the bed with hazy, drunken eyes.

With a hearty laugh, the mother staggered forward, disregarding etiquette, and directly lifted the large red veil with her hands.

A face of unparalleled beauty was revealed before my eyes.

Her features were exquisite, and her skin was as white as snow.

Her large, bright eyes were as beautiful as black gemstones.

A faint, delicate fragrance wafted through the air, constantly tantalizing Yuan Tan's sense of smell and drawing him deeper into its allure.

No wonder Cao Pi and Cao Cao, who were used to seeing beautiful women, both wanted to force Zhen Mi to become their concubine.

This person possesses a noble air, melancholic eyes, and perfect looks.

The two stared at each other blankly for what seemed like an eternity.

Zhen Mi then broke the silence:

"Doesn't it make her look bad when you stare at her like that?"

"You are the most beautiful fairy, how could this be..."

Yuan Tan's Adam's apple bobbed, and suddenly he felt another surge of alcohol, making him dizzy and lightheaded. He collapsed into Zhen Mi's arms and fell into a deep sleep.

When he woke up again, he found that he had been tied up by Zhen Mi.

Yuan Tan: "..."

"My wife, why are you doing this?"

"I know nothing about matters of the bedroom, so I asked the matron in the house before I married into this family."

"...May I ask, madam, where is this old woman from?"

"I heard it was from Japan. My father's ship went there to do business back then..."

Yuan Tan could no longer hear what was said after that.

Just then, the whip fell.

Yuan Tan immediately let out a pig-like scream!

Damn it! Japan, huh?! I'll definitely destroy you!

……

Xu Du, the Prime Minister's Residence

Cao Cao listened to the scout's report with a gloomy expression.

Several months have passed since Cheng Yu went to Qingzhou to "borrow grain" and investigate the situation, but there has been no news of him at all!

The spies sent to Qingzhou only brought back the vague message that "Mr. Cheng seems to have left Linzi," and then disappeared without a trace.

"Qingzhou... Yuan Xiansi..."

Cao Cao tapped his knuckles on the table, his eyes flashing with cold light.

Cheng Yu was his trusted and important minister, so his disappearance was no small matter.

If Yuan Tan hadn't secretly harmed him, he would have been placed under house arrest or even detained!

Has Yuan Tan really lost his mind, daring to detain my envoy?

"After Cheng Zhongde left Linzi, where did he go, and where did he completely disappear without a trace?"

The scout hesitated for a moment, then said:

"We searched all over Qingzhou and finally found out that after Mr. Cheng Yu left Linzi City, he went south and then disappeared completely in Xuzhou."

"Lü Bu?"

Cao Cao was taken aback upon hearing this. If it were Lü Bu, then perhaps that was indeed a possibility.

After all, they are fickle and dared to detain even the imperial seal.

"Go to Xuzhou immediately to gather intelligence; you must obtain detailed information!"

"promise!"

Just as Cao Cao was getting impatient, another scout brought new news:

"Reporting to the Prime Minister! Urgent report from Qingzhou spies! Yuan Tan, citing Lü Bu's alleged concealment of the Imperial Seal and treasonous plots, has deployed troops at Langya, forming a stalemate with Lü Bu's army stationed at Xiaopei! There have already been skirmishes between the scouts of both sides, and a major battle seems imminent!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao was first taken aback, then clapped his hands and laughed:

"Excellent! What a perfect match of two tigers vying for food! Yuan Tan, that brat, and Lü Bu, that ferocious tiger, have finally met! This is a godsend!"

He naturally wouldn't get involved in such a situation.

After all, nobody is a fool, and nobody wants to be the one who gets all the credit.

If we step in now, wouldn't that just let Yuan Tan get the advantage for nothing?

Since that's the case, we might as well go and deal with the other restless feudal lords.

He immediately suppressed his doubts about Cheng Yu's disappearance and excitedly walked to the map.

"My lord," Xun Yu said with slight worry, "about Cheng Zhongde..."

"Wenruo, there's no need to worry."

Cao Cao interrupted him and laughed.

"Scouts will go to explore. The most important task at present is to take advantage of this opportunity to expand our territory! In the struggle between Yuan and Lü, no matter who wins or loses, both sides will be severely damaged and will be unable to look south in the short term."

Our army should now advance westward to capture Zhang Xiu, pacify Nanyang, eliminate potential threats on our flanks, and consolidate our foundation!

Xun Yu remained silent upon hearing this.

Despite Cheng Yu's many clever schemes, he was ultimately just a scholar.

These people, stranded in Qingzhou and all alone, are likely in grave danger.

But Cao Cao was in high spirits at the moment, and he couldn't offer any more advice, so he could only sigh.

Cao Cao then resolutely gave the order:

"Send the order! Prepare the troops and march westward to Wancheng at the appointed time!"

(Continuing with 10,000 words a day, begging for your support, brothers!)