Chapter 64: Becoming Relatives by Marriage

  In ancient times, when a woman got married, she had to go through many formalities.

  Especially for the daughters of wealthy families, the procedures are even more complicated and endless. From proposing to exchanging gifts and betrothal gifts, there are at least five steps in between. It takes at least a year to bring the bride home, and sometimes even two years.

  Luo Zheng obviously couldn't wait that long, let alone two years, even ten days were unbearable.

  No matchmaker was invited, and after returning to the mansion, they made some preparations. With a few close attendants, they went to the Minister of Works' residence, where Wang Yun changed his mind, which is commonly known as settling the marriage, and set the wedding date for the next day.

  Wang Yun disagreed, but Luo Zhenyi didn't care about his opinion.

  Dong Zhuo has already nodded in agreement, so even if it's a forced marriage, no one would dare say anything.

  Returned to the capital, and again sent out invitations overnight, inviting all the generals of Xiliang. As for making Lü Bu the leader of the provincial army and a high-ranking official in the imperial court, not one was invited, so as not to spread any rumors or provoke Dong Zhuo's suspicion.

  The next day, he took Xu Chu, Zhao Yun and dozens of close followers to the residence of Imperial Tutor to welcome his bride.

  Unexpectedly, when they arrived at the Sito Mansion, they were met with a closed door. The main gate of the mansion was tightly shut, and there was no sign of movement or noise.

  Luo Zheng's face sank, and he shouted: "Go, knock the door open."

  "Yes."

  Xu Chu responded with a sound and immediately ran over to call out at the gate.

  Bang! Bang! Bang!

  This ruffian didn't know what gentleness was, and with a loud slap, he slapped the large gate of the Situ Mansion. The three-inch-thick wooden door was slapped so loudly that it seemed to be shattered, and the crowd of attendants looked on in shock.

  Even Zhao Yun's face twitched with rage, thinking that Xu Chu was too unscrupulous.

  "Open the door!"

  Xu Chu pounded on the door with all his might while shouting loudly.

  He called out three times, but there was no response.

  Luo Zheng's face sank even further, this old guy Wang Yun really doesn't know how to behave!

  Xu Chu turned back and asked, "My lord, what shall we do?"

  Luo Zheng shouted: "Break the door."

  Xu Zhu immediately responded with a loud "Yes!", retreated ten or so steps, then suddenly charged forward like a fierce tiger descending a mountain. With a loud crash, he violently collided with the main gate of the Cui family's mansion, causing it to shatter into pieces.

  Amidst the cries of agony, two family servants hiding behind the door were knocked flying several feet away, their heads cracked and bleeding as they fainted.

  Luo Zheng waved his hand and led his attendants in a rush towards the backyard.

  The family members of the Si's residence came to block the way, but were stared at by Xu Zhu, and immediately became frightened, where did they dare to block this group of evil spirits? They retreated with their clubs, not daring to come forward.

  "How dare you trespass on my estate?"

  Wang Yun hastily ran over, severely scolding with a green face from anger.

  Luo Zheng said coldly, "Sir Situ is indeed very leisurely. Yesterday, it was agreed that today would be the wedding day for Hong Chang, but Sir Situ doesn't even have any betrothal gifts prepared, and there's not a hint of celebration in the manor. Why is that?"

  Wang Yun, in a rage, said: "As the current Minister of Works, I am a noble and dignified person. How can my daughter be married off in such a careless manner? If you do not follow the proper etiquette, will it not bring shame to us in front of the whole world? You go back now, wait until you have made up for the deficiencies in the betrothal gifts, and then we can discuss the marriage again."

  "General Luo laughed and said: 'This general's gift is just a little, can't even wait for a day.'"

  He waved his hand heavily and said, "Xu Chu, go and help Miss get dressed, then immediately come out of the house to see her off."

  Xu Chu responded with a sound and immediately led several maids and guards to rush to the backyard.

  Wang Yun was unable to stop him, his face turned iron-gray and his whole body trembled with rage.

  A dozen or so burly men from the household, armed with knives, rushed over to capture Luo Zheng. Zhao Yun's eyes gleamed like lightning as he drew his sword and charged forward like a hunting leopard, taking down more than half of the dozen or so household guards in just three or five moves.

  So fast, so neat and efficient, that the slightly slower family members were stunned, and didn't dare to move again.

  Several bodyguards were dazzled and couldn't help but cheer loudly.

  Xu Chu was fiercely overbearing, his aura intimidating, and his attacks were like Mount Tai crushing the top, leaving others unable to resist.

  Zhoa Yun may not be as overbearing and tyrannical as Xu Chu, but his momentum is in no way inferior. His moves are swift as lightning, with a few more touches of elegance and sharpness, making one's eyes widen with delight. When fighting him, there isn't even time to counterattack.

  Waited for about half an hour.

  In the midst of the tinkling sound of jade pendants, several robust women half-supported Diao Chan as they came out from the backyard.

  Diao Chan had already changed into a large red wedding dress, and her head was also covered with a large red veil, all of which were prepared by Luo Zhen.

  When I came to welcome you, I had already expected such a situation, how could I not be prepared.

  Luo Zhen waved his hand, and Xu Chu immediately led several attendants and maids out of the courtyard, carrying Diao Chan onto a horse-drawn carriage.

  Wang Yun saw that he could not stop him and fiercely swung his sleeve, his face iron-green as he returned to the inner courtyard.

  Lu Zheng didn't bother with him and led the welcoming team back to the mansion with a proud and arrogant attitude.

  When they arrived at the mansion, the Luo's residence was already filled with guests.

  Li Ru, Guo Si, Fan Chou, Zhang Ji, Duan Yi and dozens of other high-ranking generals of the Western Liang army gathered together, engaged in lively discussions. Except for Military Advisor Li Ru, the rest of them had no grudges against each other, and they also wanted to win over Luo Zheng, so everyone who could come did.

  Even Xu Rong and several other generals from the Northern Army came.

  As for Li Ru, Li Jue and Niu Fu, Luo Xian naturally also posted a request.

  After all, I don't want to lose face with these people yet, so I have to maintain a good image.

  Luo Zhengyuan thought Li Ru would probably not come, but unexpectedly Li Ru actually came.

  Niú Fǔ and Lǐ Jié did not come as expected.

  While relying on his foster parents Dong Zhuo for food and clothing, it was natural that he would be the first one to send a gift.

  Dong Zhuo didn't come, but instead sent a thick gift through someone else.

  Fireworks are booming in the sky, and firecrackers are crackling one after another, what a lively scene.

  Li Meng and Wang Fang, among other generals, were busy preparing for the arrival of the Western Liang army's many generals.

  Luo Zhenming had Diao Chan escorted into the backyard, and immediately made a bow to greet the guests, with all the formalities being properly observed.

  Guo Zhan burst out laughing and said: "I've heard that Wang Situ's daughter is a national beauty, why does Ping need to hurry up and hide her in a golden house? Why not let the bride lift her veil and let me take a look at Wang Situ's daughter's beautiful face, wouldn't that be better?"

  "This is absolutely right!"

  The Western Liang generals all voiced their agreement and cheered loudly.

  Luo Zheng smiled and said, "The little girl is afraid to meet strangers. Today there are many people, so she doesn't dare to show her face. Another day I will invite everyone to a private banquet to see the little girl's beauty again, but for now, let's just forget it, hehehe!"

  "This is also too much!"

  Kuang Ze and others loudly jeered and cursed, but he didn't take it to heart.

  Luo Zheng gave a signal with his eyes, and the maids immediately helped Diao Chan, who was covered with a red veil, into the inner courtyard.

  The noisy guests who came for the banquet gradually dispersed after a long time.

  Lu Zheng's busy head was sweating profusely, and it wasn't until now that he secretly let out a sigh of relief. After rewarding his attendants, he returned to the inner courtyard.

  Lü Fu

  "Hey!"

  Lü Bu slapped his palm heavily on the table, his face extremely displeased.

  Bu Cheng said to Lü Bu: "General, I heard that Li Ru, Guo Si, Fan Chou and Zhang Ji have all gone to Lu's residence for a banquet. This rascal Lu has invited all the generals who command troops, but not you - this is really an insult."

  Lü Bu's face sank as he said: "Have all the generals who were invited gone?"

  Cheng Lian replied: "Niu Fu and Li Jue, along with about half of the generals, did not go."

  Lü Bu sneered, "Niu Fu must suspect that Niu Jin was killed by Luo Zhen's son. A few days ago, when discussing merits and rewards, Niu Fu had proposed a thorough investigation into this matter, and Li Jue also agreed. Since these two didn't go, naturally the officers of their faction wouldn't go either. Ha! Luo Zhen's son thinks that having achieved some merit, he can rest easy, but Niu Fu and Li Jue won't let him off."

  Cheng Lian said in a low voice: "General, Luo Zheng doesn't take you seriously. Do we want to..."

  Lü Bu slapped the table again, coldly laughing: "This beardless kid thinks that just because he's achieved some merit, he can ignore General Lü. If there's an opportunity, General Lü will naturally make him take a good look. However, before we get to deal with him, Cao Hong and Li Jue have already regarded him as a thorn in their eyes, a stab in the flesh, they'll definitely think of ways to get rid of this beardless kid."

  Cheng Lian said: "Do we want to add fuel to the fire?"

  Lü Bu thought for a moment and said, "What's a good way?"

  Cheng Lian said: "General, why don't you send someone to spread rumors in Luoyang City that Niu Jin was killed by Luo Zhen's little son?"

  "Not bad, this plan is feasible."

  Lü Bu's eyes lit up at this moment, and he secretly thought that this plan was indeed vicious enough.

  Cheng Lian is not good at fighting, but occasionally he can come up with some clever and cunning plans.

  Lü Bu smiled and said, "Niu Fu and Li Jue originally wanted to make things difficult for Luo Zheng's child. If this rumor spreads, regardless of whether Niu Jin was killed by Luo Zheng's child or not, Niu Fu will definitely not be able to bear the shame and will find a way to get rid of Luo Zheng."

  "The general's words are extremely correct. As long as Niu Fu and Li Jue deal with Luo Zheng, the Western Liang army will be in internal chaos. In this way, my Pingzhou army will naturally sit back and watch the tiger fight, the more fiercely they fight, the more beneficial it will be for the general!"

  Cheng Lian nodded repeatedly, and couldn't help but feel secretly pleased with himself.