Chapter Nineteenth: Betrothal

  After more than ten days, Cai Yong's arrival temporarily ended Ao Lie's miserable cultivation life. This time, Cai Yong came at the invitation of Liu Yu to discuss the engagement between Ao Lie and Cai Yan.

  Wang Ao's old ancestor was also delighted in his heart, and naturally he would not force Ao Lie to practice his skills again. This also allowed Ao Lie to have time to get together with Cai Yan again.

  The county governor's office, Liu Yu sat in the main seat, Wang Jiao Laozu sat in the first position on the left hand side, Cai Yong sat in the first position on the right hand side. Liu Yu raised his wine cup and said: "Boji has come from afar, carriages and horses are tired, drink this cup full, temporarily as a welcome."

  Cai Yong said, "Bo An, don't be in a hurry to drink wine. This time I came with an imperial edict from the Emperor. Let Lü Bu and Zhang Liao come up to the main hall."

  Liu Yu suddenly understood, more than ten days ago, he had submitted a memorial to the imperial court, reporting the meritorious service of these three men, and now it should be time for their reward. He immediately sent someone to summon the three to the main hall.

  After a while, the three men walked into the main hall. Cai Yong first looked at Ao Lie and saw that he had grown much taller and more robust, and was delighted in his heart. Turning to look at Lü Bu, he saw that Lü Bu was handsome and majestic, with a heroic air about him; looking at Zhang Liao, his face was like purple jade, his eyes like bright stars. Just by looking at their appearance, one could see that these three men were extraordinary, not a single one of them was mediocre.

  Cai Yong stood up and walked to the center of the hall, reading aloud: "The Imperial Edict of Emperor Ling of Han states: The Xiongnu have repeatedly invaded our borders, their crimes are heinous. Colonel Yue Lie, who led his troops with valor, is rewarded for his bravery in defeating the Xiongnu cavalry, and is specially promoted to the rank of Zhongliu General; Lü Bu, a commoner, is skilled in battle and is appointed as Fēngwèi Colonel, ordered to report to the Governor of Pingzhou within three months. Zhang Liao, who has demonstrated his military prowess, is appointed as Yueqi Colonel, serving under the command of Zhongliu General. Let this be known!"

  The three men knelt down on the ground and said in unison: "Your subjects have received your orders and thank you for your kindness!"

  After finishing the imperial edict, Cai Yong handed the emperor's edict to Ao Lie and said with a smile: "My nephew is only ten years old and has been appointed as Weiyuan General, which is an unprecedented event in history. From now on, my nephew and the two generals Lu and Zhang must work even harder." The three nodded in agreement.

  Smiling and nodding, Cai Yong turned to face Liu Yu, and said with a smile: "Brother Bo'an, there is another imperial edict for you, please accept it." Liu Yu was taken aback upon hearing this, then immediately got up and walked down to the hall, kneeling on the ground. Cai Yong took out the second imperial edict and read it aloud: "The Han Emperor's Edict states: The Governor of Jiuyuan, Liu Yu, has been diligent in governing the people, with outstanding achievements. Furthermore, during this campaign against the Xiongnu, he demonstrated excellent command, beheading ten thousand elite Xiongnu soldiers. Liu Yu is hereby promoted to the position of Governor of Youzhou and appointed as the General of Suibian, to take office within a month."

  Liu Yu took over the imperial edict with both hands and said: "Your subject Liu Yu has received the order and thanks for your grace!"

  Then, everyone sat down again and started drinking happily. At the banquet, Liu Yu said to Cai Yong: "Brother Boji, don't you think that Lie'er and Yan'er's marriage should be settled on this occasion?" Cai Yong stroked his beard and smiled: "Good, good, good! Let Brother Bo'an arrange for someone to choose a auspicious day, and let's settle their engagement before you leave for your post."

  Ao Lie listened to the conversation between the two, feeling very happy in his heart, but was unable to interrupt, although he was itching to speak, he didn't dare to say anything rashly. Lü Bu and Zhang Liao saw Ao Lie's expression and knew what he was thinking, having spent a lot of time with him. They exchanged a glance and burst out laughing simultaneously. Ao Lie's face turned red as the two laughed loudly, and he quickly lowered his head in embarrassment.

  Three days later, the county government welcomed a big happy event, which was the engagement ceremony of Er Gongzi Ao Lie and Cai Yan. The entire county government was filled with joyful red decorations, with red silk canopies and lanterns visible everywhere.

  In the grand hall, Ao Lie wore a black robe with red trim, looking even more majestic and handsome. Cai Yan also wore a light red robe, which set off her stunning beauty that had captivated everyone at first sight. The two stood side by side in front of Liu Yu and his wife, as well as Cai Yong. Ao Lie took a step forward, picked up a cup of fragrant tea with both hands, and presented it to Cai Yong: "Father-in-law, please have some tea." Cai Yong smiled and said: "Good, good, good." Next, Cai Yan also picked up a cup of fragrant tea and handed it to Liu Yu, saying shyly: "Father, please have some tea." Liu Yu laughed loudly for a few moments before taking the tea. Cai Yan then took another cup of fragrant tea and handed it to Ao's wife, her shyness somewhat gone from her tone: "Mother, please have some tea." After all, Cai Yan had gotten along well with Ao's wife in private over the past few days, and had already started calling her "mother" in private. Ao's wife smiled as she took the tea, praising: "Yan is so clever, you look beautiful today." Her words made Cai Yan's face turn even redder with shyness.

  Next, the two exchanged betrothal gifts. Ao Lie took out a rare, crimson warm jade pendant carved with a giant dragon and gave it to Cai Yan. This jade pendant was made by Ao Lie's maternal grandfather, Ao Lao Zhang, based on an auspicious sign in the sky at the time of Ao Lie's birth. Ao Lao Zhang had gone to Jiangdong for business and couldn't rush back in time, so he didn't attend Ao Lie's betrothal ceremony. Cai Yan then took out a golden hairpin with a landscape of high mountains and flowing water engraved on it. After exchanging their betrothal gifts, the engagement ceremony was considered complete. When Ao Lie turned sixteen, he could marry Cai Yan. This was what Cai Yong and Liu Yu had agreed upon initially.

  After the engagement ceremony, another day passed and Cai Yong took his leave. In fact, he wanted to stay a few more days, but Emperor Ling's edict clearly stated that Liu Yu had to go to Youzhou within a month to take office. Now, because of the engagement between Ao Lie and Cai Yan, nearly ten days had been delayed, and Cai Yong naturally could not delay Liu Yu's time. Moreover, according to the laws of the Great Han, as the envoy who issued the edict, after delivering the edict, he should return to the court as soon as possible to report back.

  At the moment of parting, the most unbearable were undoubtedly Ao Lie and Cai Yan, who had just gotten engaged. The two stood facing each other, hand in hand, speechless for a long time, neither of them daring to say goodbye first.

  Finally, Cai Yong let out a sigh and said to the two who were reluctant to part: "Alright, Lie'er, you should go back and help your father pack up, your father's departure day is not far away." Liu Yu nodded in agreement on the side: "That's right, Lie'er, Yan'er, you are already engaged, what's the worry about not seeing each other again? Boji brother also needs to return to court to report back, mustn't delay Boji brother's journey."

  Upon hearing the advice of his father-in-law and father, Ao Lie forced out a smile that was almost as sad as crying: "Yan'er, you should go back to Luoyang with your father now." Cai Yan's eyes suddenly dropped two teardrops like pearls, and she sobbed softly: "I'll wait for you, come find me in Luoyang." Ao Lie nodded vigorously and said: "Don't worry, I will definitely come find you, Yan'er. If our love is long-lasting, what does it matter if we are apart morning and night?" Cai Yan murmured repeatedly: "If our love is long-lasting, what does it matter if we are apart morning and night... Then I'll wait for my husband to come meet me in Luoyang." After finishing speaking, she suppressed the reluctance in her heart and turned to board the carriage.

  When Cai Yan got on the carriage, Liu Yu smiled and said to Cai Yong: "Brother Boji, have a smooth journey, and also take care of someone's daughter-in-law." Cai Yong shook his head and laughed: "You rascal, it's more proper for you to take care of my brother-in-law!" After that, the two of them burst out laughing.

  The atmosphere of farewell was greatly alleviated by the two, Ao Lie walked to the front of the carriage, bowed to Cai Yong: "Father-in-law, have a safe journey." Cai Yong patted Ao Lie's shoulder with his hand and didn't say anything else, turned around and got on the carriage.

  In the midst of the sound of horse hooves, Cai Yong's father and daughter's carriage finally went far away. Although Ao Lie's heart was hard to let go, although Cai Yan kept turning back on the carriage, they couldn't stop the wheels from moving forward.

  Just as Ao Lie was still staring blankly at the figure that had already disappeared from view, a thick voice suddenly sounded in his ear: "Everyone has left, what are you looking at? Take advantage of the few days to go to Youzhou and hurry up to practice for me. Make up for the losses of these few days." Ao Lie heard this and immediately looked bitter, laboriously turning his head to look at Wang Ao Laozu who had appeared beside him at some unknown time, and said with a wry smile: "Master, do you have to be so cruel?"

  Wang Ao's face sank, and he said in a deep voice: "What? Do I need to personally take action to drive you to practice?" Ao Lie hastily shook his head and said: "No need, no need, the disciple will go now, immediately go." It's a joke to let Wang Ao take action, isn't that looking for trouble? So, Ao Lie very obediently walked towards the small courtyard where he usually practiced.

  Here is the translation:

  Next, it was another day of suffering. Wang Ao brought Ao Lie to repeat his daily homework, which made Ao Lie complain every day, but he never said a word of complaint. His past experience in practicing martial arts told him that only by enduring the bitterest bitterness could one become a superior person. Martial arts have no end, so all Ao Lie could do was grit his teeth and struggle forward on this difficult road, again and again.

  Time flies quickly, and in the blink of an eye, three days have passed. On this day, Liu Yu decided to go to Youzhou to take office, without bringing any troops, only bringing his whole family, including Shuang'er and Wang Jue following him. The group set off quietly at dawn, it has to be said that Liu Yu is a qualified governor, he didn't want to hold a grand farewell ceremony that would waste people's money, so they set off quietly.

  But when they arrived at the city gate, they found that a large number of officers and civilians were already standing at the gate, quietly waiting for Liu Yu and others. Standing in front of the farewell crowd was Lu Bu, the current Colonel of the Elite Cavalry. After seeing Liu Yu and others approaching, he walked to the front of Liu Yu's carriage, bowed his head and saluted: "Reporting to the Governor, I am Lu Bu, leading the army and civilians to bid farewell to the Governor!" After finishing speaking, he didn't forget to glance at Ao Lie with the corner of his eye.

  Ao Lie dismounted and walked to Lü Bu's front, feeling a mix of emotions. After more than two years together, Ao Lie and Lü Bu's bond was no less deep than the later-to-be-famous Liu, Guan, Zhang three brothers' fraternal affection. The two brothers had practiced martial arts together, gone into battle together, destroyed the Xiongnu people's invasions together, and on the battlefield, they had given their backs to each other, shouting oaths of living and dying together. Memories of past events flooded back into their minds.

  Reaching out, they grasped each other's arms tightly, both having a lot to say to each other. But as the words reached their lips, they couldn't utter a single one. A thousand words, all melted into the tight clasp of the two brothers.

  "See off Governor Liu!"

  "Director Liu must remember us folks from the countryside!"

  "Governor Liu, during your term in office, we ordinary people have lived a good life, thank you!"

  "In the future, I will definitely let my child grow up and go to Youzhou to join the army, following the governor!"

  The common people shouted in unison, but amidst the seemingly chaotic shouts, they were all filled with gratitude towards Liu Yu. The common people of this era did not care who the emperor was; what they cared about was being able to dress warmly and eat their fill, whoever could bring them such good days was their hero!

  As the people's cries rose, under Liu Yu's rule, the Jiu Yuan elite soldiers, known for their strict military discipline, knelt down in unison without any orders, their faces filled with reluctance. These elite soldiers were all trained by Liu Yu himself, and although his expertise lay in governance, his open-mindedness and broad vision had deeply moved these proud warriors at all times. Someone began to hum a tune: "Thin horses, western expedition, thin words, returning home, chariots rumbling, spring days lingering..." Then thousands of soldiers followed suit, humming: "Having met the gentleman, now I come to think..."

  Liu Yu sat upright on the horseback, tears streaming down his face as he softly chanted: "The Emperor's order is for me to go and build a city in Fang, The king's orders are hard to bear, the king's affairs are many and difficult..."

  Finally, everyone followed and chanted: "The barbarians are in the wild, snow and rain are heavy, the culprit is caught, it's all from the Son of Heaven!"

  After finishing the poem, Liu Yu dismounted his horse and said to the surrounding civilians and kneeling soldiers: "Yu has been respected and cherished by all of you, it is enough for me to die!"

  Thousands of soldiers heard this and couldn't help but shed hot tears, crying out in grief: "Farewell, Governor!"

  "The King of Northern Han in the Three Kingdoms" latest chapter is released by Yunqi Book House, the fastest and most popular online release site! (This site provides: traditional pagination, waterfall two modes, can be selected in settings)