Chapter Thirty-One: Forced Marriage

  The following is:

  Here is the translation:

  "For you, I provide the main text of 'The Legend of Wu Sheng: The Story of Yue Fei', please enjoy! Last time, it was said that Yue Fei had Li Xianzhu arrange the arrow shields in a formation 350 steps long, and the whole scene erupted in shock."

  Yue Fei ignored the comments of others and walked into a corner of the martial arts hall, where a bed crossbow was placed. In Qilin Village, Yue Fei had already become very familiar with the bed crossbow, and in just a few moves, he disassembled the giant bow from it. He then asked a nearby official for three long arrows specifically designed for the bed crossbow, and carried the bow and arrows to the shooting line.

  Everyone was puzzled, what kind of trick was Yue Fei playing? Not to mention that the giant bow of the bed crossbow usually requires five to seven people to pull it, even if you can pull it, your hands are not long enough, right?

  Yue Fei signaled to the drummer, who beat a slow roll three times. Then he stood up straight, with his long arrow held horizontally in his mouth, his left foot planted firmly on the ground, and his right foot propping up the bow, pointing directly at the target. With a grunt, he drew the massive bow into a full moon shape.

  Your Honor, there is an arrow in Yue Fei's mouth, so he can only make "hmm" sounds.

  The drumming soldiers saw Yue Fei's momentum and immediately became excited, using all their strength to beat the big drum.

  A dull thud of a drumbeat, like a sudden clap of thunder on the ground, made everyone's heart skip a beat, and they hastily covered their ears.

  A long arrow shot out with the thunder, as fast as lightning, and in one shot, it pierced a large hole in the middle of the arrow wall. The arrow wall could not withstand the force and fell down with the wind.

  The whole field was quiet for a moment, and then the applause thundered. It was too powerful! Not only did the onlookers cheer in unison, but also the martial arts students from various towns and villages were stunned!

  Yue Fei originally wanted to shoot three arrows in a row, but the arrow rack was not strong enough, and one arrow scattered them all, so he had to return to the martial arts hall to report.

  County Magistrate Li was overjoyed and returned to the county government office with Zhou Cong and others, leaving behind Shi Ye and Du Tou to continue the examination.

  Back at the county government office, County Magistrate Li still insisted on letting Zhou Dang take the seat of honor, while the others sat according to guest and host.

  After offering tea, Madame Li asked Zhou Cong: "How old is your young apprentice? Has he gotten married yet?"

  Zhou Tongdao said: "At the age of 28, I have not yet settled down. However, Fei'er seems to have already found her Mr. Right."

  Li County Master said: "This is no problem. I have a daughter, who is just coming of age, born with a gentle and elegant appearance, and she knows books and etiquette. Last month, I helped her cast a divination to ask about marriage, and the divination signified today. I think they are a match made in heaven. Since ancient times, marriages have been arranged by parents' orders and matchmakers' words. Mr. Zhou can help Fei'er make the decision."

  Your Honor, look at this County Master Li, before Zhou Tong has even agreed, he's already acting like a father-in-law.

  Zhou Tong pushed the way: "Fei'er still has his mother in the hall, this matter must be asked by his mother before it can be done."

  County Master Li smiled and said: "This is where the ritual lies, it's only proper. In a few days I'll personally go to Qilin Village to pay my respects and bring along Xiaoxiao's engagement letter."

  Zhou Tong saw Li Xianzong coming aggressively, and he didn't like it in his heart. He replied: "I've learned from you."

  Then he bid farewell to Li Chun, and together with Yue Fei and others, they left the government office, and all went out of the city back to their village.

  County Master Li looked at Zhou Tong's background and sneered, thinking: "A martial artist is indeed a martial artist, so reckless. How do you know my trump card? This Yue Fei is quite impressive, he will definitely become a great talent in the future, I want to make him my son-in-law."

  ………。

  Zhou Tong and his entourage returned to Qilin Village that day. Wang, Tang, and Zhang, the three officials, immediately ordered a grand feast to be set up, inviting fellow villagers to celebrate the excellent results of several young men in the martial arts examination.

  After the banquet, Zhou Tong went to Yue Anren's small courtyard to visit Anren.

  Yue Fei led Zhou Tong into the living room, where Yue An had been waiting for a long time.

  Zhou Tong looked at Madame Yue, whose hair was half white and face pale. It turned out that in recent years, due to Yue Fei learning from Zhou Tong, he had rarely accompanied his mother. Madame Yue lived alone, feeling isolated and lonely, missing the life with Emperor Huizong and the palace even more. Her body was getting worse and worse, although Mr. Zhou sent medicine, it only treated the symptoms but not the root cause.

  Zhou Tan let out a long sigh and then brought up with Yue Anren the engagement agreement between Li Xianjun.

  Yue An asked Yue Fei about his own wishes.

  Yue Fei took the opportunity to tell An Ren that he had already privately settled his lifelong marriage with Nie's daughter, and planned to get married after passing the military examination.

  Yue Anren was extremely loving towards his son and said: "In that case, the county master can't force him, he comes to our door, I'll politely decline."

  Yue Fei hastily thanked his mother for her understanding.

  Three days later, County Master Li Chun indeed brought a group of people to visit Yue Anren.

  Li Chun is a government official, and the village elders of Qilin Village also came over to join in the excitement.

  After the most polite and courteous exchange, Li Chun brought up the matter of their children's engagement with Yue Anren. As expected by Li Chun, Anren politely declined. Li Chun then asked everyone else to leave, wanting to have a private conversation with Yue Anren.

  Zhou Tong became angry and said: "Sir, with so few people in Yue An's residence, isn't this going too far?"

  Li Chun didn't get annoyed and replied, "I do have confidential matters to discuss with Yue Anren. If Mr. Zhou is not at ease, he can stay behind. The rest of you, please leave immediately."

  After all, he was the master of the county. As soon as Li Chun's voice fell, everyone else left. The only ones left in the house were Yue Anren, Mr. Zhou and Li Chun, three people.

  Li Chunjian suddenly appeared in front of Yue Anren, bowed his head and said: "Princess Yao, I wish you a thousand years, I came to visit late, please don't blame me."

  Yue An's face changed as if struck by a thunderbolt on a clear day, and he lost his composure. Meanwhile, Zhou Teng stood aside, calmly observing with a murderous intent revealed on his face.

  "Your Majesty, I was originally a book boy for Master Zhongyuan's sect. When Master Wang Chongyang came to escort the emperor, it was also me who went to deliver the message. In that case, I can be considered as having made contributions to the escort."

  Yue Anren and Zhou Cong saw that they were the parties involved, and let out a sigh of relief.

  Li Chun continued: "The Grand Preceptor Cai Jing had suspicions about the events of that year, but thanks to the efforts of Master Zhong Shi, everything was settled. This time when the imperial court sent troops to attack Liao, Master Zhong followed the army on the expedition. Before departing, he told his subordinate officials that this expedition would be a matter of life and death. He then gave up his position as county magistrate to his subordinate. Firstly, it could take care of the princess, and secondly, it could also provide an opportunity for his subordinate."

  Yue Anren had Zhou Tong help Li Chun up, saying: "A phoenix in distress is not as good as a chicken. Now that our family has fallen on hard times, your family doesn't have to follow the imperial court's rules either."

  Li Chun was very quick-witted and stood up to reply: "In this humble official's heart, Your Majesty will always be Your Majesty."

  Yue An smiled wryly and replied, "In that case, what about our marriage?"

  Li Chun's face was serious as he said: "Your Highness, this marriage is actually also for the good of the prince."

  Yue Anren hastily asked what was going on.

  Li Chun explained: "In terms of martial arts, I am not even one ten-thousandth as good as Mr. Zhou; but in terms of being an official and the various rules and regulations of the officialdom, including personal connections, etc., I far surpass Mr. Zhou. In the future, when the prince grows up, whether he wants to return to the emperor's side or inherit the throne, I can assist the prince, pave the way for him, and make things easy for him. If we form an alliance through marriage, my actions will be justified. Moreover, I have divined a hexagram, and it is clear that my daughter and the prince are destined to be together, a match made in heaven."

  After finishing speaking, Li Chun handed over his daughter's engagement letter to Yue Anren.

  As for how Yue Fei's marriage unfolded, it will be explained next time.