Chapter 6, Dragon City Flying General

  On the way back to Xu Wujun, Zu Zhao led his troops through the place where Lu Wei and others were ambushed, giving them some time to collect their remaining luggage and re-hitch the captured Hu horses to the carts, allowing more people to rest. After continuing on the road, he also sent Zu Ji to hurry to the depths of the forest in the south to find Hong Shu and the Lu family steward, but when Zu Ji returned, he reported that he had not found Hong Shu and others, speculating that they had already ridden ahead and returned to Xu Wujun.

  Zu Zhao knew that Hong Shu was a cautious person and should not have caused any trouble, so he didn't pay much attention to it and continued to lead the team southward.

  Xu Wuxian's population is not prosperous, even with the population base of Emperor Wu's northern migration, but in the past nearly 100 years, border conflicts have been continuous, and population loss has been severe, now less than 10,000 households. However, relying on Xu Wuxian's convenient transportation, it has become an important border town connecting Hu and Han.

  When the group of people rushed back to the county town, it was already dark. Zu Zhao warmly invited Lu's family to stay at his ancestral mansion temporarily. Lu Wei couldn't decline the offer and agreed after consulting with his elder sister. The Zu family's mansion is located in Beiguan Pavilion on the west outskirts of the county town, where there are 300 households, 90% of which have the surname Zu. Even the pavilion post house has become a private residence of the Zu family.

  The pavilion was the outermost building of Beiguan Pavilion. At this time, seven or eight older young men from the clan were gathered in front of the gate, all with stern faces. Seeing Zu Zhao and others appearing along the official road from a distance, the leader, a young man in magnificent clothes, hastily instructed two people to rush back to the pavilion to report, and then hurriedly walked towards them, halfway through, he couldn't help but hurry up and call out.

  Before they even met, Zu Zhao recognized the young man leading from a distance as San Shu's eldest son. He immediately guessed a few points of the situation and asked directly: "A Zhan, did Uncle Hong return first?"

  Zu Zhan nodded repeatedly, his expression urgent, and said: "Hong Shu has just returned, and he has just told the matter to Da A Gong, Er A Gong, and my father. My father is asking me to go to the county to see County Magistrate Chen, and Da A Gong has sent someone to Ludong Pass to find the government troops. Fortunately, the young master is safe and sound, and from now on, he will never dare to be so reckless when encountering horse bandits again."

  Zu Zhaowen burst out laughing and said with a heroic tone, "How can I, a great Han man, be intimidated by a mere barbarian? Let's not talk about this now. We'll discuss it when we get back to the village." After he finished speaking, he turned around and beckoned everyone to follow him through a narrow alley on one side of the pavilion.

  Zujiazhuang is the ancestral home of the Zu family, located at the westernmost point of Beigouting, backed by a large pasture. The estate covers a vast area, with a stone and wood structure wall about 10 feet high on the outer periphery, and there are five layers of courtyards inside and outside. The main gate is at the end of the road that runs through Beigouting, and the neighbors on both sides hear the commotion and come out to take a look, just in time to see Zu Zhao leading a group of people passing by. As the eldest son of the Zu family, he is usually friendly and courteous, so everyone naturally couldn't help but greet him with enthusiasm and ask about his well-being.

  Zu Zhao nodded his head in return on horseback, but he didn't slow down his horse's speed.

  Outside the manor's main gate, many of their relatives had been waiting to welcome them. After dismounting, Zu Zhao instructed Zu Ji to take the Lu family to a side house to rest and prepare hot water, food, and other items needed for the wounded. Once he finished giving instructions, he walked with Zu Zhan and others into the front yard. As they passed through the gate, several uncles standing on the corridor immediately came forward, each with varying degrees of concern. However, being a military family, the elders were also accustomed to this and did not have too severe a reaction.

  "Grandfather and Second Master, Third Master are all waiting in the hall, quickly go and report your safety to them personally."

  "Thanks, Third Uncle." Zu Zhao nodded at Zu Zhan's father and strode swiftly into the main hall.

  The main hall was not crowded, only the three elders of the clan were present. A man over fifty years old sat upright in the first seat, although his bones were thin and frail, but his posture was straight, and there was no sign of fatigue in his expression or demeanor, revealing a military bearing. This person was Zu Chao's grandfather, Zu Jiu, the head of the Zu family clan. In ancient times, people got married and had children relatively early, so even if two generations were separated by age, the difference would not be too great.

  Zu Zhao arrived in the main hall and bowed respectfully to the chief, then greeted the other elderly people one by one.

  "Zhaor, I've already heard about what happened. Although you were a bit impulsive, you didn't bring shame to our ancestral home." Zu Jiu's tone was slow and steady, his demeanor calm and unruffled.

  "The Huns are arrogant and deceitful, thinking that our Great Han is without heroes. If they dare to invade again, I will lead the charge against them just as before." Zu Zhaoyi said sternly.

  "Zhaoyou has such ambition, your father's spirit in heaven can finally be at ease. However, remember that the Great Han's dominance over the four directions is not due to recklessness, otherwise it would be no different from those uncivilized barbarians." Zuyu said with a warning tone.

  Zu Chao's father died of illness in the military camp five years ago. In the early years, he was raised by his father himself. As he grew older and became more intelligent and obedient, he gradually gained a certain degree of independence within the family and began to inherit part of the family business.

  "Grandson, remember the teachings of Grandfather, and always reflect on yourself." He bowed his head in response. Although they had won a great victory against the Hu people today, despite being outnumbered, there were many highlights worth mentioning, but he didn't plan to boast in front of his elders. Anyway, this matter would soon spread, so it's better to maintain humility and caution first.

  "What about the people who were rescued? How are they now?" asked Zu Jie, turning to ask.

  "It just so happens that the people we rescued are all relatives of the Lu family from Zhuo County. My son has already arranged for them to stay temporarily on our estate." Zu Zhao mentioned this briefly.

  "Lu Shi of Zhuo County? But isn't he a clansman of Subo Xiangong?" Zu Ju slightly raised an eyebrow.

  "That's right."

  "That's really a coincidence. Mr. Zigan is a great scholar of the current era, with a reputation outside, if it weren't for the fear of the Party's disaster, our ancestral family should have more dealings with the Lu family. Mr. Zigan's edges are too revealing, and he is a straightforward person, I'm afraid he will be trapped by flatterers. This opportunity coincides, and it can also be said that it allows the two families of Zu and Lu to have an intersection." Zu Ju sighed and said with emotion.

  "The morning drum is not sounding, the ruler above is dull and weak, I fear that the country will undergo a change." Zu Zhao said with a deep and solemn expression.

  The faces of several elders in the scene changed, but they didn't say a word.

  Grandfather slightly frowned, and after a long silence, he said in a slow and serious tone: "Zhao'er, some things are fine to say at home, but don't speak carelessly outside. For now, take good care of the Lu family members first, and tomorrow morning go to the county to invite Huang Daoren to come and treat the injured."

  Zu Zhao nodded and replied: "Grandson remembered."

  I thought the conversation would come to an end, but unexpectedly Grandfather suddenly changed the subject and brought up another matter: "Zhao'er, you are my family's eldest son, and this year is not young. Last year, your grandfather had mentioned marriage to you, and at that time you said you wanted to study, so it was temporarily put aside. Last month, the Gong Sun family from Xuan Tu County sent a letter, coincidentally, the second daughter of the Gong Sun family will be coming of age next January, implying that they came specifically to discuss this marriage."

  Zu Zhao's expression changed slightly, and he hesitated for a moment before saying, "Why did Grandfather suddenly bring up this matter?"

  Zu Jiu said in a low voice, "I was going to tell you about this after a few days, but it's all the same whether it's sooner or later. The Gongsun family of Xuan Tu County is a local big clan, and many of them are officials in the county government. If we can make this marriage happen, our two families will be closely related from now on, which would be beneficial to both parties without any harm."

  Although the chaotic era is approaching, before that, he should have tried every means to expand his family's power. Zu Zhao was not a timid person, and being in this era must follow the tradition of "parents' orders" of this era. However, he did not think that the Gongsun family of Youzhou was the most worthy of cooperation. The Gongsuns were indeed a big surname in Youzhou, but having a big surname does not mean they are of the same clan or family. Even if they were of the same clan and family, it's not necessarily true that they would unite as one. In the near future, the warlord who will dominate Youzhou is indeed Gongsun Zan, but at this moment, Gongsun Zan was still in Zhuo County, and the Gongsun family branch in Xuantu County had many branches, from Governor Gongsun Wang to Gongsun Du, who was still a county official. They were not familiar with each other at all.

  Zhen Zu was silent, but his expression was resolute. Leifeng said straightforwardly: "In short, I have made up my mind on this matter. On the 16th of this month, people from the Gong Sun family will come to Xu Wu as guests, and we will discuss it further then."

  Zu Zhao asked: "Is someone from the Gong Sun family coming?"

  Zu nodded and didn't say anything else.

  At this moment, several elders inserted the topic and asked Zu Zhao about his encounter with Hu Ma. They also gave a serious lecture. Zu Zhao's mind was still on the alliance with the Gong Sun family, and he only briefly responded to other topics. He really didn't expect that some things would come so suddenly!

  That night, Zu Zhao had a banquet set up in the side hall for the Lu family to calm their nerves. However, this banquet was just a simple meal and wasn't too extravagant, and even he himself only made an appearance, raising a glass of wine to the Lu family. In addition, he also informed them about Hu Bo's situation, that Hong Shu had taken him back to the Zu family village in the afternoon to treat his injuries, and the village doctor had already made a preliminary diagnosis, although he was still unconscious, his condition was stable.

  Lu Wei and the crowd were extremely excited, with countless thanks and gratitude.

  After drinking, Zu Zhao got up to bid farewell to the young lady of the Lu family inside the house. The young lady of the Lu family responded with a soft and shy voice from behind the door curtain. Just as Zu Zhao was about to turn around and leave, the candle shadow on the door curtain suddenly flickered and called out softly: "You..."

  Miss, is there anything else you'd like to instruct?

  The candle shadow on the door curtain retreated, and after a long silence, it said: "Today I have not yet thanked you enough, young master. I thank you here for saving my life." The voice was faint and barely audible, unable to conceal its shyness.

  Zu Zhao smiled and said: "A matter of righteousness, cannot be declined, Miss needn't worry."