Zhao Yun stationed his troops several dozen miles outside Fenggao, bringing only a few hundred cavalry along with Fa Zheng, Lu Xun, and Jiang Ying to proceed ahead.
"Zhao Yun greets my lord," Zhao Yun said as he dismounted and bowed to Liu Bei and the others who were waiting for him and Fa Zheng.
"Zilong, it seems your White Horse Volunteers are well-trained. You must already be aware of the upcoming mission," Liu Bei said with a smile as he helped Zhao Yun to his feet.
"I will do my utmost," Zhao Yun replied, his expression calm and composed.
"With you saying that, I am reassured. Please keep an eye on Zichuan and ensure he doesn't act alone," Liu Bei said, pointing to Chen Xi.
Before Zhao Yun could respond, Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said, "Xiaozhi has arrived." Compared to Zhao Yun's Night Illumination Jade Lion, Fa Zheng's carriage was much slower, but it had finally caught up.
"Xiaozhi," Liu Bei called out to Fa Zheng with a smile. "You did well in Qingzhou. Later, we'll have a banquet to welcome you and Zilong back."
As Liu Bei was about to lead Fa Zheng and Zhao Yun back to the city, Fa Zheng did not immediately follow, causing Liu Bei to pause.
Fa Zheng extended his hand to help Jiang Ying down from the carriage. Liu Bei couldn't help but chuckle—he hadn't expected Fa Zheng to return with his wife. Given the formality of the occasion, it was clear that Jiang Ying must be his official wife, as Fa Zheng wouldn't dare present anyone else.
"Jiang Ying greets Lord Xuande," Jiang Ying said calmly as she performed a bow after being helped down from the carriage by Fa Zheng.
"Lady Fa, no need for such formalities," Liu Bei said with a slight bow in return. Then, turning to Fa Zheng with a face full of congratulations, he noticed that Chen Xi and the others were all wearing teasing expressions.
"Greetings to Lord Xuande and Master," Lu Xun said as he jumped down from the carriage.
"Your apprentice?" Liu Bei asked curiously.
"Yes, my apprentice," Chen Xi replied with a smile. "I wonder how well Xiaozhi has taught him in my stead."
"Don't worry, don't worry, you'll see soon enough. This boy is very clever," Fa Zheng said with a beaming smile.
"No one else, right?" Liu Bei asked with a smile. He had almost started walking earlier, not expecting there would be two more people.
"No one else," Fa Zheng replied with a grin. Since Jiang Ying's arrival, his mood had greatly improved.
"Then let's get in the carriage. Lady Fa, please ride in this one," Liu Bei said, pointing to a carriage pulled by four horses.
Jiang Ying glanced at Fa Zheng, who nodded, and so she didn't say anything more. She climbed into the carriage. In Xiliang, horses were common, but a four-horse carriage was purely a symbol of status.
"Xiaozhi, you've done well for yourself," Chen Xi teased enthusiastically once Jiang Ying was in the carriage. "The last time I left Linzi, you were still longing for your childhood sweetheart. I didn't expect you to return with your fiancée. Getting married next June?"
"Congratulations," Jia Xu said with a smile. "I had originally thought of marrying my daughter to you. I didn't expect that after a trip to Qi, you'd quickly find your true love."
In truth, Jia Xu and Guo Jia had been quite concerned for Fa Zheng. After all, they had mentored him, and while they weren't officially master and disciple, they were close friends and confidants. They were both displeased with the Jiang family's earlier actions.
"Congratulations, Xiaozhi. Such a big event, and you didn't even hint at it," Liu Bei joined in the teasing.
"Hold on, hold on! Who said I found someone new in Qi? This is my fiancée—the one I've mentioned before. Didn't you catch the 'Jiang' surname?" Fa Zheng replied indignantly. "We're getting married next February; the six-month waiting period has already passed."
"Huh?" Chen Xi was surprised. "Did the Jiang family send her over? Our influence hasn't reached that far yet, has it? Fufeng is quite remote, and the Jiang family isn't a major clan."
"Get in the carriage first, and I'll explain," Fa Zheng said as he nimbly hopped into another carriage, not caring about maintaining decorum. Chen Xi and the others followed suit, while Liu Bei, shaking his head, joined them. Only Zhao Yun remained on horseback, and this scene didn't go unnoticed by Jiang Ying and Lu Xun. It gave them a clearer understanding of the relationship between Liu Bei and his subordinates—one that was both a bond of lord and subject and that of friends.
"Congratulations. True love has found its way," Chen Xi was the first to speak after hearing Fa Zheng's story. "She's a good girl; don't let her down."
"Xiaozhi, you're quite fortunate," Liu Bei said, patting Fa Zheng on the shoulder. "I'll provide you with a supplementary dowry when the time comes. From now on, be more mature. You've done well this time; your talents are remarkable. Just don't let trivial matters cloud your judgment."
"I'll keep that in mind," Fa Zheng nodded. "However, I ask for your permission, my lord, to deal with the Ma family of Fufeng at the appropriate time."
"As long as you don't let trivial matters block your wisdom, dealing with such a minor issue is no problem," Liu Bei said with a smile.
"Xiaozhi, you've chosen a good opponent," Jia Xu interjected. "The Ma family of Fufeng has become quite well-known recently."
"Well-known?" Fa Zheng raised an eyebrow. "I don't recall any family in our region deserving that title."
"Ma Shoucheng and Ma Mengqi's family—surely you remember them," Jia Xu said with a grin. "They're the Ma family of Fufeng."
Fa Zheng paused, then a cold smile spread across his face. "No wonder the Jiang family wanted to marry Ying'er to them. Let me carefully weigh this family. Located in the northwest and entangled with the Xiliang Qiang and Hu tribes, from any perspective, they won't be our allies."
"Allies?" Li You's eyes flashed coldly. "If the path we're on still requires allies, then it's not worth taking."
"Well said," Liu Bei agreed with a nod. He was increasingly convinced of Chen Xi's earlier statement—that the strong don't need allies, only conquests. Especially when they are kings!
"The Ma family of Fufeng, huh?" Chen Xi stroked his chin. "What do you think would happen if Cao Mengde went to Guanzhong and tried to ally with the Ma family?"
"It would be difficult," Li You said, shaking his head. "After the opening of the Zheng Guo Canal in Guanzhong, they haven't lacked for grain. The Xiliang cavalry has as much prestige among the Qiang and Hu tribes as Ma Shoucheng does. If Cao Mengde wanted to ally with the Ma family, he'd face the major issue of the Qiang and Hu tribes following the strongest leader."
"Whether Ma Teng allies with anyone or not is irrelevant to us. We can always spread rumors. I refuse to believe Ma Teng and Han Sui are of one mind with Li Jue and Guo Si. And I'm even more convinced that Li Jue doesn't want to swallow them whole," Fa Zheng said with a cold smile. Spreading rumors was all too easy.
"It's a pity we're too far away," Chen Xi sighed. Mount Tai was too distant from the northwest. "We don't have enough spies in Yongzhou to keep track of Cao Mengde's movements. He's always a thorn in our side."
"He's indeed a problem, but our greatest enemy right now is still Yuan Benchu. Once we defeat him and secure the north, restoring the Han dynasty will be within reach," Li You acknowledged Cao Cao's threat, but compared to Yuan Shao, who had already amassed significant power, Cao Cao was of lesser concern.
...