The development of this matter exceeded everyone’s expectations. When Chu Zhao recounted it, even Mu Mianhong, who firmly believed her daughter was capable of anything, couldn’t help but ask one more question.
“Will Old Master Tan listen to Miss Tan?”
Miss Tan might admire Chu Zhao and be willing to go through fire and water for her, but that didn’t mean Old Master Tan would be willing to risk the Tan family’s vast fortune in the same way.
Chu Zhao said: “The reason I decided to persuade Miss Tan was also for the sake of the Tan family’s fortune.”
Old Master Tan had gone to great lengths seeking a son because he wanted to pass down his wealth. Although the Tan family had many nephews, people are inherently selfish—a son and a nephew could never be the same.
Miss Tan, born into such a family, was placed in a treasury she could only see but not possess. Women are also people, with their greed and ambitions, but because of their gender, they either couldn’t develop aspirations or didn’t know how to.
Therefore—
Chu Zhao looked at everyone and said: “I first persuaded her to develop aspirations, and then she could make Old Master Tan develop aspirations.”
……
……
Whether it was because she had developed aspirations or simply because of her admiration for Chu Zhao, Miss Tan kept her word and immediately went to see Old Master Tan.
Chu Zhao continued to disguise herself as a maidservant and followed.
Miss Tan presented the anthology to Old Master Tan and began by discussing the literary gathering.
“These people competed with men and, predictably, lost,” Miss Tan said with a mocking expression.
Old Master Tan consoled his daughter: “Losing is normal. It’s not shameful. Don’t be angry.”
“Of course I’m not angry. I just find it ridiculous—using leisurely skills to compete with others’ livelihood skills is simply inviting humiliation,” Miss Tan said, picking up a wooden boat from Old Master Tan’s desk. “Take this boat-making skill, for instance. When father learns it, it’s for livelihood; when I learn it, it’s for amusement. We’re inherently different, so how can we compare?”
Old Master Tan remained silent, looking at the wooden boat on his desk. He knew his daughter also had wooden boats on her desk. The same skill, but because of different genders, its significance was entirely different.
Miss Tan used this to open the conversation, pouring out her dissatisfaction and ambitions. Finally, she knelt before Old Master Tan: “Father, select one of your disciples to marry into our family as my husband. Let me stay at home and inherit your legacy. I will not disappoint you, Father. I will carry on and expand our family business.”
Old Master Tan smiled bitterly: “I’ve thought of this too, but Qi’er, those who could help you wouldn’t become son-in-laws, and those who would become son-in-laws couldn’t be your support. You’re just a woman, surrounded by wolves. This isn’t a path you can walk. It’s better to marry out. With gold, silver, and the Tan family’s status to support you, you’ll have no worries for your entire life—”
“Father, you’re mistaken. If I marry out, no amount of gold or silver can support me. My surname will be taken away, and my livelihood will depend on others. People who aren’t blood relatives won’t treat me wholeheartedly like parents do. How could I be free from worry? True freedom from worry is when my life and fortune are in my own hands.” Miss Tan knelt, holding her father’s arm, crying: “I want a husband who marries into our family so I can have a status to remain in the Tan family. Even if there’s support, it shouldn’t come from my husband, or even from the Tan family, but from outside.”
Old Master Tan was exceptionally astute. Upon hearing these words, he immediately looked toward Chu Zhao standing by the door.
“May I ask who this distinguished person is?”
……
……
Chu Zhao looked at everyone and said: “Then I revealed my identity to Old Master Tan.”
Once Old Master Tan had developed aspirations because of his daughter’s words, it became much easier to persuade him through emotion and reason.
From the perspective of a head of household considering family interests, if this matter succeeded, the Tan family would have the merit of supporting the dragon, giving Old Master Tan sufficient reason to persuade the Tan family members to take a gamble.
And from a personal perspective, allowing his daughter to inherit and control the family business motivated Old Master Tan to persuade the Tan family members wholeheartedly.
Chu Zhao held up three fingers.
“Old Master Tan promised me three days,” she said, looking toward Pingyang Prefecture city. “After three days, the Tan family’s one hundred and fifty large ships and three hundred wooden sailboats, specialized for timber cargo, grain and salt cargo, and porcelain cargo, will be at our disposal.”
This number was enormous, enough to transport thirty thousand troops. The ships were large, making it extremely convenient to transport weapons. Everyone’s expressions couldn’t help but turn joyful.
Chu Tang glanced at her and said with a smile: “So your seduction was successful after all.”
Chu Zhao replied: “It wasn’t my seduction that succeeded. Ultimately, it’s that parents make far-reaching plans for their children.”
As she said this, she couldn’t help but look at Mu Mianhong.
In that previous life, her parents had also sacrificed themselves for her safety, prosperity, and happiness, but unfortunately, she had been foolish and ignorant.
Mu Mianhong smiled back at her, then suddenly pointed: “Look, isn’t that a signal from the Tan family?”
Chu Zhao and the others quickly looked, seeing brilliant fireworks exploding in the sky over Pingyang Prefecture.
“Old Master Tan said that after reaching an agreement, the Tan family would announce the search for a son-in-law for Miss Tan, and celebrate with fireworks,” Chu Zhao said, smiling slightly.
Chu Tang waved at the fireworks above the city: “Then congratulations to Miss Tan on finding a suitable husband, rising to prominence, and achieving prosperity.”
Chu Zhao turned to look at Mu Mianhong: “Chief Mu, send a message to Uncle Zhong to engage the imperial troops.”
Mu Mianhong clasped her hands and responded affirmatively.
Chu Zhao continued: “Mother, give the order for our troops to assemble, board the ships, and head to the capital.”
Mu Mianhong smiled: “Good.”
She put her hand to her mouth, tilted her head slightly, and let out a clear bird call that soared into the clouds.
At the four ports of Hejin, Jishan, Xinjiang, and Linfen outside Pingyang Prefecture, countless boatmen and porters scurried like ants.
“Why does it feel like there are so many more boats these days?” Many people curiously asked, glancing at the water, where most ships had unfurled the Tan family’s flags.
“The Tan family’s eldest daughter is seeking a husband to marry into the family. They say they want to hold a grand ceremony like a man taking a bride. The Tan family is going to purchase treasures from all directions,” someone with inside information said with a smile.
The topic of a man marrying into a family sparked more discussion, starting with Miss Tan and leading to Old Master Tan’s old struggles with having an heir. For the common people, this was an entertainment topic that never grew old.
Amid the bustle of people, day and night without stopping, numerous ships of various sizes were launched, unfurling their flags, breaking through wind and waves, like arrows cutting across the water’s surface.
……
……
On the main road to the capital, troops also galloped day and night without stopping, raising dust that obscured the sky.
Two porters resting under a large willow tree by the roadside were covered in dust and grime. The conical hats they had casually hung on the willow tree swayed with the vibrations.
“There have been many more messenger soldiers passing by these days than before,” one porter waved his sweat towel in front of him to disperse the dust cloud and looked toward his companion, asking, “Is something happening?”
His companion, tightly wrapped in a scarf with only his eyes exposed, said in a muffled voice: “No news yet.”
“Big Hammer,” the companion said softly, “do you think the Empress can fight her way here?”
“Of course she can,” Ding Dahui said without hesitation, his previously listless eyes instantly becoming sharp. “What? Don’t you believe in the Empress?”
In that moment, the once-feared Commander of the Imperial Guard who could make children cry with fear had returned. His companion hurriedly waved his hands: “No, no, I’m just worried that we can’t help much here—”
“Awaiting orders is helping,” Ding Dahui interrupted him.
As they spoke, another cloud of dust rose on the road. Several dispatch riders galloped toward them, one of whom seemed to glance casually at the conical hats hanging on the willow tree. He raised his hand, pointing and shouting at the two porters: “Don’t obstruct the road! Move aside—”
With these shouts, the group galloped past.
Ding Dahui stood up, not moving aside, but stepping forward to retrieve a bamboo tube from the dust, pulling out a slip of paper.
“Fighting has broken out between Yunzhong Commandery and the imperial court,” he turned to tell his companion.
His companion’s expression became excited: “So—”
“Prepare to steal horses!” Ding Dahui said in a low voice, unable to hide his excitement. “We must ensure absolute success.”
His companion threw his sweat towel on the ground: “Don’t worry, boss. Stealing is our old profession!”
……
……
The news that border army commander Zhong Changrong personally led troops to attack the garrison outside Yunzhong Commandery, killing three military officers, quickly spread in the capital as well.
So it had indeed come to fighting.
The stone hanging over everyone’s hearts had fallen, and although the capital’s atmosphere was tense, there wasn’t much panic.
After all, Yunzhong Commandery was far from the capital.
“It’s even farther than where the Prince of Zhongshan and his son rebelled,” someone in a restaurant drew a map and pointed out. “That time, despite being so close, the fighting lasted less than a year.”
Someone watching said somewhat dazedly: “If that’s the case, then this time it would take the Empress at least more than a year to fight her way here.”
Something seemed wrong with those words. The person pointing at the map was startled: “Hey, hey, I didn’t say that! I didn’t say anything!”
He wasn’t hoping for the Empress’s victory, nor did he mean to suggest that the Xie family was evil.
The speaker also came to his senses.
“I didn’t mean it that way either,” he quickly said. “I was just, just stating a fact.”
He pointed at the map and muttered:
“Back then, it was indeed the Empress who suppressed the rebellion.”
The tavern keeper hurriedly came over to disperse everyone. Regardless of what happened back then, speaking incorrectly now could bring calamity.
Whether the Empress would fight her way to the capital was not a topic that could be discussed openly.
But in the Liang family mansion, people could speak freely.
“Brother—” Little Miss Liang picked up her skirt and ran after him. “That Empress Chu is going to fight her way here—”
Liang Qiang, already at the door wearing armor and carrying weapons, stopped and turned around.
Little Miss Liang seized the opportunity to grab him, anxiously saying: “You must defend the capital well, protect His Majesty, and not let that Empress Chu fight her way in. If she gets in, how can I become Empress?”
Liang Qiang, looking at his sister’s excited little face, didn’t know what to say. He nodded: “Alright.”
“Brother, my future and the future of our Liang family all rest on your shoulders,” Little Miss Liang earnestly advised, her eyes bright. “Why don’t I go to the imperial city to keep His Majesty company—”
Liang Qiang laughed and gestured to the maidservants who had followed: “Take good care of the young miss.”
The maidservants hurriedly came forward to hold Little Miss Liang. She was still a child after all, and they dragged her back.
Liang Qiang didn’t linger any longer, turned, and walked out the door. He mounted his horse and galloped away, surrounded by his guards. Just as he reached the main street, he saw a group of people escorting a magnificent carriage approaching grandly.
Liang Qiang voluntarily moved to the roadside and saluted: “Young Master Xie.”
The Young Master Xie, who had previously ignored him, this time stopped the carriage and lifted the curtain. The gaze behind his mask examined Liang Qiang and asked: “Where are you going?”
Did he not know what Liang Qiang was doing? It seemed this Young Master Xie wasn’t really in charge. When the Third Young Master Xie spoke, this stand-in was just a stand-in.
Liang Qiang respectfully said: “This humble official has been ordered to take charge of the capital’s defense.” Then, looking at the masked young master, he added, “As well as the imperial city’s defense.”
This young master presided over the imperial city every day, yet the Xie family hadn’t entrusted him with its defense. So, this young master was actually… not valued?
Liang Qiang’s thoughts flashed rapidly as he waited for the young master to ask more questions, trying to gauge his reaction.
But the young master just lowered the curtain with a sneer: “What can you possibly defend?”
The carriage continued to move forward, leaving him behind.
Liang Qiang stood by the roadside, his hand at his side clenched into a fist, his face slightly burning with humiliation.