Chapter 70: Zhen Mi Enters the City

One cannot appreciate the value of essentials until managing household affairs.

Only by personally overseeing logistics can one truly understand the immense financial and material costs of sustaining an army in battle.

Yuan Xi now experienced this firsthand.

“Too much?” Upon hearing this, however, Yuan Shao frowned. “With victory over Yuan Shu imminent, if we don’t reinforce our troops now, what will we have to contend for Yangzhou later?”

“The current reinforcements are just a fraction; at least another fifty thousand soldiers must follow to ensure we secure Yangzhou!”

The campaign against Yuan Shu was indeed aimed at clearing their tarnished reputation. But it also targeted the fertile lands of Huai’nan!

For a long time, Yuan Shao had coveted Yangzhou, but with Yuan Shu controlling it, intra-family conflict was undesirable due to their shared lineage. However, this presented an excellent opportunity!

Yangzhou rightfully belonged under his control!

Yuan Shang chimed in, “Father is absolutely right. Huai’nan is a prosperous region of the empire. By seizing Yangzhou, we could strategically encircle Yuzhou and Yanzhou from both sides.”

“If we don’t reinforce our forces now, once Yuan Shu’s defeat is certain and other lords scramble to divide his territories, we’ll likely only get the leftovers.”

“Second Brother should consider the long-term,” Yuan Shang earnestly advised Yuan Xi.

To Yuan Xi, however, these words sounded deeply mocking, stirring an inexplicable anger within him that he couldn’t openly express.

As if he didn’t know what Yuan Shang was implying! Increasing troops meant augmenting supplies, salaries, equipment, and compensation for casualties—all requiring substantial funds. Jizhou wasn’t like Yangzhou; relying solely on tax revenues would be insufficient. So where could they find the money?

They’d have to turn to the noble clans and wealthy families!

If their father, Yuan Shao, were asking, those clans wouldn’t dare refuse. But with Yuan Xi now overseeing logistics, securing funds from them became far more challenging. Each one would concoct various excuses, ultimately claiming they had no money to spare.

What choice did he have then?

Yuan Xi bowed respectfully, his voice somber as he said, “Father, increasing logistical support by twenty percent is already at its limit. Fifty percent… I must apologize, but it is beyond my capabilities.”

Yuan Shao erupted with fury upon hearing this. “Incapable? I entrusted logistics to you, and this is your response?”

“You… Ahem! Cough!” Yuan Shao suddenly broke into a fit of coughs, his face turning bright red.

“Father…”

“Dad!”

Startled, Yuan Xi instinctively moved forward to support him.

However, Yuan Shang reached him first. As he gently patted Yuan Shao’s back to ease his breathing, he pleaded, “Father, Second Brother has limited abilities; please don’t burden him too much. Let me find a solution for the logistical issues.”

“Your health is fragile; it’s best not to get overly angry.”

After a moment, Yuan Shao’s breath steadied, but his expression remained grim.

He then turned his gaze towards Yuan Xi and scolded him bitterly, as if disappointed by his incompetence, “If you can’t even handle such trivial logistics, how will you shoulder greater responsibilities in the future?!

“Xianyi, you truly disappoint me!”

Under such harsh rebuke, Yuan Xi dared not utter a word of protest, his face visibly distressed. Internally, his anger boiled, utterly despising Yuan Shang’s insincere display—it made him feel incredibly nauseous!

At that moment, Ju Shou entered the study.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, he chose to ignore it and, with his head bowed, reported, “My lord, the Zhen family’s convoy is about to reach Yecheng, and the maiden from the Zhen clan is among them. Should we…?”

Yuan Shao seemed indifferent to this news and casually instructed, “Have her escorted directly to the imperial palace. Xianfu, Xianyi, you two represent me at their welcome.”

To him, she was merely a woman being offered to the Emperor, unworthy of his attention. His objective was simply to gain favor with the Zhen family; the maiden herself was just a means for mutual benefit exchange.

“Yes, Father,” Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang responded respectfully.

“One more matter,” Ju Shou continued reporting, “My lord, Cao Cao has reassembled his forces to attack Wancheng. However, Zhang Xiu chose not to resist but instead evacuated all civilians and provisions from the city, heading towards Yangzhou.”

“Yangzhou?” Yuan Shao raised an eyebrow, puzzled. “With Yangzhou currently engulfed in chaos, what could Zhang Xiu possibly want there? Could he also be aiming for a share of power in Yangzhou?”

Ju Shou shook his head. “I cannot say for certain, but it’s plausible. Remaining in Wancheng would have led to certain annihilation by Cao Cao’s forces. By heading to Yangzhou, he might find a glimmer of survival.”

Yuan Shao’s expression relaxed slightly. “No matter; he’s merely a stray dog on its last legs. We need not concern ourselves with him. If he dares to lay claim to Yangzhou, we shall crush him then.

“You may all withdraw now and prepare to welcome the Zhen family delegation.”

For Yuan Shao, Zhang Xiu was insignificant and barely worth his attention. With that, he promptly left the study.

Within the imperial palace, Liu Xie was fishing by the pond in the rear garden when Zhang He approached with news that the Zhen family’s convoy had arrived.

“Did you catch a glimpse of her appearance?” Liu Xie eagerly asked Zhang He after hearing the report.

After all, she was the legendary Goddess of the Luo River. Just how breathtakingly beautiful must she be for the exceptionally talented Cao Zhi to disregard familial etiquette and compose the “Ode to the Goddess Luo” in her praise?

Zhang He shook his head. “Your Majesty, this humble general only heard from subordinates and did not witness it firsthand. However, she should soon enter the palace.”

“I see…” Liu Xie felt slightly disappointed but then realized he might have been too hasty. They would inevitably meet eventually; there was no need to rush.

“But Your Majesty, the dowry brought by Lady Zhen is truly impressive,” Zhang He continued thoughtfully. “According to reports, there are over a hundred wagons filled with gold, silver, and valuables alone, along with at least a hundred attendants—a grand display indeed.”

Immediately afterward, Zhang He felt embarrassed, realizing how insignificant such wealth seemed compared to the vast empire under Liu Xie’s rule as Emperor. A mere hundred wagons of riches were hardly noteworthy.

“Tsk, quite the wealthy lady.” Liu Xie clicked his tongue internally, remaining unimpressed. He then said to Zhang He, “We understand. You may now withdraw.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Zhang He bowed deeply before turning to leave.

Liu Xie also turned and headed back to his quarters, intending to freshen up properly before meeting his future wife later.

After leaving the Yuan Manor, brothers Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang accompanied Ju Shou to greet the procession escorting Zhen Mi into Yecheng.

As the rulers of Yecheng, despite her formal entry not yet occurring, the decree for Zhen Mi’s investiture was ready, awaiting only the official ceremony. Thus, according to protocol, they were required to personally welcome her arrival.

To prepare, Ju Shou ordered soldiers to clear the streets, opened all three gates at the eastern entrance, had them watered and swept, and arranged the ceremonial entourage.

Then, he led his men to await the Zhen family’s convoy at the city gate.