Lan Ziyu Strikes Again?

Yuan Shu came from the Runan Yuan Clan. He was the legitimate son of Yuan Feng, the Minister over the Masses.

Born into a prominent family, he'd spent his youth hawking and hunting, the very picture of a spoiled young lord.

As an adult, his flaws grew even more pronounced. His seizure of Nanyang after the failed campaign against Dong Zhuo made that plain.

Nanyang had a population of a million households, but Yuan Shu lived extravagantly and imposed heavy taxes on the people under his rule, driving them into hardship.

Greedy for pleasure and shortsighted, Yuan Shu was no longer content with his fame and standing after obtaining the Imperial Seal from Sun Ce.

His advisor, Zhang Jiong of Henei, was skilled at reading his master's wishes. He had previously persuaded Hao Meng to rebel against Lu Bu. After Hao Meng's failed rebellion and execution, Zhang Jiong began actively preparing a prophetic mandate to curry favor with Yuan Shu.

At the beginning of Jian'an 2, Zhang Jiong presented Yuan Shu with the carefully prepared mandate. Convinced that Heaven had chosen him, Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor at Shouchun, calling his dynasty the Zhong Dynasty.

He appointed the Prefect of Jiujiang as Governor of Huainan, established ministers and officials, and performed sacrifices to Heaven and Earth in the manner of the Son of Heaven before ascending the imperial throne.

This usurpation drew opposition from his vassal Sun Ce. After their attempts at persuasion came to nothing, the two broke off relations.

Though Yuan Shu was briefly pleased with himself after declaring himself emperor, the lords of the realm still recognized the Han Dynasty's Son of Heaven as the common ruler. To win their recognition, he sent Han Yin to Xiapi once more with gifts, asking Lu Bu to honor their agreement and marry his daughter off to Shouchun.

It was May, the air was warm, and flowers bloomed everywhere. Lu Lingqi had lost the spirit she once possessed. She rarely went to the training grounds to practice martial arts and hardly spoke in her daily life. The bright, forthright young woman had become an ordinary girl with no light in her eyes.

Lu Bu was puzzled. He asked Lady Yan, "Lingqi's been so quiet for the past six months. Is something weighing on her mind?"

Lady Yan shook her head. "She's been like this ever since Hao Meng's rebellion. Could she have been frightened?"

"Frightened? Lingqi shouldn't—"

"But perhaps this is for the best. She's no longer a child. She's spent all these years wielding swords and spears; it's time she settled down." Lady Yan sighed.

"Mm. I'll leave our daughter's affairs to you, my lady."

Just then, a guard came to report that Chen Gong had an urgent matter and wished to see Lu Bu.

Lu Bu hurried to the front hall. Chen Gong quickly stepped forward and clasped his hands. "My lord, Han Yin has just arrived from Shouchun with many more gifts. He asks that you send the Young Lady to Shouchun as soon as possible so she can marry. Since you've accepted the betrothal gifts, you can't keep putting it off. Confucius said, 'If a man has no credibility, I don't know what he can accomplish.'"

Lu Bu nodded in approval. "Gongtai is right. Go settle Han Yin at the Post House. I'll have Gao Shun prepare the carriage."

When Gao Shun received the order, he was stunned. He hadn't expected Yuan Shu to ask for her hand again, and he had no idea what Miss Lu would do this time.

Time was short, and there was no chance to go to Xiaopei for advice. So Gao Shun used questions about the retinue and carriage as an excuse to enter the residence, where he finally saw Lu Lingqi again.

He found her in the rear garden, admiring the flowers with an expressionless face. He stepped forward, clasped his hands, and asked, "Young Lady, did you know Han Yin has come to Xiapi again?"

"So he has. What's there to make a fuss about?" Lu Lingqi plucked a petal.

"Han Yin came to ask for your hand. My lord told me to prepare the retinue and carriage. We're to take you to Shouchun first thing tomorrow morning. Should I send someone to Xiaopei tonight?" Gao Shun asked.

Lu Lingqi shook her head. "What good would asking for advice do? Could I really marry him?"

"Why would you say that, Young Lady? Did Lan Ziyu say something?" Gao Shun asked in alarm.

"Father and Liu Bei may be at peace for now, but they're so close that war is inevitable sooner or later. I don't want Lan Ziyu to be caught between me and Gan Qian, so I don't care who I marry anymore." Lu Lingqi shook her head with a sigh.

"But—"

"Go back for now."

Gao Shun left in disappointment. He'd thought highly of the two of them, but he hadn't expected things to end this way.

Early the next morning, Lu Bu came to see his daughter off. Lady Yan wept as she helped Lu Lingqi into the carriage.

The previous night, Chen Gong had kept Lu Bu talking, leaving the man no chance to get dead drunk. As he watched Gao Shun, Han Yin, and the others leave Xiapi, he finally let out a long breath of relief.

The red wedding procession left Xiapi through the South Gate. Word quickly reached the Chen Family, and Chen Gui rushed to Lu Bu's residence without even stopping to exchange pleasantries.

Lu Bu was delighted to see Chen Gui. "Hanyu, you've come! I'm marrying off my daughter today. You can keep me company over a few cups."

"This is a grave mistake! Have you forgotten what I told you about the consequences?" Chen Gui reminded him.

"There are consequences, but nothing to worry about. Confucius said, 'If a man has no credibility, I don't know what he can accomplish.' How could I be a man who breaks his word?" Lu Bu said solemnly.

Chen Gui was speechless. If you have any credibility, then there are no thieves in the world.

"Please hear me out, my lord. Cao Cao welcomed the Son of Heaven and assisted in governing the court. Last year, he even nominated you as Governor of Xuzhou. Yuan Shu has now usurped the throne and proclaimed himself emperor. This will make him an enemy of every lord in the realm, and they're sure to unite against him. If you become his relative now, won't you earn a reputation for disloyalty and unrighteousness?" Chen Gui looked deeply distressed.

Chen Gong had flattered Lu Bu, telling him that an alliance by marriage with Yuan Shu would make him an imperial relative. Now, hearing Chen Gui's words, Lu Bu suddenly understood.

"Gongtai has misled me! But what's done is done. What can I do now?" Lu Bu asked in a panic.

"The wedding procession can't have gone far. Why not send men after it?" Chen Gui suggested.

"If you hadn't reminded me, Hanyu, I would have nearly become an enemy of the realm! My Red Hare is fast. I'll pursue them myself."

Just as Lu Bu was about to leave, Chen Gui waved a hand. "While you're at it, capture the wedding envoy, Han Yin, and send him to Xudu to present to Cao Cao. That should put an end to Yuan Shu's hopes once and for all."

"I'll do as Hanyu says."

Lu Bu ordered someone to bring Red Hare, then rode alone toward the southern outskirts, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Han Yin was in high spirits after completing his mission. He rode a tall horse at the head of the wedding procession, alongside Gao Shun.

"I've heard General Gao put down Hao Meng's rebellion overnight. A true hero, indeed." Han Yin knew what had really happened at Xiapi. His praise was sincere.

"It's a soldier's duty. I wouldn't presume to call myself a hero," Gao Shun replied.

"My lord has only just ascended the throne, and General Lu has followed the will of Heaven by joining our houses in marriage. High office and rich rewards will surely follow. Your fortunes will rise with his, and you'll enjoy endless wealth and glory," Han Yin said with a smile.

"Who can know what the future holds? We'd better keep moving." Gao Shun brushed him off, then had no more to say.

Seeing that Gao Shun had no sense of social graces, Han Yin gave a cold laugh and rode over to the right side of the procession.

The wedding carriage had been on the road for a little over an hour when a rider came galloping toward them from behind.

The Xianzhen Battalion went on high alert. Gao Shun saw the rider and raised a hand to halt the procession.

"General Gao, why have we stopped?" Han Yin asked, confused.

Gao Shun pointed behind them. "Someone's coming. There may be something urgent. That figure looks like my lord."

"General Lu is coming?" Han Yin rubbed his eyes. The horse was galloping like a tongue of flame. It really was Lu Bu's mount, Red Hare.

"What other instructions could General Lu have? He's even come after us himself." Han Yin asked with a cheerful smile.

Lu Bu reined in his horse and ordered, "Boping, turn the procession around at once. Take Lingqi back to the city."

"Yes." Gao Shun was taken aback, but immediately carried out the order.

"General Lu, what do you mean by this?" Han Yin asked, bewildered.

Lu Bu shot him a cold look. "Tie this fellow up too, then send him to Xudu."

Han Yin was so terrified he nearly lost his wits. If he ended up in Cao Cao's hands, how could he possibly survive?

Gao Shun was confused. Just then, Lu Lingqi opened the carriage curtain.

Their eyes met. It was as if they were asking: Did Lan Ziyu strike again?