Chapter 43

Why don't you want to marry Cao Bao's daughter? Is it because the girl isn't pretty? It definitely isn't. Although the Cao family's daughter isn't considered a beauty of the world and can't compare to the second young lady of the Shi family, she is certainly qualified. If you add her dignified demeanor and charming expression (though he only saw her once), she would be much better than Shi Xun's girlfriend from his previous life. Since he must follow his parents' wishes and get married in this life, having such a wife should be quite satisfying.

The main reason is that this Cao family is not the same as the other Cao family, with no future prospects. Shi Xun feels that he is still young (theoretically about to turn twenty, but actually only seventeen) and should have more choices, so he doesn't want to decide so quickly.

Of course, he can't say this reason out loud. After all, at this time, Cao Hong and Cao Bao are close confidants of Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou, and are slightly higher in status than the Shi family. How could Shi Xun dare to look down on them? He respects Zhao Yun, but at this time, Zhao Yun is probably just a small cavalry captain. If they really met, the Shi family would still look down on the Zhao family. He respects Cao Cao, but in terms of family status, the Shi family is far behind Cao Cao, whose father was a Grand Commandant and who is now the Governor of Dongjun and a General of Fierce Valor.

So, he really can't think of any reason, and he can only evade Chen Deng, saying that this isn't the place to talk and that he will visit his house later to discuss in detail.

Actually, Chen Deng doesn't have a home in Tancheng County. Because he was recruited, Tao Qian gave him a small courtyard next to the government office. On this afternoon, Shi Xun came to visit, and the house wasn't even properly cleaned yet. Chen Deng had his servant bring out a couch and a chessboard and placed them in the yard. Facing the cold wind, he got on the couch and had Shi Xun sit on the chessboard to talk.

Shi Xun had already prepared his speech. He started by asking Chen Deng, "Yuanlong, do you think that if Governor Tao Qian passes away, who can be the master of Xuzhou? What will the future of Xuzhou be like?"

Chen Deng answered without hesitation, "I think the governor intends to pass his position to his son—either Cao Shang or Cao Ying. Unfortunately, neither of them is competent, and chaos is likely to ensue in the state. Unless the Shi family can truly unite the Cao and Mi families..."

Shi Xun thought, even if you don't have foresight, you can still see the situation clearly. You've already taken away my explanation. Well, I'll skip this part and continue— "Even if the Cao and Mi families unite, they can only quell internal strife, not defend against external enemies. I believe Xuzhou will eventually be taken by others."

Chen Deng nodded, "If what Hongfu says is true, Yuan Shu's arrogance won't last long, and Yuan Shao and Gongsun are too far away. The one who can take Xuzhou is probably one of the 'Two Virtues of Guandong,' right?"

Shi Xun thought, do you have to take away all my words? He had to skip this part again, "If the Shi, Cao, and Mi families unite through marriage, no one in the state can match them. If an outsider takes Xuzhou, they might either rely on us as a bulwark or eliminate us to prevent us from dominating the state. Do Cao Cao and Liu Bei have the capacity to tolerate others? Before I can determine this, I really can't agree to the marriage, to avoid bringing disaster... Although I can't disobey my elders, I always think that delaying it for a day is better."

Chen Deng smiled, "What you say isn't accurate. At that time, it might be the Shi, Cao, Mi, and Chen families who will hold the power in the state. If the four families can truly unite, no one can suppress or eliminate them. If they are divided, it will inevitably lead to more chaos. Since I have a position and can't leave, why don't you go and meet Cao Cao and Liu Bei to observe their ambitions and character?"

Shi Xun said he had already met Liu Bei and could meet him again, but Tao Qian and Cao Cao were currently enemies. How could he go to Dongjun to meet Cao Cao without causing trouble for his family?

Chen Deng stroked his beard, "There is an opportunity, but the premise is..." He pointed at Shi Xun, "Hongfu must first agree to marry Cao's daughter."

This brought them back to the same point. Shi Xun smiled bitterly and said, "What do you mean? This is all up to the elders, isn't it?" Chen Deng said, "Alright—after the engagement and divination, once the wedding date is set, I have a plan that will allow Hongfu to go to Dongjun to meet Cao Mengde with confidence."

After about a week, the Wang family of Linyi sent someone over, their patriarch Wang Rong's half-brother Wang Dian, to represent the Shi family in proposing to the Cao family. Shi Kuan and Shi Xun accompanied him. Cao Hong and Cao Bao were both present.

The historical records don't mention Cao Bao's virtues or abilities, but they do mention Cao Hong, describing him as a "treacherous and wicked man." However, from Shi Xun's observation, this man, who might be his future wife's uncle, was handsome and very amiable, and it was hard to see where he was "treacherous." After all, "wicked" means deeply hidden evil, how could it be seen at a glance?

Cao Hong asked Shi Xun a few questions, and Shi Xun answered respectfully. Cao Hong turned to Cao Bao and said, "This boy is very smart. Congratulations, brother, on getting such a good son-in-law." Cao Bao seemed a bit dispirited and said, "Unfortunately, he is still in mourning, and the wedding will have to wait two years." Cao Hong comforted him, "According to ancient customs, men marry at thirty and women at twenty. Your niece is still young. What's the rush?"

After Wang Dian saw the Cao family's daughter, both sides exchanged pleasantries and left. Shi Xun couldn't help but ask Wang Dian, "Did you find out how old the Cao family's daughter is?" Wang Dian replied, "She was born in the sixth year of Xiping." Shi Xun calculated, "Damn, she's only fifteen this year, but how is she already 1.7 meters tall, taller than me?"

After the engagement, the next steps were to ask for her name, perform divination, and then set the wedding date. The process of Shi Kuan and the Mi family's marriage was almost simultaneous. In the end, the Shi family prepared two dowries, each worth 50,000 coins, a huge sum. In early February, the wedding of Chen Deng and the second young lady of the Shi family was also arranged. The Chen family was poorer and only provided 20,000 coins. The accountant, Shi Yu, while calculating, sighed, "We lost 80,000 coins... We still need to save some for the eighth brother's future..."

After the dowry was given, the wedding date was set. They planned to marry Shi Kuan and the Mi family's daughter in the fourth month of summer. Actually, Shi Yu and the Wang family's daughter should have been married long ago, but the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Qingzhou delayed the wedding. They decided to hold it with his third brother. Chen Deng and the second young lady of the Shi family's wedding was set for the seventh month of autumn. As for Shi Xun and the Cao family's daughter, they had to wait another year and a half, with the wedding planned for the spring of the fifth year of Chuping (if there is a fifth year of Chuping).

After the wedding date was set, Shi Xun quickly went to see Chen Deng and said, "Now you're satisfied. Help me go to Dongjun to meet Cao Cao." Chen Deng comforted him, "There's no need to be so anxious. In one or two months, I will definitely make it happen for Hongfu."

Then, in the fourth month of summer, everyone waited anxiously for Shi Yi to take leave and come to Tancheng to preside over the weddings of Shi Kuan and Shi Yu. Shi Yi also brought the news of Gongsun Zan's defeat at Jieqiao and Cao Cao's control of Yanzhou. Tao Qian was immediately alarmed and quickly convened his officials to discuss. Chen Deng took the opportunity to say, "The strategy of 'befriending distant states while attacking nearby ones' means that the governor should ally with Gongsun to defend against Ji Province. However, now that Gongsun is in a difficult position and Cao Cao has taken Yanzhou, can the governor defend against the troops of Yanzhou?"

Tao Qian looked at Cao Bao, who slapped his chest, "Yanzhou is still recovering from the Yellow Turban Rebellion. How can they have the strength to invade our state? Even if they dare, I and Zang Xuangao will join forces to prevent them from setting foot in our state!"

Chen Deng smiled, "The Yellow Turbans who caused chaos in Yanzhou are from Qingzhou. I believe Cao Cao can defeat them easily. If the Yellow Turbans are defeated, they will flee eastward. If the troops of Yanzhou deliberately drive them into our state and then follow, what are the chances of victory for Shuyuan?"

Cao Bao was silent. Tao Qian quickly asked Chen Deng, "Since you say this, you must have a plan?"

Chen Deng raised two fingers and suggested, "First, ask Zang Xuangao to take the counties of Tai'an, Hua, and Fei. Cao Shuyuan will advance to Rencheng to defend against the enemy outside the state. Second, send a skilled diplomat to meet Cao Cao and form an alliance—while the north is still in contention, it is better to ensure the security of our state."

Cao Hong didn't understand and asked Chen Deng, "If we are to ally with Cao Cao, why take Tai'an and Rencheng? Isn't that contradictory?"

Chen Deng shook his head and smiled, "Taking these two places is to defend against the Yellow Turbans, not to plot against Yanzhou. We can agree with Cao Cao that once the Yellow Turbans are driven away, we will return these two places."

Cao Hong understood and nodded, "Yuanlong is right. I respectfully request the governor to adopt this plan."

Tao Qian immediately decided, calling Cao Bao to prepare his troops and go to Rencheng, and ordered the scribe to write instructions for Zang Bao to prepare to advance to Hua and Fei counties. Then he asked, "Who should we send to meet Cao Mengde?"

Chen Deng immediately replied, "I recommend someone who, last year, with just a few words, persuaded the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou to retreat. If we send him to meet Cao Cao, he will not fail the governor."

Cao Hong and Tao Qian were puzzled and asked, "Who is it?" Chen Deng thought, "Damn, you only focus on your own state and ignore external affairs." He replied, "It is none other than Shu Mian's cousin, Shi Xun, also known as Hongfu."

That night, Chen Deng, following Tao Qian's order, came to the Shi family's residence in the south of the city to meet Shi Xun. After explaining his suggestion, Shi Xun was stunned, silent for a long time. Chen Deng waved his hand in front of him, "Hongfu, wake up." Shi Xun shivered and suddenly pointed at Chen Deng, "Who are you? Could you have predicted Yuan Shao's defeat of Gongsun and Cao Cao's control of Yanzhou months ago? Where did you come from?!"

———————————The Line of Begging for Support———————————

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