Chapter Nineteen: The Perils of a Sister-in-Law

Yuan Residence, in the depths of the courtyard.

Yang Hong hurried in, his steps urgent, and called out anxiously to Yuan Yao, “Young master, how can you still have the heart to play with birds at a time like this? Are you aware that Chu Feng has already sent his people to propose marriage to the Qiao household?”

“What did you say? He’s sent a marriage proposal to the Qiao family? That illegitimate son still wants to win over Qiao Rui?” Yuan Yao’s eyes widened instantly, and he smashed the birdcage to the ground in a fit of rage. “Where is my father? Did he approve this?”

“As far as I know, His Majesty is aware of the matter. I fear the emperor’s intentions are…” Yang Hong trailed off deliberately before shaking his head helplessly.

“Hmph, has my father lost his wits in his old age?” Yuan Yao fumed. Originally, he thought his father merely felt guilty toward Chu Feng, but he hadn’t expected he would actually do something like this. Drawing Qiao Rui to their side was tantamount to plotting his own demise.

“No, I must strike first!” A murderous gleam flashed in Yuan Yao’s eyes. He shouted, “Men! Summon the deathsworn to me! Tonight I will bathe the Chu Manor in blood, so Chu Feng knows there are some people he cannot afford to offend.”

“Young master, please calm yourself. Now is still not the best time to act.” Yang Hong quickly interjected.

“Must I wait until he kills me?”

“That’s not what I mean, young master. But at present, His Majesty remains in Shouchun. If anything is exposed, it will be difficult for you to eliminate Chu Feng afterward.”

“I believe it would be better to wait until the emperor sets out north to personally campaign against Cao Cao. Then, young master, you can take care of Chu Feng. Even if the emperor returns, he cannot punish you for it.”

“Moreover,” Yang Hong continued with a sinister smile, “the generals in Shouchun are all on your side, young master. This would guarantee success. Wouldn’t that be ideal?”

Yuan Yao fell silent, pondering, and finally nodded.

“Hmph, let him be for a few more days. On the day of his great joy, I will raze the Chu residence to the ground. I’ll even take his bride in his stead. I’ve heard that Da Qiao is a peerless beauty.” A vicious and greedy look flashed in his eyes. His status as the legitimate heir prevented him from taking concubines at will, which had long frustrated him.

——

At the Chu estate,

Chu Feng listened to Uncle Li’s report with a bitter smile. This father-in-law of his was utterly useless. Sigh! It seemed the dream of marrying the sisters would go unfulfilled. Was he truly being forced to take a younger sister-in-law? Did no one realize the dangers of such a thing? Having a sister-in-law always hovering could give a brother-in-law heart palpitations, not to mention the possible scandals that might follow.

Ahem.

Well, never mind. Let the aunt handle it!

“Uncle Li, let my father worry about the wedding arrangements. We should make it a grand affair,” Chu Feng instructed.

“Er, young master, the head of the family has said that Yuan Shu will soon travel north and wants him to go along and manage logistics. He fears he can’t handle the wedding and has asked that everything be kept simple,” Uncle Li replied, voice trembling.

“What? Keep everything simple?”

“My father doesn’t have illegitimate sons out there, does he? Is he afraid an illegitimate son will find out and so he doesn’t dare hold a grand wedding?” Chu Feng narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“Young master, don’t think too much. Apart from you, the master has no other illegitimate sons!” Uncle Li pursed his lips, realizing that what he said wasn’t technically wrong—after all, you’re the only illegitimate one.

“So that’s it! Wait, I understand now. Father must be worried if we make too much of a fuss, it’ll attract attention. Yes, that must be it.”

“In the end, it’s still father cleaning up after me. I really shouldn’t be so reckless. Once I marry the wives and concubines of Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Lu Bu, I’ll settle down.” Chu Feng nodded solemnly as he spoke.

Truly, a father’s love is as steadfast as a mountain. He felt guilty toward his father. Once he destroyed Yuan Shu, he would make his father a regional lord and devote himself to filial piety.

“Uncle Li, do as my father says—keep everything simple, but invite all the villagers to join the festivities,” Chu Feng instructed. This time, a simple celebration would do.

“Very well, I will go make preparations,” Uncle Li responded.

“Go on, then!” Chu Feng waved him off, thinking that life was looking more and more promising.

But there was still some time before the wedding. He could not relax. Now that the era of warlords had arrived, time waited for no one—he had to make the most of every moment to grow stronger.

His military equipment had nearly reached its limits; next, he needed to recruit talented people. It wasn’t enough to conquer the land—he needed to know how to govern it as well. With that in mind, he picked up his brush, recalling all those with real talent and learning whom he might approach.

Moreover, his father was from a distinguished family, so drawing in some talented people shouldn’t be too difficult. If need be, he’d just kidnap them. It may not be honorable, but it was effective.

If word got out, would that count as being truly eager for talent?

It should… shouldn’t it?

As for talent in the Jianghuai region—

“Zhou Yu?” Chu Feng muttered to himself. “Zhou Yu is open-minded and capable in military strategy. His command grows daily. He is no less than Lu Yi—no, he should be called Lu Yi now. A born commander.”

“At this moment, Zhou Yu should be in Danyang—or rather, in Shouchun. But the bond between Sun Ce and Zhou Yu is strong. Poaching him will be difficult.”

With that, Chu Feng circled Zhou Yu’s name. He would try to recruit him; if not, he’d send someone to kidnap him; and if that failed, an assassination would do.

“Oh, and Lu Su!” Chu Feng’s eyes brightened. Lu Su was the most overlooked figure. Zhou Yu had intended to recommend him to Sun Ce, but Sun Ce died young.

The world knew of Zhou Yu’s fire at Red Cliffs and Lu Yi’s burning of Yiling, but few realized that Lu Su’s talent was no less than Zhou Yu’s—of course, later generations only judged based on results.

Even Zhuge Liang was maligned by many.

“Lu Su should still be at home in Dongcheng, and Zhou Yu has yet to pay him a visit. At last, a wild talent!” Chu Feng murmured to himself.

If he remembered right, Lu Su was on good terms with Liu Ye, who was considered a statesman’s talent. Though not quite on the level of Xun Yu, Xun You, or Jia Xu, he belonged in the same league as Cheng Yu and Guo Jia—an extraordinary man. At this time, he should be assisting Liu Xun, the governor of Lujiang. If Chu Feng could win over Lu Su, it would be easy for Lu Su to recommend Liu Ye as well.

He circled Lu Su’s name again.

Chu Feng continued to recall, but after a long while, he found little else. There were no hidden geniuses nearby—those who existed were mostly in Sun Ce’s territory in Jiangdong, and even if he tried to visit, they would refuse to join him.

After all, few families would abandon their ancestral foundations to follow another.

As for generals, Chu Feng fell into deep thought again.

After thinking it through, it seemed there were no famous, unaffiliated generals at the moment. The only one who might qualify was Taishi Ci, who should be in Danyang at this time.

Chu Feng wasn’t certain, but Taishi Ci had not yet joined Sun Ce—there was still half a year or so to go. History recorded that he held sway over six counties in western Danyang, calling himself the governor, before being subdued by Sun Ce.

Alas, when it came to generals, one had to fight to win them over. Once victorious, one naturally gained men and commanders. Even Cao Cao built his strength through battle, aside from his family’s status. Chu Feng resolved to learn from his example.

He set down his brush, and on the silk cloth he had written the name “Lu Su.”

Since he was determined to wade into the chaos of the warlords, he would have to seek talent with the greatest eagerness. Liu Bei sought out Zhuge Liang three times; Sun Ce personally visited to win over Zhang Hong; Cao Cao dared to keep Guan Yu.

He must win over Lu Su—

By whatever means necessary, fair or foul, he would make him his own.