Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

Inside the main hall of Zhen's Fortress.

All the direct descendants of the Zhen clan in Wuji County were gathered in the largest hall inside the fortified village.

There are four main branches of the Zhen family in Wuji County.

The eldest son is Zhen Jian, the second son is Zhen Yi, the third son is Zhen Ren, and the fourth son is Zhen You.

In addition, there were two elderly members of the previous generation from the clan.

Next comes Zhen Jian's next generation.

Like Zhen Jiang, Zhen Yan, and Zhen Yao's generation.

At this time, the area surrounding Zhenshi Fortress was entirely garrisoned by Xiliang cavalry.

The hall was filled with Liangzhou cavalry both inside and out.

The two elders of the Zhen clan sat to Duan Yu's left.

Zhen Jiang's mother, Zhang, sat on the lower right, with her two sons, Zhen Yan and Zhen Yao, standing behind her.

Zhen Jiang stood beside Duan Yu.

Zhen Jian, the eldest son of the Zhen family, along with Zhen Ren and Zhen You, knelt in the hall.

Logically speaking, no matter how high Duan Yu's official position is, as long as it doesn't involve Duan Yu himself, he has no right to interfere in matters like Zhen's.

Interfering in the affairs of other families, especially aristocratic families like the Zhen family, would be met with resistance and rejection from everyone.

This has nothing to do with the size of your official rank.

But the situation is different now.

Zhen Jian said that dealing with Zhen Jiang was a family matter.

Very well, Zhen Jiang and Duan Yu are in love and have already decided on each other.

Now Duan Yu is Zhen Jiang's husband, and can be considered a member of the Zhen family.

Furthermore, the snow salt and white paper that Zhen Jian, Zhen Ren, and Zhen You seized back then all belonged to Duan Yu.

Although Jia Dong had Duan Yu's instructions to deliberately have them detain him.

But no matter what, Zhen did indeed take Duan Yu's things.

A family matter and a private matter, both now concerning Duan Yu's interests.

Therefore, even Zhen couldn't get a single word out of Duan Yu.

The question now is how to solve it.

"General, I... I don't know how these three wretches offended you. Jiang'er didn't explain the matter of the white paper and the snow salt before. Therefore, I beg you to show mercy."

An elder of the Zhen clan bowed to Duan Yu and said, "This old man will have his three wicked children return all the money they previously obtained to the former general, including the profits they made from the white paper and snow salt."

"In addition, the Zhen family will also contribute 100 million yuan as an apology to the former general."

"I don't know..."

"What does the former general think?"

The three brothers, Zhen Jian, Zhen Ren, and Zhen You, knelt before Duan Yu, not daring to raise their heads or even look at him.

Just now outside the city, the psychological trauma and sense of oppression that Duan Yu had inflicted on Zhen Jian had left Zhen Jian's legs still weak.

Listening to the words of the Zhen clan elder, Duan Yu calmly picked up the teacup carved from warm jade in front of him.

Then his gaze turned to Zhen Jiang beside him.

After taking a sip of tea, Duan Yu slowly said, "If I hadn't arrived in time..."

"What about Jiang'er, who was driven out and then encountered Yellow Turban rebels outside the city? How should we settle this score?"

"I heard Zhen Jian say that he wanted to expel Jiang'er's branch from the Zhen family. If I hadn't arrived in time, would they have already been expelled?"

"besides......"

Duan Yu turned his gaze to Zhen Jian, narrowed his eyes, and said coldly, "Didn't he want my blank paper and the method for making snow salt?"

Zhen Jian trembled with fright and rushed to Duan Yu, saying, "General, it's not that I want the white paper or the method for making snow salt."

"It's Li Zhao, the governor of Ji Province."

"It's him."

"I am only worried that the Yellow Turban rebels will break through the city, so I would like to ask Li Zhao to send troops to help protect the Zhen family to Gaoyi."

"But Li Zhao said he would only send troops if he needed white paper and the method for making snow salt, so I had no choice."

Li Zhao, Governor of Ji Province?

Duan Yu raised an eyebrow.

"General, everything I said is true." Zhen Jian said, terrified. "If you don't believe me, you can wait in Wuji County for two days. I will lie and say that I have obtained the white paper and the method for making snow salt. Li Zhao's troops will arrive in the next two days."

Duan Yu tapped the table with one hand.

The corners of his mouth rose slightly.

It's true what they say, when you want to sleep, someone immediately brings you a pillow from the floor.

The reason he had Zhang Jiao station troops in Xiaquyang and gather all the believers of the Taiping Dao in the surrounding area was to prepare for the Yellow Turban Army to take the road from Changshan Kingdom to Bingzhou.

This refers to the route used to transport white paper and snow salt from Bingzhou.

This route was planned by Jia Dong for more than a year.

If they wanted to relocate the Yellow Turban Army to Liangzhou, this was the only way.

It was certainly impossible to cross the Yellow River and then enter the Sili Commandery.

Taking a detour through Youzhou and then entering the grasslands would be even more impractical.

With so many people, the amount of food and supplies they consume is beyond what he can currently afford.

Most of them might starve to death on the way.

From Changshan State, one enters Bingzhou, first entering Yanmen Commandery.

In Yanmen County, he had already made arrangements for the Zhang family of Mayi, namely Zhang Liao's clan, to prepare for the supply of provisions.

From Yanmen to Taiyuan County, there was also Liu Wei, the governor of Taiyuan County.

Throughout the year, Duan Yu would give Liu Wei a share of the white paper and snow salt produced in Jinyang.

Although this amount is not much for Duan Yu, it is a considerable sum for Liu Wei.

He who takes a bribe is beholden to the person who pays his bills.

Liu Wei's comfortable life in Taiyuan County was entirely due to Duan Yu.

Once you leave Bingzhou, you can travel unimpeded to Liangzhou.

The plan here is meticulously crafted, and Duan Yu has been preparing for it for a year.

Even this visit to the Zhen family was part of the plan.

To relocate millions of people, sufficient food supplies are essential.

The imperial court had no food.

These million-strong Yellow Turban army were unable to support themselves.

Therefore, we must find people who have both money and food.

The Zhen family was the wealthiest and had the most grain in the entire Ji Province.

Taking over the Zhen family would guarantee a food supply.

But then, Zhen Jian himself delivered himself to their doorstep.

With a route in place, backup along the way, and provisions available at the start, they had everything they needed.

Now we're just one crucial step away.

Changshan Kingdom.

Changshan State was the only route to Bingzhou.

But there is still an obstacle on this road.

This refers to Li Zhao, the governor of Ji Province, who was located in Gaoyi County of Changshan State.

Only by defeating Li Zhao could the million-strong Yellow Turban army successfully cross Changshan Kingdom and head to Bingzhou.

Duan Yu gently tapped the table in front of him with one hand.

All the members of the Zhen clan in the hall were waiting for Duan Yu's reply.

Duan Yu remained silent, as immovable as a mountain.

"I will take care of Li Zhao's matter myself," Duan Yu said, looking at Zhen Jian kneeling before him. "But your embezzlement of my snow salt and white paper cannot be left unresolved."

"I have no shortage of money."

"Jiang'er has been under house arrest in the mansion for more than a month."

"She is my woman. How can you treat my wife like this? Have you not thought about the consequences?"

Zhen Jian was almost in tears.

"General... if I had known... even if you gave me a thousand or ten thousand lives, I wouldn't have dared to..."

The elder of the Zhen clan, who was standing nearby, quickly chimed in to explain, "Yes, General, Jiang'er has never mentioned it before."

Duan Yu swept his gaze coldly: "You have pressured me several times, and Jiang'er has already said that the white paper and the snow salt do not belong to her. You don't even trust your own relatives."

"Is this a reason or an excuse?"

"Isn't it your greed that drove you to this?"

"Is it really necessary for me to spell it out so obviously?" Duan Yu slammed his fist on the table in front of him. "This kind of excuse might fool a three-year-old!"

The Zhen family immediately fell silent, not daring to utter a single word.

Duan Yu turned his gaze to Zhen Jiang beside him and said softly, "Jiang'er, you have suffered the most grievances here. Tell me, do you want to forgive them?"

“If we don’t forgive them, the mere fact that they seized my goods is enough to send them all to jail.”

Zhen Jian, Zhen Ren, and Zhen You, the three members of the family, looked as if they had lost a loved one, their faces extremely grim.

“Jiang’er, it was all your uncle’s fault before. Your uncle apologizes to you. We are all family. Tell me, whatever you want, your uncle will do it.”

"Yes, Jiang'er, your uncle is right. We are all family. Your third uncle apologizes to you. I apologize to you."

"Sister-in-law, please persuade Jiang'er. We really know we were wrong."

Zhen Jian, Zhen Ren, and Zhen You all hurriedly apologized and looked to Zhang Shi for help.

Zhang was now conflicted again.

Zhen Jiang pursed her red lips.

She may have felt some sadness before, but after seeing Duan Yu, all the repression in Zhen Jiang's heart was swept away.

She won't be in this house anymore.

As for what she had posted before, Zhen Jiang didn't care.

Duan Yu looked at Zhen Jiang, waiting for her answer.

"Brother Duan... let it go." Zhen Jiang pursed her red lips and shook her head, saying, "I don't want to dwell on it too much."

"However, there is one point: in the future, when the Zhen family is in Jizhou, it will not be necessary for Brother Duan to use all the trade routes and shops in Yanzhou, Qingzhou, and Xuzhou for free, and the goods sold will no longer have any profit."

"These are my conditions, and..."

Zhen Jiang looked at her mother, Zhang Shi, and then slowly nodded, saying, "In the future, you must not make things difficult for my mother, or my brothers and sisters."

Duan Yu smiled as he looked at Zhen Jiang.

Although it has been more than a year since we last met, Zhen Jiang is still the same kind and gentle girl.

Even after suffering so much bullying at home, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to do it.

However, Zhen Jiang's proposal to offer free trials of all Zhen family trade routes and shops clearly indicates that she was considering his interests.

Duan Yu took a deep breath and then stood up.

"Since Jiang'er has said so, then I will spare you this time!"

"but......"

"If we don't teach you a lesson, you'll probably make the same mistake again in the future!"

"Besides withholding the white paper from me and the profits from the snow salt, and as you said, returning all the previous profits, we are preparing 500,000 shi of grain."

"Don't say any more to me. Whether you're prepared or not is up to you."

"When the enemy troops attack, not only will Li Zhao be unable to save you, but no one else will be able to save you."

With that, Duan Yu flicked his sleeve and walked outside.

Zhen Jiang followed behind Duan Yu, glancing at her mother and two older brothers before leaving.