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

After saying goodbye, Duan Liuqing went to the back of the carriage.

The maids following behind the carriage unloaded all the necessary items for the outing, such as tents, fine wine, and gold and silver wine vessels.

Then it was all arranged under the ancient trees by the river.

The guards dispersed to the surrounding area, driving away all bystanders to a distance.

Not long after Duan Liuqing had finished arranging everything around him, a convoy of carriages guarded by several hundred guards slowly drove toward the defensive line.

In the distance, some people who had also come out of the city for a spring outing couldn't help but look at this procession of carriages and horses.

The soldiers surrounding the chariot and horses were clad in armor, their uniforms gleaming.

At the very front of the procession was a young man, around twenty years old, dressed in an official robe.

The young man, dressed in a black official robe, sat arrogantly on his horse with his chin slightly raised.

Seeing this, many of the young men on horseback around them scoffed.

Under a willow tree by the riverbank, a young man dressed in fine clothes but extremely short in stature and with a somewhat sleazy appearance snorted.

"Hmph, so shameless, rising to power by relying on his mother, Zhang Gongqi really doesn't know how to write the word 'shame,' he's ashamed of his own gender."

As the short Zhang Song spoke, he spat to the side.

The Zhang surname was a prominent surname in Shu Commandery, and also a powerful clan in Shu Commandery.

Zhang Song came from the Zhang clan of Shu Commandery, and served as a high-ranking official for generations, holding the rank of two thousand shi (a unit of grain measure).

Zhang Song's ancestor, Zhang Kuan, served as the governor of Yangzhou and a court attendant. Emperor Jing praised him and ordered all prefectures and kingdoms in the empire to establish literary institutions.

Zhang Song, the founding emperor of the Zhang family, served successively as Prefect of Ba Commandery, General of the Treasury, Prefect of Yi Province, Military Advisor to the Chancellor and Chief Administrator of Yi Province, Colonel of the Archers and Chief Secretary of the Chancellor's Office, and was later promoted to General Who Assists the Han.

Zhang Song's grandfather, Zhang Mi, served as the governor and military supervisor of Shu Han.

Although Zhang Lu, whom Zhang Song mentioned, shares the same surname Zhang, he is not actually surnamed Zhang Song.

Zhang Lu's grandfather was named Zhang Daoling, and he was originally from Feng County.

Zhang Daoling's father was named Zhang Dashun, who was fond of the arts of immortals and called himself "Tongbai Zhenren". When his son was born, he named him "Ling", hoping that he could follow in the footsteps of his ancestors, leave the mortal world, and ascend to the mausoleum to become an immortal.

Zhang Daoling was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, and by the age of seven, he had mastered the Tao Te Ching.

Legend has it that Zhang Daoling's Zhang family was descended from Zhang Liang, a key minister in the founding of the Western Han Dynasty.

After reaching adulthood, Zhang Daoling was repeatedly summoned by the imperial court, but he declined the offer on several occasions. Later, he came to Yunjin Mountain in search of Taoist immortality.

They then settled in Yunjin Mountain.

Standing next to Zhang Song was a young man in brocade robes, who was about the same age as Zhang Song.

The young man's name was Zhao Qian. He was from Shu County and was a member of the Zhao clan of Shu County.

Upon hearing Zhang Song's words, Zhao Qian immediately pressed his hand down and said, "Brother Ziqiao, please keep your voice down, lest someone with ulterior motives overhears you."

“Zhang Lu is currently favored by the governor and is very powerful. If he hears Brother Ziqiao’s words, he will inevitably cause trouble for Brother Ziqiao.”

"Hmph." Zhang Song snorted coldly and said, "Why should I be afraid of him? Is he favored by the governor because of his own abilities?"

"That's because the governor loves his mother."

This matter has become quite a topic of conversation in Chengdu.

After taking office, Liu Yan, the governor of Yizhou, did not take many measures in governing the province.

Instead, it was a beautiful woman who sparked a lot of discussion.

Zhang Lu lost his father at a young age, leaving behind only an orphan and a widow.

His mother was young and virtuous, and her love of health and wellness caught Liu Yan's eye unintentionally.

After that, the two continued to secretly communicate and deceive each other using the Ghost Path.

But as time went on, how could such a thing be kept secret? So it gradually became known and spread.

As the saying goes, "love me, love my dog."

Liu Yan and Zhang Lu's mother became lovers, and Zhang Lu naturally received special treatment.

He went from being completely unknown to becoming the Chief Clerk of the Righteous Army.

Seeing the scale of this procession, which only Liu Yan, the governor of Yizhou, had in Chengdu, it was not hard to guess who was sitting in the carriage.

As a member of a prominent family in Shu County and a member of the Zhang clan, Zhang Song naturally couldn't help but grumble a few words when he saw an unknown person rise to power because of his mother.

After hearing Zhang Song's words, Zhao Qian shook his head helplessly and said, "Alright, Brother Ziqiao, let's not see it anymore and go back."

As a friend, Zhao Qian naturally understood Zhang Song.

Although he is talented, he is a bit petty. If he says something else later, he might attract Zhang Lu's attention, which would be troublesome.

Only after being pulled away by Zhao Qian did Zhang Song reluctantly leave.

When the carriage stopped in front of the set-up tent, a middle-aged man wearing a golden crown stepped out.

It was none other than Liu Yan, the current governor of Yizhou.

Zhang Song was right after all.

Upon seeing Liu Yan, the beautiful woman greeted him with a smile, then took his hand and led him into the tent.

Zhang Lu, having dismounted, did not enter the tent, but instead stood nearby, searching his surroundings with his eyes.

Soon, Duan Liuqing's figure came into Zhang Lu's sight.

Upon seeing Duan Liuqing, Zhang Lu smiled slightly and then took a few steps forward to approach Duan Liuqing.

"Qinger."

Zhang Lu greeted Duan Liuqing with a smile.

Standing around the tent, Duan Liuqing placed her hands in front of her body, bowed, and said, "My lord, this servant dares not. You may call this servant Xiaoqing."

"Haha, you're still being so formal." Zhang Lu said with his hands behind his back, "Didn't I tell you? You don't need to be so polite with me. Don't use any 'adult' or 'no adult' stuff. Just call me by my name."

Duan Liuqing lowered her head and shook it, replying, "This servant dares not. There is a proper order of rank. This servant is this servant, and you are this master."

Upon hearing Duan Liuqing's words, Zhang Lu was not angry at all; instead, his smile deepened.

"I love you just the way you are."

“What’s wrong with following me? Why do all this?” Zhang Lu glanced at the maids around him.

Upon hearing Zhang Lu's words, all the maids looked at Duan Liuqing with envy.

“My lord, the lady saved my life, and I should repay her kindness.” Duan Liuqing said, bowing her head.

To say it was a life-saving grace is not entirely true.

After he jumped into the river from Caoyang Pavilion, he was swept away to an unknown location. When he woke up, he found that he had been rescued by a merchant caravan.

However, due to his physical weakness and serious injuries, he was unable to move or speak at the time.

He followed the caravan and recovered from his injuries.

After his injuries healed, he arrived in Shu County.

The pair of merchants were selling silk.

Their main purpose was to come to Shu County to purchase goods and then sell them to Jingzhou, Yangzhou and other places.

The group of merchants who rescued her weren't originally there out of kindness.

He just thought she was pretty and planned to sell her after she recovered from her injuries.

If it gets injured and dies, just throw it away. It's a business with no cost involved, so it's profitable no matter how you look at it.

After arriving in Shu County, Duan Liuqing's injuries had healed, and the merchants then sold her as a slave.

She intended to simply leave, since the group of businessmen couldn't stop her.

But coincidentally, she met Zhang Lu's mother.

She was bought as a slave by Zhang Lu's mother.

It's certainly easier to survive escaping from a group of merchants than from the house of a beautiful woman.

So Duan Liuqing followed Zhang Lu's mother back to the mansion.

But after returning to Zhang Lu's mother's residence, she discovered something.

Zhang Lu's mother actually had dealings with Liu Yan, the governor of Yizhou.

As a member of the Military Affairs Department.

Duan Liuqing knew all too well what a great opportunity this was.

Being able to stay by Zhang Lu's mother's side was equivalent to being able to get close to Liu Yan, the governor of Yizhou, anytime and anywhere.

Moreover, a great deal of information about Yizhou could be obtained from Zhang Lu's mother.

Fortunately, Duan Liuqing did not leave, but instead lay in wait by Zhang Lu's mother's side, preparing to make his move at the right time.

As for the news that she is still alive, we have managed to send it out, but two or three months have passed and we have not received a reply yet.

"If you become my concubine, it will be a way of repaying my mother for saving my life," Zhang Lu said. "Wouldn't being my concubine be better than being a slave?"

With her head down, Duan Liuqing's eyes flashed with disgust and sharpness.

Just as Duan Liuqing was about to refuse Zhang Lu.

A fast horse came rushing towards this direction.

The soldiers then immediately arrived outside Liu Yan's tent.

"Reporting to the Governor, there is urgent news from the city." The soldier did not dare to enter the tent, but only stood outside.

Before Liu Yan could speak, Zhang Lu's mother's voice came from inside the tent.

"Honestly, you're already out of town, can't you at least get some peace and quiet?"

Then came Liu Yan's words of comfort.

"Qing'er, bring the letter in."

Zhang Lu's mother's voice rang out from inside the tent.

Duan Liuqing looked up at Zhang Lu, then bowed and walked towards the tent.

After receiving the letter from the soldier, Duan Liuqing lowered his head and went into the tent.

The tent was filled with the aroma of wine. Zhang Lu's mother, whose dress was half off, revealing her snow-white shoulders, was sitting next to Liu Yan.

Her charming face was filled with unhappiness.

"My beauty, please don't worry. No matter what happens today, I'll be here with you." Liu Yan comforted Zhang Lu's mother while taking the letter from the soldier.

Duan Liuqing knelt to the side, and before she could get up to take her leave, Liu Yan suddenly stood up from his seat.

Zhang Lu's mother, who was standing nearby, gasped in surprise at Liu Yan's sudden outburst.

"this......."

Liu Yan's expression changed drastically after glancing at the contents of the letter.

"What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry? You scared me to death!" Zhang Lu's mother complained in a sweet, coquettish voice.

Liu Yan didn't speak, but glanced at Zhang Lu's mother and then immediately straightened his clothes.

"I have urgent business in the city and must return immediately."

"My beauty, I'm so sorry for breaking my promise again today, but this time it's really a very important matter."

"Another day, another day I will definitely spend more time with my beauty."

As Liu Yan spoke, she walked out from behind her seat.

Zhang Lu's mother looked at Liu Yan, who was walking out of the tent, with a resentful expression, and angrily put her robe back on, which had slipped off her shoulders.

“Let’s go back.” Zhang Lu’s mother turned around and said, “There are important things to do every day, important things to do every day.”

With her head down, Duan Liuqing's eyes darted around, clearly having memorized Liu Yan's expression from just now.

............

That night.

The governor's mansion within Chengdu city.

Liu Yan sat in the main seat of the council hall with a dark expression.

Footsteps could be heard outside the hall.

Jia Long, an official from Yizhou, Dong Fu, who had persuaded Liu Yan to become the governor of Yizhou, and Zhao Wei, a native of Shu County and former magistrate of the Taicang Commandery, who had followed Liu Yan all the way from Luoyang to Yizhou, entered the hall one after another.