Your Majesty, please spare Diao Chan; your yang energy is too strong.

"This Zhen'er is truly absurd."

"How could this be? How could this be?"

"It seems that I have been too good to her, that she dares to treat me like this."

"Hmph, I'll definitely punish you properly when I get the chance."

"But then again, Zhen'er is truly my lucky star!"

"Not only did it bring them strong military aid, but also..."

"I wish we could have more of this kind of wonderful thing."

The next morning, Zhou Heng, clutching his aching back, walked out of his room, grimacing.

"My lord, what is this...?"

Just then, Liao Hua received news that the caravan that had gone to Jizhou to trade grain had returned.

They came to report to Zhou Heng.

He said with some surprise.

"Uh...it's nothing. I drank too much last night and accidentally strained my back when I got up this morning."

"But it's all over now."

Zhou Heng waved his hand.

Make a relaxed expression.

"is it?"

Liao Hua glanced suspiciously at the half-open door, feeling somewhat doubtful.

Why are there two women's voices coming from the lord's room?

Could there be someone else besides the mistress?

So, last night, my lord...

"Alright, just say what you need to say."

Zhou Heng's lips twitched violently, and he hurriedly walked towards the hall.

"My lord, the caravan that went to Jizhou for trade this morning has returned."

Liao Huadao.

"Oh, how did the deal go?"

Zhou Heng immediately became interested.

"We only got three thousand shi of grain in exchange; all the other military equipment and warhorses were gone."

When it came to serious matters, Liao Hua also became serious.

"Oh, how do you say this?"

"The Zhen family, as one of the four wealthiest families in the world, possesses countless grains and weapons. How could they only exchange them for such meager grains?"

"Could it be that they suddenly raised the price, making it too high?"

Zhou Heng was surprised.

As one of the four wealthiest families, the Zhen family's strength is in no way inferior to that of the Mi family.

It might even be above the Mi family.

After all, unlike the Mi family, who were purely merchants, they also held the title of Marquis.

Both the government and various powerful forces will give them some face.

How could there possibly be only such a small amount of food?

"That's not true."

"Then why is this?"

"Reporting to my lord, this matter is quite strange. Originally, the agreement was in full swing: 50,000 shi of grain, 300 suits of armor, and all kinds of military equipment and warhorses. But just when we were about to complete the transaction, the deal was suddenly changed."

"Oh? Is that so? Have you found out what caused it?"

Zhou Heng frowned deeply.

"According to our investigation, it seems that the Zhen family wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Yuan family, so they prepared a large dowry."

"We've prepared two billion in cash alone, and the rest of the grain, supplies, and weapons are countless."

"I'm afraid the amount of money for the marriage alliance won't be enough."

"So our deal was temporarily suspended by them."

Liao Hua thought for a moment and then said.

"Marriage?"

Zhou Heng was taken aback.

"That's right, it seems to be Zhen Mi, the youngest daughter of the Zhen family, who is to marry Yuan Xi, the son of Yuan Shao."

"The Zhen family has been decorating with lanterns and streamers these past few days, so they must have already discussed the details of the marriage alliance."

Liao Hua nodded.

"How could it be so fast? This is troublesome. If the Zhen family were to form a marriage alliance with Yuan Shao, it would be almost impossible to gain their support."

Zhou Heng's expression changed several times.

He immediately turned his gaze to Liao Hua, who was standing to the side.

"Liao Hua, do you know the exact time of their marriage?"

Liao Hua replied, "It is said to be three months later."

Zhou Heng's eyes flickered: "Three months? That's fine, as long as it's not too soon."

"What do you think, my lord?"

Liao Hua was somewhat puzzled.

I don't understand what other people's weddings have to do with my lord.

Is it necessary to be so nervous?

"If we want to develop rapidly, we need a lot of money and resources."

"Among the wealthiest families in the world today, only the Zhen family has not yet clearly expressed its support for anyone."

"The resources they possess are beyond your imagination."

"If we can gain their support, our strength will increase significantly."

"It has ushered in rapid development."

"Even without Lü Bu, they might still have been able to stop Yuan Shu and Cao Cao."

Zhou Heng said.

"So, my lord, what do you think...?" Liao Hua felt a chill run down his spine as he thought of an impossible possibility.

"Bride kidnapping".

hum.

These words startled Liao Hua so much that he jumped three feet high.

"Bride kidnapping?" Liao Hua was taken aback. "My lord, shouldn't we reconsider this matter? Yuan Shao is the most powerful warlord in the world besides Yuan Shu. We have already offended Yuan Shu, Liu Bei, Lü Bu, and Cao Cao. It would be unwise to offend Yuan Shao as well!"

"Take a long-term view? By then, it will be too late. Once the Zhen family and Yuan Shao successfully form an alliance through marriage, we will never have another chance to gain their support."

Zhou Heng scoffed.

"But what about Yuan Shao? And the Zhen family's territory is in Ji Province. Even if we succeed in kidnapping the bride, they might not be willing to support us."

"Besides, Ji Province is Yuan Shao's territory, and he has countless powerful soldiers under his command."

"Our troops cannot even enter Ji Province."

How can one successfully abduct a bride?

"If Yuan Shao is angered, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"My lord, please reconsider."

Liao Hua felt a little dizzy.

They snatched someone else's daughter-in-law on their own turf and then wanted the support of their in-laws.

Are you kidding me?

Not to mention that their army couldn't enter Ji Province.

Even if they did get inside, it would be impossible to successfully snatch the bride right under Yuan Shao's nose.

And even if we take a step back and say something completely different...

Even if you successfully steal the bride and gain the support of the Zhen family.

The entire Ji Province, including the surrounding Qing Province and Bing Province, was Yuan Shao's territory.

How did you get out?

Even if they really do withdraw.

If Yuan Shao were to launch a large-scale attack, what would you use to defend against him?

How could he not feel dizzy?

"What's there to think about? What we're doing is something that the world will never tolerate."

"Fortune and wealth are found in danger."

"If we succeed, our strength will surely experience rapid development."

"Moreover, Yuan Shao is currently engaged in a decisive battle with Gongsun Zan."

"Although Jizhou is his territory, he did not station too many troops there."

"And most of them were on guard against Cao Cao."

"They could never have imagined that someone would dare to snatch a bride right under their noses."

"This is our chance."

Zhou Heng said coldly.

"But........"

Liao Hua was still somewhat hesitant.

"There are no buts. Immediately notify all the generals under our command to come to the hall for a meeting."

Zhou Heng waved his hand, interrupting him directly.

"Yes."

Liao Hua had no choice but to obey orders.