Traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty: Picking up a princess as my wife

Cui Yingying's eyes were gentle, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. She gazed at Yue Ying with a soft look in her eyes, which seemed to contain a thousand words, deep and reserved.

She spoke softly, her voice like a gentle breeze caressing the willow branches in spring, soft and warm: "Since the day I met you, a lingering affection has been planted in my heart. Whenever I think of you, I see your gentle and refined figure. I never imagined that I would be favored by you today, that you would take the initiative to come and discuss our life's important matter. I am overjoyed and wish to hold your hand and spend the rest of my life with you."

Cui Dake had his reasons for agreeing to the marriage. Although Yue Ying came from a poor family, he was still from a military family. Although his family had declined, his own family was just a merchant family, so it was a good match.

Besides, Yue Ying is backed by Li Zhen, and COFCO Oils' business is squeezing him out of business. At this rate, his businesses in other prefectures will probably have to close down. Today is a good opportunity to discuss the betrothal gifts...

Cui Dake smiled, his plump face beaming. "Since they are both willing, I naturally have nothing to say. Lord Li, it's just that the betrothal gifts..."

In fact, Li Zhen had already guessed that Cui Dake would make demands when he arrived here today. Based on Manager Sun's management during this period, the grain and oil business on Damingfu Road was booming, and naturally, Cui Dake's grain store business was greatly affected. He guessed that the conditions he would make later would be related to this.

Li Zhen put down his teacup: "Old Cui, just say what you want to say. We've known each other for a long time. As long as it's within my power to satisfy you, I will definitely do my best."

"Hehehe... Well then I'll get straight to the point. As you know, my Cui family started out selling grain. Now, COFCO Oils, which you manage, is putting me under a lot of pressure. I'd like to take this opportunity to discuss the possibility of our Cui family grain store cooperating with COFCO Oils. I wonder what you think, Lord Li?"

Li Zhen: "Actually, the reason I came here in person today is to talk to you about this matter. In these chaotic times, food is crucial to the stability of a region. How about this, from today onwards, your Cui family can purchase unlimited amounts of food from our Li Family Village. As for the price, how about we reduce it by 30% from the original price?"

Upon hearing this, Cui Dake's heart felt as if it had been gently caressed by the warm spring sun, blossoming with joyful flowers. The grain that Li Zhen had brought this time was not only of superior quality, with each grain plump and full, but also had a delicate texture and an unforgettable aftertaste. Compared to the long-forgotten grains stored away in the homes of local gentry and wealthy merchants, it was like heaven and earth, a refreshing sight that delighted the senses and delighted the taste buds.

What's even more delightful is that this top-quality grain wasn't sold at a higher price; instead, it was offered at an unexpectedly favorable price, like a godsend, adding to the abundance of the Cui family's granaries. It was as if the God of Wealth himself had come to their door, generously offering his bounty. How could anyone refuse such a wonderful deal? Cui Dake thought to himself, this was not only an extremely profitable transaction, but also a generous gift from Li Zhen to the Cui family. How could anyone not be happy and gladly accept it?

Cui Dake happily agreed, not only to the grain purchase but also to the marriage between Yue Peng and Cui Yingying. With the generous betrothal gifts from Li Zhen, both sides immediately agreed to hold the wedding in March after the New Year.

After leaving the Cui family's gate, Yue Ying knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Chief, I'm sorry to have troubled you today. Even if I, Yue Peng, were to serve you like a slave for the rest of my life, I could never repay your kindness."

Li Zhen laughed when he saw this: "You rascal, get up quickly, isn't the ground cold in this freezing weather? This is great, not only is your marriage settled, but I've also found a buyer for my large amount of grain. Cui Dake thinks he's gotten a good deal from me, but little does he know that once he abandons all his other supply channels, he'll only be able to buy grain from me, and then the price won't be up to me anymore."

Actually, Li Zhen had another purpose: he wanted to accumulate gold quickly, but relying solely on COFCO Oil was too slow. The sales channels operated by established capitalists like Cui Dake over many years were not something he could surpass in a day or two. Although he lowered the price for Cui Dake by 30%, Li Zhen was still making a killing, even with tears in his eyes.

Having stepped into Anyang Prefecture, how could I miss the chance to meet with my dear friend Zhang Cheng?

Li Zhen lightly lifted the hem of his robe and handed the carefully prepared calling card to the dignified yet courteous gatekeeper, his heart filled with anticipation for their upcoming reunion.

In an instant, a hearty laugh pierced through the clouds and shattered rocks from the depths of the mansion. The familiar and warm tone belonged to Prefect Zhang Cheng.

"Hahaha... I saw magpies chirping on the branches when I woke up this morning, which is an auspicious sign. I never expected that it would be my esteemed brother Li who would grace us with his presence. In this cold winter month, the wind is biting outside. Please come in quickly and let the charcoal fire in this house dispel the chill from your body and let us reminisce about old times."

To be honest, Zhang Cheng was truly grateful to Li Zhen. If it weren't for Li Zhen's intervention, the entire city of Anyang would likely have been wiped out by the plague brought by the refugees. When it came time for the year-end assessment, the Jurchens didn't care about the plague; if the requirements weren't met, they would hold people accountable.

Li Zhen had Yue Ying lead men to carry the gifts into the government office, while he and Zhang Cheng went into the hall to drink tea and chat.

Seeing that no one was around, Zhang Cheng asked somewhat nervously, "Brother, did you intercept and kill a group of Jin soldiers a few days ago?"

Li Zhen was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "Yes, that's true. I killed most of them, but a small number disappeared on horseback. The Jin soldiers were nothing to me; I killed them all. What could they do to me?"

Zhang Cheng slapped his thighs with both hands: "My God, it really was you! A friend of mine is a scribe in the Jin army. A few days ago, he sent me a secret letter about this. Those Jin soldiers who fled have now run to Puyang in the east. Now that the Song and Jin have made peace, I heard that the general in Puyang wants to mobilize troops to seek revenge today."

After a slight pause, Zhang Cheng continued, "You absolutely cannot admit to this. Just insist that it was the Song army in the south who did it. Anyway, at that time, the two sides were intertwined, and apart from witnesses, no one else knew what happened."

Hearing this, Li Zhen gently patted Zhang Cheng on the shoulder, knowing that this was genuinely for his sake.

“Brother Zhang, don’t get involved in this matter. I’m not afraid of the Jin soldiers at all. If they dare to come here, I’ll make sure they suffer heavy losses. Do you think Li Family Village is still the same as before? I can’t say anything else, but Li Family Village can still protect itself against these Jin soldiers.”

In fact, Li Zhen had been thinking for a while that he could not achieve anything by developing quietly on his own. In addition, with Emperor Huizong of Song Zhao Ji in his hands, no matter how he tried to cover it up, it would inevitably be exposed over time.

Instead of doing that, we should think of ways to strengthen our overall strength. As for the Jin and Song soldiers, if they dare to come, we will show them why the flowers are so red.