Chapter 54: A Marriage Proposal

Young Master Tao also held the identity of a Black Ice Platform spy, and he was well aware that the Black Ice Platform had failed to capture Tang Wenshang this time.

"As for Wang Qinian, although he is timid and his methods are somewhat eccentric, he treats his subordinates and secret guards quite well."

"In recent years, the casualties within the Luyang Prefecture Black Ice Platform have not been significant, nor have they executed many perilous missions."

"What they worry about now is that someone with heavy political ambitions will come to take over."

Luyang Prefecture was located near the border; if one wanted to seek merit, there were truly many opportunities. Whether it was scouting enemy intelligence or assassinating enemy officers, one could easily earn accolades. However, such merits required trading one's life for them.

"They sought you out because they want you and me to help them at a critical moment, don't they?" Zhang Yuan spoke up.

Who would come to take over was not something Zhang Yuan and the others could decide. However, Zhang Yuan was a Black Armor Lieutenant and the strongest combatant within the Luyang Prefecture Black Ice Platform. Even if a new commanding officer arrived, they would listen to Zhang Yuan's opinions on important matters. At the very least, the spies and secret guards of Luyang Prefecture would stick together and follow Zhang Yuan and Young Master Tao, allowing them to contend with a new superior.

Of course, that was the worst-case scenario. Tao Hong and the others were merely worrying and taking precautions in advance.

Zhang Yuan was too lazy to deal with political maneuvering; those matters were naturally for Young Master Tao to handle. Zhang Yuan explained the matter of training the Black Riders to Young Master Tao, asking him to help arrange a training plan.

The two produced a scroll of paper. Holding a brush, Young Master Tao discussed with him how to achieve the fastest integration and allow the Black Riders to form combat strength as quickly as possible. It wasn't that the current Black Riders lacked combat power, but rather that they were unfamiliar with the surrounding environment of Luyang Prefecture and the enemies they were about to face.

Chang Ning and the others rarely had large-scale collective training sessions, and Zhang Yuan also needed to coordinate with them on matters such as formation drills.

"Send Chen Wu and Huang Sanliang over. They are relatively familiar with the surroundings. Let those youngsters from the academy follow them to undergo some tempering."

"Also, pull in the veteran soldiers recovering from injuries from the Red Fox side."

"Last time, you only had Zhao Changming and the others conduct small-scale experiments with that batch of crossbows. This time, the Black Riders can be equipped with them, followed by the Black Armor next."

"Once the training is more or less complete, we will make a trip to Fengtian County. Over there, we might encounter the Yan Dogs. We can test our fists against them."

The thirty Black Riders would have to face the unknown strength of the Northern Army's spies and secret agents, as well as the numerous bandits from Jiulin County. It was not easy for the Black Ice Platform to train a unit of Black Riders; there were only five hundred cavalry in the entire Zhengyang Commandery, and the loss of even one was a massive blow.

Tao Hong and the others had a bit of selfishness in this arrangement. Even if these thirty Black Riders left Luyang Prefecture one day, the students from the academy would at least have learned combat formations.

"Speaking of Chen Wu, let's visit the Feng family tomorrow to see if we can finalize things."

"That fellow keeps shrinking back. I think that Miss Feng has feelings for him." Zhang Yuan looked toward the courtyard and spoke.

Young Master Tao nodded, a hint of emotion appearing on his face. "Seeing this fellow get married would fulfill Brother De's wish. Then we can consider our task done."

Exchanging merits on that piece of linen was not difficult; it was fulfilling the wishes of certain comrades that was the hard part.

Zhang Yuan did not speak, but a faint shimmer flickered in his eyes. He had a premonition that once all his ties were resolved, it might be the moment he stepped into the Grandmaster Realm.

——————————————

The next day.

Yunrui坊, the Feng Family Mansion.

Feng Dingfeng, the head of the Feng family, along with several clan elders, stood before the entrance dressed in fine silk robes. Many Feng family youths huddled in the back, peering outward.

Feng Cheng wore a green outer robe, a look of joy on his face. Along the corridors of the mansion, several girls in their mid-teens were gathered together, peeking out.

"They're here, they're here! Third Sister, Third Brother-in-law is here..."

"What do you mean 'Third Brother-in-law'? He's not yet!"

"He's here to propose, so isn't he? Third Sister is being shy. Where did that courage go from a few days ago when she went out in men's clothing to drink with him..."

...

In front of the grand mansion, Zhang Yuan, dressed in a blue-gray martial robe, stood side-by-side with Young Master Tao, who held a folding fan and wore a gauze hat, looking ahead.

"Young Master Tao, it's about time you married and had children. Otherwise, when you're old, who will decoct medicine for your medicinal pot of a body?"

"And what about you, kid? Years ago you said the eldest son of the Zhang family would inherit the Martial Guard position, yet you don't even have a wife. Aren't you afraid of dying alone in old age?"

Though their words were mocking, they shared a smile. After the bloody battle in Fengtian County, the survivors among them were true brothers bound by life and death.

"Elder Feng, I apologize for making you all wait so long. Brother Erhe and I are unworthy of such a welcome." Young Master Tao walked forward a few steps, smiling as he cupped his hands and gave a deep bow.

Ahead, the head of the Feng family smiled and returned the gesture. "For Teacher Tao and Master Zhang to visit our Feng family is truly an honor."

His gaze shifted from Young Master Tao to Zhang Yuan, pausing slightly before quickly moving aside to look at Chen Wu, who followed behind them.

The Feng family had investigated Chen Wu long ago. How should one put it? His family background was naturally not enough to catch the Feng family's eye. However, his cultivation at the middle stage of the Houtian realm at the age of twenty was already worth an investment.

In terms of cultivation potential alone, the Feng family would be loath to give up a direct descendant daughter, but Chen Wu had Master Zhang behind him. In the eyes of ordinary people, Master Zhang was a man of immense righteousness. In the eyes of noble families, he was a web of connections. Master Zhang had ties to both the Red Scale Army and the Green Mountain Fortress; he belonged to the world of both martial arts and officialdom, operating effectively in both the light and the dark. The reputation Master Zhang had built over the years made many families in the city covet him.

It was only because Zhang Erhe did not know how to be flexible and failed to turn those connections into personal wealth and power that he wasn't immensely wealthy.

"Elder Feng, Brother Erhe and I come here as elders on behalf of Chen Wu." Young Master Tao spoke with a solemn expression, cupping his hands toward Feng Dingfeng. "Chen Wu is the descendant of a heroic martyr. Naturally, we must step forward to arrange his marriage."

In the battle of Fengtian City, the government had not officially recognized his merits, but the martial arts world and the common people had. Ordinary people did not have such complex calculations; those who died defending the Great Qin were heroes.

"My Feng family has been rooted in Luyang for over a hundred years. We know well that it is because countless Qin soldiers sacrificed themselves that our borders remain stable." The head of the Feng family raised his hand, his expression turning solemn.

Zhang Yuan and Young Master Tao followed the Feng family members into the mansion, with Chen Wu following behind. Upon entering, Chen Wu looked up and saw Miss Feng among a group of girls not far away, looking at him with a nervous expression. He couldn't help but smile. Opposite him, Miss Feng turned her head, her face flushed red, causing the other girls to burst into laughter.

Zhang Yuan and Young Master Tao paused slightly, both letting out a soft chuckle at the sight.

Youth is truly wonderful...

Once seated in the main hall, the Feng clan elders were warm and hospitable. The head, Feng Dingfeng, chatted about local matters, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious. Since both sides were interested, the conversation naturally leaned toward the matter at hand.

Seeing that the timing was right, Young Master Tao cleared his throat. "Head Feng, seniors, a man should marry and a woman should wed. Brother Erhe and I have come to your door today to request the hand of the Feng daughter for Chen Wu."

In the hall, all eyes turned toward the head of the Feng family. Sitting below, Chen Wu showed a hint of nervousness.

"A daughter of the Feng family entering a military household is not a 'downgrade'." Feng Dingfeng looked toward Chen Wu and spoke softly.

The Great Qin valued martial prowess, and the people's style was relatively straightforward, not caring too much for excessive formalities. It was not unheard of for commoners to drink at the same table as princes. However, among marriage alliances, most still sought social parity. Especially in marriages between families, it was a means to maintain family influence and connections, often filled with calculations.

By stating that it was not a "downgrade," the head of the Feng family was ensuring that even if Miss Feng lived a more frugal life with Chen Wu in the future, outsiders would have nothing to say.

With this attitude from the Feng family, there was nothing left to argue.

Zhang Yuan turned to look at Young Master Tao. Young Master Tao nodded and produced a scroll.

"This contains Chen Wu's birth details, as well as the betrothal gifts entrusted to us by Chen Wu's eldest sister-in-law." He paused, then continued loudly, "And also the amount of dividends from the merchant caravans and businesses into which Chen Wu has invested his accumulated military pay over the years."

"Although the Chen family cannot compare to a great clan like the Feng family, Miss Feng should not be mistreated upon entering the Chen household."

Investing military pay into merchant caravans and business dividends?

Chen Wu was stunned. How did he not know about this?

The Feng family was also somewhat surprised. They had ordered an investigation into the Chen family. With Chen Wu's military pay, they should only have been managing to get by; how could there be dividends from merchant caravans and businesses?

The head of the family smiled, reached out to take the scroll, and gently flipped it open. His expression shifted from calm to utter astonishment.

"This—"

(End of Chapter)