My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 34 Son-in-law
"Brother, I really don't understand!"

"Why can't I take action? Am I, the dignified Zheng family, to be allowed to act so recklessly by these barbarians?"

"These barbarians dare to trespass into my residence now; who knows what they might do in the future!"

Zheng Yuanrui's cousin was sitting in front of Zheng Jibo, angrily venting his frustration.

The Zheng family is a large clan with many branches, each with its own set of ideas, leading to numerous conflicts.

Different schools of thought value different classics, uphold different philosophies, and choose different paths. For example, Zheng Faxian was a follower of metaphysics, while Zheng Jibo was a follower of Buddhism. Even their fundamental academic views differed greatly.

Sitting in front of Zheng Jibo at this moment is Zheng Dazhi, who comes from the fifth branch of the North Gate. Compared with other branches, this lineage is quite powerful, with people from it holding official positions, and all of them are high-ranking officials, which has a significant influence on the entire Zheng family.

Zheng Dazhi's eldest brother, Zheng Quan, became the General of the Cavalry and established his own government, while his second brother served as a prefect in a local area.

Therefore, Zheng Dazhi was not so afraid of his cousin in front of him, and his words were even more forceful.

Zheng Jibo looked at him calmly.

The different branches of the Zheng family held different positions, and the Zheng Dazhi in front of him, whose lineage leaned somewhat towards the sage.

Of course, all people in the world are the children of the sage, and there is nothing wrong with favoring the sage himself.

However, his family situation was different. His elder brother had firmly supported Yang Guang's ascension to the throne in the previous struggles, and actively participated in the subsequent rebellion, demonstrating his loyalty.

Rumors circulated that the emperor was preparing to reward their family for their loyalty, and that the young Zheng Dazhi would soon be summoned to the capital to become a prominent official.

This promising young man pointed to the scars on his face, his anger palpable.

He was injured by Li Jiancheng, and Zheng Jibo, instead of standing up for him, was talking nonsense with the rest of his family about taking Li Jiancheng as his son-in-law!

How could he possibly tolerate this?
Zheng Jibo's expression was serious. "Dazhi, you know a lot about the affairs of the clan. Without befriending the Duke, nothing can be accomplished."

"He can stop him for a while, but can he stop him forever? How could the Sage let him stay in Xingyang forever? I'm afraid he'll have to leave next year!"

"As long as he is no longer the governor of Xingyang, he has nothing to do with my family. Why should we be afraid of him?!"

Zheng Dazhi was firmly opposed to the marriage alliance with the Li family.

Zheng Jibo gently shook his head. "The Duke of Tang is a pillar of the nation, and his children are all exceptional. There is no harm in marrying into the Duke's family."

"I have already obtained the consent of many people regarding this matter. As for the others, I will write to inform them one by one. Besides, it is I who am marrying off my daughter. This is my private matter, and Dazhi does not need to say anything more."

Zheng Dazhi grew increasingly angry, while Zheng Jibo's tone softened slightly, "What happened yesterday was indeed a misunderstanding. When the Duke of Tang returns, I will tell him to have his son apologize to you. He is not much older than you, and you should become friends."

"Ah."

Zheng Dazhi suddenly stood up, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.

I'll be serving as a court official next year! Why would I need to be friends with these despicable barbarian barbarians from the borderlands?

"I'll tell my older brother!"

Zheng Dazhi said coldly, then turned and left.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Zheng Jibo's eyes again. This Zheng Dazhi was already considered the best among the young scholars in the Zheng family. If the family managed things properly, he might be able to serve as a court official next year.

This is a tremendous starting point, a very high springboard. If you do well, you might skip decades of hard work and become one of the core rulers of the world.

But looking at Zheng Dazhi's performance, Zheng Jibo suddenly felt that this starting point might become his end.

He's not even as good as that nine-year-old kid from the Li family.

Zheng Jibo sighed again, "Why can't my family produce such a descendant?"

When Zheng Dazhi stormed out of the gate, a group of warriors quickly surrounded him. Zheng Dazhi also had a bunch of retainers, but their quality was nowhere near that of Li Jiancheng's retainers.

When they saw Zheng Dazhi come out, they all asked, "Third Master, how did it go? When are you going to seek revenge on Li Jiancheng?!"

"Yes, Third Brother, when shall we go and take our revenge?"

"We must not forgive him!"

Listening to everyone's words, Zheng Dazhi raised his head slightly, feeling much better. Zheng Dazhi had played a role in why yesterday's events had become so intense. Before Li Jiancheng came to Xingyang, he was the most famous among the scholars in the city. Whether they were sword-wielding warriors or bookish scholars, they often attended his banquets and befriended him.

However, after Li Jiancheng arrived, the limelight was stolen by him. Li Jiancheng's banquet was packed with distinguished guests, while Zheng Dazhi's banquet had hardly any guests if the two banquets were held at the same time. This difference was probably due to the two men's attitudes toward their guests.

Li Jiancheng was very approachable to everyone, never put on airs, and liked to give people money. But this Zheng Dazhi, the first thing he said was that he would be appointed as a high-ranking official next year. He gathered everyone together just to brag and show off, without giving anyone any benefits.

This made Zheng Dazhi somewhat hostile towards this competitor. Yesterday, Li Jiancheng brought his men over and asked where Li Xuanba was. Zheng Dazhi took the opportunity to make a few sarcastic remarks. As a result, that damned barbarian Li Jiancheng attacked him directly!

Zheng Dazhi looked at everyone and said, "Of course I won't forgive him! Zheng Jibo may be afraid of that so-called eldest son of the Duke, but I've never taken him seriously!"

"Third Brother is right!"

"We should go find him today!"

"He's just a foreigner, a Qihu, and he dares to do that?"

The crowd was shouting and clamoring, wishing they could go over and tear Li Jiancheng to pieces right now. Just then, two people suddenly appeared from the opposite corner.

One big and one small.

One person led the way, and two warriors followed behind them.

The smaller one is Li Xuanba, and the larger one is Li Jiancheng, whom this group is denouncing.

The moment the main figure suddenly appeared, the shouting samurai, like chickens with their necks being choked, turned red and suddenly fell silent.

Zheng Dazhi's eye twitched, and he silently took a step back.

Li Jiancheng walked straight towards them. Zheng Dazhi was momentarily flustered, unsure how to react, how to retaliate, or what to do.
Li Jiancheng walked quickly past them without even glancing at them.

It wasn't until the two people disappeared behind him that Zheng Dazhi realized what had happened.

He turned his head sharply, "Li Jiancheng!"

Li Jiancheng, who had already walked quite a distance, stopped and turned to look at him.

Li Jiancheng naturally knew this person as well; when he first arrived, he even considered making friends with him.

However, after witnessing the other party's terrible character, Li Jiancheng gave up the idea.

"I will definitely demand an explanation from you for what happened yesterday!"

Zheng Dazhi said loudly.

Li Jiancheng merely glanced at him, said nothing, and continued walking forward with his younger brother.

Li Xuanba was very curious. He remembered that this person was Zheng Yuanrui's elder, and seemed to be older than them in terms of seniority, but he didn't know his specific identity. "Big brother, who is that person?"

"He's just an idiot. Cough, ignore him. He's a typical spoiled brat, good-for-nothing, relying on his background to brag and show off everywhere. He has no real skills, so just ignore him."

The two walked toward Zheng Jibo's study as they talked.

Zheng Dazhi stayed behind, gritting his teeth, his face turning blue with anger.

Just you wait!

You'll regret this sooner or later!!

Li Jiancheng gave Li Xuanba many instructions, and then followed the steward into Zheng Jibo's study.

Zheng Jibo was tidying up a lot of documents in front of him when he saw the two men walk in. Just then, a servant came in to tell him that the two Li brothers had come to see him. Although Zheng Jibo did not know their purpose, he still ordered them to be allowed to pass.

After witnessing the precocious talent of the Li brothers, Zheng Jibo changed his mind.

Compared to their own bunch of good-for-nothings, these kids from the Li family are truly remarkable.

If we can't negotiate with the Li family to gain any benefits, then we might as well deepen our cooperation and turn the two families into one.

Li Jiancheng has not yet married. If he were to marry his own daughter, wouldn't there be no need for a fight?

(End of this chapter)