I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 63 Governor of Yangzhou! General Who Conquers the East!

Zhou Yu asked cautiously, "Is she the daughter of the General of the Rear?"

"No!"

Yuan Shu laughed and said, "My daughter is only two years old. How can she be worthy of a marriage alliance?"

"However, my brother still has a daughter in Runan... As Gongjin knows, my brother was killed by Dong Zhuo, so my niece has been wearing mourning clothes for the past few years and has not considered marriage. Now that she has passed her prime, I, as her uncle, should also consider marriage for her... Bang!"

As he spoke, Yuan Shu slammed his fist on the table again, his eyes filled with malice: "It's all that maid's fault for giving birth! Otherwise, my Yuan family would be in far worse shape!"

Yuan Shu was not actually the eldest son of the Yuan family of Runan.

Yuan Shu had an elder brother from the same mother named Yuan Ji, who held the official position of Grand Master of the Palace.

When Yuan Shao raised his army, Yuan Ji and others were still in Luoyang. As a result, Dong Zhuo killed Yuan Ji and his mother, as well as other members of the Yuan clan. In other words, he killed Yuan Shu's elder brother and biological mother.

This caused a stir in Guandong at the time and made scholars even more opposed to Dong Zhuo. So how could Zhou Yu, no matter how far away from Luoyang, not have heard about this?
Upon hearing that she was Yuan Ji's daughter, Zhou Yu suddenly relaxed.

If she's not Yuan Shu's daughter, then things will be much easier!

As a true direct descendant of the Yuan family of Runan, Yuan Ji's daughter and Liu Miao were considered a good match.

As for Yuan Shu's claim that he was past his prime... wasn't he just a little older? Coincidentally, Liu Miao also "liked beautiful women," so this was simply a match made in heaven!

Most importantly, Zhou Yu is right in front of Yuan Shu right now, how could he possibly refuse Yuan Shu?

Zhou Yu could only feign delight: "If General Liu truly intends to do so, how could Lord Liu possibly refuse? However, this is, after all, Lord Liu's private matter, and I am of low rank and have little influence. I am afraid I must hurry back and inform Lord Liu."

Yuan Shu cursed Yuan Shao twice, then shook his head again:

"Since Zhou Lang has said that Zhongshan has no reason to refuse, why is there any rush?"

Yuan Shu raised his cup in a gesture of respect: "Young Master Zhou, let's feast for now, and go back to Zhongshan tomorrow to discuss this marriage!"

Zhou Yu thanked him repeatedly, but after drinking a few cups, he excused himself from Yuan Shu, citing his inability to hold his liquor.

Although Zhou Yu had left, Yuan Shu's interest remained undiminished.

in contrast.

Without Zhou Yu, Yuan Shu became even more unscrupulous, taking the jade seal in front of him again and constantly stroking every line on it.

Chief Secretary Yang Hong asked with some curiosity, "General, is this really the Imperial Seal?"

"How can it be false?"

Yuan Shu was no ordinary man! He had actually seen the Imperial Seal of the State!
"Back when Emperor Xiaoling was in power, I saw the imperial seal in the North Palace with General He Jin. There is absolutely no mistake about it!"

In particular, the He Shi Bi jade, which was used to make the Imperial Seal of the State, always exudes a kind of oily and holy luster, which cannot be easily imitated.

Yuan Shu held the Imperial Seal of the State in both hands: "I just never thought that I would be able to see it here again in my lifetime!"

"Liu Miao, Liu Zhongshan... this man is truly my benefactor!"

The Imperial Seal of the State is said to be made of jade, but it looks as smooth and lustrous as mutton fat. It has no sharp edges like a stone, but rather looks like a piece of cheese that makes people's mouths water!

Looking at the Imperial Seal of the State, Yuan Shu couldn't resist sticking out his tongue and gently licking the five dragon carvings on it!

"Tsk!"

The moment his tongue touched the imperial seal, Yuan Shu trembled as if electrocuted, then a look of ecstasy returned to his face. "Zhongshan has done me a great service! Now he's even held off Zhou Xin for me at Ruxukou... Although he's not of much use, his loyalty cannot be denied!"

Yuan Shu's face was hidden behind the imperial seal as he asked in a deep voice, "I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Zhongshan, but I do not know what gift I should give him."

Chief Clerk Yan Xiang stepped forward and bowed: "General, Liu Miao is a member of the Han imperial family and a prefect with a salary of two thousand shi... The next position above him is one of the Nine Ministers, which is no longer something that General Yan can claim credit for."

Yuan Shu was somewhat dissatisfied after hearing this.

Seeing this, Chief Clerk Yang Hong also began to add: "How can the merit of presenting the imperial seal not be mentioned? Do we want the world to think that the General of the Rear is someone who does not reward merit or record labor?"

"At the end of the Former Han Dynasty, Wang Mang was defeated and killed, and the Imperial Seal of the State disappeared. It was Gong Bin, a captain of the Imperial Guard, who found the Imperial Seal of the State, rushed to Wan, and presented it to Emperor Gengshi, Liu Xuan. Later, Gong Bin was ranked among the Nine Ministers. This is the true recognition of his merit in presenting the seal!"

Chief Clerk Yan Xiang countered, "Zhou Gongjin has already said that Liu Miao came to present the imperial seal not directly to the General of the Rear, but to have the General of the Rear pass it on to the Emperor."

"Furthermore, the General of the Rear is a Han official. How could he presume to leave behind the imperial seal and honor Liu Miao? Therefore, Liu Miao's merit cannot be compared with that of Gongbin!"

Yan Xiang didn't notice that Yuan Shu's face, hidden behind the imperial seal, gradually turned somewhat ugly after he finished speaking...

Yan Xiang and Yang Hong were still arguing, but Yuan Shu had already made his own judgment.

When Zhou Yu sobered up the next day, Yuan Shu summoned him and gave him the imperial edict for Liu Miao.

"Miao was naturally benevolent and kind, with a magnanimous and resolute character. Despite numerous setbacks and hardships, he remained steadfast. In times of turmoil, his integrity and righteousness became even more evident. Therefore, he was able to ultimately uphold the mandate of heaven, uphold righteousness throughout the land, and return the imperial seal. Hence, General Shu specially appointed Miao as the Governor of Yangzhou and General Who Conquers the East, and bestowed upon him 100,000 coins, 3,000 gold, 2,000 bolts of silk, 2 bushels of pearls, a large carriage with a black canopy, and a pair of golden gongs and yellow axes!"

"..."

Proud!

Zhou Yu himself came from a prominent family, but compared to the Yuan family of Runan, the Zhou family of Shuxian County was undoubtedly too poor.

One hundred thousand copper coins, three thousand gold coins, two thousand silk coins... These valuables are probably enough to match one-third of Jiujiang County's tax revenue this year.

Despite his defeat and flight, Yuan Shu was able to give all these things to Liu Miao without batting an eye, perfectly demonstrating what it means to be wealthy and powerful, and what it means to have the resources and wealth of a noble family!

The title "General Who Conquers the East" on that imperial edict was an unexpected surprise for Zhou Yu.

With this military post, Liu Miao could easily launch a campaign against Jiangdong without compromising his righteous cause!

It should be noted that Jiangdong not only had officials from Yuan Shao's faction, such as Zhou Xin, the governor of Danyang, but also famous scholars such as Wang Lang, the governor of Kuaiji, and Hua Xin, the governor of Yuzhang, who were appointed by the court to defend the territory.

If he were merely the governor of Yangzhou, he probably wouldn't be enough to convince them to willingly be transferred by Liu Miao.

But now that he has been given the title of General Who Conquers the East, he has a greater cause and a legal basis, which is completely different from simply being the Governor of Yangzhou!

In addition, Yuan Shu also prepared the necessary official seals, tallies, axes, cymbals, and clothing, emphasizing convenience and thoughtfulness.

Before parting, Chief Clerk Yang Hong personally escorted Zhou Yu to the ferry and repeatedly made arrangements for him.

"General Hou has always kept the marriage alliance in mind! When you return, Zhou Lang, remember to tell Magistrate Liu that the marriage should take place as soon as possible!"

"sure!"

When Zhou Yu arrived, he was carrying only a stone, but when he left, he was accompanied by dozens of boats full of wealth!

Thinking of Yuan Shu's continued obsession with the marriage alliance with Liu Miao, Zhou Yu sighed, "General Rear... is truly a loyal and honest man!"

(End of this chapter)