My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

The seventh day of the seventh lunar month is the auspicious day for the Magpie Bridge.

From dawn onwards, Shuntian City was immersed in an atmosphere of near-boiling celebration.

The four gates were wide open, colorful silks hung on the city towers, and every ten steps along the streets, there was a bridal tent made of brocade, where chicken, duck, fish, meat, seasonal vegetables, and fine wines were available for the people to take as they pleased. Xun Yu had made all the arrangements in advance, and each table was attended to by a servant, and everything was in good order.

"Grand Marshal Rende!"

"I heard it's going to be displayed for three days!"

"I've lived for sixty years, and this is the first time I've ever seen anything like this..."

The people were talking about it, and their faces were all beaming with joy.

This was a three-day banquet funded by the Grand Marshal's mansion for all the people of the city.

Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the city gates were already bustling with carriages and horses.

"The envoy of Han Fu, the governor of Ji Province, has arrived, presenting ten bushels of pearls from the East Sea, one hundred bolts of Shu brocade, and ten taels of gold!"

"An envoy from Yuan Shao, the governor of Bohai, has arrived, presenting him with one hundred sable fur coats, three hundred fine horses, and ten pairs of ancient jade discs!"

"The envoy of Yuan Shu, the Prefect of Nanyang, has arrived, presenting six coral trees, one hundred jars of fine wine from the Western Regions, and ten pearl curtains!"

"The envoy of Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou, has arrived, presenting a thousand reams of Langya paper, ten thousand catties of salt from the East Sea, and a hundred pairs of glass cups!"

The chanting of ceremonial rites echoed from the city gate all the way to the gate of the Grand Marshal's residence, continuing for a full two hours.

Some of these warlords had no prior dealings with Ji Xuanyuan, while others harbored secret animosity. For example, the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu had long been dissatisfied with Ji Xuanyuan's use of the emperor to command the other warlords.

But today's wedding is being officiated by the Emperor himself.

With the traitors still alive and the emperor still reigning, Ji Xuanyuan was the Grand Marshal, wielding significant military power and overseeing all government affairs.

Anyone who shows disloyalty in such a situation is severing their right to be a "loyal minister of the Han Dynasty."

Therefore, no matter how unwilling you are, you must still be courteous.

Inside the Grand Marshal's residence, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, and the hall was filled with auspicious characters.

In the side room of the rear hall, ten-year-old Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, was being dressed in ceremonial robes by eunuchs.

"Your Majesty, it's time to wear the jade belt." The old eunuch tremblingly presented a gold-inlaid jade belt.

Liu Xie waved his hand, took it himself, and carefully tied it up.

His movements were somewhat clumsy, but meticulous.

He had rehearsed these etiquettes countless times.

Imagine the pressure a ten-year-old child would face in presiding over the wedding of the Grand Marshal of the current dynasty.

"Zhao Rang," Liu Xie suddenly spoke.

"Do you think... the Grand Marshal is truly happy today?"

Zhao Rang paused for a moment, then said carefully, "The Grand Marshal is naturally happy to have married such a wonderful woman."

He was a palace attendant personally selected by Ji Xuanyuan for Liu Xie. He was diligent and conscientious, and deeply trusted by Liu Xie, but he was indeed Ji Xuanyuan's man.

Liu Xie shook his head and said softly, "I'm asking whether his gratitude towards me for officiating his marriage is genuine, or... simply going along with the situation?"

That's a very insightful question.

Zhao Rang remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Your Majesty, the Grand Marshal was sent by the late Emperor's secret edict to rescue you, return the Imperial Seal, train troops, and establish the capital. Every single thing he did demonstrated his loyalty. Today, Your Majesty personally presided over the wedding, which is not only an honor but also... a beautiful story of harmony between the ruler and his minister."

He spoke tactfully but did not answer directly, so Liu Xie did not ask any further questions.

"His Majesty."

Xun Yu entered at some point and said gently, "The time is almost up."

Liu Xie looked up, his small face tense and serious: "Minister Xun, I... won't make a mistake, will I?"

Xun Yu smiled and said, "Your Majesty is naturally intelligent and has already memorized it. Besides, the main characters today are the Grand Marshal and Miss Zhen. Your Majesty only needs to announce the decree and bestow wine according to etiquette. Even if there are some minor mistakes, it will still be a good story."

Liu Xie took a deep breath and nodded.

Yes, today's main characters are Ji Qing and his new bride.

He recalled how, over the past six months, Ji Xuanyuan had trained troops, established a capital, and rectified the court for him, and had even saved him from danger at the hands of Dong Zhuo.

He kept this kindness in his heart.

Therefore, he was determined to make this wedding a success.

Not only should it be held, but it should be held on an unprecedentedly grand scale, so that the whole world would know that Ji Xuanyuan was his most trusted minister and the pillar of his Han Dynasty's revival.

The main hall in the front yard was already packed with guests.

The court officials, envoys from various regions, and prominent figures from Shuntian gathered together in one hall.

The tables and chairs stretched from the hall all the way to the courtyard, totaling three hundred.

Fine wines and delicacies were served in a continuous stream, with waiters moving about busily.

Zhen Mi's elder brother, Zhen Yan, is now the Minister of the Imperial Household, one of the Nine Ministers. Today, as a representative of her maternal family, he sits on the left side of the elders' table.

He smiled, but his heart was filled with emotion. Who could have imagined that when he was cooperating with Ji Xuanyuan on the salt business, this sickly young man would now become the powerful Grand Marshal, and receive such favor from the emperor?

Just as everyone was exchanging pleasantries, a slight commotion suddenly arose outside the mansion gate.

"Master Shui Jing, Sima Hui, has arrived with his disciples Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong!"

The announcement silenced the hall instantly.

Ji Xuanyuan, Xun Yu, Zhou Yu, Guo Jia, and Jia Xu all stood up almost simultaneously and strode towards the gate of the mansion.

At the gate, Sima Hui, dressed in a blue robe, stood with his hands behind his back, his three long wisps of beard gently swaying in the summer breeze.

Two teenagers stood to his left and right.

The boy on the left was about twelve years old, with a somewhat... peculiar face, but with piercing eyes.

The boy on the right is around ten years old, with delicate and handsome features and a calm gaze.

It was Pang Tong (Pang Shiyuan) and Zhuge Liang (Zhuge Kongming).

"Disciple greets Master!"

Ji Xuanyuan and the other four bowed in unison.

Sima Hui smiled and helped him up: "No need for formalities. Today is Wenlie's wedding day, and I have come here specifically to ask for a cup of celebratory wine."

His gaze swept over the five people, lingering on Jia Xu for a moment, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

Jia Xu bowed and said, "Wenhe greets his teacher."

Sima Hui nodded: "Wenhe...now that he has chosen his master, he should wholeheartedly assist him."

"Disciple understands."

Ji Xuanyuan then looked at the two youths and smiled, "These two must be Junior Brother Kongming and Junior Brother Shiyuan, right? I've often heard our teacher mention them in his letters, and seeing them in person today, they are indeed extraordinary."

Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong bowed in unison, saying, "Greetings, Senior Brother Wenlie."

Despite his young age, he already possesses a remarkable demeanor.

Ji Xuanyuan was secretly delighted, as most of the most outstanding disciples of Shuijing Manor were now under his command.

Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Zhou Yu, Jia Xu, and if you add Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong in the future... what a luxurious lineup of strategists this is!

He stepped aside to lead the way: "Teacher, my two junior brothers, please take a seat."

Sima Hui was invited to sit on the right side, in the seat for elders, opposite Zhen Yan.

According to custom, since Ji Xuanyuan had no parents, it was most appropriate for his mentor to sit in the elders' seat and preside over the wedding.

Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong were assigned to the same seat as Xun Yu.

After the two boys took their seats, they curiously looked at the guests in the room, their eyes flashing with a deep thought that was beyond their years.

At the third quarter of Chen (7:45 AM), the auspicious time arrives.

A carriage slowly made its way from the palace, with the emperor's entourage leading the way, and Liu Xie sitting upright in the imperial carriage.

The people knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

When the imperial carriage arrived at the gate of the mansion, Ji Xuanyuan led his civil and military officials to greet it.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Liu Xie entered the main hall surrounded by eunuchs.

All the guests knelt down: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Rise." Liu Xie walked to the main seat and sat down, his small hands trembling slightly, but he tried his best to straighten his back.

The ritual music began.

Ji Xuanyuan, dressed in a bright red wedding robe and with his hair tied up in a golden crown, walked out from the east wing.

He was already exceptionally handsome, but now he exuded even more heroic spirit and joy, leaving the women in the room mesmerized.

The west wing door opened, and Zhen Mi, dressed in a phoenix coronet and wedding robes, her face veiled in red, emerged, supported by two wedding attendants.

Although her face was not visible, her slender figure and elegant gait had already earned her everyone's silent admiration.

The two walked into the hall and stood facing each other.

Liu Xie took a deep breath and loudly proclaimed the imperial edict: "I have heard that Heaven and Earth are in perfect order, and Yin and Yang are in harmony. Now there is Grand Marshal Ji Xuanyuan, loyal and brave, whose merits surpass those of the state; and Lady Zhen Mi, virtuous and kind, a perfect wife and mother. The two are of one mind and love, a match made in heaven. I, by the mandate of Heaven, preside over this auspicious union. May you, husband and wife, grow old together in harmony, forever united in spirit, together supporting the Han Dynasty and protecting our land. This is my decree!"

The voice was young, but every word was clear.

The room fell silent.

Ji Xuanyuan and Zhen Mi both knelt and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we thank you for your great kindness!"

Sima Hui stood up, walked to the two of them, and said gently, "Wenlie, your parents passed away early, so I have been acting as their elder. Today you are marrying a woman from the Zhen family. You should respect and love her and stay together until you grow old."

He then said to Zhen Mi, "Miss Zhen, Wen Lie is gentle on the outside but firm on the inside, and he cares about the world. Now that you have married him, you should assist him in his household affairs so that he has no worries."

The two bowed again, saying, "We will follow your teachings."

Next are the nuptial ceremony, the hair-tying ceremony, and the wedding ceremony.

By the time the entire process was completed, it was nearly noon.

After the ceremony, Zhen Mi was led to the bridal chamber.

As they parted, Ji Xuanyuan whispered in her ear, his voice gentle: "Mi'er, wait for me."

Beneath the red veil, Zhen Mi softly hummed in agreement: "My lord... please don't drink too much."

The newlyweds were led to their bridal chamber, and the banquet officially began.

But this wedding banquet is not as simple as just drinking.

Ji Xuanyuan had made arrangements in advance, setting up the banquet at a spacious riverbank south of Shuntian City, adjacent to the Gu River.

The terrain here is flat and the view is open. Several high platforms have been erected on the river beach. Although they are temporary structures, they are magnificent and have a certain... prototype of the future Bronze Sparrow Terrace.

The guests then moved to this spot and ascended the stage in order.

Civil officials were seated on the left, military officers on the right, and envoys from various regions at the back.

Below the high platform was a cleared-out battlefield, two hundred paces in length and width.

What's even more alarming is that the battlefield was now surrounded by elite Jingnan Army troops.

The black-armored cavalry, heavy infantry, archers, and spearmen stood solemnly in their battle formations. Although they did not move, a chilling killing intent permeated the air.

This isn't a wedding banquet, it's... a military parade.

Many of the envoys' expressions changed slightly.

Ji Xuanyuan is using the wedding as a pretext to demonstrate his power!

Sure enough, after several rounds of drinks, Ji Xuanyuan rose, raised his cup, and toasted everyone present: "Today is my wedding day, and I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's presence and the esteemed guests' long journey. However, the banquet has been rather dull; let's add some festive cheer!"

He clapped his hands three times.

A guard strode to the front of the platform and loudly announced, "By order of the Grand Marshal, today the military officers will compete in archery to enhance the drinking atmosphere!"

"All soldiers present may participate. Each shall bring a fine bow and arrows, and hang a Sichuan brocade battle robe on a willow branch. Below the robe, set up a target, with a boundary of one hundred paces!"

"Whoever hits the bullseye will receive a red robe from the tree and a hundred taels of gold!"

"Those who miss!"

The guard paused, then his voice grew louder: "A cup of strong liquor as punishment!"

"Whoosh—!"

The room erupted in uproar.

Soon, a large open space was cleared in the center of the courtyard.

A hundred paces away, a bright red Shu brocade battle robe hangs from a weeping willow tree, shimmering in the sunlight.

Beneath the robe stood a stack of arrows, its red center clearly visible.

On the high platform, civil officials craned their necks to observe, while envoys from various regions were on high alert, seeing this as a good opportunity to assess the strength of the Jingnan Army generals.

Beside Ji Xuanyuan, Liu Xie asked curiously, "Among the Grand Marshal's subordinates, who is the best archer?"

Ji Xuanyuan smiled: "Your Majesty, please observe."