Duke of Zhenguan

Early the next morning, Lin Chuan took Zhao Fu to the Cheng family.

Qin Qiong sent six men, each a valiant warrior capable of taking on a hundred men in the army. Given Lin Chuan's current status, these six were more than enough for him; he couldn't afford to support more.

But people are always greedy. Since Cheng Yaojin had already offered, why not take it?

After having breakfast at the Cheng family's house, Lin Chuan noticed that Cheng Churou, dressed in a light red ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), was also with Cheng Chun. He asked in confusion:

"Madam, are you going too?"

Cheng Churou tilted her head, feigning displeasure, and asked:

"Does my brother dislike traveling with my younger sister?"

"Madam, you've misunderstood..." Lin Chuan shook his head awkwardly.

Cheng Yaojin, standing to the side, said with a smile:

"She's always complaining to me about how boring it is to stay at home. Since we're going to the estate outside the city today, let's take her out for a stroll to clear her head. Let's go!"

Cheng Churou, accompanied by Cheng Chun in a carriage, and Lin Chuan and Cheng Yaojin on horseback, left Yanxing Gate surrounded by more than a dozen guards from the Cheng family and arrived at Cheng Family Manor, which was about five miles southeast of the city.

Chengjiazhuangzi has nearly two hundred households, all of whom are Cheng Yaojin's loyal retainers.

Nearly a thousand acres of fertile land and several low hills around the manor belonged to the Cheng family. After Cheng Yaojin led Lin Chuan into the manor, more and more people followed behind.

They were all missing limbs, and by the time they entered the villa of the manor, nearly a hundred people were already following behind them.

Upon entering the villa, Cheng Yaojin instructed the villa steward who came out to greet him:

"Let's send someone to slaughter a cow; today, I'll have a good time with my brothers!"

"Master, we just reported to the county government last month that a cow on the estate had died of illness. It might not be appropriate to go again this month..." the steward said with a wry smile.

"Just because someone died of illness last month doesn't mean they can't die of illness this month! Hurry up and kill them! If Magistrate Wannian has any objections, let him come directly to me!" Cheng Yaojin cursed irritably.

"I'll go right away!"

The butler could only bow and agree.

After dismissing the steward, Cheng Yaojin pointed to Lin Chuan and introduced him:

"This is Lin Chuan, who suits my temperament perfectly. He's short some guards at home and is asking me for them. If you want to go, go find Cheng Jiu yourself!"

A group of elderly men, missing limbs or other injuries, looked at Lin Chuan, then at Cheng Churou standing to the side, and all laughed and echoed:

"I'll listen to you, sir!"

"I'll go find Xiao Jiu right away!"

Lin Chuan then realized something was amiss; it seemed Cheng Yaojin genuinely wanted to marry his daughter to him.

In terms of looks and figure, Cheng Churou is absolutely one in a thousand. Her beautiful oval face also carries a hint of heroism, which is indeed the type that Lin Chuan likes. But when he thinks of her glorious achievements, Lin Chuan's legs tremble a little.

Sure enough, after sitting down and drinking half a cup of tea, Cheng Yaojin waved his hand at Lin Chuan and Cheng Churou:

"I'll catch up with my brothers. You're all bored sitting here. Chu Rou, take Lin Chuan outside for a walk!"

"Yes, Father!"

Cheng Churou blushed and replied.

Lin Chuan could only get up and follow Cheng Churou outside.

Cheng Chun, who was standing at the door, subconsciously took two steps forward, but was glared at by Cheng Churou, and belatedly retreated.

Stepping out of the villa, one is greeted by a field of lush green rice paddies.

In the middle of the rice paddies, a winding stream flows slowly, and the rising sun casts orange-red sunlight onto the calm river surface, as if spreading a layer of fine gold on the river.

Lin Chuan followed Cheng Churou somewhat absentmindedly along the country path.

After walking for a while, Cheng Churou, who was walking alongside Lin Chuan, suddenly asked:

"Does my brother dislike my younger sister?"

"Madam, you're overthinking it!" Lin Chuan quickly shook his head.

Cheng Churou suddenly turned around and said softly:

"What my little sister is referring to is attraction between men and women!"

Although her face was flushed like the sunset, Cheng Churou still stared intently at Lin Chuan, waiting for his answer.

Even though Lin Chuan had dated several girlfriends in his past life, his heart still pounded uncontrollably when faced with the near-confession of a beautiful young woman, and he stammered as he spoke:

"It's not that I dislike it, it's just..."

"But what? I don't think you're the type to be coy, so why are you speaking so bluntly? If you don't like it, I'll explain it to Father. I won't make things difficult for you!" Cheng Churou said in a deep voice.

Looking at the girl in front of him, whose face was flushed but whose expression was calm, Lin Chuan's heart beat even faster.

Lin Chuan really liked this personality.

Fine, let them fight then. At worst, I'll just have Physician Liu prepare medicine for my wounds beforehand.

After organizing his thoughts, Lin Chuan said softly:

"Let's make this clear first: if I ever make you angry, you can't take a knife to me!"

Upon hearing Lin Chuan's words, Cheng Churou froze on the spot. After a long while, feeling both ashamed and annoyed, she stomped on Lin Chuan's instep, turned around, and strode forward.

Lin Chuan endured the excruciating pain in his instep, harboring a bad feeling about the days to come.

But since the words were already out, he could only follow along eagerly.

They walked silently to the riverbank and sat down on a flat patch of grass. Lin Chuan sat down beside her, about half a foot away.

After sitting for a while, Cheng Churou suddenly moved to Lin Chuan's side and whispered:

"I've also studied the precepts for women, how could I possibly hit my husband... Brother!"

Lin Chuan, however, was thick-skinned. He put his arm around Cheng Churou's shoulder and whispered:

"When I get back, I'll find a respected elder to ask Uncle Cheng for my hand in marriage!"

Cheng Churou nodded, blushing as she gently rested her head on Lin Chuan's shoulder.

With a weight lifted from her heart, Cheng Churou, who was naturally lively, became more talkative despite her shyness.

Lin Chuan would occasionally say a few cheesy pick-up lines to tease her, and she would cover her mouth and laugh as she leaned on Lin Chuan's shoulder.

Before they knew it, the sun was high in the sky. Cheng Chun, who had come to call the two back for dinner, looked at the two people standing close together from afar, hesitated for a long time, and then quickly stepped forward and whispered:

"Madam, Young Master Lin, Master wants you to come home for dinner!"

Cheng Churou was startled and hurriedly moved away from Lin Chuan, got up from the grass, lowered her head and walked quickly towards the manor with a red face.

Lunch consisted of beef stewed in a large pot and wine.

Those old men with missing limbs all stared at Cheng Yaojin, which allowed Lin Chuan to escape unscathed and continue eating his beef.

This is the first time I've eaten beef in all this time.

After the meal, Cheng Yaojin asked Cheng Jiu to take Lin Chuan to choose a woman. Since he had already decided to marry Cheng Churou, he and Cheng Yaojin were now truly family. Lin Chuan no longer stood on ceremony and asked Cheng Jiu to recommend ten women, all of whom were veterans around forty years old and had started as scouts.

Qin Qiong had Qin Huaidao send only brave and fierce men, whose martial prowess was already sufficient, but he still needed some experienced veterans.

After selecting the people, the group headed back home at noon.

Lin Chuan returned to Tonghua Ward with ten veterans. He thought that these ten veterans would have an unpleasant encounter with the Qin family, but to his surprise, the six burly men from the Qin family lowered their heads as soon as the ten veterans gave their identities.

This saved Lin Chuan a lot of trouble. After settling these people in the front yard, he appointed Xu Laosan, a veteran who had been a squad leader, as the captain of the guard and arranged for these guards to be on duty.