Three Kingdoms: Intercepting Liu Bei's forces and marrying Lady Mi.

In Wuji County.

Apart from Zhen Yi, the eldest son who inherited the family business, the other three sons of the Zhen family all live here and help Zhen Yi manage the business.

Although the houses here are not as luxurious as the Zhen family manor outside, in Wuji County, any place belonging to the Zhen family is the best.

Now, Zhen Mao's mansion is brightly lit.

The servants kept bringing freshly cooked dishes to the living room.

In the living room, the second wife Zhen Mao, the third wife Zhen Wen, and the fourth wife's family members were all present.

There was also a middle-aged man present; he was Guo Li, the magistrate of Wuji County.

"Lord Guo, I'd like to offer you a toast today."

"If things go smoothly tomorrow, I will definitely keep my promise to you!"

Zhen Mao raised his glass to Guo Li and said...

Guo Li replied with a smile, "Brother Zhen, you're too kind. This was all thanks to everyone's help."

During the meal, the members of the third and fourth branches of the Zhen family also nodded in agreement.

After returning from the Zhen family outside Wuji County this morning, Zhen Mao immediately went to Magistrate Guo Li and told him everything about his elder brother's illness.

Logically speaking, Guo Li shouldn't have gotten involved in this matter, since the other party was the Zhen family.

Although the Zhen family are merchants, they wield considerable power, and Guo Li alone cannot deal with them.

However, this time it's an internal struggle within the Zhen family, so the situation is different.

The second wife, Zhen Mao, wanted to seize power and take all of Zhen Yi's assets for himself, with Guo Li helping him from the outside.

In this way, Guo Li can make his move legitimately.

Zhen Mao promised Guo Li a large sum of money after the matter was completed, enough to buy him an official position.

Guo Li agreed.

They quickly reached an agreement that Guo Li would lead county soldiers to the Zhen family manor the next day to arrest Zhen Yi.

……

The next morning, Guo Li led dozens of county soldiers to the Zhen family manor in a grand manner.

Zhen Mao and the people from the third and fourth wives' families also went along.

Without Zhen Mao leading the way, Guo Li's small force would have been unable to breach the manor defended by thousands of private soldiers.

As soon as the procession approached from afar, the private soldiers on the manor wall immediately sounded the alarm.

The sound of the horn quickly spread throughout the entire manor.

In Zhen Yi's courtyard, Chen Ming sneered, "A bunch of overconfident little people!"

Outside the Zhen Family Manor.

Zhen Mao stood in front of the manor gate with Guo Li and a group of county soldiers.

"Open the door!"

Sitting in the carriage, Zhen Mao shouted loudly towards the manor.

However, the manor gates remained closed.

Zhen Mao is angry.

"Are you blind? Don't you recognize me? Open the door right now, do you hear me?!"

Zhen Mao shouted loudly at the wall again.

A captain of the personal guards leaned out halfway, his voice trembling.

"Second Master, it's not that we won't open the door, it's that the First Madam ordered us not to. Please don't make things difficult for us!"

The captain of the personal guards' words made Zhen Mao's face darken.

"presumptuous!"

"When did it become a woman's place to decide matters concerning the Zhen family?"

"Does she really think of herself as the mistress of the house?"

After Zhen Mao finished speaking, he pointed at Guo Li and said, "Look carefully, this is Magistrate Guo Li!"

Zhen Mao was furious.

At this moment, he only hated that vicious woman Zhang for conspiring with that vile woman Zhen Jiang to seize the Zhen family's property.

The Zhen family had a large fortune, enough to buy an official position.

Chen Ming came for this reason; Zhang was heartless, so he was ruthless in return.

"My elder brother, Zhen Yi, has contracted boils, yet Zhang Shi orders you to defy the government. This is a crime punishable by the extermination of your entire clan, and you still risk your lives for her?"

"Who is the true bloodline of the Zhen family!"

Zhen Mao roared.

Zhen Mao's words shocked the servants, who looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

The moment the words "Lu Chuang" were uttered, everyone was filled with terror.

Everyone knew that the head of the family was very ill, but no one knew exactly what was wrong; all they knew was that no doctor could cure him.

Therefore, when people hear the word "lu sang," they are terrified and turn ashen-faced.

Regardless of wealth, those who contract this disease are doomed to die.

Some people were so frightened that they dropped their weapons and fled over the wall.

Fear spread rapidly, as quickly as a plague.

The first person to flee inspired many more, and panic and disorder ensued at the Zhen family manor.

The manor gates were wide open, and Zhen Mao smiled smugly.

When Zhang arrived and saw the open gate and the fleeing servants, she immediately understood everything.

I was too late after all.

"Zhang, I ask you, is your husband Zhen Yi really suffering from carbuncles?"

Guo Li stood in front of Zhang Shi, his tone icy.

Zhang stared at Zhen Mao and Zhen Wen, her face serious: "Zhen Yi is your elder brother, how could you treat him like this?"

"Do you have any conscience at all?"

"conscience?"

Zhen Mao sneered at Zhang Shi, "My elder brother is a member of the Zhen family, so naturally the Zhen family will handle any problems that arise."

"As his younger brother, of course we should take care of his affairs."

"What exactly are you trying to do by colluding with outsiders?"

"Besides, we're doing this for the Zhen family; we can't let our family business fall into the hands of outsiders!"

Zhen Mao's words were very stern.

Guo Li waved his hand: "Anyone who gets infected with the sores must report to the authorities immediately, or they will be severely punished."

"Zhang is a woman and she deliberately concealed it; she should be arrested. Go to Zhen Yi's courtyard immediately and handle it according to the rules!"

After Guo Li gave the order, dozens of soldiers rushed towards the small courtyard where Zhen lived.

Zhang collapsed to the ground, unable to move.

As soon as the county soldiers arrived at the gate, they saw two tall and imposing guards standing at the entrance, exuding an intimidating aura.

Zhen Mao approached Guo Li and whispered a few words.

Guo Li nodded.

He knew that the Chen family from Yingchuan lived in the courtyard, but Guo Li decided to take the risk.

Although the Chen family of Yingchuan was renowned, the imperial court was now in the hands of eunuchs.

These upright and virtuous scholars were all confined to their homes due to the persecution of political parties.

As long as you get money from the Zhen family and offer it to the Ten Attendants, you can get an official position in return.

This is why he was willing to offend the Chen family to get involved in this matter.

"Listen up, everyone in the courtyard and the guards at the gate: Lay down your weapons immediately!"

"I am Guo Li, the magistrate of Wuji County. By order of the imperial court, all those suffering from boils must be treated immediately."

"Anyone who dares to resist will be charged with treason!"

Guo Li shouted loudly.

Zhen Jiang in the courtyard was so nervous that she clenched her hands tightly, not even noticing that her fingernails were scratching her palms.

Chen Ming sat in the courtyard, stood up and slowly walked towards Zhen Jiang, forcefully prying open her tightly clenched fist.

When his fingers touched Zhen Jiang's hand, the other woman immediately trembled.

Zhen Jiang lowered her head, hiding her flushed face in her chest.

Chen Ming patted her hand and said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

"Um."

Zhen Jiang blushed even more and answered softly.

"Bang!"

Chen Ming kicked open the courtyard gate, followed by Zhen Jiang, whose face was flushed and whose head was down.

Upon seeing this, Zhen Mao's expression changed drastically.

He had known all along that this woman was having an affair with Chen Ming.

"Lord Guo, that person is Chen Ming from Yingchuan."

Zhen Mao whispered to Guo Li.

"You're Chen Ming?" Guo Li asked, staring at Chen Ming.

"You corrupt official, how dare you address my second brother by his name? I'll cut out your tongue!"

Zhang Fei roared loudly.

The eardrums of everyone present were ringing.

Chen Ming had gotten used to this sound.

Zhen Jiang trembled with fright and hid behind Chen Ming.

"I am Chen Ming, who are you?"

Chen Ming looked at Guo Li.

"I am Guo Li, the magistrate of Wuji County. I have come to treat Zhen Yi after hearing that he has contracted carbuncles."

"The law stipulates that people with this disease must receive immediate treatment. You must move aside, or you will be breaking the law!"

Guo Li said coldly.

Chen Ming knew Guo Li's plan; he must have colluded with Zhen Mao to buy his way into an official position.

That's why the Chen family of Yingchuan couldn't control Guo Li.

Guo Li wanted to emulate those eunuchs and look down on scholars, but he was wrong.

Although the Han Dynasty was not yet in chaos and the law was still in effect, that only applied to ordinary people.

With the Yellow Turban Rebellion imminent, whoever controls the military will be the ruler of the land.

Chen Ming sneered, took Zhen Jiang's hand, and walked directly into the courtyard.

"No need to say more."

Back in the courtyard, Chen Ming ordered Zhen Mao, Guo Li, and the county soldiers outside: "Brother, Yide, anyone who dares to take five steps forward today, kill them immediately!"