Chapter Fifty-Seven: Using the Zou Family as a Strategy

“General Zhang, who is this?”
Chu Feng feigned ignorance and asked curiously.
“I am the widow of General Zhang Ji,” Madame Zou replied with a gentle smile, bowing slightly in explanation.
“There is no need for such formality, Madame,” Chu Feng responded, though inwardly he sighed with emotion. So this is what Madame Zou looks like, he thought. Her figure was full where it should be, slender where it ought, her bewitching beauty complemented by the mature allure that radiated from within and without. No wonder Cao Cao could not resist her—who in the world could?
Yet Cao Cao had acted dishonorably, forcibly taking Zhang Xiu’s aunt as his own and provoking Zhang Xiu’s fury. When Cao Cao learned of this, rather than seeking to make amends, he plotted Zhang Xiu’s death.
Before long, Chu Feng was shown to a guest room.
After a brief conversation, Zhang Xiu stepped out. Not far away, Madame Zou approached him with concern. “You Wei, I heard this man is Chu Feng? Why have you brought him here? If Liu Biao should find out...”
“Aunt, I know what I’m doing,” Zhang Xiu interrupted, raising his hand. “I simply find this man congenial, so I thought to befriend him. There’s no need to worry.”
Madame Zou regarded him but said no more. She was but a woman; Zhang Ji, too, had once forced her to marry in Chang’an. Now, in these troubled times, what could she do?
She only hoped to spend her later years in peace—though how difficult that was to achieve!
...
At noon, outside the Zhang residence.
A servant at the gate saw Jia Xu approaching and respectfully inquired, “Sir, are you here to see the master? Shall I announce your arrival?”
“No need; I’ll go in myself,” Jia Xu replied with a wave. The Zhang household had no reason to be guarded against him.
The servant thought nothing of it. Jia Xu entered and made his way straight to the rear garden. If Zhang Xiu insisted on befriending Chu Feng, Jia Xu could hardly stand idly by.
Since his words now carried no weight, he decided to stir up a little misunderstanding.
Not long after, in the garden,
Madame Zou was tending to flowers at the edge of a flowerbed, with two maids at her side.
Jia Xu approached and bowed, “Madame, I have some words I would like to discuss with you, if you are available?”
A hint of surprise flashed in Madame Zou’s eyes. She gave her maids a look, and they withdrew. “Master Wenhe, what guidance do you have for me?” she asked with curiosity.
“Madame, I dare not presume to offer guidance. But surely you saw the guest our lord received today?” Jia Xu probed.

“Yes, what of it?” Madame Zou asked, suspicious.
“Madame, our lord relies on Liu Biao of Jingzhou for sustenance, while Chu Feng strides like a tiger across Jianghuai. I surmise our lord seeks to form an alliance, and so holds this grand banquet to entertain Chu Feng.”
Jia Xu spoke earnestly.
“You mean You Wei invited Chu Feng in order to form an alliance?” Madame Zou raised an eyebrow, recalling Zhang Xiu’s earlier actions. Even from her limited perspective, it seemed a risky move. But if it was for the sake of alliance with Chu Feng, it made sense; otherwise, Zhang Xiu would never have taken such a chance.
“Precisely. The lands of Nanyang, where our lord holds sway, and Chu Feng’s Lujiang are neighbors, both facing Cao Cao as a formidable foe. If this alliance succeeds, they will be as lips and teeth to each other, fearless in the face of Cao Cao.”
Jia Xu analyzed the situation with solemnity.
“Sir, is there something I can do to help you and You Wei?” Madame Zou had understood; Jia Xu wanted her to play a part. Her brows knit in thought.
She was only a woman—aside from her looks, what could she possibly accomplish? Did Jia Xu intend for her to...
“Madame, there are certain matters our lord cannot directly address. As his subordinate, it falls to me to share his burdens. I must boldly ask you, for the sake of our lord, for the sake of his legacy, and for your own sake as well.
“Tonight, after several rounds of wine, you... you will escort Chu Feng from the banquet hall to ‘rest’. I will see to it that all the servants are dismissed, so no one will know.”
Jia Xu’s gaze was earnest as he looked at Madame Zou.
So it was as she expected. Madame Zou had foreseen this; after all, she had little but her beauty to offer. Yet she hesitated, asking,
“But sir, You Wei has always respected his uncle. When Cao Cao insulted me, he turned against him without hesitation. If we do this, would we not put Chu Feng in danger instead of forging an alliance?”
“Madame, you are mistaken. The traitor Cao Cao and Chu Feng cannot be compared. Moreover, our lord has slain two of Cao Cao’s sons; their enmity is already mortal—an alliance is essential.
“In my view, our lord respects his uncle too much to broach such matters himself, which is why I must do so. What you fear will not come to pass.
“Besides, General Zhang Ji died young. Surely our lord wishes to secure a good match for you. Chu Feng serves the Yuan clan, a family of great renown, skilled in both civil and military affairs.
“Our lord would be delighted, not troubled, by such an outcome.”
Jia Xu offered his explanation at once.
“This is...” Madame Zou hesitated.
“Madame, the success of this alliance rests with you. If all goes well, our lord will have nothing to fear from the traitor Cao Cao.” Jia Xu narrowed his eyes. “Oh, and I’ll see to it that Chu Feng is thoroughly drunk. All you need do is...”
Madame Zou frowned in thought.
She was still young, and widowhood was hard to endure. Chu Feng was handsome and full of spirit; she would not be the one to suffer. Besides, she would be helping Zhang Xiu forge an alliance.
With that in mind, Madame Zou unclenched her tightly pressed teeth and nodded, “Don’t worry, sir. I understand what must be done.”
“Madame, your sense of duty is admirable. I am full of respect. But whatever you do, you must not let our lord discover it—he would never consent to such a plan,” Jia Xu warned her specifically.

“I understand.”
“Then I take my leave.”
Jia Xu bowed and strode away.
After leaving the Zhang residence, he glanced back with a cold smile. He was eager to see how Chu Feng would handle this. Zhang Ji had cared for Zhang Xiu as a son; if his aunt were dishonored, Zhang Xiu would never let it pass.
With this in mind, Jia Xu’s lips curled in satisfaction.
Everything was still in his grasp. All he needed was to get Chu Feng drunk that night. What happened after, he could not say, but enmity between the two would be inevitable.
Thus, he would secure his own position and remain undefeatable.
As for Madame Zou, she returned to her room and began to dress with care. She was already striking, and with careful attention to her appearance, none could resist her beauty.
—
Some time later, as dusk fell,
Inside the banquet hall,
Zhang Xiu sat at the place of honor, with Chu Feng and Jia Xu seated opposite, all kneeling on the floor.
A wooden table before them was piled high with meat and delicacies.
At their sides, maids poured wine. Before each man was a small cauldron filled with spirits—simple grain wine, unrefined and of low proof.
The cups had already been raised and emptied many times.
Jia Xu, seeing Zhang Xiu and Chu Feng becoming more animated as they drank, quickly spoke, “General Chu, your fame is known throughout the land. You are truly a hero of our age. I am but a humble man; let me drink first to show my respect!”
Chu Feng raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Had Jia Xu changed his nature? Why was he suddenly so friendly? That morning, he had done everything to exclude Chu Feng, terrified that he and Zhang Xiu might join forces!
Something was off.
Chu Feng remained vigilant, though he could not yet pinpoint the exact danger. He only knew that a man like Jia Xu would never so easily abandon his aims.
“Cheers!” Chu Feng laughed heartily.
Seeing Jia Xu raise his cup to Chu Feng, Zhang Xiu smiled. Jia Xu was his advisor; if he wished to curry favor, Zhang Xiu was happy to oblige. He had no desire to quarrel with him.
“Haha, excellent! Come, let’s drink!”