Chapter 60: I Treated You as a Brother, but You Want to Be My Father?

At this moment, in the side hall.

Zhang Xiu spoke with hearty laughter, “Yunqing, you and I hit it off at first sight, but you’re leaving already?”

“I have already imposed enough; besides, I must go to Jingzhou to handle urgent affairs and cannot stay long. Another day, when you come to Shouchun, you and I, as brothers, shall drink together and enjoy ourselves!” Chu Feng replied with a smile.

“Agreed, it’s a promise!” Zhang Xiu responded cheerfully, but his expression soon turned troubled. “Yet I wonder if there will ever be another chance for us to drink together!”

“What makes you say so, Youwei?”

“I have slain two of Cao Cao’s sons, and Nanyang is but a vassal under Xu. How could Cao Cao ever tolerate me? If only Liu Biao did not restrict my provisions, I could strike him fiercely,” Zhang Xiu said, somewhat helpless.

“Alas, if I were not fighting alone without strong allies, what fear would I have of Cao Cao?”

“Zhang Xiu, you truly are something. My lord also bears enmity against Cao Cao. Why not join forces with him?” Xu Chu grumbled loudly.

“Oh, right. Your aunt is widowed, is she not? In these chaotic times, beauties seldom have good fortune. Why not let my lord marry her, forging a union between our houses and ensuring her safety? It would give her some peace.”

“Xu Chu, do not speak nonsense!” Chu Feng rebuked sternly.

Xu Chu pursed his lips, muttering inwardly, Boss, wasn’t it you who told me to say this? You didn’t warn me you’d scold me!

He felt quite wronged! But he knew his lord was just putting on a show.

Nearby, Jia Xu watched the two, his mouth twitching—what a pair of actors!

What kind of people are these? Always scheming!

“A union between our houses?” Zhang Xiu’s mouth twitched. Truth be told, he hadn’t thought of this, but his aunt was indeed alone, so he instinctively asked, “Yunqing, what Zhongkang said makes sense, but you are of noble lineage, and my aunt is but a fallen woman. I fear she may not be worthy.”

He spoke without much hope. In fact, from start to finish, he had never imagined Chu Feng would marry Lady Zou.

“The lady has suffered much; how can she be unworthy?” Chu Feng shook his head with emotion, as if he only wished to spare her further hardship. “But this matter must have her consent.”

Zhang Xiu pressed his lips.

Heavens, he actually agreed?

This saying goes: I take you as a brother, yet you wish to be my father? How shall we address each other henceforth? Will I call you Yunqing while you call me Nephew Xiu?

“Yunqing, my aunt is lonely, and as her nephew I cannot bear it. Since you are willing, let us forge an alliance and stand together against Cao Cao,” Zhang Xiu thought it over and consented.

“Very well, let us seal our pact in blood!”

“My lord, this is not a trivial matter. We should deliberate carefully and consult the lady to seek her opinion, should we not?” Jia Xu called out quickly.

Zhang Xiu frowned, seeing Jia Xu’s urgency, knowing he had something to say. Out of respect, he replied, “Indeed. Wenhe, come with me to ask my aunt’s thoughts.”

“Yunqing, wait here for now.”

With that, Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu left the hall.

At the corner, Jia Xu spoke urgently, “My lord, this is a weighty matter, not to be decided lightly!”

“What makes you say so?” Zhang Xiu frowned.

“My lord, Chu Feng holds Jianghuai, beset to the south by the Little Conqueror Sun Ce, to the north by the formidable Cao Cao—he is surrounded. If you ally with him, how will Liu Biao tolerate you?”

“When the time comes and he cannot protect himself, and Liu Biao or Cao Cao attacks, what will become of Nanyang? How will you survive?” Jia Xu lamented bitterly.

In Jia Xu’s view, Nanyang depended on Jingzhou, maintaining neutrality and waiting for the highest bidder was the wisest course.

“Wenhe, didn’t you previously advise forging an alliance?” Zhang Xiu’s brows knitted. Jia Xu spoke the truth; if Liu Biao attacked, he would not withstand it.

“This… I…” Jia Xu was at a loss, then continued, “My lord, I advised alliance, but not immediate union. Better to settle on a betrothal.”

“According to custom: the emperor waits a year, lords half a year, ministers a season, commoners a month. Since Chu Feng is willing, why not set the wedding for half a year hence?”

“In this way, firstly, it shows respect to the lady and yourself; secondly, it allows us to see where Chu Feng stands in half a year and how he develops—would this not be better?”

Having finished, Jia Xu gazed intently at Zhang Xiu.

This was all he could do for now. In his view, half a year should reveal the truth. If Chu Feng still stood strong, Zhang Xiu could join him; if he had vanished in the chaos, the betrothal could be forgotten, keeping the initiative with them and avoiding being passive.

After hearing Jia Xu’s words, Zhang Xiu pondered briefly.

Every word was true. If he forged a union now, Jingzhou would not tolerate him, and half a year was a mark of respect from the other side.

“But I already agreed just now!”

“My lord, you promised to forge an alliance, but did not say you would marry immediately! Moreover, Chu Feng is a noble, and must marry according to custom.”

Jia Xu explained quickly.

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Xiu nodded. Though he and Chu Feng got along well, this involved thousands of soldiers and his own life; he could not be hasty.

“My lord, let me explain in a moment.”

Soon, the two returned.

Chu Feng had been waiting anxiously, seeing them return, he asked hurriedly, “Youwei, what did the lady say?”

“General Chu, the lady agrees, but she is the widow of General Zhang Ji and must consider her reputation. If you wish to marry her, it must be according to custom, and the wedding will take place in half a year,” Jia Xu explained with a bright smile.

“Half a year?” Chu Feng raised his brows, calculating inwardly. This custom applied to formal wives, not concubines. Clearly, Jia Xu was putting obstacles in the way.

But so be it. If they allied openly now, Zhang Xiu might not survive the year. Jia Xu’s concern was that Chu Feng might not be up to the task.

Yet this was also wise, keeping a hidden card. As long as he was strong enough, Zhang Xiu would have no choice but to join him. No doubt Jia Xu thought so too.

“So, what does Youwei propose?”

“My lord and the general hit it off and are willing to ally, but this alliance must not be made public yet. Otherwise, Liu Biao will destroy us, and my lord will have nowhere to turn!” Jia Xu explained with a smile.

“That is best. Today, let us seal our pact in blood, known only to those present. In the future, should Cao Cao attack you, I will raise troops to aid you!” Chu Feng said heartily.

“Agreed. If Cao Cao attacks you, I too will lead troops against him!” Zhang Xiu replied with bold laughter. Truthfully, he had worried Chu Feng might turn against him, but now saw he had been overthinking.

The two then sealed their pact in blood.

Afterwards, Chu Feng led his men and took his leave.

This journey had not been in vain; not only had he obtained the blueprints for top-tier warships, but also gained Zhang Xiu as a hidden ally—a valuable outcome that might prove critical in the future.

And, of course, he had acquired a fertile field!

Watching Chu Feng depart, Jia Xu narrowed his eyes in thought. He sensed that this young man was no ordinary soul, calm and composed, with a sense that he saw through everything.

“It seems the lands of Jiangdong will know no peace!”

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