Choosing Zhang Zhao to go to Wuxian County for matchmaking may seem like a casual mention, but in fact Wang Zheng had also considered it.
The Han Dynasty governed the country with Confucianism, and Confucianism valued etiquette the most, because it played a great role in consolidating the hierarchical system of superiority and inferiority and maintaining the social order of class opposition.
Therefore, there are established systems and regulations in various aspects such as crowning, wedding, funeral, sacrifice, township, archery, court, employment, etc., and "Shihun Rites" records a complete set of marriage etiquette, which are respectively accepting, asking, etc. The six steps of giving a name, accepting a gift, accepting a petition, asking for an appointment and personally welcoming you are what later generations called the "six rites".
Of course, if this set of procedures is to be followed completely and concretely, not to mention the common people, even for the wealthy gentry, it would seem a bit cumbersome and redundant. Even if the great scholar Zheng Xuan made corresponding annotations that are more in line with the times, most people It is more about implementing different customs and habits according to the actual situation.
But no matter how it changes, the main etiquette such as matchmaking, making appointments, and marrying a daughter-in-law are basically the same.
Matchmaking was the most important part of weddings in ancient times.
The so-called clear matchmaker marries, there is a cause and effect relationship.
Only an open matchmaker can be considered a real marriage, and the first wife is an upright lady, a real wife.
So since this link is so important, who the matchmaker is is very important.
Considering the status of Wang Zheng and Lu Bu, one is a state pastor and the other is a county marquis. Naturally, the status of this middleman cannot be too low, and the higher the better.
If purely speaking as a matchmaker, the other two people are actually more suitable, one is Chen Yu, the head of the Xiapi Chen family, and the other is Wang Rong, the family head of the Langya Wang family.
For one thing, the two of them are older. Not only are they Wang Zheng's elders, Lu Bu also politely calls them elders when they meet them. This is actually very important.
Secondly, although they are from the same aristocratic family, these two people are superior to the current Zhang Zhao in terms of their prominent family background and even their personal qualifications.
But Wang Zheng thought more deeply and excluded Chen Yu first!
Once this marriage is negotiated, Lu Bu and he will certainly become a family, but the wife and her relatives who have not yet met have also become a natural alliance with the matchmaker. In a short time, Xiapi is destined to become How can we continue to strengthen the influence of the Chen family in the political center of our own territory?
If Chen Yu was rejected because he was afraid of the impact after the incident, then Wang Rong was excluded because of factors beforehand.
There are no two characters for "王" in one stroke. Since the Langya Wang family joined their own group, some rumors have spread among the people. They are simply saying that Wang Zhengben was born in the Langya Wang family, and his rapid rise is due to the strong support of the Wang family. .
If Wang Rong is allowed to do the matchmaking this time, the relationship with the Langya Wang family will become deeper in the future, which is not what Wang Zheng wants to see.
Of course, in addition to these two people, there are still some famous scholars who are higher than Zhang Zhao. But the key point is that this time the matchmaking itself is just a means. What is more important is to appease Lu Bu through this matter and eliminate the estrangement. The real key goal is for both parties to reach an alliance.
As for someone who could serve as a matchmaker and messenger at the same time without leaving too many hidden dangers, Wang Zheng finally settled on Zhang Zhao after much thought.
Plans were made that night, and after choosing gifts the next day, Zhang Zhao, who had just arrived at Xiapi, quietly left the city and headed south, escorted by a hundred knights arranged by Xu Fang.
At this time, Wang Zheng still pretended not to know how to receive Dong Zhao, an angel, in person.
For several days, he first asked Wang Zheng to give him a brief report in the name of the Han Emperor, which was nothing more than the current population, land, grain reserves, troops, etc. of counties and counties in Xuzhou, as well as the current details of civil and military officials, etc.
wait.
Wang Zheng, the state shepherd, naturally had to give it, but after knowing the details of this fat man, how could he dare to be careless? Naturally, it was impossible to tell him the real situation, and he would either cut corners or exaggerate.
Afterwards, Dong Zhao inspected the military camps again. He seemed to be walking back and forth carelessly, but unknowingly, he visited all the four military camps in Xiapi City and even several nearby cities.
Wang Zheng, who was watching with cold eyes, was now certain that Dong Zhao belonged to Cao Cao's faction and was not a Han official loyal to Emperor Xian.
Because so far, the person who knows the most about his own military power and is also the most curious is probably Cao Cao, who has fought against him twice.
Now, about ten days later, before setting off, Dong Zhao brought up the old matters again and asked Wang Zheng what his plan was at this time.
Wang Zheng was in trouble, so he just waved, and several carriages rushed out, half filled with gold, silver and jewels, and half filled with Yinping beauties.
"Brother Dong, Your Majesty has orders, and I, as a minister, must obey them." Wang Zheng said with a wry smile: "But you have also seen during this period that our Xuzhou has been in constant war, the people's livelihood has been ruined, and the soldiers are exhausted. In the short term...
Alas, it is really difficult to use troops."
"I also hope that after you return to Xudu, you can say a few words and explain the government in front of the emperor."
With that said, he personally handed over a document, which was a memorial to Dong Zhao.
"Hey."
Dong Zhao first glanced at Wang Zheng, and while taking the document, he stared at the carriage next to him for a few times. His eyes were a little fiery. After pondering for a long time, he showed a look of accepting the benefits and reluctantly: "Yu Kou, your
I naturally know the difficulty and will report it to the Emperor, but I cannot guarantee whether the Emperor will punish him out of anger."
"If Brother Dong can speak out, Zheng Zheng will be grateful." Wang Zheng said quickly: "The rest depends on God's will."
"Haha, don't worry too much. If the emperor is a wise man, he will not treat him harshly if he is a loyal minister and a good general." At this point, Dong Zhao looked at the document expressing his merits thoughtfully, and murmured to himself: "The thieves of Mount Tai...
.Taishan bandits...."
"Imperial pirate." Dong Zhao seemed to have thought of something, suddenly looked at Wang Zheng, and said seriously: "Speaking of Mount Tai, I also have something to ask you for help."
"Oh?" Wang Zheng was startled when he heard this: "Brother Dong, please tell me."
"A few months ago, a friend of mine wanted to go to Yanzhou to find relatives. When passing through Philadelphia, it happened that the Taishan bandit Chang Xi led his troops to attack the city..."
Dong Zhao sighed: "I don't know if it fell into the hands of thieves or what. There is no news yet. I don't know whether I am alive or dead."
Hearing this, Wang Zheng already guessed who the friend Dong Zhao was talking about.
It should be that Shiyi, right?
only...
He glanced at Dong Zhao calmly. The attack on Philadelphia was obviously his own tribe, so why did Dong Zhao say it was Chang Xi who led the Taishan bandits?
What's more, it hadn't been long since Chang Xi joined his army. How did Cao Cao find out?
Thinking like this in his heart, Wang Zheng immediately patted his chest on the surface: "Brother Dong, don't worry, I will immediately mobilize my manpower to go search for you today. As long as your friend is still in Mount Tai, he will meet people alive and dead...
."
Seemingly realizing that he had said the wrong thing, Wang Zheng smiled dryly when facing Dong Zhao's dissatisfied eyes, stopped immediately, and asked: "Do you have a portrait?"
"This way it's easier to follow the diagram."
"Yes." Dong Zhao seemed to have been prepared for it. He took out a piece of tissue paper from his arms and handed it to Wang Zheng. He immediately secretly paid attention to Wang Zheng's reaction.
"What a handsome young man!"
As soon as the painting came into his eyes, Wang Zheng was filled with emotion as if he were seeing Tao for the first time. He admired it for a long time, until Dong Zhao, who was standing by, looked at him strangely. He almost thought he was like Long Yang before he raised his head.
He asked: "Anyone with such demeanor must be a famous scholar!"
"Brother Dong, don't you know the name of your dear friend?"
Could it be that Fengxiao is really not in this Shuzi's hands?
Dong Zhao, who had watched it from beginning to end, muttered to himself that before setting off, Cao Cao had specifically told him the whole story. Guo Jiadianman had disappeared in Philadelphia. The other guards who returned said they had met the vanguard of the big thief Chang Xi, so
Only then did he fall.
According to common sense, Guo Jia and Noriman were not important figures at this time, and their reputations had not yet been established. It was unlikely that they were forcibly detained. There was no news for such a long time, and there was a high probability that the situation was bad.
Even Cao Cao himself cared more about Dian Wei's son Dian Man at this time.
After all, Guo Jia has not shown his talents now, and in the chaotic environment, Dianman, who has a certain degree of bravery, has a higher chance of survival. The delay in returning may be just because of the journey, and Guo Jia, who is a scholar,
But it’s really hard to say.
Therefore, I specifically told Dong Zhao that Mount Tai is now under the control of Wang Zheng. The momentum of the bandits in Mount Tai has been greatly reduced in the past six months. Obviously, Wang Zheng has a certain degree of control over Mount Tai. He can use his power to help search for the two of them when he leaves.
's whereabouts.
No matter life or death, at least Dian Wei and Xun Yu must be given an explanation.
From Dong Zhao's point of view, if Guo Jiadian is still alive, then it is very likely that he fell into the hands of Wang Zheng. After all, ordinary bandits simply do not have the vision to see the extraordinary qualities of Guo Fengxiao, and there is no reason to force him.
Since the seizure.
And if it hadn't fallen into Wang Zheng's hands...
Sighing secretly, Dong Zhao already had a pessimistic guess in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "My friend is from Yangzhai, Yingchuan. His surname is Guo Mingjia, and his given name is Fengxiao."
"His talents are not above governing the country and ensuring peace of the country, but his love and romance."
But in the end, he added just in case, fearing that Wang Zheng would return to his true nature as a thief if he really found the person instead of the corpse.
"Guo Jia..."
But Wang Zheng lowered his head and muttered silently several times, and when he raised his head again, he made a promise with a solemn face: "Brother Dong, don't worry, the government has taken note of this matter, and will find capable people to handle it as soon as he returns home later!"
"Good work."
Dong Zhao nodded, got on his horse, cupped his hands towards Wang Zhengyi and said, "Stay here while I go."
As he said this, he heard a good horse neighing and stampeding away surrounded by a group of soldiers.
Until he gradually walked away, Wang Zheng, who was standing in the pavilion by the road, no longer concealed himself, and his eyes suddenly burst out with a frightening glare.
Oh shit!
Almost let a big fish go!
"Hurry!" He turned his head sharply and shouted directly from his own soldiers: "Hurry back to the city and inform Wu Sheng, and take the Tianzhu camp to Kaiyang!"
"Let's go now!"
"Bring that Guo Jia...that is, that Shi Yi to the general!"
"Not a single hair should be missing!"
...
Two flowers bloom, one on each side.
Pengcheng, Wuxian County.
It is already the fifth day since Zhang Zhao came here.
And neither he nor Wang Zheng, who was far away in Xiapi, would have thought that until now, let alone a marriage, he had not even seen Lu Bu in person.
When I came here for the first time, it happened that Lu Bu himself was out of town and not in the county. It was just an accident.
But three days ago, I had clearly heard that Marquis Wen was returning to his hometown. Today, it was the second time that I had submitted my assassination, but I was still rejected by the other party with excuses. This was a bit unjustifiable!
Not to mention that he was representing the state's shepherd and king's government during his trip. Putting aside this fact, he, Zhang Zibu, was also a well-known person. How had he ever received such treatment?
"Sir, why is this Lu Bu acting so arrogant?" On the way back to the post house, the attendants beside him were flushed with anger: "Even a small family, when a guest comes to visit, knows to invite him in for a glass of water first.
!”
"People say a tiger will never fall until it dies." Zhang Zhao showed a self-deprecating smile and teased: "The unrivaled Wen Hou is so majestic and domineering even now, but I never expected it."
He really didn't expect that Lu Bu could not see the situation so clearly and could not distinguish the importance.
On the first day he came to Wu County, Zhang Zhao saw some clues from the alert looks of several generals under Lu Bu. It was most likely because someone had informed Wang Zheng in advance of the "secret book" and the contents of the "secret book".
Lu Bu.
But at that time, he became more determined because of this. In this case, after Lu Bu returned to the city and knew the purpose of his trip, he would naturally understand Wang Zheng's intentions.
And getting married was something that would benefit both parties. Zhang Zhao couldn't figure out Lu Bu's reason for refusing.
But now this kind of reaction... what does it mean?
Lu Bu actually hesitated on this matter!
Zhang Zhao couldn't understand why the other party hesitated...
A year ago, it would have been okay. At that time, you, Lu Bu, were a powerful prince with a great reputation in the world, while Wang Zheng was just a bandit and a commoner. It was indeed suspected of clinging to you.
But now to be honest, the situation has already been reversed. With Wang Zheng's current status and power, not to mention your Lu Bu's daughter, even if it is replaced by a more powerful person, or even the famous Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, it is very likely that they will be too busy.
Nodding in agreement!
Just kidding, no matter how valuable the legitimate daughter of an aristocratic family is, she can't compare to the value of a state, five counties, and tens of thousands of strong troops, right?
But now, no matter how dissatisfied Zhang Zhao is, he can only continue to stay in Wuxian, hoping to wait until the day Lu Bu figures it out.
After all, whether this matter succeeds or fails, the people who have the greatest impact on the future are now not the two parties involved in Wang Zheng and Lu Bu.
It was him who took the initiative.
If it doesn't work...
Zhang Zhao simply couldn't imagine how serious the consequences would be.
After returning to the post house, he sat alone in the courtyard, sighing repeatedly. As each day passed by, he became increasingly uneasy and uneasy, so he could only think about it happily.
Fortunately among misfortunes...
Is it that Lu Bu is just hesitant at the moment, rather than rejecting it outright?
.....
While Zhang Zhao was feeling uneasy, Lu Bu was also discussing the matter.
The former waited for three days, and the latter also discussed it three times.
After Lu Bu returned to the city, he saw the words "Qin and Jin are good" on Zhang Zhao's greeting card. He already knew the purpose of his visit and had a discussion with his wife Yan that night.
Lu Bu: "Madam, what do you think?"
Yan replied: "I have heard about Wang Zheng's people for a long time. The speed of his rise is rare in ancient times and modern times. In less than a year, he captured five counties in Xuzhou and supported one hundred thousand troops. This is Huang Tian's luck and Black Dragon's fate. Sooner or later,
She will be the emperor's son. If this happens, my daughter will be the mother of the country."
"But it's up to the husband to make the final decision on this matter."
"Well," Lu Bu nodded: "I'll think about it again."