With Cao Cao by my side, what do I have to fear from the world?

Chapter 242, I, the Emperor, will grant you a marriage.

It turned out that all of this was orchestrated by Gan Ning himself. Gan Ning waved his hand, signaling Wang Meng to leave.

Chen Gong was also somewhat worried: "Xingba, is your injury really not serious?"

Gan Ning raised his injured arm and waved it vigorously. "It's nothing. No wonder His Majesty calls Jia Xu a 'poisonous strategist.' His plans are truly extraordinary. If I lose an arm, it's worth it if it can save Cai Mao's life!"

Chen Gong breathed a sigh of relief. "Only Jia Xu could come up with such a self-inflicted injury scheme. Originally, I thought we should directly force Liu Biao, but now that I think about it carefully, Jia Xu's plan is more ingenious and more effective."

"Then what do we do next?"

Gan Ning, who was rather impatient, was getting restless. "Should I take some men and go directly to Cai Mao's residence to arrest him?"

Chen Gong shook his head. "No need. Let's observe for two days first. If Liu Biao doesn't take any action, we'll secretly send someone to spread the word. On the surface, we'll generously say that we won't report this to the court, so that Liu Biao will owe us a favor."

Gan Ning nodded. "Okay, let's do it that way."

Cai Mao was even more wronged than Dou E. He had no intention of seeking revenge, yet at this critical juncture, someone assassinated Gan Ning.

After this incident, Cai Mao suddenly became the target of public criticism, and he couldn't clear his name no matter what he did. Everyone pointed the finger at him.

Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Pang Ji, Ma Liang... people from Jingzhou came to Cai Mao's residence to inquire about this matter.

Pang Ji asked him directly, "Why did you send someone to assassinate Gan Ning? Doing so will bring utter disaster to Jingzhou."

Cai Mao flew into a rage, so angry he almost vomited blood.

Liu Biao was inherently weak-willed, and as he grew older, he lost much of his decisiveness. Coupled with Lady Cai's persistent nagging and occasional whispers in his ear, Liu Biao softened and wanted to suppress the matter.

Let's stall for a while first, and in the end we can just find a few scapegoats to cover it up.

However, the news quickly spread throughout the tavern streets and alleys.

If public opinion is used properly, it can be just as effective as swords in killing people.

Kuai Yue was walking down the street when he overheard a group of people gathered nearby, discussing the matter.

"Did you hear that?"

"I heard that General Cai Mao sent someone to assassinate the newly arrived prefect. Someone witnessed the incident, and the assassin fled to the Cai family home afterwards."

"Isn't Cai Mao incredibly audacious? Isn't he afraid of being punished?"

Some people shook their heads, saying, "What crime are you going to punish? He's the brother-in-law of Governor Liu."

However, someone countered, "That's not necessarily true. Assassinating an official of the imperial court is a serious crime. I don't think Governor Liu can protect him this time. He might even put family aside for the greater good and arrest Cai Mao."

People started discussing it, and before long, many more people joined the discussion.

Kuai Yue continued walking forward, and overheard others discussing the matter along the way, causing his expression to become increasingly serious.

He rushed to see Liu Biao, and Pang Ji was also there.

When Kuai Yue entered, Pang Ji was persuading Liu Biao, and he overheard it on the street.

"My lord, it seems this matter can no longer be suppressed. The people are talking about it, and it will probably be common knowledge in a few days, and it may even reach Xuchang."

Liu Biao sighed anxiously, "I never expected it to turn out like this."

These days, Gan Ning was stabbed, and everyone is suspecting Cai Mao. Liu Biao is so worried about this that he can't eat or drink.

Spending the night with Madam Cai, I lost my usual enthusiasm.

Madam Cai even threatened him, "If you dare to arrest my brother, you can forget about ever touching me again."

Liu Biao was at a loss and anxiously asked Kuai Yue and the other man, "Then what do you think we should do about this?"

Kuai Yue and Pang Ji both shook their heads; they dared not speak of such matters lightly.

If they persuaded Liu Biao to punish Cai Mao, they would offend the Cai family.

If Cai Mao is not dealt with, this matter cannot be suppressed and will eventually alarm the imperial court.

Liu Biao stared at the two of them for a long time, then sighed heavily, as if he had aged considerably in an instant.

The expressions on their faces told him that he had no choice but to sacrifice a pawn to save the king; he had to capture Cai Mao.

When everyone suspected that Cai Mao was responsible, his own explanations became meaningless.

Everyone thinks you did it, so it must have been you, even if it wasn't!
"come!"

Liu Biao suddenly stood up straight, shouted outside, and immediately regained his usual majesty.

Several burly Jingzhou soldiers rushed in from outside the door. Liu Biao ordered, "Immediately seize Cai Mao and take him to prison to await his fate."

"...?"

The Jingzhou soldiers were stunned for a moment, staring blankly at Liu Biao, thinking they had misheard.

Liu Biao roared, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and capture Cai Mao!"

"Here!"

This time they finally heard it clearly, but even after the Jingzhou soldiers walked out, their minds were still blank.

Cai Mao was the head of the Cai family and the most powerful person in Jingzhou. Even though he was beaten with a hundred lashes by Gan Ning, no one dared to underestimate him.

Cai Mao has been annoyed to death these past few days. Today, even Huang Chengyan, who rarely gets involved in politics, has stepped forward.

"De Gui, you've really gotten yourself into a huge mess this time."

"Lord Huang, I didn't. I've said it so many times. I didn't send anyone to assassinate Gan Ning."

Cai Mao was going crazy; he didn't even know how many times he had repeated that sentence.

Cai Mao denied it, and Huang Chengyan was very disappointed.

The seven major families of Jingzhou were all connected, and it was precisely because of this connection that Huang Chengyan kindly came to visit them.

“De Gui, you say it wasn’t you, then tell me, in Jingzhou, who would dare to do this? Who would have the ability to do this? Gan Ning was assassinated by a group of well-trained people. Could anyone else have done this? And then escaped unscathed, without even a trace?”

None of the seven powerful clans of Jingzhou expected that it was the strategist Jia Xu who had made the move. Gan Ning was a formidable general; ordinary people would find it difficult not only to harm him, but even to get close to him.

But someone actually managed to do something so difficult, so all the blame was directed at Cai Mao, because Cai Mao had the motive, the courage, and the ability to do it.

Gan Ning simply cooperated, allowing his men to slash him, instantly making it impossible for Cai Mao to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

Now, in the entire Jingzhou, only Cai Mao firmly believes that he did not do it. Even his father, Cai Feng, and his wife only choose to believe him to protect him, but they are not entirely sure themselves.

Cai Mao was so frustrated he was practically fuming, scratching his head and ears, he was really going crazy.

Suddenly, a group of Jingzhou soldiers rushed in from outside. The steward did not stop them, and the men went straight to Cai Mao's room.

Cai Mao flew into a rage, pointed at them and shouted, "Outrageous! How dare you trespass into the General's mansion? You've gone too far!"

The leader of the group stepped forward, glanced at Cai Mao, and said loudly, "General, we are here on the orders of our lord to take you to prison. Please do not blame us."

"What? I'd like to see who dares!" Cai Mao was both shocked and furious, and was extremely angry.

But no one listened to him. The leader waved his hand, and the Jingzhou soldiers rushed forward aggressively, lifted Cai Mao off the bed, and took him away.

Huang Chengyan shook his head helplessly and sighed, "It seems that Jingzhou will soon be left with only six major families."

The arrest of Cai Mao caused a sensation, no less than an earthquake, with people spreading the news and paying close attention to such a major event.

The news quickly reached Longzhong, where Zhuge Liang heard about it from the patrons at a tavern in the mountains.

At the next table, two elderly men sat facing each other. Both had white hair and youthful faces, and were full of energy. The other patrons treated them with great respect.

One was Pang Degong, the head of the Pang family, and the other was Sima Hui, the owner of Shuijing Villa.

When the two men talked about Cai Mao, they both sighed. Their view was the same as Zhuge Liang's: the Cai family was destined to be abandoned by Liu Biao.

“I’m afraid this time, no one can save Cai Mao. If Liu Biao doesn’t deal with him, he will be letting down the court and the people.” It was Sima Hui who spoke.

Zhuge Liang listened quietly from the side, while Pang Degong nodded, "This really is a case of 'success and failure both stemming from Xiao He.' Liu Biao used to rely on the Cai family to stabilize Jingzhou and Xiangyang, but unexpectedly, the Cai family has now encountered a terrible disaster."

The two men were convinced that Cai Mao was finished this time, and the Cai family was destined to never recover.

Is the Cai family really finished?
Zhuge Liang also fell into deep thought. Pang Degong and Sima Hui were both highly skilled individuals who appeared and disappeared without a trace. Zhuge Liang had the privilege of talking with them a few times.

However, despite his exceptional intelligence, Zhuge Liang failed to garner much attention from the two men who wanted his opinion.

It wasn't until it was almost dark, and the two wise men got up and left, that Zhuge Liang finally left the tavern.

As soon as he returned to the thatched cottage, his third brother, Zhuge Jun, handed him a letter. "Second brother, you weren't here earlier. This was sent from Xuchang. The messenger said there's a surprise inside—a reward from His Majesty."

"A reward for me?"

Zhuge Liang opened the letter with a puzzled look. It was the same familiar handwriting and tone.

"Kongming, you performed very well in the previous examination and helped me share my burdens. I will naturally reward you. However, since you have not yet entered officialdom, I will arrange a marriage for you with the daughter of Huang Chengyan of Jingzhou. She is of upright character, virtuous and kind, and a good match for you."

Zhuge Liang was stunned. Some people were rewarded with treasures, others with official titles, but when it came to him, he was offered a marriage.

Of course, Liu Xie did not directly bestow a marriage upon the couple, but rather acted as matchmaker, merely tying the knot.

Continue reading: Kongming, what I am giving you is not just a marriage, but also a key to truly enter the upper echelons of Jingzhou.

Zhuge Liang was not a native of Jingzhou. After his father's death, he and his siblings depended on each other for survival. No matter how smart or capable he was, the upper class of Jingzhou found it difficult to accept him.

Pang Shiyuan, despite his ugliness and unconventional ways, was still regarded as the foremost scholar in the southern region. This was because he was a member of the Pang family and the nephew of Pang Degong.

Sima Hui was commissioned by Pang Degong to comment on Pang Tong. Everyone wanted to promote him, and Sima Hui started the trend. From then on, everyone in the upper-class circles of Jingzhou praised Pang Tong and spread his fame.

Liu Xie was very straightforward; he wanted to make Zhuge Liang famous and formally enter the upper class of Jingzhou.

Although Zhuge Liang's life would have followed the same trajectory even without Liu Xie's intervention, Liu Xie wanted to bring Zhuge Liang to his side in advance, thus becoming a benefactor in Zhuge Liang's life.

Considering that Sima Hui had never offered any commentary on his behalf, and considering the words in the emperor's letter today, Zhuge Liang finally understood completely.

In their eyes, I am ultimately just an outsider!
Sima Hui would not make a name for himself, even if he truly possessed the talents of Guan Zhong and Yue Yi.

The reason they were so willing to promote Pang Tong was because the aristocratic families were all one entity. If you help someone this time, they will naturally reciprocate next time.

Just like Kong Rong sharing pears and Wang Xiang lying on the ice, there have been thousands of people sharing pears throughout history. Why do people only remember Kong Rong? He just lay on the ice and became a rare example of filial piety. Is it really that simple?

Ultimately, this is just a marketing tactic used by aristocratic families.

When others share pears, no one promotes them or makes them famous. But Kong Rong, being a descendant of a sage, had countless people promoting him and making him famous. Similarly, when Wang Xiang lay on the ice, a large number of people would undoubtedly offer suggestions and help promote him.

"Kongming, don't be discouraged. You just lack an opportunity. The daughter of Lord Huang is a match made in heaven for you and will never disappoint you. Lord Huang is detached from worldly affairs and rarely interferes in the affairs of Jingzhou. Marrying into the Huang family will not do you any harm. You can decide this marriage yourself. I am just giving you a suggestion."

Even while eating dinner that night, Zhuge Liang was still thinking about this matter.

Zhuge Liang had two older sisters and two brothers, making a total of five siblings.

Zhuge Jin went to Jiangdong to assist Sun Quan, leaving the remaining four siblings to depend on each other for survival.

My eldest and second eldest sisters got married; one married into the Kuai family, and the other into the Pang family. But there was a lot of heartache hidden in their marriage.

Their marriage was arranged while Zhuge Xuan was still alive. If Zhuge Xuan had long since passed away, it's hard to imagine whether they would have been able to marry him smoothly.

Zhuge Liang desperately needed to be recognized and accepted by the people of Jingzhou.

Lying in bed that night, Zhuge Liang kept thinking about this matter, "Who exactly is Huang Gong's daughter? His Majesty actually said that she and I are a match made in heaven?"

Humans are naturally curious, and Zhuge Liang was no exception; he was eager to get to know Huang Yueying.

Next, Zhuge Liang secretly inquired and learned that Huang Chengyan had been worried about his daughter's marriage for the past two years, and that everyone's expressions would become very interesting when Huang Yueying's appearance was mentioned.

When Zhuge Liang met Xu Shu, Xu Shu also said tactfully, "I've heard she's an extraordinary woman."

Xu Shu spoke out of politeness; he had never actually met the man, but had heard that he was "extremely ugly."

However, some people say that Huang Yueying was of noble character and very talented.

(End of this chapter)