In the Three Kingdoms period, the opening scene features the killing of Huang Gai, shocking Zhou Yu!

The snow in Xuchang stopped on the third day.

The sun looks pretty good after it cleared up.

But the sun was quickly overshadowed by another color.

Red, an overwhelming expanse of red.

From a few miles outside the south gate of Xuchang, it extends all the way to the main road of the inner city.

This was an envoy from Eastern Wu, or more precisely,

It was the dowry procession that Sun Quan "supplemented" for Sun Shangxiang.

To be more precise, this was a thoughtful gift from Sun Quan to Zhao Yu.

One hundred and twenty-eight large chests were carried, and every five steps there was a brocade banner embroidered with the character "Sun".

The accompanying porters were all wearing red headscarves and forehead bands.

The shouts were deafening, as if they were afraid the deaf people of Xuchang wouldn't hear them.

Even Cao Cao, upon hearing this,

Unable to resist, I also went up to the city wall to watch.

This isn't a dowry delivery; it's clearly a military parade.

"Tsk."

"That brat Zhongmou is clearly showing off to us. Is he planning to use money to bury my Xudu city?"

Cheng Yu behind him whispered:

"Prime Minister, Sun Quan's move is likely aimed at winning popular support."

"He deliberately wanted to make a big fuss, to let the whole world know that although the Sun and Liu families had broken apart, the Sun family still treated the princess with great favor."

"If Zhao Yu or we have mistreated the monarch, then we would be breaking the rules."

"Are you in the wrong?"

"He wants both face and substance."

This is no dowry; it's clearly poison disguised as sugar.

Summon Wenhe and have him investigate how many spies have infiltrated this group.

"I do not believe that Sun Quan has sent only inanimate objects."

"Those things..."

"receive!"

Cao Cao turned and went downstairs; it was all money.

"Someone is rushing to send money to my men, why not accept it? Giving it to Zhao Yu will just be a matter of pride later."

Tell Zhao Yu that he can take the things, but he needs to keep a close eye on the person.

If his residence becomes an intelligence station for Eastern Wu, I will hold him accountable!

……

At the entrance of the Zhao residence,

Crowds of people.

Zhao Yu felt like dozing off while listening.

"It's so cold..."

"Isn't it finished yet? This gift list is longer than an old woman's foot binding cloth."

Down the steps

Bu Zhi (courtesy name Zishan), the envoy from Eastern Wu, was dressed in a scholar's robe.

Holding several scrolls of bamboo slips in his hands,

Read aloud.

"...Ten luminous pearls from the East Sea! Shining brightly, their light will illuminate a thousand autumns!"

"...Five hundred bolts of the finest Shu brocade! The patterns flow like water, the colors are like the morning glow!"

"...Here, Lord Wu has specially gathered eighteen renowned chefs from Jiangdong and eighteen garden craftsmen, a total of thirty-six people, all so that the princess can taste the flavors of her hometown and see the scenery of her native land in the north!"

What's more outrageous is that

Bu Zhi recited each sentence,

The onlookers in Xuchang gasped in surprise.

This is an enormous investment.

If you didn't know better, you'd think Sun Quan had moved half of Jingkou City over.

Zhao Yu was initially drowsy, but upon hearing the words "famous chef,"

The ears understood.

"Eighteen cooks?"

"Perfect, having two different cuisines in my home, this is a great deal."

[Host, please note, scan display]

Of these thirty-six "technical personnel," twenty had a combat strength exceeding 60 and were proficient in skills such as "infiltration," "espionage," and "poisoning."

Zhao Yu rolled his eyes:

nonsense,

Sun Quan didn't come here to do charity.

This is called a "Trojan horse," do you understand?

But it doesn't matter, as long as the food is delicious, Zhao Yu would accept being a spy.

At worst, we can just let them become like that inspirational quote writer.

Finally, Bu Zhi finished reading the gift list.

He casually handed the bamboo slips to the servant beside him.

Walk quickly up the steps,

He bowed deeply to Zhao Yu and Sun Shangxiang, who was standing beside him.

"Your humble servant Bu Zhi pays his respects to the Princess and greets General Zhao."

Bu Zhi raised his head, his gaze fixed on Sun Shangxiang.

Faced with mountains of treasure,

Sun Shangxiang didn't even lift her eyelids.

She knew her brother too well.

For the sake of Jingzhou, she could be married off to Liu Bei like a commodity;

Now, in order to appease Cao Cao and disgust Liu Bei, they can treat her like a precious treasure.

This sea of ​​red makeup was merely a move on Sun Quan's political chessboard.

Cold, hypocritical, and devoid of warmth.

Seeing Sun Shangxiang's indifferent expression, Bu Zhi sighed inwardly.

It seems there's no way to hide it anymore.

But on the surface, a professional concern still prevailed:

"Princess, since you left, Lord Wu has been thinking of you day and night, and has lost his appetite."

As the saying goes, the eldest brother is like a father.

Lord Wu specifically instructed his officials to personally check whether the princess was doing well in Xuchang.

Have you lost weight? Have you been wronged...?

What he said makes a lot of sense.

Many of the onlookers had tears in their eyes.

He admired Sun Quan as a good older brother.

Zhao Yu, who was listening nearby, kept grimacing.

I thought to myself, this Bu Zhi truly deserves to be called a diplomat; he deserves an Oscar.

He wouldn't be so disinterested in food and drink; he didn't seem to be doing that when Sun Shangxiang was being sold.

Bu Zhi continued to stir emotions:

"Princess, if you lose weight, Marquis Wu will be heartbroken..."

"Alright."

Sun Shangxiang interrupted Bu Zhi's performance.

She didn't act like a wronged little wife at all.

Take a step forward,

She casually patted the nearest box filled with pearls.

"Mr. Bu,"

"Please thank your brother for me."

"I'll take these things; I can use them to pay my female soldiers."

"this……"

Sun Shangxiang crossed her arms over her chest.

"As for his concern about whether I've lost weight..."

"Go back and tell him I'm in Xuchang, eating and drinking well, and in a good mood."

"Not only did I not lose weight, I actually gained three pounds."

"Don't worry about it."

Bu Zhi's mouth dropped open.

The well-prepared draft in my mind felt like it had been stuffed with a wad of cotton.

He couldn't utter a single word.

Fat...I've gained three pounds?

What kind of answer is this?

Shouldn't it be a scene of deep sibling affection, with tears streaming down their faces?

At the very least, shouldn't silence speak louder than words at this moment?

How can Lord Wu continue his sob story now that he has gained three pounds?

No, there's a loophole here.

Zhao Yu poked his head out.

He held up two fingers with a serious expression.

He added insult to injury:

"To correct you, it's actually two and a half pounds."

"The remaining half pound is the roasted chestnuts she stole in the backyard earlier, and she hasn't digested them yet."

*Pfft.* Someone burst out laughing first.

Sun Shangxiang blushed.

He glared at Zhao Yu fiercely, then raised his foot to kick him.

"Shut up! No one will think you're mute if you don't speak!"

Zhao Yu then took the opportunity to hide behind Bu Zhi:

"Hey, hey, hey! A gentleman uses words, not fists! Mr. Bu, save me!"

"It seems..."

Bu Zhi shook his head with a wry smile.

"The monarch is indeed living quite well in Xuchang."

After the farce, it's time to put it in storage.

The steward of the Zhao family was so busy he barely had time to breathe.

The eighteen renowned chefs and eighteen craftsmen from Jiangdong were brought to the front hall to await orders.

These thirty-six people,

Seemingly honest and simple

In reality, they all had reserved eyes.

The lead chef, a portly man with a beaming smile, stepped forward and bowed.

"This humble one, Wang Dashao, greets the son-in-law and the princess."

"I've brought all the necessary equipment; tonight I'll show off my authentic Squirrel Fish to the host."

"Wang Dashao, right?"

"Yes, yes, yes."