Emperor Zhaolie of the late Han Dynasty: Rising to power in Liaoxi

Although Gongsun Zan was not from the direct line of the family, he had recently gained fame, so the Gongsun family treated this grand wedding as a matter of pride for the entire clan.

Gongsun Zhao was ranked high in the clan and was known for his tact and diplomacy, so he was chosen to greet the guests.

As Gongsun Zhao led everyone into the mansion, Zhao Bao exchanged a few pleasantries with him along the way. Gongsun Zhao answered fluently and skillfully.

Liu Bei had met this man before; when Gongsun Zan was transferred, it was he who redeemed the six hundred White Horse Cavalry.

Upon seeing him again, Liu Bei became interested in him, for he was of average appearance.

"Brother Gongsun, this is precisely the time when we need men in Liaoxi."

"The Gongsun family of Lingzhi is full of talented people. If you have time, you might as well come and visit western Liaoning."

Gongsun Zhao's smile faltered slightly; he naturally understood Liu Bei's meaning.

A year ago, he might have seriously considered it.

Although the Gongsun family was a prominent clan, their influence in the Liaoxi officialdom was not deep. If they could establish a connection with Liu Bei, it would be a way out for the Gongsun family.

But now, Gongsun Zan is gaining momentum in Youbeiping, having married the daughter of the prefect and been promoted to chief clerk. He is now the most promising member of the Gongsun family.

The clan elders have decided to stake all the clan's resources on Gongsun Zan.

He smiled awkwardly, cupped his hands, and said, "Commander Liu, your kindness is too much for me."

"I am currently preoccupied with clan affairs and cannot leave at the moment. If the opportunity arises in the future, I will certainly pay you a visit."

Liu Bei smiled and said nothing more.

He was just asking on a whim, it didn't matter whether it succeeded or not.

Since the Gongsun family has chosen to fully support Gongsun Zan, then let them be.

The grandeur of Gongsun's residence was even greater than Liu Bei had anticipated.

The mansion has five courtyards, with carved beams and painted rafters, winding paths and corridors.

The main hall for the wedding was located in the third courtyard. A long red carpet was laid from the gate to the main hall, and the two sides were filled with congratulatory gifts from the guests: silk, bronzeware, jade, and lacquerware, piled up like small mountains.

A stage was set up in the courtyard in front of the main hall, where a Nuo opera was being performed with loud gongs and drums.

The guests gathered in small groups, drinking and chatting under the eaves. Among them were local powerful figures from Liaoxi, officials from Youbeiping, scions of prominent families from various counties of Youzhou, and even a few merchants from Luoyang.

Liu Bei stood under the eaves, his gaze sweeping over the guests filling the courtyard, secretly marveling at their presence.

He spent two years cultivating land and training troops in western Liaoning, accumulating wealth and believing he had some foundation.

However, the extravagance that Gongsun could casually display at a wedding was equivalent to half a year's income from the Liaoxi County Treasury.

These powerful clans have operated in the area for generations, their land holdings, tenant farmers, trade routes, and personal connections deeply intertwined and entrenched.

They usually keep a low profile, but their true abilities are revealed in such situations.

When the auspicious time arrived, drums and music resounded.

Gongsun Zan, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, strode out of the main hall.

From a distance, Liu Bei appeared to be eight feet tall, with a magnificent appearance, and even more spirited than before.

Liu Qi sat in the main seat. He was about fifty years old, with a thin face and sharp eyes.

He was the Prefect of Youbeiping, and he and Zhao Bao were both officials of the same rank in the border region.

Since he was the bride's father at the wedding, he sat in the main seat.

Zhao Bao greeted him, and the two exchanged a few pleasantries about matters concerning the border region. Liu Qi's gaze lingered for a moment on Liu Bei behind Zhao Bao, and he nodded slightly as a greeting.

Liu Qi was also a member of the Han imperial family, and should have been closer to Liu Bei, but for some reason, he was quite indifferent to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei didn't take it seriously. To be honest, the world was now full of Han imperial relatives, unlike the great era after the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

The newlyweds exchange vows and are then led to their bridal chamber.

Liu Bei took a closer look and found that the bride had a graceful figure and a shapely figure. Although he could not see her face, he figured she could not be too ugly.

He couldn't help but think to himself: Bo Gui is really lucky!

The banquet officially began, with dishes being served in a continuous stream, and wine jars being emptied one after another.

Liu Bei and Zhao Bao sat at the head of the table, while Cheng Pu, Han Dang, Zhao Yun, and Hou Cheng sat at the foot of the table.

During this time, Gongsun Zan came out to offer a toast, but only exchanged a few simple pleasantries with Liu Bei and the others.

But even Zhao Bao, an outsider, could feel that sense of triumph.

After drinking a few cups with Cheng Pu, Han Dang asked Liu Bei for leave and dragged him to other tables to play.

He was originally from Lingzhi and was quite prestigious among the local chivalrous people, so he naturally had many acquaintances here.

Zhao Yun sat at the last seat, his wine cup barely touched, his gaze quietly sweeping over every corner of the courtyard.

Even at a banquet, they did not slacken their vigilance in the slightest, keeping in mind their duty to protect their two superiors.

The banquet lasted until late at night.

Liu Bei and his entourage stayed overnight at Gongsun's residence. Zhao Bao suggested that since they had come, they should stay an extra day to chat with the local powerful families of Lingzhi.

Liu Bei then accompanied him.

The next day, at noon, the banquet had just begun.

Gongsun Zhao was toasting at the banquet when suddenly the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the mansion gate.

The sound of horses' hooves came very quickly, taking only a few breaths to get from the street corner to the front of the mansion.

The man on horseback dismounted and practically tumbled and crawled into the mansion.

He was a military officer from Youbeiping, his robes covered in dust, his face bearing the marks of a long and arduous journey.

"Report to the Prefect: The Xianbei have invaded Youbeiping from the south!"

"The vanguard has already passed Junmi County, and I estimate there are no fewer than five thousand cavalry."

"The fortifications along the way have been removed, and the beacon towers were set on fire last night. However, the news was delayed as the governor was chasing after the news."

There was a commotion at the table.

Liu Qi suddenly stood up, overturning his wine cup on the table.

The guests in the hall were in chaos. Some got up to leave, some whispered among themselves, and some were pale-faced and at a loss.

Liu Bei put down his wine cup and was about to speak when the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the gate of the mansion.

The rider came from the east. Liu Bei recognized the man on horseback; he was a personal guard in his household named Chen Shou.

His face was covered in sweat, his robes were soaked, and he staggered as he jumped off his horse, but he still clutched the letter tube in his arms tightly.

"My lord, there's an urgent message from Mr. Cheng!"

Liu Bei opened the letter and glanced at the few lines of text.

His expression didn't change, but his fingers tightened around the mailbox.

The Xianbei invasion did not occur in Liaoxi Commandery, but rather in Liaodong Dependent State.

The Xianbei army besieged Changli, and the Liaodong Dependent State was in imminent danger. Gongshamu, the Commandant of the Liaodong Dependent State, sought help from Liaoxi.

During the meal, someone accidentally knocked over a wine cup, and the sound of the porcelain shattering was particularly jarring in the suddenly quiet hall.

A moment later, Gongsun Zan strode out from the back hall. He had changed into a white robe and silver armor, and a long sword was now at his waist.

He walked up to Liu Qi, knelt on one knee, and said in a stirring voice, "My lord, this humble general requests to fight!"

Liu Qi looked at him, remained silent for a moment, then reached out and helped him up: "Granted!"

Liu Bei put the letter tube into his bosom and stood up.

Cheng Pu, Han Dang, Zhao Yun, and Hou Cheng all stood up at the same time, their hands on the hilts of their swords.

Zhao Bao looked at him, and Liu Bei met his gaze.

"My lord, Liaoxi must also prepare for war!"