lovenovelstory Chapter 41 Zhen Yao's Purpose
Chapter 41 Zhen Yao's Purpose
A marriage alliance!
This is Zhen Yao's ultimate goal.
Only by elevating business cooperation to an unbreakable political alliance can we achieve this.
Only then did the Zhen family dare to place all their bets on Yuan Tan.
Otherwise, if it's just a union based on mutual interests, the Zhen family will be abandoned if things change.
The scene fell silent instantly.
Guo Jia and Xin Pi exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.
Zhen Yao's actions were both a show of loyalty and a way to force the emperor to abdicate.
All eyes were on Yuan Tan.
Yuan Tan maintained his gentle smile, but inwardly he sneered.
That old rascal is quite the schemer!
Back when I was down on my luck, I wanted to arrange a marriage between us, but you refused so decisively.
Now that I'm doing well, you say you were still considering it back then?
She wants to use a daughter to completely tie me down.
You really are a businessman; you've said all that's on your mind.
Of course, he also knew that this was only natural for the Zhen family.
But if I agree too readily now,
It would make it seem as if I still needed his help.
Moreover, he was going to build a powerful alliance of families around himself.
If the Zhen family is given too much support, it could lead to them becoming the only dominant family.
It is highly likely that it will become too big to handle in the end.
Therefore, as a master of impartiality...
Yuan Tan naturally could not agree to the marriage alliance so easily.
Even if they were to agree, the Zhen family would have to give up some of their own resources.
It's just a pity that Zhen Mi was such a stunning beauty.
I can't get to know her sooner,
It is a pity.
He did not refuse immediately, as that would force Zhen Yao to rebel.
I didn't agree, because that would tie my hands and feet too early.
Yuan Tan pondered for a moment, a hint of helplessness on his face, then stood up to help Zhen Yao up and sighed:
"How could I not know Zhen Gong's heart? Miss Zhen Mi is gentle and virtuous. I had heard of her when I was in Ye City and admired her greatly."
He first offered a sweet treat, then changed the subject, giving Zhen Yao a reason he couldn't refuse:
"However... marriage is a major life event, decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers. Although Tan has someone he loves, my father is still in Ye City. As his son, how dare I act on my own?"
He looked at Zhen Yao with utmost sincerity:
"Moreover, the Zhen family is a prominent family in Hebei, and Miss Zhen Mi is of noble birth. If such a marriage is not approved by my father before Yecheng takes office, wouldn't that be disrespectful to the Zhen family and unjust to Miss Zhen? This is neither the conduct of a gentleman nor what Tan wishes for!"
Yuan Tan's words were perfectly eloquent and dignified!
They have completely occupied the moral high ground!
It's not that I disagree; it's that I want to follow etiquette, respect my father, and value your Zhen family!
He patted Zhen Yao's hand and made a reasonable promise:
"Please rest assured, Lord Zhen. Once your family is settled, I will immediately write to my father and do my utmost to facilitate this matter! I believe my father will be pleased to see this succeed, knowing of the Zhen family's loyalty."
"At that time, we will marry in a grand and proper ceremony, so as not to fail Mr. Zhen's trust today, nor to disgrace the Zhen family!"
His words immediately turned the tables and put him in a proactive position.
This both appeased Zhen Yao and bought him valuable strategic time and initiative.
marriage alliance
Are the Zhen family qualified?
The answer is yes.
Zhen Mi first married Yuan Xi, and then married Cao Pi.
Besides her stunning beauty,
Their family's influence should not be underestimated.
The Zhen family of Wuji, Zhongshan, is one of the top aristocratic families in Hebei Province.
Zhen Mi's grandfather, Zhen Han, held the official position of Grand Tutor, and the family had a long history of officials holding the rank of "two thousand shi" (a unit of grain measure), making them a truly prestigious and influential family.
Although Zhen Yao no longer pursues a political career, the legacy of his ancestors still makes the Zhen family a force to be reckoned with.
It can be said that taking over the Zhen family is equivalent to controlling half of Hebei's wealth.
After hearing this, Zhen Yao was somewhat disappointed that he could not immediately obtain a formal title, but Yuan Tan's attitude was impeccable and he promised to do his best to make it happen, so he could be considered to have achieved his initial goal.
He knew that pushing too hard would be counterproductive.
"Young master's considerations are thorough; it was I who was too hasty."
Zhen Yao descended the slope, bowing again.
"In that case, Yao will return to make arrangements and bring his family to Qingzhou as soon as possible. We await your good news, young master!"
"Great! I await good news!"
Yuan Tan smiled broadly and chatted happily with Zhen Yao, arm in arm.
After seeing Zhen Yao off, Yuan Tan's smile gradually faded, and he regained his composure.
Guo Jia chuckled lightly:
"My lord's response was appropriate. The position of principal wife is a priceless treasure, not to be given lightly. Although the Zhen family is wealthy, their power is not enough to use it to blackmail us."
Xinpi nodded:
"A delaying tactic is the most appropriate. Once our foundation in Qingzhou is secure, my lord can then make a decision, and the initiative will be entirely in our hands."
……
A secluded manor outside Linzi City, Qingzhou.
Wu Yu stood under the corridor, her gaze sweeping over the more than thirty women standing in the courtyard.
They were of different ages, the oldest being no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight, and the youngest only eighteen or nineteen.
These were people with delicate features and bright eyes, personally selected by Wu Yu from tens of thousands of refugees.
Yuan Tan entrusted her with the training and assigned several alert veterans to be in charge of perimeter security.
He himself was dressed in ordinary clothes and would occasionally come here for a stroll.
Oh, what a pity.
There are clearly still so many beautiful women here who haven't been sexually assaulted yet.
At this moment, Wu Yu looked at these women who shared the same plight, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
She knew that once they stepped through this door, their lives would be completely changed, and they would no longer have the marriage and childbirth that ordinary women have.
"Sisters."
Wu Yu spoke, his voice carrying a great deal of authority.
"I know that you come from all over the world. Some of you have lost your families, some have been abandoned by your husbands, and some have been orphaned since childhood. In this chaotic world, we women are like duckweed, our lives as insignificant as grass."
Her words elicited soft sobs, and many women lowered their heads and wiped away their tears.
"But here, I'm going to offer you a different way to survive!"
Wu Yu's voice suddenly rose, and her sharp gaze swept over the crowd.
"This path wasn't chosen by parents, matchmakers, or by begging! It relied on the resourcefulness of this place."
She pointed to her head.
"From this day forward, I will teach you to read and write, not for the sake of composing poetry, but to understand letters and documents and to see into people's hearts!"
"I will teach you to read between the lines, not to curry favor, but to discern the unspoken meaning in conversation and to see through the truth and falsehood!"
"I will teach you traditional music and dance, not to please the common folk, but so that you can enter the halls of high society and make friends with celebrities!"
"I will also teach you how to make men fall for you and confide their true feelings to you, but not to let you become addicted to love. Rather, I will teach you how to protect yourselves and, for us, to secure a safe haven in this chaotic world!"
She paused for a moment, giving the crowd enough time to process what she had said, and then slowly began:
"Now, I'm giving you one last chance to choose. If you're willing to stay, endure this hardship, and strive for a better future, then take that step forward. If you're not willing, you may leave now. I will provide you with travel expenses and will not force you to stay."
The courtyard was deathly silent.
After a moment, a slightly bolder woman asked in a trembling voice:
"Sister Wuyu, are we... are we learning all this just so we can... become prostitutes?"