Three Kingdoms: The Peerless Strategist of Wei

Chapter 37 Liu Bei's Furious

Mi Huan was speechless for a moment. The closure of the Gu family's salt shop was ordered by Liu Bei, but ultimately the Mi family would benefit; how could she shirk her responsibility? "Brothers, listen to my command!" Xu Chu, disdainful of further words, waved his hand and shouted, "Search the Mi family's house from top to bottom! Gold, silver, jewels, silks, and satins—take them all back to the young master!"

The guards behind him responded in unison, ready to surge forward. "That Gu Cheng, he actually intends to plunder my Mi family?"

Mi Huan and Mi Fang exchanged a glance, their faces filled with horror. "This is Xiaopei, the territory of Prefect Liu. Let's see who dares to touch the Mi family!" Mi Fang forced a show of strength and stepped forward to try and stop them.

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Chu kicked him again.

A scream followed by a muffled groan.

Mi Fang was kicked several steps away, falling to the ground and spitting out a mouthful of blood. This time, he couldn't even get up. Mi Huan was shocked and furious, frowning as she shouted, "My Mi family is the richest family in Xuzhou! How dare your young master attack my Mi family in Xuzhou? You are far too arrogant!"

Xu Chu, too lazy to waste any more words, drew his elephant-trunk saber and coldly said, "Brothers, listen up! Anyone who dares to block our way, kill them!" The Gu family guards all gripped their sword hilts.

Mi Huan's expression changed, a flicker of horror crossing her eyes. Her face was full of anger, but she was intimidated by Xu Chu and dared not question him further. With her young mistress cowering and her young master kicked to the ground, the Mi family servants dared not make a move. Xu Chu coldly snorted and waved his hand.

The Gu family guards rushed in, and no one dared to stop them. They began to take money at will.

"Liu Xuande closed the Gu family's salt shop a few days ago. It would take ten days to half a month for the news to reach Xudu. How could he have made a move so quickly?"

Mi Huan was both angry and suspicious, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

The Mi family suffered a severe blow, their vitality greatly diminished, and little wealth remained in their estate, which was quickly emptied. Xu Chu cupped his hands in greeting: "Miss Mi, my young master is at the lakeside to welcome you. Please come with me." Mi Huan's beautiful face changed again.

She originally thought Gu Cheng only wanted to steal the Mi family's money, but she didn't expect that Gu Cheng would also take her away.

"You have robbed my Mi family and now you want to take a weak woman like me? Young Master Gu is really going too far!" Mi Huan subconsciously stepped back and said angrily in a trembling voice.

"My young master said that the Gu family has always been one of non-interference, but if someone offends us, we will repay them tenfold!" "Liu Da'er has no business ethics; he used his power to close my family's salt shop. My young master had no choice but to retaliate in kind by taking his wife!"

Xu Chu said coldly.

Mi Huan shuddered, her mind in turmoil, utterly at a loss for what to do.

"Miss Mi, please. Don't make me do it myself, that would be offensive!" Xu Chu gestured for her to proceed, his face already darkening.

Mi Huan was naturally unwilling, but had no choice. After hesitating for a long time, she had no choice but to comply. "Little sister, you are the lord's legal wife, you can't go with him!" Mi Fang panicked and struggled to jump up and shout.

Xu Chu turned around and glared at her, coldly saying, "My young master said that if the Mi family dares to disobey, he will slaughter the entire Mi family!" Mi Fang trembled in fright, took three steps back, and dared not utter another word.

He could only watch helplessly as his sister was kidnapped by Xu Chu. *Thump!*

Mi Fang knelt on the ground, her face contorted with distress, and muttered to herself, "My lord is coming to fetch me soon, how am I supposed to explain this to him..."

In Hulu County, at the Gu residence, under the setting sun, Da Qiao gently strokes the guqin, while Diao Chan dances gracefully.

Gu Cheng reclined in a rocking chair, sipping fruit wine and enjoying the music and dance, feeling that life couldn't be more joyful. The mansion gates opened wide, and carriages laden with their loads drove into the mansion. "Young Master, Xu Zhongkang has returned!" Da Qiao and Diao Chan stopped their music and dance and happily went to greet him.

"Young master, I did as you instructed, ransacking the Mi family's house and bringing Miss Mi back with me."

Xu Chu stepped forward excitedly to report, while simultaneously ordering the boxes of money to be unloaded from the carriage. "Hmm, more than I expected. It seems the Mi family is indeed very wealthy."

"Besides offsetting the losses from our salt shop, it seems we've made quite a profit. Consider it interest paid to us by that big-eared scoundrel." Gu Cheng nodded in satisfaction.

Then, led by Xu Chu, he arrived at the wedding carriage.

This wedding carriage was originally meant to take her to Xiaopei to marry Liu Bei, but now it has brought her here to Gu Cheng. "Miss Mi, I have been waiting for you for a long time. Please come out," Gu Cheng said with a faint smile, standing with his hands behind his back.

After a moment of silence, a soft sigh escaped from the carriage. Mi Huan gently lifted the curtain and reluctantly stepped out. Looking up, she saw that handsome, familiar face so close to hers. Their eyes met. Gu Cheng recognized the face and couldn't help but be surprised.

Then, he chuckled and exclaimed, "So you're the eldest daughter of the Mi family. What a pleasant surprise!" Mi Huan trembled, her face flushing slightly, unsure how to respond. "Get out of the car. The wine is ready. Let's have a couple of drinks," Gu Cheng said, extending his hand to her.

In this situation, Mi Huan naturally dared not be too reserved. After hesitating for a moment, she still blushed slightly and placed her hand in Gu Cheng's palm.

Gu Cheng gently helped her down from the carriage. The host and guest were then seated.

Gu Cheng praised, "Miss Mi is quite courageous. A young lady like you dares to go to Xudu. I admire you." "Compared to Young Master Gu's courage, I, Huan'er, am nothing. I really didn't expect that Young Master Gu would dare to rob my Mi family right under Liu Bei's nose."

Mi Huan's tone, though slightly resentful, also contained a hint of admiration.

Gu Cheng took a sip of wine and said dismissively, "It's precisely because Liu Bei didn't expect it that he wasn't on guard, which is why I was able to succeed." "Young Master Gu, I can understand you robbing my Mi family, but what about you kidnapping me here?" Mi Huan said discontentedly.

Gu Cheng asked curiously, "Miss Mi, that's a strange question. Liu Bei attacked me first, sealing off my Gu family's salt shop. I retaliated by taking his fiancée. Isn't that perfectly justified?"

Mi Huan was speechless.

"On another note, Miss Mi, shouldn't you thank me for this?" Gu Cheng changed the subject, asking rhetorically. "Thank you?"

Mi Huan frowned: "Brother Gu forcibly abducted me here, and now you expect me to thank you? Isn't that a bit too domineering?"

Gu Cheng smiled: "If I hadn't invited you here, you would have married that Liu Bei. Miss Mi, you are in the prime of your life, do you truly and willingly want to marry that old geezer, Liu Bei?"

This question struck a chord with Mi Huan.

"Yes, if it weren't for my second brother forcing me, for the sake of the Mi family, how could I have willingly married that man who is over forty years old..." Mi Huan's thoughts were in turmoil, and she was momentarily lost in thought. "Hmm, it seems I hit the nail on the head."

"Since that's the case, then I've done Miss Mi a favor. Our grudges are now settled." Gu Cheng poured her a glass of wine and raised his glass with a smile. Mi Huan snapped out of her daze, a blush rising to her cheeks, a hint of shyness flashing across her face.

She didn't take the wine glass, but said, "Even if I don't blame you, you kidnapped me. How could Liu Bei let it go so easily? His army might be at Lake City in no time. Aren't you afraid, Young Master Gu?"

"No need for Miss Mi to worry about that. If Liu Bei dares to attack Hulu, I have my own ways to make him slink back." Gu Cheng's eyes were full of confidence, as if he were in complete control. Mi Huan looked at that handsome face, her heart filled with suspicion, and she became increasingly curious about the young man before her. "He is not only scheming and resourceful, but also incredibly courageous, far more impressive than I imagined." "How could such a person be just an unknown nobleman? Could it be..." A thought suddenly surfaced in Mi Huan's mind: Could he be the legendary reclusive master behind Cao Cao? Thinking of this, Mi Huan couldn't help but re-examine Gu Cheng, a subtle hint appearing in her eyes.

Xiaopei City East.

The auspicious hour had arrived, and Liu Bei, leading a grand wedding procession of over a thousand people, marched out of the city straight to the Mi family. By marrying Lady Mi today, he would gain the Mi family's unconditional support. Moreover, the Mi family's daughter was a renowned beauty. Thinking of all the advantages, Liu Bei was naturally beaming with pride. The more he thought about it, the more impatient he became, urging his carriages to quicken their pace. At dusk, the wedding procession arrived at the Mi family residence. But when Liu Bei stepped into the Mi mansion, his face changed drastically, and he gasped in shock. The entire Mi family residence was in complete disarray, as if it had been robbed and ransacked.

"What happened? What on earth happened?" Liu Bei frowned deeply and shouted sternly. None of the Mi family's servants dared to answer. "My lord, my lord, you've finally come!" Mi Fang, supported by his servants, stumbled out and knelt before Liu Bei. "Mi Zifang, what exactly happened to your Mi family?"

Liu Bei helped him up and questioned him sternly.

"They broke into my Mi family home, looted all our money, and even kidnapped my little sister!" Mi Fang cried out. "What?" Liu Bei's face paled in shock, his body swaying as if struck by lightning. Then, he grabbed Mi Fang and demanded, "Who dared to do this? Who was it?"

Mi Fang said with a bitter face, "Reporting to my lord, it was Gu Cheng who sent his guards to do it!" "Gu Cheng? Which Gu Cheng?" Liu Bei was still confused.

Mi Fang said bitterly, "It's that Gu Cheng from Xuchang, the Gu Cheng who produced the salt!" Liu Bei suddenly realized what was going on and understood everything. That Gu Cheng was retaliating against him for closing his salt shop, which was why he had raided the Mi family and taken away his betrothed! A member of the Han imperial family, the governor of Xuzhou, and a regional warlord.

To have his wife stolen right under his nose by a mere brat from a fallen aristocratic family—what a humiliation! "Gu Cheng!"

Liu Bei gritted his teeth and let out a furious roar.

Instantly, blood rushed to his head, and Liu Bei felt a wave of dizziness. "My lord!"

Mi Fang hurriedly stepped forward to support him, saying urgently, "Quickly, send the lord back to Xiaopei City first!" The wedding procession returned empty-handed, rushing back to Xiaopei City. Xiaopei City was now brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, filled with joyous celebration. Outside the prefectural government gate...

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Sun Qian, and other subordinate officials had gathered outside the mansion gate, waiting to welcome Liu Bei back from his wedding.

"Why is it so late? Why isn't my brother back yet?" Zhang Fei grumbled impatiently.

Sun Qian laughed, "General Yide, don't be anxious. Our lord deliberately returned late so he could arrive at the auspicious time. I believe he should be there soon." "How can I not be anxious? I'm just hoping that my elder brother will quickly marry Miss Mi and become his sister-in-law. That way, the Mi family can give up everything to support him, and we can quickly recruit soldiers and horses!"

Zhang Fei didn't hide anything and shouted bluntly.

Guan Yu glared with his phoenix eyes, coughed a few times, and gestured to Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei understood, and could only shut his mouth, peering towards the city gate. Suddenly…

He narrowed his eyes and exclaimed with delight, "The wedding procession has returned! My elder brother has brought his new sister-in-law back!" The area in front of the prefectural government immediately became lively.

Everyone was overjoyed and waited to congratulate Liu Bei. Liu Bei silently rode forward, his face full of anger, showing no trace of the smugness of marrying his wife. The crowd glanced around but couldn't see the wedding carriage carrying the bride, and began to suspect something. "Brother, where is sister-in-law?"

Zhang Fei asked impatiently. Liu Bei felt a pang of pain in his heart, as if salt had been rubbed into a wound. He dismounted and strode inside without a word. The crowd, even more astonished, followed him in. Guan Yu said in a deep voice, "Brother, has something happened?" "Bang!" Liu Bei slammed his hand on the table, his anger reignited.

"When I arrived at the Mi family, they had been completely ransacked. Your new sister-in-law had been kidnapped by that brat Gu Cheng!" Upon hearing this, the hall erupted in an uproar.

Guan Yu asked urgently, "Gu Cheng? Brother, are you talking about Gu Cheng, the one who made the salt?" "That's the kid!"

Liu Bei nodded resentfully.

Sun Qian exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't this person supposed to be in Xuchang? How come he's in Xiaopei and is taking revenge on our lord in such a way?" Liu Bei glared at Mi Fang.

Mi Fang said with a bitter face, "According to his subordinate named Xu Chu, that kid should already be in Hulu County, which is very close to our Xiaopei!"

"Xu Chu?" Zhang Fei's expression changed drastically upon hearing this name.

That day, he almost succeeded in intercepting Lü Bu's gold, but was thwarted halfway by a fellow named Xu Chu. Could it be that Gu Cheng was the one who ruined his plans? Zhang Fei grew angrier the more he thought about it, and leaped to his feet, shouting, "That brat Gu Cheng is too much! How dare he humiliate my elder brother like this! Please, elder brother, give the order for me to lead troops to conquer Hu County, kill that brat, and bring my sister-in-law back to you!"

Liu Bei clenched his fists, wishing he could send troops.

"My lord, Hulu is Cao Cao's territory. If our army attacks rashly, we risk giving Cao Cao a pretext to attack us!" Sun Qian hurriedly warned. Liu Bei was startled, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

Guan Yu sneered, "Cao Cao will use his troops against us sooner or later. What excuse do we need? Right now, my brother's wife has been kidnapped right under our noses by some nobody. If you don't get her back, you will be ridiculed by the whole world!"

"Yun Chang is right!" Liu Bei was completely enraged and slammed his fist on the table, saying, "If I don't kill Gu Cheng and take back your sister-in-law, how can I, Liu Bei, have any face to stand on in the world!"

In his fury, he was about to send troops. At that moment...

Zhao Yun reminded him, "My lord, please calm down. Gu Cheng is extremely intelligent. We originally wanted to invite him back to Xiaopei to advise you. Even if you want to attack Hulu, you must not be careless."

Liu Bei felt a slight sense of apprehension, thinking that Zhang Fei was too reckless and that sending him to Hulu with troops was clearly inappropriate. After a moment's hesitation, Liu Bei said sternly, "Yun Chang, I order you to lead four thousand troops to Hulu immediately, kill Gu Cheng, and reclaim the Mi family's territory!"