Chapter 69: Liu Wu welcomes three beautiful ladies, causing a sensation in Jingxiang area
Cai Mao felt a little complicated when he heard Pang Tong laughing.

In fact, the reason for his hesitation and resistance at the beginning was that he was worried that Liu Biao would be angry.

After all, “Liu Bei’s” forces bordered Liu Biao, and even Nanyang County originally belonged to Jingzhou, but was occupied by “Liu Bei’s” forces. At this time, it was really not a very good choice for the Cai family to marry Liu Bei.

But there is no way, because Liu Bei gave too much.

Of course, it was Liu Bei who instigated the war between Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan in the north, which made Cai Mao loosen his mind on the marriage.

If Liu Bei’s territory was not stable, he would certainly not seek marriage.

However, as the war between Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan began, the situation in Liu Bei’s north stabilized. In this case, Liu Bei occupied two states and one county, and his power would grow rapidly.

If that were the case, considering Cai Mao’s conservative character, Liu Biao would most likely make friends with Liu Bei instead of starting another war.

It was precisely because of this condition that Cai Mao decided to take the risk.

“Although I have agreed to marry Liu Xuande, this matter still requires the approval of General Zhennan. Shiyuan should understand this, right?” Cai Mao said to Pang Tong as a precaution.

Upon hearing this, Pang Tong nodded in agreement and said with a smile:

“Of course, of course. This marriage between the two Lius is a big deal. Of course, it should be approved by General Zhennan. We even need General Zhennan’s blessing. After all, if Xiangyang and Wancheng marry and establish a relationship, it will be more conducive to the stability of both sides.”

Pang Tong said to Cai Mao with a smile, as if he was considering both parties.

When Cai Mao heard what Pang Tong said, a smile immediately appeared on his face, as if Pang Tong’s attitude made him very satisfied.

Since he had decided to form an alliance with Liu Bei, Cai Mao did not hesitate and immediately contacted Madam Cai.

Cai Mao is very active and motivated, because this is related to the Cai family’s ability to increase supply, which is all money.

When Mrs. Cai learned that Cai Mao had made up his mind, she weighed the pros and cons and decided to favor her own family.

Mrs. Cai did not have much affection for Liu Biao. Although they were husband and wife on the surface, Liu Biao was already an old man when he entered Jingzhou, while she was a virgin.

For the sake of her family’s interests, she had to sacrifice herself.

Therefore, it was difficult for her to have a good impression of the elderly Liu Biao. It would be better to say that she chose to sacrifice herself for the sake of her family.

After discussing with Cai Mao, Mrs. Cai whispered in Liu Biao’s ear for several days that if Liu Bei went to war with Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan, Liu Bei’s enemies to the north of Yuzhou and Yanzhou, he should be able to secure the two states. She then tried to find out Liu Biao’s attitude towards Liu Bei.

“What? The Cai family is marrying Liu Bei’s cousin Liu Wu?”

In the hall of the General Zhennan’s mansion, Liu Biao’s eyes fixed, and he looked at Madam Cai who had spoken of the marriage alliance with some shock and suspicion.

“My husband, you also said that Liu Bei has barely secured Yuzhou and Yanzhou, and you don’t want to go to war with Liu Bei. In this case, it would be better for both sides to be on good terms. In order to maintain the stability of Xiangyang and Wancheng, Liu Bei has already sent people to contact them.” Mrs. Cai said softly to Liu Biao with a smile.

When Liu Biao heard what Mrs. Cai said, his brows immediately frowned.

Yes, Liu Biao originally wanted to wait for Yuan Shang to attack Liu Bei, and then take advantage of the situation to send troops to Liu Bei and seize territory. However, after learning that Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan in the north of Yuzhou and Yanzhou had actually started a war, Liu Biao gave up the idea of ​​attacking Liu Bei because he thought that with Guan and Zhang under Liu Bei’s command, he should be able to secure the two states.

He is already old, and now he is more concerned about maintaining the territory of Jingzhou rather than taking the risk of fighting with the princes.

However, he did not expect that Liu Bei would actually send people to contact the Cai family and want to form an alliance with them. And judging from the performance of Mrs. Cai and Cai Mao in the past few days, it seemed that they were really interested in marrying Liu Bei’s cousin.

Liu Biao frowned and thought about this matter. He knew that the Cai family might be able to gain benefits from Liu Bei in the marriage. Liu Biao couldn’t help but think of the snow salt, rice paper, white sugar and other commodities that were popular in the counties of Jingzhou.

As the lord of Jingzhou, Liu Biao was neither blind nor deaf, and naturally knew that these things were popular.

“If the Cai family were to marry into Liu Bei’s clan, they would be able to maintain the relationship between the two sides. However, Cong’er and Qi’er both like Xin’er. If the Cai family were to marry into Liu Bei’s clan, Cong’er and Qi’er would probably be sad.” Liu Biao said with a chuckle.

Although Liu Biao said this in a tactful way, his meaning was clear, that is, Liu Biao did not really want the Cai family to marry Liu Bei, even though the Cai family was Liu Bei’s cousin.

Yes, Liu Biao didn’t want the Cai family to have too deep an involvement with Liu Bei.

The Cai family is the largest family in Jingzhou and can be said to be the pillar of Liu Biao’s rule. This is not good for the elderly Liu Biao. In Liu Biao’s opinion, the daughter of Cai Mao should marry his son Liu Qi or Liu Cong, so as to more effectively stabilize the rule of Jingzhou.

When Mrs. Cai heard what Liu Biao said, her brows immediately frowned and a look of displeasure appeared on her face.

In fact, in comparison, Mrs. Cai did not like Liu Qi or Liu Cong. If possible, letting Cai Xun and Liu Wu be together would be most beneficial to the Cai family.

Because this means that the Cai family can further expand its influence and power.

As for Jingzhou, the Cai family is already the number one family.

In the future, whether it is Liu Qi or Liu Cong, if they succeed Liu Biao, they will need to win over the Cai family.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to survive in Jingzhou, so she wasn’t too worried about Jingzhou. However, Liu Biao actually wanted to refuse?

Mrs. Cai suppressed the displeasure on her delicate face and said with a smile:

“My dear husband, since Liu Bei has sent someone to propose marriage, it would be inappropriate for us to refuse. After all, Liu Bei is showing his good will to us.”

“I heard that Liu Wu is also a man of both civil and military talents. Sun Quan betrothed his sister to Liu Wu, and he also has this kind of relationship with Liu Bei. If we don’t marry Liu Bei, and Liu Bei unites with Sun Quan in the future, it will not be good for us.”

Liu Bian’s expression suddenly turned ugly.

Mrs. Cai was unwilling to listen to him and was really thinking about marrying Liu Bei.

Mrs. Cai’s disrespect and resistance made Liu Biao extremely angry.

“Humph, Liu Bei dares to do that. However, since Madam thinks Liu Wu is a man of both civil and military talents, and is incomparable to Qi’er and Cong’er, then the Cai family should form an alliance with Liu Bei, which can also stabilize the situation with Liu Bei.”

Liu Biao snorted, left a few words, and it was hard to tell whether he was dissatisfied with Liu Bei or the Cai family. He just stood up and left.

When Mrs. Cai saw Liu Biao walk away angrily with a trembling step, she also became furious and suddenly overturned the utensils on the table to the ground.

“Liu family, Liu family, my youth was wasted in your Liu Biao family. Now you want Xin’er to follow my old path? That’s wishful thinking.” Mrs. Cai shouted angrily.

Mrs. Cai’s anger might be due to her dissatisfaction with marrying an old man like Liu Biao, or she might be dissatisfied with Liu Biao’s attitude.

However, no matter whether Liu Biao was satisfied or not.

Mrs. Cai no longer cared about Liu Biao.

The Cai family has done enough for Liu Biao. Although the alliance between the Cai family and Liu Bei is very beneficial to the Cai family, it is also of great benefit to Jingzhou. As she said before, it can maintain the friendship between the two sides.

Mrs. Cai did not hesitate and told Cai Mao what happened in General Zhennan’s mansion that day.

Although Cai Mao was worried about Liu Biao’s attitude, under the strong promotion of Mrs. Cai, he formally negotiated with Pang Tong about the marriage between Liu Wu and Cai Xun.

In the hall of General Zhennan’s mansion.

The housekeeper carefully told Liu Biao about the formal marriage between the Cai family and Liu Bei.

“Under Madam’s strong support, the Cai family has already discussed the marriage with Wancheng.”

“Oh, forget it. Madam is blaming me for forcing her.” Liu Biao listened to the housekeeper’s report and sighed on his old face.

The butler beside him heard this and didn’t dare to respond.

“Let’s do this. Let someone inform Cai Mao and let him arrange a marriage with Wancheng in the name of the Zhennan General’s Mansion.” “In fact, a marriage is not completely without benefits. It can deepen the relationship with Liu Bei and maintain stability for both sides.”

When things came to this point, Liu Biao still compromised with Madam Cai. Madam Cai had resentment towards him, and he knew very well that the Cai family had gained benefits from Liu Bei.

“Yes!” Upon hearing this, the butler quickly responded and went to make arrangements.

Soon, a piece of news spread from Xiangyang that the Cai family was going to marry Liu Bei, and Cai Mao’s daughter was going to marry Liu Bei’s cousin Liu Wu.

When the news spread, it caused quite a stir among the Jingxiang families.

The Cai family is the number one family in Jingzhou and often represents Liu Biao’s attitude. Their marriage to Liu Bei undoubtedly means that the relationship between Jingxiang and Wancheng will become more stable and harmonious in the coming period of time.

However, the major families in Jingxiang saw another side, that is, the benefits gained from the marriage between the Cai family and Liu Bei.

The Cai family would not do anything without profit. If there were no huge benefits, would they marry Liu Bei? They didn’t believe it.

The Kuai family, Pang family, Huang family, Ma family, Yang family and other aristocratic families all inquired about the matter and soon learned from Pang Tong that after the Cai family married Liu Bei, they could actually get twice the supply.

All the noble families in Jingxiang were stunned.

At the same time, he became boiling with dissatisfaction.

Originally, the Cai family had monopolized 30% of the supply in Jingxiang, which already made them jealous. Now, it has doubled! !

Although their number, the share is not small.

But in comparison, the Cai family has too many.

The indignant Kuai family, Pang family, Huang family, Ma family, Yang family and other aristocratic families could no longer sit still, and began to run around, either pestering Pang Tong to increase the supply, or approaching Liu Biao, as they also wanted to marry into Liu Bei’s side.

Yes, the aristocratic families in Jingxiang, such as the Kuai family, the Pang family, the Huang family, the Ma family, the Yang family and other aristocratic families were all unable to sit still and were also asking for marriage alliances with Liu Bei to increase the supply.

The reason for this was that the Cai family opened the door to marriage with Liu Bei.

Since the future diplomatic relations between Xiangyang and Wancheng are mainly based on stability and friendship.

Of course they couldn’t just watch the Cai family eat so much, they just watched from the side.

As for the excess supply, which exceeds what the common people and families in Jingzhou can consume, the worst that can happen is that they can be sold outside Jingzhou. As long as there are rice paper, snow salt and white sugar, they can be sold anywhere.

Cai’s house, in the hall.

“These people are jealous of my Cai family and can’t bear to see my Cai family grow stronger!” Cai Mao said angrily when he heard that the major families in Jingxiang were getting restless and came to Liu Biao, wanting to form an alliance with Liu Bei.

“Okay, what’s the point of saying all this now? What did he say? What’s his attitude towards the Kuai, Pang, Huang, Ma, Yang and other families’ plans to form an alliance with Liu Bei?” Mrs. Cai asked Cai Mao angrily.

After discussing that matter with Liu Biao, Liu Biao no longer looked for her. She was happy to have free time, and it was not convenient for her to get involved in things around Liu Biao, so she could only ask Cai Mao.

Cai Mao listened to Mrs. Cai’s question and said:

“What other attitude can he have? So many noble families have gone there, he can only go with the flow.”

“Pang Tong was also very active, connecting with various major families everywhere. Liu Bei really spent a lot of money to make friends with my Jingxiang family.”

When Mrs. Cai heard this, she looked very unhappy. They were rushing in the front, which was an advantage for these noble families.

“You’d better keep an eye on her. Even if we marry into Liu Bei’s clan, Xin’er’s status cannot be low.” Mrs. Cai snorted.

“This is natural, this is natural.” Cai Mao nodded hurriedly.

During this period of time, the people in Xiangyang City had a few more things to talk about.

After the Cai family announced their marriage to Liu Bei.

The Huang and Ma families also announced their marriage to Liu Bei.

The person the Huang family married into the family was the second daughter of Huang Zu of Jiangxia.

The person that the Ma family married into the alliance with was Ma Liang’s sister.

As for the Kuai family and other families, they wanted to form an alliance, but Liu Biao persuaded them and they were eventually persuaded to do so.

If all the noble families in Jingzhou were to marry into Liu Bei’s clan, it would be bad even if the one they were marrying was Liu Bei’s cousin.

In the end, Liu Biao gave up some of his interests and appeased the Kuai family and other important families.

The three top families in Jingxiang had marriage relationships with Liu Bei’s cousin Liu Wu, which caused quite a stir in Xiangyang City. The people of Xiangyang talked about it with relish. At the same time, with the help of this trend, the legend about Liu Wu’s ability in both literature and martial arts also spread in Jingxiang.

The people in Jingxiang all felt that Liu Wu was a very powerful figure.

However, I don’t know how powerful it is.

Anyway, as others have said, it is really amazing.

The steps of marriage in the Han Dynasty mainly followed the “Six Rites”, which included:

Nacai: The man proposes to the woman’s family through a matchmaker and presents gifts, such as geese, as a symbol of proposal. Liu Wu presented twenty-four geese, eight for each family.

Asking for the name: The man’s family asks the matchmaker to ask the woman’s name and date of birth in order to perform divination and predict whether the marriage is auspicious. Liu Wu replies, both are auspicious.

Najib: After the man brings back the woman’s name and date of birth, he will do divination. If it is a good omen, he will inform the woman’s family through a matchmaker and discuss the next step of the marriage.

Na Zheng: The man’s family sends a betrothal gift to the woman’s family, symbolizing the formal establishment of the marriage relationship between the two families. The amount and type of betrothal gifts vary depending on the family’s status and economic conditions. Liu Wu presented dozens of carriages as betrothal gifts, which caused a sensation among the people of Jingxiang.

Requesting a date: The man’s family chooses an auspicious date for the wedding through divination, and informs the woman’s family through a matchmaker to seek her consent. Liu Wu replies that more than a month later is a good day based on comprehensive calculations.

Personal reception: On the wedding day, the groom went to the woman’s house at dusk to marry the bride. The bride was sent to the groom’s house by her father or brother to complete the wedding ceremony. Because Liu Wu could not go to greet everyone, and Liu Wu accidentally caught a cold that day, in order not to infect others, he had to wear a mask and greet the three beauties outside Xiangyang City. He could only wait until the cold subsided before he went to the three families to apologize. The Cai family, the Huang family, and the Ma family all said that Liu Wu was very reliable.

……

This day.

Outside the city of Xiangyang, a huge crowd of people gathered to watch and discuss the situation.

Handfuls of wedding candy filled the sky.

People bent down to pick them up, and the scene was festive and joyful.

Under the reluctant gazes of Cai Mao, Huang Zu and Ma Liang.

Liu Wu, with his face masked, brought hundreds of loyal and brave guards and took over the three carriages.

Liu Wu rode on his warhorse, glanced at the majestic and solid Xiangyang City, raised his lips slightly, and said loudly:

“Return trip!”

Following Liu Wu’s order, amid the noise of the onlookers, Liu Wu led the wedding procession back to Wancheng.

(End of this chapter)