Chapter Twenty-Four: A Betrothal by Lake Chaohu

Zhu Yuanzhang also liked to speak of “keeping the bigger picture in mind,” but it was always others he expected to make sacrifices for the greater good. When it came time for him to do the same, his composure shattered entirely. "Lady Golden Flower, who ultimately seizes control of the Chaohu Navy is still uncertain. Don't think you have all the connections—you’re not the only one with agents in Chaohu!"

Though he had anticipated as much, Liu Yi now saw for certain that Zhu Yuanzhang’s earlier warm hospitality was nothing but a delaying tactic. If he and Lady Golden Flower had been lulled by Zhu’s affable demeanor, they would have regretted it for the rest of their lives.

So Liu Yi replied with a smile, “Commander Zhu, let’s see whose skills prevail. But I’m more sincere than you are—after all, you already have a family. Would you truly have the eldest daughter of the Commander’s residence serve as a mere maid to another woman? I offer the Chaohu Navy as my betrothal gift, sincerely and in good faith.”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s wife, Lady Ma, was nominally the adopted daughter of Guo Zixing, but in the eyes of many, she was little more than a servant girl of the Guo family. How could the eldest daughter be relegated to a secondary wife beneath a maid?

It was precisely because this matter could not be easily resolved that the marriage had long been undecided. Zhu Yuanzhang believed that with persistent effort, he would eventually succeed, but he hadn’t counted on Liu Yi’s sudden intervention. Zhang Tianyou hastened to smooth things over: “Yuanzhang, don’t get upset. The greater good must come first—right now, that means securing the Chaohu Navy as quickly as possible! Commander Guo, how should this matter be handled?”

Before Guo Tianxu could answer, Zhu Yuanzhang had already erupted, “Guo Tianxu, I am willing to offer the Chaohu Navy as the bride price to marry Yunyu into my household. I—”

As for whether Guo Yunyu would be a principal or secondary wife, Zhu Yuanzhang left that conveniently vague for the moment.

Guo Tianxu was quite fond of the present scene. When his father, Guo Zixing, was alive, Zhu Yuanzhang dared not speak out of turn or take a single step beyond his station. But with the old man gone, Zhu had turned against them, dominating every council meeting. Guo Tianxu could no longer control the proceedings, and his own outbursts only served to make him look foolish, while Zhu Yuanzhang schemed to transform the Guo army into his own.

Now, the fiercer the struggle between Lady Golden Flower and Zhu Yuanzhang, the happier Guo Tianxu became. “The greater good must be observed by all. I have only one sister, and I will not see her wronged. Whoever seizes the Chaohu Navy will be my brother-in-law!”

He nearly burst out laughing at his own words. Since the Chaohu Navy was now Guo Yunyu’s dowry, it would eventually fall under his own command.

The Chaohu Navy possessed over a thousand warships and more than ten thousand seasoned soldiers—a formidable force. Even when beset on three sides, they held firm on Chaohu’s waters. The only reason Guo Tianxu struggled to control the council was that his two deputy commanders each held larger forces than he did; his sole advantage was the legacy of his late father.

If this matter could be settled, he would have the final say in all things from then on. “Gentlemen, it’s decided. I await good news from you all.”

Zhu Yuanzhang barely contained his furious rage, shooting Liu Yi a venomous glare. “I have long made arrangements at Chaohu—the navy will be mine! We’re leaving!”

With Zhu Yuanzhang’s departure, the welcome banquet could no longer proceed. Guo Tianxu quickly issued orders: “Assign my Central Army’s thousand households to Lady Golden Flower and Young General Liu. The Chaohu affair is too important for any carelessness.”

Guo Yunyu had already arranged for her family’s soldiers to protect Lady Golden Flower and Liu Yi.

Though Guo Tianxu was quite pleased, his joy was nothing compared to Guo Yunyu’s. Zhu Yuanzhang had been relentlessly pursuing her, offering lavish terms and enlisting the help of friends and relatives to pressure her. Naturally, she had felt some temptation, but she did not wish to marry under such ambiguous circumstances, especially since Zhu already had a wife and refused to make any promises regarding her status; she feared she would be the subject of gossip for the rest of her life.

Now, regardless of who prevailed, the Chaohu Navy was a dowry that satisfied her.

She had seen much of the world, but never before had she received an army of over a thousand warships and ten thousand soldiers as a marriage gift.

As a child of turbulent times, she knew well the significance of the Chaohu Navy. “Brother, rest assured—I will see to it that Lady Golden Flower comes to no harm!”

Yet Guo Tianxu was still afraid there might be something improper between Guo Yunyu and Liu Yi. “I’ll have Tianjue accompany them with the Central Army’s thousand households. Yunyu, you are to stay home and go nowhere; I must be able to account for you to Yuanzhang! Lady Golden Flower, since Zhu Yuanzhang has made preparations, you must move quickly!”

Guo Tianjue was Guo Zixing’s second son and Guo Tianxu’s younger brother. Although he appeared even more youthful than Guo Tianxu, his status ensured that even Zhu Yuanzhang dared not act rashly.

Still, Liu Yi remained on guard, feeling fortunate. “Thank goodness Sister Golden Flower overturned the table—otherwise, the outcome would have been disastrous.”

But Lady Golden Flower remained composed. “Xiao Yi, you mention Deputy Commander Zhu dozens of times a day, always marveling at his resourcefulness. I must be doubly cautious and leave him no opening. But this time, we have made him a mortal enemy. Now, there is only one way forward—fight desperately for survival!”

So long as they seized the Chaohu Navy, there would be peace; even if Zhu Yuanzhang was furious, he would be powerless to act. But if they failed, not even their bones would remain. Liu Zhongkun agreed, “When do we head to Chaohu? No matter how dangerous, I am willing to go. This is the true stage for a man to make his name.”

Lady Golden Flower replied serenely, “No need to rush. For now, let Xiao Yi spend time with Yunyu. Xiao Yi, I find Miss Yunyu to be an exceptional woman—skilled in needlework, the kitchen, statecraft, and horsemanship alike. She is truly a woman fit to manage a household. Do not let her slip away!”

Liu Yi had already stolen several glances at Guo Yunyu, knowing that not only was she beautiful and pleasant to look upon, but she was also a true helpmeet and, with her special standing, a perfect match for him. Yet in that moment, he blurted out, “Sister Golden Flower, you are the one wronging yourself!”

Lady Golden Flower promptly kicked him. “Nonsense! Go and speak with Yunyu. With her help, everything will go smoothly for us. Go now!”

Yet she knew in her heart that if she said another word, tears would betray her.