Chapter 6: The Minor Official Zou Dan

Brother Bo Gui, Brother Huang Fu

Liu Weitai observed that both Gongsun Zan and Huangfu Cen seemed genuinely angry. He knew that Gongsun Zan had always had enmity with the younger members of the Cui family, and both men were known for their sense of justice. If this matter were to escalate, it would certainly not end well. Right now, saving the person was of utmost importance. He turned to Li Yizi and said coldly: "Li Yizi, grab your weapon"

Is that so? Huangfu Cen only remembers that the woman did indeed chase after him with a whip afterwards, and even demonstrated a few moves towards him. However, he did not expect that Zou Dan considered herself not to be her opponent

Zou Dan did not rush to deny it; instead, in an unusual manner, she spoke with an appreciative tone: "Isn't that so? This girl is quite formidable."

"Come on, is it just because of this that you have developed a grudge against the young lady of the Zou family and introduced her to our brother Bo Gui?" Liu Wei Tai laughed heartily, teasingly.

If it weren't for you telling that kid Liu Bei about this matter, would my elder brother and the others have to endure such hardships?

... ...

Uh?

Huangfu Cen, upon seeing this, changed his expression and said, "Liu Weitai, you all step back and let Liu Deran finish speaking. What happened to Liu Bei?"

Hmm. Huangfu Cen paused his steps, recalling the scene at that time. The bathroom was filled with fragrance, and the snow-white skin was intertwined with pink petals. If it had not been for the panicked discovery by the elderly matriarch of the Zou family, this matter might have simply been forgotten.

"Second Master, you should hurry over there. It's at the third alley on West Street. It's those few rascals from the Cui family who are causing trouble. If you delay, I'm afraid..." Liu Deran said, panting heavily.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei, Liu Wei, and a few others lost all interest in drinking. A tremor ran through their hearts as they quickly stepped forward to assist Liu De. One of them said, "Let’s go, let’s go, it’s getting late. Whatever the matter is, tomorrow Brother Boge will take charge of it"

"Do not rush, speak slowly. Where is Liu Bei now? Who is committing the crime?" Huangfu Cen turned around and coldly glared at Liu Wei and the other two, without needing to think much, it was certain that they were behind this.

Lu Zhi's home is located outside the city of Zhuo County. Lu Zhi wrote commentaries on the classics, aiming for the tranquility of that place, and most of his students studied during the day and returned home at night, somewhat resembling the later practice of students who commuted from home.

"It shouldn't be the case, right?" Li Yizi said, unable to confirm.

Oh! You all are here!" Zou Dan saw the bright candlelight from a distance and said with a cheerful smile

Brother Zou, you need to maintain more contact with the Cui family in Zhuo County, right...

Shh, lower your voice. Can't you see there are still so many subordinates around?

Hehe. Huangfu Cen smiled and shook his head. The abilities of the people beside him varied, but they shared one virtue: they would go to great lengths for their brothers.

Alright

Where else can I go to make a fortune, just muddling through.

Oh! Alright

What can be done? Looking at Lao Zou's demeanor, he must have suffered another setback

Hehe... this Zou Yuniang stood up to oppose it on the spot

Hehe. Your character is not reliable; you even take advantage of your own sister. However, the fat water has flowed to outsiders, allowing our brother Bo Gui to benefit. So, what do you think? I say, old Zou, are you regretting it now?

Hearing what Zou Dan said, the expressions of the few people beside him were somewhat off, as they discreetly poured drinks for Zou Dan while occasionally stealing glances at Gongsun Zan and Huangfu Cen

Are you trying to put on a show in front of your own brothers? Are you looking for a fight

Brother Huangfu, it seems to be Liu Deran

Suddenly, Liu Wei heard someone calling from outside the house.

Sigh! Brother Bo Gui and the others have not arrived for such a long time. Could something have happened?" Le He turned around to look at Li Yizi and asked

"When has my brother ever admitted defeat?" Zou Dan shook his head in indignation

Yes, yes

Let's go, we can chat while walking. It's just about time for a shift change. How about I join you for a meal? This... is that okay?

Let me calculate it again; it must be... Liu Weitai never strays from his old profession, always talking nonsense.

"Gulon, gulon." With two sounds, it was then consumed in one gulp

Good! I also want to hear what this girl is capable of to bring you, Brother Zou, down

"Look at what you are saying. Am I that person? Don't you guys still know me?" Zou Dan said with a smile

After several rounds of drinks, a few individuals were already six parts drunk. Even Gongsun Zan was so intoxicated that he could not regain consciousness

"I apologize for the trouble, miss," Zou Dan called out to the petite figure in the backyard

"I’m not afraid of him, at worst, I’ll just return to Liaoxi," Zou Dan shouted, his anger rising.

Brother Boge, everything is ready, let's set off

Ah... ah... I say, Lao Zou, you must not have any designs on my sister, Liu Weitai warned with a serious expression.

Brother Boge, I will accompany you. After all, I am also a minor official at the city gate. With my presence, the younger members of the Cui family will not dare to be too reckless, which is better than engaging in private brawls. It will also be easier to communicate with the authorities when they arrive

A loud bang echoed like thunder, instantly startling the nearby individuals, causing their drunkenness to vanish. A person rushed in, drenched in sweat, with disheveled hair and a look of anxiety on their face.

I said to Lao Liu, "I just came with the library to hear what you all were saying about someone, is it... heh heh." Zou Dan shifted the topic, mischievously pointing at Liu Weitai beside her.

"What happened, Deran?" Huangfu Cen quickly stepped forward to help Liu Deran up

"That... that... at that time, I was a bit careless, brother," Zou Dan said, trying to cover up with a whimper.

How, you ... ...

Liu Deran pushed Li Yizi aside and walked up to Huangfu Cen, saying: "Second Senior Brother, Liu Bei... has... has... been killed by someone."

Zou Dan (? - 195 AD), served as the Governor of Yuyang under Gongsun Zan during the late Eastern Han period

Second Brother, I just went to look for you, but I didn't see you, so I guessed you would be here. Second Brother, Elder Brother, please save Liu Bei.

Gongsun Zan turned around to look at Zou Dan, thinking that this matter should not be escalated. It was one thing to bring trouble upon himself, but he was more concerned about causing additional problems for his teacher, Lu Zhi. Moreover, seeing that Huangfu Cen's expression was not right, it seemed that this incident might truly blow up tonight. He nodded slightly and said, "Alright."

"Swallow, open the door and let him in." Upon hearing that it was his junior brother, Huangfu Cen assumed that Liu Deran must have something important to discuss

So who saw it

Casually tossed it aside to Huangfu Cen

Oh! What happened next

Wait a moment

Hmm. Ask the second one. "Gongsun Zan smiled and gestured towards Huangfu Cen.

Upon hearing the mention of the younger generation of the Cui family, Huangfu Cen's expression immediately darkened, and his anger surged within. Without saying a word, he strode out briskly

What happened? A few people were gradually intrigued by Zou Dan.

Zou Dan turned around and noticed that no one was following her. She leaned closer to Huangfu Cen and quietly asked, "But seriously, what do you think of that young lady from the Zou family?"

Oh no! I said, Old Zou, you really got taken care of by her, didn't you?

Swallow, go and add two more dishes for your brother Bo Gui and brother Zou

After Huangfu Cen walked out of Lu Zhi's thatched cottage, he found that Gongsun Zan had not left yet and was anxiously waiting for him outside the fence. The two of them mounted their horses in succession and hurried back to Zhuo County, just in time to find that the city gate had just closed.

"Come, come, let us drink, let us drink." Upon seeing that the few people beside her were typical of those seeking their own amusement, Zou Dan raised her wine bowl and began to push and shove with one another

Hehe... let me tell you, this woman from the Zou family is not only charming in appearance, but her skills are also quite remarkable. My brother, I can hardly last two moves under her hands.

Isn't that so? Zhao Dan smiled, lifted the wine jug, and filled the cups of those beside him, all the while continuing to boast about the topic he had just discussed with Huangfu Cen

Only Huangfu Cen still retained a semblance of clarity.

Gongsun Zan glanced at Huangfu Cen, whose figure was gradually receding, took the large iron spear beside him, and said coldly: "Let's go"

"It is not the same matter as last time." Gongsun Zan jumped off his horse and took the water pouch handed over by Zou Dan

Liu Weitai spoke while grabbing two chairs from the side, making way for Gongsun Zan, Huangfu Cen, and Zou Dan

Huangfu Cen had already noticed that several individuals were concealing matters from him, likely concerning Liu Bei. However, as night had fallen and the situation was precarious, it was highly probable that this would attract the attention of the patrolling officials. Therefore, he chose not to expose their schemes at that moment.

"Cut it out." Zou Dan shot a glance at Gongsun Zan and said, "Do you think I want this? If this matter gets out and reaches Zou Jing of the Zou family, I might as well lose this hat that doesn't even count as an official's cap."

Alas! How are you speaking? Am I not also concerned about Brother Boge and the others?

"Liu Deran? What is this kid doing here in the dead of night?" Gongsun Zan, having missed his target, smashed the wine jar beside him.

"Brother Zou! Why haven't I seen you lately? Where have you gone to make your fortune?" Liu Weitai, upon seeing Zou Dan, teased each other as familiar acquaintances.

Enough already, causing a whole lot of trouble, yet I still haven't seen Zou Yuniang's figure

"Oh! Why did you come back so late today, Brother Boge? Oh, Brother Huangfu is also here?" The gatekeeper, Zou Dan, smiled and asked Gongsun Zan, who had just returned from outside the city. The two had known each other since childhood and were both from the same region in Liaoxi. Gongsun Zan held a position in Liaoxi, while Zou Dan had come to Zhuo County through the back door of Zou Jing. Their relationship had always been solid and unbreakable.

Where else can we go? Liu Weitai and the others are still waiting for us in the city to drink. Gongsun Zan wiped the sweat from his forehead, ignoring Zou Dan's strange gaze. However, after a moment of surprise, he understood and muttered, Don't come up with any more bad ideas. If it weren't for you last time, I wouldn't have even had a chance with that little firecracker from the Zou family. And I certainly wouldn't have let the second brother suffer this unjust blame.

"What do you mean I told that kid? Wasn't it me who just tricked Liu Bei..." Before the words were finished, Li Yizi kicked him hard under the table.

Six months ago, when I first arrived in Zhuo County to seek refuge with this distant relative, I heard that the border troops were expanding. In order to secure a meal here, I volunteered myself. What do you think about that

"Slow down, take it easy," Zou Dan said with a smile as she walked up to Huangfu Cen, glancing at Gongsun Zan and Huangfu Cen, and teasingly asked, "Where are you headed to later?"

"Swallow, who is it?" Although the alcohol concentration at this time was not strong, Huangfu Cen felt slightly tipsy, shaking his head as he looked towards the door.

At this moment, Gongsun Zan had also sobered up somewhat, coldly glancing at Liu Weitai and the others, and said in a cold voice: "Take your weapons"