Hua Xiong led his mounted infantry towards Yanzhou, equipped with the latest intelligence. Cao Mengde had already become the governor of Yanzhou, and Chen Xi, having defeated the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, had ordered Hua Xiong to pass through Chenliu quickly without causing any trouble. He had also dispatched Zang Ba as a precaution.
If Zang Ba left Taishan to meet Hua Xiong, it would mean that relations with Cao Mengde were deteriorating. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Chen Xi hoped Hua Xiong wouldn't use Zang Ba's cavalry, as their entry into Chenliu would signify a complete break with Cao Cao. In this cautious situation, a high-profile approach was meant to prevent others from disrupting their plans, not to provoke a war.
With this letter in hand, Hua Xiong became much more careful. He didn't want to be the one to disrupt Chen Xi's grand strategy, even though he had no idea what that strategy was.
Meanwhile, the conflict between the Zhen family in Jizhou and the Mi family in Xuzhou had reached a fever pitch. In this battle among the five major merchants, the result was shocking: from the outset, the three-generation-old Mi family easily suppressed the century-old Zhen family, blocking all of its commercial channels.
Everyone in Jizhou had a rough idea of the Zhen family's wealth. But facing the Mi family, the Zhen family found themselves easily outmaneuvered. The Mi family's products were better in quality, lower in price, and available sooner. This difference made it difficult for the Zhen family to sell their goods, which piled up unsold.
Fortunately, the Zhen family was based in Jizhou, enjoying significant local support and exclusive channels. Initially, they weren't severely affected, with the Mi family's impact limited to mid and lower-tier sales. Such situations had happened before, so the Zhen family continued focusing on their upper-tier market.
The tragedy for merchants in this era was their low status, preventing them from accessing the highest echelons of society. Only noble families could engage with other noble families. Thus, the Zhen family largely dismissed the Mi family's impact.
Had the Mi family been alone, they might have been helpless. But they had many allies, and not all noble families in Jizhou favored the Zhen family. Some, like the powerful Cui family and the Geng family, descendants of Liu Xiu's supporters, saw this as an opportunity.
With this, the Zhen family's situation worsened. Their top-tier sales were hampered by the Cui and Geng families, while the Mi family began to clear out the mid and lower-tier markets. If not for the restraint of Jizhou's government, the Mi family might have already expelled the Zhen family from these markets. As it stood, the Zhen family's goods were piling up, costing them heavily every day.
"Damn that Mi family, what are they trying to do!" Zhen Mi's mother, Madam Zhang, fumed as she reviewed the daily accounts. She never imagined that their century-old noble family could be blocked by a three-generation-old upstart family.
"Madam, madam, something terrible has happened!" The Zhen family's steward, Zhen Lun, rushed to the inner courtyard.
"Zhen Lun, what do you think you're doing, shouting like that?" Madam Zhang frowned. As the family's steward, Zhen Lun's behavior was disgraceful. "You'll receive ten lashes for this!"
"Madam, the Mi family has brought officials and our contracts to collect debts," Zhen Lun said quickly, lowering his head.
Madam Zhang was stunned, but quickly pieced together the year's events. "Well, well, well. I don't know which family dares to scheme against the Zhen family. Let's see. If they want to see officials, then we'll see officials! If the Zhen family in Jizhou falls to a three-generation-old merchant family, then our end is near!"
"Mi Zizhong greets Madam Zhen," Mi Zhu said, bowing slightly when he saw Madam Zhang. He disliked playing the villain.
"You must be Mi Zizhong?" Madam Zhang nodded slightly at Mi Zhu. "You do have an air about you. How does it feel to be a pawn?"
"Zhu is unwilling, but a promise is a promise. Madam, please," Mi Zhu responded, neither confirming nor denying her words, gesturing politely.
"Let's go. I want to see who's behind this, trying to defeat the Zhen family in Jizhou. Master Mi, if you find yourself homeless, you're welcome at the Zhen family. I have faith in your talents," Madam Zhang said with a smile, showing no panic, embodying the poise of a noblewoman.
"Sigh, Madam, please. The Zhen family's influence is indeed strong in Jizhou, but it's limited to Jizhou. Madam, you might not even know who you've offended. Sometimes a word or a look can cause great harm. Madam, be prepared," Mi Zhu shook his head, responding calmly.
When Chen Xi shattered the Yellow Turbans, accepted a million surrendering troops, and incorporated Qingzhou into Taishan, Mi Zhu knew the outcome. Even if the Zhen family were in the right, Jizhou would abandon them. No one would risk bringing war to their doorstep for outsiders. The Zhen family was just one noble family in Jizhou, not the largest. This time, they had to face it alone.
The Zhen family's strength lay in their connections. Without these connections, their power dropped by ninety percent. Chen Xi seized this opportunity to subdue the Zhen family, planting a foothold in Hebei. Though this foothold was unstable, it would strengthen as Liu Xuande's power grew.
One day, when Liu Xuande's power surpassed Yuan Shao's, the Zhen family would see an opportunity. Comparing the family that abandoned them with Liu Bei's growing influence, the Zhen family would naturally make a choice, becoming a crucial factor in destabilizing Hebei.
The Zhen family's connections were what Chen Xi needed. This time, the Zhen family lost because Yuan Shao's power was overwhelming. Other families had to abandon them. But as Liu Bei's power rose, surpassing Yuan Shao's, the Zhen family and other noble families in Hebei would have to reconsider their allegiance.
In this way, many problems would be resolved. The Zhen family was critical to Chen Xi's plans—essential in many strategies where a noble family in Hebei was needed.