Chương 5: Visiting Cai Yong, Leaving Luoyang

This person was none other than Cai Yong.

"System check..."

[Ding, generating system panel] Name: Cai Yong Gender: Male Age: 50 [Strength]: 33 Commander: 45 [Politics]: 75 (Third-rate) Intelligence: 90 (Top-tier) 【Charm】: 84 [Appearance]: 87cm Hobbies: Reading, music, calligraphy Special skills: [Erudite and learned]: In cultural and academic fields, this can greatly enhance the success rate and impact of a project.

【Masterful Understanding of Music】: Proficient in music theory, able to appreciate and create high-quality musical works, and able to understand the feelings of others and even current events through music.

[Shilin Qingwang]: Because of his knowledge, talent and character, he gained high respect and prestige among the literati and officials, and was easily able to obtain sympathy and assistance.

Hearing footsteps, Cai Yong slowly raised his head and stood up, his gaze falling on Liu Ce, and he spoke with a slight smile.

"Is the visitor Liu Ce, Liu Bolue?"

"It is indeed I, the junior," Liu Ce replied respectfully.

"Please sit down," Cai Yong said, slowly sitting back down.

……

After taking their seats, Cai Yong spoke first, his tone gentle.

"Bo Lue is a promising young man. I've already heard about his drunken revelry with Mengde at the tavern yesterday. I wonder what brings you here today?"

"Damn, the news spread that fast? Boss Cao is so popular." Liu Ce thought to himself in surprise.

Liu Ce immediately replied respectfully.

"Master Cai was a great Confucian scholar of his generation. I am a junior who has long admired your name. Today I have come to bother you and seek your teachings."

"I dare not claim to be a great scholar, but we can certainly discuss academic matters."

Cai Yong stroked his beard and smiled.

"Since you, Bo Lue, have such an elegant interest, I would like to hear the details."

The two then engaged in a lively discussion about scholarship. Cai Yong quoted extensively from classical texts and offered insightful guidance, while Liu Ce listened attentively and gained a clear understanding. Moreover, some of his occasional insights resonated with Cai Yong.

evening.

Cai Yong personally escorted Liu Ce to the gate of Cai's residence and patted him on the shoulder.

"Come often in the future, let's continue our academic discussions, it's more interesting to exchange ideas."

"I came to the Cai residence specifically to see what your daughter, Cai Yan, the most talented woman of the late Eastern Han Dynasty, looked like. I never expected she wouldn't be here today. I just happened to come and see you, you old geezer," Liu Ce thought to himself.

……

Two days later.

early morning.

Liu Ce rested his hands on the window frame, gazing into the distance.

Several days have passed since he arrived at Zhang Rang's residence. Although he appeared calm on the surface, he was anxiously awaiting news in secret.

A rapid sound of horses' hooves came from outside the Huyou Inn, accompanied by the loud shouts characteristic of eunuchs.

"Imperial edict arrives—Liu Ce of Hejian, receive the edict!"

Liu Ce quickly straightened his clothes, hurried downstairs, and respectfully welcomed him into the inn.

A eunuch dressed in black robes and with a jade belt around his waist stood expressionlessly in the inn, holding a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict. Behind him were two imperial guards with swords, making quite a grand entrance.

"Liu Ce of Hejian, receive the imperial decree!" The eunuch's shrill voice rang out again, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Liu Ce immediately bowed and said in a deep voice, "Your subject Liu Ce respectfully welcomes the imperial edict."

The eunuch unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud in a slightly arrogant tone.

"On the day of Xin Hai in the tenth month of the sixth year of Guanghe, the emperor issued an edict:" ……

"Liu Ce of Hejian Commandery is exceptionally brave and resourceful, and commendably loyal and diligent... He is hereby appointed Prefect of Zhuo Commandery, to assume his post immediately, pacify the region, and rectify official corruption. This is the imperial decree!"

Liu Ce respectfully bowed and said, "Your subject Liu Ce kowtows to express his gratitude for Your Majesty's benevolence."

Upon receiving the imperial edict, the eunuch managed a forced smile, but his attitude remained arrogant.

"Prefect Liu, my family is a disciple of Lord Zhang Rang, the Palace Attendant. I have come here in person on Lord Zhang's orders to offer my congratulations to you."

Liu Ce's heart stirred, but his expression became even more respectful.

"I am deeply grateful for the angel's personal trip. Please convey my thanks to Lord Zhang for his guidance. I will never forget it."

As he spoke, he gestured to the guards to present the gifts that had been prepared beforehand.

The eunuch glanced at the gift box out of the corner of his eye, his smile deepened, and his tone softened.

"You're too kind, Prefect. Lord Zhang has always valued talent. Your future service in office will be the best way to repay him. I have official duties to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

"Farewell, angel. We will not see you off further."

Liu Ce bowed to see them off, and only after the eunuchs had gone far away did he straighten up, clutching the imperial edict tightly in his hands, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light.

Liu Ce thought to himself, "Having lived two lives, this is my first time being an official, and it feels pretty good."

He then instructed his guards to pack their belongings and set off for Zhuojun the next day.

The next day.

As Liu Ce and his entourage stood at the gates of Luoyang, they looked back at the city and thought to themselves.

"Come back next time, and you'll be rewarded for your merits."

He then left Luoyang and, after a few days of fast riding, Liu Ce had already entered the territory of the Yellow River region.

Along the official road, the fields were barren, and occasionally there were displaced people.

That day, Liu Ce and his group arrived at a treacherous mountain path called "Luomapo". The mountain path here was rugged, and the forest was deep and the grass was dense.

Suddenly, a whooshing sound came from the forests on both sides!

Dozens of bandits wielding knives and clubs rushed out in response and quickly surrounded Liu Ce and his companions.

The leader was a burly man with a face full of scars, holding a large knife, and shouting loudly:

"This mountain is mine, these trees are mine! If you want to pass, leave your toll! If you know what's good for you, leave your money and horses, and I'll spare your life!"

Looking at the group of bandits before him, Liu Ce was not alarmed at all; instead, a smile appeared on his lips. He thought to himself.

"Holy crap, do you think you're Cheng Yaojin?"

(Cheng Yaojin: Huh? You stole my lines. Wait till I get here, then I'll teach you a lesson.) Liu Ce reined in his horse, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group of bandits.

"You think you can block my way?"

The bandit leader was furious when he saw Liu Ce daring to speak so arrogantly.

"Arrogant!"

"Brothers, get him! Cripple him!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than several bandits rushed forward, brandishing knives and clubs.

Liu Ce's eyes sharpened, and he dodged the blow to the head. At the same time, the sword at his waist was already drawn, its cold light flashing!

With a crisp clang, the bandit's wooden stick was severed in two by a single sword strike. Before the bandit could react, Liu Ce flicked his wrist, the tip of his sword pointing directly at his throat.

The bandit was so frightened that he stood frozen in place, too scared to move.

This swift and decisive move instantly intimidated the other bandits. The leader was also stunned for a moment, then became enraged.

"What are you all standing there for! Attack!"

The remaining bandits looked at each other, then mustered their courage and charged forward again.

Liu Ce said to his guards, "Let's go together and finish this so we can get on our way."

Liu Ce remained calm and composed, weaving nimbly through the crowd. His swordsmanship was not flashy, but each move was precise and ruthless, targeting the enemy's weaknesses.

Before long, all the bandits lay lifeless on the ground.

Liu Ce turned to the guards and said, "Move the body aside, let's continue on our way."

"Yes," everyone replied in unison.

……