Chương 8: Arrival in Zhuojun, Welcomed at the City Gate

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

Liu Ce and his men had already packed their belongings. He bid a brief farewell to the people of Zhao Family Village, and then, together with Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, and a group of guards, embarked on their journey back to Zhuojun.

Three days later.

Liu Ce and his group finally saw the city gate of Zhuojun. His backside was sore from the bumpy ride. Although he had inherited the template of Xiang Yu, it couldn't withstand the turbulence of the past two weeks.

About a hundred meters from the city gate, Liu Ce saw a group of people in official robes craning their necks to look around, much like a large welcoming ceremony for company leaders.

The leader was a chubby middle-aged man (whom I later learned was the prefectural magistrate). As soon as he saw the horse team, he trotted up to them and performed a series of graceful movements, such as bowing and clasping his hands.

"Your humble servant respectfully welcomes the Prefect! You must be tired from your journey!" The crowd behind him echoed in unison, their voices in perfect unison.

Liu Ce quickly dismounted to help the man, but he had a big smile on his face.

"My colleagues, you're too kind. I'll need your help in the future!"

He had pondered these words all the way, knowing that they couldn't be too soft and appear easily manipulated, nor too hard and offend the local bullies. They were a model of high emotional intelligence in the workplace in ancient times.

……

The prefect's mansion was more impressive than Liu Ce had imagined, with blue bricks and high eaves, and two stone lions at the entrance, as if to say "No unauthorized personnel allowed".

A group of officials entered one after another, lined up in two rows in the main hall, and began the self-introduction session.

Prefectural Assistant Zhao Peng was in charge of drafting, transmitting, and managing documents and archives, and assisted the Prefect in handling various administrative affairs; Commandant Wang Xiu was in charge of all military affairs within the prefecture, including conscription, training, maintaining local security, and suppressing bandits; Chief Clerk Zhou Yi was in charge of the troops within the prefecture and served as the Prefect's military deputy...

After patiently listening to everyone's introductions, Liu Ce had gained a preliminary understanding of the officials in Zhuojun.

He cleared his throat, glanced at everyone, and said in a deep voice.

"You are all pillars of Zhuojun. As I am new to this place, I will have to rely on you for many things."

In a little while.

Liu Ce cleared his throat and said, "From now on, government affairs will continue as usual. Taxes will be collected, roads will be repaired, and there's only one thing..."

He paused deliberately, glancing at someone secretly wiping sweat.

"Anyone who oppresses the people or enriches themselves, don't blame me for being ruthless when I look through the 'ledgers'."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent, and everyone's eyes were on him.

Liu Ce continued, "Although Zhuojun is relatively stable at the moment, bandits still appear from time to time in the surrounding areas, and the people's livelihood needs to be appeased."

"Now I, the Prefect, command you all..." His words were clear and his instructions were explicit, serving as a wake-up call to the officials.

The officials dared not delay and responded in unison, "Your subordinates obey!"

Then Liu Ce suddenly said, "Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, listen to my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!" the two replied in unison, kneeling on one knee.

Dian Wei, this prefect appoints you as the Commander of the Personal Guard, in charge of the personal guards within the prefectural residence, and responsible for the safety of the prefectural residence and this prefect himself. No one is allowed to approach without permission!

"This humble general obeys!" Dian Wei loudly accepted the order.

"Zhao Yun, this prefect appoints you as Sima (military officer).

'Properly assist' Wang Xiu in reorganizing the county troops, training soldiers, and at the same time, be responsible for patrolling the area around Zhuo County, suppressing bandits, and protecting local peace!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" Zhao Yun replied with a straight posture and a calm tone.

Dian Wei grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth: "Don't worry, my lord, anyone who dares to cause trouble, I'll chop them up like firewood!"

Zhao Yun clasped his hands in a fist and said in a deep voice, "I will certainly live up to your trust."

After the meeting, Liu Ce wandered alone to the backyard to relax. He knew perfectly well that...

Today's "newcomer establishing authority" is just the beginning. Will Zhao Peng outwardly comply while inwardly defying him? Will Wang Xiu willingly relinquish his military power? Among those bowing and scraping officials, there might be confidants of the former prefect...

The welcoming banquet at the prefect's residence had just ended.

Liu Ce looked at Dian Wei and couldn't help but laugh, nudging him with his elbow.

"Hey, your stomach's rumbling, isn't it? I only saw you shoveling rice into your mouth at the banquet, you barely even picked up a few pieces of meat."

Dian Wei scratched his head.

"My lord, please don't mention it! Those civil officials eat slower than they embroider. The banquet looked grand, with many bowls and plates, but they were all exquisite things, not even enough to fill a tooth gap! My stomach is still growling!" As he spoke, he exaggeratedly patted his stomach, making his armor clang.

Zhao Yun, walking with his back straight, couldn't help but smile slightly upon hearing Dian Wei's words. Liu Ce immediately hooked his arm around his shoulder.

"Zilong, stop holding back your laughter! Come on, let's go back to the manor for a special meal. I guarantee you two will see what a real feast is!"

"Your humble servant obeys." Zhao Yun coughed lightly.

The three strolled back, and as soon as they reached the gate of the Liu residence, the steward, Uncle Liu, rushed out excitedly. (On his return, he had already written to inform them that they had moved to Zhuojun.)

"Young Master, you're finally back! You weren't in any danger, were you?"

Liu Ce quickly helped the flustered old man up.

"Uncle Liu, look at me, I'm perfectly fine! General Dian could kill a wild boar with a single punch, and General Zhao could pick off a mosquito's leg with the tip of his spear. What could possibly happen to me?"

As Liu Ce instructed Uncle Liu to prepare a warm room, he rolled up his sleeves and headed towards the kitchen: "You two wait here, today I'll let you taste some time-traveling delicacies!"

Dian Wei muttered to himself, "My lord is going to make those weird things again..." He had enjoyed the "pig's feet rice" very much last time.

Liu Ce entered the kitchen, and with a thought, the light screen of the system space unfolded before his eyes. With a tap of his finger, a copper hot pot appeared out of thin air. Then, various ingredients were continuously taken out—thinly sliced beef rolls, slices of mutton with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, tender fish slices, as well as washed and drained vegetables, tofu, vermicelli, etc., filling the table to the brim.

Finally, he took out his secret hot pot base and sesame oil with minced garlic.

When Liu Ce returned to the room with the hot pot and ingredients, the steam and the spicy and fragrant aroma exploded out.

Dian Wei and Zhao Yun were instantly captivated by the overpowering fragrance. Dian Wei leaned forward abruptly, sniffed hard, and looked utterly incredulous.

"My lord! What... what's that smell? It smells so good!"

Zhao Yun couldn't sit still any longer. He got up and walked forward, his gaze falling on the strangely shaped bronze pot, then sweeping over the ingredients, his eyes full of doubt.

"My lord, this dish has a unique shape and an aroma I've never smelled before. What kind of food is it?"

Liu Ce gestured to his servants to add charcoal to the bottom of the pot, and explained with a smile.

"This is called hot pot. It's simple and enjoyable to eat. Once the broth boils, throw in the meat and vegetables to cook, then dip them in the sauce. I guarantee you'll have a blast!"

Liu Ce picked up a piece of beef with his chopsticks and dipped it in the red broth several times as a demonstration.

"Watch closely, this quick dip—oh my! It's been dipped in sesame oil and minced garlic."

Dian Wei tried to imitate him, but his hand slipped and the whole piece of meat fell into the pot, splashing oil and scalding Zhao Yun, who silently withdrew his hand.

Dian Wei opened his mouth wide and took a bite. He squinted his eyes, his face full of satisfaction, and mumbled indistinctly:

"Delicious! Absolutely delicious! My lord, this hot pot is amazing!"

Seeing that he was eating with gusto, Zhao Yun also picked up his chopsticks, and imitating Liu Ce, dipped the food in the sauce and put it in his mouth, nodding repeatedly:

"Delicious indeed! My lord, your cooking is superb!"

Watching the two men devour their food, Liu Ce felt a surge of satisfaction. He thought to himself, "Forget about the formalities between ruler and subject; nothing beats the camaraderie of sharing meat."

He picked up his chopsticks and joined the fray. The three of them sat around the hot pot, cooking ingredients and chatting. Dian Wei would occasionally burst into hearty laughter, and Zhao Yun also relaxed for once. The atmosphere inside the room was lively and warm, with the aroma mingling with laughter, lingering in the quiet night.