Chương 93: Heading to the Palace and "Chatting" with Liu Hong

With this status, why bother recruiting talent personally? Why not just have the emperor issue an edict to transfer people?

Who would dare disobey the emperor's orders? Although the Han Dynasty is now in decline, the imperial power still exists, and imperial edicts still carry weight!

Once I've brought them under my command, I can slowly "influence" them. What's there to be afraid of if they don't submit?

"Haha! I'm such a genius!" Liu Ce couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Ren Hongchang watched from the side, looking completely bewildered. What was wrong with the Marquis? Why did he suddenly laugh?

The more Liu Ce thought about it, the more brilliant the idea seemed.

What's the essence of slacking off? Use whatever resources you can, and save yourself the trouble! Why waste a great opportunity like the emperor instead of going out and causing trouble yourself?

He immediately decided: I'll go to the palace tomorrow and have a chat with the Emperor!

That night, Liu Ce went back to his room to sleep.

Diao Chan naturally followed him in and stood by the bed, seemingly preparing to serve him until he went to bed.

Looking at her stunningly beautiful face, Liu Ce felt a surge of excitement.

But he still rationally waved his hand:

"Hongchang, you should go back and rest. I don't need anyone to wait on me."

"But Lord Marquis..." Diao Chan was a little at a loss.

"Listen to me, go back." Liu Ce's tone was gentle but firm.

"From now on, you can come and help me with my washing up in the morning; you don't need to stay up all night."

Diao Chan glanced at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, but ultimately bowed and withdrew.

"Yes, this servant will take her leave."

Liu Ce breathed a sigh of relief after she left.

It wasn't that he didn't want to stay, but he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself, given his age...

Diao Chan's beauty, her temperament, and her pitiful charm... if he stayed any longer, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to resist.

"Calm down, calm down," Liu Ce told himself.

"I'm a professional slacker, I can't let beauty ruin my job."

Even so, as he lay in bed, he couldn't help but think of Diao Chan's face.

Wow, that looks really good.

Then he started thinking about how to tell the emperor the next day.

Lost in thought, I fell asleep.

In his dream, he sat in the main hall of the Youzhou governor's mansion, with Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and others standing to his left, and Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and others to his right. A map was spread out in front of him, and he pointed out the landscape...

Then he woke up laughing.

The next morning, he carefully prepared a gift, not gold or silver jewelry, nor rare and exotic items, but a small box of medicine.

The medicine box has been replaced with an antique-style wooden box with simple patterns carved on it.

Inside was a "male enhancement pill" (actually Viagra) that he had taken from the system space (bought in advance). Don't get me wrong, he wasn't going to drug the emperor; it was... a good thing to enhance the relationship between husband and wife.

Liu Ce knew in his heart that Liu Hong's body had long been ruined by wine and women.

Giving this is more practical than giving anything else.

Having prepared the gifts, he boarded a carriage and headed straight for the palace.

Upon arriving at the palace gates, inform the imperial guards:

"Marquis Liu Ce requests an audience with Your Majesty."

The imperial guards dared not delay and quickly went inside to report.

Before long, a young eunuch came running out and led him inside.

Inside the greenhouse, Liu Hong was... playing with glass beads.

Yes, those were the ones Liu Ce gave us.

He arranged the beads in a row and flicked them with another bead, thoroughly enjoying himself. (Don't ask, Liu Ce taught him.) Zhang Rang entered to announce: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Champion requests an audience."

Liu Hong's eyes lit up: "Please come in quickly!"

He now finds Liu Ce increasingly pleasing to the eye. He is a good warrior, a poet, and a sensible man. Where else can one find such a younger brother?

Liu Ce entered the hall and bowed, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"No need for formalities!" Liu Hong said with a smile, putting down the glass beads.

"What brings you here to see me today, my brother?"

"I missed my brother, so I came to pay my respects." Liu Ce said these polite words, but in his heart he was thinking: I'm here to "recruit" talent.

The two chatted for a while about everyday things.

Liu Ce took out the gift he had brought, an antique-style wooden box.

"Your Majesty, this is a medicine that I obtained by chance before, called 'Aphrodisiac Pill'."

Liu Ce lowered his voice, his expression mysterious.

Liu Hong took the box, opened it, and saw that it contained several pills.

He wondered, "What... what are the effects of this medicine?"

Liu Ce leaned closer and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"This medicine specifically replenishes Yang energy and enhances... stamina."

He gave Liu Hong a knowing look.

Liu Hong understood instantly!

His eyes lit up instantly, and an excited smile spread across his face:

"really?"

"Absolutely true." Liu Ce nodded.

"How could I dare to deceive my imperial brother? However, this medicine must be taken according to the instructions; it cannot be overdosed..."

He explained the method of administration in detail.

Liu Hong listened attentively. After listening, he was overjoyed, carefully closed the box, and his smile became even brighter.

"Good! Good! My brother is very thoughtful!"

He was already thinking to himself: I'll give it a try in a bit!

Now that the gifts have been given, it's time to get down to business.

Liu Ce cleared his throat and got to the point:

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your appointment as Governor of Youzhou, which allows me to resist the invasion of the Xianbei and Wuhuan. However..."

He looked troubled.

"Youzhou is a vast and sparsely populated region with complex border affairs. After I go there, I will have to govern the area and defend against foreign enemies, and I fear there will be a shortage of manpower."

Liu Hong was taken aback; he hadn't thought of that.

Liu Ce continued, "I dare to ask Your Majesty for a favor: could you transfer a few men to my command?"

These are all capable individuals I heard of during my travels throughout the land. If I can obtain their assistance, my actions in Youzhou will surely be twice as effective with half the effort.

Upon hearing this, Liu Hong was secretly delighted:

"Look! What a good minister he is! I don't even have to worry about him; he has his own ideas! He even proactively asks others to do the work! He's much better than those who only know how to ask for official positions and money all day long!"

He waved his hand dismissively: "Alright! No problem! These are minor matters! Tell me, who do you want to transfer? I'll issue the decree right away!"

Liu Ce chuckled inwardly, but remained outwardly respectful:

"Thank you, Your Majesty! I will write down the list immediately."

Zhang Rang quickly offered up a writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Liu Ce picked up his pen and began writing the list.

The first one: Lü Bu, courtesy name Fengxian, was from Jiuyuan County, Wuyuan Commandery.

As he wrote, he thought: Lü Bu, oh Lü Bu, the fiercest warrior of the Three Kingdoms. Though not the best of him, he was truly formidable in combat. I'll bring him over first and train him slowly.

The second one: Jia Xu, courtesy name Wenhe, was from Guzang County, Wuwei Commandery.

Jia Xu, the strategist known for his cunning, was the most intelligent man in the Three Kingdoms period. With him around, there was no shortage of wise counsel.

The third: Huang Zhong, courtesy name Hansheng, was from Nanyang County.

The veteran general Huang Zhong, who beheaded Xiahou Yuan at Dingjun Mountain, proved that his skill was still sharp despite his age.

The fourth: Xi Zhicai, a native of Yingchuan County.

He was Cao Cao's early strategist, but unfortunately died young. We must protect him well this time, lest he perish prematurely.

The fifth: Zhang Liao, courtesy name Wenyuan, was from Mayi County, Yanmen Commandery.

Zhang Liao's might shook Xiaoyao Ford; with only 800 men, he defeated 100, 000—a truly fierce general!

Sixth: Gao Shun, commander of the Trapped Camp.

The elite troops of the Trapped Camp were renowned throughout the land for their skill in training.

The seventh: Chen Gong, courtesy name Gongtai, was from Dongjun.

Although he eventually followed Lü Bu, he was capable.

The eighth: Xun Yu, courtesy name Wenruo, was a native of Yingyin County, Yingchuan Commandery.

A man of exceptional talent, capable of governing domestic affairs.

The ninth: Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao, was from Yangdi County, Yingchuan Commandery.

Guo Jia, a genius strategist, had no flaws in his plans.