Three Kingdoms: Zhang Fei was sent flying by a single spear thrust, leaving Liu Bei stunned.

Cao Cao gazed at the wide-open city gate, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Once upon a time, he believed that conquering cities and seizing territories relied on strategy and bloody battles. Now he realized that it could also depend on a person's reputation. Or rather, a person's fearsome reputation. He turned to look at Zhang Ziqian, only to see the man staring at the gate with a regretful expression.

"Ugh, this is boring," Zhang Ziqian muttered. "I thought I'd get some exercise. Boss, is there anything good to eat in town? I'm hungry."

Hearing his childish complaints, Cao Cao's initial feelings of sympathy vanished instantly, leaving him only with a wry smile. He withdrew his gaze and nodded to the spirited Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren behind him.

"Yuanrang, Zixiao, you will lead the troops into the city, take over the city's defenses, and pacify the people. Remember, you must not disturb the people!"

"Your subordinates obey!" Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren responded in unison, their voices filled with a triumphant excitement.

This battle was incredibly satisfying! They captured the capital of Dongjun without shedding a drop of blood—something unthinkable before. The entire army's gaze towards Zhang Ziqian had shifted from awe to near-fanatical worship. With this lord in command, was there any city in the world they couldn't conquer?

Liu Dai, leading a group of dejected civil and military officials, stood trembling by the roadside like lambs to the slaughter, awaiting Cao Cao's army's entry into the city. They watched the rows of menacing soldiers pass by, not daring to breathe. Especially when Zhang Ziqian, carrying his menacing Yuwang Spear, swaggered past them, several timid officials' legs went weak, and they nearly collapsed to the ground.

Wang Kai buried his head so low he wished he could disappear into the ground. He had previously boasted about using rolling logs and stones to crush them, but now he realized it was a complete joke. He had no doubt that if he had actually given the order to fire the arrows, his head would probably be separated from his body by now.

Zhang Ziqian paid no attention to these surrendered officials; his attention was completely drawn to the scene in Puyang City.

"Boss, this city is much bigger than our Chenliu." He looked around as he walked. "There must be a lot of restaurants, right? Do you have any special dishes? Sometimes I want to change things up after eating roast chicken all the time."

Cao Cao, who was by his side, had completely adapted to his way of thinking and replied with a smile, "Of course. Puyang is a major city in Yanzhou, with many merchants coming and going from the north and south, and it has delicacies from all over the country. Once you're settled, I'll have Cheng Yu find you a local guide to take you to try all the good food in the city."

"Boss, you're so kind!" Zhang Ziqian immediately beamed.

This job is getting better and better. Not only do we get a private car and roast chicken, but when we travel to new places for business, the boss reimburses us for all our food, drinks, and entertainment expenses. Isn't this like a paid vacation? It's practically a dream job!

Cao Cao and his entourage, "respectfully welcomed" by Liu Dai and others, went directly into the governor's mansion. The servants and maids inside the mansion were already trembling with fear. When they saw Cao's army enter, they all knelt on the ground, not daring to move.

Cao Cao sat in the main seat that originally belonged to Liu Dai, looking at Liu Dai and a group of surrendered officials standing below him, his face expressionless.

"Lord Liu," he began, his voice calm, "do you know your crime?"

Liu Dai was jolted awake and immediately knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly: "This sinful subject knows his crime! This sinful subject has failed the court's trust, governed poorly, causing unrest in Yanzhou and suffering for the people. This sinful subject deserves to die ten thousand times!"

He has completely lost the will to resist; he only hopes to save his life and his family's wealth.

Cao Cao looked at him with a hint of disdain. Such a mediocre talent, does he even deserve to govern a province? No wonder Yan Province is in such a chaotic state.

"Considering that you voluntarily opened the city gates, thus averting a war, you have rendered some service." Cao Cao then changed the subject, "You may be spared the death penalty, but you cannot escape punishment. You are no longer fit to hold the position of Governor of Yan Province. I will petition the court to grant you a sinecure, and you can take your family and retire to Xuchang."

Upon hearing this, Liu Dai felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and tears streamed down his face as he exclaimed, "Thank you, Lord Cao, for sparing my life! Thank you, Lord Cao, for sparing my life!"

Being able to save his life and get a leisurely job to retire in was already the best outcome he had ever expected. As for power, he dared not even think about it anymore.

After dealing with Liu Dai, Cao Cao's gaze fell upon Wang Kai and the other officials of Dongjun. These men were all filled with unease, unsure of what fate awaited them.

"As officials of Dongjun, you are also guilty for failing to assist your superiors and correct their mistakes," Cao Cao's voice turned cold. "However, I, Cao Mengde, have always appointed people based on their abilities. From today onwards, you will each perform your duties for the time being and maintain the operation of the county. I will send people to assess your talents. If you are capable, I will naturally employ you. If you are mediocre and only want to coast along, then don't blame me for replacing you."

These words, a combination of kindness and severity, immediately reassured the officials. As long as there was still a chance, things would be easier. In an instant, everyone in the hall knelt down and shouted, "Lord Cao is wise!"

Cao Cao waved his hand, telling Cheng Yu and Xi Zhicai to stay, while the rest of the people withdrew.

The entire lobby was now empty except for a few key figures and Zhang Ziqian, who was rummaging through drawers and cabinets looking for snacks to tide him over.

"My lord, now that Puyang has fallen and Dongjun can be pacified by proclamation, what should we do next?" Cheng Yu asked, bowing respectfully.

Xi Zhicai pointed to the map hanging on the wall and said, "Although Liu Dai has surrendered, not all the counties and prefectures in Yanzhou will necessarily surrender without resistance. In particular, the prefects of Jiyin and Shanyang are local powerful figures who hold military power and should not be underestimated. Our army should take advantage of this great victory and immediately send troops to take Jiyin first, then Shanyang, and bring the entire Yanzhou under our complete control!"

Cao Cao nodded and was about to speak when he heard Zhang Ziqian exclaim "Ouch!"

"Boss, look what I found!"

The three looked over at the sound and saw Zhang Ziqian dragging a dark wooden box out from under a cabinet. It looked quite heavy.

"This is..." Cheng Yu and Xi Zhicai were both curious.

Zhang Ziqian didn't care about anything else. He simply used his hand to break the brass lock on the box with a "crack." He opened the lid, looked inside, and his eyes lit up instantly.

The box was filled to the brim with gleaming gold ingots and strings of five-zhu coins, which shimmered alluringly in the dim light.

"Holy crap! Boss, we're rich!" Zhang Ziqian exclaimed excitedly. "Liu Dai is really rich! With so much money, we can buy so many roast chickens!"

Cao Cao's breath caught in his throat as he looked at the chest overflowing with gold and silver. What did he lack most right now? Money! Recruiting soldiers, forging weapons, rewarding the army—all of these required money. The Wei family's support in Chenliu was almost exhausted, and he was worried about the future military expenses. Unexpectedly, Liu Dai had given him such a generous gift.

"Hahahaha!" Cao Cao couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Excellent! Excellent! This is truly heaven's help! With this money, our army can double its strength!"

He looked at Zhang Ziqian, his eyes full of approval: "Ziqian, you've done a great job again!"

"Hehe, no problem." Zhang Ziqian scratched his head, but what he was thinking was, with so much money, if the boss is happy, will he be able to upgrade his roast chicken from one a day to two a day?

Seeing the two men, one over military expenses and the other over roast chicken, beaming with joy, Cheng Yu and Xi Zhicai exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helpless smile in each other's eyes.

When others conquer a city, they think about how to govern it and bring peace to the people. Their lord and General Zhang, on the other hand, are thinking about expanding their army and eating chicken.

However, this seems pretty good too.