Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

The officials were even more panicked. What on earth was going on?

Liu Hong cleared his throat and said to Zhang Rang, "Read it! Let them listen carefully!"

Zhang Rang unfolded the victory report and read it aloud in a high-pitched, melodious voice.

"Your Majesty, I, General of the Cavalry and Governor of Youzhou, report: Zhang Chun, the Prefect of Zhongshan, and Zhang Ju, the former Prefect of Taishan, harbor rebellious intentions. They have colluded with Qiu Liju, the Wuhuan of Liaoxi, Su Puyan, the Wuhuan of Liaodong, and Wu Yan, the Wuhuan of Youbeiping, to plot a rebellion after the autumn harvest, intending to seize Youzhou..."

As soon as he began to read, a "buzz" sounded in the main hall.

Did Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju rebel? And even collude with the Wuhuan?

This is a big deal!

Cui Lie, Yuan Wei, and other important officials looked at each other, and they all saw shock in each other's eyes. They had not heard a word of it!

Zhang Rang continued reading.

When the officials read out how Liu Ce was discovered, investigated, and arrested, their expressions were complex.

When the text read about the Wuhuan gathering tens of thousands of soldiers to raid the border, some people gasped in shock.

When the text read, "After three days of fierce fighting, the Wuhuan were utterly defeated, their chieftain beheaded, and over ten thousand enemy soldiers annihilated..."

The main hall was completely silent.

Everyone was stunned.

That's it... over? The fighting is over?

From discovery to resolution, all done in one go? They didn't even consult the imperial court?

Looking at the shocked expressions on the faces of the officials below, Liu Hong felt an immense sense of satisfaction.

He deliberately waited for Zhang Rang to finish reading, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly began to speak:

"My esteemed ministers, did you all hear that?"

The officials then realized what was happening and bowed deeply.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"The General of the Flying Cavalry has rendered meritorious service to the nation!"

What followed was... awkward.

Because Liu Hong started to shine.

Liu Hong patted the armrest of the dragon throne and laughed heartily:

"Take a good look! These are the members of the Han imperial family! And look at you—"

He pointed to the ministers below and said:

"I told you to pacify Liangzhou, and you've been fighting since last year, and it's still not over! You've wasted countless resources and suffered heavy losses! Look at Liu Ce, he identified the problem and solved it immediately! He figured out his own way, raised his own troops, and fought his own battles! He didn't ask the court for a single soldier, a single coin, or a single grain! He captured the kingpin and went straight for the heart of the enemy! I didn't have to worry about a thing!"

He got more and more excited as he spoke:

"How many soldiers did the Youzhou state have? Fifteen thousand! Facing thirty thousand Wuhuan cavalry, they fought fiercely for three days, beheading over ten thousand! They captured five thousand warhorses and one hundred thousand cattle and sheep!"

"And what about you? The imperial court allocated 100,000 troops to Huangfu Song, Zhang Wen, and others. They fought for a year. How much money and grain did they spend? How many heads were taken? Hmm?"

He grew increasingly angry as he spoke, and pointing at the ministers below, he continued:

"And what about you? You're arguing in court every day! One says to negotiate peace, the other says to launch a full-scale attack! One says to abandon Liangzhou, the other says to defend it! You've been arguing for over a year, and Liangzhou is still in chaos! Where's your face? Huh?"

The ministers were severely reprimanded, and they all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.

Situ Cui Lie tried to explain, "Your Majesty, the situation in Liangzhou is complex..."

"Complex my foot!" Liu Hong interrupted directly. "Is it more complex than Youzhou? Youzhou had to defend against the Wuhuan! It had to defend against the Xianbei! It had to resettle refugees! It had to develop production! How could Liu Ce manage to defend against external enemies, develop internal affairs, and quell rebellions all at the same time? Why can't you do it?"

(Liu Ce: I am the person primarily responsible!)

He patted the dragon throne: "I see, it's not that they can't do it, it's that they don't want to! They're afraid of taking responsibility! They're afraid of doing something thankless!"

After cursing for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Liu Hong finally stopped, panting, feeling completely refreshed—it had been a long time since he had cursed so freely.

The ministers below bowed their heads so low they were almost burying them in their chests.

Yuan Wei felt frustrated; Liangzhou was truly difficult to conquer! The terrain was complex, and it was inhabited by a mix of Qiang and Hu tribes. As for Youzhou... Liu Ce...

But he dared not say it.

He Jin's face turned ashen. Liu Ce had made another contribution, which was not a good thing.

Representatives from prominent families, such as Yuan Wei and Yang Biao, exchanged glances. Liu Ce's contribution was too great; they needed to find a way to counterbalance him.

But no one dared to speak up. To risk trouble at this moment would be tantamount to courting death.

Having vented his anger, Liu Hong took a sip of tea and slowly said:

"Such a great achievement must be rewarded."

He thought for a moment and said, "Liu Ce is already the Marquis of Champion, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Governor of Youzhou, with a fief of ten thousand households... Let's add another three thousand households. In addition, grant him the authority to command troops and have full control over the military affairs of Youzhou."

The imperial axe and halberd! This is a huge power—holding the axe and halberd represents the emperor and can execute without prior approval or consultation.

(Representing the power to wage war on behalf of the emperor)

But no one dared to object.

Liu Hong continued, "As for the soldiers under your command... all those who participated in this battle will be promoted one rank. As for the generals... let's give them a miscellaneous title of general."

He scratched his head and said, "What should we call them? 'Breaking the Enemy'? 'Disrupting the Bandits'? Forget it, you guys come up with a list and we'll see what we think is best."

He paused, then added, "Furthermore, allocate one million coins and one hundred thousand bushels of grain from the imperial treasury to Youzhou to reward the soldiers. Didn't Liu Ce say that the casualties were heavy and the treasury was empty? I cannot disappoint my loyal ministers!"

"My esteemed ministers, do you have any objections?"

The crowd below responded in unison, "Your Majesty is wise! We have no objections!"

Who dares to object? To disagree at this time is just asking for trouble, isn't it? Isn't it a slap in His Majesty's face?

Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction and said, "Then it's settled. Draft an imperial edict and send it to Youzhou by fast horse."

Then, remembering something, his face darkened: "By the way, what's going on with Zhang Wen and the others in Liangzhou? Why is it so difficult for them to fight a rebel? Send an imperial edict to urge them on! If they can't take it down soon, I'll replace them! Don't make me wait another year!"

"Yes..." The officials bowed and withdrew.

As they left Deyang Palace, small groups of people began to discuss the matter.

"Liu Ce has really made a name for himself this time."

"The one who holds the power of a general... From now on, Youzhou will be his domain."

"What can we do? They're good at fighting and can achieve merit. If you had that ability, His Majesty would also grant you the authority to act on behalf of the emperor."

"well..."

...

One week later, the Prefectural Governor's Office of Zhuo County

The imperial edict has arrived.

Liu Ce led his civil and military officials to receive the imperial decree in the front courtyard of the governor's mansion.

The eunuch delivering the imperial edict read it in a shrill voice:

"...General of the Cavalry, Governor of Youzhou, and Marquis of Champion, Liu Ce, is loyal, brave, diligent, and exceptionally intelligent. He captured rebels before they could act and defeated the barbarians at the border, achieving remarkable feats that greatly please me. I hereby grant him an additional fief of three thousand households, bestow upon him the authority to command troops, and authorize him to make independent decisions regarding military affairs in Youzhou... This is my decree."

Liu Ce kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"

After reading out the rewards for Liu Ce, he began reading out the rewards for the generals:

"...Yuchi Gong was appointed General of the Martial Guard, Huang Zhong was appointed General of the Established Might, Lü Bu was appointed General of the Valiant Cavalry, Xue Rengui was appointed General of the Cloud Banner, Xu Da was appointed General of the Garrison Army, and Xu Chu was appointed General of the Central Army..."

Basically, all the military generals who participated in the pacification of the Wuhuan were given miscellaneous titles of general—this was Emperor Ling of Han's specialty, since general titles were free and could be granted at will.

After reading it aloud, the old eunuch smiled and said to Liu Ce, "My lord, His Majesty truly favors you. To grant you the authority to act as an imperial envoy—this is an immense act of trust!"

Liu Ce bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness! I will do my utmost to defend the land and protect the people, and I will not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

After receiving the imperial decree and seeing off the eunuch, everyone returned to the council hall.