Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

On his way to Luoyang, Liu Ce received intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

After reading it, he remained silent for a while.

Dian Wei leaned closer and asked, "Brother, what's wrong? The court isn't giving you any rewards?"

Xu Chu scratched his head and said, "Has that group of aristocratic families caused trouble again? Let's turn back and I'll lead my troops to Luoyang to 'ask' them!"

Liu Ce snapped out of his daze and smiled, "It's not a bad thing...it's a good thing."

He handed the note to Lu Bingdao: "Take a look too."

After reading it, Lu Bing's eyes widened and he exclaimed, "Prince Yan!!! My lord, this..."

He himself found it unbelievable.

To bestow the title of king! Since the mid-to-late Han Dynasty, only princes could be kings! Your Majesty is breaking with ancestral rules!

Dian Wei and Xu Chu were stunned for a long time, then overjoyed.

"Brother! Your Majesty! You are now the king!"

"Prince Yan! Sounds great! So powerful!"

"A mere figurehead king, without a fiefdom or real power," Liu Ce said calmly. "Your Majesty is... rewarding my merits while simultaneously putting me in a very difficult position."

Dian Wei asked, puzzled, "Roast? Why roast my brother?"

"His achievements are so great that they threaten the emperor's authority." Lu Bing explained in a low voice, "Being granted the title of king is the highest honor, but it will also attract countless jealousies and suspicions. Your Majesty is doing this... both using the lord to intimidate all sides and pushing the lord to the forefront to draw attention to him."

Liu Ce nodded and said, "That's right. But..."

He grinned, cracked his whip, and spurred his horse forward, saying, "We're already here, the throne is practically handed to us, how can we refuse? Let's go! To Luoyang, to collect our reward!"

"drive!"

The title "Prince of Yan" sounds prestigious. It will make things much easier in the future.

Moreover, he oversees the military affairs of three provinces: You, Bing, and Ji... Bing is currently in chaos, while Ji is wealthy, making it a good place to slowly infiltrate.

...

Three days later, they arrived in Luoyang.

That enormous city, symbolizing the center of power in the world, lay like a giant beast on the horizon.

The city walls stand tall, the city gates are majestic, people come and go, and the prosperity remains.

Liu Ce reined in his horse, looked at the walls of Luoyang, and sighed, "This is the third time I've come."

The first time, in 183 AD... was to buy an official position.

The second time was in August 184, shortly after he quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion, when he came to Luoyang to be enfeoffed as Marquis of Champion, General of the Cavalry, and Governor of Youzhou...

The third time was to receive the title of king.

Each time, the pomp and circumstance were grander and the status was higher.

Life is truly wondrous.

"My lord, someone is waiting for us." Lu Bing pointed ahead.

Sure enough, there was a procession of honor outside the city gate, clearly there to welcome them.

Officials were already waiting at the city gate.

Leading the group was a middle-aged civil official in official robes. Upon seeing Liu Ce arrive, he quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Grand Herald Wei Gao, by His Majesty's order, has come to welcome His Highness the Prince of Yan!"

Alright, the news of being made a king has already spread.

Liu Ce dismounted and laughed, "You're too kind. The imperial decree hasn't been issued yet, so I'm still just the Marquis of Champion."

"It's only a matter of time, it's only a matter of time," Grand Herald Wei Gao said with a forced smile.

After a series of tedious welcoming procedures, Liu Ce finally returned to his Marquis of Champion's Mansion in Luoyang in the afternoon. It should now be called the Prince of Yan's Mansion, but the plaque has not been changed yet.

Zhao Yun was already waiting in the mansion.

"Brother!" Zhao Yun rushed forward, "Everything is arranged."

"Zilong, you've had a tough time." Liu Ce nodded and patted him on the shoulder. "Has no one given you any trouble these past few days in Luoyang?"

"No," Zhao Yun said with a smile. "On the contrary, officials send visiting cards every day, hoping to befriend you, Brother. As you instructed, I have declined them all with the excuse, 'My lord has not yet arrived, I dare not presume to do so.'"

"well done."

That evening, a small banquet was held at the Marquis of Champion's residence, attended by only five people: Liu Ce, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Zhao Yun, and Lu Bing.

"Brother, congratulations!" Zhao Yun raised his cup and said, "...Sealing the wolf's lair and drinking from the vast sea...and now being enfeoffed as the King of Yan, even the most famous generals of old could not surpass this!"

Dian Wei and Xu Chu also raised their cups and said, "Congratulations, elder brother/lord!"

Liu Ce laughed and drank it all, then said, "Being made a king is a good thing, but also a troublesome one. There will be even more eyes watching us from now on, so we have to be more careful in our actions."

Lu Bing nodded and said, "My lord, rest assured, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has made all the arrangements. Within Luoyang, no movement will escape our notice."

Liu Ce nodded in satisfaction.

With the Embroidered Uniform Guard around, I felt completely safe.

After several rounds of drinks, Liu Ce raised his cup and said, "This trip to Luoyang might cause some trouble. There are many envious people in the court, and there will be no shortage of troublemakers. Gentlemen, be vigilant."

Everyone said in unison, "Brother/My lord, rest assured!"

Dian Wei patted his chest and said, "Anyone who dares to cause trouble for my brother, I'll cleave them in two with one halberd!"

Xu Chu grinned and said, "Count me in!"

Liu Ce laughed and said, "Don't resort to fighting all the time. This is Luoyang, under the emperor's nose; we must follow the rules."

He paused, then added, "Of course, if anyone breaks the rules... you don't need to be polite."

"Understood!" Everyone smiled knowingly.

Silent all night.

...

The next day, before dawn, Liu Ce got up.

This time, he didn't wake Dian Wei and Zhao Yun like he did last time.

He was dressed neatly...

Looking in the mirror, Liu Ce grinned and said, "You're a really handsome young man."

When they arrived at the palace, the huge square outside the Deyang Hall was already packed with officials.

As soon as Liu Ce arrived, all eyes were on him.

There was envy, jealousy, awe, and hostility...

Liu Ce remained expressionless, straightened his clothes, and strode over.

As they passed, officials automatically parted to make way for them, whispering among themselves:

"That's the Marquis of Champions?"

"No, the Prince of Yan will be here soon."

"So young? Looks like he's only around twenty."

"Young? When he destroyed the Wuhuan, pacified the Xianbei, and swallowed Goguryeo, he was not young at all."

Liu Ce ignored the discussions and walked straight into the group of military officers.

He Jin glanced at him, his expression complex, but he still nodded.

Liu Ce returned the smile, making sure to maintain appearances.

Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, Zhu Jun, and others were all present.

"Three old generals." Liu Ce bowed respectfully.

The three quickly returned the greeting.

Huangfu Song laughed and said, "Bo Lue, you've sealed the wolf's lair and drunk your horses' water from the vast sea! You've truly brought honor to our military generals!"

Lu Zhi stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "Such a great achievement is unprecedented in a century. Bo Lue, you have set a precedent. Bo Lue is truly a pillar of the Han Dynasty."

Zhu Jun laughed and said, "We old guys have fought all our lives and never achieved such merit. The younger generation is truly formidable!"

Liu Ce smiled and said, "Thank you for your support, three old generals. You flatter me. I am able to achieve what I have today entirely thanks to His Majesty's divine might and the soldiers' valiant fighting. I dare not take credit for it."

"Modesty! Too modest!" Huangfu Song laughed loudly. "When you're rewarded later, you'd better stand up straight! It's what you deserve!"

As they were talking, bells and drums sounded in unison.

The palace gates opened.

...