Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

Mi Zhu raised his head, his brows furrowing even more deeply, and said, "To curry favor with the Prince of Yan? Easier said than done! We're in Xuzhou, he's in Youzhou, we're worlds apart..."

"Idiot!" Mi Fang slapped her thigh in frustration. "The bridge is right there! Shen Wansan, the chief manager overseeing all of the Prince of Yan's businesses, is in Xuzhou right now! We'll prepare generous gifts, bring my little sister... this might work!"

When his younger sister, Mi Zhen, was mentioned, Mi Zhu fell silent.

She was their youngest sister, whom they had raised single-handedly. At only sixteen years old, she was not only exceptionally beautiful, but also remarkably gentle and intelligent. She had always been the apple of their eye.

Seeing her brother's hesitation, Mi Fang advised, "Brother, I know you care about Zhen'er. But think about it, is this really harming her? Prince Liu Ce of Yan is... a great hero who swept across the northern deserts and annihilated Goguryeo! Young and promising, with immense power! And... I've heard he's quite handsome too! If Zhen'er marries him, she'll enjoy endless wealth and glory. Besides, this concerns the livelihood and future of hundreds of people in our Mi family!"

After arguing for a while, the two brothers eventually went to their younger sister's room together.

Mi Zhen was quietly embroidering a picture of mandarin ducks by the window. Sunlight shone on her delicate profile, making her look serene and peaceful.

Mi Zhu stammered out her idea, and Mi Fang chimed in, "Little sister, the Prince of Yan is a great hero! He successively... destroyed the Xianbei and pacified Goguryeo. He's handsome and powerful! If you marry him, you'll be a concubine, living a life of luxury, and our Mi family will also enjoy the good fortune!"

Mi Zhen blushed as she listened, and lowered her head to twist the embroidery thread.

She had long heard of the formidable reputation of Liu Ce, the Prince of Yan, and felt both ashamed and delighted.

Ask any woman in the world, which one wouldn't want to marry such a great hero?

After a long silence, she nodded gently and said in a voice barely audible, "I will leave it to my brother to decide."

For a woman in a chaotic world, being betrothed to such a legendary hero seems to be the best possible outcome.

...

A few days later, the Mi brothers, dressed in elaborate attire and accompanied by Mi Zhen, who was visibly shy, appeared at the gate of Shen Wansan's villa in Xuzhou.

Shen Wansan was sitting in his villa in Xuzhou, legs crossed, doing accounts.

I heard that the Mi family wanted to see me. I was too lazy to pay them any attention. There are plenty of people who want to do business with Youzhou. Who do you think the Mi family is?

Mi Fang called out from outside the door, "Manager Shen! We're not here to discuss business; we want to curry favor with Prince Yan and have an important request!"

Shen Wansan casually let the person in.

However, when his gaze fell on Mi Zhen, that casualness vanished instantly.

The woman stood gracefully, her head bowed, yet her beauty was undeniable. Her skin was as white as snow, her features exquisite, and she possessed a gentle and refined air nurtured by the water towns of Jiangnan.

Shen Wansan was incredibly astute; he immediately realized the significance of this "generous gift."

His face instantly broke into a professional, enthusiastic smile, and before Mi Zhu could even finish his prepared remarks, he slapped his thigh:

"Oh my! Brother Mi! Why didn't you tell me about this sooner! Your sister is so beautiful and charming, she's practically a celestial being! She's a perfect match for my lord! Don't worry, leave everything to me, Shen Wansan! I'll make sure it's all done in style, so your sister can enter the Prince of Yan's mansion in style!"

His mind raced: His lord was a man of great talent and ambition, with his sights set on conquering the world. This matter concerning his wife was also part of consolidating his power.

The Zhen sisters have set a precedent. The Mi family is extremely wealthy in Xuzhou. If they can form a marriage alliance, it will greatly benefit both their finances and the southern trade routes.

What's more, a few days ago in Xuzhou, he "accidentally" met a woman named Gan Mei. Although she came from an ordinary background, she had fair skin and a graceful demeanor that made people forget the mundane world.

If these two women could be offered up together... wouldn't the lord be pleased, and wouldn't Shen Wansan's record of merit be filled with another brilliant achievement?

Thinking of this, his smile became even brighter.

...

In late November, Shen Wansan returned to Zhuoxian County with a beaming smile.

He rushed excitedly to the Prince of Yan's residence, only to find that Liu Ce was out on an inspection tour.

So he requested an audience with Princess Cai Yan and Consort Zhen Jiang.

In the elegant back hall.

"Your Highness, Consort," Shen Wansan said with a fawning smile, "I found two stunning beauties for you in Xuzhou..."

Shen Wansan gave a lively report on the events in Xuzhou, especially focusing on describing Mi Zhen's appearance and character, as well as the unique color of the sweet plum.

After hearing this, Zhen Jiang smiled at Cai Yan and said, "Sister, I've heard of this young lady from the Mi family when I was in Jizhou. She is indeed a well-known lady in Xuzhou. As for the woman from the Gan family, according to Manager Shen, she is also extraordinary. They are both good matches."

Cai Yan's expression was gentle and serene.

As the principal wife, she knew that her husband was no ordinary man, and his future ambitions extended far beyond a single prefecture or county.

The affairs of this inner court require not only harmony but also consideration of the power and relationships among all parties.

She nodded slightly and said to Shen Wansan, "Manager Shen, you've done a good job. You've handled this matter well. Now go and report back to the Mi family that the Prince of Yan's residence has given its approval. The specific details will have to wait for His Majesty's decision."

That evening, Liu Ce returned home, and Cai Yan and Zhen Jiang recounted the whole story to him.

Upon hearing this, Liu Ce was first taken aback, then his expression became somewhat strange. He stroked his chin, thinking to himself, "Mi Zhen? Gan Mei? Aren't these the two wives of Liu Da'er... cough, Liu Bei in history? Goodness, this plot has gone off track... But, it does sound quite good."

He was secretly pleased, but outwardly remained serious and said, "Well... I already have ten wives, so taking another one... is that...?"

Cai Yan rolled her eyes at him and said, "Husband, stop pretending. A beauty is offered to you, and you still won't take her?"

Liu Ce chuckled, put his arms around Cai Yan and Zhen Jiang, kissed each of them, and praised, "My Yan'er and Jiang'er are so virtuous, knowing how to make arrangements for their husband. Shen Wansan, that fellow, certainly knows how to get things done!"

The next day, Shen Wansan received personal praise and a generous reward from Liu Ce, making him extremely happy.

Liu Ce also whispered a special instruction: "Old Shen, when you're out and about in the future, you'll have to keep this important task of 'selecting beauties for the country' in mind. You know the principles: first, it has to be voluntary; second, it has to be both virtuous and beautiful."

Shen Wansan understood immediately and readily agreed.

...

In December, Mi Zhen and Gan Mei were escorted by Shen Wansan in a horse-drawn carriage all the way to Zhuo County.

Liu Ce met the two in the front hall.

Mi Zhen was indeed gentle and beautiful, with the demeanor of a lady; Gan Mei, as her name suggests, had skin as smooth as jade, with a unique kind of gentle beauty.

Liu Ce secretly praised them, but seeing that the two were still young, only about fifteen or sixteen years old, he decided to raise them in the manor for the time being and wait two years.

So he gently comforted them and handed them over to Cai Yan to settle in the backyard, saying that the wedding would be held in a few years.

Seeing that the Prince of Yan's residence was magnificent yet elegant, and that the princess and concubines were all kind and approachable, the two women felt somewhat at ease, and their homesickness was somewhat diluted by the novelty and vague anticipation.

...