The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

Xu You felt uneasy, but since Prince Chen had arrived, he, as a minister, should go and greet him.

"Gentlemen, follow me to welcome the young master's carriage." Xu You suppressed his unease, called out, and stood up.

All the officials also stood up, placed their hands on their sword hilts, and followed Xu You to greet him.

The group arrived at the gate and saw that the carriage had already stopped. However, Prince Chen did not get out of the carriage, but instead knelt down with his hand on his sword.

Although Prince Chen is a prince, his attitude is far too forceful.

Xu You was displeased and even more uneasy. After taking a deep breath, he led his men in bowing and said, "Your subject, Xu You, the Grand Craftsman, pays his respects to Your Highness. Your carriage has arrived, and I have failed to greet you properly; I am guilty of a capital offense."

His subordinates behind him bowed in unison.

Liu Chen then smiled and gestured for the eunuch to put down the small stool. He stepped down from the stool, his hand on his sword, and said, "You flatter me. You are a pillar of the court, with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain). How could I dare trouble you to come all this way to greet me?"

After a pause, Liu Chen said, "I wouldn't have come without a reason. Please have your servants withdraw."

You, a prince, come here wanting to speak with me alone. How dare I? Xu You's heart clenched, but he bowed respectfully and declined, saying, "Your Highness, I am a minister, and there is nothing that cannot be said publicly."

Liu Chen's eyes flashed, but he didn't insist. He smiled and said, "Alright. I'll trouble you to lead the crowd to welcome me to the hall for a talk."

"Yes." Xu You bowed and invited Liu Chen into the office of the Director of Works. The group sat down in the main hall.

Xu You invited Liu Chen to sit in the main seat, while he himself sat in the first seat on the left.

Liu Chen, without hesitation, sat down with his hand on his sword. He then looked up and said, "I'll be frank. The emperor intends to enfeoff my two brothers as kings to protect him. He has ordered you to lead the construction of the Three Kings Palace. Is this true?"

"Yes," Xu You bowed. He had guessed that Liu Chen was after this, but he didn't know what Liu Chen wanted to do.

Liu Chen nodded, then asked, "Where is the estate located? How many acres of land does it have? How many households are there? How much money did the emperor grant each of our families to repair the palace?"

Xu You answered truthfully: "Your estate is in the north, with 5,500 mu of land and 100 households. You have 5 million coins to repair the palace."

Liu Chen nodded and said directly, "I came here specifically for these five million coins. The emperor enfeoffed princes to protect the royal family. If we were to trouble the court to build palaces for the princes, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse? I dare not do that. Therefore, please give me the fifteen million coins. I will build the palaces for the three princes."

"Give it to me, this is all my money." Liu Chen had already planned this out. Given the official environment of the Han Dynasty at that time, once this money was given to the Grand Master of Works, officials at all levels would reach out and enrich themselves.

He not only wanted to eat his own share, but also set his sights on the money of the sixth and seventh brothers.

Building a palace doesn't need five million. Just cut down some trees nearby, have the servants of the Menghu household do the work, and hire some carpenters. If all else fails, you can borrow some craftsmen from the chief craftsman.

Xu You and the others were immediately dumbfounded. What kind of request was this? It was unheard of! The emperor had issued an edict to build a palace, and you've taken on that task yourself.

Putting aside whether it's in accordance with the rules, if you take on this job, won't we all starve? The position of Grand Master of Works is a lucrative post; many people buy their way in, and many have families to support.

That's absolutely unacceptable.

The officials under the Grand Master of Works clenched their fists, exchanged glances, and saw the determination in each other's eyes. Then they all looked at Xu You and said, "Go, Lord Xu, we support you."

For Xu You, this was not only a matter of profit, but also of his power and prestige as a future master craftsman. He took a deep breath, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said righteously, "Young master is too kind. How could I dare to use the money bestowed by the emperor for other purposes? Please forgive my refusal."

Liu Chen knew he would say that, and a smile appeared on his face. He said, "Have you thought it through? Although Minister Chen is also posthumously honored as Marquis Zhong, I don't think the people of Shu will remember him like they did Prime Minister Zhuge decades later. Minister Chen's good fortune... it has an end. As for me, I am on good terms with the Imperial Attendant."

Liu Chen was extremely handsome, spoke calmly and slowly, and had a warm smile that was like a spring breeze.

But his words were sharp and blunt, like a fierce general with a spear in hand, completely disregarding rules and wantonly displaying his martial prowess.

Chen Zhi is already dead. How many years can his bones last? I am on good terms with Huang Hao. It would be very easy for me to take action against you, Xu You.

Xu You and his officials all paled and gasped. They stared at Liu Chen as if they had seen a ghost, as if they were witnessing yet another demon rising up.

Liu Chen was a future vassal king and was on friendly terms with Huang Hao.

They do things in such a simple and crude way.

It's like a mad bull that will trample the crops to pieces.

"That's all I have to say. Xu Gong, think it over carefully before replying to me." Seeing that he had impressed the group, Liu Chen smiled with satisfaction, bowed to Xu You, stood up with his hand on his sword hilt, and left with his eunuch.

After he left, the lobby remained completely silent.

After a long while, one of the bolder subordinates asked Xu You, "Lord Xu, what should we do?"

Xu You really wanted to say something defiant, like he was talking nonsense. But he held back.

Chen Zhi was the grandson of Xu Jing's elder brother, and he was Xu Jing's grandson.

He had a premonition that after Chen Zhi's death, the Xu family's good days would probably come to an end. Although they wouldn't be ruined, they would definitely go downhill.

Today, now.

Liu Chen's visit confirmed his premonition.

Next up is Huang Hao's era.

If it were a different emperor, a different era, he would certainly dare to stand up for himself. What are you, a mere prince, trying to do by associating with the Imperial Attendant?

Liu Shan was weak-willed, kind-hearted, and rarely killed anyone. Moreover, Liu Shan greatly favored Huang Hao.

Liu Chen was also a prince, the biological son of Liu Shan.

How dare he be so defiant?

Xu You felt both sorrow and anger upon thinking of this. He stood up, placed one hand on his sword, and left with a flick of his sleeve.

He gave in.

But you can't give in in public; you still have to save face.

After he left, the officials noticed that Xu You was about to kneel. They looked at each other, feeling disappointed and frustrated.

Fifteen million coins! So many mouths to feed at the head workshop, and the cooked duck was eaten by Young Master Chen.

Some people said indignantly, "Young Master Chen has a kind face but a ruthless heart. He is the daughter of a feudal lord, and he is likely to cause trouble. This is not a blessing for our Han Dynasty."

Someone chimed in, "Who says otherwise? I've also heard that Young Master Chen boasted that he would marry a wealthy woman, seeking out the richest family in Shu and demanding the largest dowry from his future wife's family. That's outrageous!"

Someone lamented, "The country is in turmoil, and matters are numerous and complicated. Prince Chen is... alas."

They grumbled indignantly, but ultimately found it useless and scattered like birds and beasts.