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

Liu Chen's carriage moved slowly along the road, flanked by riders and eunuchs, with a grand procession.

"Even with the Yellow Gate Master's protection... this young master has openly robbed the Grand Master of Works. Isn't he afraid of the Emperor's wrath?" a eunuch thought to himself.

Liu Chen sat with his sword in hand, head bowed and brows lowered. He was completely unafraid of Liu Shan, not even with Huang Hao's protection. What outrageous thing could his own son possibly do?

Liu Shan wouldn't do anything to him. Being lenient and kind is tantamount to being weak and easily bullied. He's like a lump of dough, easily molded and kneaded.

Liu Chen's vehicle arrived at Li Qiu's residence.

Having sent someone to inform them beforehand, Li Ding and his brothers greeted them at the gate.

Liu Chen personally got out of the carriage and helped Li Ding up, then told his cousins ​​to get lost. He then had Li Ding lead him to a room to sit down. Maids brought over pastries and tea.

Liu Chen took a sip of water, put it down, and explained the situation. Then, ignoring Li Ding's stunned expression, Liu Chen continued, "The Grand Master of Works wouldn't dare refuse me, and fifteen million coins will arrive soon. As far as I know, my fiefdom already has estates. The five million coins the Emperor bestowed aren't for building an estate, but for repairs. Repairs don't cost five million. Labor is worthless. Ding, I'm confined to the palace; my influence doesn't extend outside. I'm entrusting the repairs of these three palaces to you."

"For my palace, just repair the main hall; save money wherever possible. Leave the money here. For my two brothers' palaces, you can each spend three and a half million, and the rest... are all mine."

Liu Chen gave Li Ding a knowing look, smiling broadly.

Li Ding felt dizzy. Although Liu Chen had indeed stated that he would "love money from now on," loving money so much was not a good thing.

After hesitating for a moment, he cautiously said, "Young master, if the chief craftsman is dissatisfied, he may petition the emperor to impeach you."

Liu Chen waved his hand and said, "It's alright. Just do as I say."

Li Ding dared not say anything more, but he made up his mind to wait for Li Qiu to come back and then discuss it further.

After handing the matter over to Li Ding, Liu Chen left quickly.

Li Ding was restless. He waited patiently for Li Qiu to come home from get off work and then immediately invited his father to sit down in the room to talk.

After listening, Li Qiu simply sighed and said, "It's not a big deal if the princes are a bit arrogant. Let them be."

Consort Li is already arranging for Liu Chen to marry a wealthy woman.

Liu Chen did this kind of thing again.

Although he was the uncle, he couldn't control him. Besides, the court was already in this state. What difference would one more arrogant prince make?

It's already terrible, so what's wrong with it getting even worse?

Seeing that his father had said so, Li Ding stopped talking.

...........

night.

in the palace.

Huang Hao rode in a carriage, surrounded by a retinue, home after work. His godson, Zhang Da, immediately reported this to Huang Hao.

The New Year had just passed, and the spring chill was still strong. Huang Hao, who was sensitive to the cold, wrapped himself in a blanket as soon as he got onto the bed and took out a hand warmer.

After hearing Zhang Da's words, Huang Hao laughed and said, "I knew the gold he sends me every month isn't for nothing. There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Zhang Da nodded, but then said worriedly, "But Father. The Emperor granted money for the repair of the palace, and Prince Chen just took it. He even publicly declared his friendship with Father. This method is too crude and too direct. What if the Emperor finds out..."

Huang Hao waved his hand and said, "Even if the emperor finds out, what can he do? I can cover it up with a few words." After saying that, his face flushed slightly, and he said with a radiant expression, "What Gongzi Chen did is also beneficial to me. He's right. Chen Zhi is already dead. How many years of affection does his remains hold in the emperor's heart? Everyone related to Chen Zhi has lost their backer. Gongzi Chen is friendly with me, so he can act with impunity. What about others? Want official positions? Want money? Want power? Anyone in the court or the countryside with a heart will have to come to me with money. Gongzi Chen did a good job; he's set up a reputation for me."

Huang Hao was overjoyed; he could already see countless people lining up to give him gold because of this. Excellent, very excellent.

"Father is right," Zhang Da said, bowing respectfully.

"Besides," Huang Hao said, his enthusiasm growing, "do I not know what kind of people those officials are? Of the fifteen million coins allocated to the chief craftsmen, they've already embezzled them. How much of it could actually be used to build the palace? It's going to be taken anyway, so why not let Prince Chen take it? He's the emperor's own son."

"This entire country belongs to the Liu family, so it's only natural for Young Master Chen to take a share."

"Son, don't you think that makes sense?"

Huang Hao looked up at Zhang Da, smiling broadly. His smile was one of triumph and confidence. The emperor, ah, was completely under his thumb.

He was all alone.

Chen Zhi is dead; his body quickly turned to bones. Now, only he can control the emperor. He is one of the Ten Attendants. No. There are more than a dozen Ten Attendants; he is the only one.

He's about to wield absolute power.

He will amass a mountain of wealth.

What's wrong with Young Master Chen being a little arrogant and domineering?

Ok.

Zhang Da immediately sensed Huang Hao's imposing aura, his body trembled, and a smile appeared on his face as he respectfully said, "Father is right."

He was also overjoyed. Eunuchs may not have sons, but power is inherited. As Huang Hao's adopted son, as long as he served him well, the power would be his.

He began to fantasize about taking over and becoming a powerful figure in the government.

The Han Dynasty had its own unique national conditions, and the Ten Attendants and other predecessors inspired their successors.

..........

Liu Chen returned to the palace and, having nothing to do, entertained himself by practicing martial arts, archery, and reading.

After dark.

After eating the dinner sent by the Imperial Household Department, Liu Chen went to his study and sat down.

Eunuchs brought charcoal and palace maids lit lamps.

"Two lamps are enough. More light will waste oil," Liu Chen said, stopping the palace maid from lighting a third lamp.

"They're getting stingier and stingier!" the palace maids and eunuchs thought to themselves. But they dared not show it, and the maid carrying the lanterns immediately stopped.

Two lamps it is.

Liu Chen was very satisfied. He sat cross-legged on the armrest, unfolded the bamboo slips, and read the book using only the two lamps.

To be honest, my eyes are a little uncomfortable, but I still have to maintain my persona.

no way.

After Liu Chen had been reading for a while, a guard came to the door and announced, "Young Master, Young Master Xun and Young Master Qian's carriages have arrived."

Liu Chen smiled, put down the bamboo slips, and said to those around him, "They have come for the royal palace."

He immediately stood up and said, "Come with me to greet them."

"Yes." The eunuchs and palace maids bowed and followed Liu Chen.

Liu Chen was the elder brother, so there was no need for him to go out to greet him; he could simply stand under the eaves. After a while, Liu Chen's two brothers, Liu Xun and Liu Qian, came into view as they arrived at the eaves.

"Brother." The two brothers took a deep breath and bowed respectfully to Liu Chen.