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

"My two virtuous brothers," Liu Chen returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Chen led his two brothers to the study and sat down.

They're really stingy. Liu Xun and Liu Qian looked at the dimly lit study and saw that the eunuchs had only brought tea and no pastries, and couldn't help but sigh.

They then looked at each other and saw determination in each other's eyes.

They came for the royal palace, of course.

They received the news of their enfeoffment as kings around the same time as Liu Chen, and were all overjoyed. "My lord," they said, "none of that sounds as prestigious as a feudal lord."

Life in the palace was also meager, nothing like the extravagance of a prince.

They were all eagerly anticipating their investiture as kings, counting down the days until they were bestowed with titles. But then, a bolt from the blue struck. Their fifth son, obsessed with money, caused a ruckus at the Imperial Workshop, stealing the five million coins each that the emperor had bestowed upon them.

The fifth brother was greedy for money. Once the five million yuan went into his pocket, his fate was predictable.

They came to ask Liu Chen to show leniency.

Fifth brother, please give us some face.

Liu Xun, being the elder brother, stepped forward without hesitation. He sat up straight, bowed to Liu Chen, and said, "Brother, we have heard that the Emperor has entrusted you with the task of repairing the palace."

He paused, about to make a sincere plea.

Liu Chen waved his hand and said with a smile, "Speaking of this matter, my two brothers should thank me."

"this!!!"

Liu Xun and Liu Qian exchanged bewildered glances, almost bursting into a tirade. "You take our money, and you expect us to thank you?"

Before they could say anything more, Liu Chen smiled and said, "You all know the state of the world these days. Horses won't get fat without night grass, old officials are cunning, and parasites are everywhere. If you gave your five million coins to the Grand Master of Works, you'd be lucky to get three million to spend on your palace. I'm honest and fair. I'll only charge you one and a half million, ensuring that the three and a half million are actually used. I guarantee the palace I repair will be better than the one built by the Grand Master of Works."

"Don't you guys have to thank me?" Liu Chen winked at his brothers.

Liu Xun and Liu Qian were dumbfounded. This was what they called getting a good deal and then acting innocent. But they had to admit that Liu Chen's words had some twisted logic.

Who doesn't know the world is corrupt? The government and the people are full of parasites? Their five million coins ended up in the hands of the chief craftsman. Let alone three million, we'd be grateful if even half of it actually went to any good.

If Liu Chen can actually deliver the 3.5 million, then we should indeed thank him.

But it's really hard to express gratitude for something like this.

Liu Chen swindled 1.5 million from each of them.

Regardless, Liu Chen's words, though sharp and forceful, significantly reduced their anger and resentment.

Liu Xun took a deep breath, forced a smile, and cupped his hands, saying, "Brother is right. Thank you very much." Then he added, "Please make sure you find a reliable craftsman."

Seeing that his sixth brother had surrendered, Liu Qian sighed inwardly and bowed to Liu Chen, saying, "Please take good care of me, brother."

"Don't worry. If I say I'll spend 3.5 million, I will spend 3.5 million. If you're not comfortable with that, you can send someone to supervise the construction," Liu Chen said readily.

Liu Xun and Liu Qian, having been eagerly awaiting this request, immediately agreed.

The brothers' relationship is so-so, that's all. Now that we've finished talking, we reluctantly chatted for a while longer about everyday things.

Liu Xun and Liu Qian then took their leave.

Liu Chen escorted the brothers to the corridor and watched them leave.

"A goose is plucked as it flies by, a beast is skinned as it runs away." Liu Chen smiled and went back to his study to read, in a cheerful mood.

For the sake of the country's future, we have no choice but to suffer a little, brothers.

After leaving the palace gates, Liu Xun and Liu Qian boarded a carriage. The two brothers had a lot of grievances to tell.

After a moment's thought, Liu Qian mocked, "Our brothers are all quite capable. Some are good hunters, some are lecherous. The fifth brother is unrestrained in hunting, greedy for money, and probably lecherous too. He can be described as utterly wicked."

"Let him be smug for now. Hmph." Liu Xun snorted coldly, speaking with a meaningful tone.

Liu Qian narrowed his eyes and nodded slightly.

Not all the feudal lords dared to be arrogant and domineering. Their uncle, Liu Yong, the Prince of Ganling, was like a tortoise, methodical and dared not cause trouble.

There was no other reason. It was simply that Liu Yong was the emperor's brother, and Liu Chen was the emperor's son, and they were also on good terms with Huang Hao.

Once their elder brother, the crown prince, ascends the throne, Liu Chen will no longer be able to cause trouble.

Humph.

Just as Liu Chen had predicted, the master craftsman Xu You reluctantly agreed. Liu Chen took on these three civil engineering projects.

Liu Chen also brought in many excellent craftsmen from the Ministry of Works and mobilized free laborers from the households.

Borrowing resources to generate profits, making money without any investment, and earning money while maintaining a positive attitude.

However, this matter spread throughout the court and among the public, coupled with Liu Chen's decision to have Consort Li marry a wealthy woman, and Liu Chen's own stingy and greedy nature.

His reputation among the government and the public has declined further.

Even Zhang Sheng heard about it.

As time went by, Zhang Sheng's name began to spread. Many rogue youths and wandering knights came to either attach themselves to Zhang Sheng or to befriend him.

Some farmers were even willing to donate their land to Zhang Sheng and voluntarily reduce their household registration to become "Menghu" (a type of peasant household).

Zhang Sheng's strength has been greatly enhanced.

In the morning, at Zhang Sheng's home.

On the open ground nearby, dozens of people were practicing martial arts, either boxing or archery.

However, this is just free time.

Every few days, Zhang Sheng would conduct drills according to the instructions in the military manual.

Inside the east wing of the house.

Zhang Sheng and Wang Chong knelt facing each other, with a water cup in front of them.

Wang Chong told Zhang Sheng about the matter, then frowned and said, "Sheng, the court is currently in a state of chaos and turmoil. Officials and commoners alike speak of Huang Hao with gritted teeth. To vie for the throne, one should choose a name that includes the character 'virtuous.' Prince Chen is doing the opposite; does he truly intend to seize the throne?"

Zhang Sheng also found it puzzling. Wang Chong was right. In times of darkness, raising the banner of wisdom and righteousness was enough to rally support.

When the time is right, the throne will be within easy reach.

Why did Liu Chen do the opposite? Zhang Sheng couldn't figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it. He looked up at Wang Chong and said, "There's no need to worry. Young Master Chen once told me that he has a keen eye for people; he recognized me as a brave warrior at first glance."

He proudly raised his head and said, "He is right. I, Zhang Sheng, am the kind of person who would die for my lord."

"He has such insight, and... in short, I trust him." Zhang Sheng's mind flashed back to his memories with Liu Chen, and his intuition told him that Liu Chen was no ordinary person, and that he must have his reasons for doing this.

"Alright." Wang Chong still had doubts, but chose to trust Zhang Sheng and nodded.

The two brothers exchanged a few more words. Zhang Sheng straightened up, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, and said to Wang Chong, "Gather the troops for drills."

"Yes." Wang Chong bowed in response and turned to leave.

Not long after, Zhang Sheng personally supervised the army and drilled his troops.

He was well-versed in military strategy, courageous and decisive, and strictly enforced military discipline. His troops all felt that following him would lead to a promising future and were happy to train under him.

The sounds of battle filled the air, and the atmosphere was overwhelming.