Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

Liu Ce was overjoyed when he received the imperial edict. The Southern General was a high-ranking military officer, and holding the imperial edict was equivalent to having an imperial sword, allowing him to execute first and report later!

He gave Zhao Yun a wink, and Zhao Yun immediately understood, presenting a heavy gift box:

"My father-in-law has come from afar and must be tired. This is just a small token of my appreciation, offered as payment for tea."

The eunuch weighed the gold ingot in his hand and found it to be quite heavy, and his smile immediately became even more genuine.

"Prefect Liu, you're too kind!"

The eunuch lowered his voice, "Zhang Rang, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, specifically asked me to convey his greetings to you."

Liu Ce immediately replied, "Thank you for your concern, Lord Zhang. I will certainly repay you handsomely another day!"

He knew perfectly well that behind this "imperial brother" status and promotion, Zhang Rang and his group of eunuchs had undoubtedly played a crucial role in influencing him.

Liu Ce said warmly, "Father-in-law, would you like to stay and rest? I'll have the cook stew a local old hen..."

The eunuch waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, I have to return to Luoyang to report. Farewell!"

After saying that, he led his men and ran away in a flash.

Liu Ce stood in the hall, raised the imperial edict in his hand, and said loudly to Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and the others who had gathered around:

"Gentlemen, from this day forward, our troops of Zhuojun are the imperial court's appointed generals to quell the rebellion!"

……

That afternoon, at the prefect's residence.

Liu Ce convened a meeting with his core team. His key civil and military officials, including Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, and the prefectural magistrate Zhao, all stood solemnly below the hall, their eyes fixed on him.

Liu Ce walked to the head seat, raised the scroll of imperial edict, his gaze swept over the crowd, and his voice was steady and powerful:

"Gentlemen, the imperial decree has been issued! His Majesty has appointed me General of the Southern Army, granting me the authority to lead my troops in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion! This is a testament to His Majesty's trust and an opportunity for us to establish our merits!"

He paused, then continued announcing:

"Now, I hereby appoint: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Yaojin, all six of them as colonels, each commanding their own troops, preparing for war, awaiting orders, and to accompany me on the expedition soon!"

Although the rank of colonel is lower than that of general, he is a true commander of troops, and his power is considerable, especially during wartime.

The six men clasped their hands in unison and said, "Your subordinates obey!"

These six men were promoted to the rank of colonel, which meant they had officially secured stable employment.

Guan Yu stroked his beard and nodded, Zhao Yun calmly expressed his gratitude, while Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin were overjoyed.

Zhang Fei, with the loudest voice, declared, "Don't worry, brother! I won't be a captain for nothing; I guarantee I'll train the soldiers to be awesome!"

Dian Wei thumped his breastplate, making a loud clanging sound: "Wherever my lord points, I'll attack!"

Liu Ce then made arrangements for the civil officials, including Lao Zhao:

"Old Zhao, Zhuojun is my foundation. Logistics, provisions, resettlement of displaced people, and internal security are all entrusted to you. Make sure everything is handled properly!"

Old Zhao quickly stepped forward: "My lord, rest assured, I will do my utmost!"

The people below were overjoyed.

Zhang Fei nudged Dian Wei: "Old Dian, did you hear that? We're a captain now!"

Dian Wei chuckled and scratched his forehead: "Finally, I don't have to be called 'that big, dark guy' anymore!"

Cheng Yaojin was even more direct, shouting, "My lord, when is dinner served?"

Liu Ce laughed and scolded, "You're the only one thinking about food! Don't worry, there'll be plenty of hot pot tonight!"

Liu Ce then assigned tasks: complete the army's preparations within three days, and first go to Ji Province to test their skills against the Yellow Turbans.

He emphasized, "We now have the privilege of holding the imperial staff; if we encounter local officials or powerful figures who refuse to obey us, we'll execute them first!"

"But remember, only rob the Yellow Turban rebels of their money and provisions. Do not harass the common people. Anyone who violates this rule will have their claws chopped off!"

Everyone responded enthusiastically, eager to get started.

night.

The aroma of spicy hot pot wafted from the backyard of the Liu residence. Liu Ce specially opened a few bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) as a celebration for his brothers.

After a few bowls of strong liquor, the atmosphere became lively. Liu Ce suddenly tapped the rim of his bowl with his chopsticks, teasing Zhang Fei, Dian Wei, and Cheng Yaojin.

"Yide, Elai, Zhijie! Now you're proper captains, how does it feel? Tell us and let's have a laugh!"

Zhang Fei was simmering a piece of tripe when he heard this, he slammed down his chopsticks, his voice booming like a bell:

"How does it feel? Absolutely amazing! Even though I was a Sima before, when Old Zhang led the troops, people always muttered, 'What does a pig butcher like you know about formations?' Now that I've flashed my badge, let's see who dares to say a word!"

He pulled out his captain's token and slammed it on the table. "Next time I recruit soldiers, I'll specifically pick the big, strong ones and form a 'Butcher's Battalion'!"

Dian Wei, engrossed in gnawing on his lamb spine, mumbled a reply:

"I think... the captain's armor is thicker than that of ordinary soldiers, so he's not afraid of being hit by arrows!"

The crowd laughed.

Zhao Yun added insult to injury: "Erlai, didn't your elder brother give you armor? Besides, with your build, an arrow would bend if it hit you, right?"

Dian Wei scratched his head: "Hehe, that won't do."

Cheng Yaojin, being the most straightforward, raised his wine bowl and shouted:

"It feels like my salary has gone up! Now I'll have more budget for visiting brothels... I mean, for observing the lives of ordinary people!"

Liu Ce spat out a mouthful of wine, and Qin Qiong quickly kicked him:

"What nonsense are you spouting in front of our lord!"

Old Cheng scratched his head and changed his tune: "I meant, I can afford to buy the brothers extra chicken drumsticks out of my own pocket!"

Guan Yu stroked his beard and chuckled: "Yide, a captain isn't just someone who can show off. From now on, he'll have to worry about military discipline, training, and troop deployment."

Zhang Fei put his arm around his neck: "Don't worry, Second Brother! Leave the charging to me, you handle the brains!"

Zhao Yun said quietly, "Third Brother, last time when you set up the 'One-Character Long Snake Formation,' you almost reversed the snake's head and tail..."

The whole audience burst into laughter.

Liu Ce raised his wine cup: "Good! That's the spirit I've been looking for! Once we quell the Yellow Turban Rebellion and achieve unparalleled merit, everyone will become a general, ennobled and appointed as a marquis!"

After the banquet.

Outside the prefect's residence, several soldiers were making a scene around Cheng Yaojin.

"Captain Cheng, it's a treat for roast chicken!" Old Cheng muttered as he took out his money.

"Getting promoted really does cost money..." but he couldn't hide the smile on his lips.

……

A few days later, in the morning.

The city gates of Zhuojun were packed with soldiers.

Liu Ce reined in his horse before the battle formation, his black armor gleaming in the sunlight, his Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd pointing diagonally at the ground, with eight hundred Xuanjia Iron Cavalry and six thousand infantry behind him.

He turned to the magistrate, Old Zhao, who was seeing him off, and instructed him:

"Old Zhao, this whole mess in Zhuojun, including the refugees we just settled and the money and grain we haven't even had a chance to warm up, is all in your hands."

Old Zhao quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "My lord, rest assured! With me here, not a single blade of grass in Zhuojun will be thrown into chaos!"

"Aren't you really bringing more troops? I heard the Yellow Turbans are rampant in Ji Province! While you're heading south to quell the rebellion, swords and spears have no eyes..."

Liu Ce waved his hand to interrupt him: "No need, what's there to be afraid of? The Yellow Turban rebels have no money and no armor, but one charge from our Xuanjia Iron Cavalry is worth ten thousand of their hoes!"

Liu Ce spurred his horse, and the black steed immediately turned. He raised his Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd and pointed it to the sky:

"Set off!"

The army marched south, raising clouds of dust.

On the road.

Zhang Fei roared at the top of his lungs, "Big brother! This time, I, Old Zhang, have to lead the charge!"

Cheng Yaojin and Dian Wei shouted, "Why? Last time we wiped out the Yellow Turban Rebellion, you stole the heads of three generals!"

Zhao Yun and Qin Qiong exchanged a wry smile, while Guan Yu squinted his phoenix eyes and silently wiped his sword. This journey south was destined to be lively.