Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

Two days later, at dusk, the setting sun dyed the sky blood red.

Liu Ce and his group arrived at the edge of a forest called "Evil Tiger Ridge" in Chenliu. The forest was deep and the grass was dense, and wild beasts often appeared there. Even passing merchants rarely dared to travel there alone.

Suddenly, a deafening tiger's roar came from the forest, followed by the cracking sound of a tree breaking and a man's angry roar!

Liu Ce's heart tightened. He quickly calmed his horse and dismounted to approach. Pushing aside the dense bushes, the sight before him made his pupils shrink!

A huge tiger was seen roaring as it pounced on a burly man.

The burly man was over eight feet tall, with broad shoulders and a thick waist. He was shirtless, with bronze skin, and looked like he was brimming with explosive power.

He had no weapons, only his bare hands, and he fought the tiger!

The tiger slapped down with its paw.

The burly man neither dodged nor evaded, but instead used his left arm to deflect the attack, while simultaneously clenching his right fist and slamming it down hard on the tiger's head with all his might!

With a muffled "bang!", the tiger cried out in pain and staggered back a few steps.

After a while, the tiger opened its blood-red mouth again, revealing its sharp fangs, and pounced once more!

The burly man's arms gripped the tiger's neck like iron clamps! The man and the tiger immediately began wrestling, rolling to the ground. He pinned the tiger down, his hands gripping its throat!

The tiger struggled desperately, kicking its limbs wildly, but the strong man's arm remained completely still!

Gradually, the tiger's struggles weakened, its breathing became faint, and finally it stopped moving altogether.

The burly man then released his grip, slowly stood up, panting heavily, his face and body covered in mud and blood.

He looked down at the dead tiger on the ground, a tired but proud smile on his face.

Liu Ce was utterly shocked by what he saw. To fight a tiger bare-handed—such strength and courage were simply superhuman! He immediately recognized the man—Dian Wei!

"System check..."

[Ding, in progress...]

Name: Dian Wei

Gender: Male

Age: 20

[Strength]: 104 (Top-tier)

Commander: 65

[Politics]: 32

[Intelligence]: 38

[Appearance]: 50cm

[Special Skill]:

【Ancient Evil】: Creates a powerful "fear" deterrent against enemy forces and greatly enhances its own status.

【Protect the Lord】: Ultimate mission skill. When the lord is in mortal danger, the user enters a "fight to the death" state (ignoring all pain). The state is raised to its limit, attracting the hatred of all enemies until the user dies in battle.

At this time, Dian Wei had not yet followed Cao Cao and seemed to be in a state of distress.

Liu Ce thought to himself.

"Mengde, I'm sorry, I'll be taking your bodyguard with me now. Remember to be careful next time you take a fancy to another married woman."

Suppressing his excitement, Liu Ce stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Dian Wei, and said loudly.

"What amazing skills! Fighting a tiger with your bare hands, I'm truly impressed!"

Upon hearing the sound, Dian Wei turned around and looked at Liu Ce warily.

Seeing that he was dressed in fine clothes and didn't seem like a bad person, she softened her tone a bit, but remained silent and only nodded.

Liu Ce walked slowly to Dian Wei, his gaze sincere, and bowed again.

"Your bravery surpasses that of the entire army. I am Liu Ce, and I just witnessed you fight a tiger with your bare hands. It is truly a rare sight in my life, and I am filled with admiration."

Dian Wei remained silent, sizing up Liu Ce.

Liu Ce smiled slightly and continued.

"Judging from your appearance, it seems you're having some difficulty. Perhaps you're a hero with no opportunity to use your skills, possessing great abilities but unable to put them to use?"

These words seemed to touch Dian Wei. His tense facial features softened, and he gave a soft "hmm" in response.

Seeing this, Liu Ce understood. He knew that Dian Wei was a man who didn't value money or fame, but was loyal, righteous, and longed for recognition.

"I am unworthy, but by the grace of the imperial court, I have been appointed as the new Prefect of Zhuojun, and I am about to depart to assume my post."

Liu Ce's tone became extremely solemn.

"Now that chaos is approaching, this is the time for great men to establish their merits. It would be a pity if such a valiant man, with his earth-shattering courage, were to remain buried in the mountains and forests."

He stepped forward and looked at Dian Wei.

"Although I, Liu Ce, am not talented, I am willing to invite brave warriors to join my ranks by offering them a position of trust!"

Dian Wei paused for a moment, then said, "I have legal troubles to attend to. Is my lord still willing?"

"Oh, what kind of lawsuit?" Liu Ce asked.

"A certain Dian Wei, having made enemies, has killed many people, and now the authorities are arresting me."

"What is it? Oh, it's this. Once you join my ranks, they won't be able to control you. If I say you're innocent, then you're innocent," Liu Ce said with a smile.

"Does it include meals?" Dian Wei asked honestly.

"Of course I'll take care of you, you'll have plenty of food. I'll even find you a wife, how about that?" Liu Ce laughed loudly.

A hint of emotion finally appeared on Dian Wei's rugged face. He knelt on one knee, his voice booming like a bell.

"Dian Wei...I am willing...I am willing to serve my lord like a dog or a horse!"

Liu Ce was overjoyed and quickly stepped forward, helping Dian Wei up with both hands, laughing heartily.

"Good! With the brave Dian Wei by our side, what great things cannot be accomplished! From this day forward, you will be the commander of my personal guards, Liu Ce."

"Dian Wei, did he have a courtesy name?"

"My lord, I have no words."

"How about I give you a courtesy name? How about 'E'lai'?"

"Thank you, my lord!"

"Wait a moment, I'll go get some food," Liu Ce said to Dian Wei with a smile.

After saying that, he turned and walked to the corner of the tent, with his back to Dian Wei, seemingly rummaging through his baggage, but actually taking it out from the system space.

The next second, more than a dozen steaming bowls of fragrant braised pork trotters rice appeared in the box. They were heavy in my hand, and the aroma of rice and meat mingled together, instantly filling the air.

"Here, Dian Wei, try this!" Liu Ce handed over the rice bowl.

Dian Wei was squatting by the campfire, roasting slices of tiger meat with a tree trunk, the fat dripping and sizzling.

Upon smelling such a rich aroma he had never experienced before, he was first taken aback, then his eyes lit up. He quickly put down the tree trunk, took the bowl with both hands, and asked in a gruff voice.

"My lord, what is this? It smells so good!"

"This is braised pork trotter rice, all you can eat!" Liu Ce picked up a bowl for himself and ordered the guards to come and get it so they could eat together. The next second, he took a big bite with his chopsticks.

"We'll eat while we wait for the tiger meat to be roasted."

Dian Wei was already craving the tender pig's trotters and fragrant rice. Ignoring the heat, he slurped them down in big mouthfuls, his mouth watering. The fatty but not greasy pig's trotters paired with the distinct grains of rice were simply the most delicious thing in the world.

He ate three large bowls before slowing down a bit. Wiping his mouth, he picked up an iron spatula and turned the tiger meat over, praising indistinctly, "My lord, this food is even more satisfying than roast meat!"

(Tiger: Feed me peanuts.)

……

"My lord, the tiger meat is almost cooked. I'll divide it up!"

He said gruffly, and before Liu Ce could respond, the blade had already landed precisely on the hind leg, which was roasted to the most charred perfection.

He cut off two large pieces of tiger meat with crispy skin, handing one to Liu Ce and bringing the other to his own mouth first. Liu Ce nodded.

"Wait a minute, it'll taste better this way." Liu Ce took out fine salt from his pocket, mimicking Salt Bae's method, and said to Dian Wei.

Liu Ce took a bite and found the meat to be firm and chewy, with a unique freshness, and cooked to perfection.

"Not bad at all, the meat roasted by this tiger-slaying hero is truly extraordinary."

……