Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

Jia Xu sipped his tea, picked up a report of victory, and said with a smile:

"Look at this. The Chen family in Chenliu hid money in a coffin and even hired some mourners to pretend that someone in their family had died. They played music and made a terrible fuss. But our soldiers felt something was wrong. Why was the coffin so heavy? When they opened it, it was full of gold."

Lu Bing laughed so hard he almost spat out his tea, and slammed his hand on the table:

"These people will come up with any trick to hide their money. And there's something even more ingenious. Yesterday, we received good news that a powerful family in Chu melted down silver and poured it into a pillar."

If the soldiers hadn't discovered how incredibly heavy the pillars were when they were demolishing the building—each pillar weighing several hundred pounds—they might have gotten away with it. That silver pillar now stands at the entrance of the government office as a warning and educational tool.

"And this one," Lu Bing picked up another document, shaking his head with a laugh, "The Gu family of Jiangdong hid their gold and silver treasures in their concubine's dowry chest. But the concubine eloped with someone and took the chest with her. The Gu family chased after her for three days and three nights but couldn't catch her. Instead, our people laid an ambush and caught them red-handed. They were caught red-handed."

Jia Xu laughed and said, "This is truly a case of losing both wife and army! The head of the Gu family was so angry that he vomited blood on the spot, saying that it would have been better to just hand it over in the first place, at least he could have gained a good reputation."

...

In less than three months, the nationwide crackdown was basically over.

A total of 172 powerful families, both large and small, were wiped out, more than 23,000 rebels were captured, and countless amounts of gold, copper coins, grain, and land were confiscated...

The gold and silver treasures transported back to Luoyang alone filled more than 500 horse-drawn carriages, and the convoy stretched for dozens of miles, leaving the people dumbfounded.

Lu Bing took the final statistical report and went to the palace to report to Liu Ce.

Inside the greenhouse, Liu Ce was lying down when he saw Lu Bing enter, so he sat up.

"Your Majesty, the purge operation has been a complete success. All the noble families on the list have been wiped out without exception," Lu Bing said, bowing, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement.

"The confiscated land has been distributed to landless farmers; the confiscated money is enough to exempt the people of the whole country from taxes for three years, and there is still a lot left to be used for water conservancy projects, school construction, road construction... The national treasury has never been so full."

Liu Ce looked at the report, nodded in satisfaction, and smiled: "Well done. Are those remaining minor families behaving themselves now?"

"He couldn't be more honest!" Lu Bing said with a smile, his eyebrows dancing with delight.

"Now, small aristocratic families in various places are rushing to report the land and population they have concealed, fearing that they will be found out. They are also vying to donate money and grain to the imperial court."

Yesterday, a prominent family disbanded their private army, saying they would never dare to keep one again. Now, they're not even keeping weapons; they're voluntarily registering their kitchen knives with the authorities, fearing it might be used as evidence of treason.

Liu Ce couldn't help but laugh: "It seems we've really scared them this time. If we had known this would happen, we wouldn't have done it in the first place."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Lu Bing said, his tone full of emotion, "From now on, there will be no powerful clans that can rival the court. Those clans used to think they were superior, that they could disregard the law, oppress the people, and defy the court. Now, they've all become obedient. The world truly belongs to Your Majesty."

Liu Ce stood up, walked to the window, opened it, and looked out at the sun-drenched city of Luoyang.

On the streets, people were bustling about, their faces beaming with smiles. Some were buying groceries, some were strolling around, and some were drinking tea in teahouses.

Children were laughing, playing, chasing, and running around by the roadside.

The vendors' cries rose and fell, their aromas of steaming buns, freshly baked flatbreads, and fresh fruits filling the streets.

In the distance, at the construction site of the Luoyang-Chang'an Expressway, workers are working enthusiastically...

Everything is going in a good direction.

...

April 10th of the first year of Shenwu.

The Imperial Palace of Luoyang, Chang Le Palace.

Liu Ce was squatting on the ground, holding a triangular mirror in his hand, and making rainbows for the children in the sunlight.

Eleven children sat in a circle, and a rainbow was reflected on the wall, its colors—red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple—it was unbelievably beautiful.

"Daddy! Change one more! Change one more!" Liu Chen shouted, jumping up and down, his little hands tugging hard at Liu Ce's sleeve.

"Make it even bigger! Bigger than a house!" Liu Heng chimed in.

Liu Ce was about to speak with a smile when suddenly a "ding" sounded in his mind.

The sound was clear and resonant, like someone striking a chime in one's head.

He almost dropped the triangular mirror in his hand, and stood there stunned.

That's a system notification sound.

It hadn't rung in a long time; he'd almost forgotten he even had a system.

This thing is like a dormant old cadre, usually silent, only occasionally popping up to make its presence known.

[Congratulations, host, on unifying the world... Reward: a Five-Year Harvest Card and a Five-Year Efficiency Boost Card.]

Liu Ce's eyes lit up, and he was overjoyed.

Kata had seen favorable weather conditions; they could make the climate in his jurisdiction suitable, ensuring good weather, abundant harvests, and increased food production...

The Efficiency Doubling Card is a new thing; the name itself sounds impressive. It should be able to double the efficiency of various construction projects across the country.

Using this thing in the Five-Year Plan would be like adding wings to a tiger.

The system then began to explain: "Favorable Weather Card (Five Years): After use, it can ensure that the climate is suitable, the rainfall is sufficient, and there are no major disasters within the host's controlled area for five years, thus ensuring a continuous bumper harvest."

Efficiency Doubling Card (5 years): After use, it can double the efficiency of various engineering constructions, government affairs processing, and personnel work within the host's control area for a period of 5 years.

Liu Ce was overjoyed after hearing this.

It was perfectly suited for the Five-Year Plan, doubling the efficiency of agricultural production, industrial construction, water conservancy projects, and road construction.

Five years' worth of work can be accomplished in ten years.

This is practically giving the First Five-Year Plan a double experience boost!

With divine intervention and divine assistance, it's hard not to succeed.

The "favorable weather card" guarantees grain production, while the "efficiency doubling card" ensures project progress. With both cards in place, the granaries will be full, roads will be clear, the national treasury will be overflowing, the people will be prosperous, and the world will be at peace. Then, we can accomplish great things.

This system, though a bit late, is a truly generous gift.

Then Liu Ce mentally complained to the system, "System, you're a bit slow. I've unified the world for ages, and you're only now sending out rewards. Is your internet speed bad? Or did you oversleep?"

The system remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering its words.

Several seconds passed.