Han Ji

"Whose family are you?" Liu Bei asked.

The man shut his mouth and remained silent.

Liu Bei ordered his men to search him, and they found a waist tag with the character "Zhang" engraved on it.

really.

"Take them away," Liu Bei ordered.

Upon inventorying the scene, the carriage was found to be filled with looted artifacts: bronzes, jades, gold and silver objects, and several boxes of ancient coins. Their value was immeasurable.

Upon returning to the Commandant's residence, the interrogation began overnight.

Old Wu was stubborn, but the steward couldn't hold back and confessed everything: they were Zhang Rang's men, specifically responsible for tomb raiding. Of the treasures they obtained, 70% were handed over to Zhang Rang, and 30% were kept by themselves.

The confession was signed and the evidence was conclusive.

Liu Bei wrote a report overnight, attaching a confession and a list of evidence, and sent it directly to the Sili Commandant's office.

This time, the Commandant of the Capital Region dared not be negligent and submitted a memorial to the court the next day.

The court meeting erupted in chaos.

Zhang's cronies vehemently defended him, claiming it was a frame-up. But the evidence was undeniable.

Emperor Ling did not show favoritism this time and ordered a thorough investigation.

Finally, Wu Laoda and the other tomb raiders were beheaded and their heads displayed to the public; the supervisor was exiled; and Zhang Rang was fined a year's salary and confined to his room for a month to reflect on his mistakes.

As for the stolen cultural relics... most were recovered and returned to their owners; a small portion remained lost and the matter was left unresolved.

But at least, the case was solved.

The people of the north were once again in a frenzy. Wealthy families whose ancestral graves were in the Beiman Mountains sent plaques to express their gratitude to Commander Liu for protecting the region and ensuring the safety of the people.

Liu Bei hung the plaques in the main hall, but he knew in his heart that he had offended Zhang Rang, a more ruthless character than Zhao Zhong.

Sure enough, the retaliation came two weeks later.

The Northern Commandery's funding has been blocked. The imperial court is using all sorts of excuses to withhold funds.

Without money, nothing can be done: the servants' salaries cannot be paid, weapons cannot be repaired, and even the daily expenses of the government office are in trouble.

Li Gongcao was pacing anxiously: "Commander, at this rate, we won't last more than three months."

Liu Bei went to find Li Gong, the governor of Henan.

Li Gong smiled wryly: "Xuande, it's not that I don't want to help you. It's just that the higher-ups have given instructions to cut your funding. All I can do is squeeze a little out of my own pocket, but it's a drop in the ocean."

"The student understands."

Back at the Commandant's residence, Liu Bei summoned everyone.

"As you all know, the situation is dire. Our funding is cut off, and things will be tough from now on. If you want to leave, you can leave now. I don't blame you."

Nobody moved.

Qian Zhao was the first to speak: "I'm not leaving."

Zhang Wu retorted, his neck stiff, "I'm not leaving either!"

Jian Yong laughed: "Why leave? If you don't have money, just figure it out."

Li Gongcao also stated, "Commander, I have served in the north for twelve years and have never had a superior like you. If you don't leave, I won't leave either."

Other clerks and runners echoed his sentiments.

Liu Bei looked at them, feeling a warmth in his heart.

"Okay." He nodded. "Since everyone is willing to get through this with me, let's figure something out."

The solution was devised by Jian Yong.

"There are so many shops and wealthy households in the north, we can raise funds for them," he said. "We can say that the Commandery needs to repair bridges and roads and improve the city's appearance, and ask them to contribute money. Those wealthy households are under our protection, so they should be willing."

"This... isn't against the rules?" Li Gongcao hesitated.

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures." Liu Bei made the decision. "That's how it will be done. But it must be transparent. Who donated how much money, and where it was used, should be published every month."

Jian Yong took charge of the arrangements, and the results were surprisingly good.

Wealthy households in the north donated generously. They weren't foolish; they knew that with a capable and efficient captain in charge, their wealth was secure. After three months, the money raised exceeded the Ministry of Revenue's allocation.

The funding issue has been temporarily resolved.

But Liu Bei knew that this was not a long-term solution.

He needs a more solid foundation.

In June, Liu Bei turned twenty-two.

This time, he simply set up a few tables at the Commandant's residence to entertain the clerks and runners. During the meal, Li Gongcao raised his cup:

"Commander, in the past six months, our north has changed dramatically. Public order has improved, lawsuits have decreased, and the people are full of praise. This is all thanks to you. Come, everyone, let's toast the Commander!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

Liu Bei rose and drank with the others.

When they were drunk, Jian Yong leaned over and whispered, "Xuande, there's something I need to tell you."

"What?"

"There's been some activity from the Xun family." Jian Yong lowered his voice. "I heard that several families have recently come to propose marriage to the Xun family, but they've all politely declined."

Liu Bei paused.

"But a few days ago, the Yin family also sent someone there." Jian Yong looked at him. "Yin Yu of the Yin family wants to marry Xun Cai."

The wine glass stopped at his lips.

"Lord Xun... has he agreed?"

"Not yet." Jian Yong shook his head.

Liu Bei put down his wine cup, got up and walked into the courtyard.

The night breeze was cool, dispelling some of the effects of the alcohol.

Xun Cai...

Seven years of correspondence had deepened their feelings for each other. But he never dared to confess; how could a mere captain with a salary of four hundred bushels of grain be worthy of the Xun family's daughter?

Now Yin Yu has come to propose marriage. The Yin family of Nanyang is a prominent and prestigious family in Nanyang.

What did Liu Bei have besides the empty title of being a member of the Han imperial family?

Just then, I heard footsteps.

It's a trap.

"Xuande." Qian Zhao walked to his side, paused for a moment, and then spoke, "If you really like it, then go for it. Back in Zhuojun, we had nothing, but we still managed to make it."

Liu Bei smiled wryly: "It's different."

"What's the difference?" Qian Zhao looked at him. "Back when we were trading grain, Chen's Grain Company was powerful, but we still won, didn't we? Now that the Yin family is powerful, are you afraid?"

"It's not that I'm afraid..."

"That's it." Qian Zhao patted his shoulder. "Go and make things clear with Miss Xun. If she's willing to wait for you, then climb the ladder with all your might. If she's not... at least you won't regret it."

Liu Bei looked at the night sky, where countless stars twinkled.

After a long while, he nodded.

"it is good."

The next day, he went to Dongguan.

After waiting all afternoon, Xun Cai finally came to return the book.

The two met among the bookshelves and remained silent for a moment.

"Miss Xun," Liu Bei spoke first, "I heard... the Yin family has gone to propose marriage."

Xun Cai looked up at him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, before calming down: "Father hasn't agreed yet."

"Then... what does Miss Xun herself think?"

Xun Cai remained silent.

The space between the bookshelves was so quiet you could hear someone breathing.

After a long silence, she slowly said, "Marriage is a major life event, and it is decided by one's parents."

My heart sank.

But Xun Cai continued, "My father said that he would ask my opinion on my marriage."

She looked up at Liu Bei, her eyes clear and firm:

"I, Xun Cai, will not marry a spoiled brat or an incompetent man. If I were to marry, I would marry a man of ambition and ability, even if he currently holds a low official position or comes from an unremarkable family."

That's very clear.

A surge of warmth welled up in Liu Bei's heart. He took a deep breath and solemnly said:

"Liu Bei understands."

Xun Cai nodded slightly, then turned and left.

He took a few steps, then stopped, turned around, took something out of his pocket, and wore it on his chest as if to show it off.

It is a jade pendant.

The piece of white jade, carved with cloud patterns, is exactly the same as the one in Liu Bei's possession.

She didn't say anything and left.

He gripped the jade pendant tightly in his bosom and pressed it against his chest.

Ambitious people, capable people.

He remembered it.