The Three Great Han Dynasties: Awaken Liu Bei with a scolding; you weave mats and sell sandals.

Chapter 188 Bo Cai Returns

"When did you get back, kid? You didn't even say hello."

Zhang Fei threw a punch, which Bo Cai caught easily. He chuckled and said, "You can't blame me for this. You know I've been dredging all the canals and embankments these days."

If heavy rain follows this heavy snow, the entire city of Luoyang is at risk of being flooded. I was only able to return because I was busy with disaster relief and dike repair.

Otherwise, I'd still be standing guard by the dike right now, and the river level has risen quite a bit recently.

Bo Cai slowly explained, leaving Zhang Fei unable to utter a single word of blame.

While their brotherly bond was important, official business always came first, and compared to that, this little matter was naturally insignificant.

"This disaster relief effort will not be easy, young master, Yun Chang, Yi De, you must be prepared."

Bo Cai had served as an official in the imperial city of Luoyang for many days and had dealt with many officials from various places. He had long since figured out the temperament of these people and naturally understood the deeper meaning behind Liu Hong's move.

It's just a training exercise for the younger generation. This is how aristocratic families have always raised their children. Now it's just Liu Bei's turn, the future heir of the Liu family of Youzhou.

The retainers and subordinates of the Liu family in Youzhou had long been prepared for this.

"Don't worry, I understand."

Liu Bei said in a deep voice.

Bo Cai smiled faintly, and then the group set off for the disaster relief site.

the other side.

Liu Hong watched the group leave, holding a bowl of pungent-smelling medicine in his hand. A sleazy voice drifted beside him: "Good medicine tastes bitter but is good for the disease, and honest advice is hard to hear but beneficial for conduct. General, you still have to drink your medicine. You can't refuse."

The speaker was none other than Liu Wen, the former governor of Zhuojun.

Since the Liu family of Youzhou rose to prominence, this old friend was also transferred to the imperial city of Luoyang, where he now serves in the Liu family mansion.

Facing his childhood friend, Liu Hong couldn't muster the slightest bit of blame. He just rolled his eyes, full of helplessness: "Lord Liu, is this really necessary? Why are you keeping such a close eye on me? Why don't you go and manage Gongsun Zan instead?"

"He's currently enjoying great influence in Youzhou."

Liu Wen shrugged and said with a wry smile, "What else can I do? I just want to compete with Xuande. Unfortunately, his father-in-law is ultimately no match for Xuande's father."

It is precisely because you, General, are so majestic and powerful that you ultimately cannot obtain what you desire.

I've advised him many times before to let go of this vain desire to compare himself to others, but he just won't listen. Doesn't he realize that the entire Gongsun family is already at its last gasp?

What waves can he possibly stir up by himself? Can he possibly rise to power and turn the tide like you, General?

Liu Wen, without making a sound, started flattering Liu Hong again, which surprised Liu Hong. He really didn't expect that this former governor of Zhuojun would adapt to the atmosphere of Luoyang so quickly.

This person is destined not to be confined by the duties of a mere prefect.

Liu Hong silently gave his old friend a thumbs up, full of admiration.

At this moment, Liu Bei and his companions had already arrived at the disaster relief office, but they were stopped in their tracks as soon as they took their first step.

The officials here were respectful to him and dared not offend him in the slightest, but they acted only according to the established procedures.

This so-called charter is actually a system where various departments pass the buck and create obstacles at every level after the disaster relief order is issued.

Some officials took the money and then brushed it off, but Liu Bei, despite his high position and power, had no real authority and was directly turned away.

The saying "It's easy to mess with the King of Hell, but hard to deal with his underlings" perfectly describes this situation.

"You've really gone too far."

-

Zhang Fei's eyes widened in fury, his eyebrows stood on end, and the veins on his hand gripping the eighteen-foot spear bulged. He was just one step away from rushing out and stabbing the minor official blocking his way right through the heart.

He simply didn't believe that with Zhang Yide's reputation, killing such a small fry could cause any major incident.

But the low-ranking official in front of them looked so aggrieved that Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were filled with anger but didn't know where to direct it.

This minor official had an honest face, and looked like someone destined for hardship.

At this moment, he repeatedly protested, "Generals, this rule was not set by me. I have no such power. It was the General's residence that specifically instructed that you three be treated as ordinary officials and not to exercise any special privileges."

"Otherwise, in our disaster relief office, who would dare to disrespect others? Would they dare to disrespect the three generals?"

These words sounded full of helplessness, but they were all quite reasonable.

But it couldn't solve any of the actual problems.

The difficulties remain, as no relief funds or supplies have been received.

Their mission seemed destined to end prematurely, without even a beginning.

"Then please tell me exactly what I should do to receive the disaster relief supplies according to the regulations."

Liu Bei suppressed his frustration and asked, cupping his hands in greeting.

Seeing his calm attitude, the low-ranking official quickly smiled obsequiously and spoke in an extremely humble tone. It must have been quite difficult to serve a scion of a powerful family like Liu Bei, who was actually stripped of his privileges.

"General, you must first go to the Ministry of Revenue to verify the documents, then go to the West Garden to register, then take care of all the relevant departments, and finally come back to verify them before you can receive the supplies."

"Holy crap."

Zhang Fei's fiery temper flared up again. It turned out that after going around in circles, he still had to pay money to get things done.

He was supposed to be loyal to the country and provide disaster relief and rescue, yet he still had to pay out of his own pocket to bribe these parasites.

Zhang Fei hadn't read many books to begin with, and when things got heated, he would just throw a tantrum. Now, hearing these words, he felt as if his head had been struck by lightning, and it was buzzing.

He was stunned for a long time.

Guan Yu, standing beside him, also had a furrowed brow and a somber expression, clearly in a very bad mood.

Even when they first arrived in Luoyang, Liu Hong was not yet famous throughout the land, but he had Zhang Rang protecting him, and the power of the eunuchs was at its peak.

Even powerful and influential families were unwilling to offend them easily. At that time, although there were obstacles in their work, they were able to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Now, Liu Hong had specially arranged for someone to remove all of Liu Bei's privileges. Only now could they truly experience the realities of officialdom in Luoyang.

It was a system of rules layered upon layered, a system of calculations that circled around and around, and countless explicit and implicit rules.

"Why go through all this trouble, sir? Just hand over the money to you, and the disaster relief will be taken care of. Wouldn't that be much simpler?"

Liu Bei asked patiently.

The official shook his head repeatedly, still wearing that pitiful expression, and said with a forced smile, "Your Excellency is joking, absolutely not. Wouldn't that be bribery?"

"While this might be a compromise elsewhere, in the rules of Luoyang, the imperial city, not even the slightest mistake can be tolerated."

Liu Bei was completely speechless, but the official's next words dealt him a heavy blow.

"Lieutenant Liu, this matter is truly not up to us officials to decide. In this imperial city of Luoyang, all officials, high and low, follow this rule; it has been in place for countless years. If you don't pay this bribe, this matter simply cannot be accomplished."