Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

Xi Zhicai raised an eyebrow: "Why did you choose me, Marquis? I am a poor scholar with no merit or fame, and I am just a nobody in Yingchuan."

"Because you are a man of great talent," Liu Ce said with absolute certainty.

"Although I am far away in Luoyang, I have heard of your reputation. You are knowledgeable, have a strong memory, and possess unique insights. Youzhou needs someone like you."

That's half true and half false.

Liu Ce did know that Xi Zhicai was talented, but the claim that he had "heard of his reputation" was pure nonsense. In those days, there was no internet, so it would be strange if the reputation of a poor scholar from Yingchuan could reach Luoyang.

But who doesn't like to hear nice words?

Xi Zhicai remained silent for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly on his knee.

He sized up Liu Ce, seemingly trying to determine how much truth there was in what he said.

After a long while, he suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, but the glint in her eyes shone even brighter.

"Since Your Excellency has said so, it would be disrespectful of me to refuse." He stood up, bowed solemnly, and said, "I am willing to serve Your Excellency."

"Great!" Liu Ce was overjoyed and stood up to return the greeting.

"With your assistance, sir, we are like tigers with wings! Please stay at my residence for now, and once everyone else has arrived, we will proceed to our new posts together. By the way, if you have any needs, please just tell the steward. All your needs, including food, clothing, and daily necessities, will be provided."

Xi Zhicai rose and bowed: "Thank you, Lord Marquis."

He was about to leave when he looked back at the cup of bitter tea, hesitated for a moment, and then said:

"My lord, next time you make tea... use less tea leaves."

Liu Ce was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "I'll remember that!"

Xi Zhicai went out.

Liu Ce sat back down in his chair and let out a long sigh of relief.

The first one is temporarily settled.

Moreover, judging from Xi Zhicai's demeanor, he wasn't just going through the motions; the light in his eyes couldn't lie—he was probably genuinely interested.

"Not bad, not bad," Liu Ce muttered to himself, "a good start."

The day after Xi Zhicai settled in, Xun Yu and Guo Jia also arrived.

The two men came together; they were both from Yingchuan and knew each other before they met on the road and traveled together.

When the steward came to report, Liu Ce was practicing with his halberd in the courtyard.

Upon hearing that Xun Yu and Guo Jia had arrived, he didn't even have time to sheathe his halberd before throwing it directly to Dian Wei.

"then!"

He turned and ran to the study.

(Dian Wei looks at the Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd: Don't come any closer!)

Dian Wei, still holding his halberd, looked completely bewildered: "Brother, what's wrong? You're not even this anxious about seeing your wife!"

Zhao Yun laughed from the side: "It's more important than seeing your wife. Those are Xun Wenruo and Guo Fengxiao, whom our elder brother has been longing for."

"Who?" Dian Wei scratched his head. "Is he famous?"

"You'll find out later," Zhao Yun patted his shoulder.

In the study, Liu Ce met the legendary "talented advisor to a king" and "genius".

Xun Yu was in his twenties, dressed in a white long robe with a jade belt around his waist, and his demeanor was gentle and refined.

He stood there, upright and reserved.

He was clearly from a prominent family, and indeed he was; the Xun family of Yingchuan was a renowned and prestigious clan.

Guo Jia was much younger, looking about sixteen or seventeen years old. He was dressed in a rather sloppy blue cloth robe with the sleeves rolled up.

Her hair was casually tied up, with a few stray strands falling across her forehead.

His face was a little pale, as if he had just recovered from a long illness, but his eyes were surprisingly bright, and there was always a half-smile on his lips, revealing a cynical cunning.

Name: Xun Yu, courtesy name Wenruo

Gender: Male

Age: 21

[Strength]: 30

[Command]: 81 (Second-rate)

[Politics]: 98 (Top-tier)

Intelligence: 93 (Top-tier)

[Appearance]: 87cm

Special skills:

【Talent for a King】: When holding an important position, it greatly improves the efficiency of internal affairs, the attraction of talents, and the success rate of strategic plans.

[Knowing and Recommending Talented Individuals]: You can proactively discover and recommend top talents who are not currently employed or are not being given important roles. Once recommended, their loyalty and ability will increase significantly after joining the organization.

Name: Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao

Gender: Male

Age: 16

[Strength]: 26

[Command]: 76 (Third-rate)

[Politics]: 90 (Top-tier)

Intelligence: 98 (Top-tier)

[Appearance]: 78cm

Special skills:

【Genius - Anticipating the Enemy's Moves】: During the campaign preparation phase, there is an extremely high probability of discerning the personality flaws or potential crises of the enemy's core commander, and the success rate of strategies formulated based on this information is greatly increased.

【Kizao - Insightful Insight】: When one's own forces fall into a state of "panic" or "hesitation" due to a disparity in strength between the enemy and oneself or sudden unfavorable intelligence, it can quickly stabilize morale, eliminate negative states, and immediately point out the enemy's fatal weaknesses or battlefield opportunities that have been overlooked.

[Heaven's Jealousy]: ...

"Mr. Wenruo, Mr. Fengxiao, I have long admired your names." Liu Ce cupped his hands in greeting.

The two returned the gift.

Xun Yu spoke very politely: "You are too kind, Lord Marquis. I was quite surprised when His Majesty's decree arrived in Yingchuan. I wonder what brings you here, Lord Marquis?"

Guo Jia was much more direct. He raised his head, looked Liu Ce up and down a few times, and smiled:

"Champion Marquis? He's younger than I thought."

These words were spoken so casually that even the steward standing nearby frowned upon hearing them. How could one speak to the Marquis like that?

But Liu Ce didn't mind.

He knew that Guo Jia had this temperament, and if he were too polite, it wouldn't be like Guo Fengxiao.

The first person I met was Xun Yu.

Guo Jia was taken to a side hall to rest, and Liu Ce planned to talk to them one by one to show that he valued them.

In the study.

"Mr. Wenruo," Liu Ce personally poured him tea, this time the tea leaves were just right, "were you surprised when His Majesty's decree arrived in Yingchuan?"

Xun Yu nodded: "It is indeed unexpected. I am but a scholar, what merit or ability do I possess to have earned the Marquis's favor?"

"You're too modest, sir," Liu Ce said.

"Sir, you have a long-standing reputation for virtue in Yingchuan. Your talent, learning, and character are all of the highest caliber. You must have heard about the events in Youzhou."

The land is vast and sparsely populated, and plagued by frequent nomadic raids, making it difficult to govern. I invited you here, sir, hoping to use your talents to stabilize the border regions and bring prosperity to the people.

After listening, Xun Yu pondered and said, "The situation in Youzhou is indeed thorny. The Xianbei and Wuhuan have repeatedly invaded the border, causing the people to be displaced. Your Excellency's journey is arduous and far-reaching."

He paused, then looked up at Liu Ce, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"However, there is one thing I don't understand. Did the Marquis summon us here only to govern Youzhou, or... does he have greater ambitions?"

That's a direct and to-the-point question.

Liu Ce did not answer immediately.

He got up and walked to the window, looking at the blooming peach blossoms in the courtyard outside. He stared for a long time before turning around.

"Mr. Wenruo," he said with a smile, "Youzhou is just the beginning. My goal is to pacify the northern frontier, expand our territory, and eliminate the threat of the barbarians from the borders of the Han Dynasty forever. I want the people to live in peace and prosperity, and for the barbarians to dare not graze their horses in the south."

Xun Yu's eyes brightened slightly.

He looked at Xun Yu, his eyes resolute, and said:

"As for greater ambitions... just like the four sentences I said at the Cai residence: to establish a heart for heaven and earth, to establish a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations. This world should not be like this now."

That's a bit of an overstatement, but Liu Ce was being sincere.

Xun Yu stared at him for a long time.

Then he stood up, straightened his clothes, and gave a solemn bow.

"If Your Excellency has such ambition, I am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty."

"With Wenruo, our great cause can be accomplished!" Liu Ce helped him up and said sincerely.

Another one temporarily sorted out.