Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

A few days later, the imperial edict reached Ji Province.

Wang Fen was eating when she received the imperial edict. Upon reading its contents, she dropped her chopsticks.

"Really...really exempt?" He couldn't believe his eyes.

The subordinate official confirmed, "Absolutely true! It's an official edict issued by the Ministry of Personnel, stamped with the imperial seal!"

Wang Fen was stunned for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahahaha! Good! Good!"

He immediately sent people to post notices and spread the word with gongs and drums:

"His Majesty is benevolent! He has exempted Ji Province from one year's land tax! The Marquis of Champion has spoken out for the people; his merit is immeasurable!"

The moment the notice was posted, the whole of Jizhou was in an uproar.

People flocked from all directions, surrounding the notice. Those who could read read it aloud, while those who couldn't listen attentively.

"Free...free for a year's land rent?" an old farmer asked, trembling.

"Yes! A year's exemption!" someone nearby exclaimed excitedly. "It was Champion Marquis who got it for us!"

The old farmer knelt down with a thud and kowtowed towards Luoyang:

"Your Majesty is benevolent! The Marquis of Champion has shown you great kindness!"

In an instant, people across Jizhou knelt down in droves.

Some people cried, some laughed, and some cried and laughed at the same time.

These people, who had been tormented by war for more than a year, finally saw hope for survival.

I don't know which village it started from, but someone composed a folk song. The lyrics are very simple:

"When the world is in chaos, the markets are reduced to ruins."

A mother cannot protect her son, and a wife loses her husband.

Thanks to Bo Lue, we can now live in peace again.

(The world was in chaos, the markets were in ruins, mothers could not protect their children, and wives lost their husbands. It was thanks to Palyul that they were able to live in peace again.)

Bo Lue was Liu Ce's courtesy name.

The song spread quickly; the lyrics and melody were simple, but more and more people sang it.

From Jizhou to Youzhou, from the fields to the marketplace.

Later, this folk song was indeed passed down and became the "Jizhou Folk Song" recorded in later historical books—but that's another story.

It started as just a few simple sentences, but as it was passed around, a lot of content was added.

Some exaggerated versions describe Liu Ce as a "divine being sent from heaven," while others lyrical versions depict him "pleading for the people," and still others gossip-filled versions fabricate a love story between him and Cai Yan...

In short, Liu Ce became a great benefactor in the hearts of the people of Ji Province.

When Wang Fen heard the ballad, she felt a little sad: I clearly put in the effort too, so why is only the champion Hou mentioned?

But then he thought about it again and felt relieved: it's better not to mention it; mentioning it would only cause trouble. Keeping a low profile is the best approach.

...

When the news reached Liu Ce's ears, he was already close to Zhuojun.

A scout reported: "My lord, the people of Jizhou have composed a folk song for you, and it's being sung everywhere!"

Liu Ce was taken aback: "What folk song?"

Tanma recited the lyrics once.

Liu Ce was both amused and exasperated after hearing this.

Guo Jia, standing beside him, laughed so hard he almost fell over: "My lord, you're a celebrity now! 'Thanks to Bo Lue, I am safe and sound again'—how well written! Simple and unadorned, full of genuine emotion!"

Xun Yu smiled and said, "The common people know how to be grateful. They remember that you, Lord Marquis, spoke up for them."

Liu Ce shook his head: "I only submitted a memorial; it was Wang Fen and the others who actually did the work."

"That's different," Fang Xuanling said solemnly. "It's risky for the lord to submit a memorial. If His Majesty disapproves or even blames you, the lord will be the first to bear the consequences. The people understand this."

Du Ruhui nodded: "Therefore, my lord is worthy of this ballad."

Liu Ce felt a warm glow in his heart.

Having traveled through time for so long, fought wars, and killed people... this is the first time I've received such heartfelt gratitude from so many ordinary people.

It feels...not bad.

Five days later, the team finally arrived at the border of Zhuojun.

The further north you go, the more desolate the scenery becomes.

But after entering Zhuojun, the situation was noticeably better. At least there were no more people starving to death on the road, and people were working in the fields.

Liu Ce knew that this was the foundation he had laid when he was the governor of Zhuojun.

Ten li away from Zhuo County, a scout came to report:

"My lord! General Guan and General Zhang are waiting at the city gate!"

Liu Ce's spirits lifted: "Let's go!"

The convoy sped up.

Sure enough, a large group of people were standing outside the city gate of Zhuoxian.

On the left are the officials of Zhuojun: Prefectural Assistant Zhao Peng, Commandant Wang Xiu, Chief Clerk Zhou Yi, and a bunch of subordinate officials. On the right are Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Yaojin.

Guan Yu was still the same as before, with a face as red as a jujube and a two-foot-long beard. He closed his eyes to rest—but in fact, he was secretly looking at the road ahead.

Zhang Fei was much more lively, standing on tiptoe to look around, muttering to himself:

"Why aren't they here yet? Did they get lost, brother?"

Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin laughed from the side, "Yide, don't be impatient, it'll be over soon."

As they were talking, dust rose in the distance.

Someone with sharp eyes exclaimed, "They're here! They're here!"

Everyone immediately straightened their clothes.

The carriage came to a stop, and Liu Ce stepped down. He had deliberately worn casual clothes today—it was home, so there was no need to be too formal.

As soon as they stood still, Prefect Zhao Peng and his two companions came forward and bowed respectfully.

"My lord, you must be tired from your journey!"

The voices were perfectly synchronized, indicating that they had rehearsed.

Liu Ce helped them up: "You've all worked hard. Zhuojun is well-governed; from what I've seen along the way, it's much better than other places in Ji Province."

The three men smiled and said, "It's all thanks to the foundation laid by our lord."

At this moment, Guan Yu and his three companions walked over.

"Big Brother!" Zhang Fei was the first to shout, his voice so loud it could shatter eardrums.

He rushed forward to give Liu Ce a bear hug, but Guan Yu grabbed him, saying, "Third brother, mind your manners."

Zhang Fei scratched his head and chuckled.

Guan Yu stepped forward and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting: "Brother."

Just two short words, but the excitement in his eyes was undeniable.

Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin also bowed, saying, "My lord."

Looking at his four brothers (trusted confidants), Liu Ce was filled with mixed emotions.

From the beginning of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, they followed him in his campaigns in the south and north.

Zhuojun was defeated by 100,000... Changshe was attacked by fire, Quyang was challenged to a duel, Guangzong held secret talks... Along the way, we have shared life and death.

I'm finally home.

"Second brother, third brother, Shubao, Zhijie," Liu Ce patted them on the shoulder one by one, "You've worked hard. During my absence, Zhuojun has been well taken care of by you."

"Of course!" Zhang Fei boomed. "Our brother's business is our business!"

Cheng Yaojin laughed, "My lord, you're finally back! If you hadn't come back, Yide would have been nagging about it every day, and my ears were practically calloused!"

Everyone laughed.

The scene became somewhat chaotic for a moment.

The strategists dismounted from the carriages behind, and the generals dismounted. They all had their own feelings as they watched this reunion.

Guo Jia nudged Xun Yu: "Wenruo, look, this is real affection. Wang Fen's is just acting."

Xun Yu nodded: "In Zhuojun, Your Excellency is indeed very popular."

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged a glance, both seeing approval in each other's eyes—he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. This lord has taken a very steady first step.

After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Ce introduced the people behind him: "Come, let me introduce you. These are my colleagues whom I brought back from Luoyang..."

He introduced Xi Zhicai, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Jia Xu, and others to the officials of Zhuojun and Guan Yu.

The scene immediately became lively.