Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

That afternoon, in the governor's council chamber.

Liu Ce convened another meeting with his advisors.

This time there were even more people, including military generals such as Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun.

Liu Ce briefly recounted what had happened—from intercepting the secret letter to setting up a banquet to arrest Zhang Chun, and then to arresting Zhang Ju.

After he finished speaking, he looked around at everyone and asked, "Gentlemen, how has this matter been handled?"

The council chamber fell silent for a moment.

Then...

"Hahaha..." Guo Jia was the first to burst out laughing. "My lord, this...this is too simple and brutal! I was thinking of sowing discord, provoking conflict, setting ambushes...I never expected you to use the simplest method to strike straight at the heart of the enemy!"

Xi Zhicai couldn't help but chuckle: "The Feast at Hongmen... it truly is a Feast at Hongmen in the literal sense! Although our plans were ingenious, there were too many steps involved, making it easy to make mistakes."

Jia Xu clapped his hands in praise and exclaimed, "My lord is brilliant! The plan is simple, few people know about it, and it's swift in action—this is true political strategy! It's far superior to our convoluted schemes! Wenhe is in awe!"

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and admiration in each other's eyes.

They had been pondering what ingenious strategy their lord would employ. They never expected... it to be so direct?

Xun Yu pondered for a moment and said, "My lord's method, though seemingly simple, is actually extremely skillful. It strikes directly at the core, delivering a fatal blow and avoiding many variables. It is indeed brilliant."

Guan Yu stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "Brother, you've always been decisive in your actions."

Zhang Fei laughed heartily, "That's how it should be! Why go through all that trouble? Just arrest them and be done with it!"

Zhao Yun laughed and said, "My lord, this is a perfect example of 'simplifying complexity'."

Looking at everyone's reactions, Liu Ce felt quite pleased with himself.

He cleared his throat: "Actually, the logic is very simple. The core issue with Zhang Chun's rebellion is Zhang Chun himself. If we get rid of him, we'll solve more than half the problem. As for the Wuhuan Qiuliju... that's a matter for later."

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, there's another advantage to doing this—it won't alarm the imperial court. We'll solve the problem ourselves and save face for the court. Once the evidence is compiled, I'll write a memorial and submit it. His Majesty will only think we're capable, not that we're abusing our power."

Everyone nodded.

Indeed, if they followed Guo Jia's plan—bluffing, sowing discord, setting ambushes—there were too many steps and too much noise, making it easy for the court to hear of it. If the court then sent people to investigate, it would only cause more trouble.

Liu Ce's move was swift and efficient, getting the job done quietly and cleanly.

Guo Jia grinned and leaned closer: "My lord, next time you have to invite me to a meal, please call me! I want to see the fun and learn how to smash a cup!"

Liu Ce laughed and scolded, "You're going? You'll only cause trouble! Stay home, drink less, and exercise more!"

Guo Jia shrank back and said, "My lord, I... I just drink a little occasionally..."

Everyone laughed.

The atmosphere in the council chamber was relaxed and pleasant.

Xun Yu asked, "My lord, what should be done with Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju?"

Liu Ce thought for a moment and said, "Keep them locked up for now. After dealing with the Wuhuan, send them and the evidence to Luoyang for the court to decide their fate. Treason is a serious crime; they'll be in deep trouble."

Fang Xuanling nodded and said, "That's excellent. It will both highlight our lord's achievements and not overstep our authority."

The meeting ended in a pleasant atmosphere. As the advisors dispersed, they were still discussing it, praising their lord's "simple and effective" philosophy.

Liu Ce sat alone in his study, watching the sunset outside the window, a smile on his face.

Political maneuvering can be complex, but it can also be simple. The key is to grasp the essence of the problem and solve it using the simplest method.

"The plan should be simple, the fewest people should know about it, and the action should be swift..." He repeated this sentence softly, his heart filled with a sense of accomplishment.

...

When the Wuhuan people opened the grain sacks, they saw golden millet.

Qiuliju, holding the grain and touching the cloth, was so happy he couldn't stop laughing. He laughed heartily at his nephew Tadun and the group of military generals beside him.

"Look! Look! Zhang Chun really didn't lie to us! How plump the grains are! How thick the cloth is!"

The generals also chimed in:

"You're right, sir! This grain is clearly top-quality!"

"The fabric is beautiful too, the colors are so vibrant!"

"Zhang Chun is really generous, giving such a generous deposit. The benefits after the deal is done will definitely be even greater!"

Qiu Liju grew increasingly smug as he listened, stroking his beard and saying, "We've had enough of being frequently conscripted by the Han Dynasty these past few years! Now the time is perfect. Zhang Chun is sending us money and grain, and that brat Liu Ce is probably afraid of us joining forces. Once the autumn harvest arrives, we'll follow Zhang Chun and pull off a big heist!"

He paused, then added, "But before that, we need to enjoy this 'deposit' to our hearts'. Men! Slaughter a sheep and a cow tonight to celebrate!"

Cheers erupted in the Wuhuan tent as everyone was immersed in their dreams of "getting rich."

...

A few days later, news came from Lu Bing's side.

"My lord, our men, disguised as Zhang Chun's subordinates, have delivered the 'deposit'—five thousand shi of grain and one thousand bolts of cloth—to Liucheng, the stronghold of the Wuhuan in Liaoxi." Lu Bing reported, a rare smile playing on his lips. "Qiu Liju was overjoyed upon receiving it and immediately held a banquet to celebrate."

Upon hearing this news, Liu Ce laughed and said, "Oh, so happy? What did he say?"

Lu Bing mimicked Qiu Liju's tone, speaking in a gruff voice: "Zhang Chun is a reliable guy! He's already sent the deposit... Let's work with Zhang Chun from the inside and outside to take Youzhou, and we'll live the high life!"

"His military officers also joined in the commotion, saying things like 'They should have rebelled long ago' and 'Youzhou has plenty of grain, let's rob them!'"

Liu Ce laughed after hearing this.

"That old bastard, he's got quite the dream." He stood up and said, "Alright, let him be happy for a few more days."

...

That afternoon, in the governor's council chamber.

Liu Ce convened a meeting of all his advisors.

"Gentlemen, I have some good news!" Liu Ce plopped down in the head seat, crossed his legs, and said, "I had someone pretend to be Zhang Chun's men and deliver the 'deposit' to Liucheng. That old bastard Qiu Liju was overjoyed when he received it and immediately threw a banquet to celebrate!"

The strategists laughed upon hearing this.

Guo Jia raised an eyebrow and said, "Is my lord planning to use the same old trick again? Last time you 'invited Zhang Chun to dinner,' are you going to 'invite Qiu Liju to dinner' this time?"

"No, no!" Liu Ce waved his hand. "This time, we're not having a trap; we're having a 'Peace Conference'!"

"A peace conference?" Everyone was taken aback.

"Right!" Liu Ce's eyes lit up. "Let's lure Qiuliju here for a meeting to discuss border matters. Then we'll trap him and wipe them out in one fell swoop, saving us the trouble of chasing him across the grasslands!"

Upon hearing this, the strategists immediately perked up.