Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

Dong Bai gradually relaxed as well.

She would tell Empress Dowager Dong stories about her childhood, about how her grandfather was fierce and menacing to others, but never raised his voice at her.

He said he would bring her overly sweet candied fruit from the Western Regions, travel all over Chang'an to find her the best teacher to teach her to read, and hang her favorite lanterns all over the mansion on her birthday.

Empress Dowager Dong listened, occasionally interjecting, "Your grandfather... was quite fond of his children."

Dong Bai nodded, her eyes red-rimmed, and said, "He's very good to me."

Neither of them spoke, each lost in their own thoughts.

But their relationship grew closer little by little.

Empress Dowager Dong no longer treated her coldly. She would invite her to have breakfast when she paid her respects, peel an apple for her when she was tired from writing, and tenderly apply medicine to her finger when she pricked it while embroidering.

Dong Bai was no longer so cautious. He would drape a blanket over Empress Dowager Dong when she dozed off, tell her jokes when she was in a bad mood, and secretly embroider a purse for her on her birthday.

Empress Dowager Dong took the purse, examined it for a long time, and suddenly smiled: "These mandarin ducks are embroidered very well, much better than the ones you embroidered last time."

Dong Bai blushed and said, "I'm glad Grandmother likes it."

Empress Dowager Dong tied the purse around her waist, patted her hand, and said, "I like it."

And just like that, their relationship became incredibly close.

After a while, Dong Bai started to smile, no longer as apprehensive as when he first arrived.

Empress Dowager Dong also seemed much more energetic, spending less time copying Buddhist scriptures and more time chatting with Dong Bai.

An old maid whispered to someone, "Ever since this young girl arrived, the Empress Dowager's temper has improved considerably. She used to have a stern face all the time, but now she even smiles occasionally."

...

In the following month, the world was in turmoil.

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu and others successively sent people from Youzhou Academy to various prefectures and counties.

Batch after batch of young students, carrying books and ideals, went to Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, and Liangzhou to begin implementing governance.

These students had studied at Youzhou Academy for several years and were all very knowledgeable. When they arrived in their local areas, they quickly got to work in government affairs.

Land surveys, resettlement of displaced people, restoration of production, and rectification of officialdom... This set of governance methods, which had been proven effective in Youzhou, Jizhou, and Bingzhou, was transplanted intact to Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, and Liangzhou.

When the people saw that the new officials did not oppress them and even distributed land and grain, they were overjoyed and had more and more hope for the future.

Meanwhile, people in Zhuoxian County also began packing up and moving.

The assets that Youzhou has accumulated over the years—documents, archives, talent reserves, supplies, and provisions—must all be inventoried and properly arranged.

They were so busy they barely had time to breathe, but everyone was full of energy.

The Prince of Yan's mansion had too many things; the books alone filled over a hundred carts.

Fang Xuanling specially arranged for people to escort the shipment, ensuring it traveled along official roads, which was very safe.

...

Lu Bing wasn't idle either. He sent people to the various prefectures and counties he had already controlled to raid the powerful and wealthy families who had committed all sorts of evil deeds.

These families have done plenty of bad things.

The secret police's blacklist records were meticulously detailed. It listed which family had seized how much land from the people, which family had killed how many people... each entry was crystal clear.

When their homes were raided, those powerful and wealthy families cried and begged for mercy. Some wanted to run away, some wanted to bribe officials, and some wanted to resist.

But who are the Embroidered Uniform Guards? They are the ones who deal with all kinds of dissent.

Anyone trying to run away, catch them.

Those who attempt to bribe will be punished double.

Anyone who tries to resist will be beaten into submission.

The gold and silver treasures that were confiscated filled the warehouse.

Land and property were registered and prepared for distribution to landless people.

Those who committed numerous evil deeds were all imprisoned in Gongdelin Prison.

As for why not just kill them directly?

In response, Liu Ce said, "Killing them would be too easy on them. They need to be properly 'treated' in prison."

If anyone had a bad attitude, the Imperial Guards would use their "morality" and "reason" to reason with them.

Liu Ce also specifically instructed Lu Bing to confiscate the property of the Yuan family in Runan.

The Yuan family had produced three high-ranking officials across four generations, and their disciples and former officials were found all over the country, making them very famous.

But of all the things he's done over the years, has any of them been worthy of the people's trust?

Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were two really despicable characters. One was the leader of the alliance, but they fought amongst themselves, and the other withheld supplies and betrayed his teammates.

Now that they've surrendered, the Yuan family still has such a large estate. Why not just confiscate it and keep it for the New Year?

All family members were thrown into Gongdelin Prison to accompany Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu.

When Yuan Shao heard that his house had been ransacked, he was so angry that he fainted on the spot.

Yuan Shu was even more ruthless. He cursed for three days and three nights in the prison until his voice was hoarse, but no one paid any attention to him.

As for the impact of raiding the Yuan family of Runan? Liu Ce wasn't afraid at all.

He stood in the council hall, addressing Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, and the others, speaking with righteous indignation, waving his hand and saying:

"I've spent so much money and trained so many people in Youzhou all these years, just for this day!!!"

"Damn it, this little bit of impact is nothing."

Everyone laughed.

Guo Jia smiled and nodded, saying, "My lord is right. The Yuan family has held high office for four generations, and their protégés and former officials are all over the country—it sounds intimidating. But these are chaotic times; might makes right. We have troops, provisions, and the hearts of the people. What do we have to fear from them?"

Xi Zhicai added, "Moreover, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu have already surrendered, leaving the Yuan clan of Runan leaderless. Some of their former protégés and officials have already joined us, while others are still observing. Confiscating the property of the Yuan clan of Runan will actually deter those with ulterior motives."

Cheng Yu said, "Most importantly, the confiscated money and land can be used to resettle the people and supplement the army's pay. It's a win-win situation."

In this way, after a month, all the powerful and wicked families in the prefectures and counties controlled by Liu Ce were wiped out and given state jobs.

The common people applauded, saying that His Highness Prince Yan had vented their anger.

Those powerful and influential families used to bully and oppress people, but now they're all in jail, and their lives are getting better and better.

...

Meanwhile, in Jingzhou.

In the study of the governor's mansion, Liu Yu was sighing deeply, his brows furrowed, as he faced a stack of official documents.

Ever since Dong Zhuo entered Luoyang, the world has never been at peace.

As a member of the Han imperial family and the governor of Jingzhou, he guarded his small territory. Although he did not let the people suffer too much from the war, he was so worried that he could not eat because he saw the fighting going on in the north every day and the Han dynasty's empire deteriorating day by day.

In just six months, I've gained a lot more gray hair at my temples.

"Sigh, when will this chaotic world end..." Liu Yu put down his calligraphy brush, picked up his cool tea, and took a sip.

The tea had gone cold, and its bitterness made him frown.

Just as I was about to sigh, the guards outside the door tumbled in, holding an urgent military report in their hands, their faces flushed red, and shouted at the top of their lungs: