Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

The next morning, in the backyard of the Zhen residence.

Liu Ce was practicing with his halberd in the backyard. Actually, it wasn't really practice; he was just swinging it around casually to loosen up his muscles.

Zhao Yun and Dian Wei watched from the side. Actually, Liu Ce had called them over to practice, but when they heard this, they immediately shook their heads.

Soon, feeling that it was almost over, he wiped his sweat and prepared to go back to his room to take a shower.

Just as he turned around, the Zhen family steward strode over and bowed, saying:

"My lord, someone from the palace has arrived."

Liu Ce was taken aback: "The palace? They're here again?"

This emperor brother has been looking for me quite frequently lately.

A few days ago there was a secret meeting in the Greenhouse Hall and a victory celebration banquet, and now they're here again.

"Please invite him to the front hall," Liu Ce said.

"Yes."

Liu Ce changed his clothes and went to the front hall.

There was a young eunuch waiting there. When he saw him arrive, he quickly bowed.

"My lord, His Majesty has decreed that you come to the palace this afternoon for dinner."

Liu Ce was stunned for a moment, and muttered to himself:

What's this emperor up to? Another dinner invitation? Or is he trying to get those glass beads again?

But he didn't show it on his face, he just nodded:

"Understood. Please inform His Majesty that I will arrive on time."

After the eunuch left, Liu Ce returned to the backyard.

Dian Wei and Zhao Yun were sparring when they saw him return and stopped to ask:

"Big brother, what's the matter?"

Liu Ce shrugged: "I can't have lunch with you two this afternoon. Your older brother is going to the palace for lunch."

Dian Wei scratched his head: "Going again? My lord, you go to the palace every day, more often than you attend court."

Zhao Yun then asked, "Do you need me to accompany you?"

"No need." Liu Ce waved his hand. "What could possibly happen in the palace? You two stay home and eat and drink as usual."

He thought for a moment and then said, "Oh, right, prepare a wine jug for me, an empty one."

"Yes."

In the afternoon, Liu Ce carried an ancient wine flask filled with "Maotai" and rode in a carriage to the palace.

On the way, he thought to himself: "The Emperor is inviting me to dinner, it can't be just a simple meal. Either he has something to discuss, or he wants to get some benefits out of me again."

Well, let's just deal with it as it comes.

The first principle of slacking off is to be adaptable.

Upon arriving at the palace, a young eunuch led him inside.

This time, we weren't going to the Greenhouse Palace or the Jiade Palace, but rather towards the Inner Palace.

Liu Ce's heart skipped a beat: a harem? That's not quite right, is it?

But he didn't ask any more questions, he just followed along.

As Liu Ce walked, he observed the palace—it was quieter than he had imagined. Occasionally, a few palace maids would hurry by, bowing their heads and giving way when they saw him.

After many twists and turns, we arrived at a palace.

The plaque above the palace gate reads "Changqiu Palace"—this was the Empress's bedroom.

The eunuch went in to report.

A short while later, someone came out and said, "Please, Lord Marquis."

Liu Ce took a deep breath, picked up the wine jug, and went inside.

The hall was decorated in a warm and inviting manner, unlike the solemn atmosphere of the imperial court. Fruits and snacks were laid out on the tables.

Liu Hong and He Lian were already seated in the main seats.

Two children were sitting on the lower left, one about seven or eight years old and the other about three or four years old, sitting very properly.

Liu Ce stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your subject Liu Ce greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."

"We're family, no need for such formalities," Liu Hong said with a smile, waving his hand. "Sit down."

Liu Ce sat down behind the table on the right and placed the wine pot aside.

Liu Hong pointed to the two children: "You've met my brother and sister-in-law before. These two are my sons, Liu Bian and Liu Xie."

The two children were very well-behaved; they stood up, bowed to Liu Ce, and said in unison:

"Royal Uncle."

The voice was so sweet and childlike that it softened Liu Ce's heart. He quickly returned the greeting, "Your Highnesses, there's no need for such formalities."

Liu Bian looked a little shy; after bowing, he lowered his head and fiddled with the hem of his clothes.

Liu Xie, being young, stared at Liu Ce with wide, curious eyes.

He pondered to himself: Liu Bian was Empress He's son; Liu Xie was Consort Wang's son. Historically, Liu Bian died young, and Liu Xie became Emperor Xian of Han…

"Let's begin the banquet," Liu Hong said.

The palace maids filed in, bringing out dish after dish. Although not particularly lavish, they were all exquisite.

After all the dishes were served, Liu Hong waved his hand:

"You may all leave."

The palace maids and eunuchs bowed and withdrew, leaving only five people in the hall.

Liu Hong sat in the main seat, with He Lian beside him. Liu Bian and Liu Xie were on the left, and Liu Ce was on the right.

The atmosphere was a little awkward.

Liu Ce thought to himself: What is this? A family dinner? Why did they bring an outsider like me in?

He was thinking about it while secretly observing.

Liu Hong looked relaxed as he picked up food with his chopsticks.

He Lian sat upright, but her eyes kept glancing towards Liu Ce. The two children ate their food properly, not daring to look around.

Liu Hong spoke first: "Your Majesty, I have posted your two poems on the wall."

Well written! "The moon of Qin, the passes of Han"—grand! "Never let the barbarian horses cross Yinshan"—powerful!

Liu Ce humbly replied, "Your Majesty flatters me. This was written casually and lacks any particular structure."

"If you can write like this even when you're just jotting it down, what would it be like if you wrote it seriously?" Liu Hong laughed loudly.

After eating for a while, Liu Hong suddenly asked, "Brother, what were you holding in your hand when you came in just now?"

Liu Ce then remembered the wine pot and quickly said:

"Oh, this is a fine wine I painstakingly brewed. I thought my brother might like it, so I brought a jar. Would my brother like to try some?"

"Good wine?" Liu Hong's interest was piqued. "Bring it here quickly so I can try it."

Liu Ce got up, took the wine pot, walked over, and poured a cup for Liu Hong.

As he poured, he reminded his brother, "Brother, this wine is strong, drink less."

Liu Hong nodded, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip.

The moment the wine touched his lips, his eyes widened in surprise! Then, an expression of ecstasy appeared on his face.

"Excellent wine! Excellent wine indeed!" Liu Hong exclaimed. "This wine... is mellow and lingering, with an unforgettable aftertaste! It's far superior to the imperial wines in the palace!"

He took another sip, squinting his eyes to enjoy it.

Liu Ce chuckled to himself: Of course, this is "Maotai," a product refined through a thousand years of technological advancement. No matter how good the wines of the Eastern Han Dynasty were, could they compare to this?

After finishing his drink, Liu Hong was still not satisfied and stared longingly at the wine pot.

Liu Hong looked at Liu Ce with a smile: "Brother, do you still have any of this wine?"

Liu Ce understood immediately and said, "Brother, this wine is very difficult to brew. The process is complicated and time-consuming."

"I only have a dozen or so jars in total. I'll send a few to my elder brother later."

"How many jars?" Liu Hong raised an eyebrow.

"Five jars." Liu Ce was very accommodating. "I'll keep a few jars for myself, and give the rest to my imperial brother."

Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction: "Good! My younger brother is so sensible!"

Liu Ce returned to his seat.

Next, Liu Hong and Liu Ce chatted while drinking and eating.

The main topic was how Liu Ce quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Liu Hong asked very detailed questions, from the uprising in Zhuojun to the killing of Zhang Bao at Xiaquyang, from the attack at Changshe to the defeat of Zhang Jiao at Guangzong.

Liu Ce only spoke of what he could say, and glossed over what he couldn't. For example, his private dealings with Zhang Jiao were something he absolutely couldn't mention.

Liu Hong listened with great interest, occasionally slapping the table in approval, and drinking one glass of wine after another.