Chapter 141: Collecting protection money from Qing Province again

In Linzi City, the traffic was like a flowing river.

There were an especially large number of merchants these past few days.

Liu Bei purchasing food and clothing for a million people on such a large scale was a massive business deal!

Many noble clans in Qing Province also bought grain locally to avoid the hardship of transport, which instantly revitalized the economy around Linzi.

"My Lord, the people of Qing Province have been speaking well of you these past few days."

Taishi Ci said with admiration.

Liu Bei nodded; he could consider his reputation established in Qing Province.

"Huh, there are a lot of people at that pier."

Taishi Ci cupped his fists.

"My Lord, that is the Mi family's pier. At least half of the grain and other goods purchased by the noble clans this time came from them."

Liu Bei nodded; this Mi Zhen was truly capable!

The Mi family was indeed rich!

"Let's go over and take a look."

Mi Zhen had just finished inspecting the pier's operations and intended to go back to change into women's clothing.

"This Lord Liu Xuande is really... he even grabbed my hand. I look like this, yet he couldn't tell I was a woman? It's a waste that your eyes can shine... hehe."

Mi Zhen recalled her meeting with Liu Bei just now; it was a bit sweet and left a deep impression!

Suddenly, Mi Zhen's small hand was grabbed again.

Liu Bei laughed.

"Young Master Mi, we are truly fated; we meet again!"

"I hadn't chatted enough just now; let's continue!"

Mi Zhen... this Lord Liu Xuande is truly fast with his hands!

Everyone looked over.

"Oh my, isn't that Lord Liu Xuande!"

"Lord Liu Xuande is holding the young lady's hand!"

"The two of them? No wonder they gifted Lord Liu Xuande so much grain and fodder; it turns out the young lady was delivering her own dowry!"

"A talented man and a beautiful woman; they are such a match!"

Liu Bei seemed to be suddenly startled.

"You are a woman? Mi Zhu's younger sister?"

Mi Zhen quietly gave Liu Bei a beautiful eye-roll and bowed gracefully.

"Young woman Mi Zhen greets Lord Liu Xuande."

Liu Bei laughed.

"So you are Mi Zhen; truly the number one beauty of Xu Province. Brother Zizhong mentioned you before."

Mi Zhen... he was calling me 'Brother Mi' just before.

Now I'm the 'number one beauty' again. Men, hah!

"Lord Liu Xuande, my eldest brother Mi Zhu will arrive here tomorrow."

Thinking of what her eldest brother had said to her before, her face turned even redder.

Liu Bei laughed.

"Miss Mi, how about you take me on a tour of this Mi family Chamber of Commerce?"

"Oh, alright. Lord Liu Xuande, please."

The two chatted as if no one else were around.

Mi Zhen discovered that Liu Bei also had a humorous side and covered her mouth to giggle.

"Lord Liu Xuande, the world calls you a great hero, but I didn't expect you to be so approachable."

Liu Bei laughed.

"Two years ago, I was still selling straw sandals in Zhuo County, counting every penny to get by. I was far worse off than you, Miss Mi."

Mi Zhen shook her head.

"Lord Liu Xuande traveled a thousand miles to deliver your teacher, defeated the Yellow Turban Army, assassinated Dong Zhuo, saved the people of Luoyang, and today you crushed Dong Zhuo's army. Which of these deeds won't be passed down for a thousand years? This young woman is already too impressed to speak."

Liu Bei sighed.

"The people suffer in these chaotic times; I am just doing a little of what I can."

Mi Zhen was so moved she almost cried; she wanted to give herself—bah, she wanted to give all her wealth to Liu Bei!

The two chatted for a long time.

"Lord Liu Xuande is truly a great talent; no wonder the Great Scholar Cai admires you."

Stars appeared in Mi Zhen's eyes. This Liu Bei was absolutely the best husband in the Great Han.

Talent, martial prowess, handsomeness, reputation, and the key is that he's also humorous and considerate...

"Oh my, why hasn't my eldest brother arrived yet! What if Lord Liu Xuande leaves!"

Mi Zhen began to worry about gains and losses.

The livestream was full of a sour taste.

"The Big-Eared Thief hits the mark every time he flirts!"

"The admiration in this Miss Mi's eyes can't be hidden anymore!"

"Sigh, marrying a little rich girl like this is my lifelong goal, and Liu Bei is already on his second and looking for a third!"

"Big-Eared Thief, draw your sword!"

On the evening of the second day,

Mi Zhu, dusty from his travels, arrived in Linzi.

"Lord Liu Xuande, I have arrived late!"

Liu Bei carefully helped Mi Zhu brush the dust off his body.

"Brother Zizhong, you are dusty from the road; you have worked hard."

Mi Zhu was moved inside and sighed at length.

"The day we drank and chatted at the Yellow River ferry is still fresh in my mind. I didn't expect that in such a short time, Lord Liu Xuande would have already crushed Dong Zhuo's army and shaken the world!"

"And now you have even resolved the Yellow Turban threat in Qing Province, gaining a million people!"

Liu Bei laughed.

"Just luck, that's all. Brother Zizhong, about the matter of your younger sister we discussed..."

Mi Zhu was overjoyed; the corners of his mouth were about to split to his ears.

"Lord Liu Xuande, I came here today for this very matter. My younger sister Mi Zhen holds you in extreme esteem..."

Liu Bei couldn't help but laugh.

"Mi Zhen is naturally beautiful, has a chaste and resolute character, understands the way of business, and is generous and open; we get along very well."

Liu Bei's reputation was different now; defeating Dong Zhuo had shocked the world.

Mi Zhu had been afraid that Liu Bei would look down on their Mi family, but now it seemed Liu Bei valued him highly.

He hurriedly cupped his fists.

"Lord Liu Xuande, since everyone is in Linzi City, let's get this matter done."

Liu Bei felt it was feasible. The noble clans of Qing Province hadn't left yet and were looking for him to drink every day, which had cost him quite a bit of money.

This time, he would collect all the gift money at once to earn it back!

"Good. Three days from now, I will welcome Mi Zhen."

"Thank you, Lord Liu Xuande!"

"I should be the one thanking you."

Liu Bei patted Mi Zhu on the shoulder.

"Zizhong, Wuyuan Commandery is in ruins and urgently needs talent like you to serve as Governor. Do not decline this time."

Mi Zhu cupped his fists and bowed.

"Yes, my Lord!"

Liu Bei helped him up, and the two held hands tightly.

Although Mi Zhu hadn't been able to become Liu Bei's primary investor this time, he was much safer than in history!

Three days later,

— Author's Notes —

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