Reincarnation in the Three Kingdoms Era with a System

Mi Zhen returned to the long-missed Mi family home in Xiapi, which appeared somewhat dilapidated.

However, after days of repairs, it still retained its former charm.

She had grown up here, and now she was married, had a child, and was a mother.

She couldn’t hold back her tears and wiped them away. “Sister Tan Chun, let me show you around. You can arrange things.”

“You’re more familiar with this place; you should arrange things.”

Jia Tan Chun smiled and declined. Besides Wang Xifeng, she was the only one with truly strong household management skills.

However, now that Wang Xifeng was managing the brothel for her, she could finally travel around with Lu Ming.

“I’ve never managed anything before. Sister, please do it; don’t let me embarrass myself.”

Mi Zhen declined again. What a joke! Jia Tan Chun was the best at managing things here.

If not Jia Tan Chun, then Lin Daiyu?

Of the other women who had come along, none were skilled in managing a household or residence.

Jia Tanchun had always been in charge of management and arrangements; this was her status and power. Mi Zhen had no intention of coveting it, much less vying for it.

“Then let’s take a walk around,” Jia Tanchun said with a smile, gesturing for them to proceed. She was, after all, the housekeeper. Although it was a bit tough and tiring, the feeling of managing the purse strings was truly wonderful.

She didn’t need to abuse her power for personal gain, nor did she have any reason to; she simply enjoyed the feeling.

The unseen struggles between women still existed; open and covert rivalries were always present, just not as intense.

As for titles, Wang Yi’s position as Queen was unshakeable, but other ranks and titles were still open to competition.

Lu Ming, meanwhile, arrived at the Governor’s mansion. This had formerly been Tao Qian’s residence, then Liu Bei’s, and now it was ownerless.

Zhuge Liang did not reside in the prefectural governor’s residence, but instead found a separate courtyard to conduct his business.

A person with high emotional intelligence wouldn’t usurp someone else’s position; being evicted would be a disgrace.

Zhuge Liang’s willingness to offer himself as deputy and appoint Mi Zhu as governor demonstrates his high emotional intelligence and even higher IQ.

Being young, holding a high position, and rising rapidly in rank is not always a good thing.

Even a powerful family like the Yuan clan, the Yuan brothers, were already in their thirties when they rose to prominence.

Therefore, more experience is not a bad thing.

As for Lu Ming, he was also young, only in his early twenties, but he had risen through countless battles. He didn’t follow the conventional path, so he was outside the established rules.

The prefectural governor’s residence didn’t employ dancers; instead, officials from Xiapi were stationed there.

Zhuge Liang began by introducing them one by one, assigning those who were suitable to the left and those who were not to the right.

Thus, Lu Ming understood immediately.

This future Prime Minister of Shu Han was indeed quite capable in governing the region.

If it weren’t for bad luck, he might have actually been able to turn Shu Han’s fortunes around after Liu Bei lost a large number of elite troops.

After sitting down, Lu Ming glanced at everyone. Then he announced his decision.

“From now on, Mi Zhu will be the Governor of Xu Province, Zhuge Liang will be the Prefect of Xu Province, Chen Deng will be the Chief Clerk of Xiapi, and Zang Ba will command the troops of Xu Province. The four of you must work together to govern Xiapi well. Xiapi is an important town in Xu Province, with developed commerce and fertile land; its conditions are truly unique. Do not disappoint me.”

“Your Majesty, we obey!”

The four men replied loudly.

Mi Zhu’s voice trembled slightly. The ideal he had pursued his whole life had finally come true.

How much luck does it take to transform from a merchant to an official?

Since the Han Dynasty, minor officials were prohibited from holding office for three generations. These minor officials were the lowest-ranking civil servants, such as yamen runners and village heads; they belonged to the clerk class and had no connection to officialdom.

Chen Deng respectfully knelt before Lu Ming, knowing the Chen family’s crisis was far from over.

Lu Ming, however, seemed to have no intention of dealing with the Chen family.

This was a narrow escape, but the newly appointed governor of Xu Province was Mi Zhu.

Back when Liu Bei was still alive, he hadn’t instigated Liu Bei to confiscate the Mi family’s property. Now, the thought of working with Mi Zhu made him sweat.

There was simply no other way at the time. Other families had intermarried with the Chen family, while the Mi family was an outsider, and they looked down on the Mi family’s merchant origins. Given the opportunity to kick them when they were down, they certainly wouldn’t hesitate.

Thinking this, Chen Deng bowed to Mi Zhu, then prostrated himself before Lu Ming, saying, “Your subordinate has something to report.”

Lu Ming glanced at him with some surprise. “Yuanlong, speak freely. Get up.”

Chen Deng, however, kept his head bowed and said loudly, “When Liu Bei occupied Xuzhou, he was often short of money and food. Cao Bao proposed plundering the Mi family’s wealth, and Liu Bei agreed. I was the one who handled it. I have wronged Brother Zizhong and His Highness Prince Qin. I am willing to compensate Brother Zizhong for his losses. Please punish me, Your Highness! I am unworthy to serve as the Registrar of Xuzhou.”

These words surprised everyone, but no one said anything.

Because it was the truth. Some people thought Chen Deng was too foolish. Couldn’t he have just glossed over this? Saying it out loud was embarrassing.

Actually, this was precisely Chen Deng’s wisdom. Some things, if kept hidden, would only make things worse.

He was indeed capable and talented, and had even received praise and recognition from Zhuge Liang when working with him.

His seat was on the left, meaning he was a useful person. He knew perfectly well who was on the right—a corrupt official and county magistrate.

Lu Ming didn’t speak, but instead looked at Chen Deng with amusement. Although this man was a powerful figure in Xiapi, everything he did was measured. Giving him all the land outside the city was a decision many powerful families wouldn’t make.

After all, land meant lifeline; no one would give it away.

Even farmers know to protect their own small plot of land, let alone others.

“Zizhong, this is a matter for the Mi family. You can negotiate with Yuanlong yourself.”

Lu Ming finished speaking and looked at Chen Deng, his fingers tapping the armrest.

Each tap seemed to resonate in his heart.

“Yuanlong, you will concurrently serve as the Prefect of Guangling. Kongming has a high opinion of you; let’s see what you’re capable of.”

“Thank you, my lord!”

Chen Deng breathed a sigh of relief. He had genuinely worried that Lu Ming would take the opportunity to wipe out the Chen family. Now that the army had entered the city, they were completely at Lu Ming’s mercy. Lu Ming’s words were undoubtedly a sign that he was being spared.