Bribery

  As soon as they entered the door, Gao Fei and Zuo Feng took their seats in order of seniority. Before Gao Fei could even open his mouth to speak, he heard Zuo Feng ask: "Where is General Gao from?"

  Gao Fei replied: "A man from Longxi, Liangzhou."

  "Longxi is a good place, as far as I know, isn't Gao Sima transferred from the Imperial Guard?"

  "The superior is discerning and meticulous, the subordinate admires and obeys."

  Zuo Feng looked at Gao Fei and said with a sigh, "You, a descendant of the Yu Lin Lang, are willing to be just a Front Army Sima under Lu Zhi's command? What a waste of your promising future!"

  "The subordinate said that in order not to hinder the superior's future prospects, the subordinate came to find the superior privately. The subordinate knows that the superior is all-powerful and wants to ask for a title from the superior."

  Zuo Feng sneered: "You're indeed a sensible person, not like that old guy Lu Zhi, who's full of sour and musty smell, completely pedantic. Even if he pacified the Yellow Turbans in Hebei, without me speaking well of him to His Majesty, I'm afraid he wouldn't have gotten high office and rich rewards. Hmph! The more I think about it, the angrier I get at this old fool who doesn't know the times!"

  "Gao Fei hastily said: 'Your Excellency, please calm down. It's not worth getting angry over this old man Lu Zhi. If you get angry and harm your body, even if I want to help Your Excellency bear the blame, I'm powerless to do so. In the end, isn't it still Your Excellency who will suffer for this crime alone?'"

  Zuo Feng's eyes gleamed with cunning as he smiled slyly, "I didn't expect you to be so aware of the situation at such a young age. We're both sensible people, so I won't beat around the bush with you either. Let's get straight to the point - are you looking to curry favor with a high-ranking official?"

  Gao Fei smiled and walked to the back of Zuo Feng, placing his hands on Zuo Feng's shoulders and giving him a simple massage. He said slowly: "This humble official is of lowly birth, and it's unlikely that I'll have the good fortune to become a high-ranking official. I only hope to become the governor of a small county, and I'd like to ask Your Excellency for a favor."

  "Governor? Haha, you're really not ambitious enough, are you? I thought you'd ask for a high-ranking official position like San Gong Jiu Qing or something, but it's just a small governorship. Along the way, I've heard that Lu Zhi was able to easily quell the Yellow Turbans in Hebei mostly thanks to your efforts. With achievements like yours, becoming a provincial governor is absolutely no problem. Do you have any connections within the imperial court?"

  Gao Fei said: "Your humble servant has no other way out, so he came to find Your Excellency, please help your humble servant to smooth things over."

  "Hmm, you've found the right person, but this is a complex relationship that needs to be fully communicated. A state governor is not someone to be trifled with... and then there's the money aspect..."

  "Don't worry, I've already prepared everything." Gaofei stopped the massage and saw a shadow moving outside the door. He guessed that Liao Hua and Lu Heng had brought the money, so he shouted at the door, "Bring it in!"

  The door creaked open, and Lu Heng and Liao Hua carried a large, heavy wooden trunk into the room. After setting it down on the floor, they opened the trunk, revealing a treasure trove of gold, silver, and precious jewels inside.

  Zuo Feng originally had his eyes closed, enjoying the high-flying massage. At this moment, he slightly opened his eyes, and a hint of greed flashed in his gaze. He took a quick glance before closing his eyes again, saying disdainfully: "Is that all?"

  Gao Fei knew that this wealth was nothing to Zuo Feng, who was used to seeing it. Thinking of his own future being in the hands of the person in front of him, he steeled himself and said to Lu Heng and Liao Hua: "Go move everything over!"

  Liao Hua and Lu Heng also knew that Zuo Feng was greedy, but they didn't think he would be so greedy. The two of them had already counted the money in the box, which was almost equivalent to 30 million yuan. This was a huge fortune for people living at the bottom of society. In their hearts, they couldn't help but scold Zuo Feng for his greed, but on their faces, they didn't dare show any dissatisfaction. They nodded at Gao Fei and turned to leave.

  Zuo Feng opened one eye, glanced at Gao Fei with his peripheral vision, and saw that Gao Fei's face didn't have any expression, but the corners of his mouth curled up into a faint smile. Then he closed his eyes again, sat quietly there, and said to Gao Fei: "You pinched my shoulder very comfortably just now, but it feels a bit stiff now, can you pinch it for me again?"

  "Squeeze! I'll squeeze you to death, you deadhead!" Although Gao Fei was unhappy in his heart, he had done such humiliating things many times before. Thinking about how he used to give gifts to those in power for a project in modern times, who wasn't greedy like Zuo Feng? Reflecting on the past and present, he found that officials were all the same, and so he let it go.

  "Hmm, your technique is really unique. If I could have someone massage me like this every day from now on, I'd be content for the rest of my life!" Zuo Feng muttered to himself as he enjoyed the comfortable feeling brought by Gao Fei's massage.

  Gao Fei smiled and said: "Sir is joking, what kind of people are there in the court? Who can't serve the adults?"

  Zuo Feng smiled and didn't answer.

  Before long, Liao Hua and Lu Heng brought over the last box of gold, silver, and jewels from the treasury, placed it on the floor in the room, opened the box, and then bowed to Gao Fei and Zuo Feng simultaneously. They slowly backed out of the door, closed the door behind them, and stood waiting outside.

  Zuo Feng looked at the two boxes of gold, silver and jewels, which were worth at least 50 to 60 million yuan, and nodded in satisfaction. He smiled at Gao Fei and said, "General Gao, it seems that you soldiers are still quite capable of making money!"

  Gao Fei said: "Your Excellency is unaware, these were obtained by the humble officer after capturing Xiayang, there are only this many, and they are all respectfully presented to Your Excellency."

  Zuo Feng smiled and said, "A provincial governor is almost worth this much, but if it's a smooth communication between the upper and lower levels, I estimate that there will be a big discount. However, the prefecture sought by High General is absolutely no problem. This time when I return to the capital, I will definitely speak highly of you in front of Your Majesty and grant you a marquis title."

  "Damn it, I spent the money of a state shepherd to buy a governor. If I had known that Zuo Feng was so greedy, I wouldn't have given rewards to those soldiers first. This Zuo Feng is just a yellow door attendant, just a person who conveys messages for the emperor, can talk to the emperor, do you think I'm an idiot? You're making so much money, aren't you going to give it to the ten attendants? You still have the face to boast to me here, one day I'll lose what I lost here and make you spit it out double!" Gao Fei was very unhappy in his heart, thinking about the large sum of money he had seen just a few days ago, which was all given away within ten minutes. It wouldn't be easy for anyone to accept. He was unhappy in his heart, but he didn't dare say it out loud, still bowing and scraping to Zuo Feng as usual: "Everything is up to the adults to decide."

  Zuo Feng slowly stood up, walked to the two boxes of gold, silver and jewels in front of him, closed them with a sweep of his hand, cast a slanting glance at Gao Fei, and asked: "By the way, Marshal Gao, where are you going to be the governor?"

  "I've long thought of going to Liaodong as a governor!" This was something Gao Fei had thought about for a long time. He had a special affection for the Northeast, because his modern home was in the Northeast, and he was also very familiar with the mineral resources of the Northeast. In this era, Liaodong was the best place for him to go, and it would inevitably become his base for dominating the region.

  "Liaodong?" Zuo Feng was greatly surprised, thinking that the young man standing in front of him might be a fool. He spent the money of a provincial governor to buy a remote and desolate place where not even birds would shit. He couldn't help but laugh secretly in his heart, and he gently stroked the two large wooden boxes in his hands, thinking that this time he had really made it big. How much money could a governor of Liaodong spend? This was simply a huge fortune sent to him by heaven.

  "Yes, sir! I, your humble officer, wish to become the Governor of Liaodong!" Gao Fei saw Zuo Feng's astonished expression and once again affirmed his statement. His first step was Liaodong, and his second step would be the entire Youzhou Province. This was a strategic plan he had been planning for a long time.

  Zuo Feng gradually regained his composure, cleared his throat and said slowly: "Liaodong is great, Liaodong is a paradise on earth. Since you've made up your mind, I'll let you be the governor of Liaodong as you wish when I return. Alright, I'm tired and want to rest early, you may withdraw!"

  Gao Fei nodded and walked out of the room, not forgetting to leave a smile behind, saying something like "Get some rest, sir" in a perfunctory tone.

  Outside the house, Liao Hua and Lu Xiang both heard the conversation in the room just now. They also had some doubts about Gao Fei's decision. After spending so much money, he only asked for the position of a Liaodong governor. For them, this blow was a bit too big. Neither of them spoke, quietly following behind Gao Fei and returning to his room together.

  "Is there something you two want to say? If so, then speak up, it's uncomfortable to keep it inside!" As soon as they returned to the room, Gao Fei sat down on the edge of the bed. Along the way, he had been observing their expressions and felt that Liao Hua and Lu Heng were hiding something in their hearts, so he asked first.

  Lu Heng stepped forward, clasped his fists and said: "Your Excellency, if you change your mind now, it's still not too late. Before Zuo Feng leaves, Your Excellency can ask him for a major prefecture in the Central Plains... Liaodong... isn't Liaodong a bit too remote?"

  "My lord, I don't understand why you spent so much money but only want a place as remote as this. To be honest, Liaodong is a place where not even birds would shit, and it's also a border town, with Xianbei people, Goguryeo people, and Wuhuan people all around. I think it's better not to go there at all!" Liao Hua immediately expressed his own opinion.

  Gao Fei smiled and asked: "Have you finished?"

  Lu Heng and Liao Huayiyong replied in unison: "That's all!"

  "Let's go back after finishing speaking!"

  "Boss......" Liao Hua and Lu Heng exclaimed in unison.

  Gao Fei interrupted the two of them and asked sternly, "Is there anything else?"

  Lu Hengdao said: "Sir, we followed you because of the infinite potential in your body. Although our talents are not as good as yours, we also want to follow you and have a good life. Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about us. Otherwise, who will dare to follow you in the future?"

  Gao Fei wasn't angry, he naturally understood the reasoning behind it. However, he didn't feel like explaining much at that moment either. Even if he explained the benefits of being in the Northeast, they might not understand anyway. He could only use his future actions to explain. Without speaking, he turned his head and glanced at Liao Hua, asking: "And you? Do you have anything else to say?"

  Liao Hua shook his head, indicating that there was nothing more to say, but he couldn't help himself and spoke up: "Your subordinate's opinion is roughly the same as Lu Heng's... Can Your Excellency tell your subordinate what are the benefits of choosing Liaodong?"

  Gao Fei thought for a moment and then explained, "I've been observing the celestial phenomena at night, and the Purple Star is hanging in the northeastern sky. There's an unusual sign in the heavens, which means that place will be where I'll take action. You may not understand now, but please trust me, I'll give you a great future! If you think I'm not a wise ruler, you can leave at any time, and I won't stop you."

  Liao Hua and Lu Xiang exchanged a glance, saw Gao Fei's confident expression, and gave them an abstruse explanation. They then bowed together: "Subordinates have offended your lordship, please punish us."

  "You have not offended me, you are just thinking of your own careers, and I am no exception. However, the Han dynasty is declining day by day. Even if I were to buy a governorship in the Central Plains, it would only be a matter of time before someone else outbids me, and my governor would become useless. Rather than being constrained in the Central Plains, it's better for me to develop my own power in the border regions. Once there is a change in the world, I will lead my army into the pass, and the land of the Central Plains will eventually become mine... I've said too much, I only hope you can understand that High Flyer will definitely bring you unparalleled glory and great prospects."

  Liao Hua and Lu Xiang also felt that the person in front of them was not an ordinary person when they heard Gao Fei's words. Gao Fei could say such rebellious words so openly, but in their hearts, the Han Dynasty had long been a thing of the past. Whether joining the government army or following the Taiping Taoists to stir up the Yellow Turbans, it was all just for filling their bellies. They seemed to see from Gao Fei's words that a great chaos was about to come. The two men's hearts were ignited with fierce flames, and they shouted in unison: "From now on, we will be loyal to you, sir, until death!"

  Gao Fei smiled and said, "Alright, you all go down now, I want to be alone for a while."

  Liao Hua and Lu Heng nodded, said "yes", and then left Gao Fei's room.

  Gao Fei sat alone in the room, with a grand blueprint unfolding in his mind. Since he had come to this world, he should make good use of this opportunity. His long-buried ambition was gradually ignited, and he wanted to chart his own course for the future in his mind. He wanted to create a wave that would shake the era, and Liaodong was the best choice for him to take the first step towards achieving it.