Chapter 8

Zhang Rang's mansion was as grand and magnificent as the imperial palace, a testament to the power of the Ten Attendants.

Guests seeking an audience with Zhang Rang came in a steady stream, and hundreds or even thousands of carriages lined up in front of the mansion.

A steward in charge of household affairs led the servants to block the entrance, openly accepting bribes.

Not only did players without official titles have to pay, but even prefects and provincial inspectors had to offer gifts to see Zhang Rang, or they would be turned away.

"Without a thousand gold coins, you want to see our master? Go back where you came from."

The steward of Zhang Rang's mansion slapped away the few silver coins Qin Kai offered.

To him, Qin Kai was insulting him.

"Ha ha ha, this greenhorn thinks a few silver coins can get him an audience with a high-ranking official like Zhang Rang. What a pipe dream."

"I've spent all my wealth and can only listen to Zhang Changshi's teachings in the outer hall."

"Kid, if you want to curry favor with the Ten Attendants, you need at least a thousand gold coins. First, bribe Zhang Rang's steward with three hundred gold coins to get into the mansion, then give seven hundred gold coins to Zhang Rang. The bigger the position you seek, the more money you need."

In front of Zhang Rang's mansion, a group of guests and officials from various provinces and counties mocked Qin Kai, and some even gave him advice on how to bribe Zhang Rang.

"Sir, since the Ten Attendants won't see us, let's just leave. What's the point of arguing with these eunuchs?"

Xing Daorong was furious when he saw the steward demanding hundreds of gold coins just to enter Zhang Rang's mansion.

Li Xiuning also advised, "Lord, we roam the borderlands and don't need to curry favor with the Ten Attendants."

Qin Kai stopped Li Xiuning and took out a letter from his pocket, handing it to the steward. "If the Chief Attendant sees this letter, he will agree to see me. If you delay important matters, your head will roll!"

Qin Kai's stern words were more intimidating than the steward's.

The steward's face changed, and he realized Qin Kai seemed serious and not just talking nonsense.

If he delayed Zhang Rang's important matters, he would not only lose his lucrative position but might even be executed by Zhang Rang.

"Watch him. I'll go in and report. If he lies to me, I'll make his life a living hell!"

The steward took the letter and entered the mansion.

A short while later, he came out hurriedly, his face full of flattery. "May I ask the young master's surname?"

"Qin Kai, my courtesy name is Zichu."

"Ah, it's Young Master Qin. Please come in, our master invites you."

"Please lead the way."

"Of course."

The steward's attitude changed from arrogance to respect, and the guests waiting outside were stunned and murmured in surprise.

Those who had just given Qin Kai advice now felt their cheeks burning with embarrassment.

They whispered among themselves, trying to find out who Qin Kai was.

Qin Kai followed the steward to the inner hall, while Li Xiuning and Xing Daorong were left outside, probably because Zhang Rang was aware of his own misdeeds and feared assassination.

Especially since the Ten Attendants and the Grand General's residence were at odds. The Ten Attendants, representing the eunuch faction, and He Jin, representing the imperial relatives, both wanted to bring down the other and eliminate them.

"Please step aside."

A sharp, cold voice echoed, sending shivers down one's spine.

Such a strong aura.

Qin Kai knew the Ten Attendants were all highly skilled experts, otherwise they wouldn't be able to stand against the Grand General's residence.

Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong were the most intelligent among the Ten Attendants, called "parents" by Emperor Ling. Even if Emperor Ling knew of their misdeeds, he turned a blind eye due to his favor and the need to counter the imperial relatives.

The steward and the servants left as Zhang Rang spoke, leaving only Zhang Rang and Qin Kai in the inner hall.

"Are you a member of the Taiping Dao?"

Zhang Rang's eyes suddenly became sharp, and a cold aura enveloped Qin Kai, making him feel as if he were carrying an invisible mountain.

If Zhang Rang attacked, he could instantly kill Qin Kai!

Zhang Rang's level is... 100!

Zhang Rang's ability to control the government and gain the emperor's favor, while opposing Grand General He Jin, was extremely strong!

Qin Kai, who had seen many storms, remained calm: "Yes."

Zhang Rang reined in his aura and played with a bronze ancient tripod. "Where is Ma Yuanyi now?"

Qin Kai slowly replied, "Ma Yuanyi has returned to Ji Province to prepare for the uprising."

Zhang Rang's movements froze.

Although the Han court and the Yellow Turbans were sworn enemies, there was a little-known fact: the Ten Attendants secretly colluded with the Yellow Turbans, hedging their bets.

One of the Yellow Turban leaders, Ma Yuanyi, bribed Chief Attendants Feng She and Xu Feng as insiders, planning a major event. Just as it was about to succeed, Zhang Jue's disciple Tang Zhou betrayed the plan to the court, leading to Ma Yuanyi's failure.

When the game started, Qin Kai managed to save Ma Yuanyi, thus obtaining the poison to kill Liu Bei and Ma Yuanyi's letter to see Zhang Rang.

Zhang Rang also had correspondence with the Yellow Turbans.

"The Great Virtuous Teacher sends his regards to the Chief Attendant."

Qin Kai, leveraging his favor with Ma Yuanyi, pretended to be a subordinate of Zhang Jue, navigating the complex relationships between various factions.

The Great Virtuous Teacher, Zhang Jue, was no simple figure, capable of bribing the Ten Attendants and repeatedly defeating Dong Zhuo.

Zhang Rang scrutinized Qin Kai, making him feel uneasy, but Qin Kai remained calm. Zhang Rang's expression was unpredictable, but he eventually acknowledged Qin Kai as a Yellow Turban envoy.

"Why do you come to see me now? If the emperor learns of my connection to the Yellow Turbans, although it won't cost me my life, it will affect my power. Do you understand?"

Zhang Rang was nothing like the effeminate eunuchs in people's minds; he was more like a powerful minister.

The Ten Attendants, long involved in the power struggles of the court, were deeply calculating and not just the emperor's lackeys.

"I am not threatening you. To facilitate our Yellow Turban uprising, I have two requests."

"Speak."

"First, I request to be appointed as the Western Commandant of Liaoxi Commandery, stationed in Liucheng."

Qin Kai's eyes were fiery. He came to see Zhang Rang to officially obtain the position of Commandant, becoming a legitimate Han official, which would give him the authority to compete for the Central Plains in the future!

Zhang Rang frowned. "A Commandant is a high-ranking official, with a salary of 2,000 stones. Your reputation is not enough to hold this position."

Zhang Rang's meaning was clear: Qin Kai was a commoner with no achievements, making it difficult to grant his request.

A Commandant was not a minor official, with a salary of 2,000 stones.

Liaoxi Commandery, a border region, had Eastern and Western Commandants, each independent and not subordinate to each other, and they balanced the power with the Prefect of Liaoxi.

If Qin Kai received an official appointment from the Han court, he would have the authority to take command of the Han troops in Liucheng.

Building a territory from scratch was a lot of work; it was much faster to get an official position.

"With the Chief Attendant's power, appointing a mere Commandant is no big deal. If the Yellow Turbans succeed, the Chief Attendant will be the Chancellor. Even if the Yellow Turbans fail, the Chief Attendant will still be safe. If something happens in the court, I can lead troops to support the Chief Attendant.

The imperial relatives, scholar-gentry, and powerful clans are the parasites of the Han dynasty. Grand General He Jin has gathered the sons of noble families and local strongmen, using the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. He Jin will use the suppression of the Taiping Dao as a pretext to control the military power in the capital and the provinces. If something happens, and the Chief Attendant has no troops, what will you do? Will you just wait to be executed?"

Qin Kai's words were like the whispers of a demon, even the Chief Attendant Zhang Rang was moved.

The Ten Attendants and the Grand General's residence were both vying for control of the capital's military power.

If Qin Kai could act as a liaison in the provinces, he might be useful in the future.

Moreover, Zhang Rang truly believed Qin Kai was a Yellow Turban.

If the Yellow Turbans succeeded, Zhang Rang needed to secure his future.

After some thought, Zhang Rang agreed. "I will grant your request. What is your second request?"

"Arrest the Imperial Censor Wang Yun and accuse him of colluding with the Yellow Turbans."

"What do you want to do?"

Zhang Rang's eyes twitched. Qin Kai was too ruthless. Who was the real villain here?