Chapter 9

At the residence of Wang Yun, the Imperial Censor, the numerous servants of the Wang family were as busy as ants on a hot pot, in a flurry of activity.

Zhang Rang, one of the Ten Attendants, had sent people to arrest Wang Yun, accusing him of colluding with Zhang Jue of the Taiping Dao, plotting rebellion.

Wang Yun came from the Wang family of Taiyuan, a prominent local clan, whose interests were at odds with those of the Yellow Turban rebels. Everyone knew that Wang Yun could not have colluded with the Yellow Turbans, but Zhang Rang, with his immense power, had arrested Wang Yun on trumped-up charges.

"Zhang Rang, that despicable eunuch, it is rumored in Luoyang that the Ten Attendants have secret dealings with the Yellow Turbans. He actually accuses my father of plotting rebellion with the Yellow Turbans. I will flay these eunuchs alive one day!"

Wang Gai, Wang Yun's eldest son, paced back and forth in the courtyard. He had gathered a group of colleagues to devise a plan to rescue Wang Yun.

The situation in Luoyang was extremely complex. The eunuch faction represented by the Ten Attendants and the outer relatives faction represented by He Jin were locked in a fierce struggle. The majority of the scholar-gentry class had aligned with the Grand General He Jin, becoming the third major force influencing the situation. Wang Yun belonged to the scholar-gentry faction.

Outside Luoyang, there were also local warlords, the Yellow Turban rebels, and a large number of players.

Various forces were vying for power, with hidden currents surging beneath the surface.

"Master Wang, Zhang Rang is ruthless and extremely powerful. He has arrested your father on charges of rebellion, which will make it very difficult to rescue him."

"Yes, our strength is limited. We should seek the help of the Grand General to rescue Lord Wang."

After some discussion, the group realized that Wang Gai's acquaintances among the officials were not of high enough rank to challenge the Ten Attendants. In the end, they decided to seek help from the Grand General He Jin.

"Master, there is a man outside the residence who claims to be the Western Commandant of Liaoxi Commandery and says he has a way to rescue the master!"

Just as Wang Gai was about to set out to seek help from the Grand General He Jin, Qin Kai arrived.

"A commandant from a border commandery, how can he rescue my father? Do not let him in." Wang Gai did not believe that Qin Kai could rescue Wang Yun, but then he thought that if Qin Kai had come on his own, he must be confident. He told the servant, "Wait, bring him in."

"Yes, sir."

The servant quickly led Qin Kai into the residence, where he met Wang Gai in the courtyard.

"I remember the Western Commandant of Liaoxi Commandery is someone else. Who are you?"

Wang Gai examined Qin Kai but could not recall such a commandant.

"I am the newly appointed Western Commandant of Liaoxi Commandery, appointed by the court to monitor the Wuhuan people."

"Oh. Do you have a way to rescue my father?"

"I do have a way, but it depends on whether you are willing to pay the price."

"As long as it can save my father, any price can be negotiated, even my own life. What is the price?"

"Eight hundred gold coins and a dancer."

Qin Kai made his demand without hesitation.

"Save my father, and I will provide it immediately!"

Hearing the conditions were so simple, Wang Gai immediately agreed.

If Zhang Rang forced Wang Yun to take the blame and charged him with rebellion, the Wang family of Taiyuan might be implicated. Eight hundred gold coins, while a significant sum, was still manageable for the Wang family as a prominent clan in Taiyuan.

As for a mere dancer, her value was far less than eight hundred gold coins.

"Cough, the dancer I require is not just any dancer, but one named Diaochan from your household."

Qin Kai directly asked for Diaochan.

Diaochan was the top dancer in the Three Kingdoms region, and dancers were a profession with various beneficial skills. Qin Kai intended to use Zhang Rang to force the Wang family to hand over Diaochan.

"This girl was selected and trained in dance and music from a young age. In a few years, her value will be no less than a thousand gold coins."

Wang Gai hesitated when he realized Qin Kai was asking for Diaochan, the most promising dancer in the household.

Qin Kai sternly rebuked, "The empire is in crisis, and your father is needed to help the court through this difficult time. Compared to your father, a mere dancer is insignificant!"

"I understand. I will have the eight hundred gold coins and Diaochan prepared. I hope the commandant will find a way to rescue my father."

Wang Gai, intimidated by Qin Kai, ordered the preparations to be made.

"Until my father is released, please stay in our residence."

"I have two subordinates. Please prepare rooms for them as well."

"Everything will be arranged."

Wang Gai kept Qin Kai temporarily in the residence to ensure he would follow through after receiving the money and the dancer.

Eager to rescue Wang Yun, Wang Gai quickly sent Diaochan to Qin Kai's room.

A young girl, no more than eleven or twelve years old, was brought in, standing timidly to one side, too afraid to move.

This girl had a perfectly proportioned figure, bright eyes, and a slender waist. Her every smile and frown were captivating, making her a flawless beauty.

Diaochan was widely recognized as the most beautiful woman in the Three Kingdoms region, a perfect work of art.

Compared to the heroic and graceful Li Shuoning, Diaochan was more of a seductive beauty.

If there was a flaw, it was that Diaochan was still young and had not fully matured.

However, she was already a budding beauty.

"Miss Diaochan, Lord Wang Yun has been arrested by the Ten Attendants. You wouldn't want anything to happen to Lord Wang Yun, would you?"

"As long as I can save Lord Wang, I am willing to do anything, even if I am offered to the eunuchs... I have no regrets..."

Although young, Diaochan's thoughts were far more mature than those of her peers. She thought Qin Kai was going to offer her and the gold to Zhang Rang to save Wang Yun, and she was prepared to make the sacrifice, showing a spirit that rivaled that of a man.

"Not at all. I, Qin Kai, am not a villain. How could I push you into such a situation?"

"Ah?"

Diaochan, who had prepared to serve the eunuchs, felt a glimmer of hope with Qin Kai's words.

If she had a choice, she would not want to serve a group of old eunuchs.

"I have another plan to save Lord Wang. The reason I asked for you is to save you from a worse fate. The struggle between the eunuchs and the outer relatives has turned Luoyang into a den of tigers and dragons. Staying in Luoyang with your beauty would be extremely dangerous. So, you will be my reward for saving Lord Wang. Do you understand?"

"Could it be that..."

"You will be my personal attendant from now on."

"Ah?"

Diaochan's bright eyes widened in surprise.

Being an attendant to this handsome young master was far better than serving the Ten Attendants. The contrast made her feel a deep sense of gratitude towards Qin Kai.

"I, Qin Zichu, never force anyone. Are you willing?"

"Um..."

Diaochan timidly nodded. By sending her away, Wang Gai had essentially used her as a means to save Wang Yun, so she no longer owed the Wang family any debt.

"Then help me massage my shoulders. I need to find a way to save Lord Wang tomorrow."

Since he had taken Diaochan as his attendant, Qin Kai decided to enjoy her service in advance.

Qin Kai kept the eight hundred gold coins and Diaochan for himself.

As for Wang Yun, Qin Kai only needed to inform Zhang Rang, who would release Wang Yun because he knew that as long as the outer relatives faction led by Grand General He Jin and the scholar-gentry faction represented by the Yuan family of Runan remained strong, he could not do much to Wang Yun.

Zhang Rang was just giving Qin Kai a face and suppressing the scholar-gentry faction.

In other words, Qin Kai had managed to get the best of all worlds, gaining eight hundred gold coins, Diaochan, and the position of Western Commandant of Liaoxi Commandery without paying any price.

"Since I'm here, I might as well go to the market in Luoyang to buy some equipment."

With eight hundred gold coins, Qin Kai could purchase a batch of high-quality items.