Swift Wind, Rapid Thunder, Take a City

"The Prefect disregards a man's origins and promotes solely by talent. Gan Xingba and Pang Lingming, who came up under him, were both entrusted with important duties, while those who remained in Jiao Province each performed their own roles. Just look at General Sha, the barbarian king, and you'll understand. Besides, there is practically no factional strife in Jiao Province's officialdom. Working under the Prefect is quite easy."

Li Yi recalled his experiences over the past years. If I hadn't stayed under Lan Tian in Jiao Province, with my mediocre abilities, whether in Jing Province or still following Liu Bei to Chengdu, I probably wouldn't be living nearly so comfortably now.

"Not entirely, surely? Though Jiao Province's officialdom is comparatively straightforward, General Lan values the Trap-Breaking Army most highly. The importance attached to you and General Sha still falls short." By nature, Yu Fan liked to speak whatever was on his mind, utterly unconcerned whether anyone might report him to Lan Tian.

Li Yi shook his head with a bitter smile. "Director Yu, you are mistaken. General Gao is the Prefect's household general, and the Trap-Breaking Army is the Prefect's private force. Even the King of Hanzhong tacitly approves of such a powerful existence. Why should we contend with them? Besides, our strength simply does not permit it."

"The King of Hanzhong possesses a kingly bearing. No wonder capable men like General Lan have gathered beneath his banner without prior agreement." Halfway through speaking, Yu Fan thought of Jiangdong. The Huaisi Faction and the Jiangdong Faction fought until one side died and the other lived, while Sun Quan only knew to lurk behind them and reap the fisherman's profit. The difference between a ruler who merely maintained what he inherited and one who forged ahead was plain at a glance.