Liu Bian at the start, so you're called Dong Zhuo, right?

Xun Yu listened and remained silent for a long time.

After a long pause, he exhaled and slowly said:

"it is good."

"Since Your Highness has this intention and is willing to start from small things, I will write these 'prototypes' into entries for Your Highness."

"There is just one thing Your Highness must remember—writing down the rules is easy, but implementing them is difficult. In the end, they will inevitably involve people, money, and interests."

"If Your Highness only thinks about accomplishing one thing, you will be led by others; if Your Highness wants to establish a law, you must first think about how to prevent others from exploiting loopholes."

Liu Bian nodded, his expression becoming more composed than before:

"I've got it."

Xun Yu raised his eyes and added:

"I will not stop Your Highness from leaving the palace tomorrow. But if Your Highness really wants to participate, the first thing to do is not to watch the spectacle, but to observe the 'rules'."

"The rules of the marketplace are often not written on the walls, but rather in the glances of people."

Liu Bian agreed and turned to instruct the eunuch:

"Go and invite Cao Mengde here."

Shortly after, Cao Cao entered the hall, bowed, and said:

"Your subject Cao Cao greets Your Highness."

Liu Bian didn't beat around the bush and asked directly:

"I will be leaving the palace tomorrow. You will accompany me. When we are out, you must not address me as Your Highness. All those you bring with you must address me as 'Young Master'."

Cao Cao's eyes flashed, but he didn't ask any further questions. He simply cupped his hands and said, "Your subject obeys."

Liu Bian then asked, "I told you to form a small team within three days. How is that going today?"

Cao Cao answered decisively: "Fortunately, I have not failed in my mission; I have already appointed five men."

He paused, then recited the names one by one, as if listing military ranks:

"Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan are both capable of leading the charge; Cao Ren is steady and Cao Hong is daring; and there is also Cao Chun, who is taciturn but efficient, good at riding and archery, and acts decisively."

When Liu Bian heard the names "Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong," his heart pounded several times, and he could hardly contain his joy.

These men were all formidable generals who would later become powerful figures in the chaotic Three Kingdoms period.

But he maintained a calm demeanor and only said:

"Alright. Bring them here; I want to see them."

Cao Cao responded and turned to leave.

A moment later, the sound of footsteps outside the palace gate was orderly and restrained, and the five people filed in.

"Xiahou Dun; Xiahou Yuan; Cao Ren; Cao Hong; Cao Chun pay their respects to Your Highness."

Liu Bian raised his eyes slightly and swept them over the five people.

The man at the front was tall and strong, with broad shoulders and a thick back. He stood there like a wall. This was Xiahou Dun.

The second person was slightly thinner, but more agile, with a posture like a taut bowstring; this was Xiahou Yuan.

The third person was calm and composed, and his manners were impeccable. When he bowed, his back was not bent excessively, as if "propriety" was engraved in his bones. This was Cao Chun.

The fourth person was even more upright and stubborn, with high brow bones and an indomitable spirit in his eyes; this was Cao Hong.

The last person was slightly younger and had an unassuming demeanor. He stood at the back of the line but did not disperse, like a sheathed short sword, quiet yet sharp. This was Cao Ren.

Liu Bian looked at them and nodded to himself.

These people all shared something similar—neither the slickness of the common people nor the frivolity of aristocratic children, but the ruthlessness of someone who had long been skilled in martial arts and dared to risk their lives on the edge of a knife.

He raised his hand in a gesture:

"Alright, each and every one of you is exceptionally brave. Get up."

"Tomorrow, you will all come with me out of the palace."

The five men had different expressions, but none of them asked any questions. Xiahou Dun's eyes lit up, as if he had heard about a "real" mission; Cao Ren, however, glanced at Cao Cao first, as if to confirm whether there was another plan.

Cao Cao then spoke, intending to establish rules for them in front of Liu Bian:

"Your Highness is traveling incognito. Please remember these three rules: First, do not stray more than three steps away from me; second, do not act rashly or violently, and follow my orders when you make a move; third, when Your Highness speaks, others should only regard you as 'Young Master' and not reveal your identity."

The five responded in unison:

"promise."

Liu Bian felt more at ease.

He looked at Cao Cao:

"Wait for me outside the palace early tomorrow morning."

Cao Cao cupped his hands in greeting:

"Your Majesty understands. The busiest time and the best goods will be around Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow; however, the market is chaotic and prone to accidents. Your Majesty will arrange for scouts to explore the area first."

The next day.

As dawn broke, Liu Bian changed into a short brown narrow-sleeved shirt, wore a cloth headscarf, and had only an inconspicuous small bag tied around his waist, looking like a little shopkeeper running errands for his elders.

Wang Ming also changed into the attire of a personal servant and followed Liu Bian.

Cao Cao also changed into ordinary clothes, wearing an old brown coat and carrying a bamboo cane. At first glance, he looked like a traveling merchant, but in reality, it was a way to conceal his weapons.

Xiahou Dun and his men were scattered around, some pretending to be porters carrying goods, others pretending to be accompanying relatives. Their steps were steady, but their eyes were scanning their surroundings.

The route out of the palace was not ostentatious.

Once you pass through the palace gates, the atmosphere of Luoyang immediately hits you.

Unlike the Forbidden City, there are no neat palaces with vermilion gates here, only the sounds of people, the earthy atmosphere, and the smell of cooking fires.

People carrying loads, driving carts, leading donkeys, and pushing wheelbarrows flowed through the streets and alleys like water; the cries of vendors rose and fell along the roadside, the aromas of cakes, soups, and charcoal mingling together, creating a truly authentic atmosphere.

Cao Cao whispered a reminder:

"In Luoyang's two markets, goods come from all directions. There are officials in charge of the markets who gather at midday and disperse at sunset. There are restrictions at the market gates, and merchants are not allowed to travel at night. Large-volume goods are mostly handled through brokers; small transactions depend on the stall owners' skills."

Liu Bian nodded, but his gaze did not linger on the "lively atmosphere".

He was looking at "order".

The city indeed had its "rules": although the stalls were chaotic, each had its own boundaries; those selling salt and medicine gathered in one place, while those selling cloth gathered in another; some people patrolled and stopped fights; others kept an eye on the merchants' trucks and collected taxes and stall fees.

Even within rules, there are loopholes.

Liu Bian stopped in front of a grain stall. The stall owner had a measuring cup with a polished rim, and a scale was hanging next to it.

He feigned curiosity and reached out to touch the edge of the bucket:

"Is this bucket any good?"

The stall owner laughed very quickly:

"Young master, you have good taste. This is 'belligerence,' and you're really good at it."

Liu Bian's eyelids twitched slightly.

The word "belligerent" sounds like a compliment, but it's actually a coded message: the fight is "clever" or "subtle."

He then looked at the steelyard balance. The weights were black, but there were newly tied knots at the knots in the rope, as if they could be moved by hand.

Liu Bian remained expressionless and turned to look at Cao Cao.

Cao Cao followed his gaze, a hint of coldness in his eyes, and said in a low voice:

"This is common in the marketplace. Measure comes in different sizes, and scales come in different weights. The seller takes half, and the buyer also wants to take half, so in the end, it all comes down to skill."

Liu Bian had already made a mental note of this half-point.

Inconsistent weights and measures are the source of chaos.

Further in, the medicinal herb stalls become even more prominent.

Several packets of "Scutellaria baicalensis" and "Angelica sinensis" were neatly arranged, emitting a fragrant aroma, but the price was inflated. A well-dressed broker next to them smiled and introduced them, saying they were "top-grade from a certain prefecture."

Liu Bian squatted down, picked up a bit of the powdered medicine, brought it close to his nose, and frowned slightly.

It contains finely ground tree bark powder, which increases the weight but diminishes the medicinal properties.

He looked up and asked:

How do you test this medicine?

The broker paused for a moment, then smiled even more slickly:

"Young master, you're asking questions. You need to find someone knowledgeable to test medicine; there are rules in the city. If you really want to buy it, I'll take you to a familiar shop, and I guarantee you won't be ripped off."

As soon as the words "familiar shop" were uttered, Liu Bian understood.

If you don't know anyone, you'll only suffer losses; if you know someone, you'll be able to get the real deal.

This is a monopoly.

He continued to feign childlike excitement:

"Then take me to see it."

The broker, pleased with himself, turned and led the way, saying as he went:

"Doing business in Luoyang is all about connections. If you want to save money, you have to know the right people first."

Liu Bian nodded with a smile, but in his heart he was calculating something else.

If you recognize someone, you have to pay for that recognition.

Paying money is the middle part.

The thicker the middle layer, the more expensive the procurement for the palace; what's expensive is not just the money, but also the power: whoever controls the middle layer can control the supply and accounts.

As Liu Bian walked past a silk shop, he witnessed another scene: two shops were arguing fiercely in front of each other, one accusing the other of undercutting prices and stealing customers, while the other accused him of selling counterfeit silk.

When the market official arrived, he didn't rush to judge the case; instead, he examined the copper coins handed to him by both sides.

His movements were extremely skilled; he collected money faster than he listened to reason.

Cao Cao stopped in his tracks, and Xiahou Dun's hand instinctively went to his side.

Liu Bian raised his hand and gently pressed down, signaling everyone not to move.

He watched as the market official accepted the money, then turned and shouted to stop him:

"Stop making noise! ​​If you keep arguing, I'll overturn your stall!"

The two shops immediately fell silent and began to smile apologetically.

Liu Bian felt a sinking feeling in his chest.

This is the vulnerability.

Officials have power, and merchants have money; once money is used, power is distorted.

If he wants to establish the palace market as traceable, calculable, and accountable, the first step must be to cut into the cracks where money can change the law.

As he was pondering, he suddenly heard Cao Cao say in a low voice:

"Young master."

Liu Bian's heart tightened, but he still didn't turn around, only glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.

Not far away, a tall, thin man leaned against the alley entrance, his eyes seemingly looking over Liu Bian at the commotion there, but he was clearly sizing up Liu Bian and his group.

There was no calculating look in their eyes, only the prey and the price.

Further away, two more teenagers pretended to be strolling around, but kept moving in sync with their pace, seemingly close yet distant.

Cao Cao's voice lowered even further:

"Someone's watching us."

Xiahou Yuan shifted his foot slightly, as if casually changing position, but filled the gap behind Liu Bian; Cao Ren also moved half a step closer without making a sound, blocking a possible angle of impact.

Liu Bian suddenly realized something:

These people may not be eyeing the money.

They are targeting people.

A young man dressed in a short brown robe but with an overly composed demeanor, and his companion with eyes that were too cold and gait that was too measured.

What people fear most in the marketplace is not ferocity, but resemblance.

It seems to have connections, and it seems like it could fetch a high price.

Liu Bian's heart sank. In the era he had transmigrated to, human traffickers were rampant everywhere. How much more so now that he was in the Eastern Han Dynasty, where some powerful human traffickers held absolute power in the countryside.

Liu Bian's heart sank, but he still pretended to be excited, pointing to a stall of candied fruit next to him:

"I want to buy that."

He deliberately raised his voice to make himself sound more like a child.

The broker smiled and agreed, and was about to go over when suddenly someone bumped into him from the side, as if he had lost his footing and his shoulder tilted as he was about to crash into Liu Bian.

In that instant, Cao Cao's eyes turned cold, and he slightly raised his bamboo cane.

Xiahou Dun stepped forward, seemingly offering a casual protection, but in reality, he had already pinned the other person's arm. The force wasn't strong, but it caused the person to lose their balance.

The man's expression changed, and he immediately broke free, repeatedly apologizing before turning and leaving.

But he walked in the direction of the dispersing crowd, not towards the tall, thin man at the alley entrance.

The tall, thin man looked at it, a slight smile playing on his lips, as if he had confirmed something.

The next moment, he raised his hand and made a very subtle gesture from inside his sleeve.

Deep in the alley, several figures moved quietly.

Liu Bian's heart skipped a beat.

This is no ordinary extortion; it seems like it was planned in advance.

Cao Cao's voice was cold as he said:

"Young master, let's go."

Just as Liu Bian was about to move, a sudden commotion broke out among the crowd in front of him.

Someone overturned the stall, the earthenware pot shattered, soup spilled all over the ground, and the rising steam obscured the view; then, several screams rang out, as if someone was deliberately pushing the crowd toward them.

When the crowds surged, their escape routes were blocked.

The tall, thin man at the alley entrance slowly straightened up, his eyes no longer concealing anything.

He nodded as if to someone he couldn't see.

The next instant, four or five burly men emerged from the side alley, not carrying knives, but short sticks and ropes—the most common way to tie someone up in the streets.

A crisis is quietly emerging.