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

The wooden box was delivered to the Henan Yin official's office in the early hours of the next day.

Xu Guan was having breakfast when the steward came in, placed an inconspicuous wooden box beside him, whispered Lu Zhi's words, and then left.

Xu Guan put down his chopsticks, opened the wooden box, took out the folded papers inside, unfolded them, and glanced down at them.

There was only one name and two lines of text on the paper—

Gongsun Zan, courtesy name Bogui, was the most meritorious general in the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the northern frontier and was highly respected by the people.

This person's entry into the Western Garden is perfectly legitimate, and His Majesty has no reason to doubt him. Please recommend him based on his military merits, so that he may follow the proper path and not be mentioned elsewhere.

Xu Guan put the paper down, pressed it in his palm, and sat there for a long time.

He certainly knew the name Gongsun Zan.

At the height of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, battle reports from the northern frontier mentioned him almost every few days:

The White Horse Cavalry rushed to the aid of Jizhou, beheading thousands and setting the tone for the northern front in one battle.

More importantly, people from the border regions are far from Luoyang, which means they are not included in the plans of any family in Luoyang.

Xu Guan went through this line in his mind, over and over again.

The way to pay off the debt he owes has already been presented to him.

He stood up and handed the papers to the butler: "Burn them."

Then he went back to his desk, sat down, took out a blank draft, and picked up his pen.

He wrote slowly, carefully considering his words—Gongsun Zan, the Chief Administrator of Liaoxi, was a native of Youzhou. He made the greatest contribution to the northern frontier during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and his White Horse Cavalry rushed to the aid of Jizhou. Wherever he went, refugees flocked to him, and the people's hearts were at peace. He was accomplished in both military and civil affairs, and was a suitable candidate for the Western Garden.

Without mentioning Lu Zhi, without mentioning the Crown Prince, without mentioning any unnecessary plot lines.

After finishing writing, he put down his pen, printed it, sealed it, and summoned his most trusted clerk:

"Following the proper procedures, send it to the Ministry of Personnel today."

The clerk responded and took the document out.

-

Emperor Ling of Han saw the letter of recommendation that afternoon.

He held the document, turning it over and over twice, his expression calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Gongsun Zan." He uttered the name as if he were chewing on something.

Zhang Rang, who was standing to the side, kept his eyes down and didn't say a word.

Emperor Ling of Han put down the documents, picked up his teacup, but did not drink it immediately. He held it, looked at the sunlight outside the palace, and thought for a moment.

He was familiar with the name Gongsun Zan.

He had read every battle report of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the northern frontier was the cleanest.

He remembered the White Horse Cavalry's achievements clearly—beheading thousands, securing the northern front, and taking in refugees.

This man's popularity in Youzhou is genuine, not just based on his family background. He knows this very well.

More importantly, Gongsun Zan was Lu Zhi's student.

Although there was no trace of the Crown Prince, the student's name immediately appeared in the recommendation letter as his mentor had just been reinstated.

Emperor Ling of Han stared at this relationship and pondered it in his mind.

If it were someone else, he might have doubts.

But Gongsun Zan's military achievements are real.

The White Horse Cavalry was practically a living legend in the northern frontier. Sending such people into the Western Garden would silence any gossip and leave no room for criticism.

He glanced at the document again, stripping Lu Zhi's name out of the matter and focusing solely on the name Gongsun Zan—

He had distinguished himself in battles in the northern frontier and enjoyed high popularity among the people, but he did not have deep ties with various forces in Luoyang.

In the West Garden, Jian Shuo reported the day before yesterday that the position of Right Colonel was still vacant and no suitable person had been filled in.

Emperor Ling of Han put down his teacup and spoke to the eunuch beside him:

"Tian Kai will take over Gongsun Zan's position as the Chief Administrator of Liaoxi. An imperial edict will be issued to transfer him."

He paused, then said:

"Gongsun Zan is hereby appointed Right Colonel of the Western Garden and shall take up his post immediately."

The eunuch quickly accepted the order and went out to draft the decree.

Emperor Ling of Han leaned back in his chair, gazing at the beams on the roof, his expression still as nonchalant as ever.

He just felt that this person was useful.

This is enough.

-

Inside the Chengde Hall, Liu Bian slept soundly for an entire day.

Wang Ming stayed by the bedside, not daring to leave for a moment. Hua Tuo came twice, taking the pulse, changing the prescription, giving instructions, and finally leaving the words: Let Your Highness sleep, and wake up naturally when you have slept enough.

When Liu Bian woke up, it was already evening of the next day.

The sky outside the window was ablaze with orange-red light, and the afterglow shone through the paper window, falling on the table, on the couch, and on his face.

He lay down for a while, then slowly sat up.

Wang Ming rushed in almost immediately: "Your Highness is awake? I'll go fetch Physician Hua—"

"No need." Liu Bian's voice was a little hoarse, but more steady than he had expected. "What time is it?"

"It's past dusk, Your Highness has slept for a whole day and night."

Liu Bian nodded:

"Over at the West Garden—"

Before he could finish speaking, Wang Ming understood, took out a folded note from his sleeve, and whispered:

"There was indeed some noise outside during the day His Highness was unconscious... but it wasn't brought in by anyone from the Crown Prince's Palace."

He presented the small note to the emperor:

"The news came from the Henan Prefect's office—His Majesty has drafted an edict to transfer Gongsun Zan, the Chief Administrator of Liaoxi, to the Western Garden and appoint him as Right Colonel."

"The position of Chief Administrator of Liaoxi will also be filled by someone else."

Liu Bian's eyes froze almost the instant he heard the name "Gongsun Zan".

He didn't speak immediately.

He simply repeated those three words slowly in his mind—as if to confirm that this was not a hallucination he heard in his delirium after taking the medicine.

Gongsun Zan.

White Horse Cavalry

The fame and glory earned through bloodshed in the northern frontier, Youyan, and border regions.

He knows that name all too well.

In the history of his previous life, this man was extremely famous and rose to prominence with great momentum. He made great contributions on the border of Youzhou, commanded Baima, killed Hu cavalry, and quelled rebellions. He was legendary among the people. However, later on, because he was too stubborn and ruthless in his military tactics, he turned against Yuan Shao and was eventually besieged in Yijing, where he burned himself to death.

That is a road written in history books.

And now—that road has been forcibly turned into Xiyuan.

Liu Bian's fingertips slowly tightened on the bedding, then slowly loosened.

The heavy, suffocating weight on his chest felt like it had been lifted from underneath; it wasn't completely removed, but at least it was no longer suffocating him.

"Who suggested it?" he finally spoke, his voice still hoarse but more steady than before, "The Ministry of Personnel? Or—"

Wang Ming lowered his voice:

"Nominally, it was recommended by Xu Guan, the Prefect of Henan, so it was done through the proper channels. The document entered the Secretariat, and His Majesty saw it that afternoon."

He paused, then cautiously added:

"But... Your Highness, someone like Xu Guan wouldn't suddenly think of Gongsun Zan out of thin air."

Liu Bian did not respond.

He understood.

Lu Zhi.

He used the cleanest path: the mentor paved the way for the student, and the student was selected based on military merit. Emperor Ling of Han saw a flawless and legitimate plan.

This step is not to kick the door open, but to take advantage of the loosening of the door and quietly insert a wedge—a wedge that is not related to the Crown Prince, not related to the maternal relatives, not related to the aristocratic families, but can still gain a foothold in the West Garden.

Gongsun Zan is just right.

He was a meritorious official in the border region, and his reputation was genuine; however, his background was not prominent, and he was not easily manipulated by the families in Luoyang; moreover, he happened to be a disciple of Lu Zhi, so it was not surprising that Lu Zhi recommended him, and it was even more logical that Xu Guan recommended him.

Most importantly—Emperor Ling of Han would be at ease.

Because what Emperor Ling of Han wanted was someone who "appeared to belong only to him".

Gongsun Zan, on the other hand, looks like...

He asked a question in a low voice, as if asking Wang Ming, but also as if asking himself:

"What about Yuan Shao?"

Wang Ming immediately replied, "Yuan Shao is still frequently moving around in the West Garden, and Jian Shuo has also been busy these past two days."

"They're saying... the titles for the Eight Colonels are about to be finalized."

Liu Bian gave a soft "hmm".

He was not overjoyed when he heard this.

He knew all too well that Gongsun Zan was merely a "slit," not a "door."

Even worse, this crack might cut your hand.

Gongsun Zan is a good person to use, but not easy to control.

He wasn't the kind of person who would obediently stand behind anyone. What he wanted was military power, military achievements, and the dignity of the frontier.

He can see for you how every bone and tendon in the West Garden grew, but he might also, in the next moment, turn that knife around and hold it in his own hand.

"Gongsun Zan..." He repeated the name again, his voice very soft, as if he were chewing on something.

Wang Ming watched him cautiously from the side, not daring to make a sound.

Liu Bian raised his head and looked out the window.

He suddenly remembered a sentence—

When fortune smiles, heaven and earth lend their strength; when fortune turns, even heroes are powerless.

He always thought he was on the side of "time".

But now he suddenly understands that the so-called "time" is never something that one person can calculate. It is the path that someone is willing to continue walking for you after you fall.

Wang Ming waited for a long time, and finally couldn't help but ask:

"Your Highness, should we send someone to the Lu residence...?"

Liu Bian shook his head:

"Need not."

He paused, his voice flat:

"Master Lu finished his work without saying a word. I went to thank him, which actually let him know that I remembered this matter."

He lowered his head, looking at the lamp on the table that had not yet been lit:

"Some things are better left unsaid."