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

Chapter 154 Meeting the Two Heroes at the Zhangde Hall

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi frowned at first, then asked, "Winning people's hearts?"

"Then tell me, what does it mean to win people's hearts?"

Zhou Yu held the book; he was still young, but he spoke without fear.

"It's about making people come and not want to leave."

The study fell silent for a moment.

The old friend laughed first, thinking the words were childish, but before the laughter could fade, Zhou Yu continued, "They are all watching Luoyang now."

"Let's see if His Majesty is capable, and whether the court is still effective."

"They've come; we can't just let them see the high walls and the victory."

"Someone has to collect and take care of it, otherwise people will just leave after watching it."

He seemed to realize he hadn't explained himself clearly, so he lowered his head to think for a moment before adding, "A large number of people coming doesn't necessarily mean you've won people's hearts."

"Only those who can stay count."

This time, the study was truly quiet.

The old friend also stopped laughing, and after a long while, he whispered, "This child—"

On the other side, at the Ministry of Personnel.

Xun Yu listened to the report from the captain in the southern market. At first, he didn't think much of it, but as he listened, he slowly put down the document in his hand.

Where are they?

"The person has now been settled in the guesthouse."

Xun Yu frowned: "Why didn't you invite them over?"

The captain quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your subordinate has inquired about his name."

"It was too chaotic when it happened, and we were busy cleaning up afterwards, so I only remember that one of them was from Changshan and the other was from Donglai."

Xun Yu nodded upon hearing this.

"understood."

"I'll go take a look."

Outside the inn, the morning light had not yet truly spread.

Just as Zhao Yun put away his spear in the courtyard, and Taishi Ci was polishing his bow against a pillar, a group of people came in from outside.

The leader was impeccably dressed. Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci exchanged a glance and unconsciously tightened their grip on their weapons.

Before the person even got close, he bowed and greeted them.

"Thank you both for your help yesterday in Nanshi."

Taishi Ci raised an eyebrow.

"Who are you?"

"The Ministry of Personnel, Xun Yu."

Upon hearing the name, Taishi Ci's eyes flickered.

Zhao Yun also looked up.

In the past two days, one of the names they heard most often was Xun Yu.

The order to seek talented people in Luoyang was issued by him, and most of the imperial edicts and new policies also came from the Ministry of Personnel.

Now that the person in question has come in person, the meaning is naturally different.

"Have you two come to Luoyang to see the spectacle, or to see the imperial court?"

Taishi Ci smiled: "Guanglu Xun's question is more direct than those people in the South Market's."

Xun Yu was not angry when he heard this.

"If you're just here to watch the fun, the guesthouse is big enough."

"If you've come to see the imperial court, then the imperial court should also come to see you two."

Upon hearing this, Taishi Ci's sharpness subsided somewhat.

"Naturally, I've come to see the imperial court."

Xun Yu turned his gaze to Zhao Yun, who did not speak but nodded silently.

"Alright," Xun Yu said, "Since you two aren't here to watch the fun, there's no need to stay at the inn."

"His Majesty wishes to see you."

Taishi Ci's eyes lit up. They had just shown their skills in the South Market yesterday, and today they had already caught the emperor's eye.

Zhao Yun didn't say anything, but simply lowered his head and straightened the tassel of his spear.

"When are you going?"

"Now."

Inside the Zhangde Hall, Liu Bian was reading two urgent reports that had just arrived that day.

One copy is from Cao Cao's side.

One copy is from Liu Bei's side.

As predicted a few days ago, the situation outside the capital was no less complicated than within the palace. The investigation continued, uncovering corrupt officials, powerful figures, scattered soldiers, and rumors—nothing was left out. But it was precisely because these things were being unearthed that Liu Bian became even more certain of his actions from a few days ago.

The decree seeking talented individuals was issued with merit.

He is desperately short-staffed.

"His Majesty."

Wang Ming whispered at the door, "Xun Guanglu Xun has arrived."

As soon as the door opened, Xun Yu entered first.

Two young figures followed behind him.

The moment Liu Bian raised his eyes, his gaze lingered for a moment.

At first glance, both men appeared to have extraordinary bearing, and a hint of joy flashed in Liu Bian's eyes.

He looks like a military general, so young...

Just as Liu Bian was pondering, Xun Yu cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, these are the two who quelled the unrest in the South Market yesterday."

Liu Bian nodded and asked, "Did you enter Luoyang to seek an official position?"

Taishi Ci smiled without saying a word, while Zhao Yun, being straightforward, said bluntly, "Let's see what the court thinks before deciding whether to stay or leave."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bian smiled, as if half of his previous thoughts had been confirmed.

"State your name."

Zhao Yun stepped forward first: "Zhao Yun, courtesy name Zilong, from Changshan Zhending."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bian paused slightly on the edge of the table with his finger.

Zhao Yun.

It was Zhao Yun.

He has been in this world for over ten years. He has many famous generals under his command, but when he read history in his previous life, there were very few military generals who truly impressed him.

Zhao Zilong of Changshan was one of them.

Zhao Yun, the one who rode a white horse and wielded a silver spear at Changban Slope, charged in and out seven times, protecting the young lord amidst a vast army.

Zhao Yun, whose loyalty, courage, steadiness, and fierceness were almost pushed to the extreme.

"Taishi Ci, courtesy name Ziyi, from Huang County, Donglai."

Upon hearing Taishi Ci speak, Liu Bian was suddenly pulled from his thoughts.

With so many people watching in the hall, the slight emotion on his face was suppressed in an instant.

"it is good."

"Zhao Zilong of Changshan, Taishi Ci of Donglai."

"These past few days in Luoyang have not been in vain in opening this gate."

Taishi Ci sensed the weight in those words, and his eyes lit up slightly.

Observing the actions of the two men, Liu Bian made a slight distinction in his mind regarding their personalities and attitudes.

"Ziyi".

"You're ambitious, and you want to see if Luoyang dares to use people."

"Then today I will have you first go to the training ground to test your riding and archery skills, and then enter the Imperial Guard for a trial. If you are truly capable, you will naturally have a place in Luoyang."

Taishi Ci was overjoyed; this was exactly what he wanted.

He immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes."

Liu Bian nodded, then turned to Zhao Yun.

"Zilong".

"The South Market, the Granary, and the Recruitment Office have been bustling with people and affairs lately. You will first enter the Imperial Guard and await orders to keep an eye on these places for me."

"Observe both the chaos and the people."

"Now that you've seen enough, tell me whether you'll stay or leave."

Even Xun Yu glanced at Liu Bian at this moment.

This arrangement is quite clever.

Taishi Ci was determined to prove himself, so he was given a chance to prove himself.

Zhao Yun wanted to see how Luoyang treated people, so he gave him the place where he could best see people's hearts.

The two, one sharp and the other steady, were positioned perfectly.

Zhao Yun clearly hadn't expected the emperor to offer him such a path.

He paused for a moment, then finally clasped his hands in a fist salute, using the proper court etiquette for the first time.

"Zilong is willing to give it a try."

Liu Bian breathed a sigh of relief. With the issuance of this recruitment order, two people he had been looking for but had been struggling to find finally came.

"Wenruo," Liu Bian began.

"Your subject is here."

"Taishi Ci will first instruct you to go to Huangfu Song's side, to oversee the drill grounds and the Imperial Guard training camp."

"Zhao Yun will first join the palace guards and be placed under Dian Wei's command. He will also be in charge of patrolling the South Market, the granary, and the recruitment office in the future."

Xun Yu cupped his hands and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Taishi Ci and Zhao Yun bowed at the same time.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

From this moment on, they have truly stepped into the game of Luoyang.

Looking at the two of them, Liu Bian felt a long-lost sense of joy well up in his heart again, which he couldn't suppress for a moment.

Zhao Yun.

Taishi Ci.

One is Changshan Gentian, and the other is Donglai Hero.

Liu Bian slowly exhaled, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and raised his hand, saying, "Go."

"Luoyang is not lacking in liveliness now, but it lacks people who can turn liveliness into something meaningful."

"I'm waiting to see what you've got."

Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci bowed again, and then Zhao Yun followed Xun Yu out.

After the palace doors closed, the Zhangde Hall fell silent.

That sharp edge and youthful spirit seemed to have left with those two figures.

Liu Bian remained seated, neither immediately glancing at the urgent report on his desk nor uttering any further words.

His gaze fell on a certain spot in the hall, as if it was still on the two people from before, but suddenly another old memory surfaced in his mind.

Guangcheng Garden.

That year, as winter drew to a close and spring began, the mist in the garden had not yet dissipated, and the sound of the zither was slightly off.

At that time, he was just the Crown Prince.

But things are different now.

Now Zhao Yun has arrived, and Taishi Ci has arrived.

Heroes from all over the world have begun to truly gather in Luoyang.

Why did Zhou Yu have to wait another ten years?

Now he has the right and the position to take those children under his watchful eye and raise them slowly.

"Wang Ming".

Wang Ming, who had been waiting nearby, rushed forward upon hearing the sound.

"I am here."

"Send someone to the Zhou residence."

Wang Ming was taken aback, clearly not expecting the conversation to suddenly turn to the Zhou family, but he didn't dare ask any more questions and quickly replied, "Yes!"

Just as he was about to leave, Liu Bian added, "Just say—"

"I still remember the old agreement regarding Guangcheng Garden."

"Please have Zhou Yi bring his son to see me tomorrow."