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

On his way back to the Forbidden City, Liu Bian went through his memories of "what Emperor Ling of Han liked".

It has nothing to do with grand principles or policies for governing the country.

It's a novelty.

This historically infamous "tyrant" was a man who loved novelty, fun, raising animals, and watching plays.

In their previous lives, the Ten Attendants turned these things into a means of "flattery," and in the end, they even controlled the palace market.

Then he rushed ahead.

Returning to his palace within the Forbidden City, he took the name Chengde—since the day before yesterday, he had his own palace.

"Wang Ming, purchase some items from outside the palace under the name of the palace market."

Liu Bian called Wang Ming over and explained in detail what items needed to be purchased.

"promise."

The next day, several new items suddenly appeared in the sheds in the palace market.

A cage of snow-white poodles—

They were actually puppy puppies, washed clean, with red ribbons around their necks, and they ran like clouds. Liu Bian had craftsmen make them little copper bells, which jingled with each step they took, making them very cute.

A set of juggling equipment for "rolling balls and throwing balls" -

The ball isn't an ordinary wooden ball; it's wrapped in a thin skin and filled with sand, making it stable when tossed and preventing it from bouncing around after landing, making it suitable for beginners. It also comes with a thin bamboo stick, which can be used to balance dishes and perform tricks.

There's also a new "pitch-pot" pot—

The spout is more precisely tapered, with fine markings engraved on the side, indicating two styles: "Civil" and "Martial." The Civil style has a wide mouth, making it easier to hit the target, while the Martial style has a narrow mouth, making it more difficult. Each time you hit the target, a small copper bell next to it rings, as if adding a touch of elegance.

"Your Highness, are these really going to work?" Wang Ming was actually a little apprehensive.

"Don't worry, Father will definitely like it—"

"Your Highness, what brings you to the palace market today?"

Before he could finish speaking, a slightly shrill voice interrupted Liu Bian.

Liu Bian turned around and looked at the person who had come.

A man dressed in a dark blue embroidered robe with extremely narrow cuffs strolled in from outside the tent.

Her face was thin and pale, with fine lines at the corners of her eyes that looked like they were carved with a knife, and when she smiled, it looked like she was hiding a needle in her smile.

Zhao Changshi, Zhao Zhong.

Wang Ming immediately lowered his head and even slowed his breathing.

Liu Bian merely raised his eyes, his expression indifferent, as if he were seeing not the head of the Ten Attendants, but an old clerk in charge of the storeroom.

"Attendant Zhao," he bowed respectfully, his manners impeccable yet neither servile nor arrogant, "Isn't Attendant Zhao supposed to have connections everywhere in the palace? How come you didn't even know that Father Emperor entrusted me with the management of the palace market?"

Zhao Changshi's eyes turned cold in an instant.

These words, though not harsh, felt like a public slap in the face—what he valued most in the palace was his "omniscient" image.

He had been holding back his anger for a long time.

This prince is not easy to handle.

Too cautious, too adept at concealing one's strength.

He even had a fight with Zhang Rang in the Inner Palace over this—Zhang Rang said that the Crown Prince was just a boy and they would have to rely on him in the future; Zhao Changshi, however, believed that if this boy was not restrained early, he would be a sword hanging over his head in the future.

Zhao Changshi forced a smile, as if he had just remembered: "Oh—I remember now, there really is such a thing."

His tone abruptly changed, his smile filled with contempt:

"However, His Highness must be very busy. If I remember correctly, His Majesty entrusted the management of the palace market to His Highness several days ago... and His Highness hasn't even shown up. I thought His Highness had already forgotten about it."

Wang Ming lowered his head even further, wishing he could bury himself in the ground.

Liu Bian smiled slightly, seemingly oblivious to the barb of "falling out of favor" and "neglecting his duties" in those words. Instead, he raised his hand and pointed to several new items in the shed:

"I will never forget what my father entrusted to me."

"It's just that you have to do things the right way. It's better to pick things that Father will definitely like than to stand in the shed every day and pretend to be diligent."

Zhao Changshi's face darkened. Without even glancing at the things, he was about to speak again and utter the words "the Crown Prince is lazy" and "neglects his duties"—

Suddenly, footsteps and the sound of eunuchs announcing their arrival came from outside the tent.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Everyone was startled and knelt down in unison.

Zhao Changshi immediately dropped his sharp tongue and put on the most docile expression, as if he had never said those words before.

Emperor Ling of Han entered the tent, his robes magnificent, but his expression showed a hint of impatience, clearly indicating that he had come after hearing rumors.

The moment he saw Liu Bian, his face darkened, as if he had a lot to ask: What have you been doing all this time? The palace market was entrusted to you, and you dared not come?

But Liu Bian didn't give him a chance to speak.

He stepped forward first, respectfully performed a deep bow, and spoke in a clear, resonant voice:

"Your subject greets Your Majesty. I have come to the palace market today to present some new trinkets to entertain Your Majesty."

Emperor Ling of Han was about to scoff, but when he heard the words "to relieve boredom," his expression relaxed slightly.

Before he could speak, Liu Bian raised his hand and gestured for Wang Ming to open the cage.

A ball of snow-white puppies rolled out, the red ribbon around their necks swaying, the little copper bells jingling, and they pounced at Liu Bian's feet, circling around, their tails wagging as if they were about to break.

Emperor Ling of Han paused for a moment.

The next instant, the anger on his face seemed to melt away, and he unconsciously reached out to tease her.

The puppy licked his fingertip; it was soft and warm.

Emperor Ling of Han laughed out loud.

"What kind of dog is this? Why is it like a cloud?"

"A lion dog," Liu Bian answered smoothly. "Your Majesty, I had it washed clean and had a bell made. Wherever Father Emperor goes, it follows, and the bell rings, which sounds festive."

Emperor Ling of Han immediately picked one up, as if it were a new toy. The more he looked at it, the more pleasing it became, and even the wrinkles around his eyes smoothed out.

Taking advantage of the situation, Liu Bian presented the "ball-throwing" equipment and threw it twice by hand—the ball was stable and did not bounce around when it landed on his palm; he then demonstrated the pitching game, saying, "The civil style with a wide mouth is easy to hit the target, while the martial style with a narrow mouth is difficult to hit the target." He spoke concisely, but every sentence hit the mark with the word "fun".

Emperor Ling of Han became more and more interested as he listened, and even tried it out himself a couple of times.

When the copper bell rang, he burst into laughter, like a child who had won a prize.

Zhao Changshi stood to the side, his face gradually stiffening.

He had been waiting to see the Crown Prince get scolded, but instead, he watched helplessly as the Crown Prince turned His Majesty's anger into laughter.

Emperor Ling of Han, still smiling as he held the puppy, suddenly said:

"Great! Excellent!"

He looked up at Liu Bian, as if suddenly remembering something: "Since you can come up with these novel ideas, you're still full of energy. From now on—at every court assembly, you will accompany me. If you have any good ideas, then we can discuss them together."

The shed fell silent instantly.

Wang Ming almost looked up, but he managed to hold it in.

Attendant Zhao's expression immediately changed, and he hurriedly stepped forward:

"Your Majesty! The Crown Prince is too young; attending court assemblies would be more harmful than beneficial. His primary focus right now is on learning literature and martial arts. Involving him in politics too early will only unsettle him!"

These words, seemingly for the Crown Prince's benefit, were actually a ploy to put Liu Bian back into his cage.

Liu Bian remained calm and composed, instead gracefully cupping his hands in greeting:

"Attendant Zhao is mistaken."

"Your Majesty, by allowing me to listen in, you are not ruling; by attending court, you are not seizing power. Your Majesty allows me to listen so that I may understand the difficulties of governing the country and the complexities of state affairs. If you are not even allowed to listen, how will I learn to shoulder responsibility in the future?"

Zhao Changshi was about to argue further when Emperor Ling of Han frowned and even paused in the hand holding the dog.

What he hates most is having his enthusiasm dampened when he's in the middle of something exciting.

"Enough," Emperor Ling of Han waved his hand impatiently. "It's settled then."

Zhao Changshi's face paled, and he was about to speak again, but Emperor Ling of Han had already given up on looking at him. His gaze fell on Liu Bian, as if he suddenly felt that this child was "somewhat useful," and he casually added another remark:

"Whether you study literature or martial arts, don't just confine yourself to the old rules and regulations in the palace."

"I hereby grant you permission, from this day forward, to recruit talents from all over the land, both in the civil and military fields."

"In your document, invite renowned scholars, gather famous talents, and select capable ministers: explain to the Crown Prince the classics, laws, administration, finance, and military strategy. Whoever can explain them clearly will stay; those who only know how to put on airs will be sent back."

"In terms of martial arts, select brave generals, recruit heroes, and gather those skilled in archery and horsemanship: let the Crown Prince personally witness and practice riding and archery, swordsmanship, spear fighting, formations, military discipline, and military operations. Forget about those fancy moves; only real swords and spears count as martial arts."

He paused, then pointed at Liu Bian, as if entrusting him with a task:

"If you're going to learn, learn it properly; if you're going to recruit, recruit cleanly. Establish the lists, regulations, and examinations for me."

These words sent a jolt through everyone in the shed.

Recruiting talents from all over the country—this is opening the door, giving the crown prince a legitimate reason to recruit, employ, and build power.

A slight glint appeared in Liu Bian's eyes.

He knew that the "door" he had been waiting for had opened.

He immediately bowed and kowtowed, his voice steady and powerful:

"Your Majesty, I will obey your decree. I will excel in both civil and military affairs and will certainly live up to your expectations."

Meanwhile, Zhao Changshi, standing to the side, unconsciously clenched his fists inside his sleeve—

He became even more determined in his mind: this crown prince must be firmly controlled; if he cannot control him, then someone else should be made crown prince!