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

Three days later, at lunchtime, in the West Garden.

Liu Bian's carriage stopped outside the gate, and Xun Yu followed beside him as the two walked inside.

The West Garden covers a vast area and was originally part of the royal gardens, but has now been converted into a military camp. A high platform has been erected in the center of the drill ground, with the throne on it. Below the platform, eight captains each lead their own troops, with banners obscuring the sun and armored soldiers standing like a forest.

Liu Bian looked up and saw the largest banner in the center embroidered with the character "蹇" (jian). Jian Shuo, the Colonel of the Upper Army, stood under the banner, his slightly thin figure wrapped in armor, talking to the person next to him.

Liu Bian recognized that person—Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao seemed to sense something, turned around, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Liu Bian from a distance, his smile impeccable, revealing nothing unusual.

Liu Bian nodded slightly and continued walking forward.

A number of people were already standing on both sides of the platform. Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song were talking in hushed tones. When he saw him coming, Lu Zhi nodded slightly, while Huangfu Song clasped his hands in a salute.

Zhang Rang and Guo Sheng stood on the other side, their eyes downcast, like two statues.

Liu Bian stood to the right of the throne, at a position that was neither too close nor too far, just enough to see the faces of every captain below the platform.

His gaze slowly swept across the queue.

Jian Shuo, Yuan Shao, Bao Hong, Zhao Rong… names flashed through his mind. But when his gaze fell on the last row, a figure there made him pause for a moment.

Gongsun Zan.

He stood at the very front of the right captain's formation, a head taller than the others, with broad shoulders and a ramrod-straight back. A section of the hem of his white battle robe peeked out from under his armor, fluttering slightly in the wind.

His face was mostly covered by a helmet, revealing only his strong jawline and a pair of calm eyes.

Those eyes were looking at the high platform, towards the direction of the throne.

Liu Bian withdrew his gaze and did not look any longer.

After three drumbeats, Emperor Ling of Han ascended the high platform.

The crowd knelt and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Emperor Ling of Han sat down on his throne, raised his hand to indicate that he should rise, and his gaze swept across the faces of the crowd, lingering for a moment on Liu Bian's face before moving away.

Jian Shuo stepped forward and loudly read the oath-taking speech.

The language was flowery, but it was nothing more than clichés like "punishing the disobedient and upholding discipline." Liu Bian listened calmly, but his eyes were constantly on the audience.

After the oath-taking ceremony ended, Jian Shuo suddenly turned to Liu Bian and smiled:

"It is a rare occasion for Your Highness to visit the West Garden. Today, you should take a good look at this new army. Speaking of which, Your Highness was recuperating in the East Palace a few days ago, and I was worried that Your Highness would miss this grand event."

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the people around him to hear.

Liu Bian looked up at him, his expression unchanged, and simply said:

"Commander Jian, you've gone to great lengths. These past few days of quiet recuperation have given me a clearer understanding of many things."

Jian Shuo was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting him to respond in this way.

Yuan Shao coughed softly beside him, and Jian Shuo said nothing more, only chuckled twice, and turned to arrange the proofreading.

Liu Bian stood still, glancing at Yuan Shao out of the corner of his eye.

Yuan Shao was talking to the general beside him, looking completely calm, as if nothing had happened.

The proofreading began quickly.

The eight colonels led their troops past the platform in turn, infantry, cavalry, and archers, their ranks orderly and their momentum overwhelming. Liu Bian watched the unfamiliar faces pass by, silently noting the equipment and morale of each unit.

As the right captain's column approached, he slightly raised his eyes.

Gongsun Zan rode at the forefront, followed by hundreds of cavalrymen, their horses laden with spears and crossbows, the dust kicked up by their hooves being swept to one side by the wind. As they passed the high platform, he reined in his horse and bowed to the throne.

Liu Bian looked at him, then suddenly spoke, his voice low but clear:

"I have long heard of the White Horse Cavalry, and seeing them today, I can confirm that they are indeed elite."

These words were spoken to Emperor Ling of Han, and also to Gongsun Zan.

Emperor Ling nodded: "I am aware of Colonel Gongsun's achievements on the northern frontier. Transferring him to the Western Garden will add some vigor to this new army."

Gongsun Zan bowed again from his horse and said in a deep voice, "Your subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's high expectations."

His gaze swept over Liu Bian, but only for a moment before he looked away.

Liu Bian did not miss that moment.

There was no probing or doubt in his gaze, only a faint, almost imperceptible sense of waiting.

It's like waiting for a signal.

-

After the ceremony, the officers returned to their ranks.

The stage became lively again. Emperor Ling of Han had tea prepared and summoned Jian Shuo to the stage for a chat. The people on the stage began to move around, exchange greetings, and say some polite words.

Liu Bian did not rush to move, but simply stood there and waited.

Yuan Shao walked over from the right side of the platform, with Gongsun Zan following behind him:

"Right Colonel Gongsun Zan, a paragon of merit in the northern frontier, whose White Horse Cavalry is renowned throughout the land. Would Your Highness wish to offer words of encouragement?"

Liu Bian seemed not to understand, merely glancing indifferently at Gongsun Zan before asking:

"General Bo Gui, the northern frontier is bitterly cold, and the soldiers often lack clothing and rations. How will you ensure their well-being?"

Gongsun Zan lowered his head and thought for a moment, then answered seriously:

"If there is a shortage of clothing, give it to the scouts first; if there is a shortage of food, give it to the vanguard first."

Liu Bian nodded, then asked:

"If you encounter powerful local bullies who seize grain, farmland, or disrupt military supplies, how will you handle it?"

Gongsun Zan's voice hardened even more:

"cut."

Yuan Shao's smile froze slightly.

This was not the answer that the officials in Luoyang preferred.

At this moment, Emperor Ling of Han's voice suddenly rang out:

"General Yuan, come closer."

Yuan Shao ignored the conversation and went straight to Emperor Ling of Han.

After watching Yuan Shao walk away, Liu Bian turned to Gongsun Zan and said with a smile:

"General, be swift, but not so swift that you give others ammunition against you. A sharp sword must have a sheath."

After he finished speaking, his gaze lingered for a moment on the scabbard at Gongsun Zan's waist before looking away.

A knowing glint flashed in Gongsun Zan's eyes, and he nodded.

Liu Bian then spoke:

"General, you entered the Western Garden because the Emperor wanted you. But if you want to go far, remember this: don't just look at the Western Garden. There are wider paths beyond it."

Having said that, he turned and left without waiting for Gongsun Zan's reaction.

Gongsun Zan stood there stunned for a few seconds, then bowed and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Liu Bian's retreating figure, and whispered:

"Remember this."

-

"General Yuan—"

Just as Emperor Ling of Han was about to speak, a palace attendant announced:

"Consort Wang, accompanied by Prince Liu Xie, has come to observe the ceremony—"

Liu Bian looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of eunuchs escorting a carriage slowly approaching.

The carriage stopped under the canopy, the curtain was lifted, and a woman stepped out, leading a child.

Wang Meiren.

The child beside her was only four or five years old, dressed in a small brocade robe, with delicate features, and was being led by his mother toward the high platform.

When Emperor Ling of Han saw them, a smile appeared on his previously calm face.

"Xie'er is here too?" He beckoned. "Come, come to your father."

Liu Xie let go of his mother's hand, ran up the high platform with his short legs, and threw himself into Emperor Ling's arms.

Emperor Ling of Han picked him up and let him sit on his lap, his smile much more genuine than when he was reviewing the text.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Shao glanced at Jian Shuo, who immediately stepped forward with a beaming smile.

"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold as to say that the young prince is exceptionally intelligent. I happened to meet him the other day and saw him recite his lessons without missing a single word. It is truly remarkable."

Emperor Ling of Han looked down at Liu Xie: "Oh? Xie'er can recite poems now?"

Liu Xie blinked and recited a few lines from the Classic of Filial Piety in a childish voice. Although he stumbled a bit, the meaning was correct. Emperor Ling of Han laughed heartily and said "Good!" several times.

Yuan Shao seized the opportunity to interject:

"Your Majesty, I believe that although the young prince is still young, he is, after all, a prince, and the proper etiquette for him...shouldn't it be established as soon as possible?"

The words were spoken cryptically, but everyone present understood—Liu Xie had not yet been granted a title and was merely an ordinary prince. Liu Bian, on the other hand, was already the crown prince. Although both were princes, the difference between them was vast.

As Yuan Shao said this, he glanced at Liu Bian, seemingly unintentionally.

Liu Bian remained calm, as if he hadn't heard anything.

Emperor Ling of Han held Liu Xie in his arms, his smile still present, but a layer of sadness slowly settled in his eyes.

He didn't say anything.

He simply patted Liu Xie's head, then glanced at Liu Bian—a quick, fleeting glance, as if afraid of being seen, or perhaps afraid of looking at him for too long.

Then he said:

"Let's call it a day."