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

The day before the grand ceremony of bestowing the title of king, at Chongde Hall.

Empress Dowager Dong changed into a dark-colored dress, sat on the couch, and slowly twirled her prayer beads.

There weren't many people in the hall. Apart from the old palace maids who were close to the emperor, there was only a young eunuch sent by Consort Wang. He stood by the curtain with his head down, not daring to move his eyes.

Empress Dowager Dong turned the last bead down her fingers before speaking softly:

"Did you bring the list?"

The young eunuch by the curtain hurried forward, holding out a roll of paper with both hands. The roll was tied with a thin string, the knot of which was tied very tightly.

Empress Dowager Dong did not take it, but had an old palace maid take it and unfold it to take a look.

The writing on the paper was extremely detailed. After each position, such as Chief Clerk, Sima, Registrar, Attendant, and Clerk, not only was the name written, but two lines of smaller characters were also added: family background, previous job experience, recommender, and recommendation.

The recommendation is beautifully written: "Well-versed in the classics," "Upholding integrity and virtuous conduct," "Once assisted the prefect in handling lawsuits," and "Able to strictly observe household regulations."

The old palace maid grew increasingly alarmed as she looked, her voice trembling as she spoke:

"Empress Dowager... if these outsiders come under the watchful eye of the Imperial Sacrifices—"

"So what if I saw it?" Empress Dowager Dong said calmly. "When enfeoffing a prince and establishing a residence, one needs people. Xie'er is still young; if we don't give him a few hands to hold on to, how can he stand firm?"

She placed the prayer beads on her lap, her gaze lingering on the names of those "outsiders" for a moment.

"Besides," she said slowly, "this is also for His Majesty to see."

"Let him know—Xie'er doesn't only have one old woman."

The old palace maid dared not offer any further advice and could only agree.

Empress Dowager Dong raised her hand and pushed the list onto the table:

"Send it out."

"Where to send it?"

"The Crown Prince's Palace," Empress Dowager Dong said calmly, "how can this list be considered 'according to etiquette' if the Crown Prince, who is in charge of the grand ceremony, doesn't pass through his hands first?"

"Let him answer."

The old palace servant felt a chill run down his spine, but dared not say anything more and bowed his head in agreement.

-

The grand ceremony for bestowing the title of king is scheduled for three days from now.

On the day the gift list was delivered to Chengde Hall, Liu Bian was having lunch. Wang Ming placed the copied list on the table, stepped aside, and waited.

Liu Bian picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks, ate it, took a sip of soup, and then picked up the list, unfolded it, and read it through.

After looking at the list, he put it down and continued eating.

Wang Ming stood to the side, waiting for a long time, and finally couldn't help but whisper:

"Your Highness, this list..."

"No rush," Liu Bian said without looking up. "Let's eat first."

Wang Ming shut his mouth and stepped back to the door.

Liu Bian finished the soup, put down the bowl, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and then picked up the list again to look at it once more.

The list was short, with about ten names. Some were people associated with Empress Dowager Dong, some with Consort Wang, and a few he didn't recognize, whose places of origin and backgrounds were vaguely described.

He folded the list, placed it on the table, and said to Wang Ming:

"Go and invite Mr. Xun."

-

When Xun Yu entered, Liu Bian had already spread the list on the table, with a scroll of excerpts from the rites next to it.

Xun Yu sat down, picked up the list and looked it over, but said nothing.

Liu Bian looked at him:

"The Empress Dowager's people, Consort Wang's people, and a few others whose origins are unclear."

Xun Yu nodded.

"What do you think we should do, sir?"

Xun Yu did not answer immediately. He put down the list, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then said:

"What does Your Highness intend to do?"

Liu Bian was silent for a moment, then said:

"According to the rites."

Xun Yu raised his eyes and looked at him.

Liu Bian pushed the scroll of etiquette excerpts back a little further:

"The list is sent in, first to the Imperial Clan Court for verification, then to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices for official appointment, and finally to the Ministry of Personnel for official document processing."

Xun Yu looked at the scroll of excerpts from the etiquette system, then at the list, and his lips twitched slightly.

"Your Highness," he said in a low voice, "once the list is sent in, it won't come out."

Liu Bian simply picked up his teacup and took a sip:

"Then prevent it from getting out."

-

The list was delivered to the Ministry of Personnel that afternoon.

Minister Cui Chang took the scroll and opened it for the first time, and his eyelid twitched.

It wasn't because of a person's name, but because of the small print at the top:

"By imperial decree and in accordance with precedent, the imperial clan official was tasked with verifying the genealogy, the Grand Master of Ceremonies with determining the officials, and the Ministry of Personnel with issuing official documents."

The words "By Imperial Decree" hung like a plaque around his throat.

The minor official from the Eastern Palace who delivered the list kept his head down, said little, and simply repeated the oral edict:

"His Highness the Crown Prince said to follow the rules."

Cui Chang held the scroll of paper, his fingertips slightly cool. He wanted to say, "This list was drawn up by the Empress Dowager's side," but he swallowed the words back—in the face of imperial decree, who drew up the list was unimportant; what mattered was: who dared not to go.

As soon as the minor official left, before Cui Chang could even put down his pen, someone came to announce his arrival:

"A eunuch from Chongde Hall requests an audience, saying he is inquiring on behalf of the Empress Dowager about...where the proceedings are at."

Cui Chang's heart sank.

He didn't see her. He only had the scribe reply with one sentence:

"The established rites are here; the Ministry of Personnel shall act in accordance with the rites."

After the clerk left, Cui Chang stared at the seal on the table, the red ink so dazzling it made his eyes water.

-

The clan official spent three days verifying the genealogy.

On the first day, it was discovered that a person's "place of origin did not match the family genealogy."

The next day, it was discovered that the names of the two men's fathers and grandfathers were unknown.

On the third day, it was discovered that one person's "genealogy was not related to the imperial clan."

Liu Fan, the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, wrote the results of the genealogy verification into an official document and sent it to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

The clerk delivering the official document asked, "Lord Liu, should we inform the Empress Dowager?"

Liu Fan glanced at him but didn't say anything.

The clerk dared not ask any more questions and left with the official document.

Liu Fan picked up his teacup and took a sip.

He knew he couldn't hide it anymore.

But he knew even more that he was the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, and verifying the genealogy was his duty.

If you act according to etiquette, no one can find fault with you.

-

The appointment of officials at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices took two days.

On the first day, Zhou Qian rejected three people, citing "insufficient qualifications".

The next day, two more people were rejected on the grounds that "the officials in charge of rites did not comply with regulations."

Zhou Qian, the Minister of Ceremonies, stamped the rejection document and had it sent to the Ministry of Personnel.

The clerk delivering the document whispered, "Lord Zhou, these people are from the Empress Dowager's side..."

Zhou Qian raised his hand to interrupt him, his voice flat:

"I'm not blind."

The clerk dared not ask any more questions and left with the documents in his hand.

Zhou Qian leaned back in his chair, looking out the window at the sky.

He knew the Empress Dowager would be unhappy.

But he knew even more that this matter ultimately fell under the Crown Prince's jurisdiction.

-

The weather was fine on the day of the investiture ceremony.

The sun was shining brightly, making the eaves of Luoyang shine.

Liu Bian arrived at the Imperial Ancestral Temple early in the morning, dressed in the formal crown prince's robes, and stood on the left side of the ceremonial platform, helping Zhou Qian, the Minister of Ceremonies, to check the order of the ceremonies one last time.

Zhou Qian was old and his legs ached after standing for a long time, so Liu Bian had someone bring him a chair and personally handed him a cup of tea.

Zhou Qian accepted the tea, paused for a moment, then stood up and bowed.

"Your Highness, this..."

"Duke Zhou, there's no need for such formalities," Liu Bian raised his hand to stop him. "The proper etiquette is important."

At the hour of Si (9-11 AM), ceremonial music began.

Emperor Ling ascended the ceremonial platform and sat on the throne. Empress Dowager Dong sat on his right, while Empress He sat on her left, slightly behind, both wearing polite smiles that revealed no emotion.

Liu Xie was carried by a palace attendant to the center of the ceremonial platform.

He was wearing a small ceremonial robe, his crown was on properly, his eyes were bright, and he looked at the many people below the stage. He seemed a little nervous, but he didn't cry.

Emperor Ling of Han stood up and personally read out the imperial edict of investiture.

After the imperial edict was read, Liu Xie knelt down and performed a grand ceremony.

After the ceremony, Liu Xie was helped up by the eunuchs and stood next to Emperor Ling of Han, his small hands gripping Emperor Ling's sleeve tightly.

Emperor Ling of Han glanced down at him, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Just then, Liu Bian walked out from the side of the platform and stood in the center of the platform.

He bowed to Emperor Ling of Han, then turned to the audience and spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly audible to everyone:

"Today, our Emperor has bestowed his grace upon my younger brother Xie, granting him the title of Prince of Chenliu. This brings joy to the ancestral temples and blessings to the nation. My younger brother Xie has received such honor, which is also a reflection of the honor of the Han Dynasty."

He paused, then added:

"My younger brother is still young, so I will take care of him in all matters from now on. I will not let Father Emperor worry, nor will I let the imperial clan be disgraced."

After saying this, he bowed to Emperor Ling of Han again and returned to his original position.

There was a moment of silence in the audience, followed by a burst of praise.

Zhou Qian, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, led the way, saying, "His Highness the Crown Prince is benevolent and kind; he is truly a blessing to the nation."

The ministers behind him echoed his sentiments.

Emperor Ling of Han sat on his throne, watching Liu Bian's retreating figure. His face was expressionless, but he lightly tapped his finger on the armrest.

Empress Dowager Dong sat on the right, a smile on her face, but her eye twitched slightly.

That's not what she was waiting for.

What she was waiting for was a disturbance in the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince's dissatisfaction, and Liu Bian revealing a weakness in front of so many people.

But Liu Bian did not.

He stood in the center of the platform, and every word he spoke was an eulogy to his father, his brother, and the Han dynasty.

This prevented her from uttering a single word of her statement, "The He family is intolerant of people."

Mrs. Dong picked up the teacup, took a sip, and suppressed her anger.

-

The final draft of the list of officials under the Prince's Palace was released three days after the grand ceremony.

Before leaving, he went through three procedures: the Imperial Clan Court, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and the Ministry of Personnel.

On the evening the list was sent to Chongde Hall, Empress Dowager Dong sat in the inner hall and read through the final draft from beginning to end.

She didn't say anything. She simply read it, folded the list neatly, placed it beside her, and then dismissed all the palace servants.

She was the only one left in the hall.

The sky outside the window had already darkened. The lanterns under the eaves were lit, casting a warm yellow light through the window paper, illuminating the neatly folded list and her hands resting on her lap.

She sat there for a long time. So long that the candle under the eaves burned down to almost nothing before she slowly raised her head and looked out the window.

The respectable appearance was all there. The title, the name of the prefecture, the carriages and ceremonial regalia—everything was included.

But the person is gone.

Of the eleven people, only four remained. Those four were all in sinecure positions. The palace's gatekeeping, documents, finances, and official registers all bore the same four characters:

The Crown Prince's Palace verified the information.

Finally, Empress Dowager Dong broke her silence, summoned her personal eunuch, and whispered a few words in his ear.

The eunuch's eyes lit up, and he immediately bowed and withdrew.