Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The first year of Xingping flowed like a quietly flowing stream, quietly drifting away in the long river of time. The great wheel of history rolled forward, entering the second year of Xingping. At the beginning of this year, the entire capital of the Han Dynasty was enveloped in an atmosphere of solemnity and anticipation. At the grand court meeting, the emperor sat high on his honorable throne, his gaze as sharp as a torch, resolutely scanning his courtiers.

A majestic proclamation sounded, and the emperor issued a decree to seek talented people. This order was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up layers of ripples. "I inherit the order of Heaven and continue the great throne. I worry day and night, fearing that I will fail the legacy of my ancestors. Now the four seas are in turmoil and the world is in turmoil. I know very well that governing the country and maintaining peace requires the assistance of talented people. Therefore, I issue an order to seek talents, seeking people from all over the world. Those who have high moral character and clean aspirations; those who are well-educated and well-behaved can be doctors of classics; those who understand laws and are capable of resolving doubts and can review documents and question, and are qualified to be censors; those who are resolute and resourceful, who are not confused when encountering things and are wise enough to make decisions, and who are talented and can serve as the three auxiliary officials, can all be used by me. I will treat them with courtesy, entrust them with important tasks, and work together for great achievements." The voice of this order to seek talents was loud and firm, echoing in the court for a long time. Every word seemed to be the emperor's ardent expectation for the future of the country, and his desire for talents was as eager as a drought-stricken land longing for rain.

In the court, ministers bowed their heads, each with a myriad of thoughts in their minds. Those who harbored a deep desire to serve their country had a blazing light in their eyes, as if they saw a golden opportunity to fulfill their ambitions. Meanwhile, those who harbored doubts secretly speculated on the deeper intentions behind the emperor's actions.

At the same time, imperial edicts were dispatched like arrows to the various princes, provincial governors, and county governors. These edicts, like messengers of peace, carried the emperor's hopes and reassurances as they traveled to all corners of the country. One edict read: "I know that the princes, provincial governors, and county governors, each of whom holds a position in their respective regions, are all my loyal allies. I wish to work with you to bring peace to the world. I hope that you will prioritize the country, be loyal to the emperor and love the people, and protect the country and its people. I will generously reward you to honor your contributions."

In the second year of the Xingping reign, the situation was complex and volatile, like a turbulent sea, full of twists and turns. The news of Ma Chao's surrender in Xiliang spread like a swift wind, swiftly spreading across the land. The northwest was suddenly in turmoil, a world of turbulent change. With Ma Chao's surrender, the situation in the northwest gradually stabilized. By this time, only the remnants of Dong Zhuo's forces remained entrenched in Tianshui, like a trapped beast. Caught between the pincer attacks of Chang'an and Xiliang, they were already at the end of their strength, unable to mount a new attack.

The emperor keenly grasped this rare opportunity and decisively dispatched envoys to various regions. These envoys, bearing reassuring edicts, spread the emperor's grace and authority to every corner. At the same time, the emperor specifically informed the various princes of Ma Chao's surrender and his appointment as Marquis of Wei. This move was profoundly significant. On the one hand, it aimed to appease the princes and temporarily relinquish their rebellion against the court. In these turbulent times, the emperor employed a combination of kindness and power to stabilize various factions and buy precious time for national stability. On the other hand, it sent a strong and clear signal to the world that the emperor's power was no longer confined to Chang'an. With the northwest secured, the emperor's sphere of influence expanded, and his prestige significantly increased. This was undoubtedly a solemn declaration to the princes that if any rebellion arose, the emperor would have the strength to smite them.

However, those short-sighted county governors and provincial governors were blinded by the emperor's appeasement edict and happily immersed themselves in a false sense of security. They failed to discern the profound meaning behind it, mistakenly believing that the emperor's appeasement would mean long-term peace, and blindly became complacent with this temporary stability.

Those with true foresight, such as Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, and Tao Qian, had long been on the alert. They understood the profound purpose behind the emperor's actions and knew that in these turbulent times, only by continuously expanding their territory and suppressing dissidents could they maintain their footing in this volatile landscape. Cao Cao, with his vision as bright as the stars, actively planned in the north, recruiting talented individuals and vigorously preparing for war, intent on achieving hegemony. Yuan Shao, with his formidable power, was eyeing the opportunity to challenge the enemy in the great war for the Central Plains. Yuan Shu, ambitious and vying for the throne, aggressively expanded his influence. Liu Biao, ruling Jingzhou, protected the people while secretly accumulating strength. Despite his advanced age, Tao Qian, unwilling to be outdone, worked tirelessly to maintain his territory.

Amidst the torrent of history, various factions vie for supremacy. The emperor's decree, like a boulder dropped into a lake, stirs up waves. The stability of the northwest is only temporary; the situation across the country remains volatile. The future is filled with uncertainty and uncertainty, awaiting each faction to make difficult decisions and engage in fierce competition.

Across distant lands, the princes received the imperial edict with varying expressions. Some secretly considered their own interests, weighing whether to respond to the emperor's call; others, moved by the emperor's sincerity, began to consider how to contribute to the stability of the nation. Provincial governors and county magistrates also circulated the imperial edict, fully aware of the heavy responsibility they shouldered for their local areas. The emperor's words of comfort brought a touch of warmth and strengthened their resolve to maintain peace in their respective regions.

As the edicts seeking talented individuals and the pacification decrees spread widely, the entire Han Dynasty was stirred. Those talented individuals hidden among the people, upon hearing of the emperor's eagerness to seek talented individuals, eagerly prepared to embark on the journey to realize their dreams. Some well-read scholars began packing their bags, preparing to travel to the capital to showcase their talents; others, courageous and resourceful, also considered how to use their talents to serve the country.

Meanwhile, the emperor anxiously awaited the arrival of talented individuals. He knew that the rise and fall of a nation depended on the availability of talented individuals. Only by recruiting truly talented individuals could this turbulent dynasty return to stability and prosperity.

During this period, the emperor continued to treat Ma Chao of Xiliang with great courtesy and courtesy. This respect and kindness made Ma Chao deeply grateful for the emperor's grace and made him even more loyal.

In this turbulent situation, the emperor knew that he needed Ma Chao's strength to counter Gongsun Zan and wanted to use Ma Chao as a sword to resist the princes of the world. The emperor keenly saw Ma Chao's strengths - his dedication to the people and his respect for teachers. However, in his eyes, these strengths became weaknesses that could be exploited.

The emperor's favor and respect for Ma Chao grew, showering him with favors. He also increasingly relied on Lu Zhi, raising his status immeasurably. He deliberately cultivated an air of utmost respect for Lu Zhi in front of Ma Chao, creating a biased perception of him. These actions were entirely directed against Ma Chao. In the emperor's calculations, Ma Chao's strengths served as a perfect means of manipulation. As the saying goes, a gentleman can be deceived. The emperor's apparent trust and favor towards Ma Chao made everyone envy him. But behind the scenes, he secretly engaged in subtle maneuvers, leaving Ma Chao with no defense.

Ma Chao arrived in Chang'an with only 5,000 men. However, according to the highly-charged envoy, Wang Jie, the distant land of Western Liang harbored at least 200,000 elite cavalrymen, all of whom served as guards on the border. The emperor's calculations were profound and far-reaching. His intention was not merely to secure Ma Chao and his mere 5,000 men for his own use, but to entreat Ma Chao to fully contribute to Wei's campaign against those who rebelled against him. The emperor knew that if he could keep Ma Chao deeply enmeshed, he could exploit this situation and ensure a steady flow of Western Liang cavalrymen to Chang'an. Thus, the emperor could leverage Ma Chao and the might of the Western Liang cavalry to conquer the various vassal states and achieve his grand ambitions.

At the same time, the emperor outwardly treated Ma Chao with great courtesy, displaying his favor and respect. These actions seemed to signal to the world the importance of Ma Chao in his heart. The emperor hoped that, after Ma Chao's success, his reputation would become a burden. Even if Ma Chao felt dissatisfied with certain decisions made by the emperor and wanted to rebel, he would have to consider his own reputation and that of his master. After all, in this age where reputation is paramount, a person's reputation often hinges on their dignity and honor. As a loyal and righteous man, Ma Chao would naturally not take any action that would damage his own or his master's reputation. Therefore, the emperor's strategy, while seemingly ingenious, was actually quite complex.

Ma Chao may still be basking in the emperor's favor, unaware that he has become a pawn in the emperor's chess game. With deep scheming and strategic planning, the emperor meticulously plots, attempting to stabilize his position in this chaotic situation and achieve his political goals. But in this game of power, can Ma Chao decipher the emperor's schemes and escape his manipulation? It remains to be seen.

The emperor also had frequent interactions with the three brothers, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, especially with Lu Zhi. The emperor would frequently visit him, often under the pretext of visiting him. As a result, Madam Lu gradually became familiar with the emperor. The emperor was extremely respectful and unassuming, which pleased Madam Lu immensely, convincing her that the emperor was indeed a wise ruler.

However, the only person causing the emperor distress was Gongsun Zan's daughter, Consort Gongsun. She treated the emperor with relentless malice, repeatedly causing trouble. She fought for the right to speak in every matter, big or small, within the harem, and insisted on interfering in everything. Though displeased, Emperor Liu Bian remained composed, skillfully manipulating Consort Gongsun into displaying her domineering side in front of Lu Zhi and the Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. Witnessing this, Lu Zhi and the Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were all displeased with Consort Gongsun. They believed Gongsun Zan had failed to properly educate his daughter, causing unrest in the emperor's harem, and even expressed discontent with Gongsun Zan.

Emperor Liu Bian's strategy not only exposed Consort Gongsun's arrogance to the public but also weakened Gongsun Zan's reputation. Amidst this complex situation, the emperor, with his wit and strategy, skillfully balanced the various forces, quietly working for the stability and revival of the Han Dynasty. The turmoil in the harem also became a subtle bargaining chip in the emperor's dealings with Gongsun Zan.