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

Chapter 119 Swiftness and Speed

More than half a month later, the Liangzhou Daily entered the capital again.

This time, it's not just "suppressed by more than half".

It's almost completely crushed.

In the Deyang Palace, after the attendant loudly read out the victory report, there was a moment of silence in the hall. It wasn't that no one wanted to speak, but rather that at this point, Dong Zhuo's achievements could no longer be simply dismissed with a word like "commendable."

On the dragon throne, Emperor Ling of Han looked at the military report, his expression more relaxed than in recent days.

"With Liangzhou pacified, I can finally feel half at ease."

After saying this, he actually pulled the military report closer to the desk.

Many people in the hall saw this action.

The emperor's attitude towards Dong Zhuo could no longer be summed up by the word "usable".

Sure enough, someone stepped forward very quickly.

"Your Majesty, Dong Zhongying has repeatedly pacified Liangzhou, accumulating numerous military achievements. His merits deserve a substantial reward, and his talents cannot be fully utilized without a significant responsibility. I request that he be further honored and rewarded, so that the court will not fail to recognize the merits of this general!"

"I second that proposal!"

"Liangzhou had been in turmoil for a long time, but it was pacified in just a few months, thanks to Dong Zhuo's military expertise and decisiveness. Such a talented general should be treated well and his loyalty should not be discouraged."

Immediately, voices of agreement arose one after another.

But this time, the situation in the hall was no longer one-sided.

Soon, General He Jin slowly stepped forward.

"Dong Zhuo has rendered meritorious service and should be rewarded."

"However, if the border generals are highly meritorious and the troops are all under their command, it may not be a blessing for the country if they are rewarded and given important positions without restraint."

"I believe that we should reward their merits, but not unleash their full power. Perhaps we could choose an opportune moment to transfer some of their elite troops back to the central government, or divide their forces, or transfer their duties, so that their merits and power do not become equally excessive."

These words immediately created a subtle atmosphere in the hall.

Liu Bian stood on the throne of the crown prince, but did not rush to speak.

On his throne, Emperor Ling of Han listened to the argument between the two sides, his brows furrowing and relaxing, but he never showed any real displeasure.

Because this was the knife he was most proud of at that moment, and the one he was most reluctant to break.

After a long pause, he finally raised his hand.

The hall fell silent immediately.

"Dong Zhongying has rendered meritorious service and should be rewarded."

"As for how to reward them, and to what extent—"

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials in the hall. His voice was not loud, but he had already suppressed his tone.

"We'll discuss this later."

This is not a decision.

But that's already an attitude.

At least for today, no one can force Dong Zhuo to back down while he's in high spirits.

After the court session ended, the court officials filed out.

As was customary, Liu Bian waited for all the officials to leave before departing himself.

He didn't say much in the hall just now, partly because he didn't want to add fuel to the fire for Dong Zhuo, and partly because he wanted to see just how much his father valued him now.

Now it seems that it is half a point heavier than he originally expected.

As most people left, Deyang Palace gradually emptied out.

Emperor Ling of Han remained seated on his throne, with the report of victory in Liangzhou still pressed against his hand. He looked extremely pleased, even showing a rare air of triumph.

"This group of people always complains about how difficult it is to resolve border issues, but now that someone has actually resolved them, they all come to teach me how to use people."

He chuckled softly, as if he were in a very good mood.

Liu Bian stood below the steps, not responding immediately, but simply bowing his head slightly in response to the smile.

But the smile on Emperor Ling's face suddenly froze for a moment.

He raised his hand to his chest and coughed softly twice.

The cough was initially manageable, but by the third cough, it became noticeably muffled, as if something was blocking the chest, causing the person's shoulders and back to tremble slightly. It took quite a while before the person could catch their breath.

Liu Bian's heart sank, and he immediately took two steps forward.

"Father?"

Emperor Ling of Han raised his hand as if to say it was alright, but his voice was hoarseer than usual when it came out.

"It's nothing."

"I guess he didn't sleep well last night, and he talked a lot more today."

Liu Bian did not retreat.

"Someone come here."

"Go and invite Hua Yuanhua."

Emperor Ling of Han frowned, as if he thought he was making a mountain out of a molehill.

"I said it's nothing."

"It's just taking a pulse, nothing much," Liu Bian said, his tone still steady, without backing down in the slightest.

"Yuanhua is a renowned physician of our time. Let him take a look, and I will feel at ease."

Emperor Ling of Han glanced at him, but ultimately did not stop him.

Before long, Hua Tuo was brought into the palace.

Liu Bian stepped aside.

"Yuanhua, show this to Father."

Hua Tuo responded and stepped forward to take the patient's pulse.

He examined the right hand first, then the left hand, and then asked to observe the complexion and tongue color. Finally, he even leaned down to listen to the breathing several times. The whole process was unhurried, which gradually suppressed Emperor Ling's initial impatience.

After a long while, Hua Tuo finally withdrew his hand.

Liu Bian spoke first: "How is it?"

Hua Tuo did not answer immediately, but after a moment's thought, he slowly said, "Your Majesty's illness is not something that developed overnight."

"It is caused by accumulated fatigue and internal depletion, resulting in stagnation in the chest and obstruction of Qi. Normally, it can be suppressed, but once one is mentally exhausted, angry, indulges in lust, or sleeps too little, it is easy for Qi to rise up to the chest and manifest as a cough."

Emperor Ling of Han frowned slightly upon hearing this, but he didn't find it offensive. He simply asked in a deep voice, "Is it too heavy?"

Hua Tuo lowered his head and said, "We are not yet at the critical stage."

"But if we continue like this, without any restraint or care, things will get complicated over time, and the consequences could be dire."

As Liu Bian listened, his heart sank even further.

Hua Tuo prescribed several more formulas, not the mild tonics of ordinary imperial physicians, but rather his own unique prescriptions: to relieve chest congestion, resolve stagnation, regulate qi, and supplement with several rules such as moderation of desire, reduction of labor, less anger, and early rest, explaining each point in great detail.

Although Emperor Ling of Han did not fully heed his advice, he at least did not outwardly refute it.

Liu Bian personally received the prescription and ordered someone to make a separate copy, which was then given to the eunuch to prepare.

Once everything was in order, he personally escorted Hua Tuo out of the hall.

The two took a few steps forward, and the wind picked up a bit more at the foot of the steps.

Liu Bian was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Yuanhua, I asked you to go and check on Xuande's side earlier, but let's hold off for now."

"Don't rush to leave Beijing in the next few days."

Hua Tuo paused slightly, then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Does Your Highness still intend to use me?"

"Perhaps." Liu Bian paused.

"I hope I'm just overthinking it."

After listening, Hua Tuo didn't ask any further questions, but simply cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your subject understands."

As Liu Bian watched Hua Tuo's retreating figure, his heart grew heavier and heavier.

Dong Zhuo's condition worsened.

However, the Emperor may not be able to maintain control of the situation as he used to.

The situation is critical.

As soon as Liu Bian returned to Chengde Hall, he saw Xun Huo already waiting in the hall.

"Your Highness, I have heard that His Majesty seems to be unwell?"

"What does Yuanhua mean?"

"It's not an acute illness," Liu argued, "but it's not one that can be ignored indefinitely either."

Xun paused for a moment, then nodded.

Liu Bian suddenly changed the subject.

"Wenruo".

"We need to mobilize military power."

Xun Huo's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately understood what he meant.

"Your Highness means the West Garden?"

"Yes," Liu replied.

"Dong Zhuo is growing stronger with each battle, and the Emperor is increasingly favoring him. If one day we really have to use border defense to control border defense and generals to control generals, it will be too late to find someone at the last minute."

Xun Huo thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "Gongsun Bogui did indeed take the initiative."

"But having the first move is one thing, but it's not enough now."

"That's right." Liu Bian nodded. "So next, instead of looking for him, we should mention him."

"Give him experience, give him military merits, and give him a real opportunity to win people's respect."

"At the very least, we need to make the people in the West Garden realize that his knife isn't just for show."

Xun looked at Liu Bian.

"Does Your Highness intend to use the West Garden to push him forward further?"

Liu Bian walked to the window and said slowly, "This knife needs to be sharpened."

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