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

With the gates of the Eastern Palace now secured, Cao Cao received his orders and withdrew.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

The eunuch standing nearby wrote down the conversation and appointments that had just taken place and handed them to Liu Bian.

Liu Bian reached out and took it, glanced at it briefly, nodded, and then handed it to Xun Yu.

Xun Yu held the booklet and examined it very carefully.

About an incense stick's time later, Xun Yu finished reading and returned the booklet to the eunuch. He looked up at Liu Bian and said softly:

"Your Highness's move today, while feasible, is somewhat hasty."

"The affairs of gatekeeping are to be left to foreign officials... I fear this may bring disaster."

Liu Bian did not answer, but instead asked:

"What do you think of Cao Mengde after seeing him today?"

Xun Yu was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:

"His talent is usable, but his mind is difficult to train."

He looked up at Liu Bian and continued:

"As I observe him, he appears respectful on the outside, but in reality he conceals his sharpness. He doesn't speak much, but every word he utters is meaningful, focusing on the three words 'feasible, feasible, and decisive.'"

"Such people dislike empty fame, dislike empty formalities, and are unwilling to be driven by others. If you try to bind them with favors, they may not accept it; if you try to suppress them with power, they will rebel sooner or later."

"Therefore, I have a question: Your Highness, what was the matter that you promised Cao Mengde earlier?"

Liu Bian remained noncommittal until finally speaking, replying:

"Sir, Cao Cao is a man of great talent."

"Moreover, I am confident that Cao Cao will not rebel."

"He is very particular about rules and titles."

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu said no more and nodded: "Good."

-

In the afternoon, another person arrived at Changqiu Palace.

The newcomer was none other than Zhang Rang, the head of the Ten Attendants.

"This servant congratulates Your Highness the Crown Prince." Zhang Rang entered the hall, his manners impeccable, yet the angle of his bow concealed a seasoned confidence. "Your Highness established rules last night and set curfews today; the atmosphere of the Eastern Palace is quite different now."

Liu Bian was slightly taken aback. Zhang Rang already knew about what had happened this morning?

"Zhang Changshi truly has connections that reach the heavens."

Zhang Rang lowered his head slightly and cupped his hands, saying, "This servant dares not, but eunuchs all exchange things with each other, and I am an old acquaintance of Cao Song."

Liu Bian stopped pursuing the matter, nodded, and said:

"What brings Zhang Changshi here today?"

Zhang Rang smiled slightly, but did not speak immediately. He first raised his hand and presented an item—a small wooden tablet with a few lines of writing on it. The handwriting was not neat, but it was the style of the eunuchs commonly used in the palace.

"These are the responses and suggestions of the various attendants in the Deyang Palace yesterday when the eunuch received the Empress Dowager's edict," Zhang Rang said casually. "We servants always have to be careful when we're working in the inner court."

Liu Bian picked up the wooden tablet and looked at it, his eyes widening in surprise.

It's written very clearly above: who spoke first and who pressured others first in that instant yesterday.

More importantly, Zhang Rang even wrote down the conversation that took place in Zhangde Hall the day before: it was about who first brought up the phrase "His Majesty's mind is made up," giving Emperor Ling of Han a way out, a way to maneuver, and a sense of confidence.

Zhang Rang didn't write "This is what I did," but every word he wrote told Liu Bian:

—The establishment of the crown prince was so smooth, thanks to my efforts, Zhang Rang.

Liu Bian knew in his heart that this was Zhang Rang's record of merits.

Liu Bian sneered inwardly.

Zhang Rang isn't afraid you'll know about this achievement; he's afraid you'll pretend you don't.

If you pretend not to know, it's tantamount to telling all those who surrendered that you don't acknowledge their contributions or remember their kindness.

People's hearts easily fall apart.

Liu Bian raised his head, his tone neither warm nor cold, but very clear:

"I remember."

Zhang Rang's eyelids twitched, and he immediately prostrated himself even lower: "Your Highness is wise. This servant has only done his part."

Liu Bian stopped beating around the bush: "What kind of reward do you want?"

Zhang Rang then looked up, his smile concealing his arrogance: "Now that the Crown Prince has been established and the rules are in place, Your Majesty has permitted me to recommend someone to enter the Crown Prince's palace as a Central Eunuch, in charge of issuing edicts. I am deeply grateful."

He paused for a moment, afraid that he might have said too much and offended someone.

"However, as the Crown Prince, Your Highness needs a personal attendant to attend to your daily needs, relay messages, and provide support at night. This person is not involved in external affairs or finances; they simply serve Your Highness. Most importantly, they are loyal."

"I dare to recommend one more person."

"His name is Wang Ming."

"I can assure you that this man is one of Your Majesty's most trusted confidants, without exception."

One more person.

It may not seem like much, but the word "close to the body" was enough to send chills down Empress He's spine.

Liu Bian did not agree immediately.

He looked down and tapped his fingers inside his sleeve.

He certainly knew what a personal eunuch meant.

But he also knew that Zhang Rang's move was most likely not to get his own spies, but more likely to say: I can put people by your side.

This is a symbol of power, a sense of security for those who surrender, and also the bottom line for the eunuch clique.

If Liu Bian refuses, Zhang Rang certainly won't say much on the surface, but no one can guarantee whether he will do anything else underhanded afterward.

Liu Bian slowly raised his head, like a child forced to "behave," his tone still gentle, yet concealing a knife:

"Can."

A glint of joy flashed in Zhang Rang's eyes.

Liu Bian added:

"But when Wang Ming enters the Eastern Palace, he can only serve as an attendant. He is not allowed to handle documents, inquire about money and provisions, or convey oral orders. All orders to leave the Eastern Palace must be accompanied by a tally and a register."

"If he makes a mistake, don't blame me for not giving you, Zhang Changshi, any face."

Zhang Rang kowtowed: "This servant obeys. If Wang Ming makes even the slightest mistake, Your Highness may punish him accordingly."

"Go," Liu Bian said calmly. "Send the person here and let the Empress Dowager see him first."

When Zhang Rang retreated, his steps were slightly lighter than when he arrived.

He got the "signal" he wanted.

The Crown Prince also records merits and rewards them accordingly.

After Zhang Rang left, Xun Yu finally spoke:

"Your Highness is right. Refusal is the worst possible outcome."

Liu Bian shook his head: "Agreeing won't be a good return."

He paused, lowering his voice:

"But... after agreeing, I want him to know that the rules of the Crown Prince's Palace are stricter than his own people."

Xun Yu's eyes flickered slightly: "What rules does Your Highness wish to establish?"

Liu Bian looked at the books on the table and suddenly said:

"Now that there are more people in the Eastern Palace, there are also more mouths to feed. From now on, when it comes to getting things done, we can't rely on my word or his word."

"It depends on the entries."

"It depends on the name and registration."

"We need to rely on ten-day reports."

Xun Yu nodded slightly: "Follow the name and hold the reality accountable."

Liu Bian hummed in agreement, but in his mind he had already set his sights on something else entirely.

Guo Sheng's power has waned.

He brought Cao Song into the game in order to compete with Zhang Rang for a lead.

But now that Zhang Rang has obtained a personal guard position, it's like planting a flag in the Eastern Palace.

If Guo Sheng doesn't have any new bargaining chips, he will soon be squeezed into a corner.

What Liu Bian needed was a balance.

Two eunuch factions need to check and balance each other, so that neither can become too powerful.

What's needed even more is to keep the "path to wealth" within the system, rather than in the hands of any one person.

Thinking of this, he turned to look at Xun Yu:

"Sir, the annual expenses for the Crown Prince's palace have been determined, and the account books have been established. I would like to add one more clause—"

"All expenses for the Crown Prince's palace are divided into three categories: regular expenses, emergency expenses, and special expenses. Regular expenses are paid according to the monthly allowance, emergency expenses are paid according to the specific circumstances, and special expenses must be approved by both the Empress Dowager and me."

"Report every ten days, and verify every month."

"Signature of the person who handled the matter".

"All entry and exit are permitted by credentials."

A hint of approval flashed in Xun Yu's eyes: "In this way, the 'assessment' of the Crown Prince's success begins."

Liu Bian nodded: "Add one more."

He raised his finger and gently tapped it on the paper:

"Anyone who recommends someone for the Eastern Palace—whether it is Zhang Rang, Guo Sheng, Cao Song, or an official from the outer court—must write down the reasons for the recommendation and keep a copy."

"If anything goes wrong in the future, we will hold those responsible accountable according to the case file."

Xun Yu was slightly taken aback, then cupped his hands and said:

"Your Highness's intelligence is something I have never seen before."

He had never seen such intelligence in a child under ten years old.

The entire Xun clan did not have it either.

Liu Bian smiled slightly and returned the greeting:

"Under the teacher's guidance, I was influenced by what I saw and heard."

Then, he changed the subject:

"As for Guo Sheng... have Cao Song 'make more connections' with him."

Xun Yu pondered for a moment and understood: "Use Cao Song's money to stabilize Guo Sheng's position, and at the same time let Guo Sheng know that he can live because the Crown Prince holds the bargaining chips he can provide."

He knew in his heart that this was His Highness's method of checks and balances, and as his teacher, he was very satisfied.