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

The court assembly at Deyang Hall.

The bell tolled inside the hall, its sound echoing around the beams and pillars.

Liu Bian knelt on the throne of the crown prince with his eyes lowered, glancing out of the corner of his eye at his father, the emperor, whose crown remained perfectly still.

Beside him, the attendant drawled out the words, chanting loudly, "Come—"

Civil and military officials entered the ranks in turn, their hats and tassels like a forest, their armor plates like scales.

The atmosphere today is different from usual—the Yellow Turbans are still around, and the people of the capital are filled with fear.

Liu Bian lowered his eyes, but in his heart he was silently counting down: It's time for someone to speak up today.

really.

In the procession, General He Jin stepped forward, holding a memorial in his hands, his voice booming like a bell:

"Your Majesty, Guangzong has been besieged for a long time without success. Dong Zhuo's urgent attack has resulted in heavy losses, and the enemy's momentum has not diminished. I fear that if this continues for too long, the morale of the army will collapse. I request Your Majesty to select another capable general to pacify the northern frontier."

Emperor Ling of Han did not respond immediately.

Liu Bian did not look up, but he felt a series of gazes falling on him.

He remained kneeling, his back straight, his gaze fixed on the floor tiles in front of him, as if he hadn't heard anything.

"Choose another capable general?" Emperor Ling's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. "General, who do you think can replace him?"

He Jin paused, then said in a deep voice:

"I dare not make a recommendation. But I have heard that Lu Zhi, while in prison, still asks every day, 'How is the army?' Although he has been impeached, his heart is still on the battlefield."

A slight commotion arose inside the hall.

Liu Bian's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Emperor Ling of Han did not speak, seemingly waiting for something.

Another person stepped out of the train.

Yang Qi, an advisor to the emperor. He was Yang Biao's uncle and an elder of the Hongnong Yang clan.

He was no young, his hair was gray, but his back was ramrod straight. He held the memorial above his head, his voice aged yet clear:

"Your Majesty, this old minister dares to speak a word on behalf of Lu Zhi."

Emperor Ling of Han raised an eyebrow: "Speak."

"Lu Zhi besieged Guangzong for two months, not because he was incapable of fighting, but because he could not bear to fight."

Yang Qi said slowly.

"At that time, Zhang Jiao's food supplies were running out, and there were already rumors in the city that people were exchanging children to eat. Lu Zhi built high walls and did not fight, which was to let them fall into chaos and save the lives of his soldiers."

He raised his head and looked directly at the throne:

"I have no relation to Lu Zhi, but we were classmates at the Imperial Academy and I saw him when he was studying—he was calm, resolute, and resourceful, not eager for quick success or personal gain. Such a person would not harm the country."

Emperor Ling of Han tapped on the table, looked at Liu Bian, and was about to speak.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall. The attendant led a man into the hall—a courier, holding a scroll of urgent news sealed with wax.

"Good news from Yu Province—General Huangfu Xihua has decisively defeated Peng Tuo, and the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Yu Province has been largely quelled!"

The hall shook violently.

Emperor Ling of Han took the report, unfolded it, and glanced at it. He suddenly stopped at the end.

He raised his head and glanced at Liu Bian again.

This glance was longer than the last one.

Then he handed the report to the attendant: "Read it."

The attendant took it and read it aloud:

"...Your subject Huangfu Song bows: In the Battle of Xihua, thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune, Peng Tuo was beheaded."

"However, I have heard that the siege of Guangzong has not been lifted and Dong Zhuo has launched a hasty attack, resulting in heavy losses. I believe that the siege of Guangzong was not due to Lu Zhi being falsely accused, and the city would have already fallen. I served as a general in the same court as Lu Zhi and know his abilities."

"If Your Majesty allows him to atone for his crimes through meritorious service, I am willing to join him in defeating Zhang Jiao and achieving complete victory."

After the last sentence was read, the hall fell completely silent.

Three memorials to the throne.

He Jin, Yang Qi, and Huangfu Song.

Same day, same person.

"Bian'er".

Emperor Ling of Han finally spoke.

"Your subject is here."

"What do you think?" Emperor Ling of Han asked. "Should Lu Zhi be released?"

Liu Bian kept his eyes lowered, his voice low but steady:

"Your subject dares not presume to discuss military affairs."

Emperor Ling of Han looked at him: "Are you afraid to speak rashly? Or do you simply not want to speak?"

Liu Bian raised his head, his gaze calm:

"Your Majesty asked, and I answered. I believe that Your Majesty will make your own wise decision regarding Lu Zhi's matter."

"Your subject is young and unaware of the details of the military situation. I dare not confuse Your Majesty with hearsay."

After he finished speaking, he lowered his eyes and said no more.

The hall remained quiet for a long time.

Emperor Ling of Han suddenly laughed.

The laughter was very soft, and it was impossible to tell whether it was from happiness or something else.

"Issue the decree." He spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly heard by everyone.

"Lu Zhi has been falsely accused. He shall be released immediately and reinstated as General of the Northern Army. He shall go to Guangzong immediately to replace Dong Zhuo in commanding troops."

He paused, then added:

"Let Dong Zhuo be demoted to deputy general and placed under Lu Zhi's command."

The court session has ended.

Officials filed out, their footsteps a cacophony of sounds.

Liu Bian stood up and followed the crowd, walking out step by step.

Just as I reached the palace entrance, a voice suddenly came from behind me:

"Bian'er".

Liu Bian paused, then turned around.

Emperor Ling of Han remained seated on his throne, motionless. His crown obscured his eyes, revealing only the lower half of his face.

"You've done very well these past few days," he said.

It was impossible to tell whether those words were a compliment or something else.

Liu Bian bowed and said, "Your subject takes his leave."

He turned and walked out of Deyang Palace.

The wind blew in, chilling him to the bone. Only then did he realize that his back was already soaked with sweat.

-

Three days later, Lu Zhi left the capital.

The wind blew in through the city gate, carrying the smell of snow and yellow earth.

The prison cart was replaced with an ordinary light carriage, and the soldiers escorting him were replaced with his own personal guards.

He sat in the car, his face calm, but his gaze kept sweeping towards the city gate tower.

On the city wall, there were many figures, all of them soldiers guarding the city and officials coming and going.

But Lu Zhi knew that the person he was looking for wasn't there.

He lowered his eyes, suddenly recalling that morning three days ago, when he walked out of the Court of Justice's separate office—

The snow had just stopped that day, and a thin layer of white had accumulated on the ground.

He stood at the door, waiting for his personal guards to bring his horse. The man who came to fetch him was Zhao Cen, one of his former subordinates who had retired from the army due to injury and had served as a retainer in his household for several years.

Upon hearing of his release, he rushed over from outside the city early this morning.

When Zhao Cen led the horse over, Lu Zhi was looking down at the medicine packet in his hand.

He clutched that medicine packet all the way, and the two characters "Tian Shang" on the seal had been worn slightly blurry by his fingertips.

"General," Zhao Cen handed over the reins, "the carriage and horses are ready. Shall we return to the manor to rest first, or...?"

Lu Zhi didn't take the reins, but simply handed the medicine packet to him, as if asking casually:

"Tian Shang—have you heard of him?"

Zhao Cen paused for a moment, glanced at the two words, and then smiled:

"The general is probably referring to the Heavenly Merchant Guild, isn't he?"

Lu Zhi looked up at him.

As Zhao Cen adjusted his saddle, he said:

"This goes back several years—the Heavenly Chamber of Commerce was established by our Crown Prince."

"Initially it was called the Tongsheng Association, specializing in novelties like paper, soap, and rock candy. Later, His Majesty took it back and renamed it the Tianshang Association, placing it under the management of the Grand Minister of Agriculture, Cao Song."

Lu Zhi's brow twitched: "Your Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Yes." Zhao Cen tightened the saddle and patted it.

"General, you've been back in your hometown for many years, so it's normal that you're not familiar with some things in the capital. But our Crown Prince is truly an extraordinary person."

Lu Zhi didn't reply, he just looked at him.

Zhao Cen started talking non-stop:

"Back when I was in the army, all I knew was fighting."

"Later, after I retired from the army, I slowly heard that this prince entered the palace at the age of seven and was made crown prince at the age of eight. Guess what? He actually survived in the palace and did quite well. Even Zhang Rang and his ilk had to treat him with great respect."

He lowered his voice and leaned closer:

"I heard that the Crown Prince's influence was behind Zhao Zhong's downfall."

"And there's also the Party Prohibitions—did you know? A few days ago, when the Party Prohibitions were lifted, three memorials were submitted on the same day by Lü Qiang, Kong Rong, and Yang Biao."

"It's being said that the person in charge is the Crown Prince."

Lu Zhi's fingers tightened slightly.

"How old is the Crown Prince this year?"

"Eleven, I reckon it'll be twelfth soon," Zhao Cen sighed.

"Eleven years old. When I was eleven, I was still catching loaches in the fields."

He handed the reins back to him and said with a smile, "General, get in the carriage. It's freezing cold, don't catch a cold."

Lu Zhi took the reins and mounted the horse.

His horse's hooves pounded through the snow as it headed towards the north gate. After walking a dozen steps, he suddenly turned back and glanced at the gate of the Court of Justice's branch office.

The two black lacquered doors were already closed.

But in the snow at the entrance, there were two lines of fresh footprints—one line was his, and the other was left by the official from the Court of Justice who had just seen him out.

The subordinate was extremely polite to him. Too polite, in fact.

Lu Zhi withdrew his gaze and did not say another word.

But something in his heart had settled down.

-

The carriage left the city gate and traveled two miles north.

Sanli.

Five li.

The accompanying personal guard urged his horse forward: "General, it's windy. Should we stop and rest?"

Lu Zhi did not respond.

He simply turned around suddenly and glanced in the direction of Luoyang.

I stared at that one glance for a long time.

The city walls had blurred into a gray line, and the city towers were even less visible. Yet he stared in that direction, motionless.

Then he stood up, straightened his clothes in the carriage, and bowed deeply towards Luoyang.

The personal guard captain was stunned: "General?"

Lu Zhi straightened up without explaining.

He simply said in a low voice:

"Let's go."

The chariot restarted, rolled over the frozen ground, and headed north.

-

Outside Luoyang city, on an inconspicuous earthen slope.

Liu Bian stood there, wearing an ordinary gray-brown short coat, with the brim of his hat pulled low.

He watched the car drive further and further away, watched the figure stand up in the car, and then bend down again.

The wind rushed into his collar, chilling him to the bone. Yet he remained motionless.

Xun Yu stood half a step behind him without saying a word.

After a long silence, Liu Bian suddenly spoke:

"He knew it was me."

Xun Yu said softly, "He knows."

Liu Bian did not speak again.

He just stood there, watching the car disappear into the gray horizon.

Then he turned around and walked down.

"Let's go back."