Chapter 15

Seeing the solemn expressions on everyone's faces, His Highness lowered his head in deep thought, and Liu Bian also did not speak up to remind. The imperial palace is where the sovereign resides and where officials hold court; therefore, the commander of the Han Huben Army guarding the palace must be someone absolutely loyal to himself, only then can the palace's safety be assured.

Everyone present lowered their heads in thought; recommending this person is not easy—if the recommendation does not meet Liu Bian's wishes, it would be a loss outweighing the gain. After all, Liu Bian's prestige is now too great; all of Dong Zhuo's rebel factions were killed by Liu Bian alone, and no one dares to offend Liu Bian at such a time.

Approximately half a quarter-hour later, Cao Cao stepped forward, expression solemn, and bowed to Liu Bian, saying: "Your Majesty, I recommend my clan brother Xiahou Dun to serve as commander of the Huben Army; this person is extremely loyal to the Han, possesses great martial strength, and has the valor to withstand ten thousand—he is fit for the position of Huben Army commander."

"Xiahou Dun! If Xiahou Dun were to serve as commander of the Huben Army, that would not be impossible; for now, there truly is no better candidate." Upon hearing Cao Cao recommend Xiahou Dun, Liu Bian also felt Xiahou Dun was more suitable.

"Xiahou Dun, since you, my beloved minister, have recommended this person for commander of the Huben Army, Xiahou Dun must have extraordinary ability; I trust Cao Cao's ability to discern talent," Liu Bian expressed a look of trust, solemnly gazing at His Highness Cao Cao and said.

Cao Cao heard Liu Bian show no hesitation, then agreed; Cao Cao's heart was deeply moved, and Cao Cao swore to die in loyalty to Liu Bian, proving Cao Cao had chosen the right person, deeply favored by Liu Bian, feeling the sentiment of a scholar dying for one who truly knows him.

"Summon Xiahou Dun!" Liu Bian did not know what His Highness Cao Cao was thinking inside; he only knew that, after this maneuver, Cao Cao's loyalty would surely increase greatly.

"Summon Xiahou Dun into the hall!" Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng shouted loudly toward the outside of the hall.

tap tap tap

Approximately more than ten breaths later, a heavy footsteps sound came from outside the hall; shortly after, a figure about seven feet tall, clad in black battle armor, appearing about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, strode heavily into the hall, gazing up at the exalted Liu Bian on the high terrace, expression solemn, a flicker of excitement in the eyes, respectfully dropped to one knee and saluted: "Junior General Xiahou Dun pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"Rise." Liu Bian saw the tension flash across the solemn face of His Highness Xiahou Dun, the corners of his mouth slightly lifting as he smiled and said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Seeing His Highness Xiahou Dun rise, Liu Bian said: "Just now, beloved minister Cao Cao recommended you to serve as commander guarding the palace's Huben Army; I trust Cao Cao's judgment, effective immediately, I appoint Xiahou Dun as Grand General of the Huben Army, Fourth Rank."

"I will obey the decree; as junior general, I will surely not fail Your Majesty's trust and will guard the palace well." Xiahou Dun said with a solemn face.

"Are there any memorials still to be presented?" Liu Bian saw that no one below stepped forward, and with a solemn gaze he surveyed the crowd and asked.

"We have no memorials to present!" the civil and military officials below bowed in unison, clasped their fists, and shouted in unison.

"Your memorials are finished; now it is my turn. Since Dong Zhuo and the rebels entered the capital, the Han Empire's prestige has been utterly lost, the people of Luoyang suffer beyond endurance, fewer than half of the feudal lords of the Han Empire's thirteen provinces remain loyal to the Han house; now, having just restored order in Luoyang, the court lies in ruin awaiting revival, the foremost task is to restore the Han Empire's prestige, so that the people of the world may again hope in the court and settle the people's livelihood; I hope you, my beloved ministers, will work together to revive the Han's glorious age." Liu Bian stood before the high terrace's Dragon Throne and spoke with fervor and high spirit.

"Your Majesty, sage and mighty, we, for the Han's glorious age, will devote ourselves utterly until death!" the officials below His Highness shouted in unison with excitement.

"Good, I trust your abilities; then let us discuss how to recover the remaining territories of the Han." Liu Bian gazed solemnly at the officials below His Highness and said solemnly.

"For now, we have already grasped Luoyang; there is no major change in the Sili region; later we can send a capable officer to take over it. However, the other provinces and commanderies are not so simple; since I ascended the throne, ambitious warlords among the feudal lords have frequently appeared, and we still do not know how many remain loyal to the Han house." Liu Bian spoke sentimentally to the officials.

"We are incapable; please punish us, Your Majesty!" the officials said lowly, faces full of shame.

"It's fine; this is not something you can control. For now, first settle the people's affairs in Luoyang." Liu Bian waved his hand at the crowd below and said lightly.

"Furthermore, I feel the court lacks talent; I have decided to post a Recruitment Proclamation within the Han Empire: any subject of the Han Empire who possesses a skill may be employed. This task I entrust to beloved minister Lu Zhi." Liu Bian said to Lu Zhi.

At present, these ministers, aside from a few, are basically unusable; thus Liu Bian thought to gather the talents of the Three Kingdoms period, seeing if he could collect them in one sweep, using the authority of the Han Empire's emperor, surely he could win the loyalty of many talents.

This matter of unifying the world admits no negligence; in Liu Bian's thoughts, resolving it without force is best.

"Your Majesty, at present there is no commander to guard Sili, Hangu Pass, and Hulao Pass; I humbly request that Your Majesty send a Grand General to guard them." Grand Marshal Yang Biao stepped forward, bowed, and said with a solemn expression.

"What Senior Minister Yang Biao, the elder beloved minister, said is correct; since Lü Bu slew the commanders of the Xiliang Army, the vacancy left by those originally guarding this place has been properly filled with personnel." Liu Bian approved greatly of Yang Biao's words.

"Lü Bu, hear my command! I hereby appoint your subordinates Zang Ba and Hao Meng as commanders to guard Hulao Pass; I appoint Cao Xing and Cheng Lian as commanders to guard Hangu Pass, each leading a thousand troops; after court adjourns, I will issue an imperial decree to help them smoothly take over the troops of the two passes." Liu Bian said in a low voice to Lü Bu below.

"I will obey the decree." Lü Bu strode out, clasped his fists, and responded loudly.

"As for Sili, for now let Zhang Liao take charge of its defense; after taking over Sili, the forces can be reinforced to a hundred thousand; one month later, we will recover Bingzhou, and everyone must cooperate fully. As for the needed warhorses, after Bingzhou is recovered, you may allocate them yourself." Liu Bian said to Zhang Liao below.

The military officers below, upon hearing this, all looked at Zhang Liao with envy; one must know that the imperial capital Luoyang is also in Sili, and furthermore they must expand the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry to a hundred thousand.

"As junior general receiving the order, I will surely not fail Your Majesty's trust!" Zhang Liao exclaimed excitedly to Liu Bian. He was originally a minor officer under Lü Bu's Bingzhou Army; fortunately gaining Liu Bian's favor, he is now the commander of fifty thousand Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, and furthermore being highly valued by Liu Bian, garrisoning the important Sili region and expanding the army to a hundred thousand—truly exhilarating. One must know that the imperial capital Luoyang is also in Sili; from this it can be seen generally.

"Now that everything has been said, I have something good to give you!" Having finished speaking, Liu Bian gave the officials below His Highness a mysterious smile.

"Do you still retain an impression of the Divine Dragon that I initially summoned?"