Having initially thought of a way to deal with Dong Zhuo, He Xian's anxiously pounding heart finally eased a bit. Just then, however, the Nameless Strongman beside him wore an expression of shame. He Xian glanced over and immediately understood something.
Because He Xian was the host, the system would notify him early that the Nameless Strongman could not stay here for long. But for the Nameless Strongman himself, the system probably only gave him this prompt at the very last moment.
Thus, He Xian immediately spoke to the Nameless Strongman, saying, 'Brave Man, do you have other matters that need attending to?'
Upon hearing He Xian's words, the Nameless Strongman instantly understood that He Xian had long known he could not stay. He immediately clasped his hands in gratitude and said, 'I am truly ashamed. I suddenly remembered there are still some chores at home that need handling. However, since I have pledged my loyalty to you, young master, I will certainly not go back on my word!'
Gazing at the Nameless Strongman's heroic and sincere face, and the righteous spirit flashing in his eyes, He Xian instantly made a decision in his heart: in the future, whenever he had the chance, he must permanently keep this Nameless Strongman by his side! Such a righteous and exceptionally powerful warrior, leaving him in that ghostly place of the underworld was simply a waste!
Unfortunately, the timing was not right yet. He Xian could only painfully continue his lie, saying, 'If that's the case, Brave Man, you may first return home to handle your affairs. Once I have survived this crisis, I will spare no effort to seek you out and welcome you with utmost sincerity!' After speaking, He Xian extended a hand, solemnly and firmly declaring, 'A gentleman's word!'
'Is as good as gold!' The Nameless Strongman fiercely slapped palms with He Xian, and the two could not help but look at each other and laugh.
Just then, He Xian suddenly heard that cold, metallic voice in his head again: Gained the attention of Cao Cao, an important figure of the Late Han and Three Kingdoms period. prestige points increased to 100.
This abrupt notification immediately made He Xian turn his gaze toward Cao Cao. That glance suddenly revealed a trace of slight envy in Cao Cao's sharp, penetrating eyes.
Shaking his head in thought, He Xian understood the reason: although Boss Cao hadn't witnessed the Nameless Strongman's divine might, as a shrewd man, he naturally understood what had happened the moment he entered the residence. At this time, though he wasn't yet the cunning hero contending for the world like in his later years, his desire to gather talented individuals must have already begun to stir.
Therefore, seeing that He Xian had actually subdued such a formidable warrior, he naturally viewed He Xian in a new light.
As for the prestige points, He Xian didn't need to guess; based on the tropes of countless time-travel novels, those were probably the points he used to summon talents from the underworld.
'Young master, until we meet again!' Time was likely running out. Though reluctant to part, the Nameless Strongman finally clasped his hands deeply and bowed to He Xian.
'Until we meet again!' He Xian likewise watched the Nameless Strongman depart, offering a deep bow that he held for a long time.
Indeed, this scene still made Cao Cao unable to hold back, and he blurted out in praise, 'With such a loyal and righteous fierce warrior guarding you, Xiwen, not only is your life secure, but you also have the capital for advancement. A thousand pieces of gold are easy to obtain, but such a righteous warrior is hard to find...'
Unfortunately, He Xian ignored Cao Cao's little jealousy, his gaze even carrying a hint of resentment: Boss Cao, don't be too sad. In a few years, you'll have that fierce warrior Xu Chu. And if you can just control your lower half, the tough guy Dian Wei won't die so early either.
'Mengde, we must not delay. We should quickly go see Dong Zhuo. If that villain Dong Huang accuses us first, I'm afraid something might happen on the way.' Having delayed for so long, He Xian was now feeling tense. After instructing the servants to call a Medical Artisan to treat his wounds and to handle affairs at the residence, he urged Cao Cao.
Seeing He Xian's disheveled hair and blood-stained face, Cao Cao couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, 'Xiwen, you're going to meet Dong Zhuo looking like this?'
He Xian chuckled, 'Just like this. This is fine.'
Boss Cao was extremely clever. After a slight moment of astonishment, he understood He Xian's intention. He wasn't one to drag things out either. Seeing He Xian now so different from before, he also gained a bit more confidence in him.'Since that's the case, I will escort Xiwen there. In the main hall, it will be good to have someone to watch out for you.'
'Then I thank you first, Mengde.' He Xian bowed again, sincerely and genuinely. This wasn't because he was a smooth talker who believed excessive courtesy avoids blame, but because he genuinely had a good impression of Cao Cao, who at this time was still a patriotic young man.
Already mounted on his horse, Cao Cao could only accept this bow. Then, seeing a servant had also brought a fine horse for He Xian, he raised his whip and galloped out of the Generals Residence first.
However, the moment he leaped out the gate, Cao Cao heard a shout from behind: 'Brother Mengde, save me!'
Turning to look, even Cao Cao, who was still worried sick, couldn't help but laugh at this moment.
It turned out that He Xian, the son of a great general, was frail and sickly and knew absolutely nothing about horsemanship. The servant probably wasn't a close attendant who often looked after He Xian either, so he naturally assumed He Xian would also ride a horse to travel with Cao Cao.
Unexpectedly, after struggling twice to mount the horse, He Xian, not knowing to hold the reins, whipped the horse's rump. As a result, the warhorse took a step, and He Xian immediately tumbled off, landing flat on his back.
Fortunately, that horse was a tame and gentle steed. If it had been a temperamental, fierce horse, and after a bout of wild stomping, He Xian would probably have died a death even more of a cruel joke than his father's.
To avoid further delay, a helpless Cao Cao could only ride double, taking He Xian, this burden, along. And because this guy knew nothing about horsemanship, Cao Cao had to slow the horse's pace and couldn't help complaining from time to time, 'Xiwen, no need to hold me so tight...'
But He Xian, who became dizzy as soon as he got on the horse, stubbornly shook his head. 'No, Mengde, I'm scared...'
Poor Cao Cao felt like he had lost all face he'd built up over thirty years in this moment. After all, the earlier commotion had caused many people at the residence gate to peek out. The servants in those high-walled mansions were never short on gossip. Presumably, by tomorrow, stories about him and He Xian on horseback would be circulating throughout Luoyang.
Left with no choice, Cao Cao had to slow down even more. At He Xian's request, he also began describing the current situation and sights of Luoyang — both knew that only by doing this could they appear slightly more natural, and it also helped distract attention and possibly avoid motion sickness.
It was the end of August, already considered autumn. The weather was quite good today; although tree leaves were beginning to wither and fall, the sun was bright, and it wasn't cold.
But according to Cao Cao, it had been raining continuously since June, causing floods in many areas. Dong Zhuo had used this very reason to dismiss the Sikong, Liu Hong, and then plopped himself right into the Sikong position.
Natural disasters correspond to human affairs — this was the foundational theory of the han dynasty Confucian concept of the interaction between Heaven and humanity. Poorly, the three ducal ministers of the Eastern Han seemed to be set up precisely to be dismissed due to calamities and anomalies.
Now, Dong Zhuo was naturally at the Sikong Residence, located just outside the imperial city. Soon, Zhao Huang Feidian brought the two men and their group of soldiers to the Luoyang Imperial Palace. The sprawling, uneven complex of palaces appeared before their eyes, giving He Xian his first impression: towering and lofty, solemn and majestic, vast in scale.
The Luoyang Imperial Palace was built on a high rammed-earth platform, backed by Mount Mang to the north and facing the Luo River to the south. It included the East, West, South, and North Palaces, as well as the Yong'an Palace. The South Palace and North Palace formed the two main palace complexes. The South Palace was built during the Western Zhou Dynasty. Later, Lü Buwei, with a fief of 100,000 households in Luoyang, repaired and expanded the South Palace again. When Emperor Guangwu of the Later Han, Liu Xiu, established the capital at Luoyang, he repaired the South Palace once more. The emperor's court assemblies and the imperial harem were all located within it.
It wasn't until Emperor Ming's time that the North Palace was built. The two palaces were separated by one li, facing each other from afar, occupying the central positions of the northern and southern halves of Luoyang city respectively. The North Palace was situated on higher ground, connected by winding elevated covered walkways.
The han dynasty imperial palace was extremely imposing. In terms of scale, the main hall of the North Palace alone, the Deyang Hall, was over thirty-seven zhang long from east to west, capable of accommodating over ten thousand people. Its jade steps were two zhang high, and there were even fountains inside the hall, making it extremely luxurious.
Outside the imperial palace stood the tall Lingtai Observatory, used for observing astronomical phenomena, auspicious signs, and calamities. There was also the imposing Xiping Forest of Steles, comprising forty-six stone tablets inscribed with the most orthodox Confucian classics. And the extremely famous White Horse Temple, the ancestral temple of Buddhism's eastward transmission. Numerous scenic sights dazzled the eyes.
The residences of the three ducal ministers were located in the southeast corner outside the South Palace. He Xian and Cao Cao entered the city through the Guangyang Gate, traveled east along Guangyang Avenue, turned north at Kaiyang Avenue, and arrived before the three ducal ministers' residences. The architecture of these residences was also extremely luxurious, almost rivaling the imperial palaces.
In the Eastern Han, the three ducal ministers referred to the grand commandant, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Works. Since the position of Chancellor was not established at the time, the three ducal ministers were the three most prestigious official positions below the Son of Heaven, with a rank of ten thousand dan, symbolizing the highest honor for a subject. Although by the Late Han and Three Kingdoms period, their power grew increasingly heavy and they were largely sidelined, Dong Zhuo was undoubtedly not among those sidelined.
Looking at the magnificent Sikong Residence, He Xian steadied his mind, took a deep breath, and then followed Cao Cao, hastening his steps into the Sikong Residence.
However, the moment he entered the Sikong Residence, he heard a person's voice roaring with overwhelming fury. The voice was deep and domineering, filled with boundless killing intent: 'How dare they! Order Yang Ding to lead three thousand Iron Cavalry and raze the He residence to the ground!'