The morning sun rose slowly, like a magnificent and gentle hand, gradually lifting the dark veil that shrouded the sky over Luoyang. The grand, historically rich han dynasty architecture slowly emerged under the bright sunlight.
It was now autumn. Though the morning sun promised a fine, sunny day, the heat was gone—truly the best time of the year.
Yet, by the bedside, He Xian hung his head low, his body covered in bruises, his face a picture of utter misery.
Having narrowly escaped death at the hands of Fatty Dong yesterday, his mind finally relaxed, granting him a sleep like an infant's... Well, the kind where you sleep a bit, can't help but cry a bit, then sleep again, and cry again.
There was no way around it—he was worried!
After yesterday's events, he had finally glimpsed the tip of the iceberg on the eve of this chaotic era. Even more terrifying was his deep realization that these historical figures were all formidable individuals!
The arrogant, domineering, and unpredictable Dong Zhuo; the cold, cautious, reticent, and scheming Li Ru; and Jia Xu, whose words could either save a life or condemn one to death... His own foreknowledge as a time-traveler was almost useless against such men.
In fact, He Xian had prepared for every imaginable—and unimaginable—scenario during yesterday's ordeal. Faced with Dong Zhuo and Li Ru's step-by-step intimidation, he had managed to counter each move. Yet, in the end... had Jia Xu not inexplicably shown a moment of mercy, he would have already been executed, never seeing today's sun.
Moreover, even though he was still alive, he had already lost.
Upon learning he was made an acting sima, he knew he had become a plaything in Dong Zhuo's hands. Escaping Luoyang City was temporarily impossible, and the slightest misstep would allow Dong Zhuo to crush him like an ant.
After a night of pondering, He Xian concluded that for now, he must keep his head down. As long as Dong Huang didn't cause trouble for him during this period, and he could endure for half a year until the Warlords of the Guandong Region rose up and Dong Zhuo was too preoccupied to care, he might finally have a chance to activate the normal mode of a time-traveler.
As for that so-called talent delivery system in his mind, he had naturally studied it all night. Unfortunately, the conclusion was that, for now, it was utterly useless.
According to the system's explanation, its purpose was to deliver famous generals and strategists from five thousand years of Chinese history to He Xian's side. This delivery came in two forms: temporary and permanent. Temporary delivery, like the previous summoning of the Nameless Strongman, meant the person would return to the underworld after completing the task. Only permanent delivery could keep them in this era.
The cost, naturally, was the reputation points He Xian earned in this era. So, with 1500 reputation points already in hand, He Xian eagerly tried to permanently summon the Nameless Strongman. The system's reply: 1500 points would only allow the Nameless Strongman's *fart* to remain permanently by He Xian's side.
"So, I can only summon temporary helpers. That price is cheap, but it's only for life-or-death emergencies." Helplessly slapping his face twice, He Xian forced himself to perk up, hoping to merely coast through this chaotic era today.
He knew that Dong Zhuo would definitely attend the court assembly today. By around noon, when court adjourned, he, as the acting sima, would have to report for duty at the Western Garden.
However, when the sun was high in the sky, He Xian gazed at the beautiful sunny day and suddenly felt as if a thunderbolt had struck: "What? Who made me an assistant military officer again? And with no colonel or commandant to cover for me!"
Holding the assistant military officer waist token and warrant, He Xian showed no joy at all. Instead, he asked the man before him in utter despair—he wasn't stupid. If Cao Cao could see the danger, he, who cared even more about his own life than Cao Cao, naturally saw it too.
"This is out of the gentleman in attendance, Lord Li's, great favor. Does Young Master He perhaps have some dissatisfaction?" The scholar who delivered the waist token and warrant lifted his eyelids to glance at He Xian, his gaze filled with scrutinizing curiosity.
"This is simply...!" He Xian's expression grew even more pained, his anger barely contained. Yet, just as the man thought he was about to hear He Xian's true grievances against Dong Zhuo, He Xian suddenly changed his tone: "This is simply wonderful! Physician Li shows me such high regard, I truly don't know how to repay him!"
He Xian wasn't foolish enough to badmouth Dong Zhuo and his men in front of one of Dong Zhuo's underlings. Though his words said one thing, his heart bled at that moment: Li Ru, I hate you!
The visitor clearly hadn't expected someone so young to be so adept at concealment. For a moment, the suspicion in his eyes grew heavier. "Young Master He, do you truly not resent Physician Li? You must know, while the position of assistant military officer is half a rank higher than acting sima, training troops, commanding, and campaigning are not tasks just anyone can handle. Moreover, infighting and rivalry between camps are inevitable. Should any mishap occur, the Sikong will deal with it impartially."
"Why would you say such a thing, sir?" He Xian now wore a solemn expression, replying earnestly, "The Sikong and Physician Li have shown me such great favor—it is my good fortune. With such grace and trust, I would exhaust myself to bring honor to the Sikong and Physician Li. How could I shrink back out of fear of difficulty?"
"Hmm... Very well then." The visitor looked at He Xian's determined face, seemingly even more confused by this lunatic.
But just as he prepared to take his leave, He Xian grabbed his sleeve again, bowing to ask, "Might I ask your name, sir?"
The man clearly hadn't anticipated this question. After a moment's hesitation, he returned the bow. "I humbly serve as Chief Clerk of the Sikong Residence. I am Tian Yi from Longxi Commandery."
"Greetings, Chief Clerk Tian. I have troubled you today. On another day, I will certainly host a banquet in your honor." He Xian added, "And Physician Li as well—I must express my deep gratitude."
"No trouble at all, it's my duty." Tian Yi was now thoroughly bewildered. From He Xian's earlier expression, he had thought He Xian hated Li Ru. Yet now He Xian was inviting both him and Li Ru to a banquet, making Tian Yi uncertain of He Xian's true intentions.
"It is only proper, only proper." Seeing Tian Yi had no intention of staying longer, He Xian took the opportunity to see him out. However, at the main gate, in full view of the street, He Xian bowed deeply to Tian Yi once more. "The invitation will certainly be sent. I earnestly hope Chief Clerk Tian and Physician Li will grace me with your presence."
Tian Yi, along with the Common People on the street, gave He Xian a confused and slightly shocked look before boarding his carriage and leaving. Back inside his residence, He Xian couldn't help but smile: Tian Yi—that was the man who, after Dong Zhuo's death, threw himself on Dong Zhuo's body in despair. A simple and loyal man, worth befriending.
Then, He Xian glanced at the 1600 reputation points on the screen before him and shook his head. "Boss Cao, you really need to work hard and climb higher. Just the regard of this Tian Yi alone is already on par with yours."
"Attendant! Bring my horse! This Commander is going to assume his post!" With the waist token and warrant in hand, he naturally had to report to the Western Garden to muster troops. The matter was settled; He Xian couldn't avoid it even if he tried.
However, the servant who came forward hesitated upon hearing He Xian's command. "Young Master, are you sure you want the horse brought?"
"Uh..." He Xian's face flushed red at the question. He couldn't help but rub his sore arm from the fall, his expression turning inexplicably tragic and indignant again.
Indeed, the bruises covering his body were all from falling off a horse yesterday.
After returning from the Sikong Residence yesterday, ashamed that he couldn't even ride a horse, He Xian immediately began practicing horsemanship in the courtyard. Unfortunately, neither he nor the original He Xian seemed to have any potential as a military officer. Apart from repeatedly falling off the horse, he also developed a habit of trembling at the sight of a tall, sturdy steed.
"Of course bring the horse! Have you ever seen a Commander who doesn't ride a horse? Go! Bring me that peerless, flawless, tall, and robust steed!" He Xian pointed commandingly, looking imposing.
The servant immediately thought of the majestic and powerful Ferghana horse in the estate. But following He Xian's finger, he broke out in a cold sweat: He Xian was pointing at a donkey in the pen next to the horse stable...
"He San, don't you think This Young Master is a perfect match for that fine steed?"
"Um." The poor servant, He San, first nodded, then quickly shook his head.
But He Xian didn't mind. In the end, he just sighed helplessly. "Poor me. Right now, I'm not even as well off as that donkey. At least it doesn't face imminent mortal danger..."