Zhang Xin thought for a long time, but in the end, he still shook his head.
Forget it.
The saying "a son who kills his father is untrustworthy" carried too much weight.
Even setting aside the exaggerated portrayals of Lü Bu as a man who served three masters, history itself recorded that he had killed two of his own superiors.
There was no need to discuss Dong Zhuo—by his later years, he had become completely unhinged. On one hand, he treated Lü Bu exceptionally well, granting him the title of General of the Central Army and Marquis of Duting, even entrusting him with guarding the inner palace gates. Such responsibility showed immense trust.
Yet on the other hand, after drinking, Dong Zhuo would often insult him. Sometimes, in a drunken rage, he would even hurl his halberd at him. Lü Bu could only smile and endure it. Had he failed to dodge even once, he might have died long ago.
In that sense, Dong Zhuo's death at Lü Bu's hands seemed almost inevitable.
But Ding Yuan was different. He had treated Lü Bu generously, appointing him as a chief clerk and showing him consistent favor. If Lü Bu had been dissatisfied, he could have simply left. Instead, he accepted Dong Zhuo's bribe and turned around to murder Ding Yuan.
That single act destroyed his reputation entirely.
Even someone as shameless as Yuan Shu despised him for his fickleness.
What followed only made things worse.
After being defeated in the north, Lü Bu sought refuge with Yuan Shu, who rejected him. He then went to his fellow townsman Zhang Yang, but soon suspected Zhang Yang of plotting against him, so he fled again—this time to Yuan Shao.
Yuan Shao initially welcomed him, believing that Lü Bu had avenged the Yuan family by killing Dong Zhuo. Yet not long after, Lü Bu caused chaos in Yuan Shao's territory, forcing Yuan Shao to abandon his usual courtesy and attempt to have him killed.
After escaping once more, Lü Bu reconsidered and decided Zhang Yang was the most trustworthy after all, so he returned to him.
What came next was well known: Zhang Miao and Chen Gong invited Lü Bu to take over Yan Province.
And so, the "troublemaker of the Central Plains" was unleashed.
From Yuan Shao to Yan Province, from Yan Province to Xuzhou—everywhere he went, chaos followed. In the end, there was nothing left to stir.
He betrayed his lords, brought disaster upon the people, and even had an affair with his lord's maid.
Zhang Xin truly dared not use such a man.
"Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Zhang He…"
After some thought, Zhang Xin added another name—Gao Lan.
Historical records only mentioned him briefly: a general under Yuan Shao who later surrendered to Cao Cao alongside Zhang He. Nothing more was recorded.
But being listed alongside Zhang He suggested he was no ordinary man.
Since Zhang Xin didn't know Gao Lan's exact location in Jizhou, he could only send people to search. If they found him, good. If not, so be it.
As for others, they were either too far away or too young.
Take Zhuge Liang for example—he was only four years old. Recruiting him now would mean raising him like a child.
One commandery was enough for now.
After finishing, Zhang Xin summoned Guan Yu.
When Guan Yu arrived, Zhang Xin stamped the prepared document with the seal of the Prefect of Yuyang and handed it over.
"I ask Brother Yunchang to serve as a military clerk in my commandery."
"Please do not call me 'brother' again. It is improper."
Guan Yu accepted the document with both hands. Seeing the official seal, his emotions surged.
His family had once been prosperous, but had declined over generations. Still, his grandfather had been a respected scholar, and Guan Yu had studied the classics since childhood, hoping one day to serve the court.
Fate, however, had other plans. Forced into rebellion, he had killed a man and lived in exile.
Now, at last, his name was cleared—and he could enter official service.
He stepped back, bowed deeply, and said:
"Guan Yu of Hedong thanks you, my lord!"
Zhang Xin felt a wave of satisfaction.
All the effort, all the humility—it had finally paid off.
Helping Guan Yu up, he smiled.
"I have a task for you."
"What are your orders, my lord?"
"It is already June. In a few months, the Xianbei will move south. I want you to lead two hundred cavalry from Zhaoxi, scout their settlements, and draw a map."
"Yes, my lord."
At that moment, a voice came from the doorway:
"If my lord wishes to map the Xianbei lands, Rouyuan can serve as guide."
Zhang Xin looked over. It was Yan Rou.
"I was once captured by the Xianbei and herded sheep for years," Yan Rou explained. "I know their terrain well."
Zhang Xin nodded.
"Then go with him."
After arranging supplies and setting deadlines, Zhang Xin watched them depart.
Looking up at the sky, he gave another order:
"Prepare a banquet. We will entertain the imperial envoy tonight."