"Impudence!"
Liu Hong was furious.
Arguments in court were nothing unusual—he often sat on the dragon throne watching officials quarrel like it was a performance. But actually coming to blows?
That crossed the line.
Seeing the emperor's anger, Zhang Xin and Zhu Jun immediately knelt.
"We are guilty."
Just as Xu Xiang was about to step forward and impeach Zhang Xin, Liu Hong cut him off coldly:
"A Marquis of Qiantang and a Marquis of Xuanwei, fighting in court—what kind of conduct is this?"
He turned to Zhu Jun. "Minister Zhu, you are already past fifty. Why are you arguing with a child?"
"Your Majesty, it's not that I—"
Zhang Xin immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes."
Zhu Jun choked mid-sentence.
Liu Hong then glared at Zhang Xin. "And you—Zhu Jun is a pillar of the Han. How dare you bring up his defeat by Bo Cai?"
Zhu Jun felt like he'd been stabbed again.
Zhang Xin bowed sincerely. "Your subject admits his fault. I should not have mentioned that he was defeated by Bo Cai."
Zhu Jun's breathing turned heavy.
Liu Hong glanced at Xu Xiang, then waved his hand. "Since this is your first offense and you admit your mistake, I will not pursue it further. Tiger Guard Commander!"
"Your servant is here!"
"Drag him out!"
At once, imperial guards entered and hauled Zhang Xin out of the hall.
Xu Xiang could only swallow his impeachment.
With Zhang Xin gone, the court shifted focus.
Yuan Wei and others seized the chance to recommend Zhu Jun to suppress the Heishan bandits.
Liu Hong nodded lightly. "Then let Zhu Jun serve as Governor of Hanoi."
The officials froze.
That's it?
No troops? No grand command?
But technically, the governor of a commandery was responsible for defending his own territory. There was no formal flaw in the decision—yet it clearly undercut their attempt to grant Zhu Jun broader military authority.
Inside, Liu Hong sneered.
You think pushing Zhu Jun forward lets you seize military power from me?
Then he continued, "The Liangzhou campaign has ended, and the position of commander-in-chief is vacant. Do any of you have a candidate?"
His gaze flicked briefly toward He Jin.
He Jin hesitated.
He wanted to recommend Zhang Xin—but Chang'an held the empire's elite troops. If Zhang Xin took command there, his power might rival—or even surpass—the Grand General himself.
He wanted a sword… not one that could turn on him.
Seeing his silence, the eunuchs moved.
Zhao Zhong stepped forward. "Your Majesty, Huangfu Song has already fought many unsuccessful battles in Chang'an, exhausting resources. It would be inappropriate to entrust him again."
Zhang Rang echoed the sentiment.
The scholar-officials erupted.
Cui Lie accused Zhao Zhong of settling personal grudges—referring to the time Huangfu Song had tried to confiscate Zhao Zhong's extravagant mansion.
The court devolved into chaos.
He Jin said nothing.
Watching this, Liu Hong grew even more dissatisfied.
After letting them argue for a while, he finally cut in:
"Do any of you have another candidate?"
Silence fell.
Aside from Huangfu Song, only two names remained:
Dong Zhuo… and Zhang Xin.
But neither side trusted them.
Zhang Xin was too young—and too unpredictable.
Dong Zhuo was infamous for his opportunism and poor character, even despised by his former superior Zhang Huan.
With no consensus, Liu Hong simply declared the court adjourned.
As he left, Liu Hong spoke quietly to Zhang Rang:
"Spread the news."
Zhang Rang bowed. "Understood."
When Zhao Zhong looked confused, Zhang Rang explained—after receiving Liu Hong's approval—the relationship between Zhang Xin and the emperor.
Zhao Zhong immediately understood.
Ah… one of ours.
Outside the hall, Zhang Xin was already waiting, rubbing his backside as he limped toward Cai Yong.
"Are you alright?" Cai Yong asked.
"I'm young and strong. No need to worry, Teacher."
He glanced at Zhu Jun.
Zhu Jun snorted coldly and strode off.
That old man hits hard…
Zhang Xin winced inwardly.
Back at Guanglu Temple, Zhang Xin informed Sun Jian of his successful recommendation.
Sun Jian was overjoyed.
At last—he could leave Luoyang and return to the battlefield.
Soon after, the imperial edict arrived. After receiving it, Sun Jian clasped Zhang Xin's hands tightly, gratitude overflowing.
Zhang Xin only smiled. "Do well. Don't embarrass me."
Sun Jian nodded firmly and departed to take up his post.
Watching him go, Zhang Xin sighed inwardly.
Liu Bei is dead by my hand… Sun Jian is practically half my subordinate…
Of the three great figures, only Cao Cao remains unseen.
He should still be away… perhaps next year.
As for military command—he hadn't gained it this time.
But there would be other chances.
After all…
The emperor himself was backing him.
From that day on, Zhang Xin returned to his usual routine.
But quietly, a rumor began spreading throughout Luoyang:
"Have you heard? Marquis Xuanwei, Zhang Xin… is the emperor's brother-in-law!"