After He Yong left, Yuan Shao immediately began making arrangements.
Following deliberation, the party faction proposed in court that Zhang Xin be appointed Commander of the Northern Army.
The position, though ranked at only six hundred shi, oversaw the Five Battalions of the Northern Army. Its authority resembled that of a provincial inspector—supervisory in nature, but without direct command over troops. In other words, Zhang Xin would gain status without real military power.
Coincidentally, the previous holder of the post, Zou Jing, had passed away the year before. The vacancy made it a perfect opportunity.
The reasoning was simple:
First, with He Jin already controlling the Northern Army, placing Zhang Xin in a supervisory role would not threaten him.
Second, although the rank was modest, it still stood above the commanders of the Five Battalions, making it a respectable appointment.
When He Jin heard the proposal, he was stunned—then quietly angered.
So the party faction wants to poach my man?
Hadn't they agreed to advance and retreat together against the eunuchs?
Unfair.
Yet, just as they anticipated, He Jin suppressed his displeasure. Instead of opposing the proposal, he joined in recommending it.
Everything seemed settled—until Liu Hong rejected it outright.
Both He Jin and the party faction were left puzzled.
Had they misjudged the situation?
Only when Liu Hong later brought up the issue of appointing a commander-in-chief for Liangzhou did realization dawn.
So that's it.
The emperor wasn't aiming small—he was aiming big.
He intended to hand over the tens of thousands of elite troops stationed in Chang'an to Zhang Xin.
The court was instantly alarmed.
Entrusting such a force to a young former rebel—was the emperor truly serious?
Naturally, the officials objected, and once again the matter was shelved.
It should have ended there.
But Liu Hong had already planted the idea.
If another war broke out, granting Zhang Xin military command would seem only natural.
Then, two days later, a new rumor swept through Luoyang:
"Have you heard? Marquis Xuanwei, Zhang Xin… is the emperor's eldest son!"
"What nonsense!"
"Their surnames aren't even the same!"
"I heard they're both from Ji Province. Before ascending the throne, His Majesty—well…"
The city erupted once more.
Zhang Xin, upon hearing this, spat out his drink.
"Unbelievable! I treat him like a brother-in-law, and he wants to be my father?!"
Liu Hong was equally furious. He immediately ordered Zhang Rang to investigate and suppress the rumor, which was quickly extinguished.
Yet the damage was done.
Even if no one believed such absurdity, the emperor's relentless promotion of Zhang Xin was unmistakable.
He was going all in.
Soon after, news arrived: Grand Commandant Zhang Wen had died suddenly of illness.
Though the rumor faded, suspicion lingered in every official's mind.
The emperor's intentions were becoming clearer by the day.
And so, the number of visitors to Zhang Xin's residence surged once again.
Meanwhile, in the residence of the Marquis of Duxiang:
Huangfu Song sat facing Huangfu Li, his expression grave.
"Uncle, His Majesty is going this far—even risking his reputation. Does he truly intend to grant Zhang Xin command in Chang'an?"
"I'm afraid so," Huangfu Song replied quietly.
He had once dismissed the possibility. Zhang Xin was too young, too lacking in prestige. The court would never agree.
But now… he was no longer certain.
"If that happens," Huangfu Li said angrily, "will you really allow a former Yellow Turban to stand above you?"
"That is not the way of a subject," Huangfu Song snapped.
"But if he controls Chang'an's army and marches east one day—how will Luoyang resist?"
Huangfu Song fell silent, then sighed.
"You don't understand. His Majesty has never trusted me."
He recounted past grievances—how his achievements had been punished rather than rewarded.
Only then did Huangfu Li fall quiet.
After a long pause, he asked:
"Then what should we do?"
Huangfu Song's answer was unexpected.
"Prepare my military treatise. Send it to Zhang Xin."
Huangfu Li was stunned.
"To him? A Yellow Turban?"
"The art of war lies in orthodoxy and surprise," Huangfu Song said. "He relies too much on the latter. Talent and luck alone won't sustain him."
"If he must command Chang'an, then at least ensure he does not squander its elite troops."
Reluctantly, Huangfu Li complied.
Liu Hong was surprised when he heard.
He hadn't expected such a development.
With Cai Yong in civil matters and Huangfu Song in military affairs, Zhang Xin was being elevated from all sides.
Even Zhang Xin himself was stunned.
"The Marquis of Duxiang… gave this to me?"
He looked at the carriage filled with military texts in disbelief.
Huangfu Li said solemnly, "My uncle asks that you not fail His Majesty—or the country."
Zhang Xin straightened.
"Please tell the Marquis… Zhang Xin will not fail either."