"An old friend?"
Zhang Xin frowned in confusion.
Do I even have old friends in Luoyang?
His mind ran quickly—Cai Yong had long since returned home, Sun Jian was in Changsha, Lü Bu was in Bingzhou. Relations with He Jin's faction had already collapsed. As for Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, they were barely acquaintances.
If any of them came, they would simply send a name card—why claim to be an "old friend" and ask him to come out personally?
Who would dare be so presumptuous now?
Then a thought struck him.
It's already April… could it be…?
"Wait here. I'll return shortly."
With that, Zhang Xin hurried out, leaving the others exchanging puzzled glances.
Outside the gates, a middle-aged man stood holding a horse, his legs trembling slightly as if from exhaustion.
When he saw Zhang Xin, his eyes lit up.
"Ziqing! Ziqing!"
Zhang Xin looked him over carefully. The man appeared around forty, fair-skinned, with three elegant strands of beard beneath his chin—refined and dignified.
Yet… strangely familiar.
"It's me! Have you forgotten?" the man said eagerly.
The voice—
Zhang Xin's eyes widened.
"Holy— You're… Uncle Chang?"
He quickly corrected himself inwardly.
Zhang Rang.
So that was it. In the Han dynasty, eunuchs were not as later generations imagined. Due to limited medical practices, castration often removed only the testicles, and many eunuchs retained masculine features—strong builds, deep voices, even families. Growing a beard was common, so Zhang Rang's disguise had nearly fooled him.
Seeing that he had been recognized, Zhang Rang smiled faintly.
But his sudden appearance… in disguise…
Zhang Xin's heart sank.
Something had happened to Liu Hong.
Still, he forced a cheerful expression.
"Uncle Chang! What brings you here? Come, come inside!"
Zhang Rang took a step forward, then winced slightly.
"What's wrong?" Zhang Xin asked quickly, supporting him.
"Nothing," Zhang Rang said with a strained smile. "Bandits ambushed me on the road. I had to ride hard—my legs are chafed raw."
"I'll help you inside."
As they walked, Zhang Xin noticed Cui Yan nearby.
"Ji Gui, let me introduce you—this is my uncle."
Then to Zhang Rang: "Uncle Chang, this is my chief clerk, Cui Yan of Qinghe."
Cui Yan bowed. "Greetings, Lord Chang."
Zhang Rang returned the courtesy.
"Ji Gui, attend to your duties," Zhang Xin said.
Cui Yan nodded and withdrew.
Watching him leave, Zhang Rang asked quietly, "Has something happened in Qingzhou?"
Zhang Xin sighed.
"Tao Qian has been acting selfishly—he drove the Yellow Turban remnants from Xuzhou into our territory…"
Zhang Rang snorted coldly. "That Tao Qian is truly detestable!"
"Indeed…"
They entered Zhang Xin's private residence in the rear compound.
"Old Dian, stand guard. No one is to approach within fifty paces!"
Dian Wei acknowledged and moved to secure the area.
Inside the room, Zhang Xin shut the door, his expression turning grave.
"For the Attendant-in-Ordinary to come personally… is His Majesty…?"
Before he could finish, Zhang Rang collapsed to his knees.
With trembling hands, he pulled out an imperial edict and handed it over.
"Champion Marquis… His Majesty is gravely ill. He commands you to lead the troops of Qingzhou to the capital—to assist in governance!"
His voice broke as tears streamed down his face.
Champion Marquis?
Zhang Xin's heart trembled.
He hurriedly opened the edict.
Line after line struck him like thunder—
General of the Cavalry.Marquis of Champion.Director of the Imperial Secretariat.
Each title alone was immense. Together—they placed him above nearly all officials in the empire.
The title "General of the Cavalry" alone put him above even the Grand General. And being granted authority over the Secretariat meant he could directly participate in—and even control—state decision-making.
Since the Han reforms, real power had shifted to the Secretariat. Without such authority, even someone like He Jin could only advise—not decide.
But now—
Zhang Xin held that power.
If Liu Xie ascended the throne, Zhang Xin would effectively become the empire's chief minister.
Zhang Xin's vision blurred.
My brother-in-law… treats me this well?
The edict made it clear—he was to enter the capital with troops and ensure Liu Xie's succession.
Zhang Rang, though weeping, felt a deep sense of relief.
The emperor had not misjudged this man.
"Lord Champion," Zhang Rang said urgently, gripping his sleeve, "His Majesty may not last many more days."
"There is no time—send troops to Luoyang immediately!"