Chapter 32: New Xiyuan Eighth School

  The new uniform of the school lieutenant, although not as handsome as wearing a military uniform, was also very good at that time. Riding on the wind, with Zhao Yun, the two entered the palace together. According to the etiquette of the Great Han, when the emperor granted an official position, he had to enter the palace to thank him. But like Long Fei, such a small school lieutenant didn't need to do so. It's not clear why Liu Xie let Long Fei thank him this time.

  To enter the palace to thank the emperor, first go to Tai Chang to learn the etiquette and learn how to meet the emperor. Then go to Sima to receive your own plaque and seal. Finally, wear official clothes to enter the palace to thank the emperor. After a few announcements, Long Fei and Zhao Yun followed two eunuchs into the palace.

  The palace is indeed magnificent, with layer upon layer of halls and pavilions, one after another, truly a masterpiece of carved beams and painted rafters. Who says the ancient people's building techniques are not as advanced as modern people's? Those three or even four-story small buildings that rely solely on mortise and tenon structures can be seen everywhere in the palace.

  The marble-paved stone road, with white marble railings on both sides, is adorned with various dragon patterns that are exquisite and vivid. The Imperial Guards stand motionlessly on both sides, solemn and upright. I have never been to Zhongnanhai before, but it's probably just like this.

  The main gate of the palace has five gates. The largest and highest in the middle is for the emperor to enter and exit, and the two slightly larger ones on either side are exclusively for the three dukes and nine ministers, as well as members of the imperial family. The two small gates on the outermost sides are for lower-ranking officials like Long Fei to enter and exit. As soon as they entered the gate, the eunuch ordered: "Lower your head and don't look around!"

  The road was very long, winding and turning, up and down, in and out. It almost made Long Fei dizzy before finally arriving at the entrance of a grand hall. The grand hall had two floors and was built on a high platform over ten meters tall. The long staircase had at least ten levels. Every two or three levels, there were a pair of imperial guards standing opposite each other. Around the grand hall, every three to five steps, there was an imperial guard. The vermilion gate had sword racks on both sides outside the door, with pairs of official boots neatly arranged below the swords. Taichang had said that when meeting the emperor, one must not wear a sword and had to take off their shoes. Unless one was like Dong Zhuo, who had been specially permitted by the emperor to enter the court without announcing his name, to attend the imperial court without hurrying, and to ascend to the throne with his sword and boots on, one would have to remove their shoes and put down their sword.

  The atmosphere in the palace is eerie, even someone like Long Fei standing at the bottom of the stairs becomes much more subdued, his body tense, hands placed on both sides, bowing his head and hunching his back, it all comes very naturally. For the first time in a place like this, apart from feeling awkward, he also feels extremely uncomfortable.

  "General Zhang Fei and General Zhao Yun have arrived for an audience!"

  The palace's design indeed had a bit of majesty. The two of them ascended the stairs, which were too long and tiring to walk up. With each step, they felt a sense of oppression. Upon arriving at the grand hall, guards took Dragonfly and Zhao Yun's swords, and after removing their shoes and adjusting their attire, they quickly entered with their heads bowed. Indeed, it was a grand hall, enormous beyond imagination, even larger than the newly built high-end shopping mall. In such a large space, there were no windows, and on a sunny day, oil lamps were needed for lighting. The entire room was filled with a faint, elegant fragrance that was not commonly found in ordinary households, which invigorated their spirits and made them feel exceptionally comfortable.

  "We, your humble servants Long Fei and Zhao Yun, pay our respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, and forever!" The two of them performed the palace etiquette they had just learned from Taichang with some awkwardness.

  Dong Zhuo burst out laughing: "No need for formalities, gentlemen! Please rise and take your seats!"

  Right in the center of the great hall, eunuchs brought over two small tables and fetched two cushions. The two thanked the emperor and knelt down to sit on the floor. Only then did they slowly lift their heads. The emperor sat high in his throne, with a carved dragon-patterned screen behind him, and in front of him were ten large tables that they used. Black lacquer was applied in layers, with a circle of red lines around it, and the legs of the tables on both sides were carved with hollow flowers - at a glance, you could tell they were made of top-quality nanmu wood.

  Dong Zhuo sat on the left side of the Emperor, his massive body squeezing the small Emperor into a tiny shadow. On both sides of the grand hall, civil and military officials knelt in rows according to their ranks. Many people had never seen Long Fei and Zhao Yun before and couldn't understand how two mere captains could have an audience with the Emperor. Seeing Dong Zhuo's attitude, they immediately understood.

  "Your Majesty, since the eunuchs' rebellion and the death of He Jin, the eight colonels of the Western Garden have been completely eliminated. However, these eight colonels were personally established by the previous emperor and cannot be abolished. I suggest that we appoint Long as Colonel of the Dragon Guards and Zhao as Assistant Colonel of the Left Army, to rebuild the eight colonels of the Western Garden and demonstrate Your Majesty's literary and military prowess!" A thin, withered middle-aged scholar emerged from a group of civil officials on the left side.

  "Right, right, right!" Many people echoed in agreement. Dong Zhuo nodded slightly: "What Li Ru said is very true. Nowadays, the people of Guandong are not obedient to the imperial court's jurisdiction, and many have the intention of rebelling. The imperial court can take advantage of the reconstruction of the Western Garden Eight Schools to increase its power, so that those petty clowns dare not act recklessly!"

  "Wei Chen reiterates!" A stout and short general on the right said, "Your Majesty can select virtuous ones from the Western Liang army to let them rely on the remaining Western Garden Lieutenant, and let Long Lieutenant have something to rely on!" Dong Zhuo nodded.

  "Your humble servant recommends Zhang Huai, a general under the command of Zhang Jue, who is exceptionally skilled in martial arts and has extensive experience in battles, to be appointed as Assistant Military Officer!"

  "Your humble servant recommends Li Shi, a man under the command of General-in-Chief Li Jue, who is well-versed in military tactics and strategies. He can be appointed as a lower-ranking officer!"

  "Your humble servant recommends Xu Rong, who serves under General Guo Qi, as a man of both bravery and strategy, with the talent of a great general. He can be appointed as the Central Army's Colonel!"

  "I, your humble servant, recommend that under the command of General Lü Bu, Zhang Liao and Gao Shun be appointed as Left and Right Army Commanders. Both are men of great generalship, with a perfect blend of literary and military talents!"

  Dong Zhuo nodded in agreement. Everyone understood that Dong Zhuo was going to form a large army with his own generals, nephews and trusted followers, which could be said to be the reserve of the Western Liang Army. In the future, even if the Western Liang Army couldn't hold on, this army would still be able to support it. However, why wasn't there an appointment as Upper Military Colonel? This Upper Military Colonel was the most important person among the eight schools in Xizhuan, and also the commander of the eight schools.

  On the right side of the main hall, a sharp-mouthed and cheeky person sneered twice: "Father-in-law, seven out of eight school lieutenants in Xiyuan have been appointed. How about I recommend one more lieutenant from Shangjun?"

  "Speak up! Let me consider this for a moment, does this person have what it takes?"

  That man's eyes darted around, scanning each face before slowly standing up and saying: "Your Majesty, Dong Hui of E is a rare talent in the world, whether it be literary or military strategy. If he were to lead the eight schools of the Western Garden, they would surely become the most formidable troops in the imperial court. I implore you, Father-in-law, to consider this!"

  As soon as this was said, everyone immediately understood. No wonder no one in the upper army had proposed it, it turned out to be left for Dong Zhuo. Many people followed and flattered together, saying that Dong Zhuo was overjoyed, and immediately ordered someone to draft an imperial edict, preparing to issue a decree.

  An old man in white clothes suddenly knelt down on the ground: "Your Majesty, this matter must not be done! The eunuchs' disaster to the country is all because they controlled the eight schools of Xiyuan. The eunuchs were lawless and fearless, and only then did they cause chaos in the palace. General-in-Chief He Jin was killed, King Hongnong was exiled elsewhere, and our great Han dynasty almost lost its pulse. These eight schools of Xiyuan are ominous troops, and must not be rebuilt!"

  "Cai Yong is so bold!" Li Su immediately scolded: "The people of Guandong have already rebelled, if we don't take precautions in advance, when they arrive at Luoyang, how can we respond? Can't send you weak scholars out to fight? The reconstruction of the Western Garden Eight Schools is the emperor's order, how dare you disobey it?"

  "Your Majesty! I also think it's not suitable!" Another old man memorialized: "The eight schools of the Western Garden have already been disbanded, and now rebuilding them will consume a huge amount of money and grain. Recruiting soldiers and buying horses all require money and grain, but our national treasury is empty, we are really unable to do anything about it!"

  "Hum!" Li Su said again: "Your Majesty and the Grand Master have been working tirelessly for the stability of Luoyang, while you people are not thinking about repaying the country and are making things difficult everywhere. Look at how well-fed and warmly dressed each of you is! Yuan Yi, are you colluding with Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu? Are you worried that Your Majesty's reconstruction of the Western Garden and the eight schools will be unfavorable to your Yuan family?"

  "Your Majesty, I, your humble minister, am loyal to you with all my heart. As for Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, they would not dare show even a hint of disrespect. The four generations of the Yuan family have produced three high-ranking officials who have rendered great service to the Han Dynasty. How could we possibly be disloyal?! Yuan Wei was frightened by Li Su's words, knowing that showing great disrespect is a grave offense punishable by death, and not only would it bring disaster upon oneself but also extend to one's entire clan of nine generations! The Yuan family, with four generations producing three high-ranking officials, had been extremely influential in the Han Dynasty, with their doorsteps bustling with activity. It was precisely because of this that after leaving the capital, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu quickly established themselves in Ji Province and Yu Province."

  Long Fei smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, Taishi, I have a suggestion, I don't know if it's suitable to mention or not?"

  "General Long has something to say, but it doesn't matter!" Dong Zhuo was eager to hear what Long Fei had to say, and use this opportunity to judge whether Long Fei was intentionally offered by Wang Yun or really wanted to surrender to him.

  Long Fei stepped forward: "Nowadays, the weather is unstable, and bandits are rising everywhere. We urgently need money and food to recruit soldiers and expand the imperial army. Your Majesty can temporarily borrow some grain from civil and military officials to alleviate the urgent situation! After the world is at peace and the wind and rain are in harmony, we will repay them one by one, which is also a contribution from the officials to the court and a sharing of worries for Your Majesty!"

  "Your Majesty, absolutely not!" The crowd exclaimed in unison: "Long Fei is going to get us killed, disrupting the imperial court, Your Majesty!" The officials glared at Long Fei one by one, their eyes filled with anger and murderous intent.

  Dong Zhuo burst out laughing and nodded, "General Long's proposal is excellent! Haha, Your Majesty, this can alleviate the urgent need to rebuild the eight barracks in Xiyuan. I am willing to donate 100 dan of grain to be used as military funds!"

  "I also wish to donate 80 dan of grain!" Li Su hastily responded. On Dong Zhuo's side, civil and military officials were all contributing, those with money donating money, those with strength donating their labor. The rest of the officials were all stunned, one by one. Since Dong Zhuo had donated, how could they not?

  With a mix of threats and intimidation, led by Yuan Wei, they could only grit their teeth and donate grain. The amount was either several hundred or tens of thousands of dan, but in total it was only about 10,000 dan, which was far from enough to cover the military expenses. Long Fei continued: "Your Majesty, according to the Art of War, 'grain and fodder precede the movement of troops'. These 10,000 dan of grain are not sufficient for the military, I heard that Yuan Taifu has three large granaries in his home, and one-tenth of the rice sold in Luoyang comes from the grain stores opened by Yuan Taifu. Since Yuan Taifu has grain to sell to the people, donating just a few hundred dan of grain is probably...

  "Dragon flies! You dare to speak nonsense!" Yuan Wei was furious, pointing at Long Fei and scolding: "What makes you falsely accuse me like this? I have three granaries, but there's not much grain left. How can the rice sold in the grain shops of Luoyang all come from my hands? Without evidence, falsely accusing a court minister is a capital offense!"

  Long Fei looked at Yuan Wei, who was furious and had a red face and thick neck, but instead smiled and said: "Hehe, although I'm new to Luoyang, I often walk on the streets. Hasn't General Yuan heard the nursery rhyme from Luoyang recently? Four generations of three dukes, looking at our dynasty, the Yuan family's grain can feed the whole world! The Yuan family's grain can support all the people in the world, let alone the little rice used to build the West Garden Eight Schools?"

  "You......" Yuan Wei's eyes widened in shock, unable to speak a word.

  Dong Zhuo's stout body leaned against the seat, watching Yuan Wei and Long Fei arguing on the court. The rest of the officials hastily retreated a few steps, they wanted to avoid being implicated by Yuan Wei. Zhao Yun asked in a low voice: "Brother, I've never heard this nursery rhyme before?"

  Long Fei smiled slightly and said in a low voice to Zhao Yun: "This is what I came up with!"

  "Ah!" Zhao Yun's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Long Fei in silence.