Lu Zhi spent two days in worry, and in a blink of an eye, it was the second day of the new year in 189.
During these two days, Emperor Ling of Han's physical condition became increasingly unstable, sometimes unconscious and sometimes awake.
While Emperor Ling was awake, Lu Zhi requested him to enfeoff Dian Wei, Ma Chao, Sun Ce, and Pang De as Langguan and immediately summon them back to the palace.
Emperor Ling understood that this was Lu Zhi's arrangement for the great changes that might occur in the future, and these four individuals were undoubtedly the capable assistants he could trust and rely on.
When Emperor Ling felt a little better, he also summoned these few to his sleeping quarters.
Ma Chao stood tall and straight, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, an air of heroism and resolve in his brows; his hair was as black as ink, dancing in the wind, and his white robe made him appear even more imposing, like a jade tree in the wind.
Sun Ce, on the other hand, was extraordinarily handsome, with a well-defined face and piercing eyes, exuding wisdom and decisiveness; his physique was agile, and every gesture revealed a heroic spirit.
Looking at Dian Wei, he was tall and mighty, with a broad back and strong shoulders, standing there like an iron tower.
His face was rugged, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, and his full beard added to his formidable aura, allowing one to immediately feel his powerful presence and unparalleled strength.
Pang De, on the other hand, had a robust physique, a resolute face, and cold, sharp eyes; his body exuded a sense of steadfastness and composure, revealing him to be a seasoned general who had long endured the battlefield.
Emperor Ling, seeing the imposing and capable demeanor of Ma Chao and Sun Ce, couldn't help but feel a surge of energy, recalling his own youthful past, and increasingly felt that both of them were promising talents.
And the formidable aura of Dian Wei and Pang De also made Emperor Ling deeply aware that they must be highly skilled martial artists, fierce generals who could play an important role in the army.
Emperor Ling of Han saw their heroic and vigorous appearance and was filled with delight, so he spoke, “Ma Chao, Dian Wei, Sun Ce, Pang De, you four are extraordinary in your bearing, and I am very pleased.
I hereby enfeoff you as Yulin Langguan, and from now on, you shall personally guard the safety of Prince Liu Bian, you must exert your utmost effort and not show the slightest negligence!”
Upon hearing this, the four responded in unison, “We respectfully obey Your Majesty’s command!”
The four received their orders, went to the guard's quarters to retrieve their armor and weapons, and stood ready.
They stood by the side of the hall, majestic and awe-inspiring.
Emperor Ling made an effort to rally his spirits, his face slightly fatigued, yet his eyes still held determination.
He then summoned Liu Bian; Liu Bian, hearing the command, obediently stepped forward, his steps light and firm.
Emperor Ling looked at Liu Bian and said slowly, “Bian’er, today you shall perform the disciple-bowing ceremony to Master Lu Zhi.”
Liu Bian, upon hearing this, respectfully assented, then turned to face Lu Zhi.
Lu Zhi stood to the side, his expression solemn and serious; Liu Bian slowly advanced, knelt before Lu Zhi, and solemnly kowtowed to him as his master.
Lu Zhi, seeing this, slightly raised his hands as if to help Liu Bian up, and then solemnly accepted Liu Bian's bow.
At this moment, the master-disciple relationship was formally established.
Liu Bian rose and stood beside Lu Zhi.
Emperor Ling, seeing this, nodded slightly, feeling a little relieved.
Emperor Ling then summoned Lu Zhi to his side and conversed with him.
Emperor Ling, with a worried expression, slowly said, “Originally, I intended to use the power of the eunuch faction to contend against the great aristocratic families, hoping to balance the various forces and maintain the stability of the imperial court.”
Lu Zhi nodded slightly; this was the strategy that had been decided upon earlier.
Emperor Ling said with a hint of urgency, “Alas… the struggle between the aristocratic families and the eunuch faction intensified, leading to this Yellow Turban Rebellion… Most of the military generals are also disciples and old acquaintances of the aristocratic families, all of them incompetent, so I could only let my senior brother quell the rebellion everywhere, while my body is deteriorating day by day… cough cough…”
Lu Zhi looked at Emperor Ling with concern, gently comforting him with deep solicitude, “Your Majesty, speak slowly, speak slowly, do not be angry.”
Emperor Ling's breathing was slightly erratic, and he continued, “I also organized the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden, especially the Imperial Guard in the four directions of the capital, hoping to deter the aristocratic families and the eunuch faction with this, but alas, these aristocratic families and the eunuch faction are truly pervasive, even this has been gradually infiltrated by them.
While my senior brother is fighting outside, my body is weakening day by day, getting worse and worse, and gradually I can no longer effectively control the situation.
Helplessly, I am surrounded by treacherous villains, and the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden are like a mere facade, failing to play their proper role.”
Lu Zhi, concerned for Emperor Ling's health, comforted him, “Your Majesty, this is not your fault; such a major matter is truly the doing of the great aristocratic families.
Their power is immense, truly a national calamity.”
Emperor Ling felt a slight comfort in his heart and continued weakly and intermittently, “I already knew my body was failing.
To prevent instability in the imperial court, I promoted He Jin to Grand General; he is the Empress He's brother and also Bian’er’s maternal uncle.
With him in charge of military power, even if I am gone, Bian’er can smoothly ascend the throne.
Although He Jin is not very capable, he is loyal, and there will certainly be no phenomenon of powerful maternal relatives monopolizing power…”
Lu Zhi cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty is wise; this is precisely a system of mutual checks and balances among the three parties, and the imperial government will be safe.
Your Majesty can rest assured and recuperate.”
Emperor Ling said helplessly, “Senior brother, do not comfort me; the strategy is correct, but alas, the person is a good-for-nothing!
He Jin, that fellow, was actually won over by the great aristocratic families.
Tell me, as a maternal relative, as long as he is loyal to the imperial family and supports Bian’er in ascending the throne, he would be the most prominent aristocratic family in the world!
But now the three forces cannot achieve balance; if I die, there will certainly be great upheaval in this world, and this is what I worry about.
I hope senior brother can solve this problem first, cough cough… cough….”
Emperor Ling became increasingly agitated when talking about He Jin, growing more and more furious.
Suddenly, a rapid fit of coughing struck, interrupting their conversation.
Lu Zhi, seeing this, hurried forward and gently patted Emperor Ling's back, helping him breathe smoothly.
In an instant, a clamor erupted outside the palace; a series of chaotic sounds drifted in.
Empress Dowager Dong was seen arriving, weeping, accompanied by Prince Liu Xie.
Empress He and many consorts also followed behind, whimpering and crying, a scene of desolation.
Lu Zhi, witnessing this, had no choice but to request permission to withdraw and leave.
Emperor Ling, however, tightly grasped Lu Zhi's hand, unwilling to let go, his face full of pleading.
Lu Zhi, seeing this, pondered silently to himself, then simply stood to the side, no longer speaking.
Empress Dowager Dong, holding Liu Xie, stood before Emperor Ling, a hint of calculation flashing in her eyes, and said to Liu Xie in a slightly scheming tone, “Xie’er, come quickly and bow to your Imperial Father, so your Imperial Father can have a good look at you.”
Emperor Ling’s eyes were dim, filled with deep helplessness and sorrow, as he looked at Empress Dowager Dong and Liu Xie.
A bitter smile appeared on his face, his lips trembling slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but was too weak to speak.
His gaze lingered on Liu Xie and Empress Dowager Dong, filled with complex emotions: reluctance, regret, worry, and a hint of imperceptible resentment.
Empress Dowager Dong continued, “My child, look, look at Xie’er, how much he resembles you when you were young!
So intelligent at such a young age, he truly looks like he could become a wise ruler in the future.”
Liu Xie slightly raised his head, looking at Emperor Ling, his eyes revealing a trace of filial affection, but also a hint of confusion and bewilderment.
Empress He stood to the side, pursing her lips, as if she wanted to say something, but hesitated to speak.
She continuously wiped her tears with the handkerchief in her hand, clutching it so tightly that the veins on the back of her hand bulged.