Early the next morning, before dawn, Zhang Chen was woken up by a servant.
Looking at the deep darkness outside, Zhang Chen estimated it was only around the fourth watch. He realized that attending the morning court required getting up this early, which was even more terrifying than 8 AM in the real world.
However, appearing before the Emperor in court was a major event, so Zhang Chen naturally didn't dare to be negligent. He immediately tidied up, washed, and changed into the court attire He Jin had prepared for him. Then, he rode with He Jin in a carriage to the imperial palace.
At dawn, He Jin and Zhang Chen arrived outside Jiade Hall, where civil and military officials were already waiting.
Zhang Chen couldn't help but secretly sigh, 'These are the officials of the court, the core of the Great Han dynasty's power!'
Before long, a eunuch delivering the imperial decree came out of the hall and announced for the officials to enter. He Jin instructed Zhang Chen to wait outside the hall, not to wander around casually, and to be ready for summons at any time.
Zhang Chen agreed to everything one by one. He Jin then stepped forward, removed his sword and shoes, and entered the hall with the other officials.
Zhang Chen didn't dare to walk around and waited alone outside the hall, awaiting the Emperor's summons.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the voice of a eunuch from inside the hall could be heard clearly.
"Announcing—Prefect of Wei Commandery Zhang Chen to enter the hall!"
Zhang Chen jolted, quickly removed his shoes, and following the etiquette he had learned yesterday, he bowed his waist, lowered his head, and entered the hall step by step.
Along the way, Zhang Chen kept his head down and never lifted it.
This was appearing before the Emperor; a slight mistake could cost him his head. Zhang Chen dared not be careless in the slightest.
Zhang Chen arrived at the front of the ranks of civil and military officials, knelt down, and prostrated himself, saying, "Your subject, Prefect of Wei Commandery Zhang Chen, kowtows to Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand thousand years!"
"Rise, my beloved subject."
A deep voice entered his ears. Zhang Chen kowtowed again and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
With that, Zhang Chen slowly stood up, but his eyes secretly glanced at the person on the Nine Dragon Throne.
【Name: Liu Hong】
【Possessed Attributes: Nine-Five Supreme (Red), Selling Officials and Noble Titles (White), Favoring Eunuchs (White)】
【Nine-Five Supreme (Red)】: You are the Emperor of a dynasty, the Nine-Five Supreme, revered by countless people. (Greatly increases prestige, greatly increases prestige of affiliated forces)
【Selling Officials and Noble Titles (White)】: You sell officials and noble titles, causing corrupt officials to harm the people and oppress the common folk everywhere. (Greatly reduces popular support under your rule)
【Favoring Eunuchs (White)】: You favor eunuchs, listen to slanderous words, and have done many improper things. (Reduces loyalty under your rule)
One red and two white, and two of them were negative attributes. For an Emperor, this was truly somewhat embarrassing.
It seemed that Liu Hong was indeed a muddled ruler, just as recorded in historical records.
However, even if he was a muddled ruler, he was still sitting on the dragon throne, and Zhang Chen still had to obey his commands, at least for now.
Liu Hong said, "My beloved subject has this time greatly defeated the remnants of the Yellow Turban, preserving the peace of the commanderies and counties. Your merit is immense. To show your achievements, I now promote you to General Pingbei (Pacifying-the-North General), appoint you as Governor of Ji Province, and bestow upon you five hundred catties of gold and one hundred bolts of silk."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen couldn't help but be overjoyed. The gold and silk were fine, but the position of Governor of Ji Province was finally his!
Zhang Chen was about to express his gratitude, but unexpectedly, one of the civil and military officials stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, you absolutely must not!"
Zhang Chen frowned and turned to look at that person.
【Name: Liu Yan】
【Possessed Attributes: Descendant of the Han Empress (Gold), Lord of Xichuan (Gold), Abolishing History and Establishing Governors (Purple)】
So he was Liu Yan!
Zhang Chen looked at this old man with slightly graying hair but a face full of authority, and couldn't help but feel a bit of resentment in his heart.
Liu Hong also frowned and said to Liu Yan, "The matter of restoring the Prefect system was proposed by you, my beloved subject. Why do you oppose it now?"
Liu Yan said, "Your Majesty, I requested the restoration of the Prefect system because there are many corrupt officials who harm the people throughout the land. Therefore, I proposed appointing members of the imperial clan and important ministers to the position of Prefect to restrain them. However, Zhang Chen is neither a member of the imperial clan nor an important minister, and he is still young. How can he bear such a heavy responsibility? I hope Your Majesty will reconsider!"
As soon as Liu Yan finished speaking, He Jin immediately stepped forward and said, "Lord Liu, that is incorrect. Zhang Chen's great defeat of the one hundred thousand Yellow Turban remnants is a brilliant achievement that everyone has witnessed. He governs Wei Commandery, rectifies the officialdom, appoints the capable, and has made the lives of the people of Wei Commandery prosperous and their hearts peaceful. His bravery, strategy, and governance are all outstanding. How can he not be fit for the position of Prefect? And how can one judge based on age?"
Liu Yan added, "Your Majesty, the position of Prefect is high in status and authority, and one must be cautious. I heard that this Zhang Chen comes from a humble background, and his ancestors were lowly merchants. If he is appointed to such an important position, wouldn't it be a laughingstock to the world?"
"Liu Yan! Don't talk nonsense!" He Jin immediately retorted angrily, "Zhang Chen is from a filial and incorruptible background, a legitimate pure official. How can you slander him! What, just because you yourself have been appointed Governor of Yi Province, you can't bear to see others obtain this position?"
"You!" Liu Yan raised his ceremonial tablet and pointed at He Jin, his hand trembling slightly.
Zhang Chen stood aside, seeing He Jin defending him so strongly, and couldn't help but feel a bit of gratitude.
Although He Jin supporting him was also out of self-interest, no matter what, he had the 'kindness of a benefactor' towards him.
It was just a pity that his mind wasn't very sharp. He clearly held a good hand of cards but played it terribly, and eventually died tragically at the hands of those eunuchs. Thinking about it was truly lamentable.
Well, if there's a chance in the future, I'll see if I can save you.
"Your Majesty..."
"Enough, my imperial decree is final. How can I change it in the morning and evening?" Liu Hong immediately said, "My decision is made, you all need not say more."
With that, Liu Hong looked at Zhang Chen again and said, "Beloved subject Zhang, I hope you will govern the province and commandery well in the future and guard a region for me."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your sacred grace! Your subject will exert himself to the utmost, repay the heavenly grace above, bring peace to the common people below, dedicate himself completely, and serve until death!"
Liu Hong nodded with satisfaction, then said, "Court dismissed."
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree shouted loudly, and then Liu Hong rose and left. The officials also dispersed one by one.
Zhang Chen was about to leave when he saw Liu Yan looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Hmph!" Liu Yan snorted coldly and flicked his sleeves before leaving.
What's going on? I didn't provoke this old man, did I? Why is he targeting me everywhere?
Zhang Chen couldn't help but feel suspicious.
But then again, since you've already bullied me, I won't be polite!
Hand of Plunder, activate!
【Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully plundering the gold attribute 'Lord of Xichuan', gaining 600 plunder points!】
Zhang Chen had been eyeing this attribute for a long time.
【Lord of Xichuan (Gold)】: You occupy Yi Province, holding Xichuan, and are a Marquis of a region. (Popular support in the Xichuan region greatly increases, favorability and loyalty of talents in Xichuan greatly increase)
Heh heh! Without this, I'd like to see if you can still pacify Xichuan so easily!
High popular support means stable governance and fewer bandits. Yi Province is plagued by bandits, and there are also troubles from the Southern Barbarians. Without the bonus from this attribute, just these things will be enough to give you a headache for a while!
"Zifan, you don't need to pay attention to this old man." He Jin walked over and said, "This old man has always been pedantic. He proposed restoring the Prefect system originally to raise the status of the imperial clan, but he didn't expect His Majesty to grant the important position of Prefect to someone outside the clan. Heh heh, he lifted a rock only to drop it on his own feet."
"Uncle is right."
"Let's go. There will be a banquet at my residence tonight to celebrate your promotion and ennoblement!"
He Jin laughed heartily and walked straight out of the hall.