Even though only nine candidates remained after the two rounds of selection a few days ago, Liu Hong still needed to carefully consider his choices.

He was very cautious about the selection for the positions of General of the North and the commanders of the Xiyuan Eight Divisions.

Where would the commanders of the Xiyuan Eight Division get their soldiers?

Since it was impossible to draw personnel from the already established Northern Army’s five divisions, these newly appointed commanders would have to recruit soldiers themselves from local areas.

He had to weigh the abilities of these people to recruit soldiers as part of his considerations.

For these reasons, he was increasingly reluctant to let powerful families and relatives of the empress dowager interfere with this army.

Although Cao Cao had the potential to become General of the North, Liu Hong preferred to place him in a commander position.

The Cao family was wealthy and had many talented fighters in this generation.

For instance, Cao Hong, who had joined Cao Cao’s recruitment, was very brave.

It was said that there was another member of the Cao family, Cao Zixiao, who, though only twenty years old, had gathered a group of similarly aged youths and traveled around the Huai and Si regions.

To Liu Hong, these were all talents he wanted to bring into the Xiyuan army.

The more he could gather, the better.

However, if Cao Cao were placed in the faraway Bingzhou region, it could lead to the development of a local power base, which was contrary to Liu Hong’s intentions.

So, who should be placed in the position of General of the North?

This person couldn’t be a brute like Ji Ling or Bao Hong, nor could it be a scholarly advisor like Feng Fang or Xia Mou.

After excluding Jian Shuo, there was only one candidate left—

Han Fu.

Could Han Fu handle this responsibility?

After much consideration, Liu Hong thought it was worth a try.

Han Fu’s basic principles seemed reliable.

He appeared to be a bit mild-mannered, which might be a weakness in other military positions, but was suitable for the role of General of the North.

Even if he couldn’t fulfill the duty of defending against the Xiongnu the Xiu Tu tribes, the Marquis of Le Ping would be there to support him.

Additionally, Han Fu’s good character could help manage powerful generals like Qu Yi, which could also serve as a check on Qiao Yan’s power.

With these factors in mind, Han Fu seemed like a suitable choice.

With Han Fu chosen, seven candidates remained.

Liu Hong then carefully selected one more person from outside the initial top nine, forming a team of eight.

And these eight—

These eight would be the ones he could entrust with his life, and even more importantly, the future of the crown prince!

After examining the final list for a long time and making a few additions, Liu Hong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Despite the conclusion of this final “exhibition match” where Qiao Yan emerged victorious, Liu Hong emerged from beneath the twelve-layered five-color canopy, his face calm, but his mind filled with tumultuous thoughts.

Fortunately, now was the time for the dust to settle.

Thinking about the outcome of these events, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.

His gaze scanned the thirty-five individuals who stood reorganized before the platform…

Wait!

Shouldn’t it be thirty-six people?

“Lets see if there’s someone missing in the audience,” Liu Hong instructed Zhang Rang.

Zhang Rang hurried to check who was absent.

Looking from the stage to the audience below was somewhat unclear, so he descended from the platform to confirm the situation up close.

After confirming, he returned to report to Liu Hong, “Your Majesty, Dong Min is absent.”

Dong Min?

Liu Hong considered that this person had no relevance to the matter he was about to announce, so he decided not to delay the proclamation.

He simply gestured to Zhang Rang to find the missing person.

He couldn’t help but mutter to himself inwardly about how Dong Min, this man from Xiliang, seemed to be underestimating him too much to be absent at such a time.

Thinking about how Dong Min was recommended by He Jin, he felt a touch of resentment towards him.

However, he did not show it on his face.

He walked to the front of the platform, and began slowly, “This time, we gathered you all here to select the General of the North. However, after observing the competitions and practices over the past month, I have seen the abundance of talent amongst our people of Han.”

“I believe that appointing just one General of the North is not enough to fully utilize your talents.”

“I intend to establish the Xiyuan Eight Division directly under the Emperor. Those ranked at the forefront will be selected. With the current unrest in the four corners of the empire, the Eight Division will execute the Emperor’s will and pacify rebellions.”

Those like He Jin and Yuan Shao, who had already received prior information, were not surprised to hear this announcement at this time.

However, for Cao Cao, this was truly unexpected joy.

Initially, he felt he had lost to Qiao Yan and was likely to return without any achievements.

Who knew that Liu Hong would suddenly drop such a bombshell?

The concept of the Xiyuan Eight Division had been around for some years, but now it seemed to have a legitimate and formal selection process, as well as opportunities for military campaigns across the empire.

This was undoubtedly much better than the position of a Jianlang previously rejected by Cao Cao.

The next moment, Liu Hong continued, “Jian Shuo, Cao Cao, Ji Ling, Bao Hong, Zhao Rong, Feng Fang, Xia Mou…”

“…and Zhao Jin step forward.”

There was his name!

“I intend to appoint Jianshuo as Chief Military Officer, Cao Cao as Central Military Officer, Ji Ling as Lower Military Officer, Bao Hong as Center Military Officer, Xia Mou as Left Military Officer, Zhao Rong as Right Military Officer, Feng Fang as Assistant Left Military Officer, and Zhao Jin as Assistant Right Military Officer. This shall be known as the Xiyuan Eight Schools.”

Apart from Jianshuo as Chief Military Officer, who was considered the leader of the Xiyuan Eight Division despite seeming somewhat ridiculous, the others named were quite satisfied with their respective assignments.

The position of Central Military Officer, just below the Chief, was previously held by Yuan Shao, which Cao Cao had no objections to.

Among these eight individuals, Feng Fang and Zhao Jin, who had been eliminated in the second round, were indeed suitable as Assistant Military Officers.

However, with this setup, among those who successfully entered the top nine, aside from Marquis of Leiping, there remained only one, Han Fu?

By this time, it was generally understood that Han Fu, seeing the congratulatory gazes around him, unconsciously straightened his back.

Sure enough, Liu Hong continued, “Han Fu shall be appointed as General of the North, overseeing Xianbei and Xiongnu military affairs. Do not disappoint me.”

Han Fu was stunned by this unexpected opportunity.

Although he had received hints from the Yuan family and came to participate in the selection, even if he failed, there would be additional benefits.

But after losing to Qiao Yan, he felt his chances were slim.

However, he never expected that the position of General of the North would not go to Jianshuo or Cao Cao, but instead to him.

He quickly bowed in thanks, saying, “I will not dare to disappoint Your Majesty’s expectations.”

Seeing his reaction, Liu Hong couldn’t help but feel satisfied.

Looking at the Eight Division of the Western Army, who seemed like strong support, he was even more satisfied.

However, as he paced back, he noticed a eunuch whispering something into Zhang Rang’s ear, causing Zhang Rang’s expression to change suddenly.

This didn’t seem like good news congratulating him on achieving his goals.

Especially since he vaguely heard the name “Dong Min” mentioned.

Zhang Rang quickly leaned down and reported the situation truthfully to him.

“Is the situation true?” Liu Hong’s fingers instinctively clenched, and a cold look flashed across his face.

“I have already sent people to investigate,” Zhang Rang replied.

Hearing Zhang Rang’s reply, Liu Hong’s emotions calmed a little.

No, it wouldn’t be so easy to calm down!

Because his majesty had not given the order, therefore…

those newly appointed officials still hadn’t left, maintaining their formation.

Flags fluttered, fierce warriors filled the scene, with talented generals leading the way.

Before hearing that drunken remark, he had felt a strong sense of control over the situation, brimming with confidence.

But now, an inexplicable anger swelled within him, feeling he had been deceived!

What did it mean—Zhao Rong, Feng Fang, Xia Mou, Ji Ling, and Han Fu—all owed their positions to powerful family backing?

Dong Min’s tardiness due to drunkenness had already greatly displeased Liu Hong. Unfortunately, from his mouth came yet another earth-shattering revelation.

Even though the truth of his drunken words had yet to be verified, surely “in vino veritas.”

If Dong Min didn’t truly feel like a “sacrificial lamb,” how could he, in his drunken frenzy, forget such an important matter as an audience with the emperor today?

The more Liu Hong thought about it, the more likely it seemed!

What had he done?

Noticing He Jin’s interference with these selections, he had tampered with the drawing order and instructed Qiao Yan, his swift blade, to systematically eliminate He Jin’s men. Yet it seemed like he had merely lit the spark that attracted a pack of wolves.

If not for this unexpected situation with Dong Min, he might have been kept in the dark until he considered these people his trusted aides!

“Investigate!” he squeezed out through gritted teeth.

“Thoroughly investigate. I want to know every move they make once they enter Luoyang.”

A ruler’s words were not to be taken lightly.

His decrees had already been issued, and he couldn’t retract them in the short term.

Otherwise, he would lose the respect of the tens of thousands of soldiers from the Northern Army’s five battalions.

So, even if the truth turned out to be as Dong Min’s drunken words suggested, he would have to bear the humiliation and accept this loss.

Especially Han Fu as the General of the North—his position couldn’t be easily replaced.

After all, this was done under the pretext of selecting the General of the North!

The people below the platform had no idea what the monarch on the high platform was thinking.

From the mid-November gathering of personnel to now, formally entering mid-December, this was not an ideal time to stand outdoors for long.

But for Liu Hong, the suffocating feeling of being deceived overwhelmed everything else.

He didn’t care about the soldiers who were supposed to defend the capital from all sides.

They had already played their game of selecting loyalists, and now they had to wait together for an outcome.

The silence was oppressive, filling the entire area with an unbearable tension.

But because of this silence, no one knew exactly what had caused this sudden change.

He Jin glanced toward Liu Hong’s direction, but all he saw was a tense and somber expression.

He couldn’t afford to approach Liu Hong in this state.

He figured others felt the same.

Thus, the unbearable silence persisted until dusk, when a young eunuch approached Liu Hong with several silk scrolls.

Finally, there was some movement from the high platform.

Liu Hong took the scrolls and read the contents.

His eyes briefly flashed with anger, but he quickly concealed it with a thoughtful gaze.

After pondering for a while, he managed to suppress the rage he might have revealed earlier.

He stood up and walked back to the front of the platform.

The twilight cast a gloomy hue over both the platform and the area below.

Liu Hong’s shadow stretched long under the setting sun.

He could feel the tangible gazes below and sensed the invisible scrutiny around him.

Suppressing the nausea rising from being manipulated, Liu Hong finally spoke, “I have a few more appointments to announce. I invite you all to witness.”

If given the chance to speak, the audience would surely question why he delayed these decisions until now.

No one was supposed to stand with him here.

Even Liu Hong was kneeling there, but those unlucky ones had to stand.

At this time, dissent against the supreme authority was obviously not acceptable, and they could only listen as Liu Hong continued.

The monarch, who had already turned several corners in his mind, continued, “Dong Chong, the nephew of Empress Dowager Dong, is appointed as… General of the Valiant Cavalry.”

He Jin was shocked.

What did this command mean?

After Empress He poisoned Prince Xie’s birth mother, Lady Wang, Liu Hong, under the pleading of the eunuchs, treated Empress He lightly and did not impose any punishment. Instead, he sent Prince Xie to be raised by Empress Dowager Dong, allowing Prince Xie to rely on the Dong family as his maternal relatives. Therefore, Prince Xie was also called Marquis Dong.

Although General of Cavalry was not as prestigious as Grand General, it was still a position of real power and, implicitly, a challenge to him.

This way of promoting relatives inevitably made He Jin feel that the rumors about Liu Hong intending to make Prince Xie his heir were becoming more credible.

“Xie,” this name was chosen because Prince Xie resembles him!

He Jin’s uncertain suspicions were still not smoothed over. He then heard Liu Hong speak again: “Marquis of Leping.”

Qiao Yan stepped forward as called.

Liu Hong looked at her.

He certainly knew that the sentence he was about to utter would undoubtedly cause quite a stir. Whether it was a desperate measure in a time of crisis or a situation that demanded it, this was the best choice he could make now.

At the very least, Qiao Yan had achievements here that surpassed all others, with various notable accomplishments in Bingzhou and during the Yellow Turban Rebellion. This made her capable of an extraordinary appointment.

With few people he could trust at this moment, he could only appoint someone who was most likely isolated from others and loyal only to him, to take over this position for future needs.

Marquis of Leping…

Hopefully, he had not made a wrong decision.

“Appoint Marquis of Yueping Qiao Yan as—”

“Governor of Bingzhou!”