Chapter Eleven: Huang Tian, the Grand Historian

Upon returning to the Cai residence, Liu Yao immediately felt that the events of the day were exceedingly strange. “Heh, I truly never expected my Imperial Father to be such a man—he's managed to deceive the entire world. But with my father’s unwavering support, I can now let go of my doubts and act freely, no longer needing to worry about someone stabbing me in the back.”

A month passed quickly. During this time, with Liu Hong’s backing, Liu Yao’s influence flourished even further.

On this day, Liu Yao was, as ever, reading in his study.

“My lord, Tian Feng, Tai Shici, and Huang Zhong are waiting at the post station,” Shi A reported.

“Oh, they've already arrived? Hurry, Shi A, take me to meet them at once!” Liu Yao exclaimed joyfully, tossing aside his bamboo slip, excitement written all over his face.

“My lord, with your status, shouldn’t they come to see you instead?” Shi A asked, somewhat puzzled.

“You don’t understand, Shi A. For men of true talent, one must go in person to invite them—only then does it show true sincerity. Lead the way,” Liu Yao replied with deep meaning.

“Yes, my lord!”

The royal post station, usually reserved for foreign guests, was at that moment occupied by three plainly dressed men drinking together.

One was a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar, another appeared to be a mere youth, and the third, also middle-aged, wore a martial outfit.

“I am Huang Zhong, styled Hansheng, of Nanyang. May I ask your names?” the first said.

“I am Tian Feng, styled Yuanhao, of Julu in Jizhou,” the second answered.

“I am Tai Shici, styled Ziyi, of Donglai,” the third replied.

“Brother Yuanhao, and young brother Tai Shici, did you also come to Luoyang because you received a summons from His Majesty?” Huang Zhong asked with some curiosity.

“That’s right. I was tending to my elderly mother in Donglai when, quite unexpectedly, an imperial edict arrived, calling me to serve in Luoyang. At first, I was reluctant to leave my mother, but she insisted, saying a true man’s ambition should be boundless, and forced me to come and make something of myself,” Tai Shici said, somewhat helplessly.

“You are a filial son, young brother Tai Shici,” Tian Feng praised, stroking his beard. “As for me, I was already serving as a censor in Luoyang, but I could not bear the ways of the eunuchs and intended to resign and return home—only for an imperial edict to summon me here. What about you, Brother Hansheng?”

“My situation is much the same. I was serving as a minor officer in Jingzhou, and I too was summoned,” Huang Zhong replied, his tone equally helpless, though tinged with worry.

At that moment, a hearty laugh sounded from outside. “Greetings, gentlemen!” It was Liu Yao. He pushed open the door and strode in.

“Hmph! Who are you to enter so rudely?” Tai Shici, still hot-blooded in his youth, glared fiercely at Liu Yao for his lack of ceremony.

Shi A quickly stepped in front of Liu Yao, his presence clashing with Tai Shici’s, and both men showed a flash of surprise in their eyes.

“You are…?” Tian Feng studied Liu Yao, finding him somewhat familiar. “Ah! I am Tian Feng, your humble servant, and I greet the Crown Prince!” He suddenly recalled seeing Liu Yao at a poetry gathering five years before.

“Crown Prince?” Tai Shici gasped, a cold sweat breaking out on his back. Instantly, he and Huang Zhong knelt. “Your humble servant, Tai Shici (Huang Zhong), greets Your Highness!”

“Haha, please, there’s no need for such formality,” Liu Yao laughed, helping each of the three to their feet.

Seeing Liu Yao’s respect for talent, the three men warmed to him at once.

“Come, let us sit and talk,” Liu Yao said, taking his seat first.

Tian Feng sat down at once, but Huang Zhong and Tai Shici exchanged glances and, though hesitant, followed suit, still visibly ill at ease.

“Your Highness, may I ask—was it you who summoned the three of us?” Tian Feng asked frankly, never one to hold back.

“It was indeed,” Liu Yao replied.

“Then may I inquire as to the reason Your Highness has called us?” Tian Feng’s tone remained blunt, without a trace of deference, causing Shi A to frown beside him.

With memories of his former life, Liu Yao cared little for outward shows of respect. “To put it simply, I am preparing to serve as an official in Youzhou. I know of your great talents and hope you will aid me in contributing to the Han dynasty. With your abilities, achieving great merit and high office is well within reach.”

To travel a thousand miles for office was for only two reasons: wealth, or the pursuit of merit and achievement. The three men’s eyes clearly showed interest, especially in meeting a lord who so valued their abilities.

Tian Feng gritted his teeth. “Your Highness, I have one last question.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“What is Your Highness’s view of the current state of the Han dynasty?” Tian Feng asked, his tone grave. Tai Shici and Huang Zhong were taken aback—such a question was, to them, taboo.

Liu Yao was unfazed. “Yuanhao, are you testing me? I don’t mind being frank. I know the Han is in decline, so I go forth to office in hopes of finding a way out for our dynasty, and to restore its former glory.” He had no intention of revealing Liu Hong’s secret—that would remain between father and son.

A gleam flashed in Tian Feng’s eye. “I, Tian Feng, pledge myself to you, my lord, and will serve you unto death.”

“I, Tai Shici, pledge myself to you, my lord, and will serve you unto death,” Tai Shici echoed.

“Excellent, excellent! With your aid, I am truly fortunate,” Liu Yao said joyfully, raising them to their feet. He then turned, somewhat puzzled, to Huang Zhong, who still wore a look of deep hesitation.

Tian Feng and Tai Shici, too, were confused. “Brother Hansheng, what are you hesitating for? Our lord is a true wise leader.”

Huang Zhong’s hesitation grew. Gritting his teeth, he knelt and said, “I beg Your Highness to grant me one request; otherwise, I cannot serve you.”

“How dare you threaten our lord!” Shi A stepped forward, hand on his sword, voice raised in anger.

Liu Yao waved him back.

“Hansheng, speak your mind. If it’s within my power, I will not refuse you,” Liu Yao said.

At this, tears streamed down Huang Zhong’s face. “Your Highness, I am thirty-seven and, late in life, was blessed with a son—now ten years old. Yet from birth, the boy has been frail and sickly. Every doctor says he will not live past fifteen. I have sought cures everywhere, but to no avail. I beg Your Highness to save my child’s life.”

Liu Yao recalled that Huang Zhong did have a son, Huang Xu, who was indeed weak in health. “Ah, Hansheng, is that all? No problem at all; the young master is here as well, so I will summon an imperial physician to treat him at once.”

Huang Zhong, moved to the core, knelt again. “I pledge my life to you, my lord!”

“Very good! Now, let us go see your son at once,” Liu Yao said.

“Yes, yes, thank you, my lord,” Huang Zhong said, wiping away his tears.

“Shi A, take my token and summon the imperial physician,” Liu Yao ordered, handing him a token.

“Yes, my lord.”

Tai Shici and Tian Feng, having no part in this, retired to their rooms, while Liu Yao accompanied Huang Zhong to a side chamber. There, a woman was tending a boy of about ten, who coughed from time to time. It was Huang Zhong’s wife and son.

“Husband, who are these gentlemen?” Mrs. Huang hurried forward as soon as she saw Huang Zhong return.

“My lady, this is my lord, His Highness the Crown Prince,” Huang Zhong replied.

A flash of shock crossed Mrs. Huang’s face. She bowed to Liu Yao. “Your humble servant greets Your Highness.”

Observing her bearing, Liu Yao realized she must come from a family of scholars—though how she came to marry Huang Zhong, he could not say. “No need for such formality, madam.”

“My lady, our lord has summoned the imperial physician to treat our son!” Huang Zhong said, his face alight with joy.

“Truly?” Mrs. Huang cried, hardly daring to believe it.

“Nonsense! Do you doubt our lord’s word?” Huang Zhong scolded, and Mrs. Huang shrank back in fear.

“It’s all right, pay it no mind,” Liu Yao said casually.

Mrs. Huang let out a sigh of relief; had she jeopardized Huang Zhong’s future, she would never have forgiven herself.

After a while, the imperial physician arrived with Shi A and, under Huang Zhong’s anxious gaze, began to examine young Huang Xu.