On the day Liu Hong was assassinated, all the Officials were shaken, and the entire Luoyang was filled with an unprecedented sense of suppression.
The Officials responsible for city defense and security were also shocked.
The Emperor of Han was actually assassinated within the Imperial Harem, and what's more, he was hit by two arrows, severely wounded and unconscious.
This was simply a colossal joke.
That night, the entire Luoyang was thrown into chaos, with everyone on edge.
Nearly a thousand suspects were arrested, and the Imperial Prison could no longer hold them.
However, Imperial Guards and Southern Army soldiers could still be seen searching for assassins on the streets.
The next morning, a message finally came from the Imperial Palace.
Liu Hong, who had been severely wounded and unconscious, had woken up after treatment.
Logically, this should have been good news, a cause for celebration.
However, no one was happy.
In fact, the atmosphere in Luoyang became even more oppressive because of Liu Hong's awakening.
Everyone knew that when the Son of Heaven raged, millions would fall. Liu Hong was assassinated in his own Imperial Palace, almost dying, and now that he had woken up, his thunderous wrath would surely erupt, and then...
As soon as the various Officials heard the news of Liu Hong's awakening, one Eunuch after another from the Imperial Palace arrived before them.
General He Jin, Garrison Commander, Commander of the Capital Garrison, Commandant of the Guards, and Superintendent of the Palace are summoned to the Palace for an audience!
To the Palace!
Inside Changle Palace in the Imperial Palace.
In the Empress's bedchamber, which was filled with an extremely strong and unpleasant smell of herbs.
Liu Hong lay on the phoenix bed, his face pale and grim.
Empress He Lian sat by the bed, nervously watching Zhang Shihao, who was taking Liu Hong's pulse.
General He Jin, Court Attendants Zhang Rang and Jian Shuo, the Garrison Commander, Commander of the Capital Garrison, Commandant of the Guards, and Superintendent of the Palace, along with a large number of Officials responsible for the defense of the entire Luoyang, from outside to inside, gathered in the bedchamber.
The bedchamber was packed, and no one dared to speak, all nervously watching Zhang Shihao, dressed in Eunuch robes, taking Liu Hong's pulse.
Under everyone's gaze, Zhang Shihao slowly lowered Liu Hong's hand, a slight smile appearing on his solemn face. He took a step back and congratulated Liu Hong:
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Your Majesty has completely escaped danger, and there are no signs of wound infection. Fortunately, the arrows did not hit any bones; it was just excessive blood loss, causing some blood deficiency. Next, consume more blood-replenishing foods, and you will fully recover in about ten days."
"Hoo~"
Hearing Zhang Shihao say that he was fine and would fully recover in ten days, Liu Hong, whose face had been grim, finally let out a sigh of relief.
However, the next moment, Liu Hong's weak, icy voice rang out:
"Where are the assassins? Have they been caught?"
The bodies of the Officials, who had been on tenterhooks, suddenly trembled.
Instantly, General He Jin, Court Attendant Zhang Rang, Guard Commander Jian Shuo, the Garrison Commander, Commander of the Capital Garrison, Commandant of the Guards, and the Superintendent of the Palace, along with all the Officials under their command, knelt down in a rush.
"Your Majesty, this slave is useless. The assassins escaped. I have failed to live up to Your Majesty's high expectations; this slave deserves to die."
Jian Shuo, still injured and pale, knelt on the ground and said to Liu Hong with a trembling voice.
"The assassins escaped?"
"Jian Shuo, Guard Commander, you truly live up to the title of Guard Commander that I bestowed upon you. I was hit by two arrows. If not for Xiao Haozi, I fear you would have 'protected' me all the way to meet the late Emperor, wouldn't you?"
Hearing that the assassins had all escaped, Liu Hong's already pale face flushed with anger. He said through gritted teeth, his voice icy.
"This slave deserves to die. I have failed to live up to Your Majesty's expectations. This slave deserves to die, this slave deserves..."
Liu Hong's icy voice, filled with gritted teeth, echoed through the bedchamber. Jian Shuo lay prostrate on the ground, trembling all over.
Taking a deep breath to suppress the urge to immediately execute Jian Shuo, Liu Hong looked at He Jin, the Commander of the Capital Garrison, the Commandant of the Guards, and the Superintendent of the Palace, who were all sweating profusely, and said coldly:
"The General commands all the armies in the world. The Commander of the Capital Garrison is responsible for the safety of Luoyang city. The Commandant of the Guards and the Superintendent of the Palace are both among the Nine Ministers. The Commandant of the Guards guards the Imperial Palace gates; the Superintendent of the Palace guards the Imperial Palace chambers. What do you have to say?"
"This..." Hearing Liu Hong's questioning, the Commander of the Capital Garrison, the Commandant of the Guards, the Superintendent of the Palace, and others were all speechless.
He Jin wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and quickly said:
"Your Majesty, these people, according to my inquiries, are highly skilled in swordsmanship and light-footed. They are probably well-trained and broke out of the Imperial Palace before the large contingent of Imperial Guards could surround them, disappearing without a trace. This indicates they also understand the layout of the Imperial Palace. Currently, this minister is intensifying the search..."
As he spoke, He Jin's voice grew softer and softer, and Liu Hong on the bed became even more furious:
"Useless! You are truly a bunch of useless people! I was almost killed, yet you don't even know who the assassins are, not even a single clue..."
Inside the Empress's bedchamber, Liu Hong's face was flushed, and his voice was filled with intense anger. The Officials were all as silent as cicadas in winter.
Empress He Lian's face also looked unwell at this moment.
However, Zhang Shihao, standing beside Liu Hong, showed no change in his expression. But Zhang Shihao's gaze subtly flickered towards the Superintendent of the Palace, who was sweating cold.
The Superintendent of the Palace, one of the Nine Ministers, had the General of the Gentlemen of the Household and the Commander of the Feathered Forest Guards under his command, responsible for guarding and escorting.
Others might not know the assassin's identity.
But Zhang Shihao knew the person's identity and position from their attribute panel.
Wang Yue, General of the Gentlemen of the Household!
However, even though he knew the assassin was Wang Yue, Zhang Shihao did not speak, but listened silently as Liu Hong vented his anger.
After scolding the Officials, Liu Hong's inner shock and anger seemed to have finally been somewhat released. Still furious, he said in an icy voice:
"Jian Shuo, as the Commander of the Imperial Harem Guards, failed to protect me. He deserves death, an unforgivable crime. However, considering your desperate efforts to protect me and our many years of shared sentiment, I will spare your life. You will receive thirty heavy blows, be stripped of all official positions, and be thrown into the Imperial Prison!"
Liu Hong's icy voice, filled with fury, echoed. Jian Shuo, prostrate on the ground, trembled and cried out:
"This slave thanks Your Majesty for sparing his life!"
"Hiss hiss..."
Hearing that Liu Hong would directly give Jian Shuo, the Commander of the Imperial Harem Guards, thirty heavy blows, strip him of all official positions, and throw him into the Imperial Prison, all the Officials in the bedchamber gasped.
However, before anyone could recover from their shock, Liu Hong's icy voice rang out, striking terror into everyone's hearts.
"Commander of the Capital Garrison, Commandant of the Guards, and Superintendent of the Palace, you are responsible for the security inside and outside the Imperial Palace. Now, assassins have entered and exited the Imperial Palace as if no one were there. You all bear responsibility. All of you will have your official ranks reduced by one level, receive twenty strokes of the rod, and are ordered to find the assassins within three days. Otherwise, all of you may go home and retire!"
Liu Hong's voice resonated, and the Officials, all disheartened, repeatedly affirmed, "Yes." Only General He Jin wiped the cold sweat that kept pouring from his forehead, his face full of relief. Thankfully, Liu Hong hadn't included him in the punishment.
Liu Hong, however, paid them no mind. His gaze turned to Zhang Shihao, who stood tall with sharp, heroic eyebrows. A smile finally appeared on Liu Hong's cold face, and he said:
"Xiao Haozi, listen to my decree!"
As Liu Hong's voice rang out, the disheartened Officials in the bedchamber all looked at Zhang Shihao with complex and envious expressions.
Undoubtedly, with Liu Hong's assassination and severe injury, a group of people would fall, but one person had rendered great service.
It was Zhang Shihao, the Xiao Huangmen and Imperial Physician!
Many Officials were unfamiliar with this Xiao Huangmen and Imperial Physician who had suddenly appeared.
But no matter what, Zhang Shihao, who had blocked the assassin and treated Liu Hong, would gain Liu Hong's trust and heavy reliance.
"This slave, Xiao Haozi, listens to the decree!"
Although Zhang Shihao was already prepared, hearing Liu Hong's words of commendation still filled his heart with intense anticipation and pleasant surprise.
Empress He Lian's beautiful eyes, at his side, also flickered, clearly showing some expectation.
"In the past, Xiao Haozi rendered meritorious service by treating the Eldest Prince. Today, Xiao Haozi has again rendered meritorious service by saving me, treating me and bringing me out of danger. This is an even greater merit! It can be said that without Xiao Haozi, there would be no me. He deserves a heavy reward!"
Liu Hong's voice echoed, and all the Officials looked at Zhang Shihao with envy.
This merit was simply boundless! How great would the reward be?
Not just the reward, but crucially, Zhang Shihao would absolutely become Liu Hong's most trusted person, as the grace of saving a life was the greatest of all.
"Xiao Haozi, your martial arts are superb, your medical skills are extraordinary, and you have rendered meritorious service in saving me."
"I appoint you as Regular Attendant, Marquis of Yiyang, bestow upon you a thousand gold, and grant you command of the Imperial Harem Guards, to lead all guards in the Imperial Harem and protect me. Do you accept?"
Liu Hong looked at Zhang Shihao with a face full of admiration and a smile, his words of commendation echoing through the Empress's bedchamber and entering everyone's ears.
Boom! Even though they knew Liu Hong might heavily reward Zhang Shihao, upon truly hearing Liu Hong's rewards for Zhang Shihao, everyone was stunned.
What did they hear?
Zhang Shihao to be appointed Regular Attendant, Marquis of Yiyang, and to lead the Imperial Harem Guards, commanding all guards in the Imperial Harem?
Another Regular Attendant, equal in status to Zhang Rang and the Ten Attendants, had been born?
Marquis of Yiyang? That was a County Marquis among the ranked Marquises!
Zhang Shihao's hometown was in Hongnong Commandery.
Hongnong Commandery governed 11 counties: Hongnong, Yiyang, Xin'an, Mianchi, Lushi, Luhun, Xi, Shunyang, Shan, Shangluo, and Shang.
And Yiyang was precisely the county where Zhang Shihao's hometown was located. So the Marquis of Yiyang was indeed a County Marquis!
At this moment, even Zhang Shihao himself was stunned.
He was shocked by Liu Hong's grand gesture.
One must know that there were two ranks of peerage in the Han dynasty: Ranked Marquis and Marquis of the Interior.
And the Ranked Marquis was more esteemed than the Marquis of the Interior.
Ranked Marquises were divided into three grades: County Marquis, Township Marquis, and Pavilion Marquis.
County Marquis. When Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, enfeoffed meritorious Officials, he granted several Marquisates, all of which were County Marquises. These counties, after being used for enfeoffment, were no longer called counties but were referred to as Marquisates.
Township Marquis, similar to County Marquis, but the enfeoffment was only a township.
Pavilion Marquis was a Marquis whose enfeoffment was a pavilion. However, a pavilion was a security organization and had no territory.
Pavilion Marquis was the lowest rank among the Ranked Marquises.
However, Zhang Shihao knew a very famous Pavilion Marquis.
Guan Yu, Marquis of Hanshou Pavilion.
He had directly surpassed Guan Yu, who had struggled for many years?
Not only was Zhang Shihao appointed Regular Attendant by Liu Hong, a position equivalent to Zhang Rang's, but he was also enfeoffed as a County Marquis, the Marquis of Yiyang?
And furthermore, he was given a thousand gold and made the Commander of the Imperial Harem Guards, to lead all guards in the Imperial Harem?!
"This... This... Another one of the Ten Attendants has emerged??"
Inside the Empress's bedchamber, everyone was utterly astonished by Liu Hong's grand gesture.
Zhang Rang's expression changed dramatically. He stepped forward, about to speak, when Liu Hong interrupted him.
"Xiao Haozi saved my life. I feel the reward is still too little. Moreover, with the assassin still at large, my safety is not assured. Anyone who dares to speak up and dissuade me today will go to the Imperial Prison for a meal!"
Seeing Zhang Rang about to object, Liu Hong snorted coldly, speaking without ceremony.
Liu Hong's cold snort immediately doused Zhang Rang with a bucket of cold water. Understanding Liu Hong's character, Zhang Rang immediately realized that if he were to push the issue now, he might truly be sent to the Imperial Prison by Liu Hong.
Zhang Rang took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and gave Zhang Shihao a deep look before retreating.
At this moment, Zhang Shihao also recovered from the shock of Liu Hong's commendation. A strong sense of pleasant surprise and excitement flashed in the depths of his eyes, but his face wore an expression of being overwhelmed by favor. He quickly cupped his hands to Liu Hong and said:
"This... Your Majesty, how can Xiao Haozi accept such a reward? I ask Your Majesty to withdraw the commendation. All of this is what Xiao Haozi should do."
"Xiao Haozi, if I say you can accept it, then you can accept it." Looking at Zhang Shihao's handsome face, which was filled with an expression of being overwhelmed by favor, Liu Hong nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand.
Having been assassinated and narrowly escaped death, with the assassin still at large, Liu Hong naturally cherished his life. Discovering a skilled expert by his side, he naturally wanted to keep him close.
And the key point was that Zhang Shihao pleased him greatly. The aphrodisiac incense, medical skills, and martial arts—these were all substantial things, unlike Zhang Rang and the others who only knew flowery words.
Liu Hong was not foolish; he naturally understood that Zhang Shihao was a talent, and of course, he wanted to win him over.
"This... Xiao Haozi will definitely protect Your Majesty well. If the assassin comes again, Xiao Haozi will certainly charge forward for Your Majesty, cut off the assassin's head, and present it to Your Majesty!"
As if sensing Liu Hong's determination to bestow the reward, Zhang Shihao no longer declined. His face serious, he loudly pledged his loyalty.
However, at this moment, Zhang Shihao's heart was surging with waves of joy and excitement.
He, Zhang Shihao, was now the Commander of the Imperial Harem Guards, leading all guards in the Imperial Harem. That meant he would be able to establish his own power and influence within the Imperial Harem.
"Mm!" As if satisfied with Zhang Shihao's pledge of loyalty, Liu Hong nodded in approval.