After Cui Yan withdrew, Liu Xie looked at Zhao Yun, who was sitting in a corner, and raised his eyebrows.
"Where is Zhao Yun?"
At his call, Zhao Yun stepped forward and firmly cupped his fists. "Here, Your Majesty!"
Liu Xie said, "Effective immediately, you will serve as Jigui's deputy general. Be sure to assist him well in commanding the Tiger Warriors Army."
Like the Feathered Forest Guard, the Tiger Warriors Army belonged to the Son of Heaven's Imperial Guard, one forming the Northern Army and the other the Southern Army.
Liu Xie could rest entirely easy leaving the Feathered Forest Guard to Zhang He and Gao Lan. Both had pledged their loyalty and followed him when he was still a puppet; their devotion went without saying.
But how could he feel at ease leaving the Tiger Warriors Army to Cui Yan?
After all, the Great Aristocratic Clans never had any use for the word "loyalty." They saw only their families' interests.
Zhao Yun was different. The historical records bore witness to his unwavering loyalty to the Han Dynasty, and he possessed both wisdom and courage. He was a military commander who could be called perfect.
Having him join the Tiger Warriors Army would not only greatly improve its fighting strength, but also keep Cui Yan in check.
Most importantly, Zhao Yun had only just come over from Gongsun Zan. In anyone's eyes, he could not possibly be the Son of Heaven's confidant, nor would anyone believe the Son of Heaven dared place such trust in him.
Thus, appointing Zhao Yun deputy commander of the Tiger Warriors Army would minimize Cui Yan's misgivings.
At court, Zhao Yun froze, almost wondering whether he had misheard.
He had only recently arrived in Ye City and had not earned the slightest merit. All