Even the Garrison Commander leading the troops didn't dare to contradict a scion of the Yuan family.

Yet, someone dared to tell Yuan Shao to put down his precious horse and divine weapon?

Who would be so audacious?

All the onlookers were surprised and looked towards the source of the voice.

They saw a young man, dressed in brocade, incredibly handsome, and with a tall, upright posture, step out from the crowd.

Looking at the newcomer, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao exchanged glances, both seeing confusion in the other's eyes.

There wasn't such a person among the Powerful Families and influential young masters of Luoyang, was there?

It was Commandant Feng, who had originally looked troubled, whose spirits suddenly lifted upon seeing the newcomer. He quickly went to greet him, smiling at Zhang Shihao:

“So it's the Marquis of Yiyang! This subordinate was just wondering who would dare to speak such bold words, to say they would wield a divine weapon and tame a precious horse. The Marquis of Yiyang is highly skilled in martial arts; a mere divine weapon and precious horse are certainly easy pickings for him.”

“Zhang Shihao?”

Upon hearing Commandant Feng's words, the surrounding onlookers, the Zhen family merchant, Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Gao Chao, and others were all startled.

The Zhen family merchant and Cao Cao clearly looked at Zhang Shihao with surprise.

Gao Chao, hearing that the newcomer might be his future boss, flushed slightly, his face filled with excitement.

After a moment of surprise, Yuan Shao recovered, his expression turning grim.

“Commandant Feng, as a Garrison Commander, is naturally also unparalleled in bravery.”

Zhang Shihao walked out of the crowd, looked at Commandant Feng, who was quite respectful and complimentary towards him, and smiled, praising him in return.

“This… you flatter me. Commandant Feng's martial arts are ten thousand li behind the Marquis of Yiyang's.”

Listening to Zhang Shihao's gentle and praising words, Commandant Feng's face immediately flushed red, a surge of ecstasy welling up inside him. He quickly spoke with even more excitement and respect.

Indeed, at this moment, Commandant Feng was ecstatic.

He had seen Zhang Shihao before.

But there had been no interaction.

However, it was undeniable that Zhang Shihao's rapid rise had made him a newly appointed Regular Attendant, a Marquis, and Commander of the Palace Guards, guarding Emperor Liu Hong. He was highly skilled in martial arts, had transcendent medical skills, and was deeply favored by Emperor Liu Hong and Empress He Lian.

He was also going to recruit three hundred super-strong Imperial Harem Guards.

Everyone knew that Zhang Shihao's rise was unstoppable.

However, Zhang Shihao, having just risen, lacked subordinates.

Those who wished to pledge allegiance to Zhang Shihao were endless.

But Zhang Shihao had always been in the palace, and ordinary people simply had no chance to meet him.

His patron was gone, and now, Commandant Feng's greatest hope was to find a new patron.

Undoubtedly, Zhang Shihao's appearance also sparked an idea in Commandant Feng.

It was simply because Zhang Shihao was too suitable.

Commandant Feng's father-in-law, Cao Jie, was a powerful Eunuch and Grand Chief of the Imperial Harem, and he was a Eunuch along with the Ten Attendants Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and others.

In reality, they were rivals competing for favor, and they disliked each other.

And before, Cao Jie's power had permeated the court, offending countless Powerful Families.

It could be said that if Cao Jie died, even if Commandant Feng went to seek refuge with Powerful Families Officials, no one would want him.

So, Commandant Feng's current situation was that his patron was gone, and neither the Eunuchs nor the Powerful Families cared for him.

Zhang Shihao's sudden emergence naturally moved Commandant Feng.

And now, seeing Zhang Shihao's gentle smile and abundant praise for him, Commandant Feng's heart was instantly filled with excitement, exhilaration, and ecstasy.

Zhang Shihao watched as this Luoyang South City Gate Garrison Commander became excited and invigorated, and even more respectful, because of his words. Zhang Shihao's smile became even more pronounced.

He already controlled the Imperial Harem Guards; if he could gain the loyalty of a Luoyang Garrison Commander, that would naturally be a great thing.

Moreover, Zhang Shihao knew that this Luoyang Garrison Commander, Commandant Feng, was a famous person in history.

In history, several years later, Liu Hong spent a huge sum of money to build an elite army.

He appointed the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden.

And this Commandant Feng, standing before him, was one of the Eight Colonels of the Western Garden.

From this, it could be seen that Commandant Feng was very likely already trusted and remembered by Liu Hong.

If he could take him in easily, Zhang Shihao would definitely gain a great general under his command.

Yuan Shao, standing by, watched as Commandant Feng, whom he had just disliked, was now chatting and laughing with Zhang Shihao, even exchanging rather hypocritical compliments. His expression grew even more grim, and he said coldly:

“This warhorse and weapon have already been chosen by my Yuan family. Take them away!”

Saying this, Yuan Shao waved to a servant nearby.

“This…” Cao Cao, standing by, frowned slightly, seeing Yuan Shao's aggressive stance.

The surrounding onlookers instantly stirred. Yuan Shao was showing no respect to Zhang Shihao at all. They all looked at Zhang Shihao in unison.

Commandant Feng, who had been smiling and respectful, also froze, looking at Zhang Shihao.

Under everyone's gaze, Zhang Shihao's smile slowly faded. He didn't even look at Yuan Shao, and said indifferently:

“Commandant Feng, this is the Luoyang South City Gate, your territory. On your territory, right in front of you, a mere commoner dares to seize things by force. Shouldn't you do something?”

Zhang Shihao's faint voice wasn't loud, but it shook everyone who heard it.

Zhang Shihao and the scion of the Yuan family were now at loggerheads.

Commandant Feng instantly felt his scalp tingle.

Yuan Shao, whose face was already grim, heard this and said in shock and anger:

“Zhang Shihao, don't go too far. Others may fear you, but my Yuan family does not.”

However, facing the shocked and angry Yuan Shao, Zhang Shihao did not look at him or speak.

Silence!

The surrounding onlookers fell silent.

Yuan Shao looked at the silent Zhang Shihao, filled with shock and anger, feeling like a mere clown.

Name: Yuan Shao

Identity/Official Position: Commoner/Filial and Incorrupt

Age: 25 years old

Politics: 76 (Weak four-star potential, inclined towards court struggles, still growing…)

Wisdom: 74 (Strong three-star potential, not yet at peak, still growing…)

Martial Prowess: 65 (Two-star potential, not yet at peak, still growing…)

Leadership: 72 (Two-star potential, not yet at peak, still growing…)

Favorability (towards Host): -31 (As a person from a Powerful Families that has produced three generations of high Officials, he deeply dislikes the Host, who is a Eunuch. No matter what the Host does, they are naturally in opposition.)

Character Traits: Ambitious but untalented, arrogant, suspicious, indecisive, fond of grand achievements…

Talents, Potentials, Characteristics:

Gathering Support: From a noble family, ambitious. Extremely shrewd when facing talented individuals, good at using his advantages, often successful in recruiting talents.

A moment of silence passed, Zhang Shihao's expression remained calm.

It was Commandant Feng, whose expression was now constantly changing, clearly very hesitant.

Zhang Shihao's silence clearly meant he wanted Commandant Feng to take a stance.

Soon, a resolute look appeared on Commandant Feng's face.

Although he feared the power of the Yuan family, Commandant Feng cherished this opportunity even more.

Zhang Shihao asking him to take a stance meant breaking with the Yuan family.

But it might also be an act of allegiance to Zhang Shihao.

Today, if Commandant Feng offended the Yuan family because of Zhang Shihao, then Commandant Feng would be Zhang Shihao's man. Naturally, Zhang Shihao would bear the pressure from the Yuan family and protect Commandant Feng.

Otherwise, Zhang Shihao's reputation would be ruined.

“A mere Filial and Incorrupt dares to seize things by force in front of this Commandant? He truly doesn't put this Commandant in his eyes! Take them all down and hand them over to the Minister of Justice for deal with!”

Commandant Feng gritted his teeth, waved to the soldiers, and shouted loudly.

“Understood!”

As Commandant Feng's words fell, the soldiers were slightly stunned. The next moment, they all loudly agreed.

The wolf-like soldiers all surrounded the incredulous Yuan Shao and his panicking servants, taking them into custody.

“They really arrested him!”

Seeing that Commandant Feng actually dared to apprehend Yuan Shao, the surrounding onlookers were shocked.

“Commandant Feng, Zhang Shihao, how dare you arrest me? This matter will not be over!”

Yuan Shao was disgracefully taken into custody, completely losing his previous calm demeanor and authority, and roared in exasperation.

Commandant Feng broke out in a cold sweat and quickly looked at Zhang Shihao.

Seeing that Zhang Shihao's expression hadn't changed at all, Commandant Feng immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

“Commandant Feng, Marquis of Yiyang, Benchu is, after all, a scion of the Yuan family. How about giving me, Cao Cao, some face? I, Cao Cao, will act as a mediator. How about releasing him?”

At this moment, Cao Cao, who had been silent, stepped forward with a wry smile and spoke to Commandant Feng and Zhang Shihao.

Commandant Feng saw Cao Cao speak, and a difficult expression immediately appeared on his face as he looked at Zhang Shihao.

Having already offended Yuan Shao, if he had a choice, Commandant Feng did not want to offend Cao Cao again.

Because the Cao family's influence was also considerable.

“Cao Cao, your face is probably not very big right now. You can't afford This Marquis's face for the time being.”

Zhang Shihao's heart was turbulent, but his face remained impassive. As his faint words fell, Cao Cao's expression immediately turned grim, and Commandant Feng's eyelids twitched rapidly, secretly startled by Zhang Shihao's power.

He had just offended the Yuan family, a Powerful Families that had produced three generations of high Officials, and now, in the blink of an eye, he was offending another, the Grand Minister of Agriculture and Grand Herald of the current dynasty, who controlled the nation's finances and rituals, held a position among the Nine Ministers, and wielded great power and authority.

In fact, Zhang Shihao didn't have too many thoughts about Yuan Shao and Cao Cao at the moment.

With his understanding of the history of the Late Han Dynasty, Zhang Shihao could completely assassinate all the heroes of the Late Han Dynasty, such as Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Yuan Shu, Liu Bei, Sun Jian, Sun Ce, Sun Quan, and so on, within a year.

However, if he actually did that, what would be the consequences?

Would the Han Dynasty truly be stable?

Would the common people no longer suffer from the ravages of war?

No, looking at history.

Yes, the times create heroes.

And not, heroes create the times.

The real reason for the Han Dynasty's entry into a chaotic era was: continuous natural disasters, a corrupt court, and ambitious Powerful Families who desired further advancement, disregarding the lives of the common people and only caring about their own families.

The Han Dynasty was rotten to the core.

Even if Zhang Shihao killed all the heroes of the Late Han Dynasty, such as Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Yuan Shu, Liu Bei, Sun Jian, Sun Ce, Sun Quan, and so on, cutting down one group of people, new warlords whom Zhang Shihao didn't know would emerge next.

Their bones and blood, these fundamental things, haven't changed. Heroes are born in troubled times; this is beyond doubt.

Unless, Zhang Shihao truly possesses the power to turn the tide.

Only by eradicating the Powerful Families of the Han Dynasty, dethroning Liu Hong, replacing him with a truly enlightened ruler, and implementing thorough reforms from top to bottom, could this Late Han Dynasty truly be revitalized.

But is that even possible?

Therefore, even after seeing Cao Cao's incredibly luxurious attribute panel, Zhang Shihao didn't immediately consider nipping him in the bud.

Zhang Shihao had already thought about these things. The Han Dynasty hadn't yet fallen into chaos, and Zhang Shihao was still just a fake Eunuch in the deep palace, without any real power. What Zhang Shihao relied on was his foreknowledge of history and the system.

So, before Zhang Shihao gained control of a powerful force, he had no intention of killing these key figures.

Zhang Shihao still hoped that these heroes of the Late Han Dynasty would make the Han Dynasty even more chaotic. Only then could he fish in troubled waters.

Of course, if the world truly descended into chaos and Zhang Shihao also controlled his own powerful forces...

Then, he would kill whoever needed to be killed.

"Tie him up and take him away!"

Zhang Shihao's attitude immediately stiffened Commandant Feng's resolve. He waved his hand, his face ashen. The astonished and furious Yuan Shao was led away. After all, if anything went wrong, Zhang Shihao was there to take the blame.

Zhang Shihao genuinely didn't care. Although directly offending the Cao and Yuan families actually brought Zhang Shihao no harm, and even quite a few benefits.

Liu Hong had always been dedicated to cultivating his own power to counter the Powerful Families. Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and the Ten Attendants were the Powerful Families' old adversaries, the kind who would never coexist, their positions unequivocally clear.

Yet, despite this, Liu Hong was very pleased and heavily relied on Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong.

Once the news of Zhang Shihao's opposition to the Powerful Families spread, Liu Hong, upon learning of it, would likely clap his hands and cheer loudly, trusting and promoting him even more.

As for the consequences of offending the Yuan and Cao families?

Did Zhang Shihao rely on the Yuan family or the Cao family to gain control of power?

Or would the Yuan family and Cao family grant Zhang Shihao promotions, titles, power, and status?

Eunuchs and Powerful Families were natural antagonists, without a doubt. Whatever Zhang Shihao did, he would be looked down upon, or even viewed with hostility by the Powerful Families. So why should Zhang Shihao give them face?

Zhang Shihao relied only on himself!

Zhang Shihao ignored Cao Cao's grim expression, his gaze turning to the pure white, noble-looking Zhua Huang Fei Dian (Yellow Claw Lightning), and the Sky Dragon City-Breaking Halberd, which was stuck in the ground, completely black, long, and radiating a cold gleam under the sun. A flicker of excitement flashed in his eyes.

The entire scene fell silent. Under everyone's gaze, Zhang Shihao, clad in brocade, strode towards the Sky Dragon City-Breaking Halberd and Zhua Huang Fei Dian (Yellow Claw Lightning).

"Clang!"

Zhang Shihao's large hand gripped the cold, metallic Sky Dragon City-Breaking Halberd. A sense of weight and comfort surged through him. Without hesitation, Zhang Shihao single-handedly pulled out the Sky Dragon City-Breaking Halberd.

The next moment, the Sky Dragon City-Breaking Halberd moved in Zhang Shihao's hand.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The great halberd tore through the air. Forged from dark gold, measuring one zhang, three chi, and seven cun long, and weighing one hundred and twenty jin, the Sky Dragon City-Breaking Halberd was wielded by Zhang Shihao. The great halberd flashed with afterimages, and the enormous sound of breaking wind exploded as a set of exquisite halberd techniques was unleashed.

"Hiss, hiss... This Zhang Shihao actually possesses innate divine strength."

Watching the heavy, dark halberd being wielded single-handedly by Zhang Shihao, a set of fierce, heavy, and sweeping halberd techniques emerged, as if it weighed nothing. The onlookers instantly erupted in murmurs.

Cao Cao, Commandant Feng, Gao Chao, the Zhen family merchant, and others widened their eyes, staring at the majestic Zhang Shihao wielding the great halberd, their faces filled with disbelief.

One must know that Gao Chao could lift a six-hundred-jin stone roller with both arms, yet even he struggled to smoothly wield this heavy, chilling great halberd with two hands.

But Zhang Shihao was actually performing halberd techniques with one hand.

"This strength... his single arm must weigh no less than a thousand jin, right? Zhang Shihao is actually this powerful!"

Cao Cao exclaimed in shock.

"Good halberd!"

Zhang Shihao retrieved the halberd, looking at the Sky Dragon City-Breaking Halberd in his hand, he couldn't help but say happily. As he spoke, under everyone's gaze, Zhang Shihao pulled over the reins of Zhua Huang Fei Dian (Yellow Claw Lightning), which was being held tightly by three or four soldiers, and flipped onto its back.

With someone on its back, Zhua Huang Fei Dian (Yellow Claw Lightning) immediately struggled violently, scaring the surrounding onlookers into retreating. However, Zhang Shihao, endowed with Li Cunxiao's superhuman physical talent, remained steadfast no matter how Zhua Huang Fei Dian (Yellow Claw Lightning) struggled.

In fact, because Zhang Shihao clamped his legs tightly against the horse's belly, the more it struggled, the more pain it felt, and Zhua Huang Fei Dian (Yellow Claw Lightning) soon stopped struggling.

"Haha, good halberd, good horse. You're a Zhen family merchant, aren't you?"

"This Marquis heard you say that if someone could wield this divine weapon and tame this precious horse simultaneously, you would give them away for free, is that right?"

Perched atop the pure white, noble, and arrogant Zhua Huang Fei Dian (Yellow Claw Lightning), Zhang Shihao, clad in brocade, held the Sky Dragon City-Breaking Halberd. He pulled the reins, and Zhua Huang Fei Dian (Yellow Claw Lightning) reared up. He asked the stunned Zhen family merchant with high spirits.

"Ah, yes, yes, yes, Marquis is truly a divine general! This humble one finally understands. After this humble one found the divine weapon and precious horse, I had dreams for ten consecutive days, saying that I should find a fated person for the divine weapon and precious horse. It seems it was Heaven's will for this humble one to hand the divine weapon and precious horse to the Marquis."

"This humble one deserves to die; I shouldn't have been greedy, shouldn't have thought of selling them."

The Zhen family merchant was startled awake by Zhang Shihao's question and immediately knelt before Zhang Shihao with a panicked expression, saying.

"This..."

The Zhen family merchant's words echoed, and the surrounding commoners were instantly stirred.

Commandant Feng, Cao Cao, Gao Chao, and others looked on with surprise and suspicion, staring at the kneeling, flustered Zhen family merchant, and the majestic Zhang Shihao on the precious horse.

Were this divine weapon and precious horse truly found by that merchant? And did he really dream for ten consecutive days about finding a fated person?

However, despite their inner shock and suspicion, thinking about how the Zhen family merchant had been saying this since he arrived, and then Zhang Shihao displaying his divine strength today, truly taming the precious horse and wielding the heavy great halberd, the surrounding onlookers became hesitant.

A series of events, when sorted out, revealed too many bizarre occurrences.

How could a precious horse and a divine weapon, worth a thousand gold and priceless, appear together, and even be brought out?

And how could a naturally strong Zhang Shihao appear at the city gate today?

One must know that people with divine strength like Zhang Shihao are truly rare; not even one can be found in a single province. Yet, Zhang Shihao happened to appear here.

Could it truly be Heaven's will bestowing the divine weapon and precious horse?

The onlookers stared with shock and suspicion at the heroic and extraordinary Zhang Shihao.

Sitting on horseback, Zhang Shihao listened to the Zhen family merchant's words and observed the reactions of the surrounding commoners, his mouth twitching slightly.

For a moment, he didn't know whether to be happy or pleased.

He discovered that some of the system's rewards liked to appear in the form of dreams.

For example, the Yang Zaixing template he had previously obtained allowed him to learn martial arts in dreams, and now the precious horse and divine weapon.

Of course, Zhang Shihao was quite satisfied with this form of appearance.

Ancient times were not like modern times; the belief in ghosts and gods was more convincing to the common people in ancient times.

Even some founding emperors, like Liu Bang, would stage things like 'cutting the white snake to start an uprising,' 'Son of the Red Emperor,' or 'Chen Sheng and Wu Guang raising the banner of Chu, Chen Sheng as king,' and so on.

"There is no such thing as Heaven's will; perhaps it's just fate. With this divine weapon and precious horse, This Marquis can better protect His Majesty. In fact, This Marquis owes your Zhen Family a favor. How about this: in the future, This Marquis will protect your Zhen Family's businesses in Luoyang. If anyone is foolish enough to cause trouble, just mention my name, Zhang Shihao."

Sitting on horseback, Zhang Shihao looked at the Zhen family merchant, a slight smile appearing on his face, and said.

"Ah, this, thank you, Marquis, thank you, Marquis!"

Upon hearing Zhang Shihao say that if the Zhen Family encountered any trouble in Luoyang, they could mention Zhang Shihao's name, the Zhen family merchant immediately became excited and overjoyed, repeatedly thanking Zhang Shihao.

Among the merchants in the surrounding crowd, hearing Zhang Shihao openly declare his protection of the Zhen Family's businesses, a wave of envy immediately swept through them.

In the Han Dynasty, merchants were at the bottom of the social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Their status was not high, yet they controlled wealth, making them a tempting target that everyone wanted a piece of, leading to constant troubles.

However, with Zhang Shihao publicly stating his protection of the Zhen Family, anyone who dared to touch the Zhen Family would be slapping Zhang Shihao's face. Thinking about Zhang Shihao's position in the palace, many merchants felt a surge of envy and jealousy.

"Alright, everyone, disperse. The selection for the Imperial Harem Guards continues!"

Zhang Shihao waved his hand, nodded at Gao Chao, who was looking at him excitedly, and prepared to return to the city.

"Marquis, please wait!"

Just as Zhang Shihao was pulling the reins, preparing to leave, a powerful yet deeply fatigued voice came from afar. Zhang Shihao paused, and the surrounding onlookers all stopped, looking towards the source of the sound.

They saw, a hundred meters away, a 1.9-meter tall man in coarse cloth short clothes, pushing a small cart and running quickly.

On the cart was a unconscious, weak teenage boy.

Beside him, closely following, was a beautiful girl from next door, dressed in a fresh green dress, carrying a large saber that gleamed with cold light and golden splendor, and with a sturdy bow on her back.

"This... it's him!"

Looking at the three approaching figures, Zhang Shihao, sitting on Zhua Huang Fei Dian (Yellow Claw Lightning), paused slightly, then his eyes flashed with brilliant light.