Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The next morning, the atmosphere in the court was heavy. He Jin was appointed as the Minister of State Affairs, his power further amplified. The officials accompanying him dared not speak much, only bowing their heads to offer their congratulations. Meanwhile, those eunuchs who had been promoted, like Zhang Rang and Duan Gui, were particularly pleased with themselves, whispering and exchanging glances filled with scheming.
At that moment, Empress Dong was gathering her trusted confidants, including Zhang Rang, in the inner palace. There was a hint of unease and resentment in her expression. Facing everyone, she spoke in a low tone, "Back then, I supported the He family, which led to my current position. Now the He family wields too much power; with He Jin commanding the military and He Guiren's son on the throne, their influence permeates the court. What should I do?"
Zhang Rang stepped forward with a bow, his tone obsequious. "Your Majesty need not worry; there are solutions to every problem. You only need to govern from behind the curtain and regain control of the situation to counterbalance the He family. Furthermore, Prince Liu Xie is benevolent and wise; if you grant him the title of King of Chenliu to solidify his foundation, and promote your brother-in-law Dong Zhong to General of Agile Cavalry with military authority while employing loyal ministers like us, great things can be achieved."
Empress Dong pondered for a moment before finally revealing a smile. "This plan is excellent! If we can stabilize the situation, I will certainly reward you handsomely."
The following day, during court proceedings, Empress Dong governed from behind the curtain and issued decrees promoting Liu Xie to King of Chenliu and Dong Zhong to General of Agile Cavalry. Zhang Rang and other eunuchs were once again summoned into political affairs, and this covert elevation immediately threatened the He family's standing.
When news reached Empress He, she let out a cold laugh. Her face remained calm, but her anger was evident in her furrowed brows. She ordered a banquet in the palace to entertain Empress Dong, intending to probe her intentions. During the feast, music played softly as jade cups clinked with crisp sounds. As the wine flowed freely, Empress He raised her cup and stood up with a somewhat humble expression. "Sister, as women, we should not involve ourselves in politics. In ancient times, Empress Lü wielded power but ultimately led her clan to ruin. If we remain secluded in the palace and allow court officials to manage state affairs independently, it would be for the country's benefit."
Upon hearing this, Empress Dong's expression darkened immediately. She coldly set down her cup and spoke with sarcasm: "The daughter of the He family speaks against political involvement while having poisoned Consort Wang out of jealousy. Today you rely on your son and brother to lecture me? Isn’t that rather presumptuous?"
Seeing that her counterpart was being disrespectful, Empress He could no longer contain her anger and retorted sharply: "I offered you kind advice, yet you respond with such rudeness! With Dong Zhong commanding troops and Zhang Rang wielding power behind the scenes, do you really think you can defy fate?"
Empress Dong slammed her hand on the table and laughed coldly: "I rely on loyal ministers and wise men; what does your butcher family know about guiding a nation?"
The two empresses exchanged sharp words as the atmosphere at the banquet froze instantly. Zhang Rang and others hurriedly stepped forward to mediate, assisting both empresses back to their palaces. However, secretly they had developed mutual animosity, heightening tensions further.
After returning to her palace, Empress He summoned He Jin late into the night and recounted Empress Dong's words and actions during the banquet with palpable anger in her voice: "General! They have shown their claws; if we do not take preemptive action soon, disaster will surely follow!"
He Jin clenched his fist in agreement and immediately gathered his trusted ministers for discussion. The next day during morning court sessions, he proposed that officials submit memorials stating: "Empress Dong was originally a consort; now residing deep within the palace while meddling in politics is highly inappropriate. She should be relocated to Hejian to distance herself from court affairs for the stability of our nation."
He Jin immediately ordered the dispatch of Empress Dong and secretly mobilized the Imperial Guards to surround Dong Zhong's residence, seeking to reclaim military authority and seals. At this moment, Dong Zhong learned of the news and felt powerless. Dressed in battle attire, he sat in the Back Hall, his face pale, gripping the Pei Jian. He sighed deeply, "The situation is lost; how has my family ended up like this!" With that, he drew his sword and committed suicide, his blood staining the ground.
The household was soon filled with cries of despair. The Imperial Guards confirmed Dong Zhong's death before withdrawing their forces.
Zhang Rang, Duan Gui, and others saw the downfall of Empress Dong's faction and immediately changed their strategy. They used gold and jewels as bait to befriend He Jin's brother He Qu and their mother Wu Yang Jun, flattering them day and night, which gradually diminished He Jin's wariness towards the eunuchs. The Ten Eunuchs regained their influence, appearing submissive while secretly plotting a more significant counterattack.
In June, the night sky over Hejian Posthouse was thick with clouds, and a few crows cawed mournfully, breaking the silence. Outside the posthouse, several cloaked spies waited anxiously, their eyes flickering as they occasionally glanced back at the building. They had received secret orders from He Jin and had delivered poisoned wine into Empress Dong's hands.
Inside the posthouse, Empress Dong sat cross-legged at a table, her tea cup still in hand. As the candlelight flickered, her gaze was cold; she was not oblivious to her surroundings. She leaned towards a nearby maid and whispered, "Where did this wine come from?" The maid stammered, unable to meet her eyes, before finally kneeling and weeping, "Your Majesty... it is General He's secret intent."
Upon hearing this, Empress Dong set down her tea cup with a cold smile creeping onto her lips. Her tone was chilling as she said, "I supported the He family to this point; today I am treated like this by this butcher's family!" She closed her eyes for a moment as if suppressing her anger but then smiled again, lifting the poisoned wine and murmuring, "If the country is like this, then let it go with my life." With that, she drank it all in one gulp.
The next day, Empress Dong passed away. Her coffin was sent back to the capital for burial in Wen Ling. He Jin claimed illness and remained hidden in his residence, drowning his sorrows in wine. Although events had transpired as they did, he remained anxious deep within.
A few days later, Si Li Xiao Wei Yuan Shao entered his residence and barged into his study. Seeing He Jin deep in thought with an unemptied wine jug on the table, Yuan Shao's gaze sharpened as he spoke directly: "General, Zhang Rang and Duan Gui have been spreading rumors that you poisoned Empress Dong with malicious intent. If this matter drags on any longer, disaster will surely follow. If you do not take this opportunity to eliminate the eunuchs today, future troubles will be endless!"
He Jin frowned and set down the wine jug with a low voice: "Yuan Benchu, if it were that simple, would I hesitate? It’s just... the Empress has repeatedly obstructed me; there are many constraints within the court."
Yuan Shao impatiently stepped forward and pressed down on the table with urgency in his tone: "Do you remember Dou Wu? At that time Dou Wu sought to eliminate the eunuchs but was thwarted due to poor planning and met with disaster; his entire clan was annihilated. Today you command the troops in the capital; your brothers are all elite warriors. With just one command, the eunuchs will surely meet their end! This is a heaven-sent opportunity; if missed, there will be no turning back!"
He Jin looked up at Yuan Shao; a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face but he still replied softly: "This matter is not trivial; it requires careful deliberation."
Hearing this, Yuan Shao gritted his teeth in frustration before sweeping out of the room. At that moment, however, He Jin's spies had already relayed news to Zhang Rang’s ears.
Upon receiving the news, Zhang Rang's face showed a hint of panic as he immediately summoned the Ten Eunuchs for a secret discussion. Duan Gui frowned and said, "If the General has made up his mind, how can we protect ourselves?" A glint of cunning flashed in Zhang Rang's eyes as he sneered, "He Jin is indecisive; he may not truly dare to take action. Rather than waiting for our doom, it would be better to strike first."
The next day, Zhang Rang sent someone with generous gifts to secretly visit He Miao, the brother of He Jin, in an effort to ingratiate himself. He Miao, greedy for wealth and profit, was overjoyed to see chests overflowing with gold and jewels. He quickly advised the Empress Dowager on behalf of the Ten Eunuchs: "The General is currently in a position of great power and should practice benevolence to calm the hearts of the people. However, instead of showing mercy, he continues to kill indiscriminately and intends to act against the eunuchs. This will surely throw the realm into chaos; I urge you to think carefully."
The Empress Dowager listened intently and furrowed her brow, murmuring to herself, "When my father was alive, the eunuchs were pivotal in the court. How can one simply remove them? He Jin's actions seem too extreme."
That day, He Jin entered the palace to meet with the Empress Dowager and proposed a plan to eliminate the eunuchs. The Empress Dowager coldly rejected him, her tone leaving no room for argument: "The eunuchs have governed the inner court since the Han dynasty. The nation is still in mourning; how can you seek to eliminate loyal ministers? This is not the way to honor our ancestors and protect our state."
Hearing this, He Jin's face turned awkward as he clasped his hands and withdrew, feeling increasingly conflicted inside.
Meanwhile, Yuan Shao was waiting outside the residence. Upon seeing He Jin emerge, he hurried forward and asked anxiously, "Was your plan successful?"
He Jin sighed deeply and replied in a low voice, "The Empress Dowager does not permit it; it is difficult to carry out."
Yuan Shao's eyes widened in anger as he exclaimed, "If the General continues to be so indecisive, he will bring about his own downfall! If the Empress Dowager does not agree, why not summon heroes from all corners to gather troops in the capital and force her hand? The situation is urgent; we cannot delay any longer!"
He Jin furrowed his brow deeply and pondered for a long time before finally nodding. "This plan is excellent! Immediately issue an edict summoning troops from all regions to come to the capital." Hearing this, Yuan Shao smiled slightly and quickly turned to leave, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Comment 0 Comment Count