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As the carriage traveled along the mountain path, a low rumble of horse hooves echoed from afar, shaking the earth like thunder. With dust swirling, a massive army gradually came into view, banners fluttering in the wind, exuding an overwhelming presence as if a long-dormant beast had awakened. Emperor Shao's gaze was struck by this sudden display of might, his hands gripping the saddle tightly as his breath quickened. "Whose army is that?" he gasped.
Yuan Shao immediately urged his horse forward, sword drawn and held across his chest, his voice cold and commanding. "Who goes there? State your name at once!"
As the army advanced, a heavily armored general rode out, his horse whinnying and kicking up clouds of yellow dust. His eyes were sharp as blades, and his tone was deep and authoritative. "Dong Zhuo, the Inspector of Xiliang, is here! Where is the Emperor?"
Emperor Shao's breath caught in his throat, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He looked up at Dong Zhuo, whose imposing presence seemed capable of tearing the heavens apart. His lips moved but no words came out. Instinctively, he recoiled slightly, terror evident in his eyes.
Beside him, the King of Chenliu's expression hardened, revealing an unexpected calm for one so young. He tightened the reins and leaned slightly forward, his voice clear and powerful. "Dong Zhuo, are you here to protect or to seize?"
Dong Zhuo let out a cold laugh, turning his gaze toward the King of Chenliu with a hint of scrutiny and mockery in his eyes. Resting a hand on the saddle, he spoke with a touch of disdain. "You jest, my lord. As the Inspector of Xiliang, how could I commit such treasonous acts? I am here by imperial decree to ensure the safety of Your Majesty and all ministers."
The King of Chenliu was not intimidated by Dong Zhuo's imposing demeanor; his voice remained steady and even carried a sharp edge. "If you are here to protect us, then the Emperor is right here. Why do you not dismount and pay your respects?"
At these words, Dong Zhuo's smile froze instantly. A flicker of anger flashed in his eyes but was quickly suppressed. He sized up the King of Chenliu; though the boy spoke calmly, each word was forceful and showed no fear of his intimidation. He glanced at Emperor Shao, who remained frozen atop his horse, panic-stricken and utterly bewildered by the situation.
Dong Zhuo silently scoffed to himself, thinking: "A cowardly emperor with such a clever brother? What a pity... Such courage could lead to great things if used wisely. But if it obstructs my plans, he will simply become a pawn to be discarded."
Yet outwardly, he quickly donned a mask of respectfulness, dismounting and kneeling on one knee while cupping his fists in salute. "I bow before Your Majesty and greet the King of Chenliu. I have long heard of Your Majesty's benevolence; it is indeed my fortune to see your divine countenance today."
The King of Chenliu regarded Dong Zhuo's kneeling form with an unyielding expression but remained cautious within. He replied nonchalantly, "Inspector Dong has traveled far; it must have been arduous. However, my brother and I must return to the capital swiftly. If you truly come to protect us, then please accompany us on our journey."
Dong Zhuo raised his head; a glimmer of mockery and calculation flickered in his eyes but did not betray him in tone. "What you say is entirely correct. I shall ensure Your Majesty reaches the capital safely."
He turned around and surveyed the vast army behind him with an internal smirk, pondering: "A cowardly emperor with such a sharp-tongued brother... Interesting indeed. But if someone more capable were to take on the position of emperor instead..."
He stood up and brushed off the dust from his clothes before commanding loudly to his soldiers: "All troops on alert! Escort His Majesty forward!" His voice boomed through the valley like thunder.
The King of Chenliu remained unfazed as he returned to Emperor Shao's side and whispered softly, "Brother, do not worry; though this man appears fierce and ruthless, he does not dare act recklessly now."
Emperor Shao nodded slightly but still bore an expression filled with deep apprehension. From afar, Dong Zhuo observed this exchange with an increasingly profound smile that concealed an unsettling glint in his eyes.
On that day, Emperor Shao and the King of Chenliu returned to the palace with their entourage, where Empress He had been waiting outside the gates. Upon seeing the disheveled appearance of Emperor Shao and the King of Chenliu, she rushed forward, throwing herself at Emperor Shao's feet, tightly embracing him while weeping, "My son, you have suffered! Mother is sorry for you!"
Emperor Shao, held tightly by Empress He, could not stop the tears from flowing. In a weak voice, he replied, "Mother... I have returned safely." Meanwhile, the King of Chenliu gently patted the Empress's arm in comfort. Though he tried to maintain a calm demeanor, his eyes still reflected fatigue and sorrow.
Soon after, court officials arrived upon hearing the news. The monarchs and ministers knelt before each other, their cries echoing in the air, creating a somber and oppressive atmosphere. However, when Empress He ordered an inventory of the palace items, it was discovered that the Imperial Jade Seal was missing. This revelation left everyone exchanging worried glances, intensifying the already heavy mood.
"The Imperial Jade Seal is a vital national treasure; how could it be missing?" Yuan Shao muttered to himself, his expression darkening. He discreetly glanced at Dong Zhuo nearby, who seemed unfazed and stood leisurely to one side as if this matter had nothing to do with him.
Dong Zhuo's army remained stationed outside the city under the pretext of "protecting the capital." Each day he entered the city clad in full armor with his cavalry, causing citizens to scatter in fear as they saw soldiers marching through the streets. The sound of weapons and iron boots weighed heavily on everyone's hearts, plunging Luoyang into a stifling silence.
Dong Zhuo appeared indifferent; he walked into the palace with steady steps and an air of confidence, even engaging in loud conversations within its walls. His gaze roamed freely over every corner of the palace, a faint smile always playing on his lips as if he owned the entire court.
One day, Colonel Bao Xin hurried to Yuan Shao's residence and immediately stated, "Yuan Shao! Dong Zhuo is ambitious and has treacherous intentions! Given the current situation, we must eliminate him immediately; otherwise, we will face endless troubles!"
Yuan Shao sat behind his desk with a furrowed brow and a grave expression. He looked up at Bao Xin and replied softly, "Colonel Bao, do I not understand Dong Zhuo's intentions? But the court has just stabilized; if we act now, it may lead to greater chaos and harm our foundation. We must be cautious."
Hearing this, Bao Xin grew increasingly anxious and raised his voice slightly. "Cautious? If we remain too cautious, by the time he controls all military power, we will become mere victims! Do you think Dong Zhuo brings troops into the city just to flaunt his power?"
Yuan Shao waved his hand firmly. "This matter is serious; we need to observe further. Colonel Bao, do not be hasty."
With a cold laugh, Bao Xin turned away in frustration. He then went to Wang Yun's residence and spoke candidly upon meeting him: "Lord Wang, Dong Zhuo is greedy and brutal; he acts without restraint. Can you not see this? If we do not remove him soon, he will swallow the court whole!"
Wang Yun's expression was complex as he stroked his beard in contemplation before replying softly, "What Colonel Bao says is understood in my heart. However, this matter affects everything; we must proceed with utmost caution. Allow me a few more days to deliberate."
Upon hearing this, Bao Xin's eyes reflected deep dissatisfaction and anger. He bowed slightly but spoke with restrained fury: "If that is your decision, I will say no more. But Lord Wang should be aware of Dong Zhuo's threat."
Wang Yun sighed as he watched Bao Xin leave, feeling as if his thoughts were tangled like a mess of threads.
Returning to camp, Bao Xin let out a long sigh. Seeing that those in the capital were unable to take action, he decided to pack up his belongings and lead his troops towards Mount Tai. Looking back at Luoyang’s direction, he murmured to himself: "There is no remedy for this place now; however, Dong Zhuo’s chaos will not cease here."
In the distance, as the sun sank lower in the sky, it painted the horizon of the capital in fiery red hues—a foreboding omen brewing—and within the city itself, its citizens found themselves with nowhere left to escape.
In the deep of night, the tent of Dong Zhuo was brightly lit, while outside stood hundreds of armored soldiers, their weapons glinting coldly in the firelight. Inside the tent, Dong Zhuo sat in the main seat, clad in heavy armor, his fingers lightly tapping on the table. His gaze was piercing, radiating an undeniable confidence and calculation.
"The subordinates of my brother He Jin are now entirely under my control," Dong Zhuo said in a low yet powerful tone, his words laced with unmasked pride. He turned his head to look at Li Ru, who stood within the tent, his eyes sharp as knives. "Now, who in the court dares to defy me, Dong Zhuo? However... Emperor Shao is too timid; he trembles even when speaking. How can the court remain stable? If a bolder person were to ascend the throne, perhaps the world could be unified."
Li Ru smiled softly and stepped forward, whispering, "You must be referring to the King of Chenliu, my lord?"
Dong Zhuo nodded, a glint of cunning and ruthlessness in his eyes. "That boy, though young, possesses some depth; he speaks and acts with a certain method. If I were to support him to the throne, it would be more convenient for me. He and I share some friendship; in the future, he will surely remember my kindness."
Upon hearing this, Li Ru pondered for a moment before bowing deeply and replying solemnly, "Your insight is indeed profound. In the current situation, there is no true backbone within or outside the court. If we are to proceed with the matter of abolishing and establishing a ruler, now is the right time. Otherwise, delays may lead to changes."
Dong Zhuo raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly pleased with this response. He stood up and walked steadily to the map before pointing at the location of the capital city. With a cold smile, he said, "Very well. But relying solely on kindness is not enough; what I seek is an authority that none dare challenge. Tomorrow at Wen Ming Garden, gather all officials and publicly announce the abolition of Emperor Shao and the establishment of the King of Chenliu as emperor. If anyone dares to oppose..."
He paused for a moment and slammed his palm down on the table with a loud bang that made the candle flames flicker slightly. His voice turned chilling enough to send shivers down one's spine: "Let their heads roll on the ground to affirm my authority as Dong Zhuo!"
A faint smile crept across Li Ru's lips as he bent slightly and said, "Your vision is far-reaching; I will do my utmost to assist you. However, for such an abolition and establishment affair, we need to draft a set of justifications in the name of divine mandate to silence any dissent from the officials."
Dong Zhuo laughed heartily and clapped Li Ru on the shoulder. "Indeed, you understand me well. Good! I leave this matter in your hands; ensure that tomorrow there are no excuses for any official to oppose!"
The atmosphere within the tent was cold and oppressive; candlelight illuminated their faces with a sense of cruel determination. Outside, soldiers stood in formation like a forest of long spears, exuding a chilling aura of death. Dong Zhuo's military might flowed like an iron torrent, firmly controlling all of Luoyang, as if a massive beast was awakening, ready to tear apart this facade of peace.
Dong Zhuo fixed his gaze on the map with a cold smile playing on his lips as he murmured to himself: "What emperor? What court? This world will eventually belong to me."
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