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As the carriage traveled along the mountain path, a low rumble of hooves echoed from afar, shaking the ground like thunder. As dust swirled, a massive army gradually came into view, banners fluttering in the wind, their imposing presence reminiscent of a long-dormant beast awakening. Emperor Shao's gaze was captivated by this sudden display of might; his hands gripped the saddle tightly as his breath quickened. "Whose army is that...?" he gasped.
Yuan Shao immediately spurred his horse forward, drawing his sword across his chest with a cold voice, "Who goes there? State your name at once!"
As the army advanced, a heavily armored general rode out, the horse whinnying and kicking up a cloud of yellow dust. His gaze was sharp as a blade, and his tone was deep and commanding. "Dong Zhuo, Governor 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 presence seemed capable of tearing apart heaven and earth. His lips moved but no words came out. Instinctively, he shrank back, fear evident in his eyes.
Beside him, the King of Chenliu's expression hardened, revealing an unexpected calmness for someone of his age. He tightened the reins and leaned slightly forward, speaking clearly and forcefully. "Dong Zhuo, are you here to protect or to seize the Emperor?"
Dong Zhuo sneered, shifting his gaze to the King of Chenliu with an added measure of scrutiny and mockery. His hand rested on the saddle as he replied dismissively, "You jest, my lord. As the Governor of Xiliang, how could I commit such treasonous acts? I am here by imperial decree to ensure the safety of His Majesty and all ministers."
The King of Chenliu did not falter under Dong Zhuo's imposing demeanor; his voice remained steady and even carried a hint of sharpness. "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 scrutinized the King of Chenliu; though the boy's tone was calm, each word pressed firmly against him without fear of his intimidation. He glanced at Emperor Shao, who remained stiffly seated on his horse, panic-stricken and utterly lost in the situation.
Dong Zhuo silently mocked himself, thinking: "A cowardly emperor with such a clever younger brother? What a pity... If only this courage were used to assist rather than obstruct my plans; it could lead to great things. But if it hinders me, he will simply become a discarded pawn."
Yet outwardly, he quickly donned a mask of respectfulness, dismounting and kneeling on one knee with cupped fists raised high. "I bow before Your Majesty and greet you, King of Chenliu. I have long heard of Your Majesty's benevolence; it is indeed my fortune to see your illustrious countenance today."
The King of Chenliu watched Dong Zhuo kneel with an unchanging expression but remained wary in his heart. He replied without showing any emotion, "Governor 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 slightly; hidden within his gaze was a glimmer of mockery and calculation, yet his tone remained unbroken: "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 a hidden smirk while contemplating: "A cowardly emperor with such a sharp-tongued brother... Interesting. But if someone more capable were to take this position instead of him, it might not be such a bad thing."
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 seems fierce and ruthless, he does not dare act recklessly now."
Emperor Shao nodded slightly but still wore an expression filled with deep wariness. 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 and tightly embracing him, tears streaming down her face. "My son, you have suffered! I am so sorry!"
Emperor Shao, held tightly by Empress He, could not stop the tears from flowing. His voice was weak as he replied, "Mother... I have returned safely." The King of Chenliu stood nearby, gently patting the Empress's arm. Though he forced a calm expression, his eyes betrayed a hint of fatigue and sorrow.
Soon after, ministers from the palace arrived upon hearing the news. The rulers and officials knelt before each other, cries of grief echoing through the air, creating a somber and oppressive atmosphere. However, when Empress He ordered an inventory of the palace's belongings, she discovered that the Imperial Jade Seal was missing. This revelation left everyone exchanging worried glances, intensifying the already heavy atmosphere.
"The Imperial Jade Seal is a vital national treasure; how could it be lost?" Yuan Shao murmured to himself, his expression darkening. He cast a discreet glance at Dong Zhuo nearby, who appeared unfazed, standing leisurely to the side as if this matter had nothing to do with him.
Dong Zhuo's army had stationed outside the city under the pretense of "protecting the capital." Day and night, he led his fully armored cavalry into the city, their horses trampling through the streets. The citizens scattered in fear at their approach, creating an atmosphere of dread throughout Luoyang. The sounds of weapons and iron boots felt like a heavy stone pressing down on everyone's hearts, plunging the entire city into a stifling silence.
Dong Zhuo remained indifferent; he walked into the palace with steady steps and an air of confidence, even engaging in loud conversations within its halls without hesitation. His gaze roamed freely over every corner, a faint smile always playing on his lips as if the entire court belonged to him.
One day, Colonel Bao Xin hurried to Yuan Shao's residence and immediately declared, "Yuan Shao! Dong Zhuo is a wolf in sheep's clothing with ambitions of treachery! 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 only just stabilized; if we act now, it could lead to greater chaos and harm our nation’s foundation. We must be cautious."
Hearing this, Bao Xin grew increasingly agitated and raised his voice slightly. "Cautious? If we remain too cautious, by the time he seizes all military power, we will become mere victims! Do you think Dong Zhuo brings his troops into the city just to show off?"
Yuan Shao waved his hand firmly. "This matter is not trivial; 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 eliminate him soon, he will devour the court!"
Wang Yun wore a complex expression as he stroked his beard in contemplation for a moment 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 response from Wang Yun, Bao Xin's eyes reflected deep dissatisfaction and anger. He bowed slightly but spoke with suppressed fury: "If that is your decision, I will say no more. But Lord Wang should know well about the calamity that Dong Zhuo brings."
Wang Yun sighed as he watched Bao Xin leave, feeling as though his mind was in turmoil.
Returning to his 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 toward Mount Tai. Looking back at Luoyang's direction, he murmured softly to himself: "There is no remedy left here; however, Dong Zhuo's chaos will not cease easily."
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 on the horizon—while within the city itself, its people found themselves with nowhere to escape.
In the deep of night, the tent of Dong Zhuo was brightly lit, while outside, hundreds of armored soldiers stood guard, their weapons glinting coldly in the firelight. Inside the tent, Dong Zhuo sat at the head of the table, clad in heavy armor, his fingers lightly tapping on the surface. His gaze was sharp and penetrating, exuding an undeniable confidence and calculation.
"My brother He Jin's subordinates are now all under my control," Dong Zhuo said in a low yet powerful voice, pride evident in his words. 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 he speaks. How can the court be stable? If a more courageous person were to ascend the throne, perhaps the world could be unified."
Li Ru smiled softly and stepped forward, whispering, "Lord, you must be referring to King of Chenliu."
Dong Zhuo nodded, a glint of cunning and coldness in his eyes. "That boy, though young, has some depth. He speaks and acts with considerable method. If I support him to the throne, it will be more convenient for me. We have some friendship; in the future, he will surely remember my kindness."
Upon hearing this, Li Ru pondered for a moment before bowing deeply and responding solemnly, "I fully agree with your insight, Lord. Given the current situation, there is no true backbone within or outside the court. If we are to carry out a change of rulers, now is indeed the time. Otherwise, delays may lead to unforeseen changes."
Dong Zhuo raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly very pleased with this response. He stood up and walked steadily to the map before him, pointing to the location of the capital with a cold smile. "Very well. But mere kindness is not enough; what I want is an authority that no one dares challenge. Tomorrow, I will summon all officials at Wen Ming Garden and publicly announce the deposition of Emperor Shao and the ascension of King of Chenliu as emperor. If anyone dares to oppose..."
He paused dramatically and slammed his palm on the table with a loud bang that made the candles flicker slightly. His voice turned icy enough to send chills 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 foresight is remarkable, Lord; I will do my utmost to assist you. However, for this change of rulers to succeed, we must first draft a justification in the name of divine mandate to silence any dissenting voices."
Dong Zhuo laughed heartily and patted Li Ru on the shoulder. "You truly understand me. Good! I leave this matter in your hands; ensure that tomorrow no official has any excuse to oppose!"
The atmosphere inside the tent was cold and oppressive; candlelight illuminated their faces with a cruel determination. Outside, soldiers stood in formation like a forest of spears, exuding a chilling aura of death. Dong Zhuo's military might was like an iron torrent firmly controlling all of Luoyang, as if a giant 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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