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The swords of the two clashed faintly, creating a tense atmosphere that was almost suffocating. At that moment, Li Ru hurried forward to break the stalemate. "My Lord, the matter of succession should not be swayed by the words of a single person. Although Yuan Shao has spoken disrespectfully, this is not the time for execution. I urge you to reconsider."
Dong Zhuo shot a fierce glare at Yuan Shao, sheathing his sword with a cold snort. "Yuan Shao, for the sake of your the Yuan Family, I will spare your life today. Now get out!"
Yuan Shao sneered, turning to sheath his sword and sweeping his sleeves as he left. He paused at the door, suddenly turning back and speaking each word with emphasis. "Dong Zhuo, I will remember what happened today. One day, people from all over will unite to bring you down, you treacherous minister!"
Dong Zhuo's face turned pale with anger as he clenched his fists but did not pursue him.
His expression darkened further, still gripping his sword tightly. He glared at Yuan Shao's retreating figure, rage igniting in his eyes as if he were about to charge forward and slay this audacious challenger.
Turning to Li Ru, Dong Zhuo furrowed his brow in frustration. "This Yuan Shao clearly intends to oppose me. Are you not afraid that by letting him go, he will gather troops and become a threat?"
Li Ru maintained a calm demeanor and spoke steadily. "My Lord, Yuan Shao does not yet possess the strength to resist. If you kill him now, it would only incite his family and former officials to unite against you. Allowing him a chance and showing him some grace could turn him from an enemy into an ally and delay his actions."
Dong Zhuo snorted coldly as he sheathed his sword again and turned to Tai Chuan and Yuan Wei, asking icily, "Your nephew has openly provoked me; how do you suggest I deal with him?"
Yuan Wei's face turned pale, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. He bowed deeply and repeatedly said, "Yuan Shao has indeed been disrespectful. Thank you, Grand Commandant, for your magnanimity in letting him off this time. His ignorance is my failure as his uncle; I ask the Grand Commandant for another chance for him."
Dong Zhuo narrowed his eyes, a cold smile creeping onto his lips as he spoke threateningly. "I will spare him for your sake. However, the decision regarding succession has already been made. If anyone dares to obstruct it again, they will be dealt with according to military law. Tai Chuan, do you understand?"
Yuan Wei quickly lowered his head in response. "The Grand Commandant is wise; I will do my utmost to cooperate."
Seeing Yuan Wei's submissive demeanor, Dong Zhuo finally turned back to his main seat. He surveyed the room coldly and declared, "If anyone here is dissatisfied, feel free to speak your mind."
The ministers shrank back like quails, none daring to utter a word. Finally satisfied, Dong Zhuo nodded and waved his hand dismissively. "In that case, let us proceed as I have said."
After the banquet concluded, Dong Zhuo returned to his tent and summoned the attendants Zhou Bi and Colonel Wu Qiong for a discussion. Sitting high above them, he cast a cold glance at both men and asked bluntly, "Yuan Shao has escaped from Luoyang in such indignation; what do you think will happen next?"
Zhou Bi gave a slight bow, his tone cautious. "My Lord, Yuan Shao's departure this time will likely not be peaceful. Although he is temporarily unable to resist, the Yuan Clan has accumulated deep prestige among the four generations of Three Dukes, with former students and officials spread throughout the land. If Yuan Shao gathers strength under the pretense of attracting heroes from across the realm, it will be difficult for Shandong to remain under your control."
Dong Zhuo raised an eyebrow and sneered. "So what you mean is?"
Zhou Bi spoke softly, "It would be better to ease tensions for now and give Yuan Shao a way out. We could appoint him as a county governor, publicly showing him favor so that he feels he has been granted mercy. This would not only weaken his anger but also stabilize the situation."
Wu Qiong stepped forward, his tone more direct. "Yuan Shao is indeed proud and ambitious, but he is indecisive and may not truly achieve anything. Why not promote him further, allowing him to believe that you have no intention of opposing him? In doing so, he might hold back his forces for the time being."
After listening to both suggestions, Dong Zhuo crossed his arms and fell into deep thought. His gaze turned cold, and a hint of disdain curled at the corners of his mouth as he murmured, "Just a wolf that cannot be tamed; let him think he is safe for now. When the time is right, I will naturally find a way to deal with him."
On the first day of September, the sky over Luoyang was gloomy, as if sensing the impending upheaval. Dong Zhuo had made early preparations, ordering attendants to escort the Emperor to Jia De Hall and summoning all civil and military officials to gather. Once everyone had arrived, Dong Zhuo stepped forward slowly, holding a gleaming sword in his hand. He surveyed the crowd like a fierce tiger eyeing its prey.
"My lords!" His voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the vast hall. "The Emperor is foolish and lacks virtue and talent; he cannot stabilize the realm. Today, I have a decree that I ask Li Ru to read!"
Li Ru stood in the center of the hall, took a scroll of brief text, and began to read aloud: "The Xiao Ling Emperor has unfortunately passed away, causing chaos throughout the land. The current Emperor does not uphold propriety during mourning; the people are filled with grievances. The King of Chenliu possesses upright virtue, is humble in nature, and conducts himself appropriately; he is deeply respected by all. Therefore, we depose the current Emperor and appoint the Prince of Hongnong as the new Emperor while returning power to the Empress Dowager within the palace."
The hall fell silent instantly; one could hear a pin drop as everyone held their breath.
Dong Zhuo slowly approached the Emperor, looking at him coldly. "Emperor, remove your seal and kneel to receive orders!"
Emperor Shao's eyes widened in terror as he instinctively shielded his chest with his seal, trembling as he spoke. "Dong Zhuo! I am the legitimate son of the late Emperor; I represent the rightful authority of this nation! How dare you—"
Before he could finish speaking, Dong Zhuo thrust his sword forward, pointing it directly at Emperor Shao's throat. His voice was icy and uncompromising: "The decision of today is not yours to make. Kneel or die!"
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager covered her face in despair and fell to her knees on the ground pleadingly. "Grand Marshal Dong, I beg you to spare His Majesty; he is still just a child—"
"Shut up!" Dong Zhuo interrupted sharply, his gaze slicing through the air like a knife as it fell upon the Empress Dowager. "What of the child? The world needs a wise ruler, not a useless coward!"
Soldiers surged forward, roughly stripping the Emperor of his imperial seals and forcing him to kneel on the ground. Emperor Shao cried out in despair, but under Dong Zhuo's piercing gaze, all resistance became futile. He knelt, bowing his head in submission, his voice hoarse, "I... obey."
Dong Zhuo let out a cold laugh and turned to the Empress Dowager, commanding sternly, "Withdraw at once and await orders!"
Trembling with fear, the Empress Dowager was assisted out of the great hall, her cries fading into the distance.
Inside the hall, silence reigned. Not a single minister dared to lift their head; many quietly clenched their fists, nails digging deep into their palms. They remained silent but could not suppress the anger and sorrow boiling within them.
At that moment, a furious shout shattered the stillness: "Dong Zhuo! You treacherous minister dare commit such a heinous crime against heaven! I, Minister Ding Guan, will risk my life today to settle accounts with you!"
Ding Guan suddenly stood up, raising the ceremonial tablet in his hand and throwing it with all his might at Dong Zhuo. The tablet sliced through the air, aimed directly at Dong Zhuo's face.
With quick reflexes, Dong Zhuo sidestepped just in time; the tablet struck the pillar behind him with a dull thud. His expression darkened as he barked, "Seize him!"
The soldiers rushed forward and pinned Ding Guan to the ground. His face flushed red with anger as he continued to curse loudly: "Dong Zhuo, you will meet a terrible end! This empire is not yours to seize! You will be forsaken by all and die without a burial place!"
Dong Zhuo looked at Ding Guan coldly, his face filled with disdain and contempt. He raised his hand and spoke icily: "Take him out and execute him!"
Dragged from the hall, Ding Guan continued to shout defiantly before his execution, his voice echoing throughout the palace. His brave sacrifice only fueled the ministers' sorrow and indignation further, yet none dared to rise in rebellion again.
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