Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

My empire... My money...

What I miss most is the emperor's power and endless enjoyment.

But what can I do even if I can't bear to part with it? My body is completely hollowed out, like a gorgeous puppet eaten away by wine, women, wealth, and power.

His last thought:

Liu Ce, my good brother, after I'm gone, you must protect our Han dynasty, protect Bian'er and Xie'er, and don't let He Jin and those bastards from the aristocratic families ruin everything.

He murmured to himself:

"My life... has been worthwhile..."

"Such a beautiful land...how could one not love it..."

"I... am not a ruler destined to bring about the downfall of my country... yet I have been... struck by the fate of national ruin..."

"If there is an afterlife... I would rather be a carefree prince... than sit on this dragon throne again..."

"Royal brother...the future of the Han Dynasty...depends on you."

The last vestige of clear consciousness coalesced into a single obsession:

"Liu Ce... Imperial Brother... Great Han... Bian'er, Xie'er... We're counting on you..."

The breath stopped.

On the Bingchen day of the fourth month of the sixth year of Zhongping, Emperor Liu Hong of the Han Dynasty ended his absurd and helpless life in the Jiade Hall of the Southern Palace in Luoyang at the age of thirty-four.

He died without leaving behind a single edict establishing his heir.

His death was like removing the last brick that was barely keeping the building balanced.

Outside the Jiade Hall, the sky was overcast, and a mountain rain was imminent.

...

The news reached Youzhou five days later.

Liu Ce was teaching Liu Chen to walk when the little guy wobbled into his arms and giggled.

A guard rushed in and whispered, "My lord, urgent news from Luoyang... His Majesty has passed away."

Liu Ce's hand froze in mid-air.

He remained silent for a long time, then picked up his son and said to his guards, "Summon everyone to the council chamber."

Half an hour later, the core civil and military officials of Youzhou gathered together.

Liu Ce sat in the main seat, his face calm, and slowly said, "His Majesty... has passed away."

The hall was deathly silent.

Xun Yu said in a heavy voice, "With His Majesty's passing and the succession undecided, Luoyang is bound to be in great turmoil."

Fang Xuanling nodded and said, "He Jin and the eunuchs are sworn enemies, and a battle is inevitable. Regardless of who wins, they will both purge the other's forces."

Du Ruhui added: "What's even more troublesome is that...Han Sui and Ma Teng of Liangzhou, and various warlords in the Central Plains... will all take advantage of the chaos to make their move."

Guo Jia said seriously, "My lord, it's time for us to make our move."

"What are you moving?" Liu Ce looked up.

"Move the army," Guo Jia said, enunciating each word clearly. "Not to attack Luoyang now, but... to prepare. If chaos breaks out in Luoyang, we must be able to stabilize the north, and even... march south to quell the unrest."

Xi Zhicai said, "Fengxiao is right. My lord has His Majesty's secret edict, the merit of the Northern Expedition, and the merit of saving the Emperor. If Luoyang is truly in chaos beyond control, my lord's stepping forward will be perfectly justified."

Liu Ce looked around at everyone and smiled, "What do you think... we should argue about this?"

Xun Yu sighed and said, "I am loyal to the Han Dynasty. But if the Han Dynasty falls, only you, my lord, can save the world."

Guan Yu clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Brother, wherever you point, we'll attack!"

Zhang Fei shouted, "Me too!"

Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and other generals have all expressed their opinions.

Xu Da, Xue Rengui, Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, and others said directly, "My lord, it's time for a change of scenery in this world."

Liu Ce looked at the group of brothers, strategists, and generals who had followed him all the way from Zhuojun, and a smile appeared on his lips.

Brother, I accept the responsibility you have given me.

If there is any hope for this great Han dynasty, I will save it; if there is no hope... I will find a new way of life for all the people of the world.

He stood up and said in a deep voice:

"Order the three prefectures to enter a state of combat readiness. Accelerate the stockpiling of food and supplies; maintain vigilance in troop training; and double the alert level for border defenses."

"In Luoyang, all the Imperial Guards have been deployed. I need to know every single change."

"Furthermore..." He paused, "In my name, issue an obituary to all the governors and prefects... stating that Prince Liu Ce of Yan is deeply grieved, but for the sake of the greater good, he will guard the northern frontier and prevent the Hu people from taking advantage of the chaos to invade the south. I hope that you will all prioritize the well-being of the nation and refrain from harboring any rebellious thoughts."

The group accepted the order and left.

...

Liu Ce walked alone into the courtyard and looked south.

My brother, may you rest in peace.

I'll clean up the mess you left behind.

The storm is brewing; chaos has truly begun.

...

On the Bingchen day of the fourth month of the sixth year of Zhongping, in the Jiade Hall of the Southern Palace in Luoyang.

Liu Hong breathed his last.

Jian Shuo, who was standing by the bedside, immediately reached out to check the emperor's breath and confirmed that he was truly dead.

A variety of expressions flashed across Jian Shuo's effeminate face in an instant: fear, ecstasy, and scheming, like a face-changing act.

Then he jumped up, and his first reaction wasn't to cry, but... to lock the door!

Yes, lock the doors! Close the doors and windows of the Jiade Hall tightly, so that not even a fly can get out.

Then he summoned several trusted eunuchs and, in a low voice, ordered, "Listen up, all of you! Not a single word of His Majesty's passing is to be leaked! Anyone who dares to utter a sound will have their tongue ripped out and fed to the dogs!"

The eunuchs nodded repeatedly in fright.

Jian Shuo paced back and forth in the hall, his eyes darting around, his mind racing with calculations: "The late Emperor, you've finally passed away, leaving behind this mess, and that fatal whisper... to install Prince Xie? To kill General He Jin? Tsk tsk, this... has potential!"

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this was a blessing from God... no, it was a gift from the late Emperor!

"That pig-butcher He Jin, relying on his sister being the Empress, has been getting increasingly arrogant these past few years, even looking at us with disrespect! If his nephew Liu Bian were to sit on the throne, would there still be any place for us men in Luoyang?"

Jian Shuo gritted his teeth and said, "How about... we strike first!"

A daring yet flawed plan took shape in his power-crazed mind: to issue a false imperial edict, claiming that His Majesty was seriously ill and urgently summoned General He Jin to the palace to discuss the aftermath, thus luring that fool He Jin into the palace!

There were already axemen lying in ambush in the palace. As soon as He Jin stepped into the palace gate, he would be hacked to pieces!

With He Jin dead, the group of uncultured relatives of the He family lost their backbone and became like headless flies.

When the time comes, we will bring out the late emperor's "last will" and support Prince Xie to ascend the throne.