The Three Kingdoms: Home Travel

At that time, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao rushed to Luoyang alone, and He Jin immediately summoned the two.

During the discussion, Cao Cao stepped forward and said, "The power of the eunuchs originated during the time of Chong and Zhi; their influence in the court has spread far and wide. How can we possibly eliminate them all? If the matter is not handled discreetly, there will surely be the disaster of extermination of the entire clan. Please consider this carefully."

Upon closer inspection, he frowned and remained silent.

Just as they were hesitating, Pan Yin arrived and said, "The Emperor has passed away. Now, Sai Shuo and the Ten Attendants have conspired to keep the death a secret, forge an imperial edict to summon He Guojiu to the palace, and intend to eliminate any future troubles by installing Prince Xie as Emperor."

Before he could finish speaking, his mission arrived. He urged them to enter quickly to determine what would happen next.

Cao Cao said, "The best course of action today is to first establish a proper ruler, and then deal with the traitors." Jin asked, "Who dares to help me establish a proper ruler and punish the traitors?" Yuan Shao stepped forward and said, "I am willing to lend you two thousand elite troops to break through the gates, enter the palace, establish a new ruler, exterminate all the eunuchs, cleanse the court, and bring peace to the world!"

He Jin was overjoyed and immediately mustered two thousand Imperial Guards. Shao was fully armed. He Jin led more than thirty ministers, including He Yong, Xun You, and Zheng Tai, into the palace one after another. They went to the coffin of Emperor Ling and helped Crown Prince Bian to ascend the throne.

After the officials had finished their obeisance, Yuan Shao entered the palace to arrest Jian Shuo. Shuo fled in panic to the imperial garden, where he was killed under the shade of the flowers by the eunuch Guo Sheng. All the imperial guards under Shuo's command surrendered. Yuan Shao said to He Jin, "The eunuchs have formed a faction. Today we should take advantage of the situation and eliminate them all."

He Jin agreed, and Zhang Rang and the others, knowing the urgency of the situation, hurriedly went to plead for help. Empress Dowager He then issued an edict summoning He Jin, saying, "You and I come from humble backgrounds. If it weren't for Zhang Rang and the others, how could we enjoy such wealth and honor? Now that Jian Shuo, who was unrighteous, has been executed, why do you listen to others' words and want to exterminate all the eunuchs?" He Jin then gave up.

Yuan Shao offered his advice, but He Jin refused to listen and shook his head in resignation.

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"My lord, is that woman really as the rumors say...?"

For several days after returning from the Cai residence, Xiu'er had been preoccupied with this question.

Jiang Zhe glared at Mi Zhen, then whispered in Xiu'er's ear, "Xiu'er, it's not like that girl said at all. Cai Zhaoji just took her husband on a tour of the Cai residence..."

"Hehe!" Xiu'er chuckled softly, then playfully scolded, "Does my husband suspect that I'm jealous? I was just a little curious."

"Hmm..." Jiang Zhe thought for a moment, then recalled, "He is indeed exceptionally talented, a rare find in the world..."

"Oh..." Xiuer pretended to suddenly understand.

"Don't misunderstand, don't misunderstand, I..."

"Shouyi! Come with me to the study!" Wang Yun shouted from outside the door, his expression unfriendly.

Jiang Zhe and Xiu'er exchanged a surprised glance.

"So this is the lose-lose situation you were talking about?" Wang Yun frowned and questioned Jiang Zhe in a deep voice, "The eunuch is not dead! He Jin is not dead!"

"Uncle, don't worry!" Jiang Zhe thought something was wrong and said with a smile, "Zhang Rang and the others must have pleaded with Empress Dowager He to escape this predicament."

"How did you find out?" Wang Yun was somewhat surprised. He had only learned of this matter when he went to court just now, and he had wanted to use this matter to temper Jiang Zhe's arrogance. He was stunned when he heard this.

Wang Yun gave Jiang Zhe a strange look and said, "Tell me, what do you think the situation will be like in the future?"

"Although He Jin is easily swayed, capable subordinates will surely speak out, and the eunuchs will inevitably face great calamity!"

"I have already written a letter to Ding Jianyang of Bingzhou. You should tell me your worst-case scenario!"

"Yes!" Jiang Zhe said, "The worst-case scenario is that the eunuchs, in order to survive, kidnap the two emperors and flee far away..."

"He dares!" Wang Yun shouted.

"When facing certain death, what is there to be afraid of?" Jiang Zhe sneered.

Wang Yun lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then said, "In that case, we should also make preparations as soon as possible. I have two hundred guards, and I'll lend you two generals, Shouyi, to me. When the two young emperors are in trouble, we will definitely go to their aid!"

Jiang Zhe smiled wryly and suddenly asked, "How did Uncle know that both Ziling and Zicheng were generals of Xuzhou?"

"Hmph!" Wang Yun glanced at Jiang Zhe smugly and said, "I have seen countless people, and there are very few I cannot see clearly... except for you, you little rascal!"

Jiang Zhe scratched his head and said, "Is Zhe going too?"

"Nonsense!" Wang Yun glared, "If I can go, why can't you?"

"Fine, fine, there's nothing to say to this stubborn old man," Jiang Zhe reluctantly agreed.

"By the way!" Wang Yun said, "Your Uncle Cai thinks highly of you and invites you to his residence often. As Xiu'er's uncle, it's difficult for me to deal with this, but for the sake of your career, you might as well get closer to him. Besides, Bo Jie is a learned scholar, and you're bound to receive some benefits from him! Think it over yourself!"

Go again? Seeing Cai Yan would be nice, but I'm married now, what kind of behavior is that, going back and forth with another woman? So he said, "These are turbulent times, let's go another time..."

"I've heard that many virtuous and talented men have gone to the Cai family to propose marriage, and there's even a young man surnamed Wei who has won Bojie's heart..." Wang Yun said calmly, "I've said enough, you may leave now!"

"That old scoundrel! Why did he say that?" Jiang Zhe casually cupped his hands and withdrew.

"Husband, why is Uncle so anxious? Could it be that something serious has happened?" Xiu'er asked anxiously as soon as she entered the room.

"No, that's not it!" Jiang Zhe then explained the situation.

Xiuer glanced at Jiang Zhe, biting her lip with a hint of jealousy, and said, "Uncle, why are you bringing up the Cai family matter out of the blue?"

"..." Jiang Zhe's face twitched. "Xiuer, don't misunderstand, it was just a joke... a joke..."

Xiu'er smiled gently and leaned close to Jiang Zhe, saying, "My husband is truly a kind and honest man. What I said to you was just a joke, why take it seriously? Even if you have a different opinion of Cai Zhaoji, you would never abandon Xiu'er... right?"

"Of course!" Jiang Zhe said immediately, then suddenly realized something was amiss and quickly added, "No, no, when did I ever treat her differently?"

Xiuer just smiled and said nothing more.

That night, Xiu'er was suddenly awakened by a commotion outside. She immediately woke Jiang Zhe and said, "Husband, listen!"

Jiang Zhe was still in a daze when he suddenly heard the sound of swords clashing. His expression changed, and he said, "Wait here, I'll go ask my uncle!"

At this point, only Wang Yun, a senior official in the court, knew what was going on.

Jiang Zhe rushed to Wang Yun's study, only to find Wang Yun practicing calligraphy with an unchanged expression. Upon seeing Jiang Zhe, he smiled slightly and asked, "Shouyi, have you come because of the rumors outside the mansion?"

Jiang Zhe nodded.

"Don't panic, they're not after me!" Wang Yun put down his pen, walked to the head seat, and said, "I already knew about this matter. I heard today that He Jin's sister, Empress Dowager He, was invited to a banquet at Empress Dowager Dong's residence, and left in a huff after a short while. I knew then that tonight's events would occur. Don't be alarmed!"

Jiang Zhe immediately breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled, "I thought Uncle's uprightness had offended someone, and that someone had sent soldiers to arrest us!"

"You scoundrel!" Wang Yun glared at Jiang Zhe. "Am I someone who doesn't know what's important? Tomorrow I will submit a memorial claiming illness and await the right opportunity! That way, you won't have to worry so much!"

Jiang Zhe gave an awkward smile.

"Last time, Zhang Rang and his associates were spared thanks to He Jin's sister, but their power was entirely in the hands of Empress Dowager Dong. Now that this branch of the family has been destroyed, Zhang Rang and his associates' time of reckoning is not far off! It's truly fortunate! But..."

"Just what?"

Wang Yun pondered for a moment, stroked his beard, and frowned, saying, "But He Jin has acquired the army of General Dong Zhong, and now the army in Luoyang is all under his control. What can we do?"

"What worries you, Uncle?" Jiang Zhe sneered. "What I'm thinking is that He Jin is doomed!"

Wang Yun was astonished and asked, "You have repeatedly said that He Jin will surely die. Do you have any basis for this?"

"Never!" You can't exactly tell me that's how it's written in history, can you?

"Hmph! I don't believe it!" Wang Yun sneered. "Shouyi, dare you make a deal with me?"

"What agreement?"

"If your words are incorrect, then..." Wang Yun looked at Jiang Zhe with a slight smile, "then you will stay by my side for life, inherit my mantle, and serve the Han Dynasty!"

"..." Jiang Zhe's eye twitched, then a thought flashed through his mind, and he secretly rejoiced. He immediately said, "What if we win?"

"He hit the bullseye?" Wang Yun was taken aback and said, "Now that He Jin controls Luoyang, how could he be dead?"

"Is Zhe asking if this is the correct answer?"

"If I succeed, I'll let you and Xiu'er return to Xu..." He trailed off, a chill running down his spine. He scrutinized Jiang Zhe closely, then clapped his hands and laughed, "I almost fell for your trick! Did you already have your mind made up? Hmph! If you're right, I'll arrange for you to ask Bo Jie for your hand in marriage!"

"Wh...what?" Jiang Zhe's eyes widened, and he pointed at Wang Yun, unable to speak.

"As Xiu'er's uncle, I should not do this, but Bo Jie's daughter is exceptionally talented, and Bo Jie is a renowned scholar. This will greatly benefit your career! So proceed as planned! Do not say another word!"

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