My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 198 Please enter the urn
Upon seeing Xi Yi's personal guards, Gao Huan and Gao Yu realized that the young emperor had most likely come to his senses.

Otherwise, how could another imperial edict be issued at such a critical juncture?
"It seems that His Majesty is not surrounded by only sycophantic insects. There are also wise people among them. It is also possible that His Majesty is wise enough to know how dangerous it is for the court to purge the court of corrupt officials."

"In the end, we still failed. We accelerated our march, but we were still a step too late."

Gao Huan smiled and asked, "Second Brother, do you think we should continue leading our troops south?"

"inappropriate."

Gao Yu shook his head and said, "His Majesty's decree has arrived. We will pass the message on to Tianbao and let him make his own decision. This is the only way to protect ourselves."

“We have only brought two thousand elite cavalry. If we were to engage in open battle, I would not be afraid of anyone. However, if we continue to lead our troops south, Luoyang will certainly be prepared. They can simply close the city gates and hold the city. Our two thousand men are not enough.”

As the capital of the Great Wei Dynasty, Luoyang's city defense standards can be said to be among the highest.

Moreover, the city has ample food supplies, military equipment, and several thousand soldiers ready for battle.

If they were determined to hold out, Luoyang could hold out for more than half a year, let alone two thousand men, or even an army of one hundred thousand.

For Erzhu Rong, the most important thing was to enter Luoyang without bloodshed, carrying the weight of righteousness.

We must act swiftly and decisively; we cannot afford to delay.

The emperor has now realized that forcibly marching south would be tantamount to having the word "traitor" engraved on his forehead.

Even if Erzhu Rong had given them the autonomy to act first and report later, Gao Yu and Gao Huan would not have risked making such a decision.

Even if they insist on heading south and lead their troops into Luoyang, what can they do?

At that time, Erzhu Rong would be labeled as a "traitor." In order to clear his name, Erzhu Rong could easily push his two brothers out and say that they had rebellious intentions, without Erzhu Rong's knowledge.

He sacrificed the lives of Gao Huan and Gao Yu to clear himself of the label of "traitor" and openly carry out the act of "holding the emperor hostage to command the princes".

Do you think Erzhu Rong would do that?

Let alone old friends or in-laws, even one's own son would be killed without hesitation.

Erzhu Rong was in his prime; at worst, he could have another son.

Using the lives of just two people to wash away one's own political stains is simply too good to be true.

"Erlang's mind is still as meticulous as ever."

Gao Huan praised him, then said, "I will go back and deliver the message. You and your soldiers should set up camp here."

"Well then, I'll have to trouble you, brother."

………………

"Disaster is imminent! Does His Majesty truly intend to execute us both?"

Xu He and Zheng Yan had already learned that Erzhu Rong had sent troops south.

It would be difficult to hide the news of a large army marching south. Given the limited transportation options in ancient times, there were only a few routes available, so there was no possibility of the army going undetected.

"Damn it! We have already made every effort to yield, why won't His Majesty spare our lives? There are so many heinous criminals in the court, why is he only targeting the two of us?"

They actually know the answer in their hearts.

What else could it be because of?
They slept with the emperor's mother, bringing shame upon the Yuan clan.

"No, we absolutely cannot sit idly by and wait to die!"

"You mean... we really want to do it this way?"

"Are you willing to surrender here in the palace? Rather than waiting to die, why not take the initiative? Perhaps there is still a way to survive!"

"But why would His Majesty see the two of us?"

"Let's go find the Empress Dowager, but... before we do, we need to plan things out first."

After nightfall.

Zheng Yan and Xu He arrived at Jiafu Hall in a flustered and hurried manner.

"Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, please save us!"

Empress Dowager Hu, who was originally praying and chanting sutras, frowned. She was an extremely devout Buddhist and hated being interrupted when she was chanting sutras.

But when he turned around, he saw Xu He and Zheng Yan looking panicked. Suppressing his anger, he waved his hand, dismissing those around him, and said coldly, "You two want to die? Didn't I tell you not to come see me anytime soon?"

To prevent the young emperor from becoming too neurotic, Empress Dowager Hu specifically instructed them not to come and meet with her.

She simply didn't want to further provoke the young emperor and wanted to use this method to show some goodwill and ease the tense relationship between mother and son.

Once the relationship is stabilized, there will be a chance to discuss other matters.

"Your Majesty, the situation is truly urgent. We would not have come here so late at night if it were not absolutely necessary."

Seeing that the two men's flustered expressions seemed genuine, Empress Dowager Hu's brows relaxed, and she said softly, "What is it that has made you so flustered? Could it be that His Majesty is coming to see you two with a sword in hand?"

"Queen Mother!"

Xu He and Zheng Yan immediately knelt down and kowtowed, crying out, "Disaster is imminent! Erzhu Rong has already led his troops south, and his vanguard has reached Shangdang County. In two more days, they will be right outside Luoyang City."

"What??"

Empress Dowager Hu stood up in a panic, asking incredulously, "Is this really true?"

She knows it very well.

Luoyang is currently undefended, and there are not many soldiers in the city who can fight.

Moreover, there are no more troops available within the territory of Wei to be conscripted to defend Luoyang.

"Really?!"

"Damn it, how could His Majesty be so muddle-headed? Doesn't he know about Dong Zhuo? No! I must go and persuade him immediately."

Xu He and Zheng Yan quickly stopped Empress Dowager Hu.

"No, Empress Dowager! His Majesty and Empress Dowager have a deep-seated grudge. Your Majesty's visit will only make him more angry, and he will not stop."

Empress Dowager Hu, however, was unable to calm down.

She may be silly at times, but she's not so clueless as to not understand this.

Allowing a powerful foreign official to enter Luoyang would be a catastrophe for the city!
At that time, no one will be able to check Erzhu Rong, and Erzhu Rong will hold all power of life and death.

Power is nothing but a gleaming knife.

"So what do you two think we should do? We can't just stand by and watch Erzhu Rong's army march south, can we?"

Xu He and Zheng Yan exchanged a glance, and Xu He said with a tragic expression, "This matter was caused by the two of us. It was because we offended His Majesty and angered him. All the faults are ours."

"It was our own folly that led us to slander the Empress Dowager, which has caused the conflict between His Majesty and the Empress Dowager to escalate to this point."

"It is because of our illegal and disorderly conduct that the court was thrown into chaos, which led to widespread public resentment and the people's rebellion. All the mistakes are our fault."

Watching them both take all the blame upon themselves.

Empress Dowager Hu felt very sorry for her and was quite distressed.

Ultimately, Zheng Yan and Xu He were acting according to her wishes. She was unwilling to return power to the young emperor and wanted to maintain absolute power and control the court like Empress Dowager Feng.

However, Zheng Yan and Xu He, facing imminent death, voluntarily took the blame, not wanting to be implicated, and even tried to protect themselves.

These two years of 'married life' have not been in vain.

Empress Dowager Hu was, after all, a woman, and her emotions prevailed over her reason. Her tone softened as she reassured them, "Even if you two are guilty, your crimes do not warrant death."

"Your Majesty, we absolutely cannot allow Erzhu Rong to lead his troops south to Luoyang."

"Since this matter arose because of the two of us, for the sake of Great Wei and for the Empress Dowager, we are willing to give our lives!"

Empress Dowager Hu was deeply moved and reached out to wipe the tears from their faces.

But Zheng Yan grabbed him.

"We beg Your Majesty to send someone to invite His Majesty here so that we may apologize to him in person and ask him to resign from our official positions. If His Majesty does not pursue our mistakes, then we will renounce our worldly life and become monks, burning incense and chanting Buddhist prayers before the Buddha statues every day, praying for the Great Wei, for the Empress Dowager, and for His Majesty."

"If Your Majesty truly refuses to forgive our crimes, then we are willing to surrender and submit to execution, as long as Your Majesty issues an edict ordering Erzhu Rong to cease leading troops south!"

"Time is of the essence; please, Your Majesty, send someone there immediately!"

(End of this chapter)