Han Dynasty Achievements

Chapter 11: Dissension between the Emperor and His Ministers

"I am General Dong Zhong, and I pay my respects to Your Majesty and the Queen Mother."

Dong Zhong ran in, raised his hand to greet, and spoke loudly.

He really keeps talking about this General Hussar.

Liu Bian looked at He Jin in front of him with a playful smile on his face but did not respond.

The Dong family was the previous in-laws and was once very famous.

In the Han Dynasty, it was really an ancestral system for relatives by marriage to be in power.

Starting with the Lu family, there is no need to say much about Empress Lu, then the Huo family is prominent. Huo Guang was so awesome that he even deposed the emperor and established another one. Then there is the Wang family. Wang Mang was even more awesome than Huo Guang and he directly usurped the throne. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was the Dou family, who were also lawless and did not care about the royal relatives. After that was the Liang family, which was equally awesome. They inherited the title of general and deposed three emperors and forced one to death!

After the Liang family was destroyed, the eunuchs began to monopolize power in the Han Dynasty. After several decades, the foreign relatives rose again, and He Jin, the emperor's brother-in-law and general, had great power in the court.

Liu Bian didn't say anything. Empress Dowager He had a lot of grievances with the Dong family, so naturally she was not in a good mood and just ate by herself.

He Jin lost face in front of Liu Bian. He sat up straight without turning his head and said in a deep voice: "What qualifications do you have to come here?"

Dong Zhong was still somewhat afraid of He Jin, especially since this position of General of the Cavalry required He Jin's approval. He said with a cautious smile, "General, I have been ordered to persuade the Empress Dowager to leave the palace."

He Jin looked at Empress Dowager He with a questioning look.

Empress Dowager He snorted coldly and said, "She is of foreign origin and should not stay in the palace."

He Jin understood that Empress Dowager Dong wanted to establish Liu Xie, and Empress Dowager He would never tolerate this. She said, "No need to persuade her. I will send someone to escort her out of the palace!"

Dong Zhong was startled and said in a hurry: "The Empress Dowager said that she can go out, that's right, she wants to take the King of Bohai with her."

Liu Bian was about to speak when Empress Dowager He said directly: "Let her take them. Brother, send someone to watch them and don't allow them to collude with court officials again!"

He Jin also thought it was a good thing to let Empress Dowager Dong and the prince leave the capital. No one would threaten his nephew's throne anymore, and his generalship would naturally be more stable. He nodded and said, "Okay, I'll send someone to make the arrangements."

"I don't agree!"

Liu Bian rejected the idea directly and said, "Grandmother can leave, but my ninth brother can't. Dong Zhong, go tell Grandmother that this matter is settled!"

Dong Zhong was extremely reluctant to go to Queen Mother Dong again, but seeing Liu Bian's firm tone and lips moving, he had no choice but to say, "Yes."

Empress Dowager He was a little unhappy and said to Liu Bian: "Bian'er, isn't it a good thing for that old woman to leave with Liu Xie? Why do you have to keep Liu Xie?"

He Jin said: "I also think it is useless to keep Liu Xie. I will send someone to escort them out of the palace."

He Jin's face was full of flesh, and he looked ferocious even when he didn't speak. Coupled with the aura of a superior, he looked even more intimidating, as if he was not talking to the emperor, but more like lecturing his subordinates.

Liu Bian had a blank expression on his face. He said, "It's decided. General, my coronation ceremony, my father's funeral, and the remnants of the Yellow Turban Army causing chaos outside, there are so many things that need your coordination, so don't waste your time in the palace."

Liu Bian felt a little annoyed with He Jin and didn't want to argue with him any further.

He Jin was stunned. What is this...driving me away?

His eyes glared with anger, and he became more and more dissatisfied with his nephew. He could no longer hold back and said in a deep voice: "Liu Xie cannot stay, and Queen Mother Dong cannot stay either! I will handle this matter!"

In his opinion, he was the one who helped this eldest nephew to the throne, and the Twelve Eunuchs had been basically eliminated by him. There was no one in the entire Han Dynasty who could disobey him!

Liu Bian's "disobedience" to him made him very angry!

Liu Bian and He Jin looked at each other, and anger suddenly surged in their hearts.

Does He Jin really have no sense of propriety at all?

Liu Bian held his breath and refused to give in. He said, "I will let Dong Zhong handle this matter. The general should not worry about it. There are so many things to do. I will not invite the general to dinner."

The flesh on He Jin's face was trembling and his eyes were as big as copper bells. He looked like a butcher preparing to kill a pig.

Liu Bian didn't expect He Jin to be so imposing. He couldn't help but sit up straight, with a cold expression and a firm and confrontational look.

Seeing this, Empress Dowager He's heart suddenly trembled. She stood up quickly, put her head between the two of them, and said hurriedly: "Brother, try this soup. I made it myself. I will decide this matter. The old woman will leave the palace, and Liu Xie will stay."

Then he turned back and looked at Liu Bian, frowning but smiling, "Bian'er, try this. Your uncle is doing this for your own good. Don't be angry with him, you will be an adult soon."

With the Queen Mother's words, He Jin seemed to realize that something was wrong. He restrained his expression and said with strong anger: "Since the Queen Mother said so, then I will do as the Queen Mother says. I will leave first."

He Jin didn't look at Liu Bian again, just stood up and left.

Liu Bian looked at his back, feeling furious.

These in-laws, especially when they grow powerful, are likely to betray their masters!

Jian Shuo saw it clearly from the side, his expression was stern, and he bent his waist even deeper.

Empress Dowager He looked at Liu Bian with a complicated expression, seeming to want to say something but stopping herself.

She could no longer understand her son. In the past, Liu Bian was timid and cowardly, and he didn't even dare to speak loudly.

But since he ascended the throne and became emperor, his temperament changed drastically. Not only did he stop the ministers in Deyang Palace and quell the palace coup, he even dared to confront his uncle, General He Jin.

Liu Bian could guess what Empress Dowager He was thinking. He smiled and said, "Mother, I am the emperor now and you are the empress dowager. We can no longer be as cowardly as before, afraid of our father, grandmother, Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong and others. I want to be an emperor who is not afraid of anyone."

When Empress Dowager He looked at Liu Bian, she immediately remembered the days of fear and worry when the late emperor wanted to depose Liu Bian and replace him with Liu Xie. She couldn't help but feel sad, her eyes were red, she stood up and hugged Liu Bian, crying, "Don't be afraid, Bian'er, as long as I am here, no one can bully you!"

Liu Bian was stunned. Why did he start crying?

Queen Mother He cried for a long time before letting Liu Bian go. She turned her back to Jian Shuo, Pan Yin and others, wiped her eyes, and whispered to Liu Bian, "We will talk to each other in the evening. I will go and tidy up my appearance first."

Liu Bian nodded, and only breathed a sigh of relief after Empress Dowager He left. This kind of emotional drama was the worst he could perform.

Immediately, he caught a glimpse of Jian Shuo and Pan Yin, who were looking down. His heart moved, and he said to Pan Yin, "Come here."

Pan Yin trotted up to Liu Bian, bowed, and looked extremely respectful.

"Come closer and listen." Liu Bian said.

Pan Yin hurriedly moved closer and leaned forward.

Liu Bian whispered a few words in his ear.

An expression of fear immediately appeared on Pan Yin's face and his body was shaking.

Liu Bian whispered even more: "If he makes any unusual move, you bring a dagger and kill him on the spot for me. Can you do it? Don't speak, just nod or shake your head."

Pan Yin clenched his right hand suddenly and his breathing became rapid.

Jian Shuo had been in the palace for more than 20 years, and he had followed Jian Shuo for five or six years, so he knew how powerful Jian Shuo was. Especially since Jian Shuo was tall and strong, and had some martial arts skills, it would be too difficult to kill him!

But Pan Yin did not hesitate for a moment and nodded heavily.

Liu Bian hummed and said, "Someone come!"

Eight heavily-armored guards immediately appeared outside the door, their footsteps in unison, blood on their bodies, murderous intent. They strode in, knelt on one knee and said, "Your Majesty!"

Pan Yin looked at the eight guards and felt a chill all over his body.

Liu Bian said expressionlessly, "These eight guards were selected by Captain Cao. I will assign them to you, Grand Chamberlain."

Pan Yin knew what Liu Bian meant, so he bowed and said in a trembling voice, "Yes."

Jian Shuo glanced at the eight guards and stood still respectfully.

Liu Bian looked at him and said, "Jian Qing, you and the Grand Chamberlain must immediately interrogate Zhao Zhong, Zhang Rang and others and torture them severely!"

"I obey your command." Pan Yin and Jian Shuo responded and slowly stepped back.

Liu Bian had another chance to rest. He closed his eyes, lay on the chair, and thought while resting.

At this moment, the confrontation between Dong Zhong and Queen Mother Dong had reached its climax.

Dong Zhong refused to give up his position as General of the Cavalry, and Empress Dowager Dong refused to leave Liu Xie alone in the palace.

The two men refused to give in, staring at each other, neither saying a word.

Liu Xie looked at the two people who refused to give in, and said to Queen Mother Dong: "Grandma, I will stay."

"No!" Empress Dowager Dong objected sternly.

Liu Xie smiled and said, "Grandmother, since my brother said so, he has no intention of harming me. I am the same whether I am in the palace or outside. As long as the situation calms down after a few days, my brother will not embarrass me. On the contrary, if you stay in the palace, the Queen Mother will definitely be worried. If you stay, I will also be worried. It is better for you to leave the palace."

Liu Xie was only eight years old, but he behaved in a dignified manner, was confident and calm, had an extraordinary bearing at such a young age, and spoke clearly and logically.

Empress Dowager Dong listened to his words with a hesitant look on her face. She hugged Liu Xie and cried, "My poor child, you will suffer in the future..."

Liu Xie smiled and wiped the tears from Empress Dowager Dong, saying, "Don't worry, grandma. My relationship with my brother is still very good. With him around, I can endure the hardship. When you leave the palace, you must take good care of yourself without me by your side. I have prepared everything you need to wear and use, and have written it down on silk. Please remember to add and replace it on time..."

Empress Dowager Dong cried even louder.

But Dong Zhong on the opposite side couldn't help laughing.

If Empress Dowager Dong is willing to leave the palace, then his position as General of Cavalry will be secure!

When Dong Zhong laughed, He Jin left the palace and sat in the carriage. His face was livid, but he had nowhere to vent his anger. He could only yell, "Let Chen Lin go to the general's mansion tomorrow!"

The guards outside the car were startled and responded hurriedly.

In the palace, in a dungeon not far from Fanglin Garden, Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Guo Sheng and eleven others were imprisoned.

Inside the prison gate, eleven people were locked in one cell, which was very crowded.

Seeing Jian Shuo and Pan Yin coming over, they all had gloomy expressions and were filled with anger and resentment, but they maintained their status and did not curse or kneel down to beg for mercy.

Zhang Rang knelt in the middle, looked at Jian Shuo, and said in a sharp voice: "Jian Shuo, you are the one the late emperor valued the most, trusted the most, and entrusted with the care of his son. If the late emperor saw what you did today, I wonder what he would think."

Jian Shuo looked down at these people from a high position and said, "Although the late emperor had the intention, he had not made a decision. The succession of the Crown Prince is in accordance with the great order, and it is natural! You are plotting to dethrone and enthrone the emperor, which is tantamount to treason and is unforgivable! Now that His Majesty has forgiven you, you are ordered to hand over the names of your followers and atone for your sins with your wealth. Explain yourself."

Zhao Zhong, Zhang Rang and others had obviously discussed the matter and did not move, remaining very calm.

They all looked at Zhang Rang, and no one spoke.