Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

At this time, Xiliang continued to suffer from the relentless invasions of the Southern Xiongnu, creating a chaotic situation. Meanwhile, Gongsun Zan of Youzhou and Yuan Shao of Jizhou joined forces and, after a fierce battle, finally defeated Liu Yu. The three brothers, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, made significant contributions in this battle, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei demonstrating exceptional fighting prowess, their exceptional martial prowess commanding respect. Meanwhile, Emperor Liu Bian and Lu Zhi held the three in high regard and sought to win them over. With Liu Yu's demise, a new challenge emerged. Yuan Shao attempted to welcome the Emperor back to Jizhou, using this as a base to launch a campaign against Dong Zhuo. However, Gongsun Zan was unwilling to relinquish his power. Having sacrificed immensely for Emperor Liu Bian, and now that he had finally established his position, he felt it was his right to initiate the campaign against Dong Zhuo. If Dong Zhuo could be successfully defeated, whoever was on the emperor's side would be credited with the achievement of supporting the heavens and would be able to regain important say in the court. Under such circumstances, a deep rift once again arose between the two allies who had only recently formed an alliance.

At this time, news arrived from Luoyang that Empress Dowager Dong had passed away. Dong Zhuo, having declared himself Prime Minister, ordered all civil and military officials to suspend court for three days, all to mourn and lament the Empress Dowager's passing. By this time, Dong Zhuo had become deeply entrenched in the Luoyang court, becoming increasingly domineering and arrogant. Many knowledgeable individuals across the country were eager to attack him. Under these circumstances, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were forced to engage in internal consultations, seeking an effective solution to prevent the opportunity from slipping away. The entire nation was deeply disgusted by Dong Zhuo's misdeeds and was eager to conquer him, so this opportunity was absolutely crucial. After deliberation, it was decided that Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao would jointly issue a manifesto in the emperor's name, explicitly stating that they would work together to support the emperor and defeat Dong Zhuo.

Having resolutely resolved to spare no effort to support the Emperor, it was imperative that the Emperor ascend the throne smoothly, as the importance and urgency of this matter were truly unparalleled. It was clear that Liu Xie had already been coerced into the throne by Dong Zhuo in Luoyang, while Liu Bian, once the Emperor, had seemingly vanished from the face of the earth, practically extinguished from all traces throughout the vast empire, as if he had never existed. However, only by racking their brains and sparing no effort to fully and thoroughly expose this crucial and significant news of Emperor Liu Bian's continued existence, and disseminating it extensively and overwhelmingly, could the entire world truly know that Emperor Liu Bian was still alive, and only then could the hearts of the people of the land be firmly and unwaveringly aligned with the Emperor. Only by doing so can we logically and logically characterize Dong Zhuo as a Han usurper, a traitor as heinous and treacherous as Wang Mang, and thereby mobilize all under heaven to unite and defeat him, making him pay the heaviest price for his unforgivable crimes. We must deeply understand that, after all, under this vast heaven, there cannot be two suns shining simultaneously, and in this complex world, there cannot be two monarchs coexisting simultaneously. Emperor Liu Bian is like an unparalleled banner radiating the orthodox glory and dignity of the Han Dynasty! He is the righteous Emperor of the Han Dynasty, the supreme and orthodox Emperor, who was personally established by the great Emperor Ling of Han before his death. This is a sacred fact that cannot be questioned or altered, and is the core and key to the Han Dynasty's inheritance and continuation. Its importance and legitimacy cannot be underestimated or neglected! This is the most fundamental cornerstone for maintaining the stability of the entire world and the dignity of the Han Dynasty. It must be given the utmost attention and fully protected! Any attempt to challenge or undermine this orthodoxy will be spurned and condemned by the people of the world. Only by firmly defending and inheriting this orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty can the world restore its former peace and order, and let the glory of the Han Dynasty continue to shine in the long river of history.

The final decision was to appoint Jizhou Governor Han Fu as the leading figure, with Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao as his strong support. The first step was to spread the news that Emperor Liu Bian was still alive, and to extend invitations to the entire nation. The plan was to hold a formal coronation ceremony for Liu Bian at the beginning of the following year in Jizhou, inviting all civil and military officials to come and pay homage to the emperor. The governors and provincial governors of all prefectures and counties were to come and pay homage to the emperor. This news spread like a powerful bombshell, swiftly spreading throughout the world, setting the world ablaze with excitement. People were discussing it, and a variety of emotions and reactions intertwined, making the situation extremely complex and full of uncertainty.

Upon hearing this news in Luoyang, Dong Zhuo was furious, his rage surging to the very skies. He roared in the court, denouncing Han Fu, Gongsun Zan, Yuan Shao, and their actions with a deep-seated hatred. He knew that if Liu Bian were to return to the throne, the position of Liu Xie, whom he had supported, would be embarrassing, and he himself would be labeled a traitor. He would never allow such a thing to happen, and began to plan how to deal with this sudden change.

During this period of turmoil, Dong Zhuo was actively preparing his army and deploying troops, preparing to fully respond to the impending attacks from Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan. His face was gloomy, his eyes revealing a fierce and resolute look, as he attempted to suppress any potential resistance with overwhelming military force.

Meanwhile, Dong Zhuo employed cunning tactics, spreading misleading information. He spread rumors that Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan had arbitrarily massacred Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou, accusing them of cruelty and bloodlust. Furthermore, he falsely accused Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan of colluding with the treacherous Lu Zhi, fabricating the story that Emperor Liu Bian had been killed by Lu Zhi. Furthermore, Dong Zhuo claimed that Yuan Shao, Gongsun Zan, and Lu Zhi had somehow procured a fake emperor, intent on overthrowing the Han dynasty and unsettling the people to achieve their ulterior motives.

Upon hearing the news in Shu, Liu Yan, a member of the imperial clan, after careful consideration, expressed his unwavering support for Emperor Liu Bian. He saw this as a golden opportunity to restore the Han dynasty's legitimacy, and as a member of the imperial clan, he felt a responsibility to uphold the emperor's dignity. Liu Yan actively mobilized his forces, preparing to contribute to Liu Bian's ascension to the throne. A burning desire for the Han dynasty's revival ignited within him, as if he saw the potential for greater benefit in this turbulent period.

Liu Biao, however, remained neutral in Jingzhou, acting as if he were not personally involved. He calmly observed the unfolding situation, taking no position. He viewed the struggle between Yuan Shao and Dong Zhuo as a mere power play, and he did not want to prematurely become involved, lest he bring unnecessary trouble upon himself. He preferred to sit back and watch the two brothers fight it out, then decide his own course of action based on the situation.

Cao Cao, then in Yanzhou, immediately responded with great enthusiasm upon hearing the news. He knew this was a crucial opportunity to change the world, and he had always harbored great ambitions, eager to make a difference in these turbulent times. He quickly summoned his advisors and generals to discuss countermeasures and actively mobilized troops to support Liu Bian's ascension to the throne. He seemed to see his hope of conquering the Central Plains and realizing his ambitions right before his eyes.

Sun Jian, in Jiangdong, was also thrilled upon hearing this exciting news. He possessed a heroic spirit and had long harbored resentment towards Dong Zhuo's tyranny. Now presented with an opportunity to openly confront Dong Zhuo, Sun Jian naturally seized it. He immediately assembled his army, eager to respond to the call, eager to establish merit in this righteous battle and bring honor to himself and his family.

Other powerful governors or provincial governors such as Bao Xin, Zhang Yang, and Tao Qian also expressed their readiness to respond to Emperor Liu Bian after receiving the news.

At the end of the year, a tense atmosphere permeated the land, and security was high. News from both sides poured in like a tide, its truth and falsehood difficult to discern. The people were in a state of panic, unsure which side to believe. Amidst this chaotic information, all factions frantically analyzed the situation and considered their next steps. The entire world seemed to be caught in this immense vortex, and the future became uncertain, fraught with uncertainty and crisis. Dong Zhuo's actions undoubtedly further complicated the already volatile situation, and a thrilling contest was about to unfold.