Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

On New Year's Eve in 188 AD, Lu Zhi suddenly received an urgent summons from Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong.

Back in the day, Lu Zhi served as a Lang Jiang (Lian Jiang), responsible for the palace's security. Young Liu Hong and Lu Zhi studied and grew up together under the tutelage of the great scholar Ma Rong, forging a deep friendship. Even then, Lu Zhi displayed exceptional talent and integrity.

Before Liu Hong ascended the throne, the palace encountered a crisis, and Lu Zhi successfully resolved the crisis with his wisdom and courage. Liu Hong witnessed Lu Zhi's ability with his own eyes and was full of admiration and trust in him.

With Liu Hong's ascension to the throne, he harbored a lofty ambition to restore the Han dynasty. Lu Zhi shared this ideal, and they often discussed state affairs together, where Lu Zhi's insights always inspired Liu Hong. Although Lu Zhi's frank criticisms of problems and shortcomings within the court sometimes irritated Liu Hong, he understood that Lu Zhi was motivated by public interest and genuinely cared about the country.

Lu Zhi's character was widely praised within the court and the public. He was fair, honest, and caring for the people. Liu Hong, upon hearing of his many good deeds, was deeply impressed by his character. Whenever Liu Hong faced important decisions, Lu Zhi always stood firmly by his side, offering support and advice. This deeply impressed Liu Hong with the belief that Lu Zhi was a man he could fully trust and a vital support in achieving his ideals.

Back then, the two met in their youth. Emperor Lingdi had just ascended the throne, harboring lofty ambitions to restore the Han dynasty. However, faced with the preponderance of aristocratic families, he felt powerless. In desperation, he single-handedly supported the eunuchs, attempting to counter the aristocratic families. However, the aristocratic families perfunctorily deceived the emperor at court, disorganized their policies at the local level, and spread malicious propaganda against the emperor's actions, earning Emperor Lingdi a notorious reputation in later generations.

To a certain extent, the aristocratic families did become a major factor in the chaos that plagued the country. They recklessly annexed land and secretly hid people, causing a serious imbalance in social resources. They also monopolized the selection of talent, and only through their recommendations could one enter the officialdom, leading to a vicious cycle.

These aristocratic families formed vast networks of influence, with students and former officials spread across the country. They focused solely on family interests and neglected their responsibilities to their country. Their existence seriously hindered the normal development of society, exacerbated social conflicts and unrest, and ultimately sowed the seeds of chaos.

Although Emperor Lingdi of Han tried to suppress the aristocratic families to a certain extent by supporting eunuchs, and achieved some results, it also created a group of eunuchs who deceived their superiors and lied to their subordinates. It is undeniable that Emperor Lingdi did have the heart to work hard to govern the country, but unfortunately his ideas and practices were distorted, and he gave the eunuchs too much power, which led to extremely sharp conflicts between the eunuchs and the aristocratic families, and seriously exacerbated the internal friction of the country.

Under this complicated situation, the country fell into chaos and turmoil, various problems gradually surfaced, and the foundation of society was constantly eroded, bringing huge disasters and crises to the entire country.

He knew very well that Emperor Ling of Han was not as rumored by the outside world, a foolish emperor who only knew how to sell official positions, was only greedy for money, and only trusted eunuchs.

Lu Zhi watched helplessly as the eunuchs' rampant rampage, the aristocratic families' continuous annexation of land, and peasant uprisings erupted one after another, while Emperor Ling's health was soon crushed by these burdens. He was filled with regret, both for the emperor's suffering at the hands of these chaotic conditions and for his anxiety and helplessness at his inability to eradicate these problems and find solutions. His heart was filled with worry and melancholy.

Lu Zhi silently followed the eunuch to the bedroom of Emperor Ling of Han. On the way, he was full of thoughts and worries. However, when he stood at the door of the bedroom, he tried hard to put away those chaotic thoughts, sorted out his emotions, and quietly waited for the call of Emperor Ling of Han.

When Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, learned that Lu Zhi had arrived at his bedroom, he used all his strength to prop up his frail body and slowly sit up from his bed, then leaned against the couch. With a hint of joy on his face, he looked in Lu Zhi's direction, raised his hand, and his eyes revealed his expectation and trust in Lu Zhi.

Seeing Emperor Lingdi like this, Lu Zhi felt sad and hurried forward. He held Emperor Lingdi's hand tightly, his face full of concern, his eyes filled with worry and heartache, and he said anxiously, "Your Majesty..."

Emperor Ling waved his hand weakly with a hint of comfort, and said to Lu Zhi in a weak but clear voice: "Senior brother, I'm afraid I really can't make it this time..." After saying this, his eyes revealed deep helplessness and sadness.

When Lu Zhi heard what Emperor Lingdi said, he felt even more sad. He held back his tears and comforted him, "Your Majesty, please don't say that. You will definitely get better. The Han Dynasty still needs you!" Lu Zhi held Emperor Lingdi's hand tightly, trying to give him some strength.

Emperor Ling smiled self-deprecatingly again, his face full of helplessness and sadness. He slowly said: "I know my own body. Brother, I have wanted to revitalize the Han Dynasty over the years, but I am unable to do so." He sighed softly, his eyes full of worry and melancholy.

"Although my poor health is inevitable, the Han Dynasty must not be harmed." Emperor Ling's voice was filled with anxiety and worry. "Now the government is in turmoil, eunuchs are in power, and the aristocratic families are separatist. The people are living in dire straits. I am worried that after I am gone, the world will be more chaotic and the people will suffer more." When he said this, Emperor Ling's eyes were moist and tears flickered in the corners of his eyes.

"Although Bian'er is intelligent, he is still young and needs to grow. Brother, he studied under you in the past, and you should know his character. I believe you can assist him and ensure the stability of the Han Dynasty. I entrust this kingdom to you."

Emperor Ling held Lu Zhi's hand tightly. As Lu Zhi listened to what Emperor Ling said, tears welled up in his eyes. He said solemnly: "Your Majesty, I will live up to your trust! I will do my best to serve the Han Dynasty until my death!" After saying this, tears were still welling up in Lu Zhi's eyes, but his eyes were extremely firm.

Liu Hong called out softly, his voice weak but full of love. Liu Bian, tears streaming down his face, slowly moved towards him from behind the bed, his small body trembling with grief.

Liu Bian walked up to Lu Zhi and saluted him respectfully. Seeing this, Lu Zhi hurried forward to help Liu Bian up, his eyes full of pity.

At this time, Liu Hong took out a secret decree from his side with great difficulty. Using his last bit of strength, he handed it to Lu Zhi. Lu Zhi took the decree with both hands and felt that Liu Hong's body temperature still remained on it.

Liu Hong looked at Lu Zhi, his eyes full of instructions and expectations. He said in a weak voice: "Senior brother, this secret decree concerns the future of the Han Dynasty. You must keep it properly and assist Bian'er..." Before he finished speaking, Liu Hong coughed violently again, and his breath became weaker and weaker.

Liu Bian tightly grasped Liu Hong's hand, crying, "Father!" Lu Zhi's eyes were red as well. He said solemnly, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will definitely live up to your trust!"

After Liu Hong finished arranging all this, he felt as if all his strength had been drained away and he became exhausted. He looked at Liu Bian, who was in tears, and his heart was filled with reluctance and concern.

"Bian'er, you must listen to Lord Lu Zhi from now on..." Liu Hong said weakly, with a hint of kindness and expectation in his voice.

Liu Bian nodded sensibly and held Liu Hong's hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

Seeing this, Liu Hong asked Liu Bian to stay and take care of him while he needed to rest for a while.

Lu Zhi watched this scene from the side, his heart filled with emotion. He knew that Liu Hong had already used up his last bit of energy to make final arrangements for the future of the Han Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, I will take my leave first." Lu Zhi said softly, then slowly retreated.

The moment he left the palace, Lu Zhi felt extremely heavy-hearted. He knew that from this moment on, the responsibility he shouldered was even greater. He had to go all out for the future of the Han Dynasty and for Liu Hong's instructions.