139. He Jin Downfall and The Rise Of Dong Zhuo

Luoyang now has become a Gu jar, only the most poisonous and resilient creature can survive the political intrigue that's happening right now. The Eunuchs with their sinister plan, He Jin with his naive plan and approaching downfall, and Doing Zhuo with his greedy heart wanting to swallow Luoyang.

Wang Yun the weakest political player right now, is having a meeting with former founder members of Baohuzhe and important Ex-members of Baohuzhe. Zhu Jun, Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, and Sima Fang are the one who Wang Yun invited to have a meeting.

Wang Yun knows that his position now is very vulnerable, after breaking the alliance with Lie Fan and knowing that Diao Chan married Lie Fan Wang Yun almost vomited his own blood.

He realizes now that breaking his relationship with Lie Fan is a bad move, not only does he lose his only daughter (adopted), but he also enters a precarious situation where even he doesn't have political power left with Emperor Ling already passed away.

He now puts his hope in his friends who aren't a friend anymore, they hold important positions in the military, and one is Luoyang Prefect controlling the capital's administration.

Wang Yun: " Everyone thanks you for accepting my invitation, I'm happy to finally meet all of you again after so long."

Zhu Jun: " Wang Yun cut the crap, I'm sorry if I'm too forthright but just tell us the reason you invite all of us here."

Lu Zhi: " Old Zhu you're too brash, sorry Master Wang Yun for Zhu Jun's demeanor. Just like what Old Zhu said, why don't Mastsr Wang Yun tell us the reason you invited all of us here."

Wang Yun: " It's like this, why don't we enter cooperation together just like in old times? He Jin and the Eunuchs are fighting everywhere in the Imperial Court, I can't stop their fight with the influences I have now."

Sima Fang: "I'm sorry but what makes Master Wang Yun to be sure that we will accept your invitation? We don't want to become the next Governor Lie Fan, to be betrayed and stabbed in the back by you."

Wang Yun: "About that I apologize for what I have done, it's not that I want to betray Lie Fan but I'm just afraid that he will become another He Jin with the power and influences he has now."

Zhu Jun, Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, and Sima Famg turned their heads to look at each other, they can be said to be from the same camp as they have put all of their eggs in Lie Fan's basket.

Aligning themselves with Wang Yun is too risky, but there is also a benefit and that is becoming a smokescreen for them in He Jin's and the Eunuch's eye that they are entering a neutral side now.

While at Luoyang everyone has their agenda. Lie Fan in Xiapi now is having a meeting with Cai Yong, asking for his permission to marry Cai Wenji. They are meeting at the Cai Clan residence, where on Lie Fan's side there's only him and Jia Xu.

Lie Fan: "Master Cai Yong, I came today to ask for your permission to marry Lady Cai Wenji."

Cai Yong: "Looks like the progress between My Lord and my daughter is going well, now that you're talking about taking my daughter's hand in marriage."

Lie Fan: "Yes, this isn't only my decision but Lady Cai Wenii's decision also, I hope that Master Cai Ying approves of us being married."

Cai Yong: "My Lord should have known my answer since I have given you my permission then of course it extends to marriage. Have you thought about when will you hold the marriage?"

Lie Fan: "If it's not too fast, this year Master Cai Yong. I also wanted to ask Master Cai Yong's help to visit the monks to ask for an auspicious day."

Cai Yong was surprised that they wanted to hold the marriage this year, but thinking that they were still young Cai Yong thought it was because they were too impatient. After that, they discussed the amount of dowry and betrothal gifts.

The discussion went on until the afternoon and since they were now waiting for the auspicious date, Cai Wenji wasn't allowed to go to Lie Clan's residence in accordance to the tradition where the bride-to-be and groom-to-be can't meet.

So Wannian goes to the Cai Clan residence for her tutoring, and Lie Fan sends Guan Hai and Huang Shao to become her bodyguards. Sometimes Ying Yue and Diao Chan accompany Wannian, and since Cai Wenji was going to become Lie Fan's concubine they tried to increase their relations with each other.

Ying Yue is the main wife, but Diao Chan is the one who proposes this as she has seen how the Imperial Harem works. If the Harem which is called the Emperor's backyard is not at peace, then The Emperor can be seen as weak as he can't handle the harem.

Even though the Emperor is not the one in charge of the harem, that is the Empress or Empress Dowager it is still a symbol of the Emperor's ability.

After meeting with Lie Fan and giving his permission, Cai Yong goes to visit a famous monk to ask for an auspicious date this year for Lie Fan and Cai Wenji's betrothal to be held.

Lie Fan's parents, Lie Shang and Yu Yan in Huai'An receive the news that Lie Fan will hold another marriage with Cai Wenji daughter of Cai Yong. This time both Lie Shang and Yu Yan visited Xiapi, as their son will add another daughter-in-law for them.

Yu Yan nags at Lie Fan, asking how he has been married for 2 years and there's no sign of pregnancy yet from both Ying Yue and Diao Chan. Lie Fan can only shrug his shoulder, he is happy that both of them aren't pregnant yet seeing as the medical field is in development under Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjin.

Ying Yue and Diao Chan, on the other hand, bowed their head thinking of cooking more supplements and nutritious food for them and Lie Fan. Also forcing Lie Fan to have a good resting time, is not always drowning in his work.

Lie Shang and Yu Yan's arrival caused Wannian to be happy, she introduced both Sima Yi and Sima Lang to them saying that they always accompany her to play.

Lie Shang is talented in his own way, he can see that both Sima Yi and Sima Lang have great talent and their future will be bright. He taught them some simple martial arts so that they could protect themselves in the future.

Lie Fan and his family spend their time happily in Xiapi, everything is going well for Lie Fan except for the danger in Luoyang everything is good. Lie Fan's and Cai Wenji's parent organized their wedding preparation while waiting for the result from the monk for an auspicious date.

Two weeks passed by, and in Luoyang, He Jin was on his way to meet with his sister Empress Dowager He. He received an official summons, which only happened when his sister agreed to proceed with their plan.

He happily goes to the Palace, without bringing many guards thinking that the Eunuch time is done. What he doesn't know is, that the summon is fake and the eunuchs now are waiting to ambush him.

When He Jin entered the usual meeting place with Empress Dowager He, he saw that there was a group of soldiers and the eunuchs waiting for him. Feeling something was wrong, He Jin tried to leave the room.

Zhang Rang: "Grand General where are you going?! Please come in and enjoy our banquet prepared for you!"

He Jin: "Ptuii! Old bastard, do you think I can't see that this is a Hongmen banquet for me?! Looks like you bastards have been preparing for this for the past 2 weeks."

Cao Jie: "Haha! You don't expect this do you He Jin?! You are planning to kill us, but we will kill you first! Everyone kill!!"

Under Cao Jie's order, all the soldiers attack He Jin and his small group of guards. He Jin seeing this ordered the guards to protect him, while he defended himself trying to run away.

But He Jin's resistance is futile, the eunuch brings many soldiers that they bribed, and before long He Jin and his guards are dead. He Jin's death was seen by passing servants and maids, and soon the news of He Jin's assassination spread across Luoyang.

After hearing of He Jin's death, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, both with significant control of military forces within the capital, stormed the palace capturing and killing the Eunuchs who were too late to run.

Zhang Rang, Cao Jie, and Hou Lan are the surviving members of the Ten Attendants. They captured Liu Bian (Emperor Shao) hostage and fled from Luoyang trying to go to Chang'An.

Empress Dowager He fainted when she heard the news, and Cao Cao shook his head at He Jin's foolishness for not bringing more guards and ordered his men to rescue Liu Bian.

Zhang Rang and his party leave Luoyang, but when they reach the outskirts they are intercepted by Dong Zhuo's soldiers and killed by them under Doing Zhuo's order.

He Jin's stepbrother, He Miao who alongside Empress Dowager He protected the Eunuch, was killed by Wang Kuang, He Jin's subordinate, and Dong Min, Dong Zhuo's brother, for sympathizing with the Ten Attendants who assassinated He Jin.

Dong Zhuo then with Li Ru and 3,000 men entered Luoyang, escorting Emperor Shao safely back to the palace. After arriving in Luoyang, Dong Zhuo realized that his 3,000 men were unequal to the numerous troops guarding the capital.

Dong Zhuo under Li Ru's advice ordered some of his army to leave at night and re-enter the city at dawn, making it appear that he was receiving reinforcements when in truth he smuggled his army to enter Luoyang.

At Dawn, everyone at Luoyang realizes that Dong Zhuo's soldier has controlled the city gates and the Imperial Palace. Ding Yuan, Inspector of Bing Province who was also called by He Jin arrived much later than Doing Zhuo.

Seeing the situation right now, Ding Yuan whose army is much smaller than Dong Zhuo can only criticize Doing Zhuo for what he has done. Dong Zhuo is angry and wants to kill him, but afraid of the retribution it will bring to him.

Li Ru then advises Dong Zhuo to induce Lu Bu, Ding Yuan's foster son, known for his unparalleled might and martial arts to join their side. Li Ru told Dong Zhuo to give the Red Hare, a mighty and fine horse to Lu Bu as a gift.

With bleeding and a heavy heart, Doing Zhuo followed Li Ru's advice. Soon Lu Bu gradually accepted all of Dong Zhuo's gifts and finally met with Dong Zhuo and Li Ru silently.

There Dong Zhuo was impressed with Lu Bu, and took him as his foster son, Lu Bu was given the assignment to chop off Ding Yuan's head and take control of his army for Dong Zhuo. Lu Bu was hesitant at first, but under Li Ru's persuasion finally agreed when he heard that he would be promoted to Cavalry Commandant.

The next night after their meeting, Lu Bu killed Ding Yuan, cut off his head, and presented it to Dong Zhuo, who had by then seized control of the Imperial Court and Luoyang. This marks the beginning of Dong Zhuo's reign of terror and tyranny over Luoyang and the Han Dynasty.

_________________________________

Name: Lie Fan

Title: Yellow Heaven Subjugator

Age: 21 Years Old (188 AD)

Level: 14

Next Level: 412.000

Renown: 215

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 5)

SP: 706.700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 775

VIT: 349

AGI: 343

INT: 361

CHR: 93

WIS: 299

WILL: 207

ATR Points: 0