Passing of the monarch

Guo Tu struck while the iron was hot, suggesting, "When you arrive, Lord Yuan, you must eliminate Jian Shuo and seize control of the West Garden Army to serve as your foundation for the future."

Yuan Shao nodded, envisioning the outcome as he replied, "When the time comes, I will make them submit to me. If they refuse, I will simply absorb their forces."

Yuan Xi, listening to their schemes from below, felt that while their initial analysis was sound, this particular plan was foolish. He knew that when guests become too powerful for their hosts and local garrisons are weak compared to external forces, the roles of master and servant are easily inverted. This, perhaps, was the very origin of the chaos that would soon engulf the end of the Han Dynasty. While their intentions were not malicious, they could not foresee the ambition, strength, and methods of Dong Zhuo.

Their strategy was identical to what Zhang Hong had analyzed for Yuan Xi a month prior. However, as his own position was humble and his voice carried little weight, he could not openly defy Yuan Shao’s intent. All he could do was strive to secure more advantages for the Yuan family and himself amidst the coming turmoil.

***

In April of 189 AD, on the eastern outskirts of Luoyang, the alarm bells from the city suddenly began to peal—a sound usually reserved for foreign invasions or catastrophic crises. Fearing that enemy forces had reached the suburbs or that some other disaster had struck, the populace fled in panic toward the city center, turning the already crowded streets into a scene of utter chaos.

Since they had been strolling through the market, Yuan Xi and Xu Chu were not on horseback. Forced to travel on foot, Yuan Xi accompanied Gao Yue, who had snuck out to meet him, as they made their way back to Luoyang. Yuan Xi did not complain; he cherished this rare moment of solitude with her—ignoring the presence of his bodyguard, Xu Chu—and chose not to hire a carriage. He dismissed Xu Chu to return to the city to retrieve their horses, while he and Gao Yue waited, his gaze drifting toward the imperial palace. He had a premonition.

"Xianyi," Gao Yue said with a hint of worry, "I have felt restless these past few days, as if something is about to happen. What do you think?"

"Ah! Perhaps so," Yuan Xi thought to himself. A woman's intuition was indeed sharp. The Emperor Ling was likely drawing his final breath. Seeing the concern on Yuan Xi’s face, Gao Yue’s own thoughts grew complex. As a woman of profound intelligence and grace, she had her own ominous suspicions, especially given that both their fathers were high-ranking officials. They could, to some extent, discern the shifting winds.

Yuan Xi said nothing more but took Gao Yue’s hand and sat slowly on a nearby slab of blue stone. Understanding his intent, she leaned gently against him. In the silence, she felt safe and comforted by his presence.

About an hour later, Xu Chu finally returned, bringing with him earth-shattering news: Emperor Ling had passed away.

Yuan Xi was not surprised; it was exactly as he had foreseen.

"What? His Majesty has passed away?" Gao Yue exclaimed in alarm.

"It is alright. Let us return," he replied. Without further explanation, he helped Gao Yue onto his horse and, accompanied by Xu Chu, they rode slowly back toward Luoyang.

The previously bright sky had unknowingly veiled itself in gloom. A bolt of lightning streaked across the horizon, followed by the rumbling of thunder. The wheels of history had turned, irreversible, and the great chaotic era of the Three Kingdoms was about to unfold.

Inside Luoyang, the city was already draped in white, the sky a somber grey. A persistent, unseasonable rain fell in April, as if weeping for the chaos to come. Perhaps this was the manifestation of the connection between heaven and humanity; who could say for sure?

***

In the North Palace, He Jin bowed and spoke, "I petition for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne and inherit the mandate of heaven without delay."

"This..." Empress Dowager Dong was trembling with fury.

"Hmph! The Emperor has passed; the Prince’s ascension is a matter of ritual. Why? Do you intend to oppose it?" He Jin glared at the surrounding ministers, his hand on his sword.

"I agree," "I agree," "I agree." Intimidated by He Jin’s threat, the ministers dared not speak otherwise.

With that, under He Jin’s instruction, Yuan Shao draped the dragon robes over Liu Bian. They knelt and chanted, "Long live the new Emperor! Long live our Emperor!"

The situation was settled. Empress Dowager Dong was helpless, and Empress He breathed a sigh of relief. The fourteen-year-old Prince Liu Bian, surrounded by civil and military officials, sat upon the dragon throne—the symbol of supreme power that all under heaven coveted.

Empress He, now Empress Dowager He, a beautiful woman in her early thirties, sat behind the curtain just a short distance from the throne. This was the beginning of her rule from behind the screen; she had finally waited for this day. Seeing her son ascend, half of her worries vanished. After years of navigating the treacherous inner palace, she had become increasingly addicted to the pursuit of power, like one who consumes opium and cannot stop.

General-in-Chief He Jin, though he wore a look of feigned grief, was internally ecstatic. He had finally reached this day, holding the reins of the world in his hands.

***

The various palace attendants serving behind Liu Bian and the Empress Dowager watched the scene with their own hidden agendas, but the matter was far from over. Crises continued to brew. As Jian Shuo looked at He Jin, he involuntarily thought of the secret edict hidden upon his person, and his eyes grew colder. However, now was not the time to act; he needed the right opportunity.

When Yuan Xi returned to the Yuan estate, the household was busy with preparations for the state funeral. After sending Gao Yue to Gao Rou and offering a brief explanation, he returned to his own quarters. He dispatched his servant, Yuan He, to the gambling dens with instructions regarding their commercial activities; he had to complete his final layouts, for time was running out.

"Zhongkang," Yuan Xi said, looking at Xu Chu, "I fear the coming months will bring great chaos. Have your wife and children pack their valuables shortly. I will have the treasury provide you with funds; arrange for them to return to Qiao County tomorrow."

"Understood!" Xu Chu did not question him. He agreed immediately and went to make the arrangements. He had never doubted Yuan Xi’s orders; he simply carried them out wherever he was directed.

Yuan Xi then sought out Zhang Hong. "His Majesty has passed away. Are you aware, sir?"

"The household guards have already informed me," Zhang Hong replied, his expression heavy. Though he had resigned from office, he had once served as a subject, and a sense of sorrow was inevitable.

After a moment of contemplation, Yuan Xi said, "If my calculations are correct, my father and his associates will likely move against the eunuch faction soon. Given the many obstacles, the situation is unpredictable, and Luoyang will face great upheaval. Master Zigang, you should return to Nanyang to avoid the worst of it. You are my Fan Zeng; I cannot afford for anything to happen to you."

Seeing Yuan Xi’s sincere concern for his safety, Zhang Hong felt a warmth in his heart. However, he replied with solemnity, "I understand your kindness, Young Master. Though I am but a commoner, I understand the principle of repaying kindness. I cannot abandon Lord Yuan and you at such a time."

"Furthermore, purging the nation of traitors is the duty of every subject of the Han. If you have need of me, just say the word; there is no need for formalities."

The four hundred years of Confucian thought and the code of loyalty were not in vain; future historians would praise the Eastern Han for its unmatched integrity and refined character. It was no empty claim that the world of virtuous men was something to be yearned for.

"I thank you for your understanding, sir."

"Then I shall leave the future in your hands," Yuan Xi said, bowing once more, thinking to himself that he had finally drawn this man onto his ship. He could finally rest easy. Xiang Yu had possessed a Fan Zeng but failed to use him; Yuan Xi would not make the same mistake.