Mount Mang

In the year 189, Luoyang, the Western Garden garrison.

Yuan Xi began briefly, recounting the events that had unfolded within the palace—what had transpired to compel them to serve the nation loyally and heed the orders of the Inspector of the Capital’s military.

He promised certain rewards, opened the armory, and distributed money and silk. Then, he convened with the officers to discuss the subsequent reorganization of the troops.

In truth, among the eight Western Garden Colonels, only the Upper and Middle Armies were fully manned with ten thousand soldiers; the rest numbered only two or three thousand each. Despite some previous skimping on weapons and armor by Jian Shuo, by the standards of the entire Han Empire, their equipment was still considered fine.

The soldiers were robust and vigorous young men. Among them, six or seven hundred were cavalry, and the logistics and support units were relatively well organized.

However, the Western Garden troops suffered from a lack of training and combat experience—a glaring weakness—after so many years of peace in the capital, was it not?

Simultaneously, Yuan Xi allowed officers who wished to follow another path to leave.

As a result, only half remained, mostly lower-ranking officers; those who departed were chiefly loyalists of Feng Fang.

Feng Fang had a daughter who, after these events, fled to Huainan. Moreover, some unexpected developments occurred, unforeseen by Yuan Xi.

Upon learning that the Right Colonel of the Auxiliary Troops commanded three thousand men, Yuan Xi instructed Xu Chu, along with newly promoted officers, to weed out the weak and select the finest two hundred soldiers. The outcome left just over two thousand.

Yuan Xi himself took up the role of Cavalry Commander, overseeing all matters within the camp.

Earlier, half of the elite hundred commanded by Xu Chu had been reassigned.

They were integrated as junior officers into the newly consolidated units.

Shortly after Yuan Xi finished his work, Zhang Hong arrived at the Western Garden camp.

“Xianyi, there is an urgent matter I need you to undertake.”

Zhang Hong wasted no time, taking his seat and cutting straight to the point.

“Please speak plainly, sir,” Yuan Xi said, bowing respectfully.

“In these chaotic times, the Ten Eunuchs have seized the emperor and fled the palace. You must persuade Lord Yuan to go to the emperor’s rescue,” Zhang Hong pointed toward the heavens.

“Where does the gentleman believe the Ten Eunuchs will head?”

Yuan Xi approached the map, examining the roads near the palace.

“Mount Beiwang. You must act swiftly,” Zhang Hong circled the location.

“Understood. I will go immediately and report to Father.”

With that, Yuan Xi left the main tent, heading toward the Middle Army camp.

…

At the Middle Army camp of the Western Garden, Yuan Shao had just returned from the palace.

Currently, Yuan Shu was in charge of the situation within the palace.

“Father, Feng Fang has been captured. I have temporarily assumed the post of Cavalry Commander. Please forgive me for acting first and reporting later,” Yuan Xi knelt on one knee, apologizing.

“Haha, well done. My son is blameless. Now that you hold the position of Cavalry Commander, things are different from before. There are matters I must share with you.”

Yuan Shao stepped forward, helped Yuan Xi to his feet, and patted his shoulder.

“Please, Father, enlighten me.”

“Upon enlisting, at home we are father and son; outside, sovereign and subject. Do you understand?”

Yuan Shao smiled ambiguously, watching Yuan Xi’s cautious demeanor.

“Yes, Father, I understand.”

“Yuan Xi, obey my orders.”

“Yes, sir,” Yuan Xi saluted.

“If the troops are not formed within five days, disband and send them home.”

“Your orders will be followed,” Yuan Xi clasped his fists again.

This was the way of the emperor’s strategy—father and son at home, ruler and subject in the field.

After this, they entered the main topic of the day.

“Xianyi, in such perilous times, how do you think I should conduct myself?”

Yuan Xi was momentarily stunned. Such confidential matters—rather than discussing with strategists like Xu You, his father sought his opinion. Yuan Xi sensed this was another test.

Summoning his courage, he said, “Please allow me to lead two thousand elite soldiers to ambush near Mount Beiwang, along the banks of the Pingjin River. I suspect Dong Zhuo’s Xiliang troops will cross there. We only need to have our soldiers lie in wait.”

“Then, when half of Dong Zhuo’s forces have crossed to the opposite bank, command the archers to unleash a volley. The Xiliang troops will panic and trample one another. Once the arrows have been expended, the light cavalry will strike, cutting their forces in two and annihilating them.”

“Though Dong Zhuo’s forces are fierce, they are not invincible. They will not be able to enter Luoyang easily—they may hold out for a while, but no more.”

“But how can our mere ten thousand soldiers hold off tens of thousands for an extended period? It’s far too dangerous. My son cannot bear such a risk.”

Yuan Shao hesitated, seeing clearly the limitations of the Western Garden army’s combat power.

“These young men understand as well. My hope is not that these two thousand soldiers will defeat Dong Zhuo outright, but that they can hold him off for two hours.”

Yuan Xi recalled Zhang Hong’s instructions before departing.

“Xianyi, share your thoughts.”

A gleam returned to Yuan Shao’s eyes as he spoke seriously.

“The Ten Eunuchs have taken the emperor, but the Empress Dowager remains in the palace. Father, you could dispatch five hundred soldiers swiftly to protect the Empress Dowager. Thus, you could obtain her imperial edict for contingencies.”

This was the same strategy Sima Yi used during the Gaoping Tombs Incident. Yuan Xi hoped his father would emulate it.

“Where do you think the Ten Eunuchs will flee?”

“Mount Beiwang. They will head there without doubt. If we arrive ahead, they will have no choice but to surrender,” Yuan Xi said firmly.

“But Dong Zhuo will surely pass through Mount Beiwang as well,” Yuan Shao said anxiously, eyes fixed on the map behind him.

“Indeed. Then it will be a race to see who finds the emperor first.”

Yuan Xi felt helpless; their routes overlapped.

“Approved. Xianyi, take your current troops. No, I will also have Chunyu Qiong assist you,” Yuan Shao decided after some thought.

“Thank you, Father,” Yuan Xi said and prepared to leave.

“Xianyi, I was wrong to bring external troops into the capital. You must have known this plan wouldn’t work,” Yuan Shao said softly.

“Father, rest assured. As long as we are united, there is still hope for recovery. I will stand with you through life and death,” Yuan Xi paused.

After Yuan Xi left, Yuan Shao sent word to Yuan Shu to protect the Empress Dowager. This was their contingency should the emperor be lost.

…

At dusk, Zhuque Avenue.

Wang Yun was at the Grand General’s Mansion when he heard news of He Jin’s assassination.

He immediately sought to contact veteran ministers to handle this crisis.

Bang!

A horse-drawn carriage clattered briskly over the cobblestone street.

Wang Yun sat in the carriage, pondering the fate of the realm.

Suddenly, the driver slammed the reins, abruptly halting. Wang Yun nearly collided with the carriage door.

“What’s the matter?” Wang Yun asked, annoyed.

“Sir, a woman suddenly ran in front of the carriage and was struck down,” the driver said nervously, pointing to a girl on the ground.

“Oh?” Wang Yun quickly dismounted and investigated with the driver.

Sure enough, a young girl lay unconscious.

“What? How could this be?” Wang Yun was startled to see the girl was dressed in a splendid palace gown—no ordinary attire for a mere palace maid or noblewoman.

“Hurry, bring this young lady onto the carriage.” Seeing no one nearby and after a brief hesitation, he and the driver lifted the girl into the carriage and headed home.