14th January, 190 AD, the eve of the Lantern Festival.
Late at night, Grand Tutor Ma Ri Chan's residence.
In the backyard, many servants were chased out. A dim yellow light shone from an inconspicuous side room, illuminating the flowers and plants in front of the window and casting a strange shadow on the ground.
No one would have thought that in such a low and dark hut, a major event that could change the history of the Great Han Dynasty was brewing.
The decoration of the room was extremely simple. Other than the four oil lamps on the wall, there was only a short table.
At this moment, a few of the most famous ministers of the Great Han Dynasty were sitting around the short table.
One of them was the Grand Tutor Ma Richan. On his left and right were the ministers Cai Yong and Lu Zhi, followed by the Grand Servant Zhu Jun, the Counselor Yang Biao, the Minister Wang Yun, and the Censor Zhongcheng Huangfu Song.
"Lu Bu will be back soon. If we don't act now, we won't have another chance. What are you all hesitating about?" At this moment, Yang Biao lowered his voice and said anxiously.
"But didn't the princess say that Lu Bu would help us kill Dong Zhuo? Furthermore, Cao Cao was prepared to issue a decree to call for all the vassals to kill the bandits. If we take action now and fail, it's fine if we die, but if he takes the opportunity to threaten the emperor, we'll all be sinners for eternity.”Zhu Juan said slowly. He did not agree with Yang Biao's idea. Yang Biao planned to take the opportunity to assassinate Dong Zhuo at the palace banquet tomorrow.
Lu Zhi waited for Zhu Juan to finish and echoed,"We should plan it well. At least we should let the princess test Lu Bu again. Moreover, it was better not to have too much hope for the dukes to raise an army. When leading troops, it was the worst thing to have different commanders. If each person brought tens of thousands of people, it would be troublesome to command them.”
"That's right. Although Lu Bu isn't here, the Imperial Army is made up of Western Liang soldiers. Moreover, all the generals he brought with him were in Luoyang. If Dong Zhuo died, his 200,000-strong army would cause chaos in the Central Plains. I also feel that if Lu Bu can really take over these troops, things will be much easier. It could also be used to deter the vassals and strengthen the royal power of the central government.”Huangfu Song also felt that Yang Biao was too hasty. He turned to Wang Yun and asked,""Zishi, what do you think?"
Wang Yun thought for a moment and said,"If we want to kill them, we can't just kill Dong Zhuo. There's also Li Cui and Guo Si. We have to get rid of them all." However, their personal guards add up to 3000 people. It's impossible for us to succeed with just our family guards. He should think of another way.”
Everyone fell silent.
After a while, Cai Yong said," Sigh, let's take it slow. Lu Bu isn't as simple as we think. Don't underestimate him." I still hope that the dukes can defeat Dong Zhuo. When they reach Luoyang, we can work together from the inside.”
Ma Richan closed his eyes and rested for a long time. After listening to everyone's opinions, he said,""Although your method is feasible, once it succeeds, millions of people in Luoyang will suffer. Although it was effective to drive the tiger to swallow the wolf, if he could not swallow it completely, there would be trouble. An army of hundreds of thousands of soldiers was fighting outside Luoyang. This was something that had not happened for hundreds of years. What kind of disaster will our city of millions of people suffer?”
"Then what should we do? Should he just let Dong Zhuo continue to harm the court?”Yang Biao asked unwillingly.
"If it really doesn't work out, we can only let the people of the capital suffer. Otherwise, the Great Han Dynasty will be torn apart by him.”Wang Yun said helplessly.
"Everything else is fine. I'm just afraid that he'll become an emperor.”Cai Yong said something that shocked everyone.
"What is it? How dare he?" Everyone was shocked. Even Ma Richan, who was the calmest among them, gasped. Yang Biao, who hated Dong Zhuo to the core, asked loudly.
"Sigh, a few days ago, I accidentally heard that Lu Bu found the missing Imperial Jade Seal and gave it to Dong Zhuo.”Cai Yong explained.
Actually, Cai Yong hadn't accidentally found out about this shocking secret, but Dong Zhuo had taken the initiative to ask him about forcing Emperor Xian to abdicate and enthroning himself. If a generation of great scholars supported his ascension, then he would have a reputation among the people. Fortunately, Cai Yong was steady, and he slowly revealed how Dong Zhuo obtained the jade seal, slowly dissuading him from his crazy idea.
"If that's the case, we really can't wait any longer. If the dukes were really defeated by him, then there would be no chance to stop him.”Hearing this news, Lu Zhi could not help but ask.
"Then, we have to hurry up and take action. We really can't wait any longer.”Huangfu Song added.
"If we do, we definitely can't do it in the palace. It won't be good if we startle the emperor.”Ma Richan no longer insisted on his position.
With his approval, the others also decided to make a move.
"Where should we do it?" Yang Biao asked.
"Why don't you stay in my residence? I just became the minister, so I can take this opportunity to invite him to a banquet. When the time comes, bring all the men of sacrifice into my house.”Wang Yun picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said.
"Alright, then let's go tomorrow night. After the palace banquet ends, we'll go and compliment him. Zishi will invite him again, and then everyone will go together.”Zhu Juan suggested.
"How many people can you take out?" Ma Richan asked. If he brought too few people, it would be useless. If he brought too many, it would definitely arouse Dong Zhuo's doubts.
"Why don't we ambush them in advance? We'll send them to Zishi's residence tomorrow morning.”Lu Zhi said.
"Alright, let's do that. There are 20 men of sacrifice in my residence.”said Wang Yun.
"I can send 50 people, and they are all my personal guards. They are definitely not weaker than his Western Liang soldiers.”Huangfu Song said.
"I'll send 50 people too.”Lu Zhi added.
"Then I'll send 50 people too." Yang Biao thought for a moment.”
"I'll offer 30 people. Let's make it 200.”Zhu Juan said.
"200 people should be enough. Then the Grand Tutor and I won't send anyone. Without Lu Bu, his personal guards were all sent into the inner hall.”Cai Yong was a great scholar, so he naturally couldn't raise death warriors. Ma Richan was even more unnecessary. With his reputation, he naturally wouldn't have any enemies. Even Dong Zhuo wouldn't dare to do anything to him.
"Alright, then it's settled." Ma Richan finally clapped his hands.
The few of them began to discuss the details of the fight. Outside their window, someone was laughing secretly.
However, the schemes of righteous people rarely succeeded. Not to mention that so many loyal officials of the Great Han Dynasty were gathered together.
The person eavesdropping outside the window was Ma Quan, the youngest son of Ma Richan's butler. He idled around all day, using the reputation of the Grand Tutor to steal chickens and dogs, doing all kinds of bad things.
Today, seeing so many important figures come to the residence and disperse all the servants, they must have something important to discuss. Ma Quan's curiosity was piqued, so he sneaked in and hid in a corner.
Because he was the son of the butler, and he was in the backyard, he had no personal guards. He walked in easily.
At first, he didn't think much of it. Gradually, they heard the topic of Dong Zhuo's assassination. After eavesdropping, he felt that his chance to become an official had come. If he reported this matter to Prime Minister Dong, he would definitely get an official position. Unlike Grand Tutor Ma, his father begged him for a long time, but he didn't agree. He was too heartless.
Late that night, Ma Quan ran to Dong Zhuo's residence and reported this shocking news. Dong Zhuo was shocked when he heard that. If he had really been tricked by them, he would have been killed by a few people who had no power.
I didn't expect Wang Yun and Cai Yong to repay my kindness with ingratitude. Humph, Ma Richan, do you really think I won't dare to touch you? Lu Zhi, Huangfu Song, Yang Biao, and Zhu Juan. Very good. Tomorrow morning, this old man will put all of you in prison. I'll let you guys do whatever you want inside.
"Men, come quickly. Go and call Li Ru over." After thinking about it, he immediately opened his broken voice and shouted.
Not long after, Li Ru rushed over from his home. When he heard this, he was also shocked. The influence of these few people together was too great. If they all moved, the entire Luoyang would be in chaos.
"Father-in-law, this matter is not easy to handle. He couldn't just throw them all in jail.”Li Ru thought for a long time before persuading.
"Why? The entire Luoyang is under my control. Who dares to say no?”Dong Zhuo shouted angrily.
"Their influence is too great. If we catch them all, we'll offend everyone in the world. There was already a secret report saying that the dukes were recruiting soldiers and buying horses.”Li Ru's head hurt a little. He had such a father-in-law, and now such a thing had happened.
"Then what do you think we should do?" Dong Zhuo said impatiently.
Li Ru smiled." Ma Richan can't be touched. Just ignore him. There's also Cai Yong." They could be considered the role models of the entire world. Wang Yun was personally promoted by you. If you lock him up again, it doesn't make sense. In my opinion, just put Lu Zhi, Huangfu Song, and Zhu Juan's families in prison, and then lock up Yang Biao. Send troops to station in all of their residences and watch over them. What do you think?"
"Alright, we'll do as you say. Go find Li Cui now and arrest him from house to house. Bring the snitch to the court tomorrow and announce their crimes in public. Give him a small official position.”Dong Zhuo also remembered that he was going to be the emperor, so he couldn't offend everyone.
"What about Lu Bu?" Li Ru asked carefully. Just now, he had noticed that Ma Quan had also mentioned Lu Bu.
"Fengxian, what does it have to do with him?" Dong Zhuo didn't notice Ma Quanyou mentioning Lu Bu. Even if he did, he wouldn't have cared. His jade seal was given by Lu Bu.
Although Li Ru knew that Lu Bu had given the jade seal to Dong Zhuo, this was simply harming him. Dong Zhuo did not have the power to rule the world, and Xin Zai had only occupied Luoyang. If he wanted to become the Emperor now, it would really arouse the anger of the whole world. Hearing that Lu Bu had a problem, he immediately wanted to drag him down, even if he couldn't die. She could not let him endanger the power of the Xi Liang Group.
"From Ma Quan's words, Lu Bu has second thoughts."”
"Haha, don't listen to his nonsense. Fengxian will never betray me. Perhaps this was their plan to drive a wedge between them. When the vassals attack, my son will have to kill them.”Dong Zhuo laughed and waved his hand. Then, he walked into the inner room and turned to Li Ru."Hurry up and settle this matter. You and Fengxian are my right-hand men.”
Li Ru had also thought that Lu Bu would have to defend against the attacks of the dukes, so he could only give up. He quickly went to look for Li Cui and prepared to arrest him.
During the New Year, Luoyang had finally been quiet for more than ten days, but Dong Zhuo's army had thrown it into chaos again. Fortunately, the commoners were already used to it. Most of them ignored it and turned over to continue sleeping. Only some of them who were more curious got up and looked out through the tightly shut doors and windows.
Groups of soldiers silently crossed the streets and pounced on their targets. From time to time, a few fast horses would run past and run into the distance. Then, the soldiers dragged the prisoners to the western district where the prison was located.
After two days, everything returned to normal. The people no longer discussed the riot last night. They were all busy preparing for the Lantern Festival. Ever since the Shi Chang Shi Quan, it had been a long time since they had a peaceful day.
Since last night, Dong Zhuo's soldiers had entered the manor. Ma Richan knew that the matter had been leaked. She had been worried for the entire night, but fortunately, nothing had happened to her family. Seeing that things had failed, he had also thought things through. So what if you, Dong Zhuo? I'm already so old anyway. After thinking about it, under the escort of Dong Zhuo's soldiers, they sat in the carriage and went to court.
Like Grand Tutor Ma, Cai Yong had the same attitude. However, he directly said that he was ill and stayed at home.
Wang Yun was not as good as them. All the males in the family had been killed, leaving him alone.
The other four were not so lucky. They all met in prison.
In the morning court, the officials listened to Li Ru loudly announce the crimes of the four people and felt a chill. Fortunately, many people had died a while ago, so they did not make a sound and let them perform. Only when the court session was dismissed did they walk out of the palace gates in twos and threes.
Unlike the desolate scene in the imperial court, the people were thriving. The Lantern Festival was still lively, and the lantern festival at night was also being prepared. The faces of the people were all smiling.
In such a complicated environment, Lu Bu brought Zhao Yun and Dian Weijing back to Luoyang.
(Today is Yu's birthday. Friends who like this book, please give the tickets in your hands to Yu as a gift. Thank you, everyone.) Also, I have just reached 50,000 words, and I'm already on the new novel rankings. Everyone, please help me get a higher ranking. Thank you again, everyone!）
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