Chapter Sixteen Entering Luoyang
Luoyang was the capital of the Han Dynasty. In June of the year 25, Liu Xiu became the emperor. Later, he was stationed in Heyang (now west of Meng County, Henan Province) and commanded the siege of Luoyang. In October, the general guarding the city, Sima Zhu You, surrendered. Liu Xiu announced that Luoyang would be the capital. Because the Han Dynasty was a place of fire virtue and taboo of water, the word "Luo" was changed to "Luo". Liu Xiu was originally a landlord of Nanyang. He established his regime mainly by relying on the local forces in Wanluo area. He had to avoid the edge of the local forces in other places. He could only make another attempt after consolidating his base and gaining a firm foothold. At the same time, the threat from the Xiongnu in the north was also a factor that could not be ignored. The Han Dynasty was still in a state of uncertainty and did not have enough energy to fight against the Xiongnu. It might be a wise choice to retreat.
Luoyang was located in the Central Plains, with mountains and rivers crisscrossing. It was bordered by the Qinling Mountains in the west and the Qinchuan in Guanzhong. To the east is Songyue, to the north is Taihang Mountain and the danger of the Yellow River. Looking south at Funiu, there are Wan leaves. Therefore, since ancient times, Luoyang had been a battleground for military strategists, and it had also become an ideal place for emperors to build their capitals. Luoyang was located on the south bank of the middle reaches of the Yellow River, crossing the rivers of Yi, Luo and Jian. It was close to Mangshan Mountain in the north, facing Yique in the south, Hulao in the east, and Xiaoban in the west. It was known as the "mountain and river, with a shape that surpassed the world". According to Zhang Hua, Luoyang was a place that relied on danger to defend itself. It was a place where tigers and dragons could be seen." It is located in the center, with the Xiao Valley in the west, Jingshan in the east, Shaoshi in the south, and the Great Mountains and Three Rivers in the north. It is a country with four obstacles." Luoyang was located in the middle of the world and had a strategic location. It had always been a battleground for military strategists. In addition, the Yiluo Plain was fertile, and the surrounding waterways were well developed, making it convenient for water transport. It could solve the supply problem of the capital, allowing the Emperor to sit in the center and control the world, focusing on maintaining his rule.
In the fifth year of Guanghe, in the fifth month of the year 183, Dongfang Jian brought Zhang Fei and Lu Bu to Luoyang. Before they left, they had a meal at Lu Bu's house. During the banquet, Dongfang Jian told them about the plan he had discussed with Tian Feng and assigned everyone to do what they needed to do. Originally, Lü Zhen had insisted on following her to Luoyang, but Dongfang Jian felt that it was inconvenient to bring a woman with him. When he thought of the risks that they might encounter on the way, Dongfang Jian hurriedly dissuaded her. In the end, it was Dongfang Jian and Tian Feng who finally persuaded her to go to Jizhou with Tian Feng and the others and wait for Dongfang Jian at the Zhen family. Just like that, Dongfang Jian, Lu Bu, and Zhang Fei set off for Luoyang. On the way, Dongfang Jian deliberately spread the news to attract people from all over the world. Under the protection of Lu Bu and Zhang Fei, the two super bodyguards, Dongfang Jian arrived at Luoyang City safe and sound. Dongfang Jian looked at the tall, thick, and towering walls of Luoyang and could not help but think of a poem by Sima Guang of the Song Dynasty: Luoyang Watching Flowers. Thinking of this, he casually recited,
Spring in Luoyang is the most blooming of flowers,
in the shade of red and green there are a hundred thousand families.
Who says that the flowers are like brocade? -
I'll study the flowers in brocade.
"Big Brother, this is a good poem, but it's not suitable to be used here."”
Dongfang Jian turned around and asked,"Why would Yi De say that?" We entered Luoyang this time to look at the flowers, even though the flowers are disguised as humans.”
Lu Bu said," Big brother, why did you offer such a good thing to that dog emperor? Big brother can just be the king himself."”Lu Bu had been telling Dongfang Jian to make himself king.
Dongfang Jian said," Be careful with your words, Fengxian. It's fine if we talk about these things in private, but this is the capital. You have to be careful with your words and actions in the future."”
"I understand, big brother, but I just can't accept it."”
Zhang Fei also said,"I don't understand either. A good treasure is just given to that dog emperor who doesn't care about the lives of the people."”
" You think I'm willing to do so?" Dongfang Jian said." But with our current power, we can't protect this thing at all. Since we can't protect it, why don't we find someone who can?" There was only one person in the world who could protect it, and that was the current emperor. We can use them to exchange for some things we need. When we are strong enough, we can take them back. Now, let the dog emperor take care of them for us!”
The two of them looked at each other and did not say anything.
Dongfang Jian looked at Luoyang City and said,"Let's go.”With that, he whipped the horse's butt, and the horse galloped away in pain.
The three of them got off their horses at the city gate and led them into Luoyang. As they walked, they looked around. Luoyang was the largest and most prosperous city among the thirteen provinces of the Great Han Dynasty. It was also very likely that it was the world's largest city in this era with a population of more than one million. There were many envoys and merchants from various countries who came to court to do business. The streets were bustling with pedestrians, and merchants were coming and going. Princes and grandchildren, angry horses, and fresh clothes. Indeed, wealth was pressing. The roads were filled with cars and endless streams of people. This made Dongfang Jian, who had just entered Luoyang... In a trance, he thought that he had returned to the original era.
The capital, Luoyang, had tall and thick city walls that were imposing and solemn. There were rows upon rows of restaurants and shops, tall mansions, and vermilion and black painted doors. The accumulation of prosperity over the past two hundred years seemed especially thick and dignified under the setting sun. The busy hooligans, the extravagant merchants, and the proud descendants of the royal family. However, it was unknown if anyone would have imagined that a great fire would happen a few years later, turning the prosperity into a wet dream and burning down the glory of the Great Han Empire for 400 years.
Dongfang Jian and the other two found a luxurious inn and stayed there.
"Big brother, when are we entering the palace?”Dongfang Jian had just put down his things when he heard Zhang Fei say.
"Let's eat first. After dinner, the two of you will accompany me to a place to see someone. Whether we can see the emperor tomorrow depends on this person.”Dongfang Jian said.
" Who is Big Brother going to see?" Lu Bu asked.
"Head of the Ten Attendants, Zhang Rang." Dongfang Jian said.
Both of them were stunned, not knowing what Dongfang Jian was thinking. Although they had a lot to ask, they chose to remain silent. Because they all believed in Dongfang Jian.
Zhang Rang, an eunuch of the Eastern Han Dynasty, was born in Yingchuan (now Yu County, Henan Province). During the reign of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling, he successively served as a small yellow door, a constant attendant, a marquis, etc. When he was in office, he was known for his extortion, arrogance, and greed. The Spirit Emperor was extremely fond of him and often said,"Zhang Changshi is my father." In the sixth year of Zhongping (189 years), He Jin plotted to kill eunuchs. When the matter was leaked, he and eunuch Zhao Zhong killed He Jin. Soon after, Yuan Shao threw himself into the river while hunting eunuchs.
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the group of eunuchs led by Zhang Rang dominated the court. Zhang Rang was born in Yingzhou (now Yuzhou, Henan Province). From a servant eunuch in the palace, he gradually climbed up to become a constant attendant of the head eunuchs. He instigated the fatuous Emperor Liu Ling, Emperor Liu Hong, to set up the "West Garden Official Selling Office" and openly sell officials to accumulate wealth. He also set up a "Naked Tour Hall" in the West Garden of the Han Palace, which was specially used for the Ling Emperor's licentious entertainment, which made the Ling Emperor happy and happy. He had "overstepped" the court system and built his manor higher than the palace. He was also afraid that the Spirit Emperor would find out, so he tried his best to deceive the Spirit Emperor by saying that "the Son of Heaven should not climb high, because climbing high would lead to great disaster." This fatuous ruler actually believed it and even called Zhang Rang his father. He was really a fatuous ruler and treacherous official, all the same.
Zhang Rang led the Ten Generals to reverse the truth and kill the officials, which finally caused dissatisfaction among the relatives led by He Jin. Zhang Rang attacked first and killed He Jin, causing the capital guards to fall into chaos and killing thousands of eunuchs in the palace. Zhang Rang also took a path of no return and threw himself into the Yellow River.
Dongfang Jian and the other two arrived at Zhang Rang's home in the middle of Rosefinch Street in Luoyang. They looked at the mansion with the most land, the highest walls, and the most luxurious decorations. The walls of this courtyard were too high, at least 4- 5 meters, even higher than the walls of the Imperial Palace. No wonder people said that Zhang Rang's house was higher than the Imperial Palace. It was true after seeing it today. Since his courtyard walls were higher than the palace walls, the place he lived in was probably not inferior to the palace walls.
Dongfang Jian knocked on the door. Not long after, footsteps came from the door, and they cursed as they walked,"That blind person dares to knock on the Zhang Manor's door at this time and disturb my sleep. Does he want to die?”
Zhang Feibao's eyes were wide open and his fists were clenched tightly. It was obvious that this was the sign of an explosion. When he looked at Lu Bu again, he saw that it was about the same. Dongfang Jian knew that if he did not stop them, everything would go down the drain. Dongfang Jian immediately went forward and pulled the two of them back before they could flare up. He stared at them and shook his head. Seeing that Dongfang Jian did not want them to cause trouble, Zhang Fei and the other man were furious. However, they still had to listen to their eldest brother's words, so they snorted angrily.
However, when the door opened, a cross-eyed person came out from the crack in the door. He said in an unfriendly tone,"It was you who knocked on the door."
"I'm Dongfang Jian from Youzhou, and I've come to pay my respects to Marquis Zhang. I'll have to trouble you to inform him." Dongfang Jian cupped his fists and bowed.”
The cross-eyed man was just about to speak when he saw a piece of gold appear in front of him. His eyes immediately shone with golden light, and his tone became much more polite."May I know why you are looking for my Lord Marquis?”
Dongfang Jian handed Huang Jin to the cross-eyed man and said,""Little brother, just tell Lord Marquis that I'm from Youzhou and have just returned from overseas. Lord Marquis will definitely see me.”
"Wait a moment, I'll go and inform you," said the cross-eyed man politely.”
The cross-eyed man retracted his head and closed the door.
Zhang Fei looked at what was happening in front of him and could not help but say,"Why is big brother so polite to this fellow? He even needs to pay him before he goes to report. If I, Old Zhang, go, if he dares to take my money, I will definitely tear him apart.”
"Yi De, haven't you heard that the King of Hell is easy to see, but the little ghosts are hard to deal with? That money was just feeding the dogs. Moreover, Zhang Rang was not a good person. He sold his official position to accumulate wealth, distorted the truth, and fabricated charges to kill the courtiers. If we didn't need him now, I would have cut him into pieces long ago. Now, just bear with it." Dongfang Jian said.
"It's just that big brother has a good temper. If it was me and Yi De, we would have killed him just now.”Lu Bu said.
" I'll go in alone later," Dongfang Jian said." The two of you wait for me outside, in case you two can't help but ruin my plans."”
"We'll listen to big brother." I'm afraid that I really can't help but kill him inside and cause trouble for my brother.”
Dongfang Jian was about to speak when he heard the door behind him. Dongfang Jian turned around and saw the cross-eyed gatekeeper walk out. His attitude was much better than before. He said,"Mister, my Lord Marquis invites you in.”
Dongfang Jian could tell from his attitude that Zhang Rang really wanted to see him. Dongfang Jianxin said,"Since you've shown your attitude, it's easy to deal with you." "Then I'll have to trouble you to lead the way."”
The cross-eyed man had just gone in to make a report and found that his family's marquis had a posture that made him want to personally welcome him. In all his years in the Zhang Manor, he had never seen his family's marquis have such an expression. From this, it could be determined that the identity of this person was definitely very high. At the very least, he was not inferior to their Lord Marquis. Since they had already determined that his status was very high, they would definitely be very polite. Therefore, when he came out, he had to bow and scrape. There was no helping it. After all, he was a slave.
Now that he heard Dongfang Jian speak so politely to him, he felt very special. He had never met someone of such a high status who would speak so politely to a servant like him. His attitude at the beginning was too bad and he even scolded him. He wondered if Dongfang Jian would take it to heart. It seemed that he had to treat people better in the future. Who knew if the next time he met such a person, he would also be someone with a high status.
Thinking of this, he immediately said,"Please, sir. My Lord Marquis is already waiting."”
" Please," Dongfang Kendo said.
The cross-eyed man led Dongfang Jian into Zhang Rang's residence. Dongfang Jian walked inside and took a look. Although it was night, the luxurious level of Zhang Rang's residence could be seen from the lanterns hanging around him. Wrong, it shouldn't be described as luxurious, it should be luxurious. Such a large family business would have to plunder the wealth of the people. From this, one could see what kind of life the people of the world were living. This mansion could really be called a luxurious mansion. It had high walls, a wide courtyard, pavilions, and willows by the pool. What was that Han Ling Emperor Liu Hong like!”Gao Yong cursed in his heart.
Dongfang Jian thought as he walked.
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