Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 151 Preventing Dong from Entering Beijing
"Brother, you are confused!"

He Miao slammed the table and said angrily: "The reason why our He family is prosperous is not because of those party members around you, but because of our sister's rise to power. When our sister was almost sentenced to death by the late emperor, where were those people around you?"

"My sister is able to survive, isn't it because Zhang Rang paid for her protection? If my sister died, how could you become a general?"

He Jin looked serious and said, "In order to get promoted and gain the favor of Your Majesty, I had to get close to the eunuchs. Now that I, the He family, am in charge of government affairs, we cannot use eunuchs to govern the people, but must rely on scholars. Moreover, the eunuchs' children and their followers have committed crimes and aroused the resentment of the scholars and people of the world. If we can eradicate them, it will be beneficial for you and me to win the hearts of the people of the world."

Outsiders contemptuously called He Jin a butcher, but that does not mean that He Jin's family was poor. After all, the He family was considered powerful in Nanyang, and their purpose was to use the family property managed by the He family to belittle He Jin.

For example, Cao Cao was a descendant of the eunuch party, or Zhang Yu demoted himself to a cattle and sheep herder, and scolded Liu Bei as a mat weaver and shoe seller, all of which have the same meaning.

Because He Jin's family was rich and powerful, he studied with Yang Ci in his early years, so He Jin's knowledge was quite good and he could be called a scholar. This is why after He Jin became a general, he was able to recruit so many scholars to serve him, and even had friendly relations with the Yang and Yuan families.

Therefore, He Jin's ideas had actually changed after he took power. He wanted to do something big instead of focusing on money and interests like He Miao and Queen He.

Seeing that He Jin was stubborn, He Miao could not help but stand up and pace, saying: "Brother, even if the children of eunuchs are not good, are the children of the gentry good?"

"Taxes are getting less every year. Isn't it because the officials have colluded with the powerful, annexed land, and accepted bribes, causing the whole country to be in turmoil? Isn't this their problem?"

He Jin looked gloomy and said, "There are corrupt officials, but there are also virtuous officials. Are there any virtuous eunuchs among the eunuchs? I wonder how many there are among a hundred people?"

Hearing this, He Miao was speechless for a moment, and said vaguely: "But the eunuch has done a favor to my He family. If he does not remember the old friendship now, wouldn't it be chilling!"

As he spoke, He Miao suddenly had an idea and remembered what Zhang Rang had said to him. He said, "Brother, you have killed the eunuchs and banned all the people who are close to us. I wonder who will benefit from this?"

He Jin frowned and asked, "What do you mean, Shuda?"

He Miao sat down at the table and analyzed for He Jin: "There are not only our He family in Luoyang now, but also the Yuan family. The Yuan family has three officials in four generations, and there are many students and former officials. The two brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu have extensive friendships."

"If we look at the imperial guards in the capital, Zhang Yu, Cao Cao, and Chunyu Qiong have close ties with the Yuan family. Yuan Shu is the General of the Tiger Guards, and Yuan Shao is the Lieutenant of the Imperial Guards. They have at least 5,000 soldiers at their disposal. Now Yuan Shao is persuading his brother to invite Dong Zhuo to the capital, and Dong Zhuo is an old official of Yuan Kui."

"If Dong Zhuo approaches the capital, the Yuan family will have more soldiers and horses than our He family, and my brother has killed the eunuchs. How can our He family compete with the Yuan family?"

In order to protect himself, Zhang Rang did not hesitate to divert the trouble to the east, allowing He Jin and Yuan Kui to kill each other. As to whether he really anticipated Yuan Kui's intention, it is unknown now.

Hearing He Miao's words about Yuan's threat, He Jin looked thoughtful and said, "Yuan and I are both in charge of the affairs of the Secretariat and we are both ministers assisting the government. Why would he do evil to me?"

"We must be on guard against others. The Yuan family has three officials in four generations and a great reputation. How does it compare to Wang Mang in the past?" He Miao instigated.

He Jin looked at He Miao with a sidelong glance, with a doubtful expression.

Seeing this, He Miao struck while the iron was hot and said, "Brother, Zhang Rang has done us a favor. If we want to appease the people, why do we have to kill him? It would be better to let the Queen Mother replace the eunuchs and let Zhang Rang, Guo Sheng and other eunuchs return home. This will be the He family's way of doing justice to them."

"The key now is to restrict the Yuan family and not let them threaten my brother."

He Jin nodded slightly, looking thoughtful.

He had to admit that what He Miao said made sense. The eunuchs had been kind to them, and killing them all now would be too cruel and not conducive to pacifying people's hearts in the future. It would be better to let them return to their hometown to retire.

But as his younger brother He Miao said, the Yuan family might actually threaten his rights.

Yuan Wei was the Grand Tutor, acting as the Recorder of the Secretariat, Yuan Ji was the Grand Coachman of the Nine Ministers, Yuan Shao was the Colonel of the Imperial Guards, and Yuan Shu was the General of the Tiger Guards. Zhang Yu, Cao Cao, Chunyu Qiong and others held military power, not to mention that most of the other officials in the capital were Yuan's disciples.

"Don't let Dong Zhuo enter the capital!"

Suddenly, He Jin reacted and realized that Dong Zhuo's leading the border troops into the capital might pose a threat to him.

He Jin put on his boots, not caring about He Miao, and hurried out of the house, shouting, "Where is Chen Lin?"

"Servant is here!"

Chen Lin stepped forward quickly and bowed to accept the order.

"Where is Dong Zhuo now?" He Jin asked.

Chen Lin pondered for a moment and said, "Dong Zhuo has stationed his troops in Hedong. It has been several days since he received the imperial edict. His troops may have already reached Hongnong County."

"Quick, order the Counselor Zhong Shao to rush to Dong Zhuo's army to stop Dong Zhuo from entering the capital, and order him to station troops in Guanzhong to prepare for the Southern Xiongnu rebels." He Jin ordered.

"promise!"

Chen Lin retreated as ordered.

Moreover, in order to prevent Yuan from threatening him, He Jin immediately made adjustments, summoning Wang Yun to the capital and appointing him as Jingzhao Yin to win over Zhang Yu. He also ordered Wang Kuang, Guanqiu Yi and others to go out of the capital to recruit soldiers to increase the number of troops at hand.

He Jin also personally met with Zhang Rang, Guo Sheng, Duan Gui and other eunuchs, and threatened them by saying that Dong Zhuo would come to the capital, implying that they could return home early and he would not take any action against them.

Soon, He Jin's actions were known to Yuan family, and his trusted follower Zhang Jin immediately informed Yuan Shao of the information.

In Yuan's mansion, the lights in the side room were brightly on.

"Uncle, He Jin suddenly changed his mind yesterday and asked Zhong Shao to go west to stop Dong Zhuo's eastward advance, and also asked his subordinates to go out of the capital to recruit soldiers." Yuan Shao said with a stern expression, "And he also met with Zhang Rang, Guo Sheng, Duan Gui and others yesterday, and his words were full of consolation. Now He Jin does not accept my advice, I am afraid he already knows my plan."

Yuan Wei held the scissors in his hand and slowly cut the candle. He said, "Looking at He Jin's actions, I'm afraid he is only on guard against us Yuans, and doesn't know what we are planning."

"What should we do now?" Yuan Shu asked.

Yuan Wei smiled faintly and said, "He Jin was able to send people to stop Dong Zhuo from entering the capital, so why can't you and I let Dong Zhuo continue to enter the capital. I have promised Dong Zhuo that if he comes to the capital to help my Yuan family, I will make him the Grand Marshal."

As he spoke, Yuan Wei put down the scissors and said with a little worry, "Now He Jin does not want to punish the eunuchs, but wants to let them go, which is giving me a headache."

Yuan Shao hesitated for a moment and said, "My nephew has a plan."

"Please speak, Benchu!"

Yuan Shao gathered his thoughts and said, "Since He Jin intends to let the eunuchs return home, I am still a close confidant of He Jin and have many contacts with his followers. Now we can fake He Jin's handwritten letter and order the eunuchs in his hometown to take action against the eunuchs' families. When the news reaches Luoyang, the eunuchs will believe it to be true and I am afraid ~."

Yuan Wei narrowed his eyes and said, "Then the eunuchs will think that He Jin deliberately let them go back to their hometown, but in fact he ordered the local officials to jail them and interrogate them. The eunuchs will be desperate and may take extreme actions."

"Ok!"

"color!"

Yuan Wei smiled with satisfaction and cheered, saying: "Benchu has a lot of strategies in his mind, and he is a talented person of the Yuan family. Now that there will be someone to take over, I have nothing to worry about!"

Yuan Kui's worries may be similar to those of Sima Yi before the coup. Without a reliable successor, he could only be a powerful official for a short time. Now with an outstanding disciple like Yuan Shao, the Yuan family may be able to make long-term plans and continue to control the government in depth.

"Uncle praises you!"

Yuan Shao bowed respectfully and with a humble attitude.

Seeing this, Yuan Shu's mouth twitched slightly, his expression was full of disdain. Even if a person born of a maid knew some tricks, how could he compete with him?

"Uncle, according to the report from He Jin's followers, the reason why He Jin changed his mind had a lot to do with the persuasion of General He Miao," Yuan Shao said.

Yuan Kui sneered and said, "He Miao accepted bribes from the eunuchs, and now He Jin is afraid of our Yuan family. Could it be that He Miao is interfering and trying to divert the disaster to the east?"

"not sure!"

Yuan Shao said: "He Miao has a close relationship with Empress Dowager He, and is also closely connected with Zhang Rang and Guo Sheng. He Jin has been wanting to kill the eunuchs for a long time, but the reason why it has been difficult to accomplish is largely due to the persuasion of He Miao and the Empress Dowager."

Yuan Wei commented: "The He family relies on He Jin, and He Miao is not a person who can accomplish things!"

"Are there any more abnormalities?"

"correct!"

Yuan Shao seemed to recall something and said, "He Jin ordered Wang Yun, the governor of Henei, to come to the capital in the name of the Queen Mother's edict and serve as the governor of Henan."

"Wang Yun!"

Yuan Wei looked at Yuan Shu and asked, "Why did He Jin allow Wang Yun to enter the capital?"

Wang Yun was not a student of Yuan, but a student and former official of Yang Ci. When Wang Yun entered the government, it was Yang Ci who recruited him.

Therefore, when Wang Yun was imprisoned, the three ministers jointly submitted a petition. To be precise, it was Yang Ci who initiated it. He Jin was a disciple and the Yuan family was a relative. They submitted a petition to Emperor Ling of Han for Yang Ci's sake. Therefore, after Yang Ci's death, Yuan Wei and He Jin did not have much motivation to help Wang Yun.

Now He Jin brought in Wang Yun, undoubtedly wanting to use the identity of Yang's disciple and former official to get close to Wang Yun and then restrain Zhang Yu.

Yuan Shu stroked his beard slightly, frowned and said, "Zhang Yu has been working for me since he entered Luoyang. His words and deeds are sincere and honest. He will not be influenced by Wang Yun and used by He Jin."

Yuan Shao said calmly: "You can know a person's face but not his heart. In the past, Zhang Yu was of low rank, yet he was still able to serve under you. Now, Zhang Yu has been promoted to General of the Central Army and given the title of Marquis of a county due to his military merits. How could he still obey your orders?"

"He Jin is currently in power, and he doesn't know what we are planning. If he covets He Jin's wealth and becomes a disciple of He's, then he will be able to gain He Jin's important position!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu looked troubled.

As Yuan Shao said, Zhang Yu was in a low position before and had to rely on him in order to get promoted. But now Zhang Yu's official position is not much different from Yuan Shu. Zhang Yu can completely leave him and join He Jin.

After some hesitation, Yuan Shu asked, "Uncle, should I meet with Zhang Yu to find out what he thinks?"

"Is necessary!"

Yuan Wei narrowed his deep eyes, flashing a cunning light, and said: "You and Benchu should communicate with the generals to ensure the military power in your hands. If Zhang Yu changes, he will be transferred out of the capital in the name of fighting against the enemy."

"Yes!" Er Yuan bowed.

(End of this chapter)