Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 278 Loyal Ministers of the Han Dynasty
That evening, Jia Xu led his underworld soldiers to report the situation in Luoyang to Liu Bei.

The Dark Soldiers played a significant role in Jia Xu's hands, and he planted spies in many places.

When Niu Fu reorganized He Jin's remaining troops, several of them had already infiltrated Niu Fu's army.

Some underworld soldiers also volunteered to become guards around important officials such as Cui Lie.

The city of Luoyang has been in chaos these past few days. All the security forces in Luoyang have been gone, so it's inevitable that some thugs and hooligans will take advantage of the chaos to commit crimes.

When the emperor dies, officials have to travel back and forth, so many officials hire bodyguards.

The underworld soldiers are all elite warriors who have survived countless battles. They can be hired by any official who recruits guards.

Although the newly appointed guards have little access to private information, they are capable of keeping an eye on people. In recent days, officials have been taking extra guards wherever they go.

For Jia Xu, once he knew a person's movements, it was easy to figure out what they were going to do. After all, there was no instant communication in those days, and most of the most important matters had to be discussed face-to-face.

"...At noon, it was discovered that Marquis Shi had died in Yongle Palace. In the afternoon, the Empress Dowager first summoned Cui Lie, and then Dong Cheng...Afterwards, Dong Cheng began to lobby the officials..."

At this moment, Jia Xu was discussing the death of Liu Bian—Jia Xu felt that the officials might take the opportunity to frame Liu Bei.

This was easy to figure out, since the two of them had already suspected yesterday that Yuan Shao might kill Liu Bian.

"Shi Hou should not have been harmed. This matter is a great treason by Yuan Shao... Dong Cheng, in his struggle for power, will surely use this to make our lord and Dong Zhongying kill each other."

Jia Xu suggested, "My lord, you might as well wait for those who wish to oppose you to step forward first, then accuse Yuan Shao of being a traitor, and conduct a thorough search of the capital. This will not only remove those who collude with Yuan Shao, but also take the opportunity to eliminate useless ministers and deter those who are on the sidelines... so that Luoyang can be completely pacified."

Liu Bian was not originally in danger of being harmed. Jia Xu spread rumors about his background to prevent Liu Bian from vying for the throne. This was not actually intended to harm Liu Bian, but rather to ensure Liu Xie's succession and to prevent Liu Bian from being targeted by others.

But Jia Xu didn't expect that in order to create chaos in Luoyang, Yuan Shao would ultimately kill Liu Bian.

"It's time to cleanse Luoyang... Lord Shi was innocently murdered, but everyone in Luoyang is pursuing their own interests, and not a single person is speaking up for Lord Shi."

Liu Bei sighed, "However, this matter depends on Dong Zhuo's plans; it's hard to guarantee he doesn't have other intentions..."

“Dong Zhuo may not be willing to be an enemy of the lord. As long as we can explain the advantages and disadvantages, we can definitely persuade Dong Zhuo to join forces with the lord.”

Jia Xu shook his head: "Does Dong Zhuo really want to be used by Dong Cheng? They're not blood relatives, and Dong Zhuo has very little support in the capital... My lord doesn't even need to cleanse Luoyang himself..."

Liu Bei paused for a moment, then nodded: "I understand Wenhe's meaning... to clean up Luoyang... does Wenhe think I've been too amiable?"

In fact, Liu Bei's behavior in Luoyang was not exactly benevolent, but he did not carry out any bloody suppression, which may have made him seem less intimidating to many people.

After all, some people only feel fear when faced with iron and blood, especially those who are short-sighted.

Liu Bei came to Luoyang initially to save Yue Yin. Since he failed to save Yue Yin, he had to protect Liu Xie, whom Yue Yin had risked his life to save—this was Liu Bei's basic objective.

This isn't about holding the emperor hostage...

It's simply what a person, a normal person, should do, as a senior student would do.

Since Liu Xie still cherishes Yue Yin's memory and their friendship, Liu Bei will inevitably reach out to Liu Xie; that's all.

Besides, Liu Bei didn't want to kill too many people.

Liu Bei wanted to maintain the order and dignity of the Han Dynasty and did not want to cause bloodshed in Luoyang, because maintaining the dignity of the court was also maintaining his own.

Liu Bei held the right to assist in establishing a new emperor, a power held by the Han Dynasty. The more prestigious the court, the more prestigious Liu Bei would be—and this could also be seen as a benefit to Liu Bei by onlookers…

But in Liu Bei's view, this was not a benefit, but a legacy left by his teacher.

This is the blood of Yueyin.

Yue Yin risked his life to protect Liu Xie. For Liu Bei, the Han Dynasty had to maintain its dignity, and Liu Xie, whom his teacher had risked his life to protect, also had to maintain his dignity.

Otherwise, wouldn't the teacher have died in vain?

If possible, Liu Bei did indeed want to resolve the conflict in Luoyang peacefully.

But perhaps it's because they didn't carry out a bloody crackdown or a major purge... that some people always think they're easy to manipulate?
Jia Xu nodded first, then shook his head: "It is rare for a lord to have a benevolent and forgiving heart. Moreover, since you are to teach the young lord, it is better to be kind. Let Dong Zhongying handle the wicked matters..."

“I understand Wenhe’s meaning… I will go find Dong Zhongying.”

This time, Liu Bei didn't send Jia Xu as an envoy; he wanted to personally negotiate the matter to show his sincerity.

"Brother Zhongying, Marquis Shi has passed away... Such a big thing, and you didn't even tell me?"

Upon seeing Dong Zhuo, Liu Bei took the initiative and waved for Dong Zhuo's guards to leave the camp.

"Ah? Wenhe came to tell me yesterday, and I thought Xuande already knew that someone was going to harm Marquis Shi... Did Xuande not know?"

Dong Zhuo glanced at Liu Bei, and this wasn't a pretense; Dong Zhuo genuinely believed that Liu Bei had known all along.

"I only suspected this was possible, which is why I had Wenhe remind Zhongying... When did Marquis Shi die? Didn't you send troops to protect him?"

When Liu Bei and Dong Zhuo spoke privately, they were very frank, unlike when they whispered to each other in public during the day.

“I dispatched a large force to protect him. But Lord Shi died from poisoning by the wax pills. He must have taken the poison the day before yesterday, and the symptoms only appeared this morning. Who could have imagined this…”

Dong Zhuo shook his head and sighed: "I left Lord Shi in the capital and led the entire army out to avoid being framed. You and I are out on the front lines, so we shouldn't get involved in this..."

"But some people in the capital are already trying to influence the officials..."

Liu Bei said with a serious expression, "You didn't know that your sworn brother Dong Cheng was planning to use the death of Shi Hou to frame me?"

Dong Zhuo was startled upon hearing this: "My entire army is out on the field and I haven't received any news... Is this really true?"

"It seems Dong Cheng is using Zhongying... He's using Zhongying's troops to collude with officials, but he hasn't informed Zhongying of this. Dong Cheng is trying to force Zhongying to become my enemy..."

Liu Bei sighed: "His intentions are despicable..."

Dong Cheng and Dong Zhuo were now considered brothers. If Dong Cheng wanted to frame Liu Bei, it would be seen by outsiders as a power struggle between Dong Zhuo and Liu Bei.

Liu Bei wasn't lying; Dong Cheng was indeed using Dong Zhuo's power to win over the officials and then acting in the Empress Dowager's name.

If Dong Zhuo had hesitated even slightly, or remained noncommittal, he would have been held hostage by Dong Cheng and forced to oppose Liu Bei.

On the contrary, it was Dong Cheng himself who used the Empress Dowager's name and Dong Zhuo's power to incite the officials to cause trouble. Dong Cheng himself did not actually need to take the lead.

"...I, Dong, do not wish to be an enemy of Xuande..."

Dong Zhuo seemed to have figured it out: "I knew Yuan Shao had instigated the chaos in Luoyang, but I never expected it to affect us..."

"If you and I do not fight for power, how will the officials contend with us for power once the crown prince ascends the throne?"

Liu Bei smiled sarcastically: "They don't care about the facts. Only if you and I kill each other will those insects benefit. Naturally, they will try every means to make you and me fight each other."

"Then... what does Xuande think we should do?"

Dong Zhuo also agreed, stating that he and Liu Bei each restrained themselves, bringing only an equal number of troops, because they were unwilling to fight each other.

“Brother Zhongying, the Empress Dowager and Dong Cheng are only using you. They are not truly of one mind with you. Instead of relying on Dong Cheng in the capital, you should rely on the talents of your own clan.”

Liu Bei said very frankly, "We both have few capable people in the capital. Why don't we cooperate and use this matter to clean up Luoyang? We can appoint our own talented people to important official positions, which will truly help you."

Dong Zhuo nodded, but hesitated slightly: "That is indeed the way... but..."

"But we can't cause Empress Dowager Dong to lose her position?"

Liu Bei understood Dong Zhuo's mindset and took the initiative to speak up: "Don't worry, the Empress Dowager is the Crown Prince's closest relative, so she cannot be harmed. There is no need to involve the Empress Dowager in this matter... It's just that we can no longer let the Empress Dowager rely on this scoundrel. The only person the Empress Dowager can rely on is Brother Zhongying."

Of course, Dong Zhuo couldn't let Empress Dowager Dong fall from power, since she was Dong Zhuo's title.

“Xuande understands my heart… I, Dong, will certainly help Xuande counter the false accusations, convict Yuan Shao, cleanse Luoyang, and support the young lord to ascend the throne…”

Upon hearing Liu Bei's words, Dong Zhuo nodded immediately: "These are all matters of state, and it is the duty of a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty!"

Yes, a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty.

As long as there are common interests, one is naturally a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty.

(End of this chapter)