Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 89 Liu Hong's Death, Liu Bei Leads His Army into Luoyang (Seeking First Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
Liu Xie seemed to understand, but not quite.

Seeing that Liu Hong was pale and panting heavily, Liu Xie quickly helped him up, saying, "Father, please don't say anymore. Let's go back to your room and rest."

"Alas—" Liu Hong sighed to the heavens: "If I could be given another three years, I would never allow the treacherous party to disrupt the government."

In the midst of his emotional turmoil, Liu Hong coughed violently again, vomited blood, and fainted.

"Father!"

Liu Xie was greatly alarmed and hurriedly summoned a physician.

Jian Shuo, who was outside the courtyard, rushed over upon hearing the noise, his face also deathly pale.

Although he knew that Liu Hong's days were numbered, Jian Shuo was most afraid of Liu Hong's death; if Liu Hong died, Jian Shuo had no confidence in killing He Jin and helping Liu Xie ascend the throne.

however.

No matter how much Jian Shuo reprimanded the medical staff and the medication, he could not save Liu Hong's life, which was as fragile as a drifting catkin in the wind.

It was past midnight.

When the physician uttered with difficulty, "His Majesty has passed away," Jian Shuo felt as if all his strength had been drained away, and he slumped to the ground in despair.

Finished!

It's all over!

Jian Shuo muttered to himself.

Suddenly.

Jian Shuo scrambled to his feet and hurriedly said to Liu Xie, "Prince Xie, let's hurry to the Western Garden Army. His Majesty has given Commandant Liu a secret edict, instructing him to secretly escort Prince Xie to Chang'an and await the opportune moment. Let's go now!"

Seeing the flustered and disoriented Jian Shuo, Liu Xie shouted, "Jian Shuo, have you forgotten your father's instructions? As the Commandant of the Upper Army, how can you accomplish great things if you are so flustered in the face of trouble? Although your father has passed away, I am still here! What is there to fear!"

Although he was just nine years old, Liu Xie exuded dignity and grace in every gesture.

After being reprimanded by Liu Xie, and seeing that Liu Xie remained calm, Jian Shuo gradually calmed down.

However, upon recalling Liu Hong's secret edict, Jian Shuo looked troubled: "Although His Majesty has a secret edict ordering me to kill the Grand General, the Grand General is in charge of all the camps in Luoyang, and I only have two hundred Western Garden soldiers under my command, so it is really difficult to accomplish this."

Liu Xie sneered: "Two hundred it is, what's there to be afraid of? Immediately send someone to inform the Grand General that my father has passed away and I dare not usurp the throne. I wish to respect my elder brother, Emperor Bian. Please send someone to the Jiade Hall to take charge of the situation."

"The Grand General is always arrogant. If he hears this news, he will certainly not bring his troops here. Once the Grand General enters the Jiade Hall, you should lead two hundred Western Garden soldiers to capture and kill him. If the Grand General dies, the rest of the troops will be scattered and disorganized. In this way, the situation can be settled!"

Upon hearing this, Jian Shuo immediately realized that it made sense.

Seeing Liu Xie's composure, I felt even more at ease and quickly replied, "Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will take care of it immediately."

After Jian Shuo left, Liu Xie seemed to have all his strength drained away. He slumped down in front of Liu Hong's body and wept silently.

"Father——"

No matter how much he pretended to be calm, Liu Xie was still just a nine-year-old boy.

In the midst of chaos, it is difficult enough to simply survive, let alone fight for power.

the other side.

Jian Shuo suppressed his fear and deployed his executioners while sending someone to invite He Jin.

After a moment's deliberation, Jian Shuo sent someone out of the west gate with a warrant to deliver a message to Liu Bei.

If the attempt to kill He Jin fails, Jian Shuo will also need Liu Bei to send troops to save his life.

The General's Mansion.

He Jin, who was sleeping, was awakened by Wu Kuang.

"General, wake up! His Majesty has passed away!"

"really?"

He Jin suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with surprise.

Wu Kuang said excitedly, "Not only that, but Prince Xie also sent someone to say that he dares not usurp the throne and is willing to respect Prince Bian. He asked the General to come to Jiade Hall as soon as possible to take charge of the situation."

"That child is so sensible?" He Jin was greatly surprised.

I thought I would have to use some more methods, but I didn't expect Liu Xie to give up on his own initiative.

Wu Kuang laughed and said, "The Grand General is in charge of the Luoyang Imperial Guards, and Prince Bian has the support of the ministers. Even if His Majesty allows Prince Xie to succeed to the throne, how dare Prince Xie succeed to the throne? Prince Xie has always been a bit clever, so it is not surprising that he made this choice."

He Jin laughed heartily: "That's true. Considering his sensibility, once Prince Bian ascends the throne, let him be a leisurely prince in Luoyang, so that Prince Bian can gain a reputation for filial piety and brotherly love. Quickly come with me to the palace."

Just as He Jin was about to leave, He Xian suddenly followed and advised, "The palace is dangerous. Father, you should bring more armored soldiers."

"What a pedantic view!" He Jin sneered. "As a great general, why would I fear a mere child? Do you think I am as cowardly as Liu Bei?"

After being reprimanded by He Jin, He Xian lowered his head and dared not offer any more advice.

He Xian's reason for advising He Jin was indeed influenced by Liu Bei's invitation to the banquet with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and twenty armored soldiers.

Wu Kuang also said proudly, "With me protecting the General, even if there is danger, I can ensure the General's safety."

To avoid any unforeseen complications, He Jin did not linger at his residence any longer and, accompanied by Wu Kuang and more than ten personal attendants, traveled by carriage to Jiade Hall.

We arrived outside the Jiade Hall.

Jian Shuo led Sima Pan Yin to wait at the door.

Upon seeing He Jin arrive, Pan Yin immediately understood why Jian Shuo had deployed axemen in the palace. He was secretly alarmed: "The General has many henchmen in the city. If the General is killed, I will surely die! Jian Shuo, you stupid thief, aren't you just sending me to my death?"
Pan Yin joined the Western Garden Army because of its reputation as the emperor's personal guard; to put it bluntly, he was there to seek wealth and power.

Now that Jian Shuo is not only courting death, but also trying to drag him down with him, Pan Yin is naturally unwilling to accept it.

Just as he was thinking, He Jin jumped down from the carriage.

Upon seeing Jian Shuo standing at the door, He Jin couldn't help but laugh: "I am flattered that Commandant Jian has come out to greet me personally."

Although He Jin was a Grand General, when Liu Hong granted him power, he placed He Jin below Jian Shuo.

This arrangement deeply humiliated He Jin.

A dignified general is actually inferior to a eunuch!
Therefore, when He Jin saw Jian Shuo personally come out to greet him today, he felt extremely pleased and secretly exclaimed: "A new emperor brings a new court, this eunuch deserves to be in this situation!"
Jian Shuo cursed He Jin in his heart, but in order to trick He Jin into entering the palace, he put on a smiling face and lowered his posture: "General, you are too kind to me. I have offended you in the past. I hope you will forgive me."

"Hahaha—" He Jin was even more delighted and asked, "Does Prince Xie really intend to respect Prince Bian?"

Jian Shuo nodded: "Your Highness only wishes for brotherly love and respect, and has no other requests."

"Of course. Of course." He Jin's arrogance grew even stronger.

Just as He Jin strode in, he bumped into Pan Yin.

Just as He Jin was about to greet his old friend Pan Yin, he saw Pan Yin winking at him repeatedly, and a chill instantly rose from the soles of He Jin's feet to his head.

Fraud?

He Jin looked at Pan Yin in surprise, and then saw Pan Yin repeatedly warning him. He then deliberately stepped aside and shouted, "Please, General, come in!"

Seeing that He Jin suddenly stopped, Jian Shuo stepped forward and said, "General, please come inside quickly to take charge of the situation."

Seeing Jian Shuo's submissive appearance, He Jin felt inexplicably irritated: You eunuch, how dare you plot against me!

He Jin dared not enter the palace again, nor did he dare to clash with Jian Shuo at this moment. His mind raced, and he laughed loudly again, shouting, "I almost forgot! I haven't invited Prince Bian yet. Since Prince Xie shows such respect and deference, how can I not have Prince Bian protect his younger brother? Let's not let outsiders think that Prince Bian lacks filial piety and brotherly love!" Jian Shuo was secretly startled. Why did he suddenly decide not to go in?

He hurriedly advised, "Why must the General personally go to invite Prince Bian? I will send someone to inform Prince Bian right away."

“You send someone to inform him, but why would Prince Bian come?” He Jin feigned nonchalance: “It’s alright, I happen to have a carriage, it will only take half an hour.”

Under Jian Shuo's astonished gaze, He Jin feigned excitement as he boarded the carriage and then drove to Liu Bian's residence.

After turning a corner, He Jin's expression instantly turned stern, and he called to Wu Kuang, "Quickly take the shortcut into the camp; there's a trap in the palace."

Wu Kuang was also quite shocked: "Does the General mean that His Majesty might not be dead?"

“I don’t know either. Pan Yin and I have a past relationship. It was Pan Yin who warned me just now.” He Jin’s tone was cold. “But regardless of whether His Majesty is dead or not, he is not far from death. As long as I have troops in my hands, I am not afraid of His Majesty’s trickery.”

"That damned Jian Shuo, how dare he lie to me!" Wu Kuang was also filled with lingering fear.

With only a dozen or so riders entering, and Jian Shuo being caught off guard and having no plans, there was absolutely no chance of them surviving.

He Jin felt apprehensive and uneasy.

If Liu Hong is not dead, he must have a backup plan. Only by having troops at hand can we feel at ease.

After arriving at the military camp, He Jin led his troops to the residences of the hundred prefectures and claimed illness to avoid entering the palace.

There were more than a hundred prefectures and kingdoms in the country, and each of them had a residence in the capital, which was called the Hundred Prefecture Residences, located in the eastern part of Luoyang City.

After taking up residence in Baijun, He Jin sent someone to inform General Yuan Wei to visit Liu Hong in order to confirm whether Liu Hong had truly passed away.

He Jin was certain that with Yuan Kui's reputation, Jian Shuo would absolutely not dare to disrespectfully obstruct him.

If Yuan Wei is stopped, then Liu Hong's death will be a lie; if Yuan Wei is not stopped, then Yuan Wei will see through the deception.

As He Jin had predicted, when Yuan Wei was ordered to enter the palace to investigate, neither Liu Xie nor Jian Shuo had any ideas, and the plan to kill He Jin failed.

at the same time.

Liu Bei, who was in Ping Le Guan, also received a letter from Jian Shuo.

"I never expected that Prince Xie would have such courage! His Majesty's preference for Prince Xie and dislike for Prince Bian is not solely because Prince Bian is the son of Empress He."

Recalling Liu Bian's timid and submissive demeanor when he visited the palace, Liu Bei couldn't help but shake his head.

Emperor Wu of Han believed that Liu Ju was not like his father, and Liu Hong believed that Liu Bian lacked dignity. In essence, they were similar; neither wanted their son to have to be subservient to powerful ministers after succeeding to the throne.

"If Prince Xie really succeeds in killing He Jin, it won't be good for Commandant Liu," Xu You said with concern after glancing at the letter.

In Xu You's view, if Liu Xie had executed He Jin, then the credit would have been no part of Liu Bei's. After Liu Xie ascended the throne, Liu Bei, as the Commandant of the Western Garden Army, could be dismissed at any time.

For their own interests and future prospects, even though many in the Western Garden Army had received favors from Liu Bei, they would not actually follow Liu Bei in committing treason.

Liu Bei's year of planning and efforts could very well be taken away by Liu Xie.

Even a hero like Liu Bei had to bow down in the face of power.

"It's alright. Even if Prince Xie could kill He Jin, how could He Jin's henchmen be satisfied?" Liu Bei's gaze was intense, without a trace of worry in his eyes.

Xu You, infected by the infection, gradually dispelled his worries and asked again, "Should we enter the city?"

Liu Bei yawned and said, "It's dark and windy, not a good time to advance. We can wait until dawn before marching into the city. If His Majesty is still alive, advancing now would be a bit hasty. We should send someone to scout out some information first."

Dawn broke.

News of Liu Hong's death spread throughout the city, and spies confirmed that the residences of ministers in the city were all in mourning for Liu Hong.

Meanwhile, it was also discovered that He Jin had led his troops into the Baijun residence last night, claiming illness and refusing to enter the palace, and that the news of Liu Hong's death was spread by General Yuan Wei.

Upon learning the details, Liu Bei shook his head and sighed, "As expected, the Prince Xie failed. He had the courage to kill He Jin, but without secrecy, he couldn't succeed. It's true what they say, father and son, neither of them trusts me."

If Liu Xie trusted Liu Bei, he could have secretly summoned Liu Bei to Luoyang last night. With Liu Hong's secret edict, Liu Bei could have supported Liu Xie to ascend the throne last night.

With the help of Liu Bei and 8,000 Xiyuan soldiers, He Jin didn't even have a chance to fight back!

However, both Liu Hong and Liu Xie wanted to eliminate He Jin without relying on Liu Bei's power first, and then have Liu Bei back them up if they failed.

While it may seem like this could prevent Liu Bei from becoming the next He Jin, it was actually incredibly foolish.

How can one truly achieve great things if one is already thinking about how to counterbalance Liu Bei before even successfully killing He Jin?

The sigh lasted only a moment.

For Liu Bei, whether Liu Xie trusted him or not was not important; what mattered was whether he could become the governor of Yongzhou.

"Order Zhang Liao, Right Colonel, to immediately lead a thousand soldiers to seize the West Gate. If anyone is obstructed, kill them without mercy!"

"Order: Acting Colonel Zhao Yun shall remain at Pingguan Pass. Without my order, no battalion shall leave its post."

"Order Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, both acting captains, to each lead a thousand soldiers and follow me into the city."

"."

In a short while, Liu Bei issued a series of military orders.

As soon as the military order was given, Right Colonel Zhang Liao did not hesitate for a moment and led his troops straight into the west gate.

This wasn't the first time Zhang Liao had seized the West Gate, and this time he was even more adept at it.

Upon seeing Zhang Liao, the city gate officer didn't ask any questions and simply clasped his hands in greeting, awaiting orders.

"It's quite interesting."

Seeing that the city gate commander did not resist, and not wanting to cause any further trouble, Zhang Liao ordered his soldiers to take over the city's defenses.

Soon after.

Liu Bei then personally led Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and two thousand soldiers from the Western Garden to the West Gate.

Unlike last time, Liu Bei did not go directly into the palace. Instead, he left his troops behind the west gate and stood on the city wall to await news.

Liu Bei was waiting for He Jin's promise.

The stationing of troops at the west gate was also a way to intimidate He Jin.

If He Jin faithfully fulfills his promise, Liu Bei will temporarily acknowledge Liu Bian's status as successor; if He Jin tries to break his promise, Liu Bei will produce a secret edict and directly escort Liu Xie to Chang'an.

When Liu Bei encountered Dong Zhuo in Hedong, he could also use the secret edict to trick Dong Zhuo into bringing Liu Xie back to Luoyang, thus causing Dong Zhuo to fight against He Jin.

Liu Bei would not suffer any loss at all.

News of Liu Bei's army entering Luoyang and seizing the west gate quickly reached the residences of the hundred prefectures.

Although Liu Bei did not send anyone to say it explicitly, He Jin guessed Liu Bei's intention and was secretly pleased: Liu Bei was indeed trustworthy. By stationing troops at the West Gate, he meant that he would not interfere with He Jin's support for Prince Bian to ascend the throne before the spirit tablet.

With his confidence greatly boosted, He Jin stopped feigning illness and immediately donned his armor and led Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang into the palace with their troops.

Outside the Jiade Hall, eunuch ministers such as Zhang Rang, the Attendant-in-Ordinary, and Yuan Kui, the General of the Rear, were already waiting.

With the announcement of "The General has arrived," everyone turned to look at the carriage outside the hall, their gazes falling on General He Jin, who jumped down from the carriage, and Prince Liu Bian, who was riding in the same carriage!

(End of this chapter)