Chapter 23
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Translator: volt
Chapter Title: Tempting Xun Yu and the Dowager's Fall
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As the meeting concluded, they made their way to the imperial palace with Minister Over the Masses Wang Yun at the lead.
"Xun Yu. What do you think?"
"......Not much."
Palace Attendant Xun Yu offered no further words.
From the start, speaking up wouldn't sway any opinions anyway.
The position of Palace Attendant was an ambiguous rank—high yet low.
And he himself occupied an equally ambiguous spot amid the court's factions.
"Share your thoughts. Aren't you supposed to be clever?"
"......Not particularly."
"Is it hard to answer? Or are you the emperor's man?"
"That's not it."
He handled the duties of his middling post, but he could say with certainty that he wasn't the sort to lay down his life for the current emperor.
"Then?"
"It's just... pointless to say anything."
From the beginning, this was a position others had recommended him for to use him. He had no intention of accomplishing anything here.
"The conclusion was already set. The moment Dong Zhuo declared it, it was done."
Having entered service at court with dreams of glory and for the greater good, all he saw was petty struggles for power.
Even now, nothing had changed.
"What difference would my words make? Two of the Three Dukes are already steering opinion."
Dong Zhuo and Wang Yun.
These were the true heads of the court, and they had aligned their wills.
"Don't you excel at this sort of scheming? Have those two already conspired?"
"......Are you calling me some political plotter?"
"You bring it up every time we drink."
Maybe he should cut back on the wine.
Xun Yu clicked his tongue as he walked with the group.
"......Nothing special. Empress Dowager He is the public enemy. Leaving her be will shatter the fragile peace we gained by purging the eunuchs."
"True. She only became empress dowager thanks to the Ten Attendants, after all."
"The emperor will be deposed."
Xun Yu was certain.
The current emperor had lost all his strings. His only remaining thread was Empress Dowager He—but she was a frayed, rotten rope.
"Even if the emperor abandons his mother and agrees to depose her, he'll be ousted from the throne within a few years."
"Treason?"
"No. Deposition."
Xun Yu mimed drawing a sword from his robes.
"From the ministers' perspective, to eliminate future troubles."
"Future troubles?"
"What happens when the current emperor grows up? He'll harbor grudges against those who forced him to depose his own mother."
"Seeking revenge on those who deposed his mother."
"Exactly."
Xun Yu swept his gaze over the group.
Dong Zhuo strode boldly behind Wang Yun, but not all the ministers marched in step with them.
Some trailed at the rear, as if dragged along.
"And those resentments will draw opportunists one by one."
"......"
Xun Yu shook his head slowly.
"Dong Zhuo and Wang Yun alike—they just want to seize power under the guise of serving the greater good. Dong Zhuo craves military authority; Wang Yun, the court's favor."
Whether personal ambition or patriotic zeal, the outcome would be the same.
"Xun Yu. That's why I'm asking..."
Xun Yu could guess what the man would say next.
He'd surely seek advice.
"......Whose side would you take?"
"......"
And his prediction was spot on.
"Hard to say. Aren't we all servants of the emperor in the end?"
"No, surely you can tell who's closer to the center of power? Will the ancient tree rooted deep in the central court prevail, or the sandstorm from the desert..."
"No need for metaphors. Whoever claims him will control the court."
"Him?"
"Why pretend you don't know? Obviously..."
Xun Yu turned his head.
"...Lü Fengxian."
"Did you call me?"
"......"
Xun Yu looked up at the man staring straight at him from behind.
"Palace Attendant. Let's talk while we walk."
He grinned at Xun Yu with eyes full of amusement.
Bing Province needs civil officials.
We have plenty of military officers already, and—not to brag—thanks to me, we've got a fair number of martial artists too.
What we're desperately short on are administrators.
'We need officials. Ones who can sit at a desk all day handling paperwork.'
Of course, Bing Province isn't entirely without officials.
Among the nomadic tribes coming from outside, some who can read and write fairly well serve the province, and we're forced to use them.
'The problem is they keep committing crimes by my standards.'
Most of them prioritized lining their families' pockets over province affairs.
To put it bluntly, they were all tax thieves.
Some even tried creating bogus posts under themselves the moment they got official seals, then selling them off.
Embezzlement, selling offices, abuses of power—every crime under the sun. I was busy hunting them down and gathering evidence.
Worse, they didn't even realize it was criminal.
That's why we needed people.
People who wouldn't commit such crimes.
Ideally, upright, incorruptible officials who served the people.
To be blunt, slaves to work for Bing Province—
'Slaves sounds harsh, so let's go with ideal.'
Yes.
Civil servants who toiled diligently for the citizens.
Incorruptible, trouble-free, the kind who'd pour their lives into developing Bing Province.
Not chasing fame and glory in high court posts, but devoted heart and soul to their locality.
Not for life, but near death's door, serving Bing Province.
'Found one.'
Right here. One candidate.
"I've wanted to speak with someone like you, Palace Attendant, for a long time."
"......Me?"
"Yes."
I scanned him top to bottom.
His face passed muster.
Looks like someone who gets work done.
Shoulders slightly hunched, dark shadows under his eyes.
Skin pale—he clearly spent most days indoors, away from the sun.
"Having seen many in the central court over the years, I knew you were the perfect fit."
This man.
Doesn't mingle much, openly radiating 'I hate it here.'
"Palace Attendant. Ever thought about taking a break?"
I had to snag him.
"A break?"
"Yes. Ah, not quitting your post to become a hermit scholar or anything. Just... wouldn't you like to get away from this noisy court?"
"......"
Xun Yu stared at me intently.
Suspicion shadowed his eyes.
"Bing Province is perfect for soothing body and mind, but words fail to convey it."
"......Bing Province?"
Xun Yu snorted a laugh.
"Bing Province?"
As expected.
"Ever been there yourself?"
"No, but I've heard the rumors."
"What did they say?"
"That it's become somewhat livable thanks to one general."
Me.
This was worth some pride.
"Then how about coming to Bing Province?"
"......'Coming'?"
Xun Yu stopped dead and stared at me.
"To Bing Province?"
"That's right."
"......?"
"Just between us, Palace Attendant."
I lowered my voice so others couldn't hear.
"Remember what I said earlier? About relinquishing my Cavalry Commander post and returning to Bing Province."
"Of course—"
"I meant it."
"......!!"
Xun Yu's eyes widened in shock.
"Circumstances have my nose stuck here in court, keeping me from Bing Province, but deep down, I'd love to lead my Bing Province troops back home."
"Why?"
"Well..."
I lowered my voice even more.
"It's too filthy here."
"......!!"
"Every breath feels like it'll drive me mad."
This was sincere.
"First time in the capital for me. Lived my whole life in Bing Province. Had some fantasies about the capital too. But... this 'imperial city' is a cesspool."
Bing Province is clean.
I made it that way.
"The stench doesn't just sting your nose—it rots your body from inside. Is this a place for humans? No pigsty could compare."
If I caught anyone defecating in the streets, I'd drag them to the latrines myself, ensuring no one dared such filth.
"Know why I stick to Mengjin Port?"
"......Why?"
"Better the Yellow River view than choking on this stink—even a little cleaner air."
When the Bing Province army set up camp at Mengjin, we built facilities fast.
They knew from Bing Province life.
If stuck here longer, better build quick for comfort.
Why build our own structures?
Why avoid entering the city?
"My soldiers felt the same. The moment they saw the capital, filth everywhere."
The barracks provided for us in the city were a disaster.
"Not just my thought. The whole Bing Province army thinks so."
Some soldiers who'd come to Luoyang with Governor Ding Yuan before even fled back to Mengjin, saying they couldn't stand it.
Extremely speaking, our new Mengjin camp was cleaner and easier to breathe than most of Luoyang.
"......Filth."
Xun Yu now gazed at me with dazed eyes.
"What do you think of that filth?"
"What else? Sweep it all away."
"......!!"
"You don't shun a street for trash and call it dirty—you pick it up and dispose of it. That's what morality teaches."
Learned it in proper living guides.
"Lord Xun Yu."
I cupped my fists lightly in salute.
"Bing Province may be known as barren, but I assure you—nowhere is easier to breathe."
I wanted to persuade more, but alas, we'd reached our destination.
"If it weighs on you, think of it as recuperation and visit Bing Province. The governorship's still vacant, after all..."
"You."
Xun Yu asked in a stiff voice.
"You're not aiming for Bing Province governor yourself?"
"Ha."
Not at all.
"Where I'm needed most is shielding the people from bandits' blades—blocking those blades, felling the foes."
Why bother with governor?
"Plenty could do governor better than me. Why me?"
"......"
Xun Yu closed his eyes long, then drew a deep breath.
"I hadn't noticed till now, but talking it out makes it clear."
Xun Yu blinked repeatedly.
"This capital... it's suffocating to breathe."
Gazing at the palace gates ahead, resolve shone in Xun Yu's eyes.
"Thank you. Something pent-up inside... burst free."
"No trouble. Then... let's head in. And vent all that frustration pent up here to your heart's content."
Thud, thud.
"From now on, we must wail toward His Majesty."
"You—o—o—o—Majesty—o—o—o!!"
Hey.
"Minister Over the Masses Wang Yun, risking disloyalty to remonstrate before Your Majesty—!!"
Wang Yun dropped to his knees in the hall's center, roaring like a lion. Dong Zhuo awkwardly knelt behind, clasping his hands.
"Depose Empress Dowager He—!!"
"Depose Empress Dowager—"
"Insane ravings!!"
As I and Xun Yu, along with the ministers, moved to kneel, the source of the trouble burst forth.
"What place is this to spout such nonsense!!"
The marked dowager, Empress He, stormed out, veins bulging in her neck.
"How dare underlings swarm in to intimidate the throne!"
"Shut your mouth, He!!"
"Wh-what?!"
Wang Yun sprang up.
We'd all been about to follow his lead in kneeling—
"A dowager struts like she's emperor herself! We are not her subjects!"
Wang Yun shot up nimbly, pointing at the dowager. Dong Zhuo rose awkwardly too.
"Your Majesty!! Have mercy! Heed our remonstrance and sweep away this nation's last dark cloud!!"
"M-my dear!"
The emperor appeared.
Wang Yun knelt again; we 'for now' knelt toward the emperor too.
"Hu, huu."
Up front, Dong Zhuo and the hulking ministers struggled visibly.
Just prostrating and rising—but court robes were a hassle.
Still, tiring from a couple bows was just a flaw.
"Wh-what is this! Mi-Minister! D-depose, what?!"
The emperor clung to Empress He's side.
Not quite adult, looking mid-teens, this emperor hiding behind his mother's back was... something.
I understood.
Grand General He Jin dead; only prop left was Empress He.
But.
'If parents err, is ignoring it filial piety?'
Sometimes, yes.
But not now.
'He knows her myriad evils, yet shields her just because she's mother? Right?'
The emperor knew her countless misdeeds.
Remonstrances about her conduct weren't just today.
After the Ten Attendants chaos, as court stabilized over months, ministers had warned and admonished him repeatedly.
'She's done plenty.'
Slaughtering palace maids on whims.
Withholding ministers' stipends, diverting to her palace for luxuries.
Usurping the emperor's duties under 'handling regency' without asking Empress Dong.
Trying to pull surviving eunuch remnants under her.
And above all—
"Does Your Majesty know?!"
Dong Zhuo rose, bellowing.
"That Empress He summons our generals nightly for secret trysts!!"
"!!"
All eyes turned to Dong Zhuo in shock.
"Dong Zhongying!!"
"Why hide it?! Everyone knows she sent advances to my officers!!"
Some eyed him like 'don't say it'; others squeezed eyes shut, heads bowed.
"Those who saw He Jin's old subordinates enter her palace at night and leave at dawn—do you think just one or two?!"
Beside me, kneeling Xun Yu looked gut-punched, barely suppressing dry heaves.
"N-no such thing! Mind your tongue, Dong Zhuo!"
The emperor pointed and yelled at Dong Zhuo.
"My mother would never, now, now...!!"
His trembling finger was pitiable.
"Mother...! No way! Mother wouldn't..."
Turning to look at Empress He, the emperor paled instantly upon seeing her face.
"M-mother...?"
"......Ha, haha."
Empress He smiled bitterly.
Tears streamed, but fake-looking, unnatural.
"Your Majesty. No need to heed their lies. That talk is..."
"All true."
"!!"
From behind the ministers.
"E-Empress Dowager Dong...!"
Empress Dowager Dong appeared, leading palace women.
Not rushed—fully attired in dignified robes.
"G-grandmother...!!"
"Your Majesty."
The emperor floundered.
Empress Dong's wrinkled eyes quivered at him, but she shut them tight, then opened, speaking.
"Your Majesty, as father to myriad subjects, must set example. Sometimes lenient, sometimes stern—"
"The old hag's finally senile!"
"......!!"
Unimaginable insult from the palace stunned all.
"......Ha."
Empress Dong breathed calmly, as if expecting it, and turned her gaze.
"General Lü."
"......Yes."
My reply nearly pitched up, but I stayed composed, rising.
"Did this woman send anyone to you too?"
"!!!"
All eyes converged on me.
Doubt, shock, horror.
"A few days ago, someone from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager did visit."
In full view.
"She said she came from the He Palace, delivered a letter, and left. And that letter..."
Telling the truth.
"...invited me to the He Palace."
I drew the pre-prepared letter from my robes, holding it forth.
"Tonight."
"......"
Silence fell.
"Did Empress Dowager Dong send it?"
Teacher said before leaving.
-Keep this letter safe. It'll be ironclad proof at the crucial moment.
From donning the Cavalry Commander's robes, I'd carried it.
"......Hand it here."
I quietly passed it to Empress Dong; she unfolded and raised it high.
"Even this wretch reaches claws toward the realm's loyal servant!!"
"N-no!! That's...!!"
Empress He panicked.
"Th-this...!! Not just anyone, but General Lü to my bedchamber!!"
Xun Yu and officials condemned her in unison.
"Mother."
The emperor grabbed Empress He as she lunged down stairs, descending with her.
"......I'll protect you, Mother."
"Y-Your Majesty...!"
"Guards, hear me!! Seize these insults to my mother—all of them! Into prison!! This blasphemy rots my ears!!"
The emperor's cry echoed, but.
"What are you waiting for! Imperial command! Now!!"
No soldiers stirred.
"Th-this...!"
The emperor clenched fists, speechless.
"I... I am the emperor...!"
Thud.
"M-Mother!!"
Empress He collapsed, fainting.
But I saw.
Her deliberate fall toward the emperor, eyes shut.
And at the last, her venomous glare at me.
"Tch."
"The pus-rotted stench is unbearable."
"......Cough!"
"Mother!!"
"......"
A fainted woman vomiting blood—a miracle.
189 AD, August.
By Empress Dowager Dong's decree, the emperor was deposed and demoted to King of Hongnong, exiled to Hongnong with his mother, Lady He.
His half-brother, King of Chenliu Liu Xie, ascended the throne.
The palace's master had changed.