The Ten Eunuchs' Rebellion (4)
The night of the second day of the sixth month, Central Peace sixth year (189 AD). The conference hall of the Grand General’s residence in Luoyang.
After everyone had withdrawn, only a heavy silence remained in the hall. He Jin sat alone at the head seat, quietly lifting his wine cup. The liquid sloshed gently as he brought it to his lips. A bitter taste spread across his tongue.
At that moment, soft footsteps echoed from beyond the door. He Jin did not raise his head, but he already knew who it was.
“...Is that you, Jeong Tae?”
At He Jin’s quiet voice, Jeong Tae approached with his usual calm bearing and knelt silently before him.
He Jin kept his gaze fixed on the wine cup and spoke without turning.
“You still… feel uneasy about summoning Dong Tak, don’t you?”
Jeong Tae slowly lowered his head in a deep nod.
“Yes, Grand General.”
His voice was low, yet resolute.
“Everyone else insists on calling him because he commands troops… but I oppose summoning Dong Tak precisely because he commands troops.”
He Jin quietly set down his cup. Exhaustion clouded his face, and his lips were pressed into a firm line.
“You truly believe he is that dangerous?”
Jeong Tae bowed his head lower and spoke each word with deliberate clarity.
“Dong Tak is violent by nature and consumed by greed. He places his own ambition above the will of the court. He may obey the Grand General’s orders for now… but once he reaches Luoyang, he will surely try to manipulate the court according to his own desires.”
He Jin’s eyes trembled faintly.
“That may be so. But among the armies rushing toward Luoyang right now, Dong Tak’s forces are the largest. If we exclude him, how can we possibly change Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s mind?”
Jeong Tae lifted his head and looked straight at He Jin. His eyes were filled with worry and unspoken sorrow.
“Grand General, you seek to save the realm… so why are you trying to set yet another spark upon the world?”
He Jin said nothing. He simply stared blankly at the ceiling.
Jeong Tae bowed even deeper.
“With Your Excellency’s prestige and virtue, you can achieve your goals even without Dong Tak. The armies from the outer provinces are already moving according to the righteous cause. Even without Dong Tak, their combined strength is more than enough to stabilize the situation.”
He Jin rose slowly to his feet. His fingers traced the edge of the map laid out on the conference table.
“If we do not use Dong Tak’s Liang Province army… how can we suppress those who oppose us?”
Jeong Tae offered no further words. He simply knelt once more, then quietly withdrew.
Watching him leave, He Jin drained the last of his wine and walked toward the lantern. With his lips pressed tightly together, he murmured under his breath.
“...I will make sure your fears do not come to pass.”
Outside the hall, darkness still lay thick over the world. And somewhere within that darkness, the sound of footsteps vanished like the wind.
The dawn of the fifth day of the sixth month, Central Peace sixth year (189 AD). Mengjin Port.
Thick fog blanketed the harbor. Between the waves stirred by the river wind, tattered yellow banners of the Yellow Turbans fluttered into view. Yet the soldiers beneath those banners moved with the disciplined steps of trained troops, and their eyes gleamed with sharp precision.
“From this moment on, not a single word,” Jeong Won, Governor of Bing Province, said as he raised one eyebrow and scanned his men. “Today, we are Yellow Turbans.”
Beside him, Yeo Pyo grinned and pulled his helmet down firmly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll act more like a real Yellow Turban than the real ones ever could.”
Zhang Liao simply nodded in silence.
Jeong Won led the way up a hill overlooking the port. The yellow river water looked cold, and the civilian houses along the docks still lay quiet as if asleep. But that silence was soon shattered.
“Archers, prepare!”
At Jeong Won’s command, thousands of archers raised their bows in unison from the shadows.
“Loose!”
The arrows flew. Their iron tips coated in pine resin and set ablaze tore through the dim predawn light, raining down on the wooden structures of the port. Moments later, flames erupted across Mengjin Port.
Warehouses and docks were swallowed by fire. The garrison guards panicked and began to flee. Jeong Won’s soldiers swept through the port, setting everything ablaze—storehouses, ships, grain depots… every target burned exactly as planned.
Watching the flames surge skyward, Jeong Won murmured softly.
“Grand General, my part is done. The rest is up to you.”
That day, he never once drew his sword. He fought no battle at all. Yet at dawn, Jeong Won had wielded the most powerful weapon of all. It was not a blade. It was fire.
The morning of the fifth day of the sixth month, Central Peace sixth year (189 AD). The Empress Dowager’s palace within the imperial grounds of Luoyang.
Morning sunlight streamed into the hall as a gentle breeze flowed through. Empress Dowager Ha was slowly sipping freshly brewed tea. Having tossed and turned through the night, dark circles of fatigue tinged her eyes with a reddish hue.
“I wonder if His Majesty slept peacefully…” she murmured, setting the cup down.
But the morning’s tranquility did not last.
“Your Majesty! A terrible thing has happened!”
A maid’s frantic voice rang out from beyond the door. Empress Dowager Ha turned her head, setting the cup aside.
“What is it, making such a racket so early in the morning…”
The door burst open and the maid rushed in, nearly stumbling. Before she could even catch her breath, she dropped to her knees and spoke in a hushed, urgent tone.
“...Mengjin Port has burned, Your Majesty.”
“...What did you say?”
“M-Mengjin Port has burned, Your Majesty.”
Empress Dowager Ha’s face hardened.
“Who would dare commit such an act?”
“According to the reports… it was the remnants of the Yellow Turbans. They raised the Yellow Turban banners, set fires, and looted the warehouses. The rumors have already spread across the city, and fear is spreading like wildfire.”
Empress Dowager Ha rose without a word. The teacup she had been about to raise slipped from her fingers, spilling hot liquid across the silk cushions.
“Yellow Turbans… again?”
Her eyes trembled. At that moment—
“Your Majesty, the ministers beg for an audience!”
“Let them enter.”
At the eunuch’s announcement and the Empress Dowager’s permission, the doors opened and a group of men filed in. Even at this early hour, they carried a heavy, somber air. These were the very ministers who had been closest to the Ten Eunuchs—the officials of the turbid faction within the court. Men who had long enjoyed power under the eunuchs’ protection. Yet today they remained silent, bowing deeply with solemn respect.
“Your Majesty, we dare to speak out of sincere concern for the court.”
Empress Dowager Ha looked at them with clear wariness.
“What brings all of you here like this?”
One of the ministers raised his head.
“The news we have just received suggests that the fire at Mengjin Port was no mere accident. Rumors are already spreading like lightning through the city that the Ten Eunuchs have once again colluded with the remnants of the Yellow Turbans.”
Empress Dowager Ha’s expression froze.
“Do you even understand what you are saying right now?”
Another minister nodded.
“Your Majesty, we are fully aware of the gravity of our words. However, the rumors are spreading far too quickly. The people are restless, and even the soldiers outside the palace have begun to believe them as truth.”
The ministers bowed their heads deeply.
“Therefore, Your Majesty, we beg you to make a decisive judgment. You must punish the Ten Eunuchs and restore order to the court.”
Empress Dowager Ha fell silent. Their words were not simple advice. If she refused, even the turbid faction ministers might turn against her. If she accepted, the very foundation of her and her son’s power would crumble. And beyond such cold calculations, the fact that these men were so willing to abandon the Ten Eunuchs… something twisted painfully in her chest.
Finally, in a trembling voice, she spoke.
“...If we punish them, who will protect His Majesty?”
A heavy silence fell. The air in the room grew rigid. The ministers exchanged cautious glances before one of them bowed once more.
“Your Majesty, there are already many loyal ministers ready to guard His Majesty. The Ten Eunuchs are merely eunuchs; they are not fit to deliberate on state affairs. Allowing them to remain at His Majesty’s side will only breed worse rumors.”
“Would punishing those who have served His Majesty not create an even worse rumor?”
No one answered her question. Another minister bowed and continued.
“Your Majesty, His Majesty is still young. He is more easily swayed by those closest to him than by the counsel of his ministers. Therefore, those who stand at his side must be righteous and loyal. But who stands beside him now?”
The words were not a direct accusation, yet their target was painfully obvious. Empress Dowager Ha bit her lip hard.
“Do you truly believe you have the right to say such things…? And what crime have they committed against His Majesty that you speak this way?”
“We understand why you would blame us. But this is not about guilt or innocence. The people of the realm are watching this situation in fear.”
Empress Dowager Ha rose from her seat without a word. She walked quietly to the window and gazed outside. The distant palace halls stood like symbols of the Han dynasty’s authority.
If they are gone, who will protect His Majesty? Will my brother truly protect him, and step back once His Majesty assumes personal rule?
Empress Dowager Ha closed her eyes and asked herself again.
If my brother truly wishes it, that child will become nothing more than a puppet… unable to do anything on his own.
That, she could not allow.
She slowly turned back to face the ministers. Her eyes were cold and resolute.
“I understand your loyalty. However… the Ten Eunuchs are those His Majesty trusts, and there is still no direct evidence of treason.”
Someone tried to speak, but she raised her hand to silence him.
“To cast them out is the same as cutting off His Majesty’s own arm. Without them, who will protect His Majesty? Who will carry out his commands?”
Empress Dowager Ha let out a deep sigh.
“As His Majesty’s mother, I absolutely cannot cast them aside.”
Having spoken, she turned away and returned to her seat.
“Speak no more of this matter.”
The ministers did not move at first. But eventually they all bowed heavily and withdrew.
Empress Dowager Ha lifted her teacup once more. Yet her fingers trembled ever so slightly.
Midday on the fifth day of the sixth month, Central Peace sixth year (189 AD). The Grand General’s residence in Luoyang.
After the sharp exchange between the ministers and Empress Dowager Ha in the Empress Dowager’s palace, a single shadow appeared in the conference hall of the Grand General’s residence.
“Elder Brother.”
He Jin looked up. The man before him wore refined clothes and held his lips in a firm line. It was He Jin’s younger brother, He Myo.
“Myo… your face looks terribly dark. What has happened?”
He Jin asked without turning, still seated casually in his chair.
“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager sent me.”
He Myo knelt and clasped his hands together neatly.
“Her Majesty said it is not too late. Rather than completely rejecting the Ten Eunuchs, extending a hand of reconciliation to settle the court would be wiser.”
He Jin’s eyebrows twitched.
“Reconciliation…”
“The court is unstable right now. Mengjin Port has burned, and the people are in chaos. At a time like this, if the He clan appears to be shaking the imperial family—”
“Are you saying I am shaking the imperial family?”
He Jin’s voice rang low. The anger within it was restrained, yet razor sharp.
“That is not what I meant. Only… if Elder Brother would take one step back, then Her Majesty would also—”
“There is no longer any room to step back.”
The moment those words fell, the door opened and Won So entered. His eyes gleamed sharply, and his posture was utterly unwavering.
“Grand General, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager still refuses to yield. We can delay no longer.”
Even after hearing Won So, He Jin silently poured himself another cup of wine. Seeing this, He Myo grew even more tense.
“Elder Brother…”
He Myo carefully raised his head.
“Please, do not turn against Her Majesty. How can you go against the wishes of the mother who gave birth to His Majesty?”
But Won So cut him off with firm resolve.
“Mengjin Port has already burned.”
He Myo’s eyes widened.
“What—”
“The rumor that the remnants of the Yellow Turbans and the Ten Eunuchs have joined hands is already spreading across the realm. If we stop now, the world will say the Grand General orchestrated this incident. But if we draw our blades now, the world will sing of the Grand General’s ‘loyal heart.’”
He Myo could not hide his dismay.
“Elder Brother! Do you truly intend to turn against Her Majesty?!”
He Jin emptied the cup in one gulp and rose to his feet. After a long silence, he finally spoke in a quiet voice.
“The blade has already been drawn. There is no putting it back now.”
At those words, He Myo could say nothing more. The face of He Jin, now standing, was already shadowed by grim determination.
A moment later, one of his close aides opened the door.
“Grand General, Palace Attendant Wang Yun requests an audience.”
He Jin nodded.
“Let him enter.”
Wang Yun soon entered, dressed in impeccable attire. As always, he bowed with perfect courtesy.
“I have come at the Grand General’s summons.”
He Jin looked at him and spoke slowly.
“Wang Yun. I shall appoint you as Governor of Henan.”
Wang Yun raised his head, momentarily surprised, then immediately knelt and clasped his hands.
“I shall obey the Grand General’s command.”
He Jin continued without hesitation.
“From this moment, you will strictly guard the perimeter around Luoyang. You will also be responsible for calming the restless public sentiment that has arisen after the incident at Mengjin Port.”
Wang Yun bowed his head in reply.
“I shall carry out your orders with my life on the line.”
Once Wang Yun had withdrawn, He Jin turned his gaze to Won So.
“Boncho.”
“Yes, Grand General.”
“I grant you the post of Colonel Director of Retainers. I also bestow upon you the authority of the Imperial Envoy. You shall command all military forces both inside and outside the imperial palace.”
Won So was momentarily speechless. Colonel Director of Retainers and the Imperial Envoy’s seal. These were positions and authority that effectively gave him free rein over even the capital’s imperial guards.
“This humble one shall obey the Grand General’s will.”
Won So bowed. Yet the corners of his mouth curved upward ever so slightly.
At the sight, He Myo shot to his feet in shock.
“Elder Brother! Have you gone mad?!”
He Jin slowly turned to look at him. His eyes, fixed on his younger brother, showed not the slightest tremor.
“It is not I who have gone mad, but Her Majesty who has made the wrong choice. Myo.”
With those final words, He Jin left the room.
He Myo stared at his brother’s retreating back and clenched both fists tightly.