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He Jin received the edict from Dong Zhuo and immediately summoned the court ministers, reading it aloud in the hall with a tone full of pride. "Gentlemen, look at this edict! Dong Zhuo has clearly stated his willingness to eliminate Zhang Rang and other treacherous ministers. His loyalty is evident; why not let him come to the capital at once?"
The ministers exchanged glances, and the hall fell into silence. After a long pause, the Imperial Censor Zheng Tai stepped forward, cupping his hands and speaking solemnly. "General, Dong Zhuo is ambitious and fierce, like a wolf or tiger. If we summon him to the capital and he gains control of the military, he will turn against us and endanger the state. I urge you to reconsider."
He Jin sneered, disdain written all over his face. "Tai Gong, you are being overly suspicious! In these chaotic times, if we cannot trust someone like Dong Zhuo, who can I rely on to restore order?"
Zheng Tai straightened up, his gaze firm and his tone more severe. "General, this is not suspicion but foresight! If Dong Zhuo enters the capital, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Zhi stepped forward with a grave expression. "General, Zheng Tai speaks the truth. I have had dealings with Dong Zhuo; he appears magnanimous but is actually cunning and ruthless. If we allow him into the palace, he will surely gain overwhelming power and bring chaos to the capital. It would be better to stop this now to avoid disaster."
He Jin frowned, irritation creeping into his voice. "Lu Zhi, Dong Zhuo has been summoned by imperial decree; how can we withdraw it at this point? You all seem so timid; how can we achieve great things like this?"
Zheng Tai sighed, waved his sleeve, and turned away. "Since you insist on this course of action, I have nothing more to say. I will resign from my post to preserve my own integrity."
Lu Zhi remained silent for a moment before bowing deeply. "If you refuse to heed my advice, then I too must resign to avoid being caught up in this situation."
As both men resigned one after another, other court officials followed suit and requested their own resignations. The court was soon left empty as former supporters departed one by one.
He Jin paid no heed to the opposition and sent people to meet Dong Zhuo at Mianchi. However, Dong Zhuo remained inactive, biding his time and observing quietly. This situation did not escape the notice of Zhang Rang and other eunuchs; they gathered together with dark expressions, exchanging anxious glances.
"This situation is dire," Zhang Rang spoke first in a low voice tinged with fear. "Dong Zhuo has already raised troops; this is clearly aimed at us. If we sit idly by, we can only wait for our families to be executed!"
Duan Gui slammed his hand on the table with fervor. "No! We must take action first; rather than wait for them to strike, we should find a way to deal with He Jin now."
The others nodded silently in agreement. Zhang Rang sneered softly and lowered his voice. "To deal with He Jin directly would be foolish. We must use the Empress's influence to draw him into the palace; that way we can take control of the situation."
After some scheming, Zhang Rang led several eunuchs into Chang Le Palace. They knelt before Empress He, their voices choked with emotion. "Your Majesty, please save us! General He Jin has issued an edict summoning outside troops into the capital; he clearly intends to eliminate our faction of eunuchs. We implore you to intercede on our behalf!"
Empress He raised her head with a puzzled expression. "How could He Jin act so extreme while serving as regent for the new emperor?"
Zhang Rang continued to bow deeply while lamenting. "Your Majesty, if we are truly guilty, let us die ourselves! But General He does not intend to leave any survivors; he wants not only our lives but also our entire families wiped out! The only way to resolve this matter is for you to summon He Jin into the palace and confront him directly. If he refuses, we will perish before your eyes!"
At this point, Zhang Rang deliberately paused his speech, raising his hands high as he pressed his forehead against the ground in anguish, tears streaming down his face as he appeared utterly devastated. Empress He pondered for a moment, her brow furrowing as she fell into hesitation.
The Empress Dowager issued a decree summoning He Jin to the palace. When the edict reached He Jin's residence, he was pacing in his study, a smug expression on his face. He tossed the decree onto the table and sneered, "It seems the Empress Dowager has finally realized the danger posed by Zhang Rang and his gang. This time, she must be compromising with me."
The chief clerk, Chen Lin, hurried forward, cupping his hands and speaking softly, "General, things may not be that simple. The Empress Dowager's decree came too suddenly and at such a time; it is likely a plot by the Ten Eunuchs. I urge you to be cautious and not to enter the palace lightly."
He Jin waved his hand impatiently, frowning slightly. "The Empress Dowager summoned me personally; what danger could there be? Chen Lin, stop speaking nonsense and delay important matters!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yuan Shao strode into the study, his tone filled with discontent. "General, can't you see that something is amiss? Our plans have already leaked; those eunuchs cannot sit idly by. Their invitation for you to enter the palace is likely a trap!"
He Jin frowned and looked coldly at Yuan Shao. "You are being overly suspicious. Do you think I, He Jin, who holds military power, would fear those eunuchs who only know how to spread rumors?"
Yuan Shao slammed his hand on the table and said sternly, "General, if you insist on this course of action, you are risking your life! If you must enter the palace, at least gather guards to accompany you for safety!"
At this moment, Cao Cao stood silently to one side. He slowly walked over to the table, picked up the decree, and with a calm gaze and a low but pressing tone said, "General, Yuan Benchu is right. This decree is suspicious; if it weren't for Zhang Rang's gang setting a trap, why would it come so suddenly? In my opinion, you should first summon the Ten Eunuchs to your residence for questioning to thoroughly investigate the situation. Only after confirming everything should you enter the palace; that would be the safest course of action."
Upon hearing this, He Jin revealed a dismissive smile and shook his head lightly. "Mengde, is this your insight? They are just eunuchs; do I really need to be so cautious? I hold great power; do they dare act against me? If they truly have ill intentions, with one command from me, they would have nowhere to escape!"
Cao Cao looked directly at He Jin with a stern gaze. "General, precisely because you hold power do they gamble everything! If you do not take precautions, the consequences could be disastrous."
Yet He Jin remained confident and waved his hand with a smile. "Mengde, that sounds like advice from a child. Don't worry; I know what I'm doing."
Yuan Shao furrowed his brow tightly, suppressing his anger as he spoke in a low voice. "Since you insist on going, let us accompany you with troops to escort you into the palace. Otherwise, if anything goes wrong, none of us will be able to save you!"
After pondering for a moment, He Jin finally nodded. "Alright then; you may accompany me into the palace. I want to see if those eunuchs dare lay hands on me!"
Yuan Shao exchanged a complex glance with Cao Cao before each returned to their camps to prepare their troops. In the study, He Jin sat in his chair with an air of indifference still lingering on his lips. He seemed completely unaware that he was stepping closer and closer to an abyss.
After Yuan Shao and Cao Cao returned to their camp, they quickly selected five hundred elite soldiers—each one a well-trained warrior exuding sharpness and vigor. Yuan Shao arranged for his brother Yuan Shu to don full armor and personally lead the troops outside Azure Lock Gate at Chang Le Palace where they set up formations with swords glinting in the tense atmosphere.
The morning sun bathed the palace walls in red as He Jin sat atop his horse, escorted by Yuan Shao and Cao Cao towards Chang Le Palace. Behind him were armored soldiers whose expressions were grave as they gripped their weapons tightly and remained vigilant.
Upon reaching Chang Le Palace's entrance, a yellow gatekeeper stepped out to deliver orders in a stiff and cold tone: "The Empress Dowager has specifically summoned only General He; no one else may enter."
Hearing this, Yuan Shao's expression darkened immediately as he spoke softly to He Jin: "General, something feels off! We are already outside the palace gates; if you notice anything unusual at all, please signal immediately so we can break in!"
Cao Cao stood to the side, his gaze sharp as he coldly added, "General, this meeting is fraught with danger. Once you enter, do not let your guard down."
He Jin, however, raised his head, a look of disdain on his face as he waved his hand dismissively. "Hmph! I hold the military power of the realm; how dare these eunuchs threaten me? Stay calm!" With his head held high and confidence brimming, he strode directly into the palace.
Outside the Jia De Hall, Zhang Rang and Duan Gui had been waiting for some time, smiles plastered on their faces. As He Jin stepped into the grand hall, the two immediately approached him, bowing respectfully. But before He Jin could react, palace attendants suddenly closed in around him, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
Zhang Rang straightened up abruptly, the smile vanishing from his face, replaced by a cold glare and an imposing tone. "General He, you truly are a figure of great authority! But I have a few questions for you—are you able to answer them?"
He Jin was taken aback for a moment, an uneasy feeling creeping into his heart, yet he forced himself to maintain his bravado. "You eunuchs have no right to speak so arrogantly in front of me! Just say what you need to say!"
Zhang Rang sneered, his voice sharp as a blade. "What crime did Empress Dong commit that you would poison her? On the day of the national mother's funeral, you feigned illness and did not attend—showing no respect whatsoever! He Jin, do not forget that once you were merely a butcher; it was through our recommendation that you attained your current position. How dare you repay kindness with malice and conspire against us! You claim we are filthy and vile; how much higher do you think you stand than us?"
He Jin felt a chill run down his spine as cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He swallowed hard and turned to retreat back through the palace doors. However, he soon realized that the large door behind him had quietly closed, leaving the entire Jia De Hall eerily silent, with only Zhang Rang's cold laughter echoing.
"Come here!" Zhang Rang commanded sharply. Suddenly, dozens of hidden assassins sprang forth from the shadows of the hall, their expressions fierce and their glinting blades aimed directly at He Jin.
"What do you want?!" He Jin's voice trembled as he grasped the dagger at his waist but was already losing composure. His gaze darted around in search of an escape route, but all exits were firmly blocked by the assassins.
He Jin drew his dagger in a desperate attempt to resist, but it was futile. Before he could swing it, one of the assassins lunged forward swiftly and struck him in the abdomen with a single blow. He Jin let out a horrific scream as blood instantly soaked the ground beneath him. He fell to his knees, hands clutching his wound, eyes filled with despair. Moments later, another flash of steel appeared as He Jin's body collapsed heavily to the floor, blood pooling rapidly around him.
Silence returned to the grand hall as Zhang Rang stood up, his gaze coldly sweeping across the room. His tone was flat yet carried an undeniable authority as he ordered, "Clean this up properly; let no one outside discover what has happened."
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