Chapter 3: The Chaotic Situation in the Imperial Court

  On the other side, Li Yu was busy getting married, while on our side, we were discussing how the ten eunuchs held heavy power and consulted with each other: whoever did not obey would be killed. Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang sent people to ask Huangfu Song and others for gold and silk, even Liu Bei, who had been established as the King of Hanxing in Yizhou, was no exception. Liu Bei and Lu Zhi were not obedient at first, but fortunately Li Yu insisted on sending gifts, and Liu Bei did not insist on anything else. Li Yu sent 1,000 taels of silver to each of the ten eunuchs, which was a naked display of weakness. Fortunately, Zhang Rang did not interfere too much, thinking that as long as King Hanxing Liu Bei listened to him, it would be fine. Moreover, Zhang Rang and the other eunuchs did not dare to provoke Liu Bei too much, because Liu Bei held the imperial sword with the power to execute first and report later. However, others were not so lucky. Zhang Rang ordered the ten eunuchs to report anyone who disobeyed, and Emperor Ling demoted Huangfu Song and Zhu from their official positions. The emperor also appointed Zhao Zhong as a general of the cavalry, and Zhang Rang and thirteen others were enfeoffed as marquises. The imperial court was getting worse, and the people were complaining. The Han dynasty had completely fallen into chaos. As a result, officials and civilians rebelled against each other, and in Changsha, there was an uprising led by Qu Xing; in Youbeiping, Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun also rebelled: Ju claimed to be the Son of Heaven, and Chun claimed to be the Grand General. Memorials poured in like snowflakes, but Zhang Rang had a big nerve and ordered the ten eunuchs to hide and not report anything. It can be seen that at this time, the imperial court was completely under the control of Zhang Rang and the other eunuchs. Loyal and righteous officials were demoted and could not enter the imperial court! The Han dynasty had reached a desperate moment!

  One day, Emperor Ling of Han was having a drinking party with the Ten Eunuchs in the rear garden. Liu Tao, the Remonstrance Counselor, rushed to the emperor's carriage and wept loudly. The emperor was perplexed and asked him what was wrong. Liu Tao cried: "The Han dynasty is on the brink of collapse, yet Your Majesty still indulges in drinking and merriment with the eunuchs! Is it true that the Han dynasty is doomed?" The emperor was even more perplexed and asked: "The country is at peace, what danger can there be? Liu, you must present a detailed memorial! Otherwise, I will have to punish you for insulting the imperial throne!" Liu Tao knelt down and wailed loudly: "Bandits are rising up in all directions, invading and plundering the provinces. The calamity is caused by the Ten Eunuchs selling official positions and harming the people, deceiving the ruler and ignoring the law. All the loyal and righteous officials have been dismissed from office, disaster is imminent! Does Your Majesty not know?"

  Zhang Rang and the other ten attendants were shocked and pale, they still feared Emperor Ling of Han in their hearts. They all took off their hats, knelt down and wept before Emperor Ling's carriage, saying: "The ministers are incompatible, we cannot live! We wish to return home and surrender our property to assist the military expenses." After finishing speaking, they cried bitterly and lost color.

  Emperor Ling of Han was furious, pointing at Liu Tao and scolding: "Your family also has attendants, why can't you tolerate me? I see that the ten eunuchs are all loyal and righteous! Where is the executioner, take him out and behead him!" Look at Emperor Ling of Han, he is indeed confused about loyalty and treachery. Is it any wonder that the great Han dynasty will not survive?!

  Emperor Ling of Han summoned the warrior to push Liu Tao out of the Wu Gate and behead him in public. Liu Tao was not afraid of death, loudly saying: "I am not sorry to die! The Han dynasty's world is pitiful, for more than 400 years, it has come to an end today! You are a foolish ruler, the great Han dynasty will be destroyed by your foolish hands!" The more he scolded Emperor Ling of Han, the angrier he became! He ordered the executioner to quickly behead him and bring his head back.

  The warriors were about to execute Liu Tao outside the Zijin Gate when a high-ranking official suddenly stopped them, saying: "Do not take action, I will go and persuade the emperor that Liu Tao is innocent." The guards looked at him and saw that it was Chen Dan, the Minister of Works.

  Chen Tong hastily entered the palace to see Emperor Ling of Han and bitterly remonstrated, saying: "May I ask Your Majesty, what crime did Liu have that he was put to death?" Emperor Ling, whose anger had not yet subsided, said: "He slandered my close ministers and insulted me."

  Chen Gong heard this and burst out laughing, saying: "The people of the world want to eat the flesh of the Ten Eunuchs. Your Majesty treats them like parents, but they have no merit at all, yet they are all enfeoffed as marquises. As for Feng Xu and others colluding with the Yellow Turbans to create internal chaos: if Your Majesty does not reflect on this now, the altars of the state will soon be overthrown!" The Emperor said: "Feng Xu's rebellion is not clear-cut. Among the Ten Eunuchs, are there no one or two loyal ministers?"

  Chen Dan listened to Emperor Ling of Han and spoke the words, thus knocking his head against the steps and bitterly advising. Emperor Ling was furious, thinking that Liu Tao's matter had not been settled yet, you Chen Dan have a grudge against yourself for living too long, good! So he ordered the guards to forcibly drag out Chen Dan, and both he and Liu Tao were thrown into heavy prison. That night, the ten attendants immediately murdered the two loyal ministers in prison; also, under the emperor's edict, Sun Jian was made governor of Changsha, to conquer Qu Xing, but Sun Jian was indeed formidable, from receiving the imperial edict to conquering Qu Xing took less than fifty days, and victory reports were frequently transmitted, Jiangxia was pacified, and Qu Xing was killed by Sun Jian's son Sun Ce! Zhang Rang and the other ten attendants decreed that Sun Jian be enfeoffed as Marquis of Wu Cheng.

  Zhang Rang and the other ten eunuchs again appointed Liu Yu as the Governor of Youzhou, leading troops to Guyang to attack Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun. Liu Hui from Dai State recommended Han Xing Wang Liu Bei to go and assist Liu Yu through a letter. Liu Yu was overjoyed! After reading the letter, Liu Bei saw that Li Yi and Wang Yun were newlyweds and did not want to leave, so he ordered General of the Western Expedition Guan Yu as the commander-in-chief, Chen Gong as the military advisor, and led Zhao Yun, Cheng Yuanzhi, and others, with 30,000 infantrymen and 20,000 cavalrymen, directly attacking the enemy's lair to assist Liu Yu in a battle against the rebels. They fought a great battle for several days, weakening the enemy's morale. Guan Yu listened to Military Advisor Chen Gong's suggestion and did not pursue Zhang Chun to the death! Chen Gong was certain that if they waited long enough, there would be changes! Originally, Zhang Chun was extremely cruel and violent, seeing that the war was unfavorable, he was being killed by Liu Bei's army led by Guan Yu like a defeated dog. He began to scold his soldiers severely, and the soldiers' hearts changed. The leaders under his command assassinated Zhang Chun, brought his head as an offering, and surrendered with their troops. Zhang Ju saw that the situation was lost and also hanged himself to death. Guyang was completely pacified. Liu Yu reported to Han Xing Wang Liu Bei's great contributions in assisting the war and Guan Yu's merits. The ten eunuchs pardoned Han Xing Wang Liu Bei for his crime of sending troops without imperial orders, with a reward of 1,000 taels of gold and silver! He Jin, Wang Yun, Gongsun Zan, and others again submitted a memorial to the emperor, praising Han Xing Wang Liu Bei's great contributions as a loyal and dedicated subject, recommending him to be in charge of all matters in Yizhou, with Chengdu as the capital. Xuande was in Chengdu, with abundant wealth, grain, soldiers, and horses, restoring his former prestige. Liu Yu was rewarded for his merits in pacifying the rebels, being appointed as the Grand Marshal.

  In the summer of the 6th year of Zhongping, Emperor Ling of Han was seriously ill and finally ended his life of indulgence! Liu Hong (156-189), the eleventh emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty (168-189 AD), was originally the Marquis of Xiangyang, the great-grandson of Emperor Zhang of Han, and the cousin of Emperor Huan of Han. In the first year of Yongkang (167 AD), he was made emperor by Empress Dowager Dou Miao because Emperor Huan had no son. The Yellow Turban Rebellion led by Zhang Jue broke out in the first year of Zhongping (184 AD). He died after 22 years on the throne and was posthumously honored as Emperor Xiaoling. He was buried in Wenling, which is located near Tuotou Village in the northwest of Luoyang. Liu Hong, a Chinese emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, was the great-grandson of Emperor Zhang of Han and reigned from 168 to 189 AD. In the first year of Yongkang (167 AD), after Emperor Huan's death, Empress Dowager Dou Miao and General-in-Chief Dou Wu (Empress Dowager Dou Miao's father) made him emperor. The empress dowager took charge of state affairs, and General-in-Chief Dou Wu assisted in governance. In the first year of Jianning (168 AD), the conflict between eunuchs and officials intensified, and Eunuch Cao Jie forged an imperial edict to execute General-in-Chief Dou Wu, Grand Tutor Chen Fan, and Minister of Works Yin, and exterminate their families, forcing the empress dowager to return power. In the second year, Eunuch Hou Luan started a large-scale persecution, putting more than 120 people including former Minister of Works Yu Fang, Minister of Revenue Du Mi, and Governor of Longxi Li Ru on trial and executing them, which was known as the Second Disaster of Party Purge. During Emperor Ling's reign, due to his trust in eunuchs, state affairs were controlled by Eunuchs Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang, and politics became extremely corrupt. The emperor lived a life of indulgence, accumulating wealth without limit, selling official positions, with 2,000-shi officials costing 20 million, and 400-shi officials costing 4 million, and county magistrates being priced according to the fertility of their counties. He also built palaces and gardens on a large scale, extorting money from the people, which led to popular resistance. The Yellow Turban Rebellion led by Zhang Jue broke out in the first year of Zhongping (184 AD). From then on, the Eastern Han Dynasty was in a state of decline. Emperor Ling died six years later. The reigns of Emperor Ling and his predecessor Emperor Huan were the darkest periods of the Eastern Han Dynasty. In Zhuge Liang's "Out of the Camp Proclamation", it is mentioned that Liu Bei, the founding emperor of Shu Han, often sighed with pain and hatred for Emperors Huan and Ling. It can be seen how indulgent and tyrannical he was!

  He Jin's sister, who was the empress at that time, immediately summoned her brother He Jin into the palace after hearing about Emperor Ling of Han's death to discuss the aftermath. As a result, He Jin rose to power and became a prominent figure in the imperial court. The emperor also favored another concubine, Wang, who gave birth to a son named Liu Bian. However, Empress He became jealous and had Wang murdered. Liu Bian was then sent to live with Empress Dowager Dong, which showed that Empress He was not a virtuous person.

  Empress Dowager Dong was the mother of Emperor Ling and the wife of Liu Xian, the Marquess of Jiedu. Initially, because Emperor Huan had no sons, he adopted Liu Xian's son as his own, who became Emperor Ling. After Emperor Ling ascended to the throne, he welcomed his mother into the palace and honored her as empress dowager.

  Empress Dowager Dong once advised Emperor Ling to make Liu Bian the crown prince. Emperor Ling also favored this second son of his and often wanted to appoint him as the heir. However, before he could do so, Emperor Ling fell ill. The eunuch Zhang Rang suggested that if the emperor wanted to appoint Liu Bian as the crown prince, he must first eliminate He Jin to prevent future troubles.

  Emperor Ling nodded in agreement with Zhang's suggestion and summoned He Jin into the palace. When He Jin arrived at the palace gate, a man named Pan Yin told him not to enter the palace because Zhang Rang was planning to assassinate him. He Jin was shocked and quickly returned home, where he gathered his officials and planned to eliminate all the eunuchs.

  Just then, a man stood up and said that it would be difficult to completely eliminate the eunuchs, who had been in power since the time of Emperor Cheng and Emperor Ai. He suggested that they should carefully consider their plan before taking action. He Jin looked at him and saw that it was Cao Cao, who was then serving as a military officer.

  He Jin scolded Cao Cao, saying that he was just a young man and did not understand the affairs of state. Just then, Pan Yin arrived and told them that Emperor Ling had already passed away. Zhang Rang and the other eunuchs were secretly discussing how to eliminate He Jin and appoint Liu Bian as the new emperor.

  Cao Cao spoke up again, saying that they should first establish a clear line of succession before taking action against their enemies.

  He Jin loudly said: "Who dares to discuss with me about eliminating the eunuchs?" One person stepped forward and said: "I wish to borrow 5,000 elite soldiers, break into the palace, enthrone a new emperor, eliminate all the eunuchs, clean up the court, and bring peace to the world!" He Jin looked at him and saw that it was Yuan Shao, the son of Yuan Feng, the nephew of Yuan Yi, with the style name Benchu, who was currently serving as the Colonel of the Capital. He Jin was overjoyed and immediately appointed 5,000 Imperial Guards. Yuan Shao put on his armor. He Jin led more than 30 officials including He Miao, Xun Yu, and Zheng Tai to enter one after another, and in front of Emperor Ling's coffin, they supported and established Liu Bian as the emperor, succeeding to the great throne.

  All officials had finished their courtesy calls, and Yuan Shao entered the palace to accept the seal. Shao hastily ran into the imperial garden, where he was killed by Guo Sheng, a eunuch, under a flower arbor. The Imperial Guards led by Shao all surrendered. Yuan Shao said to He Jin: "The eunuchs have formed a clique. Today we can take advantage of the situation and eliminate them all, to relieve the resentment of the people." Zhang Rang and other ten eunuchs knew that things were urgent and rushed into the rear palace, hastily entering to report to Empress He: "Initially, it was only Shao who set up a plot to harm the general, and had nothing to do with us. Now the general is listening to Yuan Shao's words and wants to eliminate all of us, please have mercy on us!" Empress He said: "You don't need to worry, I will protect you." She issued an edict summoning General He Jin to enter. Empress He whispered: "I and you came from humble origins, if it weren't for Zhang Rang and others, how could we enjoy this wealth and honor? Now that Shao has been punished and killed, why do you listen to people's words and want to eliminate all the eunuchs?" He Jin listened and then exited the rear palace, saying to the assembled officials: "Shao plotted against me, his family should be exterminated. As for the others, there is no need to harm them indiscriminately." Yuan Shao countered: "If you don't eradicate the roots, it will be the source of your own death." He Jin said: "My mind is made up, don't speak further." From this point on, Yuan Shao still had some ability and a certain degree of foresight. However, he encountered a wise ruler, and He Jin did not listen to his words! This led to the consequences of being killed by Zhang Rang and other ten eunuchs later!

  The officials all retreated in dismay. The next day, the Empress Dowager ordered He Jin to participate in the affairs of the Imperial Secretariat, and the others were all granted official positions. Empress Dong summoned Zhang Rang and the other ten eunuchs into the palace to discuss matters, saying: "He Jin's sister was originally promoted by me. Today his son has become Emperor, and all the officials inside and outside the court are his confidants. His power is too great, how can I, as Empress Dowager, endure this?" Zhang Rang memorialized the Empress Dowager, saying: "Your Majesty can preside over the court from behind a curtain; appoint the Emperor's son Xie as King; grant Dong Zhuo a high official position and control of the military; reuse us eunuchs. Great things can be achieved!" The Empress Dowager was overjoyed. The next day, she set up an imperial court and issued an edict, appointing the Emperor's son Xie as Prince of Chenliu, Dong Zhuo as General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Zhang Rang and the others to participate in court politics. Empress He saw that Empress Dong was monopolizing power and became enraged. She then set up a banquet in the rear palace and invited Empress Dong to attend. When the wine had reached its peak, Empress He stood up with her cup and bowed twice to Empress Dowager, saying: "We are all women, participating in court politics is not our place. In the past, Empress Lü held great power, and her entire clan was slaughtered. Now we should deeply retire within the palace; the great affairs of state should be left to the senior officials to discuss on their own. This would be a blessing for the country! I hope you will listen." Empress Dong became enraged, saying: "You poisoned King Miao's wife and set up a plot out of jealousy. Now you rely on your son as Emperor, and with your brother He Jin's power, you dare to speak wildly! I order General Dong to cut off your brother's head, it would be like turning one's hand over!" Empress He also became enraged, saying: "I used good words to advise you, why do you become angry?" Empress Dong said: "Your family is a butcher's clan, what insight do you have?" The two palaces competed with each other, and Zhang Rang and the others advised them to return to their respective palaces. Empress He that night summoned her brother-in-law General He Jin into the palace and told him about the previous events. He Jin became enraged and went back to his residence, summoning the three officials to discuss this matter. The next day, they set up an imperial court and ordered the officials to memorialize Empress Dowager, saying that she was originally a princess of a vassal state and should not stay in the palace for long. According to ritual, she should be relocated to Hejian. They limited her to leave the capital within three days. On one hand, they sent people to escort Empress Dong; on the other hand, they ordered the Imperial Guard to surround General Dong Zhuo's residence and seize his official seal. Dong Zhuo knew that things were urgent and cut his own throat in the rear hall of his residence. His family mourned, and the soldiers dispersed. Zhang Rang and the others saw that Empress Dowager's power had been abolished and immediately used gold, jewels, and precious objects to bribe He Jin's brother He Miao and his mother, Lady Wuyang, ordering them to enter Empress He's palace early and late to speak good words on their behalf. As a result, the ten eunuchs again gained favor with the Emperor. It is indeed true that Zhang Rang and the other ten eunuchs had investment brains - when one side did not work out, they went to flatter another!

  In June of that year, General-in-Chief He Jin secretly sent someone to poison Empress Dowager Dong at the River Interval Post Station. The coffin was brought back to the capital and buried in Wuling. He Jin pretended to be ill and did not come out. The Colonel of the City Gates, Yuan Shao, entered to see General-in-Chief He Jin and said: "Zhang Rang, Jian Shuo, and others have been spreading rumors outside that you killed Empress Dowager Dong and want to seize power. If we don't take advantage of this opportunity to eliminate the eunuchs, it will be a disaster later on. In the past, Dou Wu wanted to eliminate the inner courtiers, but his plans were not kept secret, and he ended up suffering because of them. Now your brothers and officers are all talented men; if you make use of their abilities, the matter is in our grasp. This is a heaven-sent opportunity that we cannot miss." He Jin listened and said: "This matter can be discussed later." Those around him secretly reported to Zhang Rang and others, who then informed He Jin's younger brother He Miao, and also sent many bribes. He Miao entered the palace and memorialized his sister Empress He, saying: "The General-in-Chief is assisting the new emperor but does not practice benevolence; he only seeks to kill and conquer. Now without reason he wants to kill Zhang Rang and others, which will lead to chaos." Empress He listened and accepted her brother He Miao's words. A short while later, General-in-Chief He Jin led his troops into the palace to eliminate the eunuchs. Empress He said: "The inner officials control the imperial guards; this is a Han dynasty tradition. The previous emperor has just passed away, and you want to kill old ministers; this is not showing respect for the ancestral temple." He Jin was originally indecisive, but when he heard his sister's words, he wavered!

  Heed the Empress's words, and leave quietly. Yuan Shao welcomed He Jin and asked him, "General, what about the big matter?" He Jin said, "The Empress does not allow it, what can we do?" Yuan Shao said, "We can summon heroes from all sides, lead troops to the capital, and exterminate the eunuchs. The situation is urgent, and the Empress cannot refuse." He Jin was overjoyed and said, "This plan is great!" He immediately sent orders to various towns, summoning them to the capital. Chen Lin, a minor official, said, "It's not possible! As the saying goes, 'covering one's eyes to catch sparrows' is self-deception. Even small things cannot be deceived to achieve success, let alone national affairs? Now, General, relying on imperial power, holding the key to military power, with dragons and tigers at your feet, high and low in your heart: if you want to exterminate eunuchs, it's as easy as burning hair with a torch. But when should we quickly launch thunderbolts, exercise authority, and make decisions? Then heaven and man will follow. Instead, you are sending orders to the ministers outside, offending the capital, heroes gathering together, each with their own heart: this is called 'holding the handle of the spear upside down' and 'giving people a handle', the achievement will not be successful, and chaos will arise." He Jin laughed loudly and said, "This is the view of a coward!" Someone beside him applauded and laughed loudly, saying, "This matter is easy as turning one's hand over, why discuss it too much?" The crowd looked at him, and it was Cao Cao.

  Everyone saw Cao's calm and composed demeanor, then Yuan Shao asked: "What plan does Mengde have?" Cao said to He Jin and the others: "The calamity of eunuchs has existed since ancient times; however, the ruler should not grant them power and favor, leading to this situation. If you want to punish them, you should eliminate the source of evil, but handing it over to a prison officer is enough, why must you repeatedly summon outside troops? If you want to completely exterminate them, the matter will certainly be exposed. I think they will definitely fail. This is one plan, and there is another!" He Jin listened and said: "Mengde, please speak of the next plan!" Cao said: "Now Emperor Han's uncle Liu Bei is in Yizhou, you can issue an edict ordering Liu Bei to bring the Imperial Sword and enter the palace to behead Zhang Rang and the ten regular attendants. Even if Empress He is not pleased, there will be nothing she can do! After that, the Grand General and Emperor Han's uncle can jointly support a new ruler!" He Jin became angry: "Mengde's first plan harbors private intentions! The second plan wants to divide my power! You can quickly retreat!" Cao retreated saying: "Those who will throw the world into chaos are you." He secretly sent an envoy with a confidential edict, rushing to various towns at night.

  It can be seen from this point that Cao indeed deserves the evaluation of a capable minister who can govern the world!

  When you left me, did you have any reluctance!

  Every day at Dasheng Temple, I bow to Buddha and recite scriptures! You can be free!