This is a special edict.

Even though Qiao Yan, as the Governor of Bingzhou, was still young, and even though introducing such a strong foreign aid might bring other troubles, Late Emperor Liu Hong made this decision before his death.

However, there was a slight error. This edict to protect and eliminate rebels might not reach Qiao Yan’s hands.

So she was prepared in advance that she might not have this document.

But now, with this edict bestowed by the late Emperor, she had a more legitimate reason to march forward!

Bao Hong’s joy in bringing his troops was one thing, but bringing this edict was another joy!

She reached out and took the edict presented to her.

From Bao Hong’s perspective, he felt a subtle force initially placed upon the edict before it was firmly grasped by her hand.

She hesitated for a moment, then accepted this thing that seemed like a hot potato to Bao Hong.

“Captain Bao, rise. This is an edict, not a battle report. You are now a firsthand witness to the chaos in the capital, a captain directly under the late Emperor’s army, not just a messenger.”

Bao Hong belatedly realized that his posture resembled that of a soldier delivering a message to a general.

He immediately stood up awkwardly and smiled, “Forgive my rudeness before Marquis Qiao.”

Qiao Yan clearly didn’t pay much attention to this.

She gestured for them to sit down. “Please, inform me about the other situations in Luoyang.”

“Dong Zhuo’s entry into the capital, leveraging Yuan’s power and striking back, I already know about supporting the Emperor’s position with military might.

Although the formal documents haven’t reached me yet, Luoyang isn’t far from Bingzhou.

If I remain ignorant of this, it would truly be disrespectful to my position as Governor of Bingzhou and to the late Emperor’s trust.

I just want to know some information that wouldn’t appear in external reports, such as what instructions did His Majesty leave behind?”

In this drama of kings and subjects, what roles did these people play?

As soon as Qiao Yan sat down, she slammed her hand on the table.

Perhaps it was her youthful experience with military matters or the crimson cloak draped over her shoulders, making her look particularly bold and fiery.

Especially the resolute determination in her eyes and expression, intensified this impression.

This made her subsequent questioning full of inquiries and accusations, “How dare Yuan Shu set fire to the palace, disregarding the dignity of the royal family!”

In this ongoing drama of exchanges, she continued with a tone of challenge,

“Dong Zhuo, who carried the banner of righteousness, may not be the most culpable party in this situation.”

Without Yuan Shao’s instigation and He Jin’s permission, although he has recruited many talents within the Liangzhou region, he has not yet had the opportunity to enter the capital under the restraint of Huangfu Song.

And if it weren’t for Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao, and others burning down the Southern Palace in Luoyang, why would Zhang Rang and others flee with Liu Xie and Liu Bian to Beimang Mountain, giving Dong Zhuo the chance to mediate and come out on top?

Qiao Yan was well aware of this.

In this process of power transition, everyone had their own thoughts, which was completely normal.

Some of them might not just have thoughts but ambitions.

But now she had to ask!

Zheng Tai seemed to have found a kindred spirit and recounted in detail what happened in He Jin’s mansion that day, adding, “The Grand General thought that with the soldiers recruited by Ding Yuan and Bao Xin in the east under his command, they could coordinate with Dong Zhuo’s movements. But before they could recruit soldiers and return, Dong Zhuo had already advanced eastward. From what I saw in Hedian County before entering Bingzhou, there was no balance as such.”

“What Chen Kongzhang said was right. There aren’t so many deceptions in this world. The affairs of the state cannot be based on deception, but now the bitter consequences…”

…have been seen by the Yuan clan.

“Mr. Gongye, please be careful with your words,” Qiao Yan interrupted.

Zheng Tai realized that Qiao Yan was not stopping him from expressing dissatisfaction with the Yuan clan but was implying that if the affair was indeed deceptive, then Liu Hong’s plan to lure He Jin into the palace before his death would also be criticized accordingly.

He cleared his throat and said, “I spoke out of turn. Marquis Qiao, please forgive me. It’s just that the sudden changes in Luoyang have left me feeling unsettled.”

Now, Yuan Wei and Yuan Ji from the Yuan clan in Luoyang were strictly monitored by Dong Zhuo.

Dong Zhuo also accused them of treason to elevate his own status.

Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao fled, one to Nanyang and the other to Jizhou, which was a typical case of inviting trouble.

However, this was clearly not enough to absolve them of the responsibility they should bear for starting this chaotic chapter.

Qiao Yan toyed with the jade hilt on her fingertip while listening to Bi Lan and Bao Hong recount the late Emperor’s arrangements.

Liu Hong’s will…

If Liu Yu and Lu Zhi could really control the situation, after He Jin’s death and before Dong Zhuo entered the capital, it might indeed have been possible for Liu Xie to successfully ascend the throne.

But unfortunately, there are no ‘ifs’ in this world.

If Liu Hong’s plan were to succeed, it could only be left in an environment where the authority of the Han Dynasty had not yet weakened to this extent, such plans only appeared fraught with uncertainty.

The proposer of this plan was Liu Hong himself, who narrowly avoided becoming a casualty in the fire at Nangong.

It was only because Zhang Rang remembered to bring his body along that he escaped calamity.

Later, after Dong Zhuo assisted this group, Liu Hong’s body was placed in a carriage and sent to be buried at Wenling.

As for the two regents—

Lu Zhi had been at a disadvantage in the arms struggle within Luoyang, which Qiao Yan saw as quite normal.

Fortunately, he was unharmed and has now gone to reside temporarily in Jizhou.

Why Jizhou instead of Youzhou?

During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Liu Bei earned merit and was appointed as a clerk of military supplies in Qinghe County.

Perhaps it was because he was well-suited to the area’s Feng Shui.

As Liu Hong gradually reclaimed official positions from those who had achieved merit during the rebellion, Liu Bei’s excellent performance in office spared him from dismissal.

He is now the Magistrate of Qinghe County, subordinate only to the County Prefect.

Lu Zhi intended to stabilize the situation in Luoyang and wouldn’t stray too far, hence he went to stay temporarily with Liu Bei.

Cao Cao, who assisted Lu Zhi in battle, has now returned home between Qiao and Pei to recruit soldiers and officers.

As for Liu Yu, he was intercepted midway and never confronted Dong Zhuo directly.

Naturally, Dong Zhuo didn’t want Liu Yu to come to the capital.

But just as he was consolidating his position in the capital, he didn’t want to offend these royal relatives either.

So he made a decision: Liu Yu was appointed as Grand Marshal, ranking above the Three Excellencies but not holding a position in the court.

Instead, he would oversee Youzhou while residing there.

Of course, Dong Zhuo didn’t like being subordinate to other ministers either.

With Liu Yu as Grand Marshal and Governor of Youzhou, it was clear his status was higher.

On the same day, he also decided to elevate his own status by appointing himself as Grand Commandant and former General, awarding himself additional honors and titles to enhance his prestige.

Compared to Liu Hong’s plans relying on unexpected events not occurring, every step Dong Zhuo took since leaving Luoyang had been bold yet calculated.

Even from Qiao Yan’s position, judging by his actions over the past ten days, it was unlikely anyone could have managed better.

Upon hearing Bao Hong inquire about when Marquis Qiao would raise troops in accordance with the late Emperor’s decree, Qiao Yan pondered for a while before asking, “The current Emperor on the throne is the intended successor of the late Emperor. The only thing lacking is the title of regent. If troops are raised now to restore order, would it be a revival of the Yuan clan’s.”

“Is there any complaint?”

This question wasn’t just directed at Bao Hong, but also at Zheng Tai.

He was known both as a hero of Xingyang and as a member of the gentry.

His views on Dong Zhuo’s actions were seen by Lady Qiao as more influential than those of the others under her command.