As He Jin led his men to the walls of the South Palace, all he saw was Luoyang’s South Palace guarded like a fortress.

He spotted Zhang Rang’s head peeking over the battlements and scoffed, “What’s your intention, Lord Zhang?”

He couldn’t help but mock the other’s foolishness.

According to his sources, His Majesty had likely passed away in the last day or two.

Even with tight security here to prevent any coercion or disrespect, allowing Liu Hong to smoothly announce the edict—establishing Liu Xie as successor—was unnecessary with military power in hand.

Moreover, Liu Bian was still the eldest legitimate son.

Even if He Jin faced criticism for surrounding the imperial city with troops, as long as he could swiftly deny Zhang Rang’s fabricated edict claiming Liu Xie’s ascension and prove the Emperor was incapacitated during the drafting of the succession decree, Liu Bian could still ascend the throne.

Furthermore, if Liu Hong passed away, Empress He would naturally become the Empress Dowager.

In the current climate where the Empress Dowager had authority to name the heir, Liu Bian’s ascension would be even more justified.

He Jin didn’t care about his reputation.

He could simply blockade the South Palace until supplies ran out, forcing Zhang Rang to surrender.

By holding the palace walls now, He Jin could at most delay the inevitable for a few more days.

It was a struggle of trapped beasts!

He heard Zhang Rang on the wall ask, “Is the Emperor still alive? Does the Grand General really intend to rebel?”

He Jin, unusually articulate, replied, “I dare not accept such accusations. I am only concerned that the Emperor is under the control of eunuchs like yourselves and wish to rescue him from peril.”

There was silence from the wall for a while.

Then He Jin heard Zhang Rang return to the wall and say, “His Majesty summons Grand General and General Dong Chong to see him.”

Before He Jin could respond, Zhang Rang preemptively asked, “If the Grand General is only wary of us eunuchs, surely you wouldn’t even suspect General Dong Chong. Are you going to obstruct His Majesty’s orders?”

It was a bold statement.

However, Dong Chong was not beneath that wall at that moment.

He Jin had a gut feeling that Liu Hong wanted to find Dong Chong, likely still intent on placing Liu Xie on the throne, and seeking Dong Chong’s support.

Yet He Jin also realized that whatever orders His Majesty gave to Dong Chong, the methods he used against Zhang Rang and the eunuchs could just as well be used against Dong Chong.

Once he arrives, can he really change the situation?

He Jin looked behind him and saw that, except for Zheng Tai, who had resigned, everyone else, even those who had previously opposed his decision to bring Dong Zhuo to the capital, were now gathered behind him.

This gave him the strongest backing in resisting the Emperor’s succession decree.

It was truly a scene of advantage for him.

With this in mind, he waved his hand to signal someone to deliver a message to Dong Chong, summoning him to come here.

Compared to He Jin, who came prepared with troops to surround the area, Dong Chong seemed as if he had hastily donned his official attire.

Though he had some courage, he couldn’t help feeling resentful that His Majesty had placed him in this position.

He wasn’t a fool; he could see that this position was merely a tool for Liu Hong to divide the Grand General’s authority.

But as He Jin’s power circle solidified around him, Dong Chong not only wouldn’t gain much power but might become a target in He Jin’s eyes.

Upon hearing that he was summoned by the Emperor once again, Dong Chong gazed at the palace walls and couldn’t help but feel a sense of being manipulated by His Majesty.

But at this moment, he couldn’t help but consider that if He Jin successfully placed Liu Bian on the throne and then launched a purge against the opposing faction of the Empress Dowager’s relatives, Dong Chong wouldn’t survive no matter what.

In that case, he thought, it might be better to see if the Emperor had any other plans that could help him and Prince Xie through the current crisis.

If Liu Xie could ascend the throne, then Dong Chong would undoubtedly become the next Grand General, finally turning his fortunes around!

With this faint hope in mind, under He Jin’s watchful gaze, Dong Chong entered the South Palace and was led by Zhang Rang into the Jiade Hall.

Inside the palace where the Emperor had been bedridden for so long, there hung a melancholic atmosphere mingled with the smell of various medicines.

Dong Chong felt as if a heavy stone weighed upon his heart.

Through layers of curtains, he looked towards the direction of the bed, where faintly illuminated by dim candles, he could make out a figure lying there.

Strangely, unlike the frequent coughing he had heard before, now it was so quiet that he almost doubted if anyone was truly lying there.

A sense of unease crept over him.

Normally, Liu Hong should have made some sound by now, but not only was there silence, even the sound of breathing seemed absent in the Jiade Hall.

Already vanished.

Could it be…?

“Dong Chong, this is His Majesty’s decree.” Zhao Zhong interrupted Dong Chong’s thoughts, presenting a decree to him at that moment.

Dong Chong hesitated as he took it, initially feeling bewildered and fearful.

However, upon reading the first sentences of the decree that intended to crown Liu Xie as emperor, his fear turned into wild joy.

Since His Majesty had decided to enthrone his younger son, there must be corresponding measures.

But as he read further, he came across this sentence:

“[I hope Dong Chong will prioritize the state, sacrificing himself. If this succeeds, your younger brother will be appointed as the Grand General for my son Liu Xie.]”

Dong Chong’s pupils contracted.

Before he could react, Jia Shuo, whom Liu Hong had often praised for his bravery, already had a blade in hand and swung it from behind, ending Dong Chong’s life with a single stroke.

His unspoken words were choked in his throat, with blood spraying onto the decree from the severed neck.

He lost consciousness completely, crashing to the ground.

In that split second, his final thought was:

“Your Majesty… Why?”

“Why such cruelty!”

Clearly, the thought wasn’t just Dong Chong’s alone, as Jia Shuo, trembling with the axe in his hand, lifted it for the first time against a high-ranking court official.

His hands shook uncontrollably.

But they knew survival depended on following His Majesty’s plan.

Zhao Zhong glared at Jia Shuo, who hastily delivered another blow to Dong Chong’s head, severing it and wrapping it in cloth.

They returned with Zhang Rang to the palace walls.

Jia Shuo felt the bundle burning in his hands.

Upon seeing the troops below the wall, he regained some composure.

He Jin, confident of his victory, looked towards the palace with a hint of sadistic pleasure.

Facing such a gaze, Jia Shuo took a deep breath and dropped the bundle.

He Jin anticipated the drama of a dying struggle, but suddenly saw a bloody bundle fall from the wall, rolling to his horse’s hooves.

The loosely tied bundle came undone, revealing the head inside.

Despite the dusk setting in, there was enough light for He Jin to clearly see the head belonged to Dong Chong, who had just entered the South Palace!

The expression of shock frozen on Dong Chong’s face indicated he hadn’t expected this fate.

He Jin startled, causing his steed to step back a few paces.

His face showed genuine surprise as he looked up at the wall.

He immediately shouted, “Zhang Rang! What is the meaning of this?”

Even though it seemed like good news to him, it was also incredibly shocking!

He then heard a voice from behind a parapet on the wall, weaker than before and filled with emotional weariness.

Zhang Rang replied, “General He, inside this palace, hundreds and thousands of people are fighting for their lives. Though I am a eunuch without descendants, I have brothers and relatives who also wish to survive!”

He continued, “General, may I ask you a question? If you were to fulfill the wishes of those around you and eradicate us eunuchs completely, would they still respect you as they do now, or see you merely as a tool to be discarded once used?”

“General, do not listen to him—” Yuan Shao began, but He Jin raised a hand to silence him.

On the wall, Zhang Rang continued, “And if you still carry the burden of being the one who forced the palace to make way for Prince Bian’s ascension, remember, words of scholars can cut deeper than any blade. Won’t they criticize and undermine you until you’re ousted from power?”

He Jin’s brow furrowed.

Zhang Rang’s words echoed He Jin’s own fears.

Due to the continued good behavior of these people towards him and the control he held over the Northern Army’s five divisions, He Jin temporarily suppressed his worries.

His top priority now was to secure Liu Bian’s ascension.

He listened as Zhang Rang continued, “I won’t hide the truth from General He. The Emperor has already passed away. If you doubt this, you can send your attendants to the South Palace to view His Majesty’s remains. Our honor as court officials hangs on His Majesty alone now. We have no choice but to seek refuge with General He for survival.”

“As for General Dong Chong’s death in His Majesty’s Jiade Hall, the reason for his execution, General may speak for himself. Even though we hold the decree for Prince Xie to inherit the throne, we can hand it over to General He.”

Zhang Rang paused briefly, as if struggling to restrain his desperate plea for survival.

“We have made one move against General He. If he does not accept us, we can only follow the late Emperor in death. But if General He considers joining us, there will be no regrets!”

“You need not sow discord at this moment,” He Jin masked his inner turmoil, glancing at Dong Chong’s severed head before returning his gaze to the wall. “What conditions do you propose? I am not opposed to embracing those who abandon darkness for light.”

Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao exchanged worried glances.

They knew He Jin’s seemingly impartial words concealed his susceptibility to Zhang Rang’s persuasion.

Zhang Rang continued from the wall, “Please allow General He to send two hundred men to the South Palace to witness His Majesty’s remains and the decree for Prince Xie’s ascension. After assisting Prince Bian’s enthronement, let the new ruler issue a decree ensuring our safety. At that point—”

“We will destroy all evidence detrimental to General He and Prince Bian,” Zhang Rang emphasized each word, “and pledge allegiance only to General He and the new Emperor.”

He Jin, contemplating his response, asked, “What are your intentions, then?”