The South Palace was on fire!

Lu Zhi watched Cao Cao leave, then mounted his horse and looked towards the growing fire with a worried expression.

Even if it was just an accidental fire, it was not good news.

After the fire in the second year of Zhongping, there were rumors in Luoyang that the current emperor lacked virtue, causing heaven’s fire to descend.

At a time of imperial transition, such rumors were especially damaging.

If the fire was set intentionally, it would be even worse!

The walls of the imperial city were both a barrier and a symbol of imperial power. Setting a fire was a blatant act of disrespect and provocation towards the royal authority.

No one expected such an incident at this critical moment.

At least, it was not part of Emperor Liu Hong’s plan.

Lu Zhi, who had the merit of quelling the rebellion in Jiujiang and capturing Zhang Jiao during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, was appointed Minister of War by Liu Hong, despite the emperor’s fear of his military prowess.

As a senior official in the inner court, Lu Zhi was well-qualified for his central advisory role.

Having studied under the renowned Confucian scholar Ma Rong, Lu Zhi was also highly knowledgeable and had many disciples.

In terms of official position, achievements, and personal strength, Lu Zhi was well-suited for his role as a senior minister.

However, at the moment when He Jin entered the South Palace only to be killed, the aristocratic families, eager to eliminate the eunuchs and return to the pre-persecution state, were not deterred by Zhang Rang’s call to wait for Lu Zhi and Liu Yu to arrive and make a decision.

When Yuan Shao asked if this was the best opportunity to act, Yuan Shu glanced at the heads of Dong Chong and He Jin on the ground and quickly made his choice.

More precisely, he looked at Dong Chong’s head.

At this moment, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, He Miao, was holding He Jin’s head and crying loudly.

Yuan Shu despised this maternal relative, but at this moment, He Miao was still a useful tool.

The eunuchs wanted to follow the late emperor’s wish and enthrone Liu Xie, but they needed a legitimate reason, or at least a pretext, to do so.

For instance, Liu Bian.

Yuan Shu said, “General, this is not the time to cry. If we allow them to delay, and Prince Xie ascends the throne, those usurpers will become ministers to the new emperor. Even though they killed the Grand Commandant and the Grand General, they can justify it as a temporary expedient.”

“Your family is not limited to Dong Chong. There can still be a new Grand General. But what will you do then, General?”

He Miao’s crying stopped abruptly.

His sister, Empress He, was originally selected from the common people to enter the palace.

The He family, though they had some money at the time, did not have the intricate clan connections.

If Liu Xie ascended to the throne, Empress Dowager Dong might seek retribution against them for Dong Zhuo’s death.

They wouldn’t have any ability to resist the risk.

Today it’s He Jin who died, tomorrow it will be He Miao!

No, even if they had a clan background, it wouldn’t help.

Even after Empress He’s death, Emperor Han’an, who truly held power, purged the Deng clan entirely.

Despite Empress He’s advice to her relatives to keep a low profile, they couldn’t escape the emperor’s wrath.

How could He Miao be any different?

With each new emperor, the court changes.

That’s always been the truth.

He wiped away his tears and turned to Yuan Shu, asking, “General, don’t say much for now. Just tell me what to do.”

Yuan Shu pointed toward the palace gates and said, “We suspect the eunuchs’ edicts are forged. General He saw through their deception and was killed. If we let their treachery succeed, the authority of Han will be controlled by these traitors!”

“Disorder in hierarchy and morality leads to disaster. At this critical moment, we must act without hesitation. Even if it means violating rituals and laws, it’s necessary to ensure the prosperity of Han.”

“Let’s storm the Southern Palace, capture and execute Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and their sycophants, rescue the prince, and support the rightful heir of the empress!”

He Miao knew Yuan Shu’s words were partly for his own benefit.

If Zhang Rang and others dared to invite Lu Zhi and Liu Yu to assist the new emperor, there might be some truth to it, but…

He had to fight for his own life too!

Now that these respectable people from prominent families had given him reasons to act, what more did he have to hesitate about?

To hesitate was to die.

Offending imperial authority would at worst result in punishment.

When faced with two evils, a butcher would even make this choice!

However…

“General, although I’ve made up my mind,” He Miao, with a bitter expression, turned to Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, “within the Southern Palace in Luoyang, there are many loyal followers of Zhang Rang from the Western Armies Eight Division. Plus, they have the advantage of high ground. It won’t be easy for us to break through.”

“No, it’s easy,” Yuan Shao looked toward the palace walls without much panic, responding first.

If Cao Cao had been in the Southern Palace earlier, based on his understanding of their abilities, perhaps they would have caused him some trouble.

But just now, they received news that Cao Cao had broken through and escaped from there.

Clearly, they were searching for Lu Zhi, which made things easier.

Among these eunuchs, even Jiao Shuo, who had been entrusted by Liu Hong and elevated to the top position among the Western Armies Eight Colonels, had not experienced much real combat.

This wasn’t something that bravery alone could change.

Just a paper tiger!

Yuan Shu continued, “Yes, we will set fire to it.”

“Set… set it on fire?” He Miao was utterly shocked.

But his opinion clearly didn’t matter much.

Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu only needed his supportive stance.

Despite He Jin’s foolishness, his strategic trust in military commanders had won him the loyalty of many who had risen through his ranks from humble beginnings.

For instance, at this moment, upon hearing Yuan Shu’s plan to set fire, Wu Kuang, Zhang Zhang, and others under He Jin’s command had already stepped forward.

These reckless men adhered to a principle of vengeance, caring little for the dignity of imperial authority at this moment.

While He Miao hesitated, flames had already engulfed the gates of the Southern Palace.

Once this initiative was taken, he could only grit his teeth and proceed.

If he could become the Grand General of Han after this transgression, it would all be worth it!

This fire also terrified the defenders and Zhang Rang within the Southern Palace.

Simultaneously, Yuan Shao quickly had Yuan Wei brought to the scene.

As a former Three Excellencies and currently in the position of Grand Tutor, he shouted a resounding slogan—

“Execute the eunuchs in accordance with the late Emperor’s edict!”

Yuan Wei didn’t actually possess any late Emperor’s edict, but they could fix that later!

Now, speed was crucial to breaking the deadlock, not bureaucratic procedures.

Unnoticed during this decision to attack, Dong Min quietly instructed one of his trusted men, who swiftly departed on horseback.

Dong Min, though lacking personal prowess, understood the gravity of the situation and needed to inform Dong Zhuo, not far from Luoyang.

Everyone had their own agenda, so no one followed the script.

If Liu Hong witnessed this scene, he might regret that by selling official positions and titles, he had turned imperial authority into a fragile illusion.

He believed that Zhang Rang and others loyal only to imperial authority hadn’t betrayed him, strictly following his plans.

But now… they couldn’t hold the Southern Palace!

They couldn’t even protect the precarious dignity of the Han Emperor!

As the fire outside the Southern Palace spread into the city walls, the thunderous crash of the first collapsed gate, Qingzuo Gate, echoed mournfully.

It seemed the cries weren’t just from the palace chambers or the crumbling gates, but from a dynasty finally reaching its end.

The flames illuminated the night sky, striking fear into the guards and eunuchs within the Southern Palace.

“They’re mad, all of them are mad!” Zhang Rang muttered, stepping back.

At this moment, how could he not see that the greatest unexpected event had already disrupted the late Emperor’s plans?

Yet, he still had some cunning left.

He decisively made two decisions.

Earlier, to prevent He Jin from seizing it directly, he had hidden the imperial seal.

Even now, amidst the fire, it would remain concealed.

Now, all he had left to do was…

He swiftly placed a decree into the hands of Bao Hong. “Colonel Bao, you have prior connections with Marquis Qiao. Under the current circumstances, the Emperor’s contingency plan must be implemented.

Take your men and head straight for Bingzhou.

As soon as Marquis Qiao returns from beyond the borders, immediately have her lead the Armies of Bingzhou to protect the capital!”

“Do you understand?”

Zhang Rang’s tone was urgent, but he made the instructions clear.

The late Emperor had been wary of Marquis Qiao, but now, only she had the ability to overpower all adversaries!

Bao Hong had often traveled to Bingzhou, making him the least likely to provoke misunderstanding by rashly entering.

He was undoubtedly the best choice to relay this message.

With no time to determine if Bao Hong might be someone else’s pawn, Zhang Rang had no choice but to trust him with this responsibility.

Fortunately, Bao Hong had no ulterior motives.

He immediately tucked the imperial decree into his bosom and departed as ordered.

Meanwhile, Zhang Rang, accompanied by Jiao Shuo, swiftly carried the late Emperor’s body and the two princes, intending to retreat through the straight path between the Northern and Southern Palaces, aiming to rendezvous with Lu Zhi’s forces.

But Luoyang’s Southern Palace was vast, and their decision couldn’t spread quickly enough to everyone.