The setting sun was like blood.

A thick, dark cloud drifted over Luoyang, making the world seem even darker.

A dark atmosphere permeated the air; beneath the seemingly peaceful surface, undercurrents were surging.

Inside and outside Luoyang, various forces were stirring with ambition.

Dong Zhuo's army, Yuan Shu's army, Lü Bu's army, the imperial army, and Liu Wei's million-strong army at the eight passes of Luoyang!

Inside the palace, Empress Dowager He also intuitively sensed that the internal and external situations were undergoing subtle changes every moment.

Now, despite having nominal power over life and death, able to decide the fate of others with a single word, she still clings to the young emperor as her lifeline.

However, if those ministers abandon them and disobey her, the Empress Dowager, everything will be in vain.

Empress Dowager He understood Liu Hong's helplessness at that time.

Their power was usurped, and they and their son were at the mercy of others.

But she had no choice in getting to where she is today.

If Liu Hong hadn't died sooner, Liu Bian wouldn't have been able to take the throne so early.

If she didn't take in the Ten Attendants, she wouldn't have the power to control.

However, once He Jin died, the situation became like a runaway horse, completely out of control.

Whether it was the Yuan family or warlords like Dong Zhuo, they all treated Empress Dowager He and her son as puppets and marionettes.

Even Liu Wei, under the guise of avenging his father and killing the Poisonous Empress, secretly took away the Prince of Chenliu, intending to depose the young emperor and install the Prince of Chenliu in his place—these were all pretexts.

In Empress Dowager He's eyes, they were all just after their own power!

She had originally hoped that Dong Zhuo and Liu Wei would fight each other so that she could reap the benefits, but the appearance of Liu Wei's million-strong army shattered Empress He's dream.

She couldn't find anyone she could rely on or trust, except for the eunuchs around her.

"Eunuch Wang, which two sides are fighting in the great battle outside the city? And what unusual movements have the Grand Tutor and Grand Preceptor made?"

Empress Dowager He asked Wang Zhen, who was standing beside her.

These eunuchs had no other source of income except for her.

Therefore, they were the most loyal to Empress Dowager He.

"Your Majesty, it is said that the army of the King of Yunzhong has crossed the Yellow River and sent cavalry to attack the camp of the Grand Tutor of Beiman Mountain."

"The two sides are now locked in a fierce battle."

"The Grand Tutor said he's summoning his ministers to discuss how to respond! I suppose the Grand Preceptor and the others will be there too!"

Wang Zhen cautiously reported, "However, a servant also reported that the Grand Commandant and the Minister of Works went to the residence of the ***."

"What are they doing at the *** residence?" Empress Dowager He asked.

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten that during the grand court assembly at the beginning of the year, *** and the King of Yunzhong were very close!"

"Liu Hua is starting to get restless. I remember when she brought her daughter and said she wanted to marry His Majesty, but I refused and they even argued."

Empress Dowager He said bitterly, "Yuan Feng and Wang Yun went to meet her in private. Could it be that they wanted to collude with Liu Wei through Liu Hua?"

“Your Majesty, isn’t it obvious?” Wang Zhen said.

"When disaster strikes, they want to abandon us and pledge allegiance to a new master. These hypocrites who claim to be loyal ministers have always been the weakest link in the knees." Empress Dowager He's phoenix eyebrows furrowed, her face contorted with rage.

"Your Majesty, we must take action; we cannot allow ourselves to be manipulated!"

Wang Zhen hurriedly said, "Once they reach an agreement with Liu Wei, I'm worried they'll send the Empress Dowager and His Majesty to the King of Yunzhong."

"Don't even think about it! I'd rather hang myself than let them succeed!" Empress Dowager He stood up angrily.

"Your Majesty, do not panic!"

Wang Zhen hurriedly advised, "Things haven't reached that dead end yet. Since they disregard the Empress Dowager, we can't be polite to them!"

"But now, the imperial army is in the hands of the Yuan family. Loyal ministers of His Majesty have been sidelined and neglected by the Yuan family, and have no military power. What should we do?" Empress Dowager He looked desperate.

"Empress Dowager, if the Yuan family and the King of Yunzhong are colluding, who will be worried?" Wang Zhen said.

"Grand Tutor?"

“That’s right. At this moment, the Grand Tutor must be even more anxious than we are! If we tell the Grand Tutor this news, he will definitely take some action.”

Empress Dowager He pondered for a moment and said, "If the Grand Tutor and the Grand Preceptor's factions start fighting, what should we do?"

"Your Majesty may issue an imperial edict ordering the Western Garden Army, the Yuzhou Army, and the five schools of the Northern Camp to come and protect you, and also to appoint Lu Zhi and other loyal ministers."

"His Majesty is the current emperor, the only legitimate emperor. Do they dare to rebel?"

Wang Zhen's analysis immediately enlightened Empress Dowager He, and her eyes lit up.

Even when Liu Wei stormed into Luoyang, he only used the pretext of pacifying the country's crisis, and dared not admit that he wanted to rebel.

Even if he wanted to support the Prince of Chenliu, the Imperial Seal, which represents the imperial power, was still in the hands of Empress Dowager He and others. Not many people supported Liu Wei's actions!

Unless the young emperor voluntarily relinquishes it, it can only be done legitimately.

Otherwise, if Liu Wei himself had ambitions to become emperor, he wouldn't have first supported the Prince of Chenliu!

"Eunuch Wang, you must handle this matter immediately and make sure the Grand Tutor is informed."

"I will immediately instruct His Majesty to issue an edict to Lu Zhi and other ministers loyal to the Han Dynasty."

Empress Dowager He was already impatient.

......

An hour later, the sun hung on the western mountain peak, and the world grew darker and darker.

The battle at the foot of Mount Beiman has ended.

Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun, and Liu Du's 6,500 cavalrymen, at the cost of a total of 1,000 men, almost completely annihilated Li Meng's 5,000 cavalrymen who were left to cover the rear.

Li Meng himself was also killed by Zhao Yun with a single spear thrust.

After losing 1,000 men, Wang Fang's 5,000 cavalrymen managed to escape and headed east to catch up with the 30,000-strong army of Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, Fan Chou, and others who had already left.

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