Leaving Yangjiazhuang in Hongnong.
Liu Wei and his group did not enter Hongnong City, but headed directly east.
Before long, they arrived at Hangu Pass. The general guarding the pass was astonished to see such a well-disciplined army below the city.
Upon seeing the ceremonial guards and flags, the general guarding the pass conducted a series of inquiries.
He had not received any notification that Liu Wei and his party could be allowed to enter the country.
But seeing Liu Wei's guards, their soldiers were all menacing and fierce, their horses gleaming with armor!
Only after Liu Wei produced the imperial edict did the guards bow and respectfully welcome him into Hangu Pass.
As Liu Wei passed through the long gate of Hangu Pass, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Hangu Pass is in the west, and Hulao Pass is in the east. One is in the east and the other in the west, guarding the eastern and western gates of Luoyang.
As a strategic pass west of Luoyang, Hangu Pass was naturally a formidable and difficult pass to cross.
The city walls are tall and imposing, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.
Entering the Luoshui Basin and heading straight for Luoyang, whether from the east or the west, is not an easy task.
After passing through Hangu Pass, Liu Wei did not linger and headed directly for Luoyang, the capital of the present-day Han Dynasty.
As soon as his party entered Hangu Pass, spies reported their whereabouts to the General's Mansion and the Palace in Luoyang.
The General's Mansion naturally had nothing to say. He Jin and his staff were busy contacting ministers, intending to pressure Liu Hong at the upcoming grand court assembly to expedite the establishment of an heir apparent.
After Empress He and Empress Dowager Dong, their minds became even more restless.
Empress He knew that this time she would be the closest she had ever been to Liu Wei.
Previously, in other places, she had tried every possible means to kill Liu Wei.
The person she wants to kill has already arrived in Luoyang, making this an excellent opportunity no matter what.
The day before yesterday, a man disguised as a eunuch actually came before her, which greatly shocked Empress He.
He Miao had an ear cut off while in Liu Wei's hands, and then it was presented to Empress He.
Liu Wei's men were able to move freely within the imperial city.
If Liu Wei were to have someone take Empress He's life in her dreams one day, Empress He might not be able to wake up.
Since this incident, Empress He has hired several times more guards to protect the outer perimeter of Yong'an Palace, ensuring that not even a fly can get in.
Because of this incident, Eunuch Du went blind and was driven out of the palace to fend for himself.
Empress He promoted a eunuch surnamed Wang to replace Eunuch Du in handling affairs.
However, this Eunuch Wang was quite different from Eunuch Du; he was not as understanding.
Empress He felt very uncomfortable all day long.
Now that I hear Liu Wei is about to arrive in Luoyang, I don't know what to do.
"Your Majesty, I think we should wait and see how things develop, and let Liu Wei run wild in Luoyang for a few days."
"What you need to do now is listen to the general's advice, make peace with the princess, and win over the clan's power for your own use."
Although Eunuch Wang was not as well-versed in Empress He's preferences as Eunuch Du, he was able to read between the lines and immediately tell her what she needed to do first.
"You are absolutely right!"
Upon being reminded by Eunuch Wang, Empress He immediately nodded and said, "Issue my imperial decree to summon the Princess to the palace."
"Your Majesty, why don't you travel simply and visit the Fu family to show your sincerity?" Eunuch Wang suggested again.
"That wretched Liu Hua, why should I, the Empress, have the honor of visiting her?" Empress He said angrily.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. With a formidable enemy at hand, we must prioritize the greater good," Eunuch Wang advised.
"The bigger picture, the bigger picture! Humph!"
Empress He stamped her foot, but thinking of the chance that her son Liu Bian could ascend the throne smoothly, she could only swallow her anger.
When my son becomes emperor, all those who displease her will be killed without exception!
"Eunuch Wang, please make the arrangements. We'll go to the Princess's place now."
Meanwhile, at Yongle Palace.
Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong came together to see Empress Dowager Dong, saying that Liu Wei was almost in Luoyang.
At the same time, Empress Dowager Dong also learned that Liu Wei had entered Hangu Pass and would arrive in Luoyang that night.
"Liu Wei is quite bold; I heard he only brought a hundred guards to Luoyang."
"Isn't he afraid that that bitch He Hui will harm him?"
It seems that this old lady is out of touch with the world and doesn't pay much attention to what Liu Wei is up to.
However, she didn't need to pay much attention to Liu Wei's movements; their biggest rival was Empress He.
Zhang Rang said from the side, "Empress Dowager, this prince has clashed with the Empress and the others. Wouldn't it be better for us if they fought to the death?"
"We just need to sit back and watch the tigers fight, and then reap the benefits."
"That's excellent!"
Zhao Zhong replied, "I have some inside information that the General is trying to win over senior officials in the court, preparing to force His Majesty to establish an heir at the Grand Court Assembly."
"That day, I heard His Majesty tell the Princess that the heir apparent would be decided this month."
Empress Dowager Dong was lounging on the bed, enjoying a massage from Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, when she heard this and immediately sat up straight:
"Has His Majesty already decided to make the Prince of Hongnong the Crown Prince? Is there no hope left for the Prince of Chenliu?"
Zhao Zhong quickly advised:
"Your Majesty, His Majesty only said that he has decided on the heir apparent, but did not say who it would be."
"The outcome is not decided until the very last moment."
"This servant believes that the power of our palace alone is not enough; we need talented people among the high-ranking local officials, such as the governors."
"Otherwise, once the new emperor is confirmed, we will all become thorns in He Jin's side, and we will need to have the power to confront him."
Empress Dowager Dong gritted her teeth and said, "He Jin, that butcher, holds great power, and the Three Dukes are just figureheads. The Grand Tutor, the Grand Commandant, the Minister of Works, the Minister of Education, and the Censor-in-Chief are all very shrewd, and they all collude with He Jin or are willing to be his servants."
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