After returning to his residence, Dong Zhuo immediately summoned Li Ru and Jia Xu, told them about Liu Bian's desire to recognize him as his adoptive father, and instructed them, "You will be in charge of tomorrow's father-recognition ceremony."
Li Ru and Jia Xu were both taken aback. Li Ru asked, "May I ask, my lord, what exactly is the purpose of this family reunion ceremony?"
They knew that Dong Zhuo had spent the night in the palace, but they never expected that Empress Dowager He would actually make Liu Bian recognize his father.
To ensure Liu Bian's secure throne, Empress Dowager He was truly willing to go to great lengths!
"Hmph! This woman wants to use our army to establish prestige for that brat Liu Bian!" Dong Zhuo sneered.
After a moment of contemplation, Li Ru advised, "My lord, this matter is probably not so simple."
"oh?"
Dong Zhuo stared at Li Ru in surprise.
Li Ru explained, "My lord, I think Empress Dowager He probably wants to emulate Empress Dowager Lü of yesteryear!"
Empress Lü Zhi ruled from behind the curtain and supported her own family, almost plunging the entire Han Dynasty into utter ruin.
Dong Zhuo, however, said nonchalantly, "Her? Does she have any powerful relatives? He Jin has already been assassinated by us. Who can she rely on?"
Empress Dowager He came from a poor background, and He Jin was also a brainless man. After He Jin's death, Empress Dowager He was left isolated and helpless.
Liu Xie had the support of Empress Dowager Dong, who was back then, and now the Grand Empress Dowager, so Empress Dowager He wanted to find another powerful ally!
When she heard that Dong Zhuo wanted to depose the emperor, she knew that things could not continue like this, which led to the passionate night last night.
Li Ru shook his head and sighed, "My lord, we deposed Liu Bian and installed Liu Xie in order to further control the court, but if we become Liu Bian's sworn brother..."
Li Ru didn't say it explicitly, but Dong Zhuo understood it.
"It's nothing! She's just a woman, I don't even consider her a threat!" Dong Zhuo said arrogantly, clearly not taking Empress Dowager He seriously.
Upon hearing this, Li Ru, though still worried, had no choice but to remain silent when he saw Dong Zhuo's resolute attitude.
Dong Zhuo had his own plans. As a strategist, his job was to resolve troubles for his lord.
In fact, Dong Zhuo was not worried about Empress Dowager He or Empress Dowager Dong at all.
What he was worried about were the ministers in the court, especially Xun Shuang and Yuan Wei.
The Xun family was very influential throughout the world, and Xun Shuang had countless disciples.
Needless to say, the Yuan family had countless disciples and students. Many officials in the country had been their retainers or students, and their influence was absolutely not to be underestimated.
Just think of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu was such a foolish man, yet many talented people still flocked to him. Wasn't that because he relied on the power of the Yuan family?
Moreover, Yuan Shu was the eldest son of the legitimate wife and the most likely successor to the Yuan family.
However, Yuan Shao was only a son of a concubine, yet many talented people joined him, and he conquered the four provinces of Qing, You, Bing, and Ji, becoming incredibly powerful for a time.
These are two powerful families that Dong Zhuo cannot afford to offend. Even with an army of 200,000, he would not dare to touch them easily.
If these two people were to stand up and oppose him, even if Dong Zhuo had the upper hand, he would probably pay a heavy price.
Moreover, Dong Zhuo's goal was to dominate the world and establish an unprecedented great cause. How could he destroy the foundation he had worked so hard to build because of Empress Dowager He?
Therefore, for this family reunion ceremony, it is essential that both Yuan Wei and Xun Shuang nod in approval, or even just one of them. Only in this way can the gossip of the people be silenced.
"Wenyou, immediately send someone to contact all the forces around us. I want to see which ministers will support us this time!" Dong Zhuo sneered, a cold glint flashing in the depths of his eyes.
Dong Zhuo was extremely ambitious; he wanted the whole world, so he wouldn't allow anyone to stop him.
"Yes, Your Majesty! I obey!"
Li Ru bowed, accepted the order, and withdrew.
Dong Zhuo also prepared generous gifts and went directly to Yuan Wei's residence.
Why didn't he go to Xun Shuang's residence first? Because Dong Zhuo knew Xun Shuang's character quite well. Xun Shuang was the head of Yingchuan Academy and a great Confucian scholar of the time. He would definitely not agree to such a thing.
Moreover, the Xun family had little influence in the court, since Xun Shuang usually did not get involved in factional struggles.
Upon arriving at the Yuan family's gate, the guards immediately greeted him respectfully: "Greetings, Your Excellency the Prime Minister!"
"Hmm! Is Grand Tutor Yuan at home?" Dong Zhuo asked casually.
"Yes, sir is at home! Please allow me to inform him!" the guard replied.
"Okay, go quickly!"
The guard immediately ran to the side hall of the Yuan family mansion and reported, "Reporting to the Grand Tutor, the Prime Minister requests an audience!"
Yuan Wei frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "Why is Dong Zhuo here?"
"Master, now that the Prime Minister has arrived, what do you think?" the steward asked.
Yuan Wei said, "Since you're here, we should naturally invite you in!"
Although the Yuan family was a prominent clan, they dared not be arrogant in the slightest when facing a powerful figure like Dong Zhuo who held immense influence in the court.
Dong Zhuo walked in very quickly.
The Yuan family members hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Excellency the Prime Minister!"
"No need for formalities!" Dong Zhuo waved his hand, signaling the Yuan family members to stand up.
Yuan Wei asked, puzzled, "What brings the Prime Minister to my humble abode so suddenly?"
Dong Zhuo chuckled and said, "Grand Tutor Yuan, I have come today to tell you some good news!"
The Yuan family members gave Dong Zhuo a strange look, thinking to themselves, "You're about to depose the emperor, what's there to be happy about?"
However, the Yuan family members did not reveal their thoughts and waited for Dong Zhuo's next move.
Dong Zhuo chuckled and said, "The Empress Dowager summoned me to the palace yesterday, saying she wanted His Majesty to recognize me as his adoptive father. After much consideration, I thought it was a good thing, so I agreed to the Empress Dowager's request!"
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
