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“Can the strategist not ascend the throne?”
Chapter 116: The Son of Heaven is gravely ill.
From the fifth to the sixth year of Zhongping, winter rolled in, and thanks to the yield per mu from Suiyuan City, agricultural promotions were in full swing within Bingzhou.
As families settled in for a stable year, Qin Yu was busy supervising the district officials, ensuring the district farming methods were properly taught.
When the news of Liu Hong’s serious illness reached Qiao Yan, she surprisingly felt less anxious about the impending crisis.
And really, there was no reason for her to feel that way.
Now, there weren’t many external threats in Bingzhou.
The only concern was Shuo Fang County, where she promptly sent Zhao Yun to handle things.
Zhao Yun teamed up with Linghu Shao to keep an eye on the Western Qiang, who might retaliate against Huangfu Song. Besides retreating to the east towards Ma Teng and Han Sui’s Liangzhou, they could also head for Shuo Fang County.
As for the inner workings of Bingzhou, the increase in food production per mu and the academic shift towards Leping had already instilled a sense of loyalty among the populace.
Liu Hong had no capacity to concern himself with the isolated powers like Qiao Yan; he was preoccupied with the circumstances within Luoyang, which only made her situation a bit more secure.
The only worry on her mind was—
At what moment should she quietly vanish, ensuring she wouldn’t become a tool for chaos when Liu Hong breathed his last?
The course of history, particularly matters of life and death, held too many uncertainties for an emperor who couldn’t boast a peaceful end. Just relying on Qiao Yan’s recollection of his expiry date, alongside her scattered contacts in Luoyang, would not suffice for accurate monitoring.
So, she needed an external ally, or perhaps an internal one.
Those four characters, “The Son of Heaven is gravely ill,” were penned with elegance yet firmness, indeed coming from Ma Lun.
Two months before, Qiao Yan had sent her a letter, and she only received a reply today, which was completely within her expectations.
Having this response at this moment was already sufficient.
For Ma Lun, holding the post of Grand Historian was her first step in breaking free from the shackles of the Runan Yuan clan. However, stepping further to discuss vital matters with Qiao Yan, going from astronomical reforms to this sensitive topic, proved to be somewhat challenging.
Thus, Qiao Yan wrote her a rather lengthy letter.
This posed a risk, but given that the matter also touched on Ma Lun’s safety, along with the well-being of her own Fu Feng Ma clan, it was clear that whatever choice she made, with Qiao Yan holding military power in Bingzhou, she would not make a foolish decision.
At the start of the letter, Qiao Yan mentioned—
“The Son of Heaven is weak; his time is short. Once he passes, regardless of who the successor is, there will be suspicions regarding the young ruler.
The Yuan clan is rotting wood, unable to ensure the lady’s safety. The Fu Feng Ma clan, situated in the Three Auxiliary regions, will also struggle to protect themselves in the event of a rebellion in Longxi.”
This was indeed a fact.
Liu Hong’s condition had already been deteriorating since last June; he could barely withstand a gust of wind. Even if he didn’t want to admit it, his subjects could see clearly, and so could Ma Lun.
Whether the successor was the sixteen-year-old Liu Bian or the ten-year-old Liu Xie, unrest in Luoyang would inevitably erupt.
At first glance, the Yuan clan seemed to be supported by Grand General He Jin and had Yuan Shao managing a military force as a General. This should be enough for them to secure themselves amidst the transition of power.
Moreover, with the Yuan clan boasting a lineage of four generations and three dukes, under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t misjudge their situation.
However, Ma Lun’s judgment wasn’t off.
The reputation of the Yuan clan was both a source of pride and a burden, leading them to maintain a dangerously naive optimism about the current state of affairs.
Liu Hong’s indulgence in excess had caused the social order to collapse, and the consequences were far-reaching. The succession of power could end up being anything but genteel, contrary to what highborn families imagined.
On top of that, the conflicts between scholars, powerful external clans, and eunuchs only complicated the situation further.
Just like Qiao Yan said, how was she to ensure her own safety in the face of imminent upheaval? How could the Fu Feng Ma clan protect themselves?
The Qi Xiang calendar had just been completed and hadn’t yet been fully implemented in the capital, giving Ma Lun a sense of urgency regarding her work.
Even with her clan nephew Ma Ri holding the position of Grand Commandant, it did little to alleviate Ma Lun’s unease.
Because Qiao Yan had written another line in her letter—
“The lady once mentioned the solar eclipse laws to me. If they hold true, around the third or fourth month of this year, there will be a solar eclipse. The Son of Heaven agrees to the calendar reform, hoping to dissociate celestial changes from his virtue, yet still intends to dismiss the three dukes due to the eclipse. With the Grand Commandant frequently rotating, will Ma Ri be safe?”
Ma Ri referred to Ma Ri, her nephew.
Ma Lun pondered over that line for a long time before admitting that Qiao Yan was indeed right.
The Grand Commandant still had some real power, but Liu Hong, drowning in distrust and perceiving threats everywhere, wouldn’t allow him to serve a full term anymore.
A couple of years ago, he was still trying to explain celestial disasters through patterns, so people wouldn’t associate locust plagues and epidemics with him, but now he didn’t hesitate to use celestial phenomena to justify the dismissal of the three dukes.
Having taken office last July, would the solar eclipse around the third or fourth month of this year serve as a reason for Ma Ri’s dismissal?
Highly likely!
Ma Lun didn’t think Ma Ri would be an exception.
“The rumble of war chariots, burning documents and fates in a single flame, isn’t merely an old tale. High officials in their games treat subordinates like mere chess pieces, it’s indeed the norm nowadays…”
Ma Lun gazed towards the Lingtai observatory.
Previously, for the swift calculation of Qi Xiang, after Liu Yuanzhuo invented the abacus, numerous girls were recruited from Luoyang to assist in refining the calendar.
Over the past year, this place had become a sanctuary.
However, because she held the position of Grand Historian and the Lingtai had little interaction with outsiders, criticism was scant.
This had now become a reason compelling her to make a decision.
If turmoil erupted in the capital and the Yuan clan couldn’t be relied upon, how could she protect these people?
Among those in high positions, perhaps only Qiao Yan truly believed that she, Ma Lun, had the capability to sit in the Grand Historian’s position, and that the contributions of her assistants paved the way for significant achievements, instead of solely being a tool for Liu Hong’s agenda to suppress seasoned officials.
“There’s no need for the lady to decide hastily. Wait until the day my words come to fruition before giving your response. Just please inform me when the Son of Heaven weakens further.”
No need for a hasty decision?
Upon reflection, Ma Lun felt she didn’t have that much time to hesitate.
The internal support Qiao Yan could find wasn’t just her alone.
This Lady Qiao had exhibited such zeal in her own advancement, having progressed step by step over the last five years without error. How could she place all her bets on Ma Lun alone?
On the contrary, caught in the whirlpool of Luoyang, Ma Lun had to rely on her opponent to break free.
She should have decided early!
Dithering brings change; this has been the case throughout history!
And it was precisely this line of thought which prompted her to send a reply to Bingzhou in January.
Who knew Liu Hong’s health best?
The doctors in the Imperial Medical Office, without a doubt.
However, these people wouldn’t dare to tell the Son of Heaven he was beyond saving; they would only prescribe some tonics.
They were well aware of the survival game and wouldn’t let such news leak out.
The eunuchs serving the Son of Heaven were also a type.
But their power relied on Liu Hong; the closer it got to the emperor’s turnover, the more they huddled together, ensuring they wouldn’t easily connect with outsiders.
Even Bi Lan, during last autumn, had sent his suggestions for the improved grain threshing machine to Bingzhou, yet it didn’t turn into a clear message.
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And anything related to Liu Hong.
Ma Lun is in the third category.
Because Liu Hong had already given up on medicinal cures and turned to seeking divine intervention, hoping for the heavens to grant him more time.
Since last September, Liu Hong frequently visited the Lingtai Biyong, conducting rituals to please the heavens and earth.
Ma Lun watched this change unfold and could clearly see that this emperor was in a state of desperate struggle.
He had previously intended to consolidate Dong Zhuo’s military power, trying to eliminate one external threat while he was ill.
Unfortunately, the chaos in Liangzhou was only a temporary ceasefire, not a complete pacification. Liu Hong still needed Dong Zhuo to lead his campaigns, and once the latter presented this rationale, Liu Hong had no choice but to let it go for now.
As winter arrived, he had even less strength to control the situation.
This winter wasn’t colder than last, but it felt far more unbearable to Liu Hong.
He could no longer convince himself that he still had more days to live.
From the looks in the eyes of his attendants, Liu Xie and Liu Bian, he saw his own increasingly ragged and emaciated reflection.
This change filled him with immense dread.
And when his ailments didn’t ease up, despite his prayers and declarations of universal amnesty, he found himself in a state of utter despair.
With the two young princes before him, Liu Hong realized he was at a point where he must pass on the reins of power to the next generation.
After Liu Xie and Liu Bian stepped down, Liu Hong coughed for a while before addressing Zhang Rang, saying, “I’m luckier than Emperor Xiaohuan, at least I have two sons to carry on my lineage before I die, unlike him, who had no offspring and had to rely on me.”
He lifted his heavy eyelids and said to Zhang Rang, who had already knelt upon hearing his words, “Get up and speak. Right now, the Grand General is fully focused on the power of his in-laws, while the scholars are unwilling to see a recurrence of the Prohibition of Factionalists. Although the bandits have been subdued, can anyone still claim the title of Son of Heaven? Who can I trust?”
“Even if you’re afraid, you still need to listen to me.”
While saying this, he shivered from the cold and had someone stoke the coal fire before he continued.
“I’ll ask you again, if I insist on Liu Xie inheriting the throne, can you support him fully after my death?”
Liu Xie and Liu Bian had just stood by his bed, allowing him to clearly see the difference between the two sons.
Liu Xie was six years younger than his brother, but in the sorrow and turmoil caused by their father’s illness, he demonstrated traits that Liu Hong hoped for in a prince, or rather, a future emperor.
In the current chaos, the next emperor must have sufficient ambition; otherwise, he would only become a puppet in the court’s intrigues.
Despite being young, Liu Xie genuinely seemed more capable of stabilizing the court than Liu Bian.
This was true a year ago, and it was still true now.
Zhang Rang knew that at this point he couldn’t use pleasantries like ‘your Majesty’s health may improve’ anymore.
Liu Hong’s gaze bore into him like a blade at his throat; he must give a definite answer.
But he had no other route to take.
He firmly replied, “If your Majesty is determined, I will risk my life to ensure Prince Xie ascends to the throne. But your Majesty, if you want to dethrone the heir in favor of the younger, setting aside the discussions in the court is one thing, but consider the Grand General…”
Liu Hong closed his eyes for a considerable time, and just as Zhang Rang was almost convinced he had fallen asleep, he heard him say, “Don’t worry, I will make arrangements.”
His wariness towards He Jin had reached its peak when he attempted to intervene with the Eight Schools of the West Garden, and under the influence of this thought, he found it hard not to constantly observe He Jin’s actions.
The attendants recruited by the Grand General, including the likes of Dong Min and other Western Liang generals who had been influenced by He Jin, and He Jin’s little machinations to undermine the Eight Schools…
Every single part of it danced on the line he absolutely forbade his subjects to cross.
This demanded a decision from him —
He had to bring He Jin on board with him!
But to achieve this, preparations were needed.
To outsiders, from January to March, it seemed like he had regained some vitality with winter passing.
During the court assembly every five days, apart from the officials noticing the make-up he wore to cover his complexion, nothing seemed different from last year.
Even He Jin thought Liu Hong might just manage to scrape through another year.
But those close to Liu Hong knew the truth: the emperor was at the point of sleepless nights, often coughing up blood, and there were frequent personnel movements within the palace.
He had reached the stage where every day counted and was well on his way to paving the path for his youngest son.
He first summoned Jian Shuo in secret.
To deal with He Jin, he needed sufficient military power. As the Military Officer of the Upper Army in the Eight Schools, Jian Shuo should have gathered a force over this past year and figured out who among them was trustworthy.
However, with the presence of noble families and old officials in the Eight Schools, Liu Hong found it difficult not to worry about possible leaks among them.
Thus, he assigned Jian Shuo the task of quietly rallying trustworthy individuals and to act under the emperor’s decree when necessary.
Afterward, he provided reasoning for General Dong Zhong to pay regular respects to the Empress Dowager at her residence to explain his meetings with him.
It wasn’t until late March that he began mobilizing the trusted Imperial Guards selected by Zhang Rang and others within the capital.
He feigned nonchalance while carefully raising his knife against He Jin, but little did he expect the plan would stumble at the very first step.
The trusted Sima Pan Yin, although a confidant of Jian Shuo, had been a close friend to He Jin even before He Jin had risen to power.
What Jian Shuo’s troop movements entailed couldn’t possibly stay hidden from this military officer.
So, he tipped off He Jin about it.
At the end of March, the atmosphere in the Grand General’s Mansion was as oppressive as winter.
Upon learning of the emperor’s intent to annihilate him, He Jin sat grim-faced at the head of the table.
Previously, Liu Hong only wanted to rein in his military power, and he had indicated in his talks with He Miao that they needed to do something to change the situation. Now that the killing intent was laid bare, it only doubled his resolve!
If the ruler demands a minister’s death, the minister—
—the minister must resist!
Having enjoyed this massive power, how could he willingly become a mere sacrificial piece?
He looked around at the people present.
The talents gathered in the Grand General’s Mansion did nothing to ease his tense expression, for he also knew that some among them certainly had their own little schemes.
But regardless, he was facing death, and any petty plots had to be set aside.
They all had to ensure He Jin stayed alive; otherwise, once Liu Xie ascended, with Jian Shuo and Zhang Rang in power, it would be hard to guarantee there wouldn’t be a third Prohibition of Factionalists!
“Bongchuo, what are your thoughts?” He Jin scanned the room and pointedly called out.
When Yuan Shao was named, he didn’t show signs of panic at being suddenly questioned. The situation had yet to exceed his estimations; the emperor’s shift in position undeniably came with risks, but along with those risks came the opportunity they had been trying to achieve to eliminate the eunuchs!
This was a chance amid the risk!
He replied, “If the emperor favors the younger son and seeks to eliminate the General, once the external threats are dealt with, the emperor would definitely not want to see a standoff in the capital leading to internal strife.”
This was indeed true; Liu Hong simply aimed to quickly deal with He Jin without wanting to leave behind a devastated capital for his offspring.
Seeing He Jin pondering, Yuan Shao went on, “The Grand General might consider rallying local warlords to summon valiant troops under your command to gather in Hedong, to intimidate the capital. His Majesty might reconsider.”
He Jin hesitated for a moment and gritted his teeth, asking, “What do you think, Bongchuo, is there anyone we can use?”
Yuan Shao glanced at Dong Min and replied, “Dong Zhong from the Western Liang can be a strong ally.”
A simple man from the Western Liang was easy to use and dispose of; he was undoubtedly the top choice at this moment!
