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“Can a strategist not ascend the throne?”
Chapter 128: Borrowing Supplies for Deployment
“Let’s move the capital to Chang’an!”
As soon as those words were spoken, Dong Zhuo was already prepared, but everyone else was utterly shocked.
Huang Wan, who had just been promoted to Grand Commandant by Dong Zhuo, immediately stepped forward and asked, “Does the Prime Minister understand the serious implications of relocating the capital? How can you speak of it so carelessly?”
Dong Zhuo replied slowly, “The Former Han made Chang’an the capital, and after Guangwu revived the dynasty, they moved to Luoyang, which has lasted through ten generations. It’s a complete integer, so how can we not return to Chang’an? Isn’t this in accordance with the way of restoring the state?”
He took a couple of steps forward with his sword at his waist and continued, “Furthermore, since the Guanghe years, strange occurrences have happened frequently in Luoyang—monstrous births, mournful cries of swans over the tombs, and locust plagues across the fields. These are all signs that this place is unfit to be the capital. There’s a folk rhyme that goes, ‘One Han at the east, another at the west; it’s better to return to the old capital and rely on the blessing of our ancestors.’ Your Majesty, what do you think?”
As Dong Zhuo spoke, he glanced at Liu Xie.
The young emperor, only eleven years old this year, was trying to maintain an air of calmness.
Yet, even after experiencing the palace coup and fleeing to Beima, he was utterly unsettled, especially after witnessing Dong Zhuo’s affrontery and plundering over the past month and a half. How could he remain calm in the face of such intimidation?
A matter as crucial as relocating the capital, treated so nonchalantly by Dong Zhuo, left him feeling deeply disrespected and utterly powerless.
He tried to reply in a normal tone, “Prime Minister advises us to hear the opinions of the officials.”
Just as Dong Zhuo turned back, Huang Wan took another step forward with his tablet in hand. His stance did not seem to have been swayed by Dong Zhuo’s arguments about divine protection; instead, he appeared even more vehement. “Where do you place the dignity of the court, Prime Minister? If the capital is changed, the court officials, ancestral offerings, and all the books—along with the citizens of the capital—all need to be relocated! There are countless issues with such a shift, and it raises concerns over the welfare of the people. I implore the Prime Minister to reconsider.”
His words were full of reasoned argument.
After Huang Wan finished, Minister of the Masses Yang Biao also stepped forward.
Yang Biao’s tone was somewhat milder than Huang Wan’s; however, he was also advising against the relocation, which further annoyed Dong Zhuo.
“I must mention,” Yang Biao said, “that after Wang Mang usurped the throne, the Red Eyebrow Army rebelled in Chang’an, causing the palaces to be nearly burned down, leaving only the Earth Altar and the Governor’s residence intact. If the court relocates there, where will Your Majesty reside? Where will the court meet?”
Chang’an’s palatial buildings had been abandoned for years, and restoring them would require an extreme expenditure of manpower. How could this be suggested simply because of some strange occurrences in the current capital?
Moreover, the population of Chang’an was merely around two hundred thousand, while Luoyang had a million. The difference in outward appearance was more than fivefold!
Dong Zhuo looked coldly at the two who had stepped up.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Works Xun Shuang had some awareness of the situation; even though he recently discussed reorganizing and protecting the Lantai archives, it was merely an issue of preserving books—merely a scholar’s concern.
He couldn’t have known that the reason Xun Shuang remained silent was that he had already realized through discussions with Xun You just what kind of person Dong Zhuo truly was. He understood that any advising at this point would have no effect, and it was unlikely that Dong Zhuo would retract his orders.
They could only hope that Qiao Yan and the others would launch an attack at Ba Guan before Dong Zhuo could move the capital, thus keeping this old rat stuck here.
However, it was clear not everyone could maintain their composure in the face of Dong Zhuo’s relocation suggestion.
As Huang Wan and Yang Biao pointed out, whether due to Luoyang having too many established affairs to relocate or because Chang’an had previously suffered from the Red Eyebrow uprising—demonstrating it could no longer showcase imperial prestige—rebuilding would be a troublesome matter—
Relocating the capital was certainly not a first choice!
Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong also stood up to express their opposition.
But for Dong Zhuo, he could tolerate one or two people obstructing his plans; however, when the third or fourth person stepped up, he felt as if the previous behaviors that he had shown in Luoyang were still unknown to these individuals, and that they somehow thought he was someone easy to talk to!
As Zhou Bi was about to speak, Dong Zhuo interrupted him, “Shut up!”
Zhou Bi felt the penetrating gaze of Dong Zhuo, which was filled with clear murderous intent, and sensed something was amiss. Dong Zhuo continued, “If I recall correctly, Liu Dai, Kong Xiong, Zhang Zi, and Zhang Miao were all recommended by you. What did you say back then?”
Zhou Bi, a notable figure from Liang Province and the son of a former governor, had trusted Dong Zhuo after he entered Luoyang. He followed the list provided by Dong Zhuo to assign officials, thinking that someone like Li Ru who had spent years in the western area would not be as informed as Zhou Bi about the capable individuals of the Central Plains.
However—
“Dong Zhuo shouted angrily, “At that time, you claimed these four were righteous men capable of governing the regions, and I took your word for it. But what’s the truth?”
“Righteous men?” he retorted with a hint of mockery, “These four come to office, yet they do nothing to govern; instead, they use their positions to raise troops against me, as well as you, Wu Qiong!”
Hearing his name called so directly made Wu Qiong shudder.
Dong Zhuo continued, “I also remember you advising me that it would be good to let Yuan Shao, who was fleeing, become the Prefect of Bohai. You said that if he had an official position, he would want to turn enmity into harmony with me. But what’s the reality?”
“Even without that prefect title, he can still stir up trouble. If it weren’t for Lu Zhi being on top of him, do you think he wouldn’t take on the title of General of the Chariots and Cavalry himself?”
Dong Zhuo strode towards the two with an air of cold resolve, “Now you both want to dissuade me from relocating the capital? Do you really think your words can undo the appointments? Can you cancel their troops with just a word?”
“…Prime Minister is joking,” Zhou Bi replied.
“Joking? I’m not joking with you!” Dong Zhuo shouted, “You all have seen it; it is these two who first betrayed me, Dong Zhuo, and now they have other motives for advising me not to relocate the capital. If I do anything wrong, it cannot be said to be a betrayal! Come!”
Such a command had never been issued by a mere official in the Han court. Yet today, it happened.
This was the showmanship of an emperor.
However, no one could oppose his usurpation at this moment, for Dong Zhuo’s next words were, “Take Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong and push them down for execution!”
Before anyone could argue or oppose Dong Zhuo’s actions, the soldiers from Xi Liang who followed his orders showed no respect for the court at all. They charged forward and captured Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong instantly.
The two were gagged and dragged out, barely managing to utter two cries of despair before being executed by Dong Zhuo’s men outside the main hall.
Blood splattered across the court!
No one had ever seen a minister be executed before the emperor’s eyes. Yet, for Dong Zhuo, this act was utterly justified in his view.
He glanced around at the terrified ministers before breaking into a satisfied smile.
Indeed, no one dared to voice any dissent now.
Those who truly would stake their lives to argue against Dong Zhuo had either abandoned their posts before he secured Ba Guan or had retreated to the provinces, aligned with the anti-Dong coalition, and were unlikely to be present here.
Just like the renowned general Zhu Jun, who had long since fled to Jing Province, naturally couldn’t come forward to refute him in the hall.
Dong Zhuo looked over the ministers before him and finally revealed a satisfied expression.
“It seems no one objects to my decision to relocate the capital. Your Majesty, what do you think?”
Once again confronted with this question from Dong Zhuo, Liu Xie clearly could not voice anything about hearing the opinions of the noble ministers; otherwise, he risked seeing even fewer people in the court.
He replied in a low voice, “I will follow the Prime Minister’s word.”
Even though Liu Xie’s response came quickly, Dong Zhuo still dismissed Grand Commandant Huang Wan and Minister over the Masses Yang Biao from their posts during the morning assembly.
Then, he assigned the weighty task of relocating the capital to various departments.
The officials stood stiffly in place, and only when Dong Zhuo stepped out did they feel they could regain some strength to walk home.
However, as they exited the hall, they encountered the bodies of Wu Qiong and Zhou Bi. They hadn’t even been cleaned up yet.
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Still lying here outside the hall, the sight of decapitated heads was truly a grim one, making everyone anxious.
It was Liu Xie who issued an edict, ordering both of them to return home and be buried properly.
Yang Biao stood in his yard for a long time, looking utterly despondent.
Seeing Yang Xiu standing under the corridor, he sighed, “I fear that the lives of you and me are going to be left behind here.”
Yang Ci had passed away four years ago, and Yang Xiu had gone to Hongnong to keep vigil for his grandfather for three years. He returned to Luoyang last summer, and it’s still been less than a year.
Originally, he planned to follow his previous agreement with Qiao Yan to go to Leping after the mourning period, to continue serving her. But Yang Biao insisted that Qiao Yan was now the governor of Bingzhou and that she had more than enough talent at her disposal. Yang Xiu was only fifteen; what help could he bring to her in Leping? It would be better for him to stay in Luoyang, observe the situation, and learn some skills.
At that time, Yang Biao thought his reasoning was quite sound. But now with Qiao Yan situated north of the river, even if they couldn’t launch an attack in a short time, at least there was a fallback plan. They wouldn’t be at the mercy of that old wretch Dong Zhuo.
Keeping Yang Xiu in the capital was truly a recipe for disaster.
Yang Xiu said, “Is it that you want to preserve the mountains and keep your life? To wait for later to serve the Han dynasty, even at the cost of death if it means offering good counsel?”
Yang Biao felt proud of his wise son for not sounding anxious, but weighed his words heavily and asked, “What about the latter?”
“If it’s the former, you should immediately seek out Huang Ziyan and visit the Duke’s residence, saying you two opposed the relocation just out of sentimentality, with no intention to interfere with that rogue Dong’s actions. You come here to apologize. Since Dong has already executed the two ministers, he must regret it and fear that many within the court harbor murderous thoughts. It would be wise to preserve your life, but doing so…”
It would sacrifice some dignity and face.
But with swords at the ready and dozens in his family present, what other choice did they have but to bow to Dong Zhuo?
As Yang Xiu said, the execution of Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong had indeed allowed Dong Zhuo to enforce his decision to move the capital, yet it also made him somewhat regretful.
With those two dead, the image of closeness to the scholars that Dong Zhuo had created vanished entirely, leaving him to rely on ruthless means to keep people in check, and he had no idea how this part of history would be recorded by the historians. Suddenly hearing that Yang Biao and Huang Wan had come to plead for forgiveness brought him joy.
Regardless of whether their apology was forced or how sincere it was, it was at least good news for him!
Dong Zhuo immediately submitted a formal petition, appointing Huang Wan and Yang Biao as Senior Officials.
Though they couldn’t be reinstated to their former esteemed positions, he at least granted them an official title comparable to that of a General to save face.
When Yang Biao received this appointment edict and the messenger left, he felt more sorrow than joy.
The Senior Official was a close minister to the Emperor, a counselor of sorts, but how can the Han now be called a proper dynasty? With no true ruler and no loyal ministers, the so-called close officials could only oversee the Emperor’s studies, holding no real substance.
He held the edict for a long time, as if in a dream, murmuring, “I don’t know when I can see Minister Lu and Benchu charging into Luoyang. If the Emperor relocates, all respect will be lost!”
Yang Xiu asked from the side, “Why doesn’t Father think it might be Qiao Bingzhou who first enters Luoyang?”
He was always straightforward and perceptive. He didn’t care much about the implications of his statement, especially since Yuan Shao should still be considered his uncle by seniority.
Based on what he had witnessed regarding the power struggles in Luoyang, he feared it might not be as optimistic as his father believed.
He felt Yuan Shao wasn’t merely attacking Southern Palace because of the remnants of the Prohibition of Factionalists; nor was it about respecting the eldest son and challenging Lu Zhi, the one holding the late Emperor’s orders, allowing Dong Zhuo to profit from it all; today, it certainly wasn’t because Dong Zhuo was monopolizing power and acting against the current that he sent all these people to rebel.
These people previously fought for their own interests, and now, at a time when they should unify, it didn’t mean they would necessarily band together in this superior number.
“Father, I want to make a bet with you.”
Seeing Yang Biao’s perplexed look, Yang Xiu calmly added, “If you think it’s Lu Gong and Yuan Benchu who will enter Luoyang first, I believe it’s Qiao Hou. That Yellow River barrier might not pose much trouble for her. If I win, please grant me permission to go to Bingzhou and serve in Qiao Hou’s subordinate ranks.”
Compared to the convoluted matters in the court, he would rather do something practical in Bingzhou.
Yang Biao was silent for a moment, replying, “If you truly win, it just shows you have a keen insight into people and situations. Why should I stop you?”
For him, anyone who could break into Luoyang was good news.
At present, with various factions outside the gates, there was certainly no sign of a tiger or wolf like Dong Zhuo, and many had genuine thoughts about saving the country.
At the very least, they could not allow the capital to be relocated!
The decision to move the capital would trigger an upheaval, even if Yang Biao left the Three Officials’ residence and remained in the wealthy Luoyang region, he could still clearly feel the impending changes that the relocation order would incite.
Xu Rong, Niu Fu, and Qiao Yan stood opposed at the Yellow River, and with Duan Wei guarding Hangu Pass, Li Ru speculated that Qiao Yan’s earlier ruse might have been intended to divide Dong Zhuo’s forces. Thus, Dong Zhuo immediately ordered Duan Wei to send troops out of Hangu Pass, leading part of his soldiers toward the vicinity of Chang’an, stationed in Huayin.
From the reports sent back from Duan Wei, Huayin had arable land, but as Yang Biao said, even though the Red Eyebrow Rebellion was nearly two hundred years ago, the population was still limited, and those who had fled due to the great fire and wars in Chang’an wouldn’t return, making it truly difficult to rebuild a capital.
If Dong Zhuo could casually suggest moving the capital, how could he possibly talk about shifting populations?
He directly ordered his subordinates to post an edict in the streets announcing the relocation to Chang’an. Anyone who disobeyed would be executed by the Western Liang soldiers on the spot.
To abandon properties painstakingly managed over years and move to a city that was still somewhat desolate, just to fill the population gap between Chang’an and Luoyang, was a merciless relocation policy.
Such public discontent, even if Dong Zhuo tightly secured the passes, couldn’t prevent the news from reaching the coalition forces in Guandong.
Along with that came the news of Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong’s deaths.
“Absurd!” Lu Zhi slammed the table.
He could make some concessions to ease the tensions with Yuan Shao, giving the impression that the elder still had a good temper, but in the face of this forced relocation of the Han, he was furious, wishing he could storm into Luoyang the next day.
Previous claims by Qiao Yan about charging forward in one breath, capitalizing on unprepared moments, and displaying false weakness, were already conveyed to Cao Ang, and subsequently expressed by Cao Cao during earlier league discussions.
Representatives from Sun Jian and Yuan Shu, like Zu Mao and Ji Ling, were very much in agreement.
The idea of charging ahead undoubtedly affirmed their momentum and military strength.
Cao Cao and Lu Zhi also recognized Qiao Yan’s idea of a swift attack.
Taking advantage of Dong Zhuo’s assumption that they would need time to gather resources, it would be wise to launch a swift attack to capture Xuanmen Pass.
Qiao Yan, having been through battles, could definitely match many among them in experience. She held an important position and had no need to misreport the situation regarding the advance. If she claimed to have a method to cross the river, it likely meant she did.
Now, another reason for an urgent attack had emerged.
At the hastily convened coalition meeting, Lu Zhi’s tone carried a sense of urgency, “If we let Dong Zhuo successfully relocate, even if we capture Luoyang, we might not save the Emperor. The livelihoods established in Luoyang over two hundred years would be destroyed overnight.”
“Gentlemen, I have never spoken so gravely since our alliance began, but now the lives of a million people in Luoyang rest in your hands. We must advance with urgency, attacking from three fronts to have any chance of saving the Han!”
After he concluded, Lu Zhi looked in Yuan Shao’s direction.
In his current position with the largest number of troops, if they were to break through, he must take the lead or issue orders promptly.
Lu Zhi thought it understandable for Yuan Shao to hesitate.
With Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong dead at Dong Zhuo’s behest, and Huang Wan and Yang Biao’s positions dismantled on a whim, not to mention Yuan Wei and Yuan Ji still under Dong Zhuo’s watch, Yuan Shao was understandably concerned for the lives of his family.
But what Lu Zhi didn’t expect was for Yuan Shao to slowly say, “We can indeed send troops, but if we let that rogue Dong hold the passes tightly, it would be even more difficult to breach them.”
“However, among us, the appointed governors and inspectors have been in position for less than a month. Even if we could utilize the regional storehouses, they are terribly limited. To inspire the soldiers to fight with our current grain reserves would likely not be enough. Lu Gong, Bingzhou and Qiao Yan can face Niu Fu and Xu Rong from across the river, and she has already held Bingzhou for a year and a half…”
“All in all, crossing the river is difficult. Wouldn’t it be better for her to send a batch of military provisions over from the river? Consider it a loan from us to her. Once the grain arrives, we can attack urgently. What do you think?”
Lu Zhi’s smile at Yuan Shao’s suggestion about sending troops froze right there.
