Chapter 128

Chapter 128

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 4: The End of Zhongping, The Turmoil in Luoyang, Chapter 128: Borrowing Grain to Send Troops

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Can a Strategist Not Ascend the Throne?

Chapter 128: Borrowing Grain to Send Troops

Moving the capital to Chang’an!

As soon as these words were spoken, Dong Zhuo was already prepared, but everyone else was greatly shocked.

Huang Wan, who had been promoted to the position of Grand Commandant by Dong Zhuo, immediately stepped forward and asked, “Does the Prime Minister know that moving the capital is a matter of great importance? How can it be spoken of so casually?”

Dong Zhuo replied unhurriedly, “The former Han dynasty had Chang’an as its capital. After the restoration by Emperor Guangwu, the capital was moved to Luoyang, and it has been passed down for ten generations, a complete cycle. Why can’t we move back to Chang’an, in line with the path of restoration?”

He took two steps forward, holding his sword, and continued, “Moreover, since the Guanghe era, Luoyang has been plagued by strange occurrences. There have been freak births of creatures with two heads and one body, swallows mourning on the imperial tombs, and locust plagues and epidemics gathering in the outskirts. These are all signs that this place is unfit to be the capital. There is even a folk rhyme that says, ‘One Han in the east, one Han in the west. Why not return to the old capital and rely on the protection of the ancestral temples?’ Your Majesty, do you think it’s alright?”

Halfway through his speech, Dong Zhuo turned to look at Liu Xie.

The young emperor, only eleven years old this year, tried his best to appear calm.

But even though he had experienced the palace coup in Luoyang and the escape to Beimang, and could still speak clearly when meeting Dong Zhuo, the past month and a half of witnessing Dong Zhuo’s violations of the palace and rampant plundering had left him deeply troubled. How could he remain calm in the face of Dong Zhuo’s intimidation?

The matter of moving the capital, which was almost a matter of national survival, was now being discussed by Dong Zhuo in such a casual tone, making him feel deeply offended by the violation of imperial dignity and a profound sense of helplessness.

He tried to reply in a normal tone, “If the Prime Minister has such advice, why not listen to the opinions of the ministers?”

As soon as Dong Zhuo turned back, he saw Huang Wan holding his ceremonial tablet and stepping forward again, not at all convinced by Dong Zhuo’s talk of ancestral protection, but instead becoming even more stern, “Where does the Prime Minister’s words place the dignity of the court? If we are to change the capital, the court officials, the sacrificial utensils of the imperial family, the archives, and even the people of the capital will all need to move together. The various disadvantages are countless, and there is also the concern of exhausting the people’s strength. Please, Prime Minister, think twice.”

His words were full of reasoned argument.

As soon as Huang Wan finished speaking, Minister over the Masses Yang Biao also stepped forward.

Yang Biao’s tone was gentler than Huang Wan’s, but since he was also advising against the move, Dong Zhuo still felt very displeased.

Yang Biao said, “If we are to discuss moving the capital, we must remember that after Wang Mang’s usurpation, the Red Eyebrows rebelled and caused chaos in Chang’an, burning the palaces to the ground, leaving only the high temple and the residence of the Governor of the Capital. If the court moves there, where will Your Majesty reside? Where will the court hold its meetings?”

The palaces and temples in Chang’an have been abandoned for many years, and restoring them would be an extremely labor-intensive task. How can we think of returning to Chang’an just because of strange occurrences around the current capital?

Moreover, Chang’an now has a population of only over 200,000, while Luoyang has a million people. The difference in outward appearance is more than fivefold!

Dong Zhuo coldly looked at the two men who had stepped forward.

However, Minister of Works Xun Shuang had some insight. Although he often talked about the need to reclassify and protect the Lantai archives, it was just about protecting some books, the stuff of scholars.

He had no idea that Xun Shuang did not speak up at this time because, through his analysis with Xun You, he had already seen through what kind of person Dong Zhuo was. He knew that any attempt to advise him now would be completely useless and would never make him change his mind.

It would be better to hope that Qiao Yan and others would attack the eight passes before Dong Zhuo moved the capital, and keep the old traitor here.

But obviously, not everyone could have such a vision and remain calm in the face of the current proposal to move the capital.

As Huang Wan and Yang Biao said, whether it was because moving the established institutions of Luoyang would be difficult and harmful to the people, or because Chang’an had suffered from the Red Eyebrows’ rebellion and could no longer display the dignity of the Son of Heaven, and restoring it would be troublesome—

Moving the capital was definitely not the first choice!

Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong also stepped forward, each presenting their own objections.

But for Dong Zhuo, if one or two people opposed his idea, his limited patience could still endure.

When the third and fourth people also stepped forward, he felt that his previous actions in Luoyang had not been fully understood by these people, and now they didn’t know who really held the knife!

They also had the illusion that he, Dong Zhuo, was an easy-going person!

Before Zhou Bi could finish speaking, Dong Zhuo interrupted him, “Shut up!”

“Minister Zhou…” Dong Zhuo’s gaze fixed on Zhou Bi, his eyes filled with a clear murderous intent, like a wolf or a hawk, making Zhou Bi, the then Minister of Personnel, feel uneasy. Dong Zhuo said, “If I remember correctly, Liu Dai, Kong Zhou, Zhang Zi, and Zhang Miao were all recommended by you. What did you tell me at the time?”

Zhou Bi was a famous scholar from Liangzhou, the son of the former Governor of Yu Province, Zhou Shen. It was because of this geographical connection that Dong Zhuo trusted him after taking control of Luoyang and followed his list of recommendations for officials, thinking that Li Ru and he had been in Xiliang for a long time, and someone like Zhou Bi, who had served in the central government, would know more about the talents of the Central Plains.

But—

Dong Zhuo angrily said, “At that time, you said that these four were good men, suitable for governing the provinces, and I followed your advice. But what was the reality?”

“Good men?” he retorted, with a tone full of sarcasm, “After taking office, these four did not think of governing, but instead used their positions as Prefects and Governors to raise troops against me. And you, Wu Qiong!”

Hearing Dong Zhuo call his name directly, Wu Qiong couldn’t help but tremble.

Dong Zhuo continued, “I remember you also advised me to let the fugitive Yuan Shao become the Prefect of Bohai, saying that if he had an official position, he would naturally be willing to make peace with me. But what was the reality?”

“Even without the position of Prefect, he could still cause such trouble. If it weren’t for Lu Zhi holding him back, do you think he would have directly declared himself General of the Chariots and Cavalry?”

Dong Zhuo strode towards the two men, his gaze sharp and cold, “Now you all want to advise me not to move the capital. Do you have the ability to make these people take office with a word, and today make them withdraw their troops with a word?”

“…The Prime Minister is joking,” Zhou Bi replied.

“Joking? I’m not joking with you!” Dong Zhuo shouted, “You have all seen that these two betrayed me first, and now they are advising me not to move the capital for some unknown purpose. If I do something, it is not betraying them. Men!”

In the court of the Han dynasty, it had never happened that an official’s order would bring armored soldiers rushing into the hall, but today it did.

This was clearly the kind of display only an emperor could have.

But at this moment, no one could protest his overstepping, because Dong Zhuo’s next words were, “Take Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong out and behead them!”

Before anyone could make any reasoned argument against Dong Zhuo’s actions, the Xiliang soldiers who followed Dong Zhuo’s orders had no respect for the court. They directly stepped forward and arrested Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong.

The two were dragged out of the hall, their mouths and noses covered, their hands and feet restrained, and before they could even let out two screams, they were beheaded by Dong Zhuo’s men outside the hall.

Blood splattered in the court!

No one present had ever seen a minister beheading other ministers in front of the emperor, but when Dong Zhuo, the Xiliang brute, did it, it seemed somehow justified.

He looked around at the ministers who were frightened into silence by his actions and couldn’t help but show a satisfied smile.

Indeed, no one dared to voice any objections.

Those who were truly willing to risk their lives to argue with Dong Zhuo had almost all fled before he sealed the eight passes, or were stationed in the provinces, within the alliance against Dong Zhuo. How could they still be here?

Like the famous Zhu Jun, known for his uprightness and bravery, who had already fled to Jing Province, naturally unable to refute Dong Zhuo in court.

Dong Zhuo looked at the crowd before him, bowing their heads in submission, and finally showed a satisfied expression.

“It seems no one has any objections to my decision to move the capital. Your Majesty, what do you think?”

Once again faced with Dong Zhuo’s question, Liu Xie obviously couldn’t say to listen to the opinions of the ministers, otherwise he might see a few more people disappear from the court.

He replied in a low voice, “Let it be as the Prime Minister says.”

But even though he agreed quickly, Dong Zhuo still dismissed Grand Commandant Huang Wan and Minister over the Masses Yang Biao from their positions during the morning court.

Then he assigned the task of moving the capital to various departments.

Everyone stood stiffly in place until Dong Zhuo stepped out of the door and disappeared from their sight, only then did they feel some strength return to their feet, allowing them to walk home.

But as they walked out of the hall, they saw that the bodies of Wu Qiong and Zhou Bi had not been collected by Dong Zhuo’s men.








Still lying horizontally outside the hall, it was a gruesome scene of a severed head and body, causing everyone to look on with fear and anxiety.

Liu Xie issued an edict allowing the two to return home and be buried in peace.

Yang Biao stood in his courtyard for a long time, his face filled with sorrow.

Seeing Yang Xiu standing under the corridor, he sighed and said, “I fear our lives, father and son, will also end here.”

Four years ago, Yang Ci passed away, and Yang Xiu went to Hongnong to mourn his grandfather for three years, returning to Luoyang last summer, less than a year ago.

He originally planned to follow his previous agreement with Qiao Yan, to go to Leping after the mourning period and continue serving her. But Yang Biao said that Qiao Yan was now the Governor of Bingzhou, with many talents under her command. Yang Xiu, only fifteen, wouldn’t be of much help in Leping and should stay in Luoyang to observe the situation and learn more.

At that time, Yang Biao thought his reasoning was sound, but now Qiao Yan was north of the river, with at least a defensive position, not easily killed by the old traitor Dong Zhuo.

Keeping Yang Xiu in the capital was truly risking the extermination of their family.

Yang Xiu asked, “Father, do you want to preserve our lives first, planning for the future, or are you willing to die for the Han dynasty, even if it means remonstrating to the death?”

Yang Biao, proud of his wise son, weighed his words and felt a heavy burden, asking, “What about the former?”

“If it’s the former, father should immediately seek Huang Ziyan and visit the Prime Minister’s residence, saying that your opposition to the capital move was due to nostalgia, not to interfere with Dong Zhuo’s plans, and come to apologize. Dong Zhuo, having killed two ministers, must regret it and fear many in the court harbor murderous intentions. It’s better to spare your life, though it means losing some dignity.”

But in the face of swords and soldiers, with dozens of family members at stake, what other choice was there but to bow to Dong Zhuo?

As Yang Xiu said, executing Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong successfully pushed the capital move, but also made Dong Zhuo regret it.

Their deaths destroyed Dong Zhuo’s image of being close to scholars, forcing him to rely on harsh methods to intimidate. Historians’ records of this period were uncertain, so hearing Yang Biao and Huang Wan come to apologize pleased him.

Regardless of their sincerity, it was good news for Dong Zhuo!

Dong Zhuo immediately appointed Huang Wan and Yang Biao as Grand Masters.

Though they couldn’t return to their previous high positions, they were given respectable titles.

Receiving the appointment, Yang Biao felt sorrow instead of joy.

As Grand Masters, close to the emperor, their roles were now merely advisory, with no real power.

Holding the edict, he murmured, “I wonder when Lu Zhi and Yuan Shao will attack Luoyang. If the capital moves, the emperor’s authority will be lost!”

Yang Xiu asked, “Why not think Qiao Yan might attack Luoyang first?”

He spoke without restraint, and his insight was sharp. Yuan Shao, by seniority, was his uncle.

The alliance at Suanzao, based on his observations in Luoyang, might not be as optimistic as his father thought.

He felt Yuan Shao’s attack on the Southern Palace wasn’t due to past political purges or filial piety, but personal gain, benefiting Dong Zhuo.

“Father, I want to make a bet.”

Seeing Yang Biao’s surprise, Yang Xiu calmly said, “You think Lu Zhi and Yuan Shao will enter Luoyang first, but I think Qiao Yan will. The Yellow River won’t stop her. If I win, let me go to Bingzhou as Qiao Yan’s subordinate.”

He’d rather do practical work in Bingzhou than deal with the troubled court.

Yang Biao replied, “If you win, it proves your insight, and I won’t stop you.”

For him, anyone attacking Luoyang was good news.

The forces outside the passes, without Dong Zhuo’s cruelty, included many with patriotic hearts.

At least, don’t move the capital!

The decision to move the capital, even while living in luxury in Luoyang, clearly showed the impending changes.

Xu Rong, Niu Fu, and Qiao Yan faced off across the river, with Duan Wei guarding Hangu Pass. Li Ru suspected Qiao Yan’s feints were to divide Dong Zhuo’s forces, so Dong Zhuo ordered Duan Wei to lead troops to Chang’an.

Duan Wei reported that Huayin had arable land, but as Yang Biao said, the population decline since the Chimei Rebellion made establishing a capital difficult.

Dong Zhuo’s relocation order, enforced by Xiliang soldiers, forced people to abandon their livelihoods for a desolate city, a cruel policy.

The public outrage reached the eastern coalition, along with news of Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong’s deaths.

“Absurd!” Lu Zhi pounded the table.

He had compromised with Yuan Shao, but the forced capital move filled him with rage, wishing to attack Luoyang immediately.

Qiao Yan’s strategy of swift attack, surprise, and feigned weakness, relayed by Cao Ang and Cao Cao, was agreed upon by Sun Jian and Yuan Shu’s representatives, Zu Mao and Ji Ling.

Lu Zhi and Cao Cao also agreed with Qiao Yan’s plan.

Attacking quickly, seizing Xuanmen Pass, was feasible.

Qiao Yan’s experience and position made her reports credible. If she said she could cross the river, she could.

Now, there was another reason for a swift attack.

Lu Zhi urgently said at the meeting, “If Dong Zhuo moves the capital, even capturing Luoyang might not save the emperor, and Luoyang’s two-century-old prosperity will be destroyed.”

“Gentlemen, I’ve never spoken harshly, but now the lives of Luoyang’s millions depend on us. We must attack on three fronts to save the Han!”

Lu Zhi looked at Yuan Shao.

With the most troops, Yuan Shao had to lead or give orders.

Lu Zhi understood Yuan Shao’s hesitation.

Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong were killed, Huang Wan and Yang Biao dismissed, and Yuan Wei and Yuan Ji were under Dong Zhuo’s watch. Yuan Shao’s concern for his family was natural.

But Yuan Shao said, “We can attack. If Dong Zhuo fortifies the passes, it’ll be harder to break through.”

“But many of us have been in office less than a month, with limited funds. Our food reserves are insufficient. Qiao Yan, facing Niu Fu and Xu Rong across the river, has governed Bingzhou for a year and a half…”

“Crossing the river is difficult. Let her send some grain from Henei, as a loan. Once the grain arrives, we’ll attack immediately. What do you think?”

Lu Zhi’s smile froze.