Chang'an City Palace

At this time, in the deep palace, Liu Xie, the son of heaven who looked like a puppet in front of hundreds of officials during the day, was slowly bowing down to an old man with a solemn face.

The old man is none other than Lu Zhi, an old minister of the Han Dynasty who supported the Empress Dowager Dong from Luoyang City to Chang'an City.

Lu Zhi looked drooping and decrepit, looking at the young emperor in front of him at this time, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

As a veteran minister of the Han Dynasty, it is said that he should never deviate from the Luoyang Imperial Court, after all, according to the legal system, the Son of Heaven in Luoyang City is the orthodox Son of Heaven in the legal theory of the Han Dynasty.

However, Lu Zhi owed the Empress Dowager Dong a great favor, and in the face of the Empress Dowager Dong's plea, even Lu Zhi had to go against his own standards to escort the Dong family to Chang'an City.

Liu Xie looked at Lu Zhi expectantly and said, "Captain, please help Xie'er!" ”

Lu Zhi smiled bitterly in his heart, how could he not have thought that this young emperor, who looked like a puppet, would have such thoughts at such a young age.

originally thought that the Son of Heaven summoned him to ask about dealing with the Luoyang Imperial Court's conquest, but what surprised him was that Liu Xie did not ask him how to deal with the Luoyang Imperial Court's conquest, but instead asked him for help, hoping that he could help him get rid of Yuan Shao's control.

To be precise, Liu Xie hoped that he would be able to go out and restrain Yuan Shao, who was a general in the army.

In fact, as long as you are not a fool, you can see that the Chang'an court is nominally dominated by Liu Xie and Empress Dowager Dong, but in fact, the root of the real power is the princes headed by Yuan Shao.

And Yuan Shao is the most powerful of these princes, that is to say, the real power of the Chang'an court is actually in the hands of Yuan Shao.

If the Chang'an Imperial Court is destroyed, it is fine, but in this current form, many people think that even if the Chang'an Imperial Court cannot destroy the Luoyang Imperial Court, at least it can coexist with the Luoyang Imperial Court.

Don't look at Liu Xie's young age, but compared to his brother Liu Weilai, Liu Xie's careful thinking is much more, he is not willing to be Yuan Shao's puppet at all, even if he has no chance, he has to find ways to create opportunities, not to mention that he has a military boss like Lu Zhi by his side.

Even if Lu Zhi doesn't have much power in the army now, don't forget that when the Yellow Turban Rebellion was quelled, Lu Zhi was the commander of the Han Army, whether it was Gongsun Chan or Liu Bei, they were just Lu Zhi's disciples.

Lu Zhi's influence is so great that it should not be underestimated, so Liu Xie set his sights on Lu Zhi and did not hesitate to ask Lu Zhi in person.

Sighing slightly, Lu Zhi looked at the young emperor in front of him, and sighed in his heart, it is rare for the son of the Han family to fall to such an extent, and Liu Xie has such a mind at a young age, which makes Lu Zhi look forward to Liu Xie.

Liu Xie may not be able to reorganize the Han Dynasty, just like Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu and then extend the inheritance of the Han Dynasty.

At this time, the Empress Dowager Dong, who had been sitting on the side and did not speak, looked at Lu Zhi and said: "Duke Lu, what is the future of the mourning family and this child, it is all in Lu Gong's thoughts, and please ask Duke Lu to see the love of the first emperor and help this child!" ”

Lu Zhi pondered, looked at the Empress Dowager Dong, and then at Liu Xie, nodded slowly and said: "The Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, even if the current situation is not said by the old minister, the two of them are clear in their hearts, and it can be said that it is definitely not the time to fall out with the general first." ”

Dong nodded and said: "At the moment, Yuan Benchu is still needed to fight against the Luoyang Imperial Court, so naturally it is impossible to choose this time to deal with Yuan Benchu." ”

Lu Zhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, if the Empress Dowager Dong and the Son of Heaven really wanted him to deal with Yuan Shao at this time, not to mention that he didn't have such ability, even if he had, he would never agree.

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager Dong was not so short-sighted, so Lu Zhi said: "It just so happens that this time the general needs to lead the army to Hangu Pass to meet the army of Chu Yi, and when the general leaves Chang'an City, His Majesty can take this opportunity to plant people and hold the military and political power of Chang'an City." ”

Liu Xie's eyes flashed with excitement, and he nodded at Lu Zhi and said, "What the Taiwei said is very true, as long as I can control the power of the soldiers and horses in Chang'an City, I will not be afraid of him Yuan Shao." ”

Lu Zhi shook his head slightly and said: "Your Majesty must not have this thought, even if Your Majesty really controls the power of the soldiers and horses of Chang'an City, he must not turn his face with the general, otherwise, it will only anger the general, and at that time, the soldiers and horses of Chang'an City alone will not be able to stop the hundreds of thousands of troops under Yuan Shao." ”

Lu Zhi knew very well that there were not many people in Chang'an City who were really loyal to the Son of Heaven, unless Yuan Shao was killed by Chu Yi, otherwise he had hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses in hand, Liu Xie thought that he could suppress Yuan Shao with the little soldiers and horses left in Chang'an City, so it would really be a humiliation for himself.

Even if Liu Xie has such a snack, but after all, he is too young, and when he heard Lu Zhi say this at this time, his face showed a little disappointment, but fortunately, Liu Xie really regarded Lu Zhi as a dependent at this time, nodded and said, "I listen to the captain." ”

Nodding slightly, Lu Zhi smiled and said: "After all, Your Majesty is the lord of Chang'an City, Your Majesty is the king, and the general is the minister, unless he wants to rebel, otherwise, as long as Your Majesty is not too persecuting the general, the general will never dare to do anything excessive, as long as Your Majesty slowly strengthens his own strength, and waits until one day his strength surpasses the general, then he can sit back and relax." ”

With a little joy on his face, Liu Xie bowed to Lu Zhi and said, "If there really is such a day, I will definitely reward the captain." ”

Just when Lu Zhi was appeasing Liu Xie, the Son of Heaven, a figure appeared outside the Son of Heaven's bedroom, and it was Yuan Shao's confidant Xu You.

Xu You said to the little yellow door guarding the palace of the Son of Heaven: "Go to Tongbing, just say that the general's account is the main secretary of the army, Xu You and Xu Ziyuan ask to see him." ”

Xiao Huangmen hurriedly went to the dormitory Tongbing.

Looking at the little yellow door kneeling on the ground, Liu Xie couldn't help but show a little panic on his face, and subconsciously looked at Lu Zhi and said, "Captain, why did the general send someone to see me at this time, isn't it ......?"

Looking at Liu Xie's panicked appearance, Lu Zhi sighed secretly in his heart, this is still a child after all.

Coughing lightly, Lu Zhi said to Liu Xie: "Your Majesty doesn't need to panic, unless Yuan Benchu has the ability to predict the future, how can he know about the dialogue between His Majesty and his ministers?" ”

When Liu Xie heard this, his eyes lit up and said: "What the Tai Lieutenant said is right, the general definitely doesn't know why I summoned the Tai Lieutenant here, so the general sent someone here for other things." ”

Xu You looked at the little yellow door who came in a hurry and said, "Why is it so long?" ”

Xiao Huangmen hurriedly said: "Back to the adult, Your Majesty has just rested, and when I heard that the adult asked to see him, he wanted to get up and change his clothes, so I bothered the adult for a long time." ”

Xu You nodded and said, "That's right, Your Majesty is young after all, and it is normal to rest early, since Your Majesty has already gotten up, take me to meet Your Majesty." ”

In the dormitory, Liu Xie sat there with a sleepy look, looked at Xu You, who was bowing down in front of him, and said, "The Qing family came to see me late at night, could it be that there is something important to the general?" ”

Xu You bowed to Liu Xie, and then said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the minister came because the general has something to show to Your Majesty." ”

Liu Xie nodded and said, "Qing family, please speak." ”

Xu You said slowly: "The general has decided to send troops to Hangu Pass tomorrow. ”

Without waiting for Xu You to finish speaking, Liu Xie's eyes lit up, and he said quite excitedly: "The general is really loyal to the country, and I am right." ”

Xu You couldn't understand what Liu Xie's reaction was, but he coughed lightly and said: "But the general means that he hopes that His Majesty can go to Hangu Pass with the army, on the one hand, Chang'an City is not too safe, and it is inevitable that there will be Chu thieves' subordinates lurking, in case it is not good for Your Majesty when the general leaves Chang'an, but there will be damage......

Liu Xie's face suddenly became gloomy, and Xu You continued: "Besides, if Your Majesty is with the army, the morale of the army will definitely be greatly boosted, so the minister is here to inform Your Majesty of this news, so that Your Majesty can have a preparation." ”

At this moment, a figure walked out of the inner room, and Xu You recognized it at a glance that it was none other than the Empress Dowager Dong.

The status of the Empress Dowager Dong can be described as noble, and Xu You hurriedly saluted the Empress Dowager Dong: "Minister Xu Yu pays a visit to the Empress Dowager." ”

Dong Shi waved his hand, looked at Xu You and said: "Xu Ziyuan, this palace is asking you, Hangu Pass is such a dangerous place, what does he Yuan Benchu mean, he actually wants to bring His Majesty to such a dangerous place, does he want to murder Your Majesty?" ”

This is said by the Dong family, but it is very suitable, Xu You heard the words and knelt down to the ground and said to the Dong family: "Why did the Queen Mother say this, the general is loyal to the imperial court, and he is even more loyal to His Majesty, why do you want to murder Your Majesty." ”

Dong snorted coldly and said, "Since this is the case, then let him Yuan Benchu come to see the mourning family in person, but I want to hear how he explains to the mourning family." ”

Xu You looked at Liu Xie, who was sitting there, and then at the Queen Mother Dong, sighed in his heart, and bowed to the Queen Mother and the Son of Heaven: "The minister retires." ”

Seeing Xu You's figure disappear at the entrance of the dormitory, Dong's body, which was originally stiff, softened, and said with a little sadness on his face: "Duke Lu, have you seen that Yuan Benchu's ambition as a wolf has been exposed, and he wants to firmly hold the Son of Heaven in his hands." ”

At this time, Lu Zhi walked out of the shadows, and only then did he have a conversation with the Son of Heaven and the Empress Dowager Dong, Lu Zhi hid in the dark and naturally heard it clearly, and when he heard the Empress Dowager Dong say this, he couldn't help but sigh lightly.

To be honest, Lu Zhi really didn't expect Yuan Shao to have the idea of taking the Son of Heaven to Hangu Pass, after all, if Yuan Shao really had this idea before, Yuan Shao would definitely show such intentions when the court was discussing during the day.

Since this was not mentioned during the previous discussion, then Xu You came late at night to explain this matter to the Son of Heaven, then this decision was made by Yuan Shao not long ago.

Without thinking about it, Lu Zhi knew that this must be the suggestion of Lu Zhi's subordinate civil servants and strategists. If you think about it carefully, Lu Zhi can't help but have some admiration for the person who made such suggestions.

From Yuan Shao's standpoint, taking the Son of Heaven to Hangu Pass is really more beneficial than disadvantageous, not to mention the rest, at least the advice he gave to the Son of Heaven Liu Xie will not be implemented.

Or even if it is implemented, it will not have much effect, because Yuan Shao intends to keep the Son of Heaven by his side, as long as the Son of Heaven is in the hands of Yuan Shao, it is not too important who the Chang'an City falls into.

Dong looked at Lu Zhi and said, "Lu Gong, how should this be good, how should this be good!" ”

Taking a deep breath, Lu Zhi said: "Queen Mother, Your Majesty don't panic, and listen to what Yuan Benchu has to say." ”

Saying that, Lu Zhi said with a somewhat solemn look on his face: "If Yuan Benchu insists, forgive the old minister's words, Your Majesty is afraid that you can only go to Hangu Pass with the army." ”

Dong Shi got up suddenly, his face was a little pale and said, "Isn't there anything you can do even Lu Gong?" ”

Lu Zhi shook his head and said: "The power of the soldiers and horses is in the hands of Yuan Shao, as long as Yuan Shao's reasons are not too outrageous, even if it is the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty, they can't oppose it." ”

The next day, the sky was bright, Yuan Shao was dressed in armor and cloak, and he came straight to the palace surrounded by hundreds of guards.

In the imperial city, the forbidden army has been replaced by Yuan Shao's soldiers and horses, and these soldiers saw Yuan Shao and saluted solemnly one by one, which shows that the entire imperial city is under Yuan Shao's control.

The Son of Heaven's Bedroom

A small yellow door screamed: "The general asks to see!" ”

Yuan Shao walked into the main hall and saw the Empress Dowager Dong and the little emperor sitting there watching him.

Striding a few steps forward, Yuan Shao respectfully saluted: "Minister Yuan Shao to meet the Queen Mother and Your Majesty." ”

The Queen Mother glanced at Yan Liang and Wen Chou, who were standing at the entrance of the main hall like two door gods, just by looking at it, Dong felt a sinister breath coming to her face, her heart tightened, and she waved her hand and said: "The general doesn't have to be formal, and get up and talk." ”

Yuan Shao got up and knelt on one side, then looked at the Queen Mother and said: "Last night, the minister was too reckless, and he shouldn't have sent someone to disturb His Majesty's rest in the middle of the night, and I ask Your Majesty and the Queen Mother to forgive me." ”

Dong looked at Yuan Shao and said: "The general is dedicated to the public, what is wrong, it's just that the general led the army to Hangu Pass, why should he bring His Majesty, after all, the place where Hangu Pass is fighting, there will be many crises, Your Majesty is still the best to sit in Chang'an City, I don't know what the general thinks?" ”

Dong looked at Yuan Shao and said: "The general is dedicated to the public, what is wrong, it's just that the general led the army to Hangu Pass, why should he bring His Majesty, after all, the place where Hangu Pass is fighting, there will be many crises, Your Majesty is still the best to sit in Chang'an City, I don't know what the general thinks?" "After all, the place where Hangu Pass is fighting, there will inevitably be many crises, Your Majesty is still the best to sit in Chang'an City, I don't know what the general thinks?" After all, the place where Hangu Pass is at war is bound to be full of crises, and Your Majesty is still best to sit in Chang'an City, I don't know what the general thinks? ”