[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-126":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Overthrowing Han",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1222885,1620,"Chapter 126: Seeking an Audience","overthrowing-han-chapter-126",126,"\u003Cp>The sky had already darkened, but the Northern Palace in Luoyang was probably one of the best-lit places in the world at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, beneath a brazier on the western side of the Northern Palace, Cao Jie, the former de facto controller of the palace and former Grand Prolonger of Autumn, was receiving treatment that bordered on humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Cao!\" a young Junior Yellow Gate attendant replied cautiously. \"Eunuch Zhao Chang says His Majesty is about to go to the Dragon-Washing Garden outside the West Gate, and fears he has no time to see you. He says you should return home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh.\" Cao Jie gathered his sleeves and nodded slightly, showing not the slightest trace of anger. \"So that is how it is. It seems my visit was somewhat rash... But why would His Majesty go to the Dragon-Washing Garden at this hour?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To answer Lord Cao,\" the young Junior Yellow Gate attendant, not daring to put on airs, quickly replied. \"My position is low and my rank humble, so I do not know the specifics, but it is true that His Majesty has lately been fond of going to the Dragon-Washing Garden. I have only heard that Eunuch Zhao Zhong and the others have recently been urging His Majesty to build new pavilions, terraces, and towers in the garden, and to establish a hot-spring bathhouse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie nodded slightly; he could understand that. After all, currying favor with the Son of Heaven was the basic skill of men like Zhao Zhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is more.\" The young Junior Yellow Gate attendant stepped a little closer and lowered his voice. \"I hear that Eunuch Zhao Zhong and the others have also suggested that His Majesty build a treasury in the Dragon-Washing Garden to store coin and goods...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hold on.\" Cao Jie frowned slightly. \"Where would so much coin come from that it needs storing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will not hide it from Lord Cao.\" The young attendant's voice dropped even lower. \"I also heard this from others. They say His Majesty is preparing to collect official money and have it transported directly to the Dragon-Washing Garden for storage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this 'official money'?\" Cao Jie grew even more puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is said that, following precedents of this dynasty, the positions of Court Gentleman and noble titles are to be sold together...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that not simply selling offices and titles? Why call it 'official money'?\" Cao Jie immediately laughed in spite of himself. \"This dynasty has sold them countless times. It is just that the position of Court Gentleman has always been valued by the scholar-officials, so there will inevitably be some disturbances when the time comes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is not only that.\" The young Junior Yellow Gate attendant shook his head repeatedly; by the look of him, he seemed to be quite well-informed. \"I heard that it was first Eunuch Xia who made this suggestion, but His Majesty felt that following the old precedents would bring in money too slowly. Then Eunuch Zhao Zhong and the others jointly proposed that since all under Heaven is the household property of the Son of Heaven, after the court appoints officials as normal, those officials should, according to the rank and profitability of their posts, hand over a sum of money before taking office, to 'contribute' to His Majesty's construction of the Dragon-Washing Garden! I hear the base prices have already been set: two thousand shi for twenty million cash, one thousand shi for ten million cash, four hundred shi for four million cash...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with all his experience, Cao Jie could not help but be stunned: \"And the Son of Heaven agreed... What if someone from a poor family is selected for office, what then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reductions can be granted.\" The young Junior Yellow Gate attendant continued to explain. \"The Son of Heaven said that the Regular Attendants' method is good, but must be adapted to local conditions and vary from person to person! If someone already has a reputation for honesty and capability, the price can be halved, or even halved again. And if a family is truly poor, they can take office first and make up the payment once they have money in their post!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Cao Jie was utterly speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beyond that,\" the young attendant grew more and more pleased with himself as he spoke. \"The Son of Heaven also said that the price can be lower for poor regions and higher for rich ones. And although the Excellencies are illustrious, their tenure is too short, so Excellencies pay ten million and Ministers five million... In short, everything must be considered thoroughly, ensuring fairness, justice, and openness, so that all under Heaven are convinced!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie nodded slightly, but could not help sniffing: \"I understand. In that case, you should hurry back inside to attend to your duties. I will take my leave first!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Cao, mind your step.\" The young Junior Yellow Gate attendant quickly replied, then could not resist adding half a sentence more. \"Lord Cao need not worry. We have all repeatedly received your kindness, and when we find an opportunity, we will certainly speak on your behalf before the Son of Heaven...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie turned back and smiled faintly, then turned and left. He groped his way through the dark to the Lateral Courts to seek out Consort He. However, at Consort He's residence, he was once again met with a closed door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Cao!\" A young Junior Yellow Gate attendant ran out and spoke timidly. \"Consort He is currently chatting idly with Eunuch Zhang Rang. It is said they are discussing some family matters...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh.\" Cao Jie once again looked enlightened. \"In that case, my visit is ill-timed. But I have been away from the palace for so long; I wonder if Consort He is in good health these days?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Junior Yellow Gate attendant, relieved, could not help laughing: \"As you say, you know the Consort's temperament. She strives to be first in all things. Now that Empress Song has been deposed, she is naturally full of vigor all day, wholly intent on advancing a step further. How could she have the mind to be 'in poor health'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie could not help but laugh along as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However,\" the young attendant suddenly added. \"The Consort has not been without vexations lately. She has been wanting her eldest brother, He Miao, General of the Household, to return quickly from Nanyang to lend her a hand. But General He first delayed repeatedly, and after returning yesterday, he listened to someone's advice and actually urged her to first collect the body of the one in the Drying House for burial, to stabilize people's hearts, which greatly displeased the Consort.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie recalled Consort He's eldest brother in his mind, could not help sighing inwardly, and once again took his leave: \"I understand. I will go now. You should return to your duties as well!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Cao, take care.\" This Junior Yellow Gate attendant from the Lateral Courts was also as respectful as before. \"If you have any orders, please do not hesitate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie smiled faintly again, then once more set out through the darkness, alone, to seek an audience with Empress Dowager Dong. And this time, he actually encountered a 'principal figure.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cheng... Regular Attendant!\" Cao Jie actually took the initiative to bow deeply to Cheng Huang, the 'father-in-law' of Yang Qiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cao...\" Cheng Huang, who had just emerged from Empress Dowager Dong's quarters, was startled at the sight of Cao Jie, but then covered his mouth and laughed. \"Oh my, Regular Attendant Cao, what brings you back to the palace today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Cheng!\" Cao Jie's expression immediately turned bitter. \"Why do you ask? Is it not because I have been forced by your son-in-law? Although I am not implicated in the case, with Wang Fu dead on the left, Chen Jiu dead on the right, Zhang Feng gone ahead, and Yuan She dismissed behind, how could I dare remain at home? So I have come specially into the palace to plead for help. Lord Cheng, you must put in a few good words for me as well!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Huang, also known as 'Lord Cheng' or Regular Attendant Cheng, laughed even more heartily at these words: \"Listen to Regular Attendant Cao! I have long been in the palace, the oldest and most senior among the inner attendants. Whenever anyone in the palace asks a favor, I have always helped if I could... But then again, Regular Attendant Cao, since you are not implicated in the case, what exactly are you afraid of? And what favor do you need to ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie could only force a dry laugh, and then took the opportunity to gesture toward the palace chamber where Empress Dowager Dong resided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah,\" 'Lord Cheng' quickly covered his mouth again at the sight. \"Regular Attendant Cao, it would be best not to see the Empress Dowager today. Her Highness has just retired.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that is how it is.\" Cao Jie quickly lowered his head. \"Then I shall not go. Regular Attendant Cheng, please be on your way. I shall return to my own quarters to rest as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Regular Attendant Cao, after you.\" For some reason, Cheng Huang suddenly became courteous again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie understood perfectly well that the other would not be at ease until he saw him leave... And indeed, he no longer intended to see Empress Dowager Dong, so he truly departed from that place and went far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Cao Jie did not actually go to his own residence in the Northern Palace. In fact, soon after stepping into the darkness, he twisted and turned through seven or eight corners and ended up in an extremely secluded part of the palace. And this time, no one stopped him. On the contrary, when the master of this place heard he had come, they immediately lit the lamps and kindled the fire, solemnly inviting him inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the Grand Consort Dowager still in good health?\" Cao Jie prostrated himself the moment he entered. \"Old servant Cao Jie pays his respects to Consort Yu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Cao is also a man of advanced years.\" Under the newly lit candlelight, an old woman with a full head of silver hair put on an outer robe as she smiled and came out to greet him. \"Why perform such a grand ceremony? Please rise quickly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie thanked her for the grace, and only then sat up to face her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Cao,\" this Consort Yu asked urgently once the other was seated. \"Why have you come to find me so late?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie looked at the consort, who was much older than himself, and hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All of you, leave!\" Consort Yu reacted immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the few elderly palace maids around naturally bowed and withdrew together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In truth,\" seeing that there was no one else left in the room, Cao Jie's expression darkened. \"Old servant has come today to bid farewell to you, Consort... I will not hide it from you, Consort. Henceforth, you and I will likely meet again beneath the Nine Springs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consort Yu, hearing this, was neither angry nor sorrowful, and actually smiled faintly: \"Lord Cao, a human life spans but a few decades. At our age, could we still fear death?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie could not help but smile bitterly: \"As you say, Consort, if one could die of old age in bed at this age, there would naturally be nothing to say. But to be honest, old servant is now at a dead end, and nine times out of ten will die a violent death, my person perishing and my clan exterminated. That is why I came specially into the palace to bid you farewell... In this Northern Palace today, of the old relics who were here since the time of the late Emperor Shun, apart from that old pest Lord Cheng, there is only you and me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consort Yu could not help shaking her head: \"Setting aside that old pest, Lord Cao, as you know, I am separated from His present Majesty by three reigns, so I have always sat quietly here in this palace and do not inquire into superfluous matters... Tell me, what exactly has happened to you now? The Son of Heaven has only just come of age; I have not heard of any powerful consort clan. Could it be that the recent case of Empress Song has implicated you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\" Cao Jie's expression remained dark. \"It is that the Son of Heaven wishes to kill me. It has nothing to do with Empress Song.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, this Consort Yu, who was a consort of Emperor Shun of Han and the birth mother of Emperor Chong of Han, first felt a slight stir in her heart, but then shook her head repeatedly: \"Lord Cao, why speak falsely to me? You are not one who does not know when to advance or retreat. How could the Son of Heaven kill you without cause? It must be that the palace eunuchs are once again engaged in internal strife, and the newly risen ones wish to eliminate you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie immediately laughed awkwardly: \"I have made a laughingstock before you, Consort.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case,\" Consort Yu asked calmly. \"With Lord Cao's wisdom and methods, is there truly no way to resist?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Jie was momentarily speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: First my mentality collapsed... my fault. Then I was coding until past nine when I suddenly stood up and found my legs sore and weak. Went to the hospital for a check, and they said I drank too much cola and had mild hypokalemia. Got a temporary IV to replenish potassium. Thought I could keep coding at the hospital, so I didn't ask for leave, but found it was completely impossible there. Now I'm back from the IV, I'll try hard to keep coding. Don't wait up, check again tomorrow morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, reader group 684558115, everyone can join.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2343,"2026-06-04T19:42:03.441Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","9cc29af0ba6377bfe76922ca45d83fc4615467c466d92ae2b192e72195c96ff9","overthrowing-han-chapter-127","overthrowing-han-chapter-125",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]