Chapter 8: Proclaiming Loyalty Before the Hall

All the ministers had originally planned to keep a low profile, but seeing Minister Lu Zhi, Grand Marshal Yang Biao, Master of Ceremonies Wang Yun, Grand Tutor Yuan Kui and others speak up, and with Liu Bian's performance today, they decided to take a gamble.

Even if they lose, they will have no regrets; even in the Nine Springs, facing the ancestors of the Han Empire, they can confront it with composure.

Most people were initially watching from the sidelines; originally, regarding Dong Zhuo's usurpation, they turned a blind eye.

Because Liu Bian's earlier conduct indeed made him unfit to be emperor of the Han Empire, it would be better to support Liu Xie's ascension; with Liu Xie's cleverness and their assistance, a gradual plan could topple Dong Zhuo without difficulty.

But now, when the ministers see Liu Bian's imperial aura, which overwhelms the heavens and subdues the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, they realize they may have all been mistaken.

Liu Bian's past behavior was to conceal his edge; he had long been biding his time, only now revealing it.

Therefore, they changed their original intent; even at the cost of their lives, they must protect Liu Bian's dignity.

"We do not agree!!!" the ministers shouted again.

"Ah… betrayed! Betrayed… you, you, you… you really are so good…"

Dong Zhuo, angry, pointed at the officials before the hall, his voice trembling, his face darkened to the extreme, his plump face showing a feral snarl, his whole body radiating murderous intent.

"Come, seize these treacherous traitors for us…"

Before he could finish, Li Ru grabbed him; Li Ru hurried forward, holding him, and whispered, "Father-in-law, this must not be acted on in anger! Otherwise our great undertaking will be over."

"Father-in-law, these people are detestable, but they are the backbone of the Court; if we kill them all, the realm will plunge into chaos, the Han Empire will immediately fragment, descending into a war among the marquises and a rise of many heroes. Especially among them, the great aristocratic families make up most; if we move against them, we will be besieged by the heroes!"

"Virtuous son-in-law, what should we do now?"

Dong Zhuo, hearing Li Ru's words, was startled, his inner fury completely extinguished, and hurriedly asked Li Ru.

"Father-in-law, it's simple; these people don't distrust what you say, right? We can follow the original plan and have the little emperor abdicate, that solves it. Then the emperor they recognize will personally step down—hee, hee, hee… let's see what they'll say then!" Li Ru said with a sinister smile.

After hearing Li Ru's words, Dong Zhuo's thoughts instantly cleared, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Your Majesty, last time you said you felt lacking in courage and virtue, wishing to abdicate to the Prince of Chen Liu, didn't you? Since you have that intention, I think we should complete the abdication today."

Dong Zhuo changed his usual demeanor, turned, bowed with clasped fists, and respectfully said to Liu Bian.

Hearing this, Liu Bian's mouth twitched upward slightly, revealing a barely perceptible cold smile; he slowly rose from the Dragon Throne, gave Dong Zhuo a casual glance, ignored him, and stepped directly past Dong Zhuo, his gaze looking down at the ministers below.

"Your Majesty, you must never disappoint us, and never let the Han be disappointed!"

Seeing Liu Bian's awe‑inspiring figure, Lu Zhi, Yang Biao, Yuan Kui and others wore faces of anticipation, their hearts trembling with dread.

"Do not worry, Lu Zhi, Yang Biao, Yuan Kui; you have not disappointed me. In this life, I will not disappoint you either."

Liu Bian's sharp gaze swept over the ministers, absorbing their expressions, and he solemnly said.

In fact, Liu Bian had ignored Dong Zhuo's words all along, waiting for the ministers' reaction, and their response did not disappoint him.

He knows the ministers have not lost hope in him, nor in the Han.

"Liu Xie, Liu Xie, you truly are my dear younger brother; it seems you are impatient for the throne!"

Liu Bian's keen gaze swept the Grand Hall and finally rested on Liu Xie, who stood below; at that moment Liu Xie's eyes burned as he stared at the Dragon Throne atop the high platform, the meaning in his eyes unmistakable.

"Hmph, the throne has always been mine; if not for your mother, the Empress Dowager, and He Jin, you would never have sat on it. This seat belongs to me now and will belong to me in the future. And Dong Zhuo, that treacherous rogue, still thinks he can control me. I will now feign submission to you; once I obtain the throne, I will gradually find a way to eliminate you."

"As for my good elder brother, then I'm sorry; for the future of the Han, you must be sacrificed, which also contributes to the Restoration of the Han."

Only nine years old, Liu Xie fantasized about future glory, his small age already revealing great ambition, thinking fiercely.

He paid no attention to Liu Bian's gaze, which seemed to look at him as if he were dead.

"Very well, Your Majesty, it's getting late, let's begin the abdication."

Dong Zhuo, eyes flashing with threat, scolded.

"Dong Zhuo, are you sure you want me to abdicate to this waste?"

At this moment Liu Bian ceased his contemplation, his eyes cold as he stared at Dong Zhuo, shouting angrily.

"What, we've reached this moment, and you still want to resist? Now, whether you agree or not, you must agree!"

Dong Zhuo's eyes fixed on Liu Bian, his large hand already resting on the sword at his waist, his murderous intent unmasked, he threatened.

"Resist?"

"Prime Minister Dong, what a big hat you wear! Today truly broadened my horizons; as a minister, you dare tell your lord you will resist?"

Liu Bian ignored Dong Zhuo's murderous threat, lifted his head and chest, a flurry of Shrine light flashing in his eyes, his gaze scanning the ministers below.

"Today, I ask only one question: among you, is there anyone still loyal to me, loyal to the Han Empire?"

Liu Bian's voice, full of authority, rang through the Grand Hall, reaching directly into each person's heart.

Hearing this

The ministers below shivered, their thoughts swirling.

But Dong Zhuo did not attack; instead, with a foolish, mocking grin, he said to Liu Bian, "At death's door you still think someone will help you; I want to see which of these people will help you. Whoever isn't afraid of death, step forward; I will certainly exterminate their Nine Clans."

As Dong Zhuo's words fell, the once noisy Grand Hall became so quiet that a pin could be heard, and the ministers fell into contemplation.

Liu Bian's seemingly simple question, for the ministers, was a matter of life and death. Choosing the wrong side would mean the extermination of their Nine Clans.

Loyal to the emperor, loyal to the Han house, that means opposing Dong Zhuo; given his nature, he would never spare them, so the choice between loyalty and life hangs on this step.

A quarter hour later, the empty Grand Hall finally stirred again.

"I, Lu Zhi, swear to die serving Your Majesty," Lu Zhi was the first to step forward, unafraid of death's threat, walking into the hall, staring at Liu Bian on the platform, and shouted.

Indeed, this vast Han still has ministers loyal to it.

"I, Yang Biao, swear to die serving Your Majesty."

"I, Wang Yun, swear to die serving Your Majesty."

"I, Yuan Kui, swear to die serving Your Majesty."

As Lu Zhi stepped forward, all these loyal Han ministers stood resolutely, declaring their allegiance.

"I, Cao Cao, vow to die serving Your Majesty!"

"I, Yuan Shao, vow to die serving Your Majesty!"

"Well done, Shao'er, well done, worthy of the Yuan family's son; you have not disappointed your uncle. For a minister, loyalty comes first."

Yuan Kui looked at the young Yuan Shao, laughed heartily, and said with a satisfied smile.

"Thank you, Uncle, for your praise; I, Yuan Shao, today will certainly advance and retreat together with you and His Majesty."

Yuan Shao laughed magnanimously, completely unconcerned about the impending crisis.

As those people left, soon a group of civil and military officials below also emerged, bowing down in the tunnel:

"I, Cai Yong...

I, Wu Fu...

I, Dong Cheng...

I,...

"We, the ministers, swear to die loyal to His Majesty!"

Looking at the original crowd of several Hundred ministers, only twenty or thirty remain standing in their original places; evidently, these people's fear of death has overcome their loyalty, and they are no longer loyal to Liu Bian.