Chapter 97

After Yuan Shao expressed his thanks, he cupped his hands and said,

"Grand General, those Ten Regular Attendants are a perpetual scourge; they should be eliminated as soon as possible."

Yuan Shao had already urged him many times, and He Jin was growing annoyed.

"Benchu, I have my own judgment on this matter. Today, we shall only drink wine and enjoy the dancing."

Having said this, he clapped his hands, and a troupe of comely singing girls glided in, dancing gracefully in the great hall.

Yuan Shao heaved a long sigh, feeling that he could no longer move this man!

Cao Cao shook his head and said to Liu Bei at the neighboring table,

"Xuande, what is your take on the Ten Regular Attendants?"

Liu Bei shared a cup of wine with Cao Cao.

"The Ten Regular Attendants have been disrupting the government for a long time. It is unlikely they have truly submitted; I fear it is a ruse."

Cao Cao nodded.

"Bystanders see clearly. It is a pity the Grand General trusts Empress Dowager He's words too much."

Liu Bei raised his cup, continuing to pull Cao Cao into drinking. These matters had nothing to do with him; if He Jin did not die and Dong Zhuo did not come, he truly would not know how things would develop later.

Only by following history as closely as possible in the early stages could he profit from it.

When the banquet ended, Liu Bei returned to Lu Zhi's residence.

Lu Zhi was also slamming the table in indignation.

"The Grand General is muddled! That scoundrel Dong Zhuo is a wolf; the discipline of the Western Liang troops is corrupt, and they will surely bring disaster to Luoyang!"

"I tried my utmost today to dissuade the Grand General from summoning Dong Zhuo to Luoyang, but He Jin simply would not listen. I have already resigned from my post as Minister!"

Liu Bei truly admired Lu Zhi.

"Teacher, rest assured. If that scoundrel Dong Zhuo dares to wreak havoc on the imperial court, I will certainly not stand idly by!"

Lu Zhi was gratified.

"Xuande, having you as my student brings me great comfort!"

Liu Bei finally understood why He Jin had been so unwelcoming to him today; it turned out Lu Zhi had just offended him...

The barrage in the live broadcast room began to increase.

"The Big-Eared Thief has miscalculated, hasn't he? Lu Zhi is too rigid; he is bound to offend many people."

"Indeed. Bearing the title of Lu Zhi's favorite student brings benefits, but it also inevitably brings drawbacks."

"Having offended Grand General He Jin, Liu Bei is in a difficult spot."

"Unless He Jin kicks the bucket, it will be very hard for Liu Bei to have a day of success!"

"He Jin is at the height of his power; how could he possibly kick the bucket!"

Just at this moment,

Zhang Fei rushed in.

"Big Brother, Master Lu, sounds of killing are rising everywhere from the direction of the imperial palace, and the fire is lighting up the sky!"

Lu Zhi was greatly alarmed and ran outside to the courtyard. Sure enough, he saw flames illuminating the sky in the direction of the palace, with faint, numerous sounds of killing.

Liu Bei said to himself,

"Could it be that He Jin has already entered the palace to deliver his own head? He is determined to die; one truly cannot stop him!"

They had been drinking together just a moment ago; he never expected that before the wine had even worn off, He Jin would have already 'received his lunchbox' 【died】.

Zhao Yun brought in a soldier.

"My lord, this man claims to be a subordinate of Yuan Benchu. He says the Ten Regular Attendants have murdered the Grand General and asks you to lead troops into the palace to execute the Ten Regular Attendants!"

Liu Bei looked toward Lu Zhi.

"Teacher, what should we do?"

Lu Zhi made a prompt decision.

"Xuande, let us lead our troops to the palace to protect the Emperor's safety!"

Liu Bei nodded.

"Yide, Zilong, follow me to the palace!"

"Da! Da! Da!"

By the time Liu Bei arrived at the palace with his two thousand cavalry, the place was already in total chaos.

He Jin's subordinate Wu Kuang was setting fires outside the Qingsuo Gate.

Yuan Shu led troops into the palace, killing every eunuch he saw—he did not even spare the very young ones—and naturally looted anything of value.

Yuan Shao and Cao Cao chased after Zhao Zhong, Cheng Kuang, Xia Yun, and several other minor eunuchs, hacking them to pieces!

Lu Zhi and Liu Bei rushed into a side hall and discovered Duan Gui holding Empress Dowager He hostage while trying to flee.

"Traitor! How dare you hold the Empress Dowager hostage!"

Although Lu Zhi was old, his voice was full of vigor. He let out a great shout that gave Duan Gui a fright!

Seeing Liu Bei and the others, Duan Gui hurriedly abandoned Empress Dowager He and turned to run!

Liu Bei grabbed a spear from a nearby soldier and hurled it.

"Whoosh!"

The spear pierced Duan Gui straight through, pinning him to a pillar!

Lu Zhi praised him,

"Good! Xuande has great strength and excellent aim!"

Cao Cao caught the scent and came over.

His eyes were wide open as he looked at Empress Dowager He, his tone gentle.

"Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager He was disheveled and severely traumatized.

Cao Cao was instantly smitten; his eyes lit up!

Liu Bei shook his head inwardly. Cao Cao had fallen ill the moment he entered the palace! Could he not move his feet?

"It seems Cao Cao's habit of liking other men's wives is carved into his bones. Is he already thinking of helping Emperor Ling raise his wife?"

Empress Dowager He could only be described as still possessing charm, though her son Liu Bian was already fifteen years old.

"Does Cao Cao not mind that Emperor Ling wore these old shoes for 15 years? Does he want to be the Emperor's stepfather?" ===== CHAPTER 98 =====