Chapter 44 Cao Cao: I took action first [Seeking follow-up reading]

Luoyang Palace.

Chongde Hall.

Empress Dowager He listened to the faint shouting and screaming again, and slowly tightened her fingers, then slowly spread them out.

Traitors attacked the palace one after another.

In the past few days, Dong Zhuo's attacks on the palace have become more and more intense.

When they stormed the palace last night, they even used rockets.

Dong Zhuo was like a besieged tiger, showing a desperate and crazy attitude.

His attack on the palace made Empress Dowager He determined to send a message to Huangfu Song, ordering him to lead his troops to Luoyang to defend the king.

However, Empress Dowager He had other arrangements for the team delivering the letter.

She asked the child, whom she had hated for many years, to join the team and leave the city.

If there is an accident, then if someone dies, then that's it, and we can get rid of a scourge at the same time.

Empress Dowager He has always been cruel.

At this time, a maid came in from outside the palace in the rain: "Queen Mother, someone is coming."

Empress Dowager He said urgently, "Let someone in quickly."

Outside the hall, a man in Taoist robes walked in, led by a maid.

This man was tall and thin, wearing a Taoist robe, and was an old Taoist priest.

He entered the palace in the heavy rain, but his Taoist robe fluttered and was not wet at all.

When Emperor Shao Liu Bian was born, Emperor Ling Liu Hong had already lost many children who died young. So when it came to Liu Bian, Taoist people were invited to protect his life.

When Liu Bian was young, he was sent out of the palace and entrusted to the care of Shi Zimi, a Taoist priest with great accomplishments, to prevent him from dying young.

This is what actually happened in history.

The person Liu Bian was closest to in the world was Shi Zimiao, who had raised him for many years.

Empress Dowager He also placed great reliance and trust in Shi Daoren, who had taken care of her son for many years and had supernatural powers.

She hid it from everyone and secretly brought Shi Zimi here, treating him as her trump card.

The person who walked into the hall was Shi Zimiao.

He bowed to Empress Dowager He and said, "I came here immediately after receiving the message from the Empress Dowager."

When Empress Dowager He saw Shi Zimiao, her uneasiness of the past few days suddenly dissipated. She knew very well how powerful this Taoist was: "The Taoist leader came at the right time. The rebels have been attacking the palace for days. Your Majesty took some tranquilizing decoction today and went to bed early."

"I haven't seen you for over a year, I want to go and see you."

"Come here, take Shi Daoshou to the inner palace to see His Majesty."

Shi Zimi was led to the inner palace by the palace maid.

"Minister Lu, Cao Cao is waiting outside for an audience." Another maid came to report.

Empress Dowager He said unhappily, "Go tell Minister Lu that I know he is on duty with the imperial guards. He is worried when I summoned Shi Daoshou to the palace. Tell him to do his job well and fulfill his duties as a minister."

"As for Cao Cao, tell him to go back with Lu Zhi."

The maid bowed and responded, then left quickly.

----

On the north gate, Dong Zhuo stood in the rain and looked at the imperial palace in the distance.

The situation changed over the past few days. With Huangfu Song leading his troops to block the attack from outside and Ding Yuan's troops and the Xiyuan Army joining forces from inside, he was stuck in Luoyang, unable to advance or retreat.

Dong Zhuo knew very well that if he continued to delay, the morale of his troops in Luoyang would decline and they would be defeated without a fight.

"Jia Xu, will your plan bear fruit tonight?" Dong Zhuo asked irritably.

Jia Xu replied helplessly: "Li Ru arranged it, he knows the details."

Li Ru's eyes also turned bloodshot.

Tonight is their last chance.

If we fail again, we must withdraw from Luoyang as soon as possible.

It was too late, and Huangfu Song's troops pressed on and attacked from both inside and outside the city, leaving them with no chance to escape.

At this time, a scout in the city quickly climbed up the city wall and whispered in Li Ru's ear.

After hearing this, Li Ru said, "My Lord, the man sent by Queen Mother He was the Prince of Chenliu. As expected, he has been captured by us."

“Other arrangements are also going smoothly.”

"it is good!"

Dong Zhuo grinned and said, "Empress Dowager He is a fool. Jia Xu, you arranged it very well."

Jia Xu hurriedly evaded the question, saying, "It's not my credit. I just informed you of the Queen Mother He's character. Now things are still undecided, and we still have to see how the palace changes."

Dong Zhuo waved his hand and said, "You all follow me into the palace!"

At the same time, Cao Cao was outside the Chongde Hall, looking at Lu Zhi, whose hair was wet by the rain.

Empress Dowager He did not want to see them, and Cao Cao, as expected, said calmly, "Minister Lu, I will go check the palace defenses."

Lu Zhi nodded.

Cao Cao walked towards the east gate where the Xiyuan Army was stationed, and sorted out his thoughts on the way.

Dong Zhuo's attacks on the palace for several days had little actual effect and were more like a way to create pressure.

Dong Zhuo wanted to make Empress Dowager He panic-stricken and fearful so that he would make mistakes.

Was it Jia Xu or Li Ru who gave advice to Dong Zhuo?

Jia Xu is better at taking advantage of people's hearts, like his methods.

Cao Cao thought to himself that he was lucky to have discussed with Xun Yu before and had already judged the situation in the city. He now had to do a few things to deal with the changes that Dong Zhuo might bring about.

However, Cao Cao also sighed, Empress Dowager He was the legendary bad teammate.

Sometimes it all comes down to who is more stable. If you just wait two or three days, there will be a turning point.

It's a pity that she didn't live up to her expectations and may have made a mistake.

That’s good, I can take this opportunity to earn a lot of reputation… Cao Cao thought.

During these few days in Luoyang, it seemed that a lot of things had changed, but it also seemed that nothing had been done. History seemed to be setting things right and was moving firmly back to its original path.

At the hour of Hai, the rain became lighter.

Cao Cao arrived at the east gate of the imperial palace where the Xiyuan Army was stationed.

The temporary government office at the foot of the city wall.

The four Xiyuan captains, Yao Jun, Zhao Rong, Chunyu Qiong and Xia Mou, were all called over.

"The general summoned us late at night. What happened?" Yao Jun said.

He is the captain in charge of guarding the East Gate tonight.

The other people were summoned by Cao Cao overnight.

"I invite you to come and be a witness."

Cao Cao looked at Yao Jun and said, "Captain Yao, I have had someone check your past experience these days. You were promoted by General He, and you first served under General He together with Dong Min."

"Dong Min?"

Yao Jun took a step back. "Dong Min is Dong Zhuo's younger brother, and Dong Zhuo is plotting a rebellion in Luoyang. What does General Cao mean by this?"

Cao Cao said to himself, "Later, you and Dong Min quarreled over a trivial matter and fell out with each other and never had any contact again.

Soon, Xiyuan Army’s junior lieutenant Bao Hong was found to be corrupt, and General He asked you to take over Bao Hong’s position.”

"Tonight, you took the initiative to switch guard with Xia Mu and come here to command the troops on duty, right?"

Xia Mu stood not far away, wearing an official robe but no armor.

He also served as the Imperial Counselor in the court.

Most officials in the Han Dynasty were both civil and military. They could fight on horseback and were good at writing when they dismounted.

Xia Mu looked at Yao Jun with a look of surprise.

Yao Jun did agree with him to switch defense.

But the news of the two men's change of guard was sent to Cao Cao the day before yesterday, and Cao Cao agreed to it.

"General Cao, do you mean that Yao Jun is Dong Zhuo's man and they have plans for tonight?" said Zhao Rong, the left lieutenant of the auxiliary army on the other side.

Cao Cao: "Whether Yao Jun has problems or not, we can tell by looking at what Dong Zhuo does tonight."

Only then did they understand why Cao Cao asked them to come.

About a quarter of an hour later, a soldier came to report.

A group of people asked to see Yao Jun, saying that they were the imperial guards and had come on the orders of the Queen Mother.

Not far away, Yao Jun’s hands and feet were cold.

He didn't understand why he was exposed.

How could Cao Cao see through their plan? He took action just before they launched the attack, exposed his identity and controlled him here.

Cao Cao looked at Yao Jun and said, "The people who came here are Dong Zhuo's men. He regards tonight as his last chance and is ready to use all means to seize the palace defense. What benefits did he promise you to make you take such a big risk?"

"Dian Wei, take him down."

"I am the captain of Xiyuan. If you want to arrest me, you need the imperial edict. Cao Cao, how dare you? I think you want to rebel and surrender to Dong Zhuo!"

Yao Jun spoke sternly, holding the sword at his waist with one hand.

Dian Wei strode forward and reached out to grab Yao Jun.

Clang!
Yao Jun drew out his ring-handled sword and chopped it down head-on.

Dian Wei changed his grab into a fist, and without changing his posture, he struck directly on the knife.

Yao Jun felt as if he was hit by a solid iron hammer. His body lost weight and his feet left the ground, but Dian Wei grabbed his shoulder blade and punched him again.

Yao Jun's chest, even the breastplate, was cracked into pieces.

His sternum collapsed and stuck to his back. His internal organs were all shattered under the powerful impact and even his pores were bleeding!

Several captains nearby were all surprised.

Yao Jun was also a military strategist and a famous brave general in the Xiyuan Army.

Cao Cao's bodyguard beat him to death with two punches!

"You...you dare to kill me..."

Yao Jun fell to the ground, blood foam gushing out of his mouth, and he died in an instant.

At this moment, we must strive to take full control of the Xiyuan Army as quickly as possible to cope with the upcoming changes.

Cao Cao was willing to say a few more words in order to appease the other captains and avoid turmoil.

How big of a deal is it to kill Yao Jun privately?

"Order the entire army to strictly guard the palace. Do not exchange guard with anyone without my order." Cao Cao said.

North gate of the palace.

Dong Zhuo walked into the palace, followed by soldiers and horses, and pressed towards Chongde Hall where Empress Dowager He was.

Ps: This chapter is a little late, I revised it once more, please read it and vote, thank you

(End of this chapter)