Chapter 4, The Young Emperor
As he watched the crowd along the way cheering for the Son of Heaven with a roar like mountains and tsunamis, Cao Jie occasionally glanced at the young emperor in the carriage. He and Liu Shu had not anticipated that this young emperor would actually have them remove the ornate canopy from the top of the carriage before their departure, transforming the imperial carriage into a battle chariot style, standing all the way to receive the cheers and welcomes of the people.
"What are you panicking about?" Liu Hong glanced at his most valued disciple and reprimanded, "In this manner, how will you accomplish great things in the future?" Before his words had finished, the sound of a large troop of vehicles and hoofbeats had already echoed from outside the room
The late Emperor has passed away, and the urgent matter at hand is to discuss the establishment of a new emperor. I implore the Empress Dowager to take care of herself in this time of grief. Dou Wu was reluctant to clash with Cao Jie, Wang Fu, and others. Although the emperor is dead, these eunuchs still hold power within the palace. If we push too hard, it may drive them to desperate measures, and there will be plenty of opportunities in the future to deal with these eunuchs.
Starting from Anguo County, the official road leading to the capital Luoyang is crowded daily with people eager to catch a glimpse of the emperor's majesty. For these common folk, this may be the only opportunity in their lifetime to see the emperor, especially for those who have been imprisoned among their fellow townsmen. The rumored new emperor fills them with excitement; for them, the new emperor represents a fresh beginning for the nation. They hope that the new emperor will eliminate the corrupt eunuchs and restore loyal and capable individuals to the court, reviving the prosperous governance of the Han dynasty. In summary, when Liu Hong arrived in Luoyang, the people were filled more with anticipation and joy, and they did not express much sorrow for the deceased emperor Liu Zhi.
In the howling north wind, more than twenty young men, bare-chested, wield heavy wooden swords in pairs, engaged in fierce combat. They are of similar age and stature, and their expressions are almost uniformly stern. Each strike is delivered with utmost effort, as if facing a mortal enemy rather than companions with whom they have shared the past two years.
On the chariot, Liu Hong was dressed in the twelve-chapter imperial robe, maintaining the dignity befitting his position throughout. Although his face still bore traces of youth, his demeanor was unforgettable. To the people along the way, this tall, handsome, and imposing young emperor made them feel that perhaps the empire was about to welcome a great ruler
Stop! Amidst the falling snowflakes, Liu Hong exhaled deeply and commanded the twenty-eight young men engaged in combat to halt. Over the past three years, he had practiced diligently every day, his internal energy remarkably profound. When he uttered a single word, it resonated for an exceptionally long time in the wind and snow.
"Continue reading your books." Looking at the dazed disciples in the thatched cottage, Liu Hong was genuinely angry. These individuals were his future support; to eliminate the power of the eunuchs and the nobility, he would need to rely on them. However, there are too few people in this world who are not swayed by fame and fortune. These young individuals, who originally had their hearts set on learning, were no exception. Suddenly becoming students of the emperor, this unexpected news made it difficult for them to maintain their composure. However, there are too few people in this world who are not swayed by fame and fortune. These young individuals, who originally had their hearts set on learning, were no exception. Suddenly becoming students of the emperor, this unexpected news made it difficult for them to maintain their composure
Liu Shu noticed the fleeting worry in Cao Jie’s eyes, but he could only sneer coldly in his heart. After reading the Empress Dowager's edict, he intended to have the accompanying palace maids and eunuchs dress Liu Hong in the emperor's ceremonial robes. However, to his surprise, Liu Hong, who had already become the emperor, actually refused, insisting on waiting until half a month later, after the memorial service for his deceased mother, before proceeding.
On the second day, at dawn, Liu Shu and Cao Jie rose early, leading a large entourage as they exited the city gates, heading towards the thatched cottage where Liu Hong awaited to greet the young emperor.
Although Liu Hong appeared to be merely a boy of around ten years old at this time, he had been mindful of his every word and action for six years. His demeanor exuded a certain authority, which is why the disciples who remained by his side sincerely regarded him as their master
During the two-week wait, the Emperor's decision to postpone his journey to Luoyang for the memorial of his deceased mother quickly spread from Anguo County to various places. Those visiting Liu Hong, upon hearing this news, were overwhelmed with excitement. They fervently extolled the Emperor's extraordinary qualities in their respective locations. Among them, those who had previously disagreed with Liu Hong's interpretations of the classics immediately changed their stance, becoming loyal disseminators and defenders of the Emperor's scholarship. Many even considered themselves disciples of the Emperor, preparing their luggage with the intention of traveling to Luoyang to pay respects to the teacher who had become the Emperor.
"Return to the village." Liu Hong glanced at the overcast and dim sky, his previously calm eyes, akin to an ancient well, became sharp. Today, the emperor Liu Zhi, who had reigned for twenty-two years, was on the verge of passing away, and he was only half a step away from the throne.
Twenty-eight individuals simultaneously sheathed their swords, standing silently in the increasingly fierce wind and snow, without a sound, simply awaiting orders. Since the moment they were taken in, their lives had belonged to Liu Hong.
Liu Hong, dressed in a plain mourning robe, looked at the street orphans gathered from various parts of Anguo County, his gaze revealing a hint of satisfaction. Aside from a few of his disciples, such as Gao Hu, these twenty-eight children occupied most of his thoughts. All of them were around fifteen to seventeen years old, having grown up without family or friends, and they were not good at expressing themselves.
The general spoke. Cao Jie adopted a humble demeanor, and the eunuchs behind him remained silent. Although they had previously suppressed the court officials and wielded formidable power, all of this was derived from the emperor. Once the emperor passed away and they lost their connection to the imperial authority, they would be at risk of falling into an abyss at any moment, necessitating extreme caution and prudence in their actions
Within the Hall of Jia De, Dou Wu and Cao Jie tacitly agreed to set the new emperor's age as that of a youth. Thus, Liu Hong, who was not yet thirteen, became the best candidate. His late father, Liu Chang, the Marquis of Jie Du, was a cousin of the emperor. Most importantly, the young Liu Hong was merely a fallen scion of the marquisate, lacking any significant power, making him easy to control
Dr. Liu said, "Then I shall not disturb you any longer." Cao Jie did not respond to Liu Shu's subtle mocking expression; he merely nodded and cast a gaze full of meaning upon the wet nurse of the new emperor. This gaze, imbued with the desire for power, suggested that this woman might be worth befriending
Today, as the sky darkens, we shall first go to the inn, and tomorrow we will exit the city to welcome the Son of Heaven Liu Shu glanced at Cao Jie, knowing well what thoughts were stirring in the mind of this most outstanding figure among the eunuchs since the Five Lords It was evident that although the new Son of Heaven was merely a youth, he was far from ordinary Cao Jie must be quite troubled Thinking of this, the Grand Minister of Ceremonies revealed a barely perceptible smile at the corner of his mouth
As night fell, the Yangde Hall of the Luoyang Imperial Palace was eerily silent. A group of high-ranking officials, including Dou Wu and Chen Fan, faced off against the eunuchs led by Cao Jie and Wang Fu, their expressions unfriendly. The emperor had openly indulged in debauchery during the day and had met his demise in the embrace of a woman, a sheer disgrace for the empire. All of this was instigated by these eunuchs who had disrupted the governance of the state.
Standing in the dilapidated pavilion of the Houfu, Cao Jie fell into deep thought. As the new leader revered by the eunuchs, he was determined to leave the palace with Liu Shu to welcome the new emperor, hoping to win the favor of the young sovereign ahead of Dou Wu. Just like his predecessors, the Five Hous, who relied on the emperor to gain power, although he had attained his current position by winning the favor of the Empress Dowager, she ultimately belonged to the Dou family and was related to Dou Wu.
As a mere woman, I shall leave the matter of establishing the new emperor to the Grand General. The expression on Empress Dowager Dou Miao's face showed no trace of sorrow; she merely glanced at her father, whom she had appointed as Grand General, and fell silent.
"Your Majesty is benevolent and filial, yet a nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day." Although waiting for half a month would not be a problem, both Cao Jie and Liu Shu coincidentally spoke up to advise against it. However, under Liu Hong's insistence, they ultimately had to yield and stationed the accompanying troops at the estate of Liu Hong's fief.
Thus, when the emperor set out on his journey that day, nearly all the common people and gentry along the way were aware that the new emperor was a benevolent, filial, and wise young man
Despite the lingering chill of early spring, it could not dampen the enthusiasm of the common people along the official road. They donned neat clothing and held fragrant flowers, with many elderly individuals arranging incense altars for their children and grandchildren to pay homage to the emperor's carriage, praying for the emperor's protection over the nation. Meanwhile, the party members in the countryside were striving to push towards the official road, eager to see if the new emperor truly lived up to the rumors, which suggested he would be a leader who could restore the glory of the Han dynasty. For these party members, who had previously navigated the intrigues of the eunuch faction, the nation was far more important than their own lives; they desperately needed an emperor capable of reviving the Han dynasty.
Like Cao Jie, Liu Shu also remained silent. He was born near Anguo County, which is why he proposed that Liu Hong, who held a fief in this area, inherit the throne. In fact, his understanding of Liu Hong, who had long served in the capital, was limited to some rumors; he only knew that Liu Hong was a filial son with a good reputation. However, he did not expect that this boy, not yet thirteen years old, not only truly observed the three years of filial mourning according to the rites, but also had never returned to the bustling city since then, instead living a frugal life in a thatched cottage outside the city.
"Teacher, many people have come outside, claiming they are here to escort you to Luoyang to become the Son of Heaven," Gao Hu stammered as he rushed in from outside, a stark contrast to his usual composed demeanor
A few days later, Liu Shu, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Cao Jie, the Chief Eunuch, led over one thousand members of the Central Yellow Gate, Tiger Ben, and Feather Forest troops to Hanoi to welcome the new emperor Liu Hong. They traveled light and hurriedly, reaching Anguo County in less than five days. However, Liu Shu and Cao Jie were surprised to find that the Pavilion Marquis's residence in the city was only being watched over by Liu Hong's wet nurse Zhao Rao and a few servants. The new emperor they were to welcome was still outside the city, mourning for his deceased mother in a thatched cottage.
When Liu Shu and Cao Jie entered the thatched cottage, both of them furrowed their brows simultaneously. The young man they were about to meet was dressed in mourning attire, his expression calm, devoid of any hint of joy at becoming the future emperor. Cao Jie's heart sank at once; this youth, with his cold features and imposing gaze, instilled in him a sense of unease. The reason for establishing a young emperor was that youthful temperament is often frivolous, making them susceptible to temptation and easier to control. However, the young man before them, who was about to ascend the throne, appeared three times more composed than an adult, which was indeed a cause for concern. Cao Jie's heart sank at once; this youth, with his cold features and imposing gaze, instilled in him a sense of unease. The reason for establishing a young emperor was that youthful temperament is often frivolous, making them susceptible to temptation and easier to control. However, the young man before them, who was about to ascend the throne, appeared three times more composed than an adult, which was indeed a cause for concern.
Seeing Liu Hong's cold and stern demeanor, the disciples quickly focused their minds, forcibly suppressing the shock and elation in their hearts. They understood that as long as their teacher became the emperor, they would surely be valued and entrusted with important roles. At this moment, provoking their teacher's anger would be tantamount to ruining their own futures.
I saw the Son of Heaven. On the official road of Hanoi County, a sudden wave of cheers erupted from the crowd ahead. Those behind began to inquire about what was happening. When they learned that the Son of Heaven was standing on the carriage, they were momentarily stunned, and then they pushed forward with all their might, causing great distress to the county soldiers maintaining order by the roadside. The guards surrounding the Son of Heaven's carriage, the Feathered Forest and Tiger Ben soldiers, widened their eyes, scanning every person within their sight. When the Son of Heaven ordered the Grand Minister of Ceremonies to convert the carriage into a military vehicle, he pointed at them and said, "With these loyal and brave soldiers guarding me, what fear do I have of petty assassins!" Now was their time to fulfill their duty, ensuring that no rogue would approach the Son of Heaven.
Chen Fan silently watched from the side, his eyes betraying an unmistakable disappointment. Dou Wu, who always regarded himself as a scholar, had always been an imperial relative. What the empire needed now was a wise and capable emperor, not a young sovereign who could easily be seen as a puppet. After letting out a soft sigh, Chen Fan stepped aside, voicing no objections. Regardless, Dou Wu was still preferable to those eunuchs and could be considered an ally.
All of this was within Liu Hong's expectations. The late Emperor Liu Zhi, posthumously honored as Emperor Huan, had favored eunuchs during his reign, and the calamity of factionalism had incited great anger. After his death, people naturally anticipated a new emperor, and he capitalized on this to build his own momentum. Compared to the eunuch faction and the powerful clans, he, a descendant of a fallen noble family, lacked the political strength to contend with them during the initial period of his ascension to the throne. To solidify his position, he needed immense popular support to sway the loyal ministers in the court and the army to his side, rather than relying on Dou Wu, the renowned general with a scholarly reputation.