Chapter Fourteen: The Death of He Jin

Post Station.

Cao Cao led Luo Ang and Tian Feng to their rooms and said to Luo Ang, “Lord Yan, given the current situation, the Grand General insists on using outside forces to deal with the Ten Eunuchs and other palace eunuchs. Thus, he has invited Ding Yuan and you, Lord Yan, while Dong Zhuo is still on his way.”

Luo Ang smiled and said to Cao Cao, “I suspect this is Yuan Shao’s idea.”

Cao Cao looked puzzled and asked, “Yuan Shao? Why do you say that, Lord Yan?”

Tian Feng understood the implication behind Luo Ang’s words and explained, “Actually, Yuan Shao also wants to control the court. He wants the Grand General to bring those outside forces into the capital to help eliminate the Ten Eunuchs and others, then get rid of those outside forces afterward. Once those forces are destroyed, he can directly eliminate the Grand General!”

Luo Ang nodded, “Exactly, that’s the reasoning.”

Cao Cao’s expression changed dramatically upon hearing Tian Feng’s analysis; he could hardly believe that his childhood companion harbored ambitions to dominate the government.

Quickly regaining his composure, Cao Cao cupped his fists and said, “In that case, I shall take my leave.”

Luo Ang sensed Cao Cao had figured something out but chose not to expose it. “Then I won’t see you off.”

With that, Cao Cao left the post station.

Luo Ang watched Cao Cao depart and said, “Yuan Hao, do you think Cao Cao will confront Yuan Shao now?”

Tian Feng shook his head, “I don’t know. People’s hearts are hard to fathom.”

Emerging from the post station, Cao Cao whispered to himself, “I never expected Yuan Shao to harbor such thoughts.”

Then he headed toward He Jin’s mansion.

At He Jin’s mansion, He Jin was enjoying a peaceful life, unaware that someone was coming to see him.

A servant hurried in, “Grand General, Cao Cao is here to visit!”

He Jin, surprised, asked, “What does he want? Let him in.”

“Yes,” the servant replied and went to fetch Cao Cao.

Soon, Cao Cao entered.

He Jin asked, “Mengde, what brings you here?”

Cao Cao asked, “Has the Grand General taken Yuan Shao’s advice to bring outside forces into the capital?”

He Jin replied, “So what if I have?”

Cao Cao said, “The Grand General shouldn’t follow Yuan Shao’s counsel!”

He Jin asked, “Why do you say that?”

Cao Cao explained, “Yuan Shao wants to let the Grand General, the Ten Eunuchs, and the outside forces fight each other, and then seize power amid the chaos to control the court.”

He Jin snorted coldly, “How could Yuan Shao ever want to harm me?”

Cao Cao warned, “The Grand General must act with clear insight!”

He Jin said, “Enough. Mengde, it’s not that I want to heed Bencu’s advice, but the Empress Dowager forbids me from killing the eunuchs, so I have no choice but to listen to him.”

Cao Cao said, “Even so, you can’t let outside forces enter the capital, because their troops far outnumber the capital’s. If we use our own men, we can eliminate the eunuchs ourselves.”

He Jin made up his mind, “Enough, my decision is final. Say no more.”

Cao Cao sighed helplessly as he left He Jin’s mansion, muttering, “The one who will bring chaos to the Han court is none other than He Jin himself!”

With that, he departed.

Upon learning Luo Ang had arrived in Luoyang, Ding Yuan immediately came to see him.

Luo Ang was delighted to see him. “Brother Jianyang, long time no see!”

Ding Yuan smiled at Luo Ang, “I never expected you to come to Luoyang, truly surprising.”

Luo Ang said, “I was summoned here by the Grand General.”

Ding Yuan said, “I never thought the Grand General would send you to Luoyang.”

Luo Ang replied, “Actually, this is Yuan Shao’s conspiracy.”

Ding Yuan looked puzzled, “Why do you say that?”

Luo Ang glanced at Tian Feng beside him, “Yuan Hao, you explain it.”

“Yes, my lord.” Tian Feng nodded. “Inspector Ding, Yuan Shao wants to bring outside forces into the capital to eliminate the eunuchs and the Ten Eunuchs, and also to remove He Jin, clearing the way for himself to control the court.”

Ding Yuan was incredulous.

Luo Ang saw the surprise on Ding Yuan’s face and said, “Brother Jianyang, this is true. Yuan Shao’s heart is inscrutable. We don’t know if he’s beneficial or harmful to the Han. Brother Jianyang, we must be constantly vigilant!”

Ding Yuan nodded, “Understood, brother. I will be careful. But there is something I must tell you!”

Luo Ang asked, “What is it?”

Ding Yuan said, “The Grand General plans to kill the Ten Eunuchs in the coming days!”

Luo Ang had thought He Jin was only preparing to do so but hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

Luo Ang cupped his fists, “Thank you for the warning, Brother Jianyang. Otherwise, I would have known nothing.”

Ding Yuan waved his hand, “I admire you for governing Youzhou to be as prosperous as Jingzhou and Yizhou.”

Luo Ang said, “Brother Jianyang, if you don’t mind, shall we go to a tavern for a drink?”

Ding Yuan replied, “I was just thinking the same.”

So, Luo Ang, Tian Feng, and Ding Yuan went to a nearby tavern to drink.

Ji County.

At this moment, Cai Yan sat on a stone bench in a pavilion, gazing at the darkened sky. Diao Chan stood behind her.

Cai Yan said to Diao Chan, “Diao Chan, you should be of marrying age by now, right?”

Diao Chan replied, “Yes.”

Cai Yan looked at her and said, “I will find you a good family!”

Hearing this, Diao Chan immediately knelt and pleaded, “I don’t want to marry. I want to stay by madam’s side!”

Cai Yan smiled and said, “I’m not really asking you to marry someone else; I want you to marry the Lord.”

Diao Chan was stunned. She had never considered marrying Luo Ang. “Madam, please forgive me, but I cannot comply.”

Cai Yan looked puzzled, “Why say that? Isn’t it good to marry the Lord?”

Diao Chan said, “The Lord saved my life. I wish to serve as his maid to repay his kindness, not marry him.”

Cai Yan helped her up, “I understand, but think about it: if you remain a maid all your life, you will never hold your head high. If you become the Lord’s wife, you can walk with dignity.”

Diao Chan persisted, “Madam, that really won’t do. The Lord saved me, so I wish to remain his maid to repay his kindness.”

Cai Yan said, “How about this: when the Lord returns, I will discuss this with him to see if he agrees. How does that sound?”

Diao Chan nodded in concession, “Very well.”

Cai Yan took Diao Chan’s hand, “Come, I’ll take you for a walk in the street.”

With that, she led Diao Chan outside.

Luoyang.

At this moment, Luo Ang, Tian Feng, and Ding Yuan were drinking in a tavern, unaware that He Jin would be killed by the Ten Eunuchs tonight.

Luo Ang said, “Brother Jianyang, I hope you can return safely to Bingzhou.”

Ding Yuan drank his wine, “I hope so too.”

Just then, the sound of armor clattering came from outside.

Luo Ang, Tian Feng, Ding Yuan, and others in the tavern looked out to see a troop of soldiers heading toward the palace. They were unsure what was happening.

Luo Ang suddenly said, “Could it be that He Jin has entered the palace?”

Ding Yuan replied, “That’s possible.”

Tian Feng said, “My lord, Inspector Ding, whatever the case, we should leave here and return to the post station.”

Luo Ang agreed, “Alright, Brother Jianyang, let’s go!”

Ding Yuan nodded, paid the bill, and together they headed back to the post station.

When they returned, they heard commotion in the street. Looking out, they saw a troop of soldiers led by Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Cao Cao, and others charging into the palace and then reemerging with their heads held high.

Ding Yuan said, “As you predicted, brother, He Jin was indeed killed by the Ten Eunuchs.”

Luo Ang said, “The urgent matter now is to find a way to survive this disaster.”

Tian Feng reassured, “Don’t worry, my lord. They are only seeking vengeance for He Jin; they have no other intentions.”

Luo Ang nodded, “That’s a relief.”