For a whole month, Gu Chen had been keeping the entire coalition army at bay outside Hulao Pass.
Gu Chen’s bravery indeed exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Now he could even suppress Zu Mao in battle.
Many tis he was just a step away from cutting down Zu Mao under his horse, only to be thwarted by the rescue efforts of Cheng Pu and Sun Jian.
Such rapid progress truly astonished everyone.
This is how alliances have always been.
When an offensive is stalled, internal conflicts begin to surface.
——Especially as news of reinforcents rushing towards Luoyang from all directions increased the pressure on them.
To them, this was a war with no retreat.
Without any other choice.
This group of people began to contemplate strategies.
They planned to divide their forces and use their nurical advantage to attack Luoyang.
It was indeed a good strategy.
The nurical disadvantage couldn’t be made up for by Gu Chen alone.
But just as they were about to mobilize, Gu Chen took advantage of the night to lead his troops out of Luoyang.
——The situation changed dramatically!
No one had anticipated such an unforeseen event from the start.
Even after they gathered intelligence, they remained sowhat incredulous.
Gu Chen abandoned Luoyang?
How could that be possible?
However, in such circumstances, they didn’t bother to delve into the whys and wherefores. Once they confird the news, they quickly led their army into Luoyang.
Troops poured into Luoyang incessantly.
This unprecedented scene made everyone aware of the weakening imperial power of the Great Han.
It seed.... the mont Gu Xi died.
The words "Great Han" had already lost their importance in everyone’s hearts.
The people were greatly disappointed with the court;
The noble families and clans had also completely lost their reverence for the court.
Who would care about these so-called rules?
Liu Bian was never a courageous person, and in the face of such circumstances, he trembled even more.
Even though the lords from all around maintained a courteous deanor towards him, it couldn’t put his mind at ease.
People always have a sixth sense.
The indifferent glances from these people clearly revealed their intentions.
But even if he feared, what could he do?
Who would care about an Emperor who had nothing?
The noble families quickly learned about everything happening in the city.
Upon hearing the news of Empress Dowager He’s suicide, everyone’s expressions changed.
Who couldn’t guess what had transpired?
Imdiately, soone proposed to use this event to completely overthrow the Gu Clan and label them as rebels.
However, all the noble families imdiately refused.
Xun Yu was right.
This matter was a tacit political balance between both sides.
Gu Chen didn’t expose the private armies of the noble families or harm any noble within Luoyang.
And they couldn’t touch the Gu Clan of Julu or fully disclose the matter.
Although the current order was in chaos, these noble families still desired to maintain a good reputation.
The Gu Clan’s reputation among the people was too high.
If everything was laid bare, it would lead to irreparable consequences.
This is political balance.
In today’s Great Han, the noble families wielded great influence.
This matter was thus settled.
anwhile, Liu Dai, the so-called regent leader, began to fulfill his promise, tirelessly awarding rits to the various parties.
This thought developed in Liu Dai as the situation evolved.
The inactive Liu Bian on the throne only intensified this thought.
The Emperor Guangwu in past years could unite with the noble families and ultimately rule the world alone.
Why couldn’t he do the sa?
In terms of prestige, didn’t he surpass the young Emperor by far?
Moreover, taking advantage of this opportunity, he established connections with the noble families.
As long as these influential families supported him.
Why couldn’t he beco Emperor?
Once this thought arose, it could no longer be suppressed.
And soon, Liu Dai began to put it into action.
Luring the noble families was easy—promises of benefits.
In fact, for the current noble families, who beca Emperor truly didn’t matter.
They only yearned for power.
To them, the Emperor was rely a proxy.
Facing Liu Dai’s overtures, the nobles quickly discerned his intentions, and under these circumstances, Liu Dai sold out the Great Han without reservation.
——Promising autonomy to the Yuan Clan.
Granted the privilege of "Kai Fu Yi Tong San Si."
Permitted Yuan Shu to establish a headquarters in Huainan, with the right to independently recruit troops.
Married Yuan Kui’s granddaughter and promised to make her Empress afterward.
——Promising the Yang Clan;
To abolish Gu’s School, establishing Yang’s Comntaries on the Yi as the sole standard textbook for national examinations.
Bestowed Yang Biao with the title "Grand Preceptor," to oversee the Imperial College and compilation of historical records for generations.
——Promising the Xun Clan;
Allowed the Xun Clan to control assessnts of officials nationwide, and individuals from Xun’s private school could directly obtain official positions above six hundred shi. Also granted the Xun Clan exclusive rights to salt and iron, and control over the Ao Granary to Yingchuan’s transportation hub.
...
Ultimately, human desires overshadow all reason.
Confronted with the prospect of Emperor’s power, Liu Dai seed to lose all rationality, making promises continuously.
And under these circumstances, the noble families certainly wouldn’t reject Liu Dai’s notion.
——From August of Zhao Ning’s third year onward.
Liu Dai, under the na of the Minister of the Zhongzheng, seized control of the court’s powers.
And soon, auspicious signs started appearing around Luoyang.
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