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Fire prevention was an issue of paramount importance for every city.
This was especially true during the Han Dynasty, where a vast number of structures were still primarily built from wood. However, even during the city's overall planning stages, the ancients had already possessed a remarkably clear understanding of this danger.
The entire city of Luoyang was structured around wards (fang). Each street intersection was separated by ward gates and walls. Therefore, a typical fire would, at worst, consume a single ward and rarely had the chance to spread to other areas.
To facilitate timely disaster relief and emergency response, the Han Dynasty established a system of "one watchtower (ting) per street," specifically responsible for these matters. Within Luoyang's walls, there were a total of 24 such street watchtowers, staffed with dedicated Night Officers who conducted patrols.
The Night Officers were personnel fully dedicated to patrolling the streets outside the palace, managing firelights, and prohibiting commoners from casually using open flames on the streets at night. Those with similar duties inside the palace were called "Separate Fires" (biehuo).
However, the equipment available was not nearly as advanced as it would be for future generations. They relied mostly on water bags and water bladders. Another method involved using large bamboo stalks with their nodes removed, which were then filled with water for firefighting...
But regardless of how rudimentary the equipment was, the fact that a fire had been burning for so long without any sign of rescue personnel was, in itself, an extremely peculiar occurrence.
Near the Mao Gate at the southeast corner of Luoyang, a group of men clad in the uniforms of Night Officers appeared. They carried or held various items like water bags and bladders. Instead of heading west towards the fire, they moved silently along the street's edge, skulking their way towards the southern gate.
Outside the southern gate lay the Luo River. Following the Luo eastward would, if all went smoothly, lead to its confluence with the Yellow River, bringing one into the Hedong commandery. Suanzao lay south of the Yellow River, and Ye City was north of Hedong...
Several men in Night Officer attire, their figures burly and imposing, subtly shielded an elderly man in their midst. Using the deep shadows cast by the buildings lining the street, they stealthily approached the vicinity of Luoyang's southern gate.
The area near the Western Gold Market in Luoyang was in an uproar, chaotic as a hornet's nest and incredibly noisy. Yet here at the southern gate, it was as if they had entered another world—quiet and utterly silent.
One of the Night Officers stepped out from the shadows, exposing himself to the faint light.
A low challenge rang out from atop the southern gate tower. Immediately after, several figures emerged from the shadows within the gate tunnel itself. A soldier who appeared to be a city gate guard slowly walked up to the Night Officer. He seemed to receive something, then retreated back into the shadows of the gate tunnel.
Before long, a man resembling a Military Captain emerged from the gate tunnel. Following the Night Officer who had been standing in the street, he approached the elderly man, dropped to one knee, and said in a low voice, "I pay my respects to the Grand Tutor! Everything has been arranged as planned!"
The Grand Tutor, Yuan Wei, disguised as a Night Officer, helped the Military Captain to his feet and patted him on the arm. "After tonight, you must also find an opportunity to leave quickly. You may go to Runan; arrangements will be made for you there."
The Military Captain made to kneel again in gratitude, but Yuan Wei held him back. The group hurriedly and quietly proceeded towards the southern gate.
Grand Tutor Yuan Wei turned his head slightly, looking back over his shoulder for a moment. Then, wordlessly, he turned forward again and quickened his pace to catch up with his guards ahead.
To think that he, the esteemed head of the Three Excellencies, had been reduced to disguising himself as a lowly functionary, fleeing Luoyang like a stray dog with no home!
The problem was that Dong Zhuo and Li Ru had acted too swiftly!
And his own side, by comparison, was truly...
In Yuan Wei's own initial estimations, the worst-case scenario should have involved at least one army approaching the vicinity of Luoyang!
To the north was Yuan Shao, advancing along the Hedong route, pressing troops against Chenggao and Xiaopingjin. To the east was the Suanzao army, its military might directed straight at Chenggao, the Tiger Gate Pass. To the south was Yuan Shu, advancing troops through the Wu Pass, cutting off Dong Zhuo's retreat...
Under the pincer attack of three large armies, coupled with the influence the Yuan family had cultivated within Luoyang over so many years, how could rectifying the court and restoring order possibly be a difficult task?
Yet, he never expected the Suanzao forces to act as if they had eaten too many sour jujubes and gotten weak! Only the Chancellor of Jibei, Bao Xin, and the former Colonel of the Rapid as Tiger, Cao Cao, had actually advanced their troops. All the others had stayed holed up in place without moving!
Yuan Shu to the south had sent Sun Jian north, but the problem was that Dong Zhuo's sudden lightning raid on Yingchuan caused Yuan Shu to fear losing the Wancheng-Yingchuan area. He thus dispatched Ji Ling to bolster defenses, which once again delayed the provision of military supplies to Sun Jian. This left Sun Jian unable to continue and forced him to station his troops at Liangdong...
The northern front...
Thinking of the northern front, Yuan Wei genuinely couldn't contain himself. He gritted his teeth, a faint, hissing sound escaping through them.
That worthless son!
Yuan Wei couldn't comprehend why Yuan Shao would remain in Ye County, engrossed in some self-important "receiving of imperial authority"! Just for the sake of a self-appointed title like Chariot and Cavalry General? Or to secure control of Ji Province?
He truly was an incapable son of a concubine who couldn't distinguish the important from the trivial!
If they could just topple Dong Zhuo and have the Yuan family take control of the government, wouldn't a position like Chariot and Cavalry General, or even one of the Three Excellencies, be within Yuan Shao's grasp in short order? Why the desperate hurry for immediate gain?
Sending just the Hedong Grand Administrator, Wang Kuang—what effect could that possibly achieve?
Now, Dong Zhuo had already given the order to move the capital on the dinghai day. The three armies that had seemed so close at hand were, in reality, still as distant as the horizon...
Fortunately, however, Yuan Wei had prepared a backup plan.
During his tenure, the Colonel of the City Gates, Wu Qiong, had arranged for the placement of many of their own people. Although Wu Qiong had already been killed by Dong Zhuo, most of the personnel assigned to the gates remained in their posts.
Luoyang's eastern gate had always been the focal point of attention for Dong Zhuo's forces, guarded personally by Liang Province soldiers, making it impossible to insert any of their men there...
The northern side was bordered by Mount Mang and was too close to the Northern Palace, making escape difficult and the risk high. Thus, it was not a good option either.
The western side was even less suitable, being a completely wrong direction. Therefore, only the southern gate remained a viable choice.
Outside the southern gate lay the Luo River, and a boat had already been arranged. Once aboard, it would be equivalent to having escaped certain death. At that point, he could choose to travel the entire way by water or abandon the boat partway and continue overland. The initiative would be completely in Yuan Wei's own hands!
Once he returned to Runan, what did it matter if Dong Zhuo took Liu Xie to Chang'an?
In years past, Runan had raised up one Liu Xiu, extending the Great Han's reign for nearly two hundred more years. Could they not perhaps raise up a second Liu Xiu today?
Or perhaps...
The southern gate was right before them. Several soldiers, trying to avoid attracting attention—not daring to use the winch, as that contraption was too noisy—were straining to push the gate open just enough to create a gap.
The newly greased, thick layer of lard on the gate hinges emitted a faint, grating sound. Finally, with the combined effort of the men, the gate was pulled open. A cool breeze blew through the gap, refreshing everyone's spirits!
The several guards disguised as Night Officers hurriedly protected Yuan Wei as he slipped through the gap in the gate and out of the southern gate, then immediately rushed towards the Luo River...
On the riverbank, under the night sky, several large ships lay quietly at anchor.
Yuan Wei and his party quickly reached the side of the large ships. One of the guards stepped forward and gave the prearranged signal...
The moment the signal faded, a whoosh sound was heard from the deck of the ship. Numerous torches were raised, illuminating figures standing there—clearly a significant number of people!
Seeing that the situation had turned bad, the Yuan family guards swiftly closed ranks, forming a protective circle around Yuan Wei!
But Yuan Wei, protected within this circle, felt not a shred of security. Instead, his heart sank like a stone...
Bathed in the torchlight on the ship's deck, a scholar in wide robes and large sleeves slowly stepped forward. He stood proudly, hands clasped behind his back, and said clearly, "Where does the Grand Tutor wish to go? The starlight is brilliant tonight, the scenery uniquely beautiful. This humble official has prepared some weak wine. Might the Grand Tutor have the refined interest to share a cup?"
Yuan Wei slowly straightened his posture. Although he still wore the uniform of a Night Officer, an aura of unassailable dignity emanated from him. He pushed aside his guards and walked steadily up onto the ship's deck. Staring at Li Ru, he spat out a few words: "I've troubled the Chief Secretary to wait so long! After you!"