The two soldiers, seeing Liu Xie's unfriendly expression, retreated. After all, Liu Xie was the emperor of the Han Dynasty. As soldiers under Dong Zhuo, they had offended the emperor, and if they were blamed, they would definitely face considerable trouble.
The officials in the imperial court are not always so easy to deal with.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Fu Wan bowed solemnly.
"Get up." Liu Xie glanced around and saw several figures outside the window. He reached into his robe, took out a piece of silk, unfolded it, and then put it away for Liu Xie.
Fu Wan witnessed the entire process, a look of shock flashing across his face. He stepped forward and whispered, "Minister Xun Shuang and Minister Wang Yun, we can plot against them."
Liu Xie nodded slightly, naturally satisfied with Fu Wan's performance. The palace was currently filled with Dong Zhuo's spies. If one was not careful, even a person holding one of the Three Dukes could be beheaded with just a word from Dong Zhuo. It was truly remarkable that Fu Wan could say such a thing at such a time.
"Fu'er is in the palace and is very concerned about the general. If the general has nothing to do, he may come to the palace often," Liu Xie said, deliberately raising his voice.
Fu Wan bowed and said, "Your subject obeys."
About fifteen minutes later, the door was pushed open, and several soldiers rushed in, their swords and spears gleaming. The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
"Li Ru greets Your Majesty."
When Liu Xie met Li Ru's gaze, he felt immense pressure, as if Li Ru's eyes could see right through his thoughts.
"No need for formalities," Liu Xie said. "What brings you into my bedchamber?"
"When I learned that someone had broken into the palace, I was worried about Your Majesty's safety. Please forgive my rashness," Li Ru said, bowing.
Despite this, Liu Xie did not sense any respect from Li Ru's expression. Li Ru was Dong Zhuo's top strategist and held an important position under Dong Zhuo.
"I am tired, you may all leave," Liu Xie said, waving his hand.
After Fu Wan and the others left, Liu Xie secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had already revealed his intention to kill Dong Zhuo to Fu Wan today. As expected, those ministers who wanted to put Dong Zhuo to death would definitely take action. The key was how to kill him with one blow.
At this time, Liu Xie was in the palace, which could be said to be completely controlled by Dong Zhuo's subordinates. Even when he met Fu Wan, Li Ru broke in. How easy would it be to plot to assassinate Dong Zhuo?
"No, this matter cannot be delayed," Liu Xie thought to himself.
After leaving Liu Xie's palace, Li Ru immediately reported the matter to Dong Zhuo. Although it was normal for the emperor to summon his ministers, it was extremely unusual in the current situation, as Dong Zhuo had a reputation for cruelty in the court.
Li Ru could clearly sense a different aura emanating from Liu Xie. Today, Liu Xie appeared somewhat calm, a situation that had never occurred before.
However, considering Liu Xie's age, Li Ru shook his head slightly. Dong Zhuo supported Liu Xie's ascension to the throne precisely to intimidate the officials and show them what the consequences would be if they resisted.
For three consecutive days, the court in Chang'an remained as somber as ever, but quite a few officials went to see Liu Xie.
In a room not far from Liu Xie, Li Ru murmured, "Could it be that the officials in the court are secretly plotting with the emperor?"
Immediately, Li Ru shook his head. The court officials did not have military power. The current military power was held by Dong Zhuo's confidants. Even if these people had the intention to eliminate Dong Zhuo, it would not be a simple matter to achieve it.
After Dong Zhuo's series of brutal actions, officials in the court will certainly be more cautious in their actions.
"Whether we succeed or not depends on this one move," Liu Xie said in a low voice.
When Empress Fu Shou witnessed Liu Xie's actions, she was utterly shocked. Who could have imagined that the emperor, who could only submit to Dong Zhuo's power and whose soldiers had to give way to Dong Zhuo, would dare to assassinate Dong Zhuo? And the one who made the move was none other than Liu Xie himself.
Such a thing is very risky. Putting aside everything else, even if the assassination of Dong Zhuo were successful, how would the frenzied Liangzhou army deal with it?
However, what Fu Shou could sense from Liu Xie was absolute confidence. Although she didn't know what had happened to Liu Xie, it was normal for him to be so determined as the emperor of the Han Dynasty.
The construction of Meiwu is proceeding at full speed. Dong Zhuo, as Grand Tutor, holds great power, but being in Chang'an still makes him feel uneasy.
Inside the Grand Tutor's mansion, after listening to Li Ru's account of the recent situation in Chang'an, Dong Zhuo coldly snorted, "If the emperor is not behaving himself, this Grand Tutor wouldn't mind replacing him."
Li Ru remained silent. What Li Ru sensed from Dong Zhuo was arrogance, but Dong Zhuo had the right to be arrogant.
One official said, "The Grand Tutor is wise and mighty, unmatched by anyone. Even if he were to stand in place of the Emperor, which of the feudal lords would dare disobey him?"
Many officials and generals echoed his sentiments. After Dong Zhuo seized control of the court, he promoted many of his generals, and the treatment of the Liangzhou army generals was greatly improved. This further increased Dong Zhuo's prestige among the soldiers.
Li Ru's gaze swept over the officials present. Such words were utterly treasonous, and this was undoubtedly the most opportune time to find the traitors hidden among Dong Zhuo's men.
"Please do not spread what you have said. I, the Grand Tutor, am a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty. Every action I take is for the revival of the Han Dynasty." Dong Zhuo waved his hand and said, but he could not hide his joy.
The supreme position is coveted by everyone.
"Within Chang'an City, Wen You should pay close attention to everything, big or small, and you all should also do your utmost," Dong Zhuo said.
Everyone readily agreed.
After everyone had left, Chief Secretary He Yong requested an audience.
"Bo Qiu, what brings you here?" Dong Zhuo asked, rising to his feet. Dong Zhuo held He Yong, the Chief Clerk, in high regard, and He Yong enjoyed great prestige among the gentry.
He Yong cupped his hands and said, "Grand Tutor, you have devoted yourself wholeheartedly to the Han Dynasty. Now that His Majesty is young, he is not capable enough to handle state affairs. I have heard that His Majesty intends to abdicate the throne to Grand Tutor. I wonder what Grand Tutor's intention is?"
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo was startled, and a smile he couldn't hide appeared on his face. "I wonder who said these words, Chief Clerk?"
"Before the Grand Tutor, I dare not conceal the truth. It was His Majesty who spoke. His Majesty is grateful for the Grand Tutor's kindness and has no way to repay it, so he wishes to abdicate," He Yong said.
"Is that really so?" Dong Zhuo stepped forward, grabbed He Yong's arm, and asked urgently.
If these words had come from someone else, Dong Zhuo would not have believed them much, but since they came from He Yong, Dong Zhuo's suspicions were greatly reduced. Dong Zhuo had also put a lot of thought into recruiting He Yong.
"If the Grand Tutor does not believe it, he can go to the palace to see the Emperor and ask him directly," He Yong said.