During the period when Emperor Ling of Han was gravely ill, an atmosphere of unease permeated the imperial palace. The Ten Attendants had already keenly sensed the potential crisis, knowing full well that once Emperor Ling of Han passed away, their positions would become precarious.
Therefore, they began to scheme early, making a series of meticulous arrangements.
The Ten Attendants had placed informants in every corner of the imperial palace, and these informants, like a precise network, constantly monitored every move within the palace.
They closely observed every subtle change, not letting any anomaly escape their notice.
Regarding the unusual situation that emerged today, the Ten Attendants were as if facing a formidable enemy, not daring to show the slightest slackness or negligence.
At the tense moment when Lu Zhi and Dong Zhong confronted each other, the Ten Attendants quickly received the news.
Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong urgently discussed countermeasures in a dark corner.
They understood that the current situation was like a taut bowstring; a slight misstep would lead to complete failure.
They knew that if they could not take action at this critical moment, once the outcome of events was revealed, the Ten Attendants would likely fall into an abyss from which they could not escape, unable to avoid death.
Early on, Zhao Zhong had secretly ordered the Army Commander Jian Shuo to lead his troops and quietly infiltrate the imperial palace.
Jian Shuo, with his troops, moved through the shadows of the palace like ghosts.
Although Dong Zhong had already dispatched troops to blockade all entrances and exits of the imperial palace, Dong Zhong was, after all, merely a member of an aristocratic family; he was far inferior to the Ten Attendants in strategy and tactics.
He had not considered the hidden corners of the palace, those subtle places that were easily overlooked.
The Ten Attendants, however, were different; as the heads of the inner court, they had operated within the palace for many years and knew every inch of it like the back of their hand.
There were no blind spots for them anywhere in the palace; they were familiar with every passage and every secret door.
Zhao Zhong skillfully exploited this, arranging for Jian Shuo's troops to infiltrate through hidden places such as the palace's drainage system.
These places were usually rarely noticed but became the secret passages for the Ten Attendants.
During the infiltration of Jian Shuo's troops, the Ten Attendants also arranged for some young eunuchs to provide cover at key positions.
These young eunuchs obeyed the Ten Attendants' orders, providing cover for Jian Shuo's troops and helping them avoid the patrols of Dong Zhong's forces.
In his haste, Dong Zhong did not detect that a contingent of soldiers had quietly entered the imperial palace.
At the same time, the atmosphere in the imperial palace grew increasingly tense.
All factions were secretly competing, and overt and covert struggles never ceased.
The Ten Attendants knew that their fate was closely linked to the situation in the imperial palace; they had to try every means to protect their interests.
In this game of power, they were unscrupulous players; for survival, they would stop at nothing.
The grave illness of Emperor Ling of Han seemed to be a turning point, signaling the impending storm.
In this turbulent situation, the Ten Attendants struggled to maintain their positions and power.
But they also knew that all of this was like a candle in the wind, which could be extinguished at any moment...
The Ten Attendants were experts at playing tricks and schemes in the imperial palace, truly masterminds of deception.
When Lu Zhi ordered Dian Wei to guard everyone and prevent anyone from entering or exiting the Emperor's bedchamber, the Ten Attendants keenly sensed that something was amiss.
Although they had already taken corresponding countermeasures, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong still felt uncertain.
At this critical moment, Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong had secretly instructed the Army Commander Jian Shuo to quietly move his forces to surround the Emperor's bedchamber.
Should the situation change, they would either seize the Emperor or support a Prince; no matter what, they would fight fiercely for the merit of protecting the throne.
Even though their hearts were filled with trepidation and unease, in the face of the temptation of power, they could not afford to consider much else.
—Dividing Line—
Dong Zhong acted swiftly and invited Empress Dowager Dong.
Empress Dowager Dong, accompanied by Prince Liu Xie, arrived at the entrance of the Emperor's bedchamber, surrounded by a multitude of soldiers.
At this moment, Lu Zhi was still at a standoff with Dong Zhong, neither side yielding, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
The arrival of Empress Dowager Dong further complicated the situation, and her appearance seemed to give Dong Zhong's side more confidence.
In this chaotic situation, the Ten Attendants closely monitored all developments, secretly calculating how to gain the maximum benefit from this struggle.
The Ten Attendants' troops had also quietly taken their positions, awaiting further instructions, ready to respond to any sudden developments.
Dong Zhong had invited Empress Dowager Dong.
Empress Dowager Dong, carrying Prince Liu Xie, arrived at the entrance of the Emperor's bedchamber, surrounded by soldiers.
Lu Zhi was still confronting Dong Zhong.
Empress Dowager Dong stepped forward and angrily rebuked Lu Zhi, saying, "How audacious, Lu Zhi! You are merely an external minister, yet you dare to be so presumptuous, guarding the palace gate and preventing the Emperor from communicating with the outside world!
Are you trying to become that rebellious traitor Wang Mang, who usurped the throne?"
The moment Lu Zhi saw Empress Dowager Dong appear, he knew that this matter could not end well.
He knew that the news of Emperor Ling of Han's passing could not be kept secret forever.
Helplessly, he steeled himself and stepped forward to explain to Empress Dowager Dong, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger; it is not that this humble subject wishes to obstruct the palace, but rather that this humble subject is concerned about disturbing His Majesty's rest."
Empress Dowager Dong was unwilling to waste more words on him and said impatiently, "Then quickly move aside!
The Emperor is gravely ill, and as his mother, it is only right for me to bring his son to accompany him!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhi's face showed helplessness, and he could only step aside.
However, he still had concerns and quietly gave Prince Liu Bian a look, signaling Liu Bian to move closer to him.
Liu Bian understood, and though a little nervous, he slowly shuffled towards Lu Zhi.
Lu Zhi kept a close eye on every move of Empress Dowager Dong and the others, secretly pondering countermeasures.
He knew the situation was becoming increasingly critical and that he had to find a way to protect Prince Liu Bian.
Empress Dowager Dong, surrounded by Dong Zhong and a group of soldiers, quickly entered the bedchamber.
She immediately noticed the abnormality of Emperor Ling's concubines clustered around the bed, and a premonition of ill fortune welled up in her heart.
She suddenly leaned forward to examine closely, only to find that the Emperor did not look like he was asleep.
Empress Dowager Dong was burning with anxiety and hurriedly reached out to check for breath.
When she confirmed that the Emperor was lifeless, she instantly erupted in fury.
She spun around abruptly, her eyes wide with rage, pointing at Empress He and Lu Zhi and the others, and sternly shouted, "How dare you!
The Emperor has passed away, and you still try to conceal the news!
What are your intentions?"
Her voice was filled with anger and accusation, and her eyes seemed to spit fire.
Empress He, seeing this, tried to step forward to argue but was roughly pushed away by Empress Dowager Dong, almost falling to the ground.
Empress Dowager Dong pointed at Empress He and cursed through clenched teeth, "And you, merely a butcher's daughter, relying on the Emperor's favor, have caused trouble and chaos in the harem all these years!
I wish I could kill you right now!"
The more Empress Dowager Dong spoke, the angrier she became, and she turned to shout at Dong Zhong, "Dong Zhong, seize this wicked Empress, this rebellious son, and this Lu Zhi who intends to usurp the throne, all of them!"
Upon receiving the order, Dong Zhong immediately directed the soldiers to close in on Empress He, Liu Bian, and Lu Zhi and the others.
Lu Zhi saw that the plot was exposed, and seeing the soldiers about to apprehend them, he made a decisive move, drew his treasured sword, and at the same time turned to instruct Dian Wei, "Dian Wei, protect the Prince and the Empress!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Zhi charged forward with his sword, engaging in battle with the charging soldiers.
His swordsmanship was fierce, and his movements were agile, as he fiercely clashed with the soldiers.
Dian Wei, wielding his twin iron halberds, was like a ferocious beast, fighting with wide, sweeping movements, each strike powerful and forceful.
He swung his twin iron halberds, each blow immensely powerful, and the soldiers were unable to subdue him for a time, instead being forced to retreat repeatedly by him.
The entire bedchamber instantly plunged into chaos and fierce battle.
The Ten Attendants, who were ambushed outside, heard the roars and clashing of weapons from within.
They exchanged glances, knowing that something was terribly wrong.
Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong looked at each other, their faces showing ruthlessness, and they fiercely ordered the soldiers, "The situation is urgent; we cannot wait any longer, act!"
As their command was given, numerous soldiers shouted "Save the Emperor!" in unison, surging towards the bedchamber like a tide, mixing with Dong Zhong's soldiers in a chaotic battle, and for a time, the shouts of killing shook the heavens and earth.
Dong Zhong's troops were fiercely charging into the main hall of the bedchamber when they were suddenly met with a charge from the Regular Army ambushed behind them.
Caught off guard, they immediately fell into some disarray.
The two groups of soldiers instantly intertwined, engaging in a fierce battle; both sides were locked in a desperate melee, and for a time, it was difficult to determine who had the upper hand.
This greatly alleviated the pressure on Lu Zhi and Dian Wei.
Dian Wei was indeed an unparalleled fierce general; he wielded his twin iron halberds, weaving them so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through, like an insurmountable fortress.
And due to the limited space within the main hall, the soldiers found it difficult to maneuver, and for a time, they could do nothing against the two of them.
The battle thus remained in a stalemate, with shouts of killing and the clashing of weapons resounding throughout the entire bedchamber.