The palace was under strict martial law, with Dong Zhong leading the troops. With Empress Dowager Dong's decree, everything proceeded relatively smoothly, as the Emperor had been seriously ill during this period, and Empress Dowager Dong had gradually arranged for personnel to take over the palace defense, encountering no fierce resistance.
However, even if a few people resisted, they were quickly and forcefully dealt with by Dong Zhong.
Standing on a high point in the palace, Dong Zhong looked at everything, feeling a mix of triumph and worry.
He was triumphant that he had temporarily taken control of the situation with the decree, but worried that the future remained uncertain.
He had to carefully handle every possible challenge to ensure the interests of himself and the Dong clan.
After the Ten Attendants revealed the news to Empress Dowager Dong, Empress Dowager Dong was greatly alarmed and hastily arranged for someone to quickly summon Dong Zhong to discuss countermeasures.
Her face was anxious, and she paced back and forth in her bedchamber, her mind racing.
She worried that this sudden news would bring a huge threat to the Dong clan and was also concerned about her own position and future.
Soon after, Dong Zhong arrived in a hurry with his generals.
Upon hearing the news, Dong Zhong's heart tightened, and he keenly sensed something abnormal.
Empress Dowager Dong quickly pulled him close and said urgently, “My son, what do you think we should do? I fear something big is about to happen!”
Dong Zhong frowned, listening to Empress Dowager Dong with a solemn expression, rapidly calculating countermeasures in his mind…
Dong Zhong made arrangements with a stern expression.
He sternly ordered, “Give orders to Li Le, Han Xian, Hu Cai, and Yang Ding to immediately seal the palace gates and strictly prohibit anyone from entering or exiting!”
His personal guards took the order and went to each gate to relay it.
A decisive glint flashed in his eyes; he knew the situation was urgent and that he had to take decisive measures to ensure the situation remained under his control.
Dong Zhong then turned to Zhong Ji and Wang Zifu, who had followed him, and solemnly ordered, “You two quickly proceed to the Emperor Ling's bedchamber.
You must ensure the Emperor Ling's safety and take over the palace defense!
Pay close attention to all movements around you; if there is any disturbance, you must report it immediately!”
Upon receiving the order, Zhong Ji and Wang Zifu immediately set off for the Emperor Ling's bedchamber.
Dong Zhong was well aware of the severity of the current situation and could not relax his vigilance even for a moment…
After everything was arranged, Dong Zhong came to Empress Dowager Dong's side and gently comforted her, “Your Majesty, do not worry.
Proper arrangements have been made.
Should anything happen to His Majesty, we will certainly be able to support Prince Xie in ascending the throne.”
Dong Zhong frowned deeply and continued worriedly, “Only then can we preserve the glory of our Dong clan and stabilize the situation in the world.”
Empress Dowager Dong nodded slightly, her face full of worry and helplessness.
—Dividing line—
During the days of the Emperor Ling's serious illness, Empress He was consumed with anxiety.
She knew that once the Emperor Ling died, the situation would become unpredictable.
Thus, she secretly sent a message to her brother, He Jin, asking him to quickly prepare troops so that he could lead them to control the situation at any time.
Upon receiving the news, He Jin immediately summoned Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao, Chunyu Qiong, and Cao Cao to discuss countermeasures.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu's lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile.
He was calculating his own schemes, figuring out how to use this opportunity to expand his influence in the court, suppress other factions, and make his family even more prominent.
Yuan Shao's eyes flickered.
As a prominent figure among the aristocratic families, he naturally wanted to gain the greatest benefits from this great upheaval.
He pondered how to unite various forces to secure more resources and power for himself.
Chunyu Qiong stood by, also plotting his own interests.
He knew this was a rare opportunity that he had to seize.
And Cao Cao, a descendant of eunuchs, also had his own thoughts at this moment.
He understood that this great change would bring immense variables, and he was thinking about how to rise to prominence amidst the chaos and realize his ambitions.
He Jin looked at these people, each with their own agenda, yet felt no worry in his heart.
He was still fantasizing about the glorious scene of holding great power after the new monarch ascended the throne…
In the following days, He Jin continued to frequently host banquets for the aristocratic youths, immersing himself in feasting and revelry all day long, seemingly oblivious to the urgency and seriousness of the situation.
His behavior made Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao, and others somewhat perplexed, secretly speculating about his true intentions.
As Cao Cao watched all this from the side, a hint of worry arose in his heart.
He knew that He Jin's actions might miss the opportune moment and bring greater variables to the situation.
At the same time, the situation in the palace became increasingly tense, and the Emperor Ling's condition grew more critical, while He Jin was still living in debauchery.
Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and others seized the opportunity, secretly plotting, and gradually divided up He Jin's military power, each quietly taking control of a portion of the troops.
They used the pretext of stabilizing the situation, but in reality, they were seeking greater benefits for themselves, secretly cultivating their forces, and waiting for the opportune moment to gain a more advantageous position in this power struggle…
—Dividing line—
Meanwhile, Sun Ce and Ma Chao, disguised as eunuchs, cautiously walked towards the palace gate.
When they arrived at the palace gate, they found that the one guarding it was Han Xian, Dong Zhong's subordinate.
Sun Ce and Ma Chao felt a secret tension in their hearts, but they feigned composure and continued to walk forward, trying to avoid Han Xian's attention…
Han Xian had already received Dong Zhong's orders.
At this moment, seeing the two disguised as eunuchs, he immediately blocked their path and sternly interrogated them.
The two feigned composure and lied, claiming that Empress Dowager Dong was ill from excessive worry and that Dong Zhong had sent them to her residence to bring her family to accompany her.
Upon hearing their words, Han Xian's face showed a look of suspicion.
He frowned tightly, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Ma Chao and Sun Ce, secretly pondering: This matter sounds somewhat reasonable, but it is still a bit strange for Dong Zhong to suddenly send these two eunuchs to pick up family members.
After a moment of thought, Han Xian did not immediately let them pass, but cautiously said, “I need to report this to my superiors.
You are not to act without permission until I receive a definite reply.”
With that, he turned and walked to the side, preparing to verify the situation, while also secretly strengthening the guard at the palace gate.
Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted in the distance.
Pang De was seen lighting torches in a distant palace, then deliberately exposing his identity, attracting the palace guards to chase after him.
Pang De ran while deliberately creating chaos, leading his pursuers towards the palace gate.
Seeing this, Han Xian's frown deepened.
He realized the situation had changed and immediately led his men to apprehend Pang De.
Han Xian inwardly cursed, worried that this sudden turn of events would affect his mission, and also angered by Pang De's actions.
He quickened his pace, wanting to capture Pang De as soon as possible.
At the same time, Ma Chao and Sun Ce saw this scene, knowing that Pang De had come to help them escape.
Just as Han Xian and his men were about to reach Pang De, a group of eunuchs rushed out from the side, wielding their weapons, and engaged in a fierce fight with Han Xian's subordinates.
Immediately, shouts and clashes filled the palace gate, and the situation became even more chaotic.
The soldiers guarding the palace gate saw that the situation was not right and urgently needed reinforcements.
There were only two small eunuchs nearby, and they were not very vigilant.
They left seven or eight men to guard these two small eunuchs and all went to reinforce.
Ma Chao knew he could not delay any longer; he had to find a way to escape as quickly as possible.
He quietly gave Sun Ce a look, and then, taking advantage of the chaos, the two slowly moved towards the palace gate.
Sun Ce and Ma Chao quietly and slowly approached the soldiers guarding them.
Several soldiers were completely engrossed by the distant scene and the battle, completely unaware of the two approaching.
Just then, Sun Ce and Ma Chao suddenly erupted, sword light flashing, and sword shadows dancing.
Caught off guard, those few soldiers had not even reacted before they fell one after another amidst the flashing blades.
In just a few breaths, all eight soldiers were dealt with, without even a chance to cry for help.
After dealing with those soldiers, Sun Ce and Ma Chao quickly rushed towards the city gate.
However, Dong Zhong had already ordered the city gate closed, and the heavy gate seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.
Sun Ce and Ma Chao used all their strength, combining their efforts to laboriously lift the latch.
As the latch slowly rose, Sun Ce gritted his teeth and single-handedly held up the latch.
Ma Chao pushed the city gate with all his might, and the heavy gate gradually opened a crack.
Sun Ce's strength was exhausted, and the latch was about to fall.
Ma Chao leaped, squeezing through the gap.
Sun Ce was left inside, sitting on the ground, panting heavily.
Ma Chao exited the city gate but was blocked by the moat.
The drawbridge had already been raised, and seeing the arm-thick iron chains on the drawbridge, Ma Chao was momentarily at a loss.
Just then, Pang De's figure suddenly appeared on top of the city gate.
It turned out that when the little eunuchs and those guards were fighting, Pang De had already taken the opportunity to slip away.
And at this time, it just so happened that Sun Ce and Ma Chao were struggling to open the city gate, and Ma Chao had already exited the city.
Pang De hurriedly went up to the city tower, saw Ma Chao blocked by the drawbridge, and quickly threw Ma Chao's Qiang King's golden saber.
Ma Chao steadily caught the golden saber thrown by Pang De, exuding a sharp aura.
He wielded the golden saber, its light flashing, each swing accompanied by the sound of cutting through the air.
Ma Chao swung the golden saber fiercely at the arm-thick iron chains.
The golden saber was like cutting through mud, and with a few crisp sounds, it severed the iron chains in just a few strokes.
Then, Ma Chao jumped onto the drawbridge.
He quickly identified the direction and galloped towards He Jin's mansion.
After watching Ma Chao successfully leave, Pang De immediately turned around and descended the city tower, quickly carrying the exhausted Sun Ce on his back, and stealthily moved towards the dark palace.
They rested briefly in a hidden part of the palace, relying on each other to recover their strength.
Pang De occasionally looked at Sun Ce with concern, his eyes full of worry.
Sun Ce, meanwhile, was slightly panting, trying to adjust his condition.
They knew they had to recover quickly to be able to meet He Jin's army at the city gate and ensure their smooth entry.
