nuch Jian Shuo。 Jian Shuo in terror fled into the Palace garden and hid among the shrubs; where he was discovered and murdered by Guo Sheng; one of the Ten Eunuchs。 The guards under Jian Shuos mand all surrendered。
Yuan Shao said; 〃Their gangs have broken。 The most opportune moment is now to slay all the eunuchs!〃
But Zhang Rang and the eunuchs of the Ten scented the danger and rushed to see Empress He。
They said; 〃The originator of the plan to injure your brother was Jian Shuo: Only he was concerned and no other。 Now the Regent Marshal; on Yuan Shaos advice; wishes to slay everyone of us。 We implore your pity; O Your Majesty!〃
〃Fear not!〃 said Empress He; whose son had just bee Emperor; 〃I will protect you。〃
She sent for her brother; and said; 〃You and I are of lowly origin; and we owe our good fortune to the eunuchs。 The misguided Jian Shuo is now dead; and need you really put all the others to death as Yuan Shao advises?〃
And He Jin obeyed her wish。 He explained to his party; saying; 〃The real offender; Jian Shuo; has met his fate; and his clan will be punished。 But we need not exterminate the whole party nor injure his colleagues。〃
〃Slay them; root and branch;〃 cried Yuan Shao; 〃or they will ruin you!〃
〃I have decided;〃 said He Jin; coldly。 〃Say no more。〃
Within a few days He Jin became Chair of the Secretariat; and his associates received high offices。
Now Empress Dong summoned the eunuch Zhang Rang and his party to a council。
Said she; 〃It was I who first brought forward the sister of He Jin。 Today her son is on the throne; and all the officials are her friends; and her influence is enormous。 What can we do?〃
Zhang Rang replied; 〃Your Highness should administer the state from behind the veil; create the late Emperors son Liu Xian a prince; give your brother; the Imperial Uncle Dong Chong; a high rank; and place him over the army; and use us。 That will do it。〃
'e' General of the Flying Cavalry was the second highest military office; just below Regent Marshal; and of the same rank as General of the Flying Chariots。
'e' Empress Lu was wife of Liu Bang; the Han Founder。 After Liu Bangs death; she held imperial authority。 She appointed members of her own family to highly important positions of state and clearly hoped to substitute her own family for the reigning Liu family。 But these plans were frustrated on her death (BC 180)。 。。。。。
Empress Dong approved。 Next day she held a court and issued an edict in the sense proposed。 She made Liu Xian Prince of Chenliu and Dong Chong General of the Flying Cavalry*; and she allowed the eunuchs again to participate state affairs。
When Empress He saw this; she prepared a banquet to which she invited her rival Empress Dong。
In the middle of the feast; when all were well warmed with wine; Empress He rose and offered a cup to her guest; saying; 〃It is not fitting that we two should meddle in state affairs。 In the beginning of the Han Dynasty; when Empress Lu laid hands upon the government; all her clans were put to death*。 We ought to remain content; immured in our palaces; and leave state affairs to the state officials。 That would be well for the country; and I trust you will act thus。〃
But Empress Dong only got angry; saying; 〃You poisoned Lady Wang out of jealousy。 Now; relying upon the fact that your son sits on the throne and that your brother is powerful; you speak these wild words。 I will mand that your brother be beheaded; and that can be done as easily as I turn my hand!〃
Empress He in her turn became wroth and said; 〃I tried to persuade you with fair words。 Why get so angry?〃
〃You low born daughter of a butcher; what do you know of offices?〃 cried Empress Dong。
And the quarrel waxed hot。
The eunuchs persuaded the ladies to retire。 But in the night Empress He summoned her brother into the Palace and told him what had occurred。 He went out and took counsel with the principal officers of state。 Next morning a court was held and a memorial was presented; saying:
〃Empress Dong; being the foster mother of Liu Xian; Prince of Chenliu; a regional prince………only a collateral………cannot properly occupy any part of the Palace。 She is to be removed into her original fief of Hejian and is to depart immediately。〃
And while they sent an escort to remove Empress Dong; a strong guard was placed about the Imperial Uncle Dong Chongs dwelling。 They took away his seal of office and he; knowing this was the end; killed himself in his private apartments。 His dependents; who wailed his death; were driven off by the guards。
The eunuchs Zhang Rang and Duan Gui; having lost their patroness; sent large gifts to He Jins younger brother; He Miao; and his mother; Lady Wuyang; and thus got them to put in a good word to Empress He so as to gain her protection。 And so they gained favor once more at court。
'e' A burial place of court officials and royal families。
In the sixth month of that year; the secret emissaries of He Jin poisoned Empress Dong in her residence in the country。 Her remains were brought to the capital and buried in Wen Tombs*。 He Jin feigned illness and did not attend the funeral。
mander Yuan Shao went one day to see He Jin; saying; 〃The two eunuchs; Zhang Rang and Duan Gui; are spreading the report outside that you has caused the death of the late empress and is aiming at the throne。 This is an excuse for you to destroy them。 Do not spare them this time; or you will pay like Dou Wu and Chen Fan; who in the previous reign missed their chance because the secret had not been kept; and they paid by their own deaths。 Now you and your brother have many manders and officers behind; so that the destruction of the eunuchs can be but an ease。 It is a heaven…sent opportunity。 Delay no further!〃
But He Jin replied; 〃Let me think it over。〃
He Jins servants overheard the discussion and secretly informed the intended victims; who sent further gifts to the younger brother He Miao。
Corrupted by these; He Miao went in to speak with his sister Empress He and said; 〃The General is the chief support of the new Emperor; yet he is not gracious and merciful but thinks wholly of slaughter。 If he slays the eunuchs without cause; it may bring about revolution。〃
Soon after He Jin entered and told her of his design to put the eunuchs to death。
https://www.du8.org https://www.shuhuangxs.com www.baquge.ccabxsw.net dingdianshu.com bxwx9.net
kenshu.tw pashuba.com quanshu.la
tlxsw.cc qudushu.net zaidudu.org
duyidu.org baquge.cc kenshuge.cc
qushumi.com xepzw.com 3dllc.net