Shuhan

Hidden deep in Chang'an lies a terrifying place - the Imperial Prison.

This is the dark corner of power struggle and the lightless abyss where wronged souls wander.

Inside the imperial prison, the air was so heavy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it. The surrounding stone walls had been eroded by time and moisture and were covered with moss. Occasionally, a few drops of water seeped out from nowhere and dripped onto the cold ground, making a "pa ta" sound, which was particularly harsh in this silent environment where only one could hear one's own breathing.

The air was filled with an indescribable smell of mold, the stench of feces and urine, and the dull atmosphere that came from not seeing the sun for a long time. These smells intertwined together were almost suffocating.

At this moment, Yi Chou was wearing a tattered prisoner uniform that was covered with stains and the original color could no longer be seen.

His hair was messy and grew wildly like weeds. A few strands of hair stuck to his cheeks. Sweat and tears mixed together, leaving a few dirty marks on his face.

His eyes were wide open and bloodshot, the result of fear, despair and indomitable will. His lips were cracked and his throat was hoarse, the traces left by his continuous shouting all night long: "I want to see Your Majesty, I am wronged."

"I want to see Your Majesty. I am wronged!" Although Yi Chou's voice was weak, his desire and unwillingness were still strong.

His voice echoed between the stone walls of the imperial prison, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea, and there was no response.

The prisoners around were either indifferent or sympathetic, but most of them were numb because they knew that it was useless to cry out for justice in this place.

At this moment, a teeth-grinding "creaking" sound broke the silence of the imperial prison. It was the sound of the iron door slowly opening.

As the iron gate opened, a ray of strong sunlight pierced through the darkness like a sharp sword, illuminating a corner of the imperial prison.

In this light, a man walked in slowly. He was wearing the crown and robes of a Shaofu, with fluttering sleeves and a face that was cold and majestic. He was none other than Dong Yun, an important official of the dynasty.

Dong Yun's eyes were as sharp as torches, shooting straight at Yi Chou. There was both scrutiny and disdain in his eyes.

The corner of his mouth curled up into a sneer, and his voice was as cold as ice: "Stop shouting, if you are really innocent, why would I arrest you?"

After saying that, he turned around and took a document from the official behind him and slowly unfolded it. The document was densely packed with records of Yi Chou's "crimes".

"The Yi family was originally a small clan in Ba Ling. They migrated to Luoyang during the reign of Emperor Guangwu. They knew that the Han Dynasty was trying to win over the Wei nobles, so at the instigation of the Imperial Household Department and the Wei nobles, they came here as pawns with the intention of causing chaos. Is that right or not?" Dong Yun's voice was not loud, but every word was clear, as if every word struck at Yi Chou's heart.

Upon hearing this, Yi Chou's body began to tremble involuntarily, and his teeth chattered, making a "clack" sound.

He quickly defended himself, "It's unfair, it's unfair! My Yi family has been loyal for generations, how could we associate with those rebels? Your Excellency is wise, Your Excellency is wise!"

After hearing this, Dong Yun snorted coldly, his voice carrying unquestionable majesty: "If you still have hope at this time, then wait for death!"

After saying this, he pretended to leave, his clothes swaying gently in the wind, as if he was making the final judgment on Yi Chou.

Seeing this, Yi Chou felt a strong desire to survive. He didn't care about anything else and shouted, "Wait, sir, wait!"

His eyes flickered and his heart was filled with mixed feelings: fear, unwillingness, but more of a desire for life.

He knew that if he couldn't convince Dong Yun at this moment, he might really die here.

Dong Yun stopped and turned to look at Yi Chou, with a hint of amusement in his eyes: "What else do you have to say?"

Yi Chou took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He said, "Sir, although my Yi family is not prominent, we have always abided by the law and never had any wrongdoings. It is really unfair to be framed this time. I ask you to give me a chance to defend myself and prove my innocence."

Dong Yun frowned slightly when he heard this, and seemed to have some interest in Yi Chou's words.

He groaned for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll give you one chance. But you have to remember, you only have one chance. If you can't prove your innocence, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Upon hearing this, Yi Chou felt a little relieved, at least he still had a glimmer of hope.

He nodded quickly to show his willingness to cooperate.

Upon seeing this, Dong Yun signaled his subordinates to take Yi Chou out of the imperial prison and take him to a relatively bright room for interrogation.

During the interrogation, Yi Qiu did his best to defend himself. He talked about his life experience, family history, and how he was involved in this storm.

His words were sincere and heartfelt, as if every word contained his desire for life and his persistence in innocence.

Dong Yun's brows were slightly furrowed, as if he could catch the slightest fluctuations in the air.

He stood in the dim study, the flickering candlelight stretched out his shadow, forming a sharp contrast with the silent books around him.

Yi Chou's voice, though soft, was trembling with an imperceptible tremor, like the faintest starlight in the night sky, trying to penetrate the heavy fog and deliver crucial information.

"Who is the important figure in Chang'an with whom you are in contact?" Dong Yun's voice was low and powerful, and every word sounded like a carefully carved jade article, resounding to the ground.

His eyes were sharp, as if they could see into the deepest secrets of people's hearts. He stared directly at Yi Chou, waiting for an answer.

At this moment, Yi Chou seemed to be surrounded by invisible pressure, and even breathing became a little difficult.

He was stunned, and a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes, which was a complex emotion mixed with fear and helplessness.

He knew that once he said that name, it would mean that he would be completely caught in an unpredictable storm.

However, facing Dong Yun's unquestionable gaze, he finally chose to compromise.

"Du You, the leader of the Guanzhong gentry." Yi Chou's voice was low, almost a whisper, but at this moment, every word was clearly audible.

After saying the name, he seemed relieved, but then a deeper worry crept into his heart.

When Dong Yun heard this, a light flashed in his eyes, a light that was able to see ahead of time and plan strategies.

He remembered clearly that when Emperor Zhaolie entered Guanzhong, he valued Du You to the extreme and spent a huge sum of money to buy horse bones just to gain the loyalty of the Guanzhong gentry.

However, although Du You was famous for his talent, he lacked the actual ability to govern the country. Moreover, because he repeatedly offended the emperor, he was eventually deprived of his position as Shizhong. He was left with only an empty title and was far away from the center of the court.

"Hmph, Du You." Dong Yun sneered, with a hint of disdain and anger in his voice.

"I never thought that at this time, this Duyou would still dare to stir up trouble behind the scenes! Does he think that he can escape the eyes of His Majesty by staying away from the court? What wishful thinking!"

Dong Yun's eyes were as sharp as torches, and he looked at Yi Chou with burning intent.

"If you want to survive and gain a foothold in the Han Kingdom, you must know that in the Han Dynasty, Your Majesty is the only sun. Anyone who tries to block this light will be devoured by the flames."

There was an unquestionable majesty in his tone, which made Yichou feel a chill involuntarily.

Yi Chou swallowed, and the sound seemed particularly loud in the silent air.

He knew very well that he was standing at a crossroads and every step was crucial.

If you really become the sword of the Emperor of the Han Dynasty and offend all the Guanzhong nobles, the consequences will be unimaginable.

But then I thought, do I have any other choice now?
Family pressure and personal destiny seemed to have pushed him onto this path of no return.

He smiled bitterly, an expression that was a mixture of helplessness and determination.

He slowly raised his hand and bowed to Dong Yun, his gesture humble but firm.

"I will do whatever you want me to do."

Although this sentence is simple, it is full of his endless expectations for the future and his deep helplessness towards reality.

Dong Yun looked at Yi Chou, a gleam of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

Although this man was forced into a helpless situation, he had an unyielding resilience in his bones, which was exactly what he needed.

"Good, very good." Dong Yun nodded, with a hint of approval in his voice.

"From now on, you will be His Majesty's eyes and ears, and my sword in Chang'an. Remember, loyalty and wisdom are your only weapons."

Upon hearing this, Yi Chou felt an indescribable excitement in his heart.

Mountain darkly, vista.

Although this road is full of thorns and challenges, it is also full of infinite possibilities. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner waves, and then bowed to Dong Yun again. This time, his movements were more determined, and his eyes flashed with determination.

"Don't worry, my lord. Yi Chou will live up to your trust and swear to be loyal to your majesty and the Han Dynasty until death."

Inside the Xuanshi Hall, the bright candlelight illuminates the magnificent decorations, making it look particularly solemn.

Liu Chan sat upright on the high main seat, wearing a dragon robe and a crown on his head, exuding an aura of majesty without even being angry.

His face was as calm as water, and his eyes were deep, as if he could see through everything.

Below, Dong Yun, wearing official uniform and looking humble, held the sorted report in both hands and carefully presented it to Liu Chan.

Liu Chan took the report, unfolded it slowly, his eyes wandering between the lines, a barely perceptible smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

What is hidden in this memorial is not just the words, but a microcosm of the undercurrents inside and outside the court.

"It seems that there are many people who want to use this to cause trouble."

Liu Chan's voice was calm and deep, as if he was talking to himself, or to Dong Yun.

Dong Yun was startled when he heard this. He carefully tried to figure out the emperor's intention and catch a clue from Liu Chan's expression.

However, Liu Chan's face showed no joy or sadness, and it was impossible to tell what emotion he was feeling.

Dong Yun had no choice but to answer respectfully: "Your Majesty is right. Then...should we arrest Du You?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Chan pondered for a moment. His gaze lingered on Dong Yun for a moment, as if he was weighing something.

Finally, he said slowly: "It is too far-fetched to deal with Du You with just a letter. Moreover, it is useless to rely on Yi Chou, an outsider, to deal with the Guanzhong gentry. I give Du You a chance. If he catches it, he can not only avoid death, but also make meritorious contributions. If he can't seize this opportunity, hum..."

Liu Chan's words had not yet finished, but the threat in his words was already self-evident.

When Dong Yun heard this, his heart tightened, and he immediately understood the emperor's intention.

Your Majesty wants to use Du You to stir up the troubled waters among the Guanzhong gentry and achieve your own goals.

So he hurriedly said, "Then shall I send someone to inform Duryodhana immediately?"

However, Liu Chan shook his head, and his eyes became deep and cunning.

"There's no need to tell him directly. If you spread the news that Yichou is colluding with the bigwigs in Chang'an, Duyou will naturally know it."

When Dong Yun heard this, he secretly admired Liu Chan's strategy.

If Du You was smart, he would not only be grateful for Liu Chan's "magnanimity", but would also work harder for Liu Chan.

He immediately agreed and slowly left the Xuanshi Hall.

After walking out of the Xuanshi Hall, Dong Yun breathed a long sigh of relief.

He recalled the conversation he had just had with Liu Chan, and couldn't help feeling a little frightened.

His Majesty's power is growing day by day, and I feel more and more pressured when facing him.

He secretly reminded himself that he must be careful with his words and actions in the future and must not be careless in the slightest.

As the night deepened, Dong Yun walked alone on the stone road in the palace, his steps heavy but firm, his heart filled with worries and expectations for the future.

Being in this turbulent court, one must always keep a clear head and keen insight.

Only in this way can we gain a foothold in this era full of uncertainties.

After returning home, Dong Yun immediately summoned his trusted subordinates and conveyed Liu Chan's intentions to them.

After hearing this, they all expressed their agreement and started to act immediately.

For a moment, the entire Chang'an city was shrouded in a tense and mysterious atmosphere.

The next day.

The Jingzhao Du Family Mansion, an antique courtyard hidden deep in the bustling city, seems like an isolated paradise.

The courtyard garden is filled with the fragrance of flowers, shady trees and gurgling water, adding a touch of vitality and vigor to this tranquil mansion.

At this moment, Duryodhana was leisurely pruning flowers in the courtyard garden.

He was wearing an elegant Confucian robe and holding a pair of sharp scissors. His movements were skillful and graceful, as if he was carving a work of art.

His face was filled with satisfaction and comfort, as if this moment of tranquility was the most precious time in his life.

Around him, blue-clothed servants and green-clothed maids served cautiously, either bringing tea or water or gently fanning, for fear of disturbing Du You's interest.

However, this tranquility did not last long, as the sound of hurried footsteps broke the peace of the garden.

The person who came was a young man, dressed in gorgeous brocade clothes, but his face was full of anxiety and uneasiness.

He is Dufeng, the son of Duryodhana.

Du Feng jogged all the way, through the winding garden path, and headed straight for Du You.

He waved his hand to signal the waiters to leave, and then anxiously said to Du You: "Father, there are rumors outside that Yi Chou's rebellion is actually linked to the big shots in Chang'an! Could it be that... His Majesty has already known that we are behind it?"

When Du You heard this, the scissors in his hand fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

His face turned pale instantly and he stood there in a daze, at a loss.

After a long time, he came back to his senses and said in a trembling voice, "No! Absolutely not! If His Majesty knew that I was behind the conspiracy, how could he let us go? Don't you know the thunderous methods His Majesty used against us Guanzhong nobles?"

There was a hint of fear and helplessness in Duyou's voice, and his eyes flickered, as if he was looking for a glimmer of hope.

He began to pace back and forth in the garden, his steps heavy and hurried, as if every step was stepping on his heartstrings.

The blue-clothed servants and green-clothed maids around all looked at him with concern when they saw what was happening, but they did not dare to step forward to disturb him.

However, Duryodhana soon regained his composure.

His eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had found a glimmer of hope.

"Yichou must not have told us about us. Now, we just need to hold our ground and let everyone write to His Majesty to put pressure on him to release Yichou, so that we can calm down the situation. Moreover, this is also a good opportunity for our nobles to gain a foothold in the Han Dynasty."

Although Duryodhana's voice was low, it revealed firmness and decisiveness.

This crisis is both a challenge and an opportunity for the Du family.

As long as they can successfully overcome this crisis, their position in Guanzhong will be more secure.

Upon hearing this, Du Feng showed a look of relief on his face.

He nodded quickly and said, "Father is right! We will contact all the tribes and write a joint letter to put pressure on His Majesty."

Duryodhana nodded, his eyes gleaming with wisdom and cunning.

D.

He didn't believe it.

Can Your Majesty really kill all the nobles? (End of this chapter)