Empress Dowager Dong was never, in truth, a legitimate empress dowager.
Her husband had never been emperor.
When Liu Hong ascended the throne, he inherited it from Liu Zhi. According to established ritual, the rightful empress dowager at the time was Dou Miao, Liu Zhi's empress. After Dou Miao's death, no empress dowager remained during Liu Hong's reign.
The title granted to Lady Dong existed solely because of Liu Hong's personal filial piety—he had elevated her by force of will, not by precedent.
In essence, it carried no true legitimacy.
It was no different from Liu Hong posthumously honoring Liu Chang as "Emperor Xiaoren." A title alone could not make him an actual emperor.
While Liu Hong lived, no one dared to raise the issue.
But now that he was dead… how could Lady Dong—a mere prince's consort—continue residing in the imperial palace?
Seizing on this, Yuan Wei and the others submitted a memorial demanding that Empress Dowager Dong leave the palace and return to her native commandery of Hejian.
Their reasoning was sound.
And, more importantly—entirely lawful.
When Empress Dowager He read the memorial, she was overjoyed and approved it without hesitation.
Once that old woman leaves the palace… whatever happens to her afterward has nothing to do with me.
She could barely conceal her satisfaction.
When Empress Dowager Dong learned of this, she was horrified.
She refused to leave.
Partly out of fear for her life.
But more importantly—Liu Xie was still young.
If she departed, how could that vicious woman possibly spare him?
Upon hearing of the situation, He Jin rushed into the palace.
Didn't I just warn you not to provoke her? How did it come to this?
After much persuasion, he finally convinced Empress Dowager He to temporarily suspend the order and allow Empress Dowager Dong to remain.
From that moment on, however, Empress Dowager Dong's power was effectively broken.
She withdrew into Yongle Palace, guarding Liu Xie day and night, no longer daring to interfere in state affairs.
This incident also opened He Jin's eyes.
The party members… were truly formidable.
They had completely shaped his sister's thinking.
Brother Ziqing was right. I really can't match them.
He Jin sighed inwardly.
If that letter had arrived two days later… the consequences would have been disastrous.
Thus passed May of the sixth year of Zhongping.
When June arrived, Yuan Shao and his allies began to grow suspicious.
The edict ordering Empress Dowager Dong to leave the palace had already been approved—so why had nothing happened?
After making inquiries, they learned the truth:
He Jin had intervened.
Once again.
Yuan Shao's expression darkened.
"It goes without saying… another of Zhang Xin's ideas."
That butcher didn't have the brains for such a move.
The party members jointly submitted another memorial, once again urging that Empress Dowager Dong be relocated.
This time, Empress Dowager He refused.
"She is both my mother-in-law and the emperor's grandmother. Forcing her out would damage the court's reputation."
With the heavy weight of filial piety invoked, the party members found themselves with no grounds to press further.
"That Zhang Xin… truly detestable!"
Yuan Shao ground his teeth in fury.
Without removing Empress Dowager Dong, their next steps were impossible.
Left with no better option, Yuan Shao convened He Yong, Xu You, and the others to deliberate.
After hours of discussion, no viable solution emerged.
In the end, they reached a reluctant conclusion:
Set aside Empress Dowager Dong for now.
Focus instead on driving a wedge between He Jin and Zhang Xin.
After all—
both men held military power.
If they stood united, no one could oppose them.
All intelligence from Luoyang soon reached Zhang Xin through Cao Xing and He Jin.
"Just as expected… the party members can no longer sit still."
In his study, Zhang Xin read the letter and fell into deep thought.
If I were Yuan Shao… what would I do now?
History had already been thrown into chaos.
From the moment he forced through the posthumous title "Xiang" for Liu Hong, everything had begun to diverge.
Now, with He Jin turning away from Yuan Shao under his influence…
Would Dong Zhuo still be summoned to the capital?
"My lord, Lord Chang has arrived."
The voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Zhang Xin looked up.
Standing at the door was a youth of fifteen or sixteen—handsome, though his slightly elongated face gave him an unusual air.
"It's Ziyu."
Zhang Xin carefully folded the letter and smiled.
"Invite him in."
The boy bowed and withdrew.
Zhang Xin watched his departing figure, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
This youth was none other than Zhuge Jin—someone he had long sought.
When his envoys had finally located Zhuge Xuan in Yangdu, it so happened that Zhuge Gui had recently passed away. Zhuge Jin and his younger siblings had just gone to live with their uncle.
Zhuge Xuan had hesitated at first—worried that if he took office, his household would not be properly cared for.
Fortunately, Zhang Xin had already anticipated this.
His men brought the entire Zhuge family with them.
Moved by such consideration, Zhuge Xuan accepted.
When Zhang Xin met them, he followed proper protocol in honoring Zhuge Xuan, assigning him a suitable post.
But his real attention fell on Zhuge Liang.
Though only nine years old, the boy already carried himself with remarkable composure—every movement precise, every gesture respectful.
Zhang Xin immediately took a liking to him.
Still, he was far too young.
So Zhang Xin instead appointed Zhuge Jin to the vacant position within his household.
He also arranged a private courtyard in the prefectural residence for the Zhuge family.
Zhuge Xuan was deeply moved.
Soon, Zhuge Jin returned, leading Zhang Rang inside.
At a gesture from Zhang Xin, he closed the door and stood guard outside.
"Attendant, please."
Zhang Xin indicated a seat.
Zhang Rang sat and asked, "How fares the situation in Luoyang?"
"See for yourself."
Zhang Xin handed over the letter.
The matter of the secret edict was too sensitive—among Zhang Xin's circle, only Zhang Rang knew of it.
Even Xun You had been kept in the dark.
After reading, Zhang Rang sighed heavily.
"Dong Zhong is dead… Empress Dowager Dong has lost power…"
"All that the late emperor left behind for you in Luoyang… is gone."
Zhang Xin nodded, then asked, "Given your experience, what do you think Yuan Shao will do next?"
Zhang Rang pondered.
"That butcher may be crude, but he now holds supreme authority. With your support, the party members cannot match him."
"They will strike at the root."
"They will try to drive a wedge between you."
"My lord!"
Zhuge Jin's voice came from outside.
Zhang Xin opened the door.
Zhuge Jin held out a sealed letter.
"A message from Luoyang."
Zhang Xin took it and returned inside.
As he read, his expression darkened—then turned furious.
"What is He Jin doing?!"
"What happened?" Zhang Rang asked.
Without a word, Zhang Xin handed him the letter.
Zhang Rang read it—
and his eyes widened in shock.
"On the fifth day of the sixth month… Empress Dowager Dong has died suddenly."