Yan Liang clenched his teeth and charged forward once more.
"Gentlemen! We have long been indebted to Lord Yuan—today, we repay him with our lives!"
"With our lives!"
In an instant, the retainers Yuan Shao had cultivated for years roared in unison.
Someone found a heavy log, hoisted it up, and began battering the gates. From the courtyard walls, the guards rained arrows down without pause. In response, Yuan Shao's men lifted the corpses of their fallen comrades, using them as shields to cover those breaking the gate.
At that critical moment, Wen Chou and Chunyu Qiong arrived with the Western Garden Army.
After receiving Yuan Shao's urgent command, Wen Chou had seized a horse and ridden at full speed. The officials' residences were close to Xuanping Gate, and from there to the Western Garden camp was barely over ten li. He quickly gathered Chunyu Qiong and Xia Mou, explained the situation, and led the cavalry ahead, with Xia Mou bringing the infantry behind.
Seeing reinforcements arrive, Yuan Shao was overjoyed and hurried forward.
"He Jin plots rebellion! I act under the Empress Dowager's decree to execute the traitor!"
He pointed toward the courtyard wall. "Archers—fire!"
The Western Garden soldiers were stunned. The Grand General… a rebel?
But orders were orders.
As the elite force personally built by Liu Hong, the Western Garden Army was fully equipped. In a flash, soldiers drew bows from their saddles and unleashed volleys at the defenders.
Caught off guard, the guards were forced to divert their attention, greatly easing the pressure on the attackers.
Yan Liang himself took up the log and rammed the gate again and again. Before long, it shattered open. Yuan Shao's forces surged inside.
The guards leapt down and hastily formed ranks—but it was too late.
"Out of the way!"
Wen Chou spurred his horse forward. Seizing the moment before the formation stabilized, he charged in alone, spear sweeping, tearing through their lines.
Yuan Shao followed, pressing the attack. The defenders collapsed in a rout.
Amid the chaos, Wen Chou spotted a group of officials fleeing the main hall. The man in front wore a purple sash.
His eyes lit up.
He drew his bow and loosed an arrow.
It struck He Jin in the calf.
With a cry, He Jin fell to the ground. Wen Chou galloped up, thrust his spear down, and killed him on the spot. Then he dismounted, drew his sword, and severed his head.
The surrounding officials froze—then erupted in grief.
"The Grand General is dead!"
Wen Chou laughed loudly, elated.
Hearing the commotion, Yuan Shao rushed over.
"My lord, He Jin has been slain!"
Wen Chou presented the severed head.
Yuan Shao took it, examined it—and burst into both laughter and curses.
"You butcher's son… did you ever imagine this day?"
At that moment, Xu You arrived.
"Benchu, the Northern Army is approaching!"
Yuan Shao's triumph lasted only a heartbeat before his expression darkened.
"Ziyuan—what do you propose?"
Xu You glanced at the head and replied calmly, "They don't yet know we've entered the city. Send cavalry to strike first and throw them into confusion. When our infantry arrives, display He Jin's head and call for surrender. That way, Luoyang's military power will fall entirely into our hands."
"Good. We'll follow your plan."
Yuan Shao immediately ordered Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Chunyu Qiong, and others to lead the cavalry.
Tian Kai was leading the Northern Army toward the General's residence when cavalry suddenly charged at them.
Caught off guard, their ranks broke.
"Not good—the General is in danger!"
Tian Kai quickly regrouped the troops into a defensive formation. The Northern Army had superior numbers, and within the city's streets, terrain limited large-scale charges. The Western Garden cavalry dared not press further and withdrew.
Tian Kai hurriedly found Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang, urging them forward.
Soon, the Northern Army reached the General's residence.
But the Western Garden infantry had already arrived, forming ranks to block the street.
Tian Kai's heart sank.
"Where is the Grand General?" he shouted.
Wen Chou stepped forward and threw the severed head to the ground.
"He Jin plotted rebellion and has been executed. Surrender now!"
The Northern soldiers turned pale.
"Lies! Yuan Shao is the traitor!"
Tian Kai roared, "Yuan Shao rebels! The Grand General acted under the Empress Dowager's decree! Will you aid treason?"
The Western Garden troops hesitated.
Seeing this, Xu You quickly intervened, "The rebel leader is dead—why resist further?"
Each side claimed righteousness. The soldiers no longer knew whom to believe.
Then Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang shouted:
"Yuan Shao murdered the Grand General! Will you avenge him?!"
He Jin had been generous to his men. Many soldiers wept.
"I'll fight to the death!"
"Kill!"
Battle erupted.
The narrow streets prevented large formations; both sides fed troops in waves, clashing in brutal close combat.
"Benchu, we can't stay here," Xu You urged. "He Jin colluded with eunuchs to rebel. We must enter the palace at once—to 'protect' the emperor."
Seeing no quick resolution, Yuan Shao agreed. He left Chunyu Qiong and Xia Mou to hold the line, while he led Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and others toward the Southern Palace, sending word to Yuan Shu.
The sounds of battle echoed across Luoyang.
Inside the palace, the gates were already shut—but Yuan Shao had long planted allies among the guards during his tenure. Now under Yuan Shu's command, they opened the gates.
Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Xu You, Pang Ji, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and their forces stormed in.
"Kill anyone without a beard!"
Blood flowed through the Southern Palace. Even young officials were mistakenly slaughtered.
They fought their way to the inner palace, where eunuchs stood armed in defense.
A eunuch shouted angrily, "Yuan Shao! You enter with troops—are you rebelling?!"
"The Grand General conspired with eunuchs!" Yuan Shao declared. "We demand the execution of the Ten Attendants. Show us their heads, and we will withdraw!"
The eunuchs hurriedly reported this to Empress Dowager He.
When she heard Yuan Shao had stormed the palace, panic seized her.
"Quickly—find out what happened to my brother!"
Zhao Zhong went—and returned with a mournful face.
"Your Majesty… the Grand General has been killed by Yuan Shao."
Empress Dowager He was struck dumb.
"What do we do…?"
She could not execute the Ten Attendants—they were now her only support.
But if she refused, Yuan Shao's army stood at the gates.
As she hesitated, dusk fell.
Yuan Shao's troops lacked siege equipment and could not breach the inner defenses. Growing impatient, Yuan Shu ordered fires set throughout the palace complex to force her hand.
Flames soared into the night sky.
Outside Luoyang, Dong Zhuo had just arrived and had not yet rested when he saw the city ablaze.
Delight spread across his face.
"Hurry! Advance on Luoyang!"
Without pause, he personally led three thousand cavalry in a rapid charge toward the burning capital.