Once the letters were sent out, warlords across the land responded one after another.
Zhang Xin was the first to issue a formal proclamation, declaring his intention to raise troops in defense of the emperor.
Meanwhile, in Bohai—
Yuan Shao stared toward Pingyuan in confusion.
Weren't you fighting against our faction in Luoyang? Didn't you even try to trick He Jin into opposing us?
Why are you here now?
Zhang Xin: Should I leave?Yuan Shao: …Sigh.
Soon after, various regional leaders followed suit. Yuan Shu, Han Fu of Ji Province, Liu Dai of Yan Province, Kong Zhou of Yu Province, Yuan Shao of Bohai, Qiao Mao of Dongjun, Yuan Yi of Shanyang, Bao Xin of Jibei, Zhang Chao of Guangling, Zhang Miao of Chenliu, Wang Kuang of Henan, and others all announced their uprisings.
Cao Cao, lacking official standing after being stripped of his post by Dong Zhuo, had no choice but to lead his newly recruited five thousand volunteers to join Zhang Miao's forces.
Counting carefully, Zhang Xin noted that aside from himself, there were eleven warlords in total.
No "eighteen lords," as some liked to claim.
He couldn't help but scoff inwardly.
Most of these men belonged to the same political faction. In the eyes of outsiders, this was less a righteous campaign and more a power struggle between rival groups.
If they won, the faction would benefit.
If they lost, they would bear the consequences.
Who would risk involvement?
Well… aside from Sun Jian.
As news of the coalition spread, Luoyang was thrown into panic.
Dong Zhuo, alarmed, hurriedly persuaded the emperor to issue a general amnesty in an attempt to win back public support.
It was a sound decision—one of the few he made.
But what followed was disastrous.
Since his deposition, Liu Bian had been confined to a pavilion under guard, with all his daily needs handled by Li Ru.
On the twelfth day of the first lunar month, Li Ru arrived with armored soldiers, carrying a cup of dark liquid.
"Your Majesty," Li Ru said calmly, "please take this medicine. It will ward off evil."
Liu Bian's face turned pale.
"I am not ill! Are you trying to kill me?"
Li Ru only smiled, urging him to drink.
When Liu Bian refused, Li Ru stepped forward, his expression cold.
"The Prime Minister said: if Your Majesty desires dignity, you shall have it. If not… I will help you preserve it."
He moved to force the cup upon him.
Liu Bian struggled free, breathing heavily.
"Wait!"
Li Ru raised his hand, halting the soldiers.
Straightening his robes, Liu Bian spoke with forced composure:
"I am still a king. If I must die today, how can I depart without a proper farewell? Summon the palace attendants. I wish to hold a banquet."
Li Ru considered briefly, then nodded.
A final request from a former emperor was not unreasonable.
Soon, wine and food were brought forth. Liu Bian's concubines were summoned as well.
After eating and drinking, Liu Bian sat in silence, reflecting on his life.
As a child, he had been sent away from the palace, raised outside due to fears he might not survive. He grew up without parental affection.
Later, when he finally returned, his father favored Liu Xie and neglected him.
At last, he ascended the throne—only to face rebellion, chaos, and usurpation.
Four months.
That was all he had as emperor.
And now, he was to die at the hands of a traitor.
What had he done wrong…?
Looking up at the sky, Liu Bian let out a long sigh and murmured:
"The path of Heaven is broad, yet my fate is narrow.I abandon the throne and return to dust.A traitor forces my end—my life now fades…I depart before you all, bound for the netherworld…"
The palace women wept openly.
After a moment, Liu Bian pointed to one of them.
"You… dance for me once more."
Through tears, she obeyed.
As he watched, his vision blurred.
In truth, Tang Ji had always been the finest dancer.
But on that night of chaos, her attendants had been killed, and her whereabouts remained unknown.
Was she dead…?
He dared not think further.
When the dance ended, Li Ru stepped forward again.
"Your Majesty. It is time."
"Time?" Liu Bian laughed faintly. "Time for what road?"
"Continue the music," he waved weakly. "Let it go on…"
"Your Majesty!" Li Ru barked. "Do you require my assistance to maintain your dignity?"
The words snapped Liu Bian back to reality.
He looked at his concubines one last time.
"Take care of yourselves. This is farewell."
Without further hesitation, he lifted the cup and drank.
Moments later, he collapsed—dead.
The news spread rapidly, shocking the entire realm.
Dong Zhuo had murdered a former emperor.
When Tang Ji learned of Liu Bian's death, she sought out Zhang Xin, pleading through tears:
"Please… avenge him."
"Rest assured," Zhang Xin said gently. "The lords of Shandong have already risen. Once a rally point is set, I will march."
Tang Ji bowed deeply before leaving.
Zhang Rang, too, could not hide his anger.
"Marquis Xuanwei, Dong Zhuo must die!"
Zhang Xin nodded silently.
Once they departed, he immediately convened his generals.
The army was ready—but Qingzhou could not be left undefended.
Though the coalition claimed unity, each warlord harbored private ambitions. Internal conflict was inevitable.
Qingzhou sat in a dangerous position—bordered by Yuan Shao to the north, Qiao Mao to the west, and Tao Qian to the south.
After careful consideration, Zhang Xin made his arrangements.
Gao Shun would be recalled to guard Pingyuan, the heart of his domain and the residence of countless military families.
Cao Xing and Tian Kai would join Zhang Xin's campaign.
Taishi Ci would remain in Qi to maintain order, while naval forces would be temporarily placed under Guan Jian.
His available commanders were limited—either indispensable on the battlefield or too inexperienced to hold independent command.
Only Taishi Ci possessed both the authority and local standing to secure the region.
As long as Pingyuan and Qi remained stable, Qingzhou would endure.
Yuan Shao and Qiao Mao were occupied with Dong Zhuo.
That left only one potential threat—
Tao Qian.
Zhang Xin summoned Cui Yan.
"Ji Gui, go to Tan County. Have Tao Qian send five thousand elite troops to me."
He handed over a letter.
"If he refuses…"
Zhang Xin's eyes turned cold.
"Then kill him."