Chapter 6: Glorious Marquis
Minister of Works Lu Zhi had just witnessed Empress Dowager He discussing matters with Lu Bu from a distance. Upon hearing the high-spirited decree proclaimed by Empress Dowager He, he hurriedly approached and knelt down, "General Lu, by eliminating the corrupt eunuchs and rescuing the Empress Dowager, you have indeed achieved great merit. However, a sudden promotion from Chief Clerk to one of the Nine Ministers may lead to unrest among the courtiers and the people. I fear it might be detrimental to General Lu. I implore the Empress Dowager to reconsider the decree."
Lu Bu inwardly praised Lu Zhi's eloquence. If it were someone like Yuan Shu, they might have directly scolded him on the spot, saying, "How can someone from a humble background aspire to be one of the Nine Ministers!"
Regardless of Lu Zhi's intentions, he had helped Lu Bu avoid a task he didn't want to undertake. Lu Bu sincerely expressed his gratitude by bowing to Lu Zhi.
Although Empress Dowager He usually disliked this overly upright minister, considering his sincere loyalty in protecting the country and the Empress Dowager, she did not want to make things difficult for him. She furrowed her brows and said, "If that is the wish of Minister Lu, how should we reward General Lu? Widow does not wish her subordinates to think she is a harsh and ungrateful Dowager."
Lu Zhi, who had commanded Ding Yuan during the suppression of the Yellow Turbans, was aware of Lu Bu's bravery. He knew that Lu Bu, despite his numerous achievements against the Southern Xiongnu and Xianbei on the border, had been overlooked by the court, likely due to Ding Yuan not reporting these merits to the imperial court. Lu Bu had to settle for the position of Chief Clerk.
Lu Zhi didn't want Lu Bu's talents to be wasted in guarding the palace. Considering the chaos caused by bandits and nomadic tribes in Bing Province, he thought of a suitable position, "General Lu hails from the borderlands of Jiuyuan, well-versed in border affairs, skilled in archery and horsemanship, valiant and adept in battle. He possesses unmatched courage and can awe the border regions. Since the previous Commander of the Northern Frontier, Huangfu Gui, has passed away, the current Commander, Geng Zhi, is incompetent and unable to defend against the constant harassment from the Xiongnu, Wuhuan, and Xianbei. If General Lu is appointed as the Commander of the Northern Frontier, he can surely safeguard the borders for the country."
Lu Bu welcomed the opportunity to move away from the impending chaos caused by Dong Zhuo and the warlords in the east. Lu Zhi's suggestion resonated with his intentions. Without waiting for Empress Dowager He to speak, he expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager. I shall dedicate my utmost loyalty to serve the country and fulfill my duty until death."
Lu Zhi, upon hearing Lu Bu's words, was impressed. "Utmost loyalty to serve the country" and "fulfill my duty until death" – it seemed he had underestimated Lu Bu. Not only did he have remarkable martial skills, but he also possessed such eloquence and a sincere aspiration for loyalty. Lu Zhi felt he should support this younger generation more in the future.
Little did he know, Lu Bu's words of "serving the country" referred not to the Liu Han dynasty but to the entire Han populace.
Empress Dowager He, feeling slightly irked by Lu Bu's boldness, with a flushed face, responded, "Very well, I appoint you as the Commander of the Northern Frontier. However, before you officially take office, you will temporarily assume the position of Glorious Marquis, overseeing the palace security. This is to prevent certain blind servants from recklessly entering and causing chaos by killing and setting fires."
Empress Dowager He angrily glanced at Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and others in the distance, who were indiscriminately executing eunuchs and even setting fire to the palace to eliminate those hiding.
Lu Zhi, taken aback, realized that if Lu Bu became the Glorious Marquis in charge of palace defense and Ding Yuan harbored ill intentions, the situation would become uncontrollable. This woman's insight was indeed formidable. He immediately knelt down and suggested, "The position of Glorious Marquis was originally held concurrently by the Grand General. Now, with the Grand General unjustly harmed by the eunuchs, the troops under the Glorious Marquis are like headless birds, unable to guarantee the safety of the palace. As a temporary solution, may I suggest General Lu Miao assume the position of Glorious Marquis."
Having said this, Lu Zhi considered that Lu Bu could use the opportunity to control the troops of the Feathered Forest and Tiger Elite, two significant military forces under the jurisdiction of the Glorious Marquis. It would be a position of great influence.
As Lu Zhi's words fell, a loud shout rang out, "He Miao conspires to harm his elder brother! Let us kill him together!"
Lu Bu and the others turned to see that it was Wu Kuang, a subordinate of He Jin. Unhappy with He Miao's close association with the eunuchs and betrayal of his elder brother, Wu Kuang led soldiers to chop He Miao into pieces.
Empress Dowager He, filled with sorrow and anger, wide-eyed, pointed at Wu Kuang and said to Lu Bu, "General Lu, go and eliminate this traitor Wu Kuang. I will appoint you as the Grand General."
Empress Dowager He had not yet fully mourned He Jin's death because He Jin was her half-brother, whereas He Miao was her full brother.
Lu Zhi immediately knelt down and pleaded, "Empress Dowager, please do not let anger dictate the fate of a meritorious official. He Miao is indeed colluding with the Ten Eunuchs, conspiring against his own brother. The evidence is clear, and the crimes are unforgivable."
Lu Zhi had something more to say in his heart. Empress Dowager, you issued an edict to summon He Jin into the palace, and in the matter of conspiring against a brother, He Miao is also an accomplice. Your punishment of Wu Kuang is not based on reason.
Empress Dowager He understood very well. Wu Kuang, though a subordinate of He Jin, was affiliated with Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. Now that Grand General He Jin was dead, she had lost her support outside the palace and couldn't contend with the Yuan brothers.
Having never heard of Lu Bu before, Empress Dowager He observed him and noticed no pretentious air. Realizing Lu Bu came from a humble background and had no connection with the Yuan family, she saw the opportunity to use Lu Bu to counterbalance the power of the Yuan family and ensure her own safety.
Empress Dowager He waved her hand, "Forget it, let's not pursue their crimes for now. General Lu, now that both Grand General and General of Chariots and Cavalry are gone, their troops are like headless birds. Widow wishes for you to take charge. What do you think?"
Lu Bu was delighted; this was indeed like a pillow sent to someone who was already asleep. He was currently trying to secure some actual military power to separate himself from Ding Yuan, and this appointment would serve that purpose. He thanked her immediately, "I will go right away!"
Empress Dowager He then turned to Lu Zhi and said, "Minister Lu, the country is in peril now, and it is a crucial time to employ talents. You don't need to resign and retire. Resume your post as the Minister of Works and take charge of the Secretariat. Prepare an edict appointing Lu Bu as the temporary Glorious Marquis, and Ding Yuan will step down to become the Commander of the Guard. As for you, Minister Lu, you will also concurrently serve as the Commandant of the Imperial Guards."
Lu Zhi, realizing He Miao's demise, knew that a powerful military commander was needed to lead the remnants of He Jin and He Miao's forces to stabilize the situation. Besides, Lu Bu was only temporarily assuming the position, so he followed Empress Dowager He's instructions and issued the imperial edict at the Secretariat.
Holding the imperial edict, Lu Bu informed Ding Yuan, who, despite harboring envy for Lu Bu's good fortune, had no choice but to assign three thousand cavalry from the Bing Province to carry out the imperial command.
With high-ranking officers such as Gao Shun and Qin Yi, Lu Bu, leading three thousand cavalry, prepared to march towards the main camp where He Jin's Left and Right Feathered Forest troops, Tiger Elite troops, Northern Army's five camps, and He Miao's cavalry were stationed.
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