Capítulo 5: Saving Empress Dowager

After Lu Bu issued the order to clean the palace, he witnessed Zhang Rang, Duan Gui, Cao Jie, Hou Lan, and other eunuchs kidnapping Empress Dowager He, Prince Liu Bian, and King of Chenliu Liu Xie. They planned to escape through the Northern Palace, so Lu Bu hurriedly went to rescue them.

At this moment, Lu Zhi, who had resigned from his official position but hadn't left the capital, arrived with his family soldiers upon hearing about the palace incident.

Lu Zhi was a Confucian general with both literary and martial talents, though not as profound in literature as Zheng Xuan nor as skilled in martial arts as Huangfu Song. His misfortune stemmed from the eunuchs' mistakes, and he harbored a deep-seated hatred for them, surpassing that of ordinary scholars.

In the first year of Zhongping, Lu Zhi served as the General of the Northern Army, leading five companies of soldiers, and repeatedly defeated Zhang Jiao's army, forcing Zhang Jiao to retreat to Guangzong. With a significantly smaller force, Lu Zhi besieged Zhang Jiao in Guangzong, constructing cloud ladders for the siege. It seemed they were on the verge of capturing the city. At this critical moment, Emperor Ling of Han sent a young eunuch named Zuo Feng to inspect the front lines. Zuo Feng solicited bribes from Lu Zhi, who refused. Zuo Feng then falsely accused Lu Zhi in front of Emperor Ling, saying, "The rebels in Guangzong are easy to conquer, but General Lu is entrenched and passively awaiting divine retribution." As a result, Lu Zhi was imprisoned. Fortunately, with the merits of Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, who had greatly defeated the Yellow Turban Rebellion, they appealed to Emperor Ling, and Lu Zhi's unjust charges were lifted. However, he could only watch as Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun achieved unprecedented success.

From a distance, Lu Zhi saw Duan Gui, who was among the Ten Regular Attendants, forcing Empress Dowager He to flee. At a height of over eight feet and two inches, Lu Zhi, with a voice like a deep bell, intended to shout and stop Duan Gui. However, a louder voice intervened, "Traitorous eunuchs, how dare you kidnap the Empress Dowager!"

Approaching, Lu Zhi saw a young warrior with extraordinary appearance, wearing a golden-crowned bun, a hundred-flower battle robe, a Tangni armor, and a lion-belted treasure belt. He held a long halberd, the Sky Piercer, and aimed a bow at Duan Gui, releasing an arrow that struck Duan Gui in the throat, killing him instantly.

With Duan Gui no longer holding Empress Dowager He hostage, she hastily jumped out of the window of the corridor.

The warrior saw Empress Dowager He about to jump from the window, rushed over on horseback, twisted his waist like a tiger, stretched out his ape-like arm, and firmly caught Empress Dowager He on the horse.

Approaching, Lu Zhi took a closer look and realized that the person was none other than Lu Bu, the Chief Clerk under Ding Yuan. Lu Zhi had encountered Lu Bu when he went to assist in suppressing Zhang Jiao's rebellion.

Lu Bu knew that the frightened woman in his arms was the sister of He Jin and He Miao, originally named He Lian, the daughter of a butcher. She came from a humble background and had no qualifications for imperial selection. However, her father, He Zhen, bribed the Ten Regular Attendants in charge of selecting women across the empire, allowing He Lian to enter the palace. Emperor Ling favored the charming He Lian greatly, and not long after entering the palace, she gave birth to Prince Liu Bian. Fearing that Prince Liu Bian might die prematurely like his previous sons, Emperor Ling sent him to be fostered by Taoist priests, while He Lian was elevated to the status of a noble consort. Later, the mother of the original Empress He, out of jealousy, poisoned Prince Liu Bian's mother, Lady Wang, and luckily, with the protection of Empress Dowager Dong, Liu Bian's life was spared. After Empress Dowager Dong was killed by He Jin, if not for the arrival of her younger brother Dong Zhuo in the capital, Liu Bian's life would have been in danger.

Empress Dowager He was in her early thirties, not only enchanting but also somewhat mature and plump. Coupled with her status as the mother of the nation, Lu Bu found her irresistibly attractive. He even had thoughts of finding a palace to satisfy his desires with this mature woman.

Playing with palace maids was too trivial; playing with the emperor's mother was more exciting.

However, this thought only passed through his mind. Lu Zhi, the old man carrying a long spear, was standing not far away. Moreover, Lu Bu had long heard that Empress Dowager He harbored strong jealousy. Since being appointed empress, she had poisoned all the pregnant palace maids previously favored by Emperor Ling. She even poisoned the mother of the future Emperor Han Xian, Lady Wang. Fortunately, Han Lingdi's mother, Empress Dowager Dong, protected him, allowing Liu Xie to keep his life. Now, Empress Dowager Dong was also killed by He Jin. If Dong Zhuo, Empress Dowager Dong's younger brother, had not entered the capital, Liu Xie's life would have been in jeopardy.

Lu Bu had no interest in bringing this kind of woman into his bed, but occasionally having some fun was fine. Most importantly, she had value for use.

Lu Bu couldn't afford to feel the charm of Empress Dowager He, who was shivering in his arms. He stabilized her and let her sit on the horse. Then, he dismounted and bent down, adopting a respectful posture, saying, "Commandant of the Capital Ding Yuan's Chief Clerk Lu Bu pays respects to the Empress Dowager. I arrived late in rescuing you, and I hope you can forgive me."

Empress Dowager He, who had somewhat calmed down, spoke softly, "Lu Qing(note 1), please rise. Thanks to your timely rescue, the widow was fortunate to escape danger. Once the chaos is over, the widow will certainly reward you generously

Lu Bu never liked the gesture of kneeling, especially when it came to bowing before a woman. Upon Empress Dowager He's words to rise, he immediately stood up.

Empress Dowager He's beautiful eyes carefully scrutinized the savior before her. Seeing Lu Bu's tall and robust figure, as well as his outstanding handsomeness, a bright light flashed in her eyes. "Widow sees that you are exceptionally talented, proficient in archery and horsemanship. Why then are you relegated to the position of Chief Clerk?"

Lu Bu smiled bitterly, "This humble minister's father was just a county magistrate who passed away early. Though I have led troops to repeatedly defeat the Southern Xiongnu, Yellow Turbans, Qiang tribes, and Xianbei, achieving thousands of beheadings, my merits have been consistently overlooked due to my humble background. With no other choice, I can only settle for a lower position."

Although Empress Dowager He had lived in the palace for a long time, she had encountered numerous royal and noble ministers. Having some ability to judge people, she could tell that Lu Bu was not lying. He had experienced countless battles, and the blood-soaked air surrounding him was the result of those experiences.

Glancing at the audacious and unscrupulous Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and their party who had intruded into the palace, killing and setting fires as if disregarding imperial authority, and then looking at the loyal and respectful Lu Bu, Empress Dowager He suddenly had an idea. She feigned a look of genuine regret for Lu Bu, saying, "With your outstanding abilities and numerous military achievements, why don't you approach people like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu? The Yuan family has been prominent for four generations, holding high positions and having many disciples and former subordinates. Their uncle Yuan Wei is the Grand Tutor, overseeing the imperial court. If recommended by them, your official position is sure to prosper."

Her words were cleverly chosen, aiming to find out if Lu Bu had any connection with the Yuan Shao faction. If there was a connection, no matter how talented Lu Bu was, Empress Dowager He wouldn't consider him.

Lu Bu's face showed a trace of disdain, "This humble minister comes from a humble background and has limited abilities. I cannot enter the eyes of their noble descendants." In other words, he had nothing to do with them.

Empress Dowager He was delighted to hear this. Although her face remained calm, she shifted the topic, asking, "I wonder if Ding Yuan, Lord Ding, has recommended you to Grand Tutor Yuan?"

Lu Bu knew that Empress Dowager He actually wanted to know if Ding Yuan had any connections with the Yuan family. He replied, "Lord Ding comes from a humble family, originally a minor official in Wan County. Thanks to being an old friend of the Grand General, and with the General's support, he gradually rose from a minor official to a county magistrate, commandant, and finally the Inspector of Bing Province, ultimately holding the position of Commandant of the Capital."

Empress Dowager He understood clearly. Ding Yuan was a close friend of He Jin, and he had no ties with the Yuan family. She let out a sigh of relief and asked Lu Bu another question, "I wonder if Chief Clerk Lu can command the cavalry under Lord Ding's command?"

Lu Bu couldn't figure out the purpose behind Empress Dowager He's question, so he answered directly, "Although I am a Chief Clerk, on the battlefield, I personally lead the soldiers, valiant and fearless. The soldiers of Bing Province look up to me."

Empress Dowager He got a satisfactory answer. A smile appeared on her face as she announced loudly, "Appoint Lu Bu as the Glorious Marquis, in charge of guarding the palace, commanding the Feathered Forest and Tiger Elite troops under him. He is tasked with eliminating corrupt eunuchs, rescuing the Emperor and Prince of Chenliu, quelling the rebellion, reorganizing the palace security, and avoiding any mistakes."

Lu Bu could tell from Empress Dowager He's expression that she not only wanted to repay him for his rescue but also might have taken an interest in him. Moreover, with her biggest supporter, He Jin, dead, and lacking capable trusted subordinates, she had to support a military commander from a humble background like him to counterbalance the powerful families like Yuan Shao.