Reincarnation in the Three Kingdoms Era with a System

Chapter 672: 672 The Situation Deteriorates

Empress He had never intended to kill Empress Dowager Dong.

Although she had always been suppressed,

she was indeed very unhappy.

But seeing Empress Dowager Dong, old and faded, no longer as beautiful as herself, yet in her prime—younger than a mature woman, more mature than a young girl, at her most alluring—gives her a thrill.

Every time she saw Empress Dowager Dong's protruding belly, the thought of her being pregnant at her age filled her with an inescapable pleasure!

Empress Dowager Dong touched her belly, feeling the baby's movements inside. For the sake of her child, she could endure anything.

"Whatever you say, that's what it is."

"Pfft, I have no intention of dealing with you. We're both women, and I think you're having a tough time too. Now that you've come to Chang'an, there's a place for you here, and at your age, you're being pregnant. It's not easy."

Empress He, being a woman, could only grumble in the absence of palace intrigue; she wouldn't actually resort to violence.

"Thank you."

Empress Dowager Dong didn't want to argue, nor was there anything to argue about. After a while, Lu Ming brought Empress Dowager Dong back to reality. He told her to rest well, and that if necessary, he would take her to the inner palace for refuge.

Lu Ming checked Empress Dowager Dong's whereabouts; she hadn't concealed anything…

Moreover, she had been inside for quite a while, and the palace maids and eunuchs had all been driven out.

Liu Xie had a vague feeling that Lu Ming might have had something happen with his imperial grandmother inside, and that he might have even dared to rape the Empress Dowager!

However, speculation was speculation; Liu Xie couldn't deal with Lu Ming yet.

He could only endure it, at least until he had military power, before he could implement his plan.

Unfortunately, starting the next day, Lu Ming took Dong Zhuo to the inner palace to scout for women, specifically introducing Dong Zhuo to palace maids that Emperor Ling had previously played with, letting Dong Zhuo experience what it was like to spend the night in the imperial bed.

"Anmin, this...this isn't quite right."

Dong Zhuo was unaware of Lu Ming's thoughts. He was genuinely excited and eager for such a thing.

Spending the night on the emperor's bed? That was a capital offense, punishable by death and the extermination of nine generations of one's family!

But now that the Han Dynasty was in decline, he could do it!

"What's wrong with that? If you do it, I'll do it too. We have military power. I'll still need my uncle's approval then. Liu Xie, that brat, still wants to resist? He'll be a puppet."

Lu Ming sneered, beginning to brainwash Dong Zhuo.

"That makes sense, that makes sense."

Dong Zhuo nodded repeatedly. The prosperity of Luoyang, the feeling of dominating the palace, could inflate one's ego and make one lose oneself in this vortex of power.

Lu Ming was sparing no effort in using Dong Zhuo as the weapon to trample the dignity of the Han Dynasty.

The warlords from all over began to set off for Luoyang.

This included Liu Biao of Jingzhou, Sun Jian, the Prefect of Changsha, Yan Baihu, the Prefect of Kuaiji, and Liu Yu, the Governor of Youzhou, who sent his subordinates. Han Fu, the Governor of Jizhou, also only sent his subordinates.

Yuan Shao, however, was still imprisoned in Heishan, suffering daily anal rape at the hands of Zhang Yan's men, a fate worse than death, making it impossible for him to come.

During this time, no one hosted a banquet for Lu Ming and Dong Zhuo…

Because what they did was utterly absurd.

Dong Zhuo slept in the emperor's bedchamber and raped the late emperor's concubines—a heinous crime deserving execution!

Lu Ming, while somewhat more restrained, still raped palace maids and began fabricating pretexts to imprison Yuan clan members who had offended him, and even seized the wives and daughters of his colleagues—an outrageous and bestial act!

During this time, the ministers dared not speak out against his anger.

Today Lu Ming kills one, tomorrow Lu Ming kills two, the day after tomorrow Dong Zhuo commands Lü Bu to kill one—a rotating cast of villains. Furthermore, Dong Zhuo allowed his soldiers to plunder and loot, even clashing with Ding Yuan on several occasions, resulting in numerous small-scale conflicts.

A storm was brewing in Luoyang, a turbulent storm. Anyone caught in it would be torn to shreds. If you didn't have the ability, don't get involved.

Having tasted success, Dong Zhuo became increasingly arrogant…

He had already spent the night in the emperor's bed; there was no going back. Even if he admitted defeat, Liu Xie would not forgive him!

It's difficult to teach someone well, but it's incredibly easy to corrupt them.

Don't blame others; blame your own lack of self-control.

If you had such strong self-control, why would you worry about such a thing happening?

That day, Dong Zhuo returned from the palace and saw his son-in-law and advisor, Li Ru, waiting for him.

"Wenyou, what brings you here?"

Dong Zhuo's steps were unsteady, showing the consequences of excessive indulgence. Li Ru, his expression serious, cupped his hands and said, "My lord, today is the day I agreed upon with the Ten Attendants. It would be best if you returned to the palace to oversee things and prevent any unrest."

Dong Zhuo then remembered that the Ten Attendants had come to him earlier to discuss something.

They had threatened him with his alleged sleeping in the emperor's bed and raping the concubines, demanding his help. They promised to cover for him and not interfere in his affairs afterward.

This displeased Dong Zhuo; being threatened by these eunuchs was never a pleasant experience.

However, his son-in-law, Li Ru, had advised him to agree and even devise a plan to eliminate the Ten Attendants along with him!

After discussing the matter together, Dong Zhuo finally agreed.

He had no way back now; he could only continue forward. Some things, once done, cannot be reversed.

Moreover, he had vaguely heard rumors that Lu Ming was having an affair with Empress Dowager Dong!

This was earth-shattering news!

No one dared to speak out. Countless palace maids and eunuchs who had gossiped had been executed—a deliberate order from Empress Dowager Dong!

Even Crown Prince Liu Xie personally intervened, ordering the gossips to be found and executed by slow slicing!

This wasn't because Liu Xie was foolish, but because he was forced into it. Whether it was true or not, the matter couldn't be publicized; it couldn't be allowed to be true.

If the rumors spread and the imperial family didn't intervene, their authority would be further tarnished. At that point, their orders wouldn't even reach the capital, let alone the provinces!

"I understand. What is Lu Ming doing?"

Dong Zhuo had already been appointed Chancellor and granted himself the title of Marquis of Mei.

The conferment of the title of Marquis of Qin on Lu Ming meant that the entire Three Qin regions were Lu Ming's fiefdom. All other prefects were also granted marquis titles, a further preparation for his eventual kingship.

"Governor Lu forcibly took the wife of Yuan Benchu, the Prefect of Bohai, back to his residence, and it's said she hasn't left the house for three days."

Li Ru's lips twitched; he clearly found the matter somewhat outrageous, utterly absurd.