Chapter Fifteen: The World Transformed

In the imperial palace, at the break of dusk, Emperor Ling of Han lay feebly upon his soft couch, his body ravaged by illness, his life hanging by a thread. Watching his ministers withdraw, he swiftly summoned his most trusted confidant to bring forth the young prince, Liu Bian.

“My son,” the emperor sighed, gazing at the boy, “my days are numbered. The fate of this great realm will soon rest in your hands.” He paused, his voice heavy with both sorrow and resolve. “Though you are still young, you have read countless volumes and learned much. Yet remember, as a man, you must be adaptable. Do not listen to a single side alone. Consider the consequences before you act—take one step, but see three ahead. Do you understand?”

Seeing the young Liu Bian weeping softly at his side, Emperor Ling shook his head and said in a low voice, “Alas, you are to endure much hardship. After I am gone, you may seek out Zifan, the governor of Youzhou. He is brave and commands great forces—he is trustworthy, but must also be guarded against. Remember this well, my son.”

“True strength comes from one’s own power. When I am gone, seize the military command firmly in your grasp and reclaim what is yours, one by one.”

After a moment, Emperor Ling closed his eyes. In his dreams, the only sight that greeted him was the shadowy, stifling palace that had imprisoned him his entire life. Now, it seemed more like a lifeless coffin. No matter how he struggled or cried out, he could not escape. Perhaps this was the fate of every emperor.

With deep affection, Emperor Ling had revealed the path to his son. Though he may not have been a wise ruler, he could not be denied as a caring father.

The other young prince, Liu Xie, clung tightly to him, his eyes red, his childish face marked by terror and grief, having just cried bitterly. Beside them, Qian Shuo, the eunuch whom the emperor trusted most, knelt on the floor, equally trembling with fear.

At midnight, Emperor Ling fell into a coma. The Imperial Medical Bureau was helpless, and the sound of weeping filled the air. The palace dissolved into chaos—eunuchs running in confusion, palace maids and attendants wailing and calling out. The central commander, Qian Shuo, brandished his jeweled sword as he moved through the palace, intent on protecting the emperor and preventing the news from spreading.

But secrets cannot be contained where people gather, and the palace was the most crowded place in the world. In no time, the once serene and sacred palace became a haven for spies. Shadows flitted through every dark corner, and all the hidden eyes and ears seemed to come alive, messages passing rapidly from one to another—some leaking beyond the palace, some beyond the city, and some even to the distant frontiers...

All the great ministers received secret reports that the emperor had again lapsed into unconsciousness and that his time was nearly at an end. While the emperor lived, all maintained peace, but with his impending death, each harbored their own schemes. With the heir still a child, it was the perfect moment to seize control of the court.

During Emperor Ling’s reign, twelve eunuchs—Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, Xia Yun, Guo Sheng, Sun Zhang, Bi Lan, Li Song, Duan Gui, Gao Wang, Zhang Gong, Han Kui, and Song Dian—held immense power and were collectively known as the “Ten Attendants.” Now, as the emperor lay gravely ill, their leaders Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong had already gathered the group to strategize their next move.

These “Ten Attendants” were notorious for their corruption and greed. In pursuit of greater wealth, they had suggested that official posts be sold to the highest bidder. Any position could be bought for the right price, and in time, this evolved into open auctions. Many talented men, unable to afford the price, were barred from office, while the unworthy managed to buy their way in, leading to disastrous consequences: a corrupt bureaucracy and a society devoid of virtue, with the high costs deterring many from public service.

Upon ascending the throne, Emperor Ling found every power-hungry courtier vying for a share of authority. The palace became a battleground of rival factions and intricate alliances, throwing the entire court into turmoil.

When Emperor Ling succeeded to the throne, he was but a youth of little more than ten years. Real authority fell to the Empress Dowager’s clan, the Dus. It was not for lack of desire that Emperor Ling failed to govern himself; he was simply too young and inexperienced. The various clans, under the guise of protecting him, withheld power, and so the Dus and their confidants held the reins of state. At the same time, the eunuchs exploited their positions to run rampant in the palace.

The struggle between the Dus and the eunuchs was particularly fierce. The eunuchs, wielding the emperor’s authority, sought to coerce the Dus, while the Dus countered by vastly increasing their own power.

When Emperor Ling awoke again, the palace was in utter chaos.

“Your Majesty, all the factions have revealed their ambitions. They are but traitors. I, your servant Qian Ma, do not fear death and am honored to have served you all my life. For the sake of the Han and Your Majesty, let me rid us of these villains!”

“Your Majesty, give the order!”

“Alas, my loyal one, you have suffered much. Long ago, Lü Qiang advised me to reform the bureaucracy, to forbid the appointment of relatives and to implement three measures: first, to execute the corrupt ministers near the emperor and promote the worthy; second, to eliminate the eunuchs and their faction to avoid future harm; third, to investigate whether the regional inspectors and magistrates were competent, and to address the matter of the ‘Partisan Prohibitions.’ Yet, seeing the power of the clans and eunuchs, I delayed and did nothing. How I regret it...”

Emperor Ling sighed deeply and closed his eyes. How could he be unaware of the chaos in his court? Though not a wise sovereign, he was not without intelligence—he could distinguish right from wrong.

Now, as he lay dying, his thoughts dwelled on the balance of power. The eunuchs were despicable, but their authority was, after all, granted by the emperor. By comparison, the clans were a greater threat, more capable of infringing upon imperial prerogative and challenging the throne itself. Should they grow ambitious, they would supplant the Han, and he would be the empire’s greatest sinner. Emperor Ling was clear in weighing these dangers.

“Convey my command: summon General He Jin to the palace.” Emperor Ling’s trembling hand lifted, quietly signaling a gesture of execution.

“Go now, make no mistake.”

A boundless cold seeped into his bones, each chill gouging deeper, as if every bone had turned brittle from frost. Any movement brought searing pain, the kind that pierced the heart. The chill was so intense it felt as though his very marrow froze. Yet soon after, it turned into a sudden, excruciating agony, more terrifying for the paralysis that accompanied it. The pain seemed intent on shattering the emperor, body and soul, relentless every moment, every second. Never had Emperor Ling known such torment—he almost wished for death rather than to endure it.

Outside the palace gates, the “Ten Attendants” received word as well. They resolved to aid the emperor in eradicating the clans. Greedy though they were, they had raised Emperor Ling from the age of twelve, guiding and serving him loyally. As eunuchs, they were physically impaired and posed no threat of usurpation.

If they succeeded, riches and glory awaited; if they failed, it meant a grisly end—dismemberment, or worse. But there was no longer room for negotiation; without the emperor, their power would vanish like smoke. All that remained was to gamble everything for a slim chance to survive.