In 166, a major public confrontation between university students and eunuchs evolved into a major incident. The governor Sili (Capital province), Li Ying, had arrested and executed a fortuneteller named Zhang Cheng, who had had his son kill a man, having predicted that a general pardon was coming. Li was arrested and 200 some university students signed a petition requesting his release. This further angered Emperor Huan, who had the students arrested. Only in 167 with Dou Wu's intercession were Li and the university students released, but all of them had their citizenship rights stripped barring them from officaldom. This incident was later known as the first Disaster of Partisan Prohibition.

Meanwhile, in Liang province, Guzang, the Commandery Capital of Wuwe, in the largest mansion in the city, an aging man was pacing about his cane, clicking on the titles nervously. He wore a blue paofu the robe seemed loose on his body, kept together by a silken belt with a golden buckle. The sleeves were wide open. He wore a black cloth upon his head draping on his shoulders, decorated with gold leaf (Fu Jin). The old man raised his head, plucking at his long thin beard, hearing a cry of a newborn baby, his lips parted. "Good," he rasped thrice.

A large door opened, a middle-aged midwife came out holding a swaddled-up baby. "Congratulations, Master Duan, mother, and child are both safe." The midwife said. The oldman half smirked, looking at the chubby wrinkled up boy, "Another heir.." he chortled, taking up the boy. The oldman looked to his left where the old steward stood. "Every servant gets an extra one hundred millet, and award the midwife a five Wu Zhu (Copper Coin each equal to 100 millet). Looking down at the baby in his hands, he could not help but feel the baby had a streak of intelligence in his eyes.

In 168 CE, Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty died without an heir. Subsequently, Empress Dou became Empress Dowager and Regent, holding great power. She consulted her father, Dou Wu, and the minister Chen Fan regarding who would become the new Emperor. They eventually decided that the Marquess of Jieduting, Liu Hong, who was twelve years old, was to be crowned as Emperor. Later that year Liu Hong was crowned as Emperor Ling, Empress Dowager Dou continued to serve as Regent.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

In another part of Ling province, a river ran red with blood. On both banks laid thousands of bodies seeping into the water. It still flowed mightily. The sound of water took over from the sound of battle as the retreating enemy's horse grew quieter and quieter. A camp stood by the river only hours ago, and it was in ruins. A plume of smoke rose from its chared leftovers. The Han army had attacked without so much as a war horn sounding, decimating their enemies.

A middle-aged General sat upon a white warhorse, and he wore lamellar upon his body. It was heavier than normal ones consisting of metal plates laced together. A rider came over to the man hurriedly. "General Duan, report, fifty-two dead, five hundred and six lightly wounded, and sixty-seven disabled." the General nodded, a hint of cruelty in his eyes. "We have captured five thousand and two hundred and five prisoners, woman, children and old and some adult males." the officer said nervously as if he already knew what to expect. "Chop off their heads, add them to the skull pyramid with the enemy combatants." the officer's lips parted. "Sir, there are already calls for your dismissal due to the killings; this is not keeping to the way of benevolence and righteousness of the court." The General snorted. "Those idiots only know how to flap their gums, carry out the order!" He looked north, a hint of worry showing on his face.

A few hours later when the army had just placed down their cooking pots a rider rushed into their camp "Make way emergency report!". He came towards the general's tent, He jumped off his horse and handed a bamboo slip to an officer. Entering the tent the officer opened up the slip and his eyes widened, and tears emerged on its ends. "The Emperor ascended to the heavens," he said with sorrow.

(Please note, that English is not my first language, hope you liked it.)