 Empress Dowager Hu, Emperor Xiaoming, and Yuan Yong therefore took the chance to conspire against Yuan Cha.Empress Dowager Hu first threw Yuan Cha's guard off by often discussing about his overly trusting of Yuan Faseng, which caused Yuan Cha to be an apologetic mood.Then, with his agreement, she relieved him of his command of the imperial guards, replacing him with his associate Hou Gang (侯剛).