Chapter 34: It's a pleasure! [Seeking follow-up reading]

"Dong Zhuo was born and raised in Liangzhou."

"He was appointed as a doctor for his meritorious service and was awarded 9,000 pieces of silk by the court. Dong Zhuo distributed all of it to officials and soldiers, and did not take a cent for himself."

Wang Yun was really anxious and ran around everywhere.

Dong Zhuo had been operating in Liang Province for many years and indeed had great influence.

Later, he was transferred to be the governor of Bingzhou, and this influence remained.

"Governor Wang wants to tell me that Dong Zhuo will have more troops coming from Liang Province. He is waiting for the troops from Liang Province. The key to winning the battle with Dong Zhuo lies in whether we can stop his reinforcements in time." Cao Cao said.

Wang Yun was surprised at Cao Cao's calmness.

"It seems that the general also knows the key."

Wang Yun: "Grand Tutor, Minister Lu and others have sent messages to General Huangfu, but the earliest letter was sent the night before when Dong Zhuo attacked Luoyang.

Huangfu Song has elite troops stationed in Sanfu, which is not far from Luoyang, but it is obviously too late. "

The three auxiliary areas were to protect the capital and assist in the defense of Luoyang.

Huangfu Song had troops in Youfufeng, west of Luoyang.

Dong Zhuo came from the north and took a detour.

By the time you send the letter to Huangfu Song, Luoyang will have become a wasteland... Cao Cao thought to himself.

Wang Yun was right when he said that the focus of the next battle with Dong Zhuo would be outside, not inside the city.

There is a temporary stalemate in the city, and neither side has the ability to break it. Only by introducing external forces can the balance be broken.

As early as five days ago, Cao Cao had actually sent a letter to Huangfu Song.

It was too late for Huangfu Song to rush to Luoyang at that time. But he was a famous general of the dynasty, and Dong Zhuo was the one he feared the most.

With Huangfu Song's military talent and strategy, if he took action after receiving Cao Cao's letter, he would be able to stop Dong Zhuo's subsequent reinforcements.

However, Cao Cao sent a letter in advance and did not receive a response from Huangfu Song.

His secret operation had not yet been accomplished, so there was no need to publicize it, saying, "Dong Zhuo is more anxious than us."

Dong Zhuo has been stuck in Luoyang, unable to advance or retreat, for nearly three days, and the news is spreading rapidly everywhere.

"Rather than whether there are reinforcements, what we should be more prepared for is Dong Zhuo's desperate behavior. If reinforcements don't arrive within a day or two, he may take risks again and attack the palace."

Cao Cao and Wang Yun were talking in the car. His ears moved slightly and he heard the noise outside the car.

Another carriage was passing by his own carriage.

In the car opposite were the Zhen sisters.

The one riding in front is their brother Zhen Yu.

Zhen Yan lifted the car curtain and looked out.

She had been in Cao Cao's car before and recognized its origin.

Zhen Xin also saw Cao Cao's car passing by: "Cao Cao has risen so fast. He is in charge of Xiyuan Army in just a few days. I underestimated him before."

Zhen Yan said softly, "Now that I think about it, everything General Cao said came true, without a single mistake."

"What do you mean, sister?"

"When I first met him at Yuan Sili's house, he said he wanted to get rid of the eunuchs without having to resort to violence and summon foreign troops to Luoyang. He seemed to have a warning at the time, realizing that Dong Zhuo had bad intentions."

Zhen Yan said: "The current changes are exactly in line with his judgment."

Zhen Xin blushed slightly.

She remembered that she had refuted Cao Cao at that time. Looking back now, what Cao Cao said was obviously right.

Even if Zhen Xin didn't want to admit it, the fact was right in front of her.

Zhen Xin changed the subject and said, "Last night, Lu Fengxian's bravery was amazing. He led more than a thousand elite soldiers to attack Dong Zhuo and escaped unscathed. No hero in the world can match him."

Zhen Yan hummed lightly and said nothing more.

"Sir, we have arrived at the East Gate."

Outside Cao Cao's carriage, Xiao Xiang said.

----

Earlier, Lu Bu was stationed at the east gate when someone came to visit him.

This man was a subordinate of Weiwei Yang Biao. He had a considerable background and was an old acquaintance of Lu Bu. His name was Zhang Qing and his courtesy name was Huairen.

Lu Bu met Zhang Qing in the government office under the city wall.

The two had been talking for some time. Zhang Qing was tall and thin, with a long face, wearing a brown Hanfu, and was eloquent:

"…Before I came here, someone asked me who could be called a famous general of the time. I told him that I would choose Lü Fengxian as my first choice!"

"The man asked me again who would be worthy of a thousand-mile horse or a peerless beauty, and I said only you, Fengxian."

Lu Bu liked to hear this, but he remained humble and said, "Huairen, you are overpraising me. There are many famous generals in the world, and I am just one of them."

Zhang Qing said: "If Fengxian's bravery is not the best, then who can rival Fengxian?"

Lu Bu saw that Zhang Qing had other intentions, and his eyes were bright. "Huairen, you came here, but you have something to tell me."

"There are indeed some things. I really got a good horse recently."

"After much thought, I feel that only Fengxian is worthy of this BMW."

Zhang Qing said, "By the way, I would like to ask Fengxian, you served under Ding Yuan, always leading the charge in every battle, and were invincible on the battlefield, but you are only the chief clerk. Have you ever thought about leading thousands of troops, fighting on the battlefield, and making achievements that will be passed down through the ages?"

These words touched Lu Bu's heart.

Lu Bu pondered and said, "My foster father has appointed me as the chief clerk with the intention of training me. He has promised to let me lead the troops the next day. There will always be a time for battle."

Zhang Qing stood up and bowed: "In that case, I will not say much. I have only one word to say before leaving. Ding Yuan did not recognize Fengxian's bravery, but someone appreciated Fengxian's talent and was willing to hand over all his troops to Fengxian. He will be made a marquis and a prime minister, and his fame will spread all over the world in no time."

Zhang Qing knew when to speak. There was no one else around, so he made a simple test and saw that Lu Bu was unwilling to remain dormant, so his words became bolder, but he still did not point out the point, leaving room for maneuver to see how Lu Bu would respond.

If Lu Bu was interested and asked who it was, he could go a step further and give a follow-up explanation.

As expected, Lu Bu asked, "Who is Huairen talking about?"

"Pingzhou Mu."

Zhang Qing lowered his voice and used his eloquent tongue:
"The governor of Bingzhou put aside past grudges and only wanted to appreciate Fengxian's unparalleled courage.

He said that if Fengxian was willing to help him, he would be the most meritorious official in Luoyang and could be appointed as the Cavalry Commander. If Luoyang was captured, all the troops under Ding Yuan would be under Fengxian's command, and he would be in charge of the army. Fengxian would be able to ascend the altar and be appointed as a general in one day, and his name would be known all over the world. "

"Fengxian, think about it. The situation in Luoyang is under the control of Bingzhou Mu's army, which is besieging the city. Ding Yuan only controls two or three city gates. If Fengxian helps, Luoyang will be within our grasp, and it will not be an extravagant hope to control the military power of the world by then."

"Everyone knows that the governor of Bingzhou treats his subordinates kindly. What do you think, Fengxian?"

Every word of these words hit the nail on the head about Lu Bu's inner ambition.

He controls all the military forces in the world and his name is known throughout the world.

Lu Bu's heart was in turmoil, and he remained silent.

Zhang Qing was delighted when he saw this. Just as he was about to continue lobbying, he heard another voice coming from outside the hall: "Fengxian, this person insulted you and regarded you as a person who forgets his principles for the sake of profit and does not know loyalty or treachery."

Cao Cao walked in from outside.

He gave this city gate to Lu Bu, and there were already people from the Xiyuan Army helping to defend it.

Cao Cao had sharp ears and could hear Zhang Qing's words clearly even from outside.

He came straight in, and several soldiers under Lu Bu were chasing after him, but they were all blocked by Xiao Xiang and other personal troops, and they did not have time to report.

Cao Cao came in, without even looking at Zhang Qing, and continued, "I have heard the Prefect of the Guards mention Fengxian's loyalty many times, but now there are treacherous people who want Fengxian to rebel and join Dong Zhuo, committing a rebellious act and leaving a bad reputation in the world.

He was not only insulting Fengxian for being unintelligent and ignorant of loyalty, but also scolding the Prefect of the Imperial Guards for being short-sighted and misjudging Fengxian!"

Lu Bu's face suddenly turned red.

If this matter was talked about behind the scenes and no one knew, he would indeed be somewhat moved.

What Zhang Qing said was exactly what Lu Bu wanted, to ascend the altar and take command of the powerful army.

A man without cruelty is not a hero. If he betrayed Ding Yuan, he would be able to fulfill his long-cherished wish. It is impossible for Lu Bu not to be tempted.

But this was discovered by Cao Cao, and Lu Bu could not tolerate it.

If he endured it, Ding Yuan would immediately develop a prejudice against him, and he would lose the power in his hands before he could even get in touch with Dong Zhuo.

Lu Bu bowed deeply to Cao Cao and said, "I regard you as my confidant. You understand me. I am not a person who will change sides. Dong Zhuo wants to alienate me from my adoptive father and look down on me. It is impossible!"

In order to avoid arousing Ding Yuan's suspicion, he turned around and looked at Zhang Qing again, his face already showing murderous intent:
"If you dare to insult me, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Cao Cao took out a handful of dried fruits from his sleeve, put them in his mouth, and chewed them. They were crunchy.

Zhang Qing was horrified and tried to run, but Lu Bu hit him with a hammer, cracking his head and killing him instantly.

"happy!"

Cao Cao said: "Fengxian is indeed loyal and righteous."

"But Dong Zhuo treated Fengxian so rudely and humiliated him. I don't think we can just let this go."

(End of this chapter)