Hulao Pass was defended stubbornly and Lin Han was not in a hurry to attack. He continued to confront them from a distance.

Jia Xu spread the news through the Jinyiwei, and he planned to divide Dong Zhuo and divide the princes.

Dong Zhuo, along with Li Ru, Lu Bu and others, rushed back to Luoyang. He was stationed at Hulao Pass with Li Su, Zhang Ji, Fan Chou, Guo Si and others, and was ordered to stay at the pass and not go out.

At that time, news came from the camp that Li Jue had sent an envoy to Sun Jian's camp, bluntly stating that Dong Zhuo wanted to marry his daughter to Sun Ce. Sun Jian cursed in the camp, feeling extremely humiliated, and drove Li Jue's envoy away.

When all the princes gathered together, everyone's eyes were focused on Sun Jian.

"Wentai, I heard that Dong Zhuo wants to marry his daughter to your son?" Cao Cao asked.

"That's right. That traitor Dong is a traitor who is plotting to overthrow the royal family. If I don't execute his three clans as a warning to the world, I will die with regret. And yet you still dream of marrying me? You are nothing."

Sun Jian cursed loudly in the main camp.

"If Zhang Wen had listened to me and executed Dong Zhuo during the Three Prefectures Rebellion, why would we be in this situation today?"

The princes immediately shut up.

Among all the princes, no one was as determined to kill Dong Zhuo as Sun Jian, so they all kept quiet at this moment.

"Wentai, calm down." Lin Han said, "Dong Zhuo has already left Hulao Pass and returned to Luoyang. It is imperative to purge the imperial court. Now let's just discuss how to enter Luoyang."

When Sun Jian saw Lin Han speak, he shut up.

He still admires Guan Junhou, no matter before or now, and he has no temper.

"Dong Zhuo has recently left Hulao Pass, but it is a fortress of nature, easy to defend but difficult to attack. It would be inappropriate to pile up human lives to break through the pass."

Lin Han led all the princes to the map. When everyone saw this, they were all silent.

"Does Marquis Guanjun have any other ideas?" Gongsun Zan asked anxiously.

"My staff will tell you."

Lin Han gave up his seat and let Xi Zhicai step forward.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Xi Zhicai. They were unfamiliar with the thin scholar in front of them. Only Cao Cao's expression brightened up. This scholar was the talent he wanted to poach, and he was kicked by Guanjun Hou.

"My Lords, I am throwing out a brick, hoping it will elicit jade." Xi Zhicai said politely, then stood in front of the map and said, "For some time now, I have been working with the Lord and others to deduce a method for entering Luoyang. After much planning, we have finally confirmed the strategy. My Lords, do you remember the route the Yellow Turban troops took to attack Luoyang during the Yellow Turban Rebellion?"

When these words were spoken, everyone was shocked and looked at each other.

At that time, the Yellow Turban God Envoy led his troops to attack Luoyang and cut off the dragon head of the dragon throne, which was a great shame and humiliation.

"Mr. Xi, please speak frankly." Cao Cao said.

"The Yellow Turbans had two routes to enter Luoyang. One was for the Divine Envoy to break through Hulao Pass, which was guarded by He Miao. The other was for Ma Yuanyi to lead the armies of Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and Yuzhou in the south and break through Yique Pass."

Seeing this, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Gongsun Zan and others were surprised.

They did not replay the events of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, but only remembered that the Yellow Turbans were powerful at the time and the gods were like gods descending from heaven.

"Hulao Pass is heavily fortified, so a strong attack is unwise. We can follow the route the Yellow Turbans took to Luoyang, marching south with a large army to capture Yangcheng, Yangrenju, and Xincheng, and then head north to Yique Pass."

My lord, please send spies to investigate Yique Pass. Ma Yuanyi flooded Yique Pass, completely destroying the city's defenses, which have yet to be restored. Dong Zhuo's troops are now concentrated in Luoyang and Hulao Pass, leaving insufficient manpower at other passes. We can mobilize a valiant force to seize Yique Pass and threaten Luoyang. If Luoyang is threatened, the troops at Hulao Pass will surely return to support it, and Hulao Pass can be breached.

When Xi Zhicai analyzed it, all the princes were amazed and praised it again and again.

"Marquis Guanjun, I think this plan is feasible and I am willing to lead the troops to capture Yique Pass." Sun Jian requested.

On the field, Sun Jian was the most active.

"Marquis Guanjun, I am willing to go to Yique Pass with Lord Sun." Among the princes, Yang Ji stood up and spoke.

This marginalized member of the feudal lords had always kept a low profile within the army. Lin Han's eyes narrowed when he spoke out. They were both players, so he naturally understood Yang Ji's calculations.

It was just a matter of coveting Sun Jian's chance of obtaining the imperial seal, and also of his defeat.

Since no one else said anything, Lin Han couldn't refuse.

"Okay, in that case, Sun Jian will lead his troops to Yique Pass, and Yang Ji will lead the troops there together. We will meet in Luoyang someday." Lin Han said meaningfully.

"See you in Luoyang someday."

Sun Jian and Yang Ji received the order and left.

The confrontation outside Hulao Pass continued, and there was no intention of attacking.

Two days later, an envoy from Luoyang came out of Hulao Pass and entered the camp of the princes.

"The imperial edict has arrived."

These three words are as loud as thunder.

The situation was tense at this time, but an imperial edict came from Luoyang.

"Yanzhou Governor Liu Dai received the order."

Seeing the messenger shouting, Liu Dai's eyes flickered, and finally he stepped out to receive the order.

"Today, the world is in turmoil. Bandits are rising in Yanzhou from time to time, and the people have no peace. I have specially ordered Yanzhou Governor Liu Dai to be transferred to Yanzhou Governor, and to take charge of Yanzhou affairs."

As soon as the imperial edict was issued, all the princes were shocked.

Especially the three people on the field: Dongjun Prefect Qiao Mao, Shanyang Prefect Yuan Yi, and Jibei Prime Minister Bao Xin. They were all under the jurisdiction of Yanzhou, and Liu Dai was the governor of Yanzhou. It was undoubtedly a huge blow to them.

If Liu Dai wanted to take control of Yanzhou, their county governor would definitely be one of those to be dealt with.

Liu Dai's expression was uncertain.

The temptation of being the governor of Yanzhou was too great. If he accepted it, he would become a high-ranking official. If he didn't, he would still be a governor in name only.

Everyone knew that this was Dong Zhuo's conspiracy, but the temptation of benefits was too great.

"I obey your order." Liu Dai gritted his teeth and took the imperial edict.

The expressions of the princes changed drastically.

Liu Dai took the imperial edict and left in a hurry.

Without waiting for anyone to speak, the envoy from Luoyang came out with another imperial edict in his hand.

"Tao Qian, please accept my decree. Today, the world is in turmoil. Bandits are rampant in Xuzhou, and the people are suffering from restlessness. I hereby appoint Xuzhou Governor Tao Qian to be transferred to Xuzhou Governor, and to take charge of Xuzhou affairs."

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