"Wenyou, everyone, let me introduce you!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Dong Zhuo led Li Ru and several Xianbei generals to Yuan Shao and his entourage.

"This is Yuan Shao, courtesy name Benchu. He comes from the Imperial Guard and is one of His Majesty's trusted confidants!"

"Greetings, General Yuan!"

Upon hearing Dong Zhuo's introduction, Li Ru and the others hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Please, everyone, don't be so polite!"

Yuan Shao returned the greeting with a smile, but his eyes kept scrutinizing Li Ru.

When Yuan Shao first met Li Ru, it was in Luoyang.

At that time, the emperor had just ascended the throne and summoned talented students from all over the country to Luoyang for assessment. Li Ru was one of the few students who was able to be summoned by the emperor.

When Li Ru left Luoyang to take up his post, he rode through the streets on horseback, displaying such high spirits that Yuan Shao, who was watching, was filled with envy.

Now, times have changed, things have changed, and who could have imagined that the young man who once had such a bright future would end up like this?

Looking at that weathered face, Yuan Shao couldn't help but feel a pang of regret, unsure of how to speak to Li Ru.

Seemingly noticing Yuan Shao's subtle expression, Li Ru simply smiled and nodded to him.

"Haha, come, come, this is Xiahou Dun, courtesy name Yuanrang, also from the Imperial Guard...!"

At that moment, Dong Zhuo brought Li Ru and others to Xiahou Dun's side.

Li Ru: "Greetings, General Xiahou!"

"You're too kind, sir!"

Xiahou Dun returned the salute, his expression quite serious.

Although he also felt sorry for Li Ru's past, Xiahou Dun, who had undergone long-term military training, was able to control his expression well.

This performance made Yuan Shao, who was standing to the side, feel a little ashamed.

Then, Dong Zhuo introduced Li Jue, Hua Xiong, Yan Liang, and other generals one by one.

The generals, like Xiahou Dun, had serious expressions, behaving like typical soldiers.

The Xianbei generals following behind Li Ru also put aside their own thoughts and took the matter seriously.

Through the actions of Xiahou Dun, Hua Xiong, and others, they realized that there were not many people like Dong Zhuo in the Han army, and many Han generals still harbored some hostility towards them.

Soon, after the introductions were completed, the two sides went to a row of tables and sat down facing each other.

"Mr. Wen sent someone to deliver a message, saying that there is something important to discuss. I wonder what it is?"

As soon as everyone sat down, Yuan Shao spoke first, getting straight to the point.

Li Ru: "I have come solely to resolve your army's concerns regarding its rear!"

Yuan Shao was slightly taken aback: "Worries about the future?"

"good!"

Li Ru nodded and said solemnly, "Your army has been locked in a stalemate with the Xiongnu's Xiezhiyu for a long time, suffering heavy casualties. The defenses must be very weak now."

If powerful western states like Kucha, Wusun, and Dayuan were to lead their armies to attack, your army would likely find it difficult to withstand them!

“I had anticipated what you said, sir. Now that Xie Zhiyu has cooperated with our army, and we have provided him with some supplies and equipment, they have already gone to attack Kucha. The worries you mentioned about the rear no longer exist!”

Yuan Shao smiled and revealed Xie Zhiyu's situation to Li Ru in this way.

After noting down the situation, Li Ru smiled slightly: "General Yuan is mistaken. The Xiongnu's attack on Kucha did indeed eliminate the possibility of Kucha attacking your army."

But did General Yuan ever consider that once the Xiongnu conquered Kucha, they would then take the opportunity to annex Wusun and other states, which would greatly increase their strength?

The western states, unified by the Xiongnu, posed a far greater threat than they do now.

Upon hearing Li Ru's words, Yuan Shao smiled and said, "We have already signed a cooperation agreement with Xie Zhiyu. We will provide him with weapons and armor, and he will go and destroy the kingdoms of Kucha and Wusun. Both sides will not invade each other. I don't think Xie Zhiyu will break his word..."

Upon hearing Yuan Shao's words, Dong Zhuo, Zhang Xiu, and other generals were taken aback, their faces showing a hint of surprise.

The Xianbei officers opposite him couldn't help but twitch their lips, secretly mocking Yuan Shao for saying such childish things.

However, they quickly came to terms with it.

In the eyes of these Xianbei generals, Yuan Shao was an extraordinary man, clearly born into a prestigious family. His high position was due to the support of his family. He had never experienced the wickedness of human nature, so it was not surprising that he said those words.

Seeing the performance of the generals on both sides, Yuan Shao smiled to himself, quite satisfied with the image he had created of being naive, ambitious but incompetent.

Li Ru smiled knowingly and then said, "General Yuan, the Han Dynasty is a land of propriety and will naturally value trustworthiness very much."

However, the Xiezhiyu and the Xiongnu were different. Like stray dogs, they were driven to the Western Regions, and everything they did was for survival.

Now that they see they cannot shake your army, and cannot continue to waste time here, they have no choice but to cooperate with your army. Do you think such cooperation is reliable?

"Well..."

Upon hearing Li Ru's question, Yuan Shao was taken aback and didn't know how to answer.

Li Ru continued, "Furthermore, when King Tanshihuai drove out Xiezhiyu, he said that once he grew stronger in the Western Regions, he would definitely return to the grasslands to take revenge on the Han and our tribe..."

Yuan Shao frowned: "Are you telling the truth...?"

Li Ru's expression turned serious: "I would never dare to lie or deceive!"

"You bastard, this idiot dares to play tricks on me!"

Upon hearing Li Ru's words, Yuan Shao, unable to speak to Xie Zhiyu directly, angrily cursed, his face showing a gritted-teeth expression.

Seeing Yuan Shao's vivid performance, Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and others beside him pursed their lips, forcing a serious expression, but inwardly they were overjoyed.

Having spent so much time together, they were surprised to discover for the first time that Yuan Shao, this usually serious guy, actually possessed such superb acting skills.

Li Ru looked at Yuan Shao, who was visibly angry, with a smile on his face and said, "General Yuan, would you like to hear my solution now?"

"Hmph~, who knows if you guys are trying to fool me like Xie Zhiyu!"

Yuan Shao snorted lightly, looking as if he had just been bitten by a snake.

Seeing this, Dong Zhuo spoke up, "Benchu, Wen You and the others are different from Xie Zhiyu; they are not the kind of people who betray their promises!"

The Xianbei generals opposite them looked on with gratitude when Dong Zhuo suddenly spoke up for them.

Although they had committed many acts of betrayal in the past, right now they only wanted the help of the Han Dynasty and a smooth westward migration.

Although their ultimate goals are different, they have no reason to do anything treacherous.