"Report!! Grand Tutor, something terrible has happened! Lü Bu and other soldiers from Bingzhou, along with Wu Fu, Wang Zifu, and others, have launched a rebellion and are now besieging the residence of Military Advisor Li Ru!"

"What!?"

Upon hearing this news, Dong Zhuo, whose troops were stationed in Gucheng, west of Luoyang, was struck dumb, and his body became unsteady.

"Report!!"

However, bad news continued to arrive.

"Report! The armies of Hanoi, Hedong, and Bingzhou under Shangjun are now mobilizing their forces and approaching our forces in Hongnong, Zuofengyi, Henan Yin, and Beidi Commandery!"

"Damn Zhao Hao... Damn Zhao Hao! Issue my order: kill that brat emperor... yes, and that despicable Empress Dowager He too!"

Duan Wei, who was waiting beside him, twitched his lips slightly and helplessly bowed in response.

"Grand Tutor, the military advisor previously ordered the burning of all cities in Luoyang and forced the people to relocate."

Meanwhile, in order to keep these two firmly under his control, he had already moved them to his residence for safekeeping.

"I'm afraid...the two of them have either already been dealt with by the strategist, or they've been kidnapped by those bandits..."

"Um?"

"Grand Tutor, please forgive me. I misspoke."

Dong Zhuo snorted and ignored Duan Wei.

"Send men to continue investigating the situation at the strategist's residence. Mobilize the entire army and follow me back to Luoyang. We must rescue Li Ru!"

"Report!!"

Just as Dong Zhuo's messengers were about to go down to work, another piece of bad news reached his army.

"Report! Grand Tutor, something terrible has happened! The strategist has set fire to his residence, vowing never to surrender. Generals Li Jue and Guo Fan have led their elite troops in a breakout and are returning to the main army!"

"No... Wenyou! How could you leave before me..."

Dong Zhuo clutched his heart tightly, as if he were about to suffocate.

"Quickly, bring Li Jue and Guo Fan here! I want to personally hold them accountable for why they ordered Wen You to commit suicide by self-immolation!"

"promise!"

However, Li Jue and Guo Fan had not yet reached Dong Zhuo.

A strange message reached Dong Zhuo's ears.

"Report! Reporting to the Grand Tutor, an urgent report from Hulao Pass."

Xu Rong, the garrison commander of Hulao Pass, personally reported that an army of about five or six thousand men, carrying flags bearing the character "Zhao," had appeared outside the pass.

General Xu consulted the Grand Tutor: should they hold the city gates and drive back the invading enemy, or make other plans?

Dong Zhuo raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and then grinned.

"Repay Xu Rong by having him raise more flags and defend Hulao Pass."

"This... here!"

Duan Wei frowned slightly. Although Xu Rong was not considered one of Dong Zhuo's direct subordinates, he was still a loyal follower.

The current chaotic situation in Luoyang is beyond saving. Leaving Xu Rong to defend Hulao Pass... wouldn't that be sending him to his death?

"Grand Tutor, the 30,000 soldiers at Hulao Pass are quite a force. Isn't that...?"

"Shut up! I, the Grand Tutor, am far more knowledgeable about military strategy than you are!"

According to the military reports, Zhao Hao only pressed his troops against our various counties, but did not launch a direct attack.

On the contrary, outside Hulao Pass, there were few flags and only five or six thousand men. How could they possibly take Hulao Pass?

In my opinion, this is Zhao Hao's elaborate scheme. He appears to be launching an offensive to seize the western Liang region surrounding the capital, but in reality... he is secretly transferring troops to Hulao Pass, intending to secure Luoyang in one battle and divide the territory with our army at Tongguan and Hangu Pass!

Therefore, if Xu Rong can hold off Zhao Hao's army for a period of time, we can relocate more people to Chang'an.

Moreover, Lu Bu and his forces now have a large and chaotic army, which has already cut off Xu Rong's retreat route.

Even if he withdraws, how many of those people will be left?

Therefore, letting him defend Hulao Pass to the death is the best course of action!

After thinking about it carefully, Duan Wei actually agreed.

Dong Zhuo, what he said makes perfect sense.

"Grand Tutor's profound wisdom and foresight are far-reaching, but they are insufficient to sustain him for long!"

The current situation is chaotic, with rebellions erupting on all sides, which is truly distressing. On the contrary, the Grand Tutor's method is indeed beneficial to the overall situation! However... Grand Tutor, Nanyang is currently undefended. Why don't we send a portion of our forces to occupy Nanyang? This would allow us to form a protective alliance with the army migrating westward from Luoyang.

In this way, even if Hulao Pass is breached, with the Nanyang flank army providing cover, they certainly wouldn't dare to advance further!

Dong Zhuo's eyes narrowed, and he felt an even greater appreciation for Duan Wei.

"Good lad, worthy of being a member of Duan Jiong's clan! So... Order Zhang Ji's troops in Hongnong County to lead 50,000 troops to Nanyang, and transfer Fan Chou and Li Meng's troops to guard Hongnong."

Liu Jingsheng's ability to hold onto Jingzhou is partly due to my efforts. Now that my men have occupied Nanyang, I doubt he'll dare to make any trouble!

"Grand Tutor, your wisdom is brilliant! I will make the arrangements immediately!"

At this point, Dong Zhuo and others had already concluded that Zhao Hao was feinting and did not truly intend to launch a large-scale military offensive against Sili.

Therefore, he didn't care if the defenses in other areas were weakened.

What he cared about was the prosperity of the Guanzhong region and his own ability to maintain his position as emperor...

Meanwhile, inside Luoyang, once it was confirmed that Li Jue and Guo Fan's men had completely withdrawn from Luoyang...

A figure in white emerged from the gate of the mansion that Li Ru had burned down.

"What are you all standing there for? Have you forgotten that you're going to Hulao Pass to support Lord Qin?"

"Uh...it's nothing, let's go!"

Dressed in white, Li Ru's ethereal and otherworldly demeanor created a striking contrast for them.

Li Ru, reborn from the ashes, will embark on a completely new path that has never appeared in the original course of history!

...

For the time being, there will be no new developments in the situation in Luoyang.

On the contrary, things are progressing well in Qingzhou.

Yue Fei led Wu Anguo back to Qingzhou, but they landed at a port in Donglai County near Muping County.

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