In mid-September, Yuwen Chengdu, having completed his escort mission, finally rejoined his team.

Nearly 70% of the wealthy and powerful families in Luoyang were forcibly relocated.

Because of Yuan Shu's machinations, Liu Biao was too lazy to send officials and soldiers to garrison Nanyang. As a result, Zhang Ji occupied the entire territory of Nanyang without much effort.

Therefore, the royalist coalition formed by Lü Bu's Bingzhou army and Wu Fu and others dared not stay in Luoyang for long. After moving their families to Henan, they joined forces with Zhao Hao to besiege Hulao Pass.

However, among those who returned with Yuwen Chengdu were three uninvited guests.

Hu Zhao, courtesy name Kongming, was a recluse at the end of the Han Dynasty, aged 29.

Command: 67, Martial: 53, Intelligence: 94, Politics: 90, Charisma: 85

Personality traits: 1. Guiding 2. Educating 3. Opinionator 4. Composure

"Hu Kongming, accompanied by my younger brother Hu Ban, pays his respects to Lord Qin!"

"General Qin, how is my nephew Lu Junyi doing in your army?"

With Lu Junyi incorporated into Lu Zhi's family, the relationship between Zhao Hao and Lu Zhi eased somewhat thanks to Lu Junyi's connection.

Zhao Hao had promised Lu Zhi that he would deal with Dong Zhuo, but later he became an accomplice and helped Dong Zhuo defeat the people of Guandong.

Therefore, it is understandable that Lu Zhi dislikes Zhao Hao.

But now that Dong Zhuo has revealed his true intentions, Lu Zhi realizes that this was Zhao Hao's delaying tactic.

If things had gone according to their plan, the crown prince would probably be dead already, and the world would be in even greater turmoil.

Therefore, Lu Zhi had no choice but to swallow his pride and give Zhao Hao and himself a way out.

Lu Junyi was, after all, his nephew. He couldn't possibly ruin his relative's future career, could he?

"Master Lu, what are you saying? Junyi has been doing very well with me. Old Dian, take Master Lu and his grandson to see Junyi."

"yes!"

Seeing that Zhao Hao didn't care about the past misunderstanding, Lu Zhi finally felt relieved.

He also had his own ulterior motives for coming to see Zhao Hao this time.

The Lu family always needs a rising star to enter the imperial court. Now, they're bringing their grandson to show his face to Zhao Hao in advance, hoping that after their death, Zhao Hao will give them face and allow their grandson, Lu Yu, to also enter the imperial court.

Zhao Hao was naturally aware of Lu Zhi's thoughts, but that was too far off. If Lu Yu were to have the ability to surpass all the talented people in the world in the future, Zhao Hao would not mind giving him an official position to help him.

"Young man, I didn't expect you to be Mr. Hu's relative?"

What surprised Zhao Hao the most was Hu Xiaobing.

Seeing his pure and kind nature, Li Ru took him in as a personal guard and, together with his old steward, escorted his family to Jinyang.

Unexpectedly, passing through Hanoi... led to their successful reunion with their relatives?

"I am not worthy of the title of General Hu."

But it was because of you, General, that I was able to meet my lost younger brother while teaching my disciples. Please accept my bow, General!

The two do indeed look somewhat similar in their eyes and brows.

According to the two, they were separated when the Yellow Turban Rebellion ravaged Yingchuan, and their reunion is indeed a fortunate event.

"There's no need for that; it's all just a matter of fate. Is there something you need from me this time?"

After exchanging a glance, Hu Ban stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said...

"General, General Xu Rong is now holding Hulao Pass firmly, but he has become a pawn to be abandoned. I once served under him and I cannot bear to do so."

Today, I am honored to have Mr. Li Ru's high regard for me, and I am also reunited with my elder brother because of the General.

Although I am not talented, I am willing to persuade General Xu to surrender, in order to repay the kindness of General Xu, as well as that of Marquis Qin and Mr. Li Ru!

Zhao Hao frowned. He thought it was plausible that Hu Zhao had gone to persuade them to surrender.

But do you, Hu Ban... have the qualifications to make people listen to what you have to say?

Seeing Zhao Hao frown, Hu Zhao cupped his hands and said.

"General, rest assured, if my brother unfortunately dies in the enemy camp, I have several plans to make Xu Rong pay for his crime in blood!"

My younger brother wanted to fulfill his loyalty and righteousness, and since our parents had died early, I, as the older brother, had not fulfilled my duties as an elder brother for many years.

Therefore, since this was my younger brother's only request, Zhao had to swallow his pride and beg the general to give his younger brother a chance to make a contribution.

Hu Ban nodded emphatically, "It's all or nothing!"

With the two so determined, Zhao Hao couldn't object.

After thinking about it, he nodded in agreement.

"Very well then, you can go and act as the persuader."

However, I suspect that Xu Rong would rather die in battle than surrender.

I hope you come back alive, and that you'll have the chance to serve me alongside your brother in the future!

Zhao Hao extended an olive branch directly to the two brothers, which Hu Zhao did not expect.

His own words just now had a hint of arrogance about them.

Zhao Hao, however, did not mind at all; on the contrary, he trusted their abilities.

Is this recklessness and stupidity, or...?

Do you have a unique eye for talent?

"Thank you, General! I will obey any orders you give me in the future!"

"Haha, remember that you said it yourself, so there's no problem!"

Chengdu, dare you go to Hulao Pass with Xiao Huban? You'll be rewarded handsomely when we get back!

"Young master, really? I want...that!"

Which one?

Yuwen Chengdu chuckled, and seeing that Zhao Hao really didn't understand what he was saying, he said embarrassedly.

"Well...didn't we rescue a group of girls in distress before? Now that Ying'er is the only one left in the manor, we're looking to find a few suitable ones..."

"Ahem, whatever you say, whatever you say! Go quickly!"

"Hehe! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

Looking at Yuwen Chengdu, who was changing drastically, Zhao Hao really began to doubt himself.

Is it... like turning a peerless warrior into a heavily armored version of Stephen Hawking...?

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