As dusk fell, Li Ru's team successfully arrived at the earthen city discovered by the scouts.
This earthen city, with its dilapidated walls and severe weathering, clearly had little value and had been abandoned for many years.
After ordering his soldiers to enter the city to rest, Li Ru, along with several deputy generals and his personal attendants, climbed to a high vantage point to plan the marching route for the next day.
According to Li Ru's plan, he would lead 20,000 elite troops from Gaoliu into the Western Regions first, and before winter, he would secure a place for the Xianbei people to rest and recuperate. Then, the following year, he would conquer Wusun, and from Wusun, he would proceed westward.
Just as Li Ru was deep in thought, the scouts responsible for reconnaissance rode up to him.
"Reporting to you, sir, I have spotted a caravan bearing the banner of the Han Dynasty about twenty miles west of the city, heading this way."
"The banner of the Great Han?"
Li Ru was slightly taken aback: "What kind of convoy is it?"
"It looks like a supply train, and there are very few soldiers escorting it!" the scout replied.
The lieutenant stepped forward and said, "Sir, should we send someone to intercept the convoy? That way, we can replenish the brothers' supplies!"
"No!"
Li Ru raised his hand and said, "We have offended the Han Dynasty now. The Yangguan garrison will definitely not allow the King to enter the pass again. Give the order that all soldiers must not move around. Also, prepare another place for the Han chariots to enter the city and rest!"
"yes!"
The deputy general agreed and then led his men to make the arrangements according to Li Ru's instructions.
As the sun set and only a sliver of light remained on the horizon, Dong Zhuo's convoy finally arrived not far from the outer edge of Tu City.
"stop!!"
After passing over the low earthen wall and seeing the Xianbei people busy setting up camp inside the city, Dong Zhuo raised his hand and called for the convoy to stop.
As soon as the caravan stopped, several Xianbei knights rode out of the city and headed straight for the caravan.
"Who goes there? What brings you here?"
A Xianbei knight reined in his horse and stopped a short distance away, asking in broken Chinese.
Dong Zhuo rode forward and proclaimed loudly, "I am Dong Zhuo, the valiant cavalry general of the Dunhuang camp of the Great Han Dynasty. I have come to offer my condolences to the Xianbei brothers who have endured hardship on their journey!"
"Comfort?"
The Xianbei knight paused slightly, his gaze passing over Dong Zhuo's obese body and looking toward the caravan.
Upon seeing the exposed wine jars on the carriage, the Xianbei knight's expression softened, and he bowed respectfully to Dong Zhuo.
"Thank you for your trouble, General Dong. Please wait here for a moment while I go and inform the gentleman!"
"good!"
Upon hearing the mention of the first sound, Dong Zhuo smiled and his eyes showed a hint of anticipation.
After bowing to Dong Zhuo, the Xianbei knight spurred his horse and galloped into the city.
Before long, under Dong Zhuo's expectant gaze, Li Ru, dressed in a green robe, strode towards them.
"Well done, what a handsome young man!"
Seeing Li Ru's graceful yet refined manner as he walked, Dong Zhuo couldn't help but praise him.
When Li Ru was twenty paces away, Dong Zhuo jumped off his horse, leaving two deep footprints in the soft sand, and quickly went to meet him.
Li Ru stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I am Li Ru, and I greet General Dong!"
"Haha, sir, you're too kind!"
Dong Zhuo laughed loudly, reached out and helped Li Ru up, and began to look him up and down.
Li Ru had dark skin, a thin face, deep-set eyes, prominent cheekbones, and several wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. Only his eyes shone with a hint of wisdom.
Dong Zhuo could tell that Li Ru's face clearly showed signs of having experienced many hardships.
"May I ask what year you were born, sir?"
Li Ru: "I was born in the first year of the Heping era!" (150 AD)
"Alas, it turns out that you are only twenty-six years old. It seems that you have suffered a lot over the years!"
Upon learning Li Ru's age, Dong Zhuo couldn't help but sigh, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.
Who would have thought that a young man in his early twenties would look as old as a fifty-year-old?
"Among all the people under heaven, who is not suffering? What is my suffering compared to theirs?"
Li Ru smiled dismissively at Dong Zhuo's lament.
"Yes, everyone has their own hardships. Your words, sir, have been very helpful to me!"
Upon hearing Li Ru's words, Dong Zhuo's face also showed an expression of admiration.
"It's getting late, General Dong, you should lead the men into the city first!"
After glancing at the sun that had already disappeared, Li Ru quickly changed the subject.
"Okay, let's talk about it once we get into the city!"
Dong Zhuo smiled and nodded, then walked into the earthen city with Li Ru.
As soon as the convoy entered the city, countless Xianbei soldiers surrounded it, swallowing hard as they looked at the wine and food on the carts.
These Xianbei soldiers had endured countless hardships and suffered greatly on their journey, often going hungry.
If it weren't for Li Ru's strict orders, these Xianbei soldiers would probably have rushed forward and looted the place long ago.
Seeing the appearance of the Xianbei soldiers, Dong Zhuo smiled and said to Li Ru, "Sir, I brought these things here to reward you. You can have your brothers take the things away and share them now!"
"Thank you very much, General Dong!"
Li Ru smiled and nodded, then turned to his deputy and instructed, "Tell the warriors that the Han army brothers have brought us fine wine and food, and let them enjoy it to their heart's content!"
"Yes, sir!"
The lieutenant excitedly agreed and quickly left to relay Li Ru's orders.
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