Zhao Hao and Lü Bu quickly retreated back to the pass. Today's demonstration of power was enough, and there was no need to waste any more time fighting each other.
Needless to say, the morale of Zhao Hao's troops is basically unaffected by external influences.
Upon seeing this, the Bingzhou army and some of the Xiliang army were greatly encouraged, feeling that none of the warlords in Guandong could rival them.
"Li Wenyou pays his respects to General Zhenbei. It is truly astonishing that General Zhenbei and General Fengxian joined forces to drive back those rats from Guandong!"
That evening, upon receiving news of the great victory, Dong Zhuo was overjoyed and immediately summoned several palace maids to his bedchamber to discuss his life plans.
Naturally, his good son-in-law, the chief strategist of Xiliang and the most ruthless strategist in Liangzhou, became the best candidate to come and comfort and reward the soldiers.
Li Ru, courtesy name Wenyou, 31 years old
Command: 82 Martial: 69 Intelligence: 94 Politics: 87 Charisma: 62
Personality traits: 1. Poisonous scheme 2. Burning the city 3. Desperate strategy 4. Advising 5. Blocking 6. Fighting against the odds
Li Ru was indeed an all-around talent. Otherwise, how could the Xiliang army not only recognize Dong Zhuo, but also completely trust Dong Zhuo's relatives and another son-in-law?
Every Xiliang soldier was in awe of this strategist!
"Hehe, come, have a seat."
Zhao Hao's attitude was strange, so Li Ru became more cautious. After giving Hu Zhen, who was waiting outside the door, a look, he sat down respectfully in front of Zhao Hao.
"General Zhao has achieved a resounding victory, I..."
"Stop. Let's not beat around the bush. You, Li Ru, have helped Dong Zhongying stabilize such a large territory; you're no ordinary person. So let's save our time for pretense and talk about the bargaining chips for cooperation."
Li Ru's gaze sharpened; this Zhao Hao was indeed no easy opponent.
"Oh? Haven't Fengxian's daughter and the Grand Tutor's granddaughter already been sent to Hanoi? We're all family..."
Zhao Hao snorted, "Don't even think about trying to smooth things over. A marriage alliance is just the price for not sending troops to attack you. But helping you repel the coalition of warlords from Guandong today is a different price!"
But don't worry, giving me what I need won't harm myself.
Li Ru frowned slightly. "I wonder what Zhao Zhenbei wants? You refused the offers of being granted a dukehood, a kingship, and promoted to Grand General. It seems we have nothing to offer the General..."
Zhao Hao smiled and shook his index finger.
"I already possess Bingzhou and have the grasslands at my back. I've even given you Hedong and Henan, which you didn't want. If I were to covet more, we wouldn't be able to sit here peacefully and discuss things."
Go back and tell Dong Zhuo that the previous conditions remain unchanged: he cannot harm Liu Bian or Empress Dowager He. Regarding today's events, I demand a noble title.
Li Ru smiled slightly. A title is nothing; it's something that can be agreed to with mere words, which is much simpler.
"That's easy enough. I wonder what title General Zhao desires? Prince of Zhenbei? Duke of Dingbian? Or Duke of Jingguo? These titles would all be worthy of your illustrious military achievements..."
"What do those things matter? I only want one position, and the name must not be changed!"
"Oh? I wonder what kind of title it is that the general is so interested in?"
"I will receive the imperial edict of investiture before next month."
I, Zhao Hao, am hereby conferred the title of...
"Lord Qin!"
Li Ru frowned. "Marquis, that's fine."
But the character Qin... has a profound meaning!
“5...4..3..”
Just as Li Ru was struggling with his decision, Zhao Hao smiled and reached for the hilt of his sword.
At the same time, the countdown began!
Li Ru's heart pounded wildly. Zhao Hao was forcing him to agree; if he refused, Zhao Hao would take action directly!
"Good! Not only that, Ru will also advise Grand Tutor Dong to promote the general to General of Chariots and Cavalry, to oversee all military affairs in Bingzhou, to be granted the authority to command troops, and... and to be in charge of all matters related to the rebellion in Guandong. What do you think?"
Zhao Hao smiled and quickly finished counting down.
"321, Chengdu, bring the stuff in!"
"yes!"
Li Ru thought Zhao Hao was still not satisfied and wanted to continue to deal with him, so he broke out in a cold sweat, but he couldn't think of any way to satisfy Zhao Hao.
Bang.
The next moment, Yuwen Chengdu carried in a large box, placed it in front of Li Ru, and stirred up clouds of dust.
"Mr. Wen, why don't you open it and see what's inside?"
Still shaken, Li Ru let out a cry, his mind and limbs seemingly out of his control, and spontaneously opened the box in front of him.
"These are medicinal herbs that are a specialty of Bingzhou. If you boil these herbs into a medicinal soup according to the recipe above and take it regularly, it can have the effect of prolonging life!"
Also, there are a few powerful pills on this, which I'm sure Grand Tutor Dong will like very much!
Mr. Wen, this was a pleasant collaboration, wasn't it?
"Yes, yes, the general is right..."
Zhao Hao is a ruthless man who can kill hundreds of thousands of barbarians with a wave of his hand. If you offend him, he will become insane and will mobilize hundreds of thousands of troops from Bingzhou to fight against their Xiliang army.
At that time, the great situation they have worked so hard to achieve will be destroyed!
Now that Zhao Hao has agreed to the terms of the deal, that's naturally the best outcome.
Zhao Hao looked at Li Ru, whose back was soaked with cold sweat, and laughed.
"Alright, Mr. Wen, let your soldiers, led by Hu Zhen, who are lying in ambush all around, come in and carry away this big box. Otherwise, you alone can't lift this thing."
Li Ru, next time we discuss cooperation, you'd better not try to play tricks on me! Otherwise, you'll have to bear the consequences!
Zhao Hao waved to Yuwen Chengdu, leaving Li Ru, who was taking deep breaths, with a large table full of delicacies and fine wine.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
