"What?! Impossible! Where did you get so many soldiers and so many supplies?"
Li Ru was stunned. He had thought that Zhao Hao wanted to take over the Governor of Henan first, and then contend with Dong Zhuo, gradually making his move.
But Zhao Hao's plan was to achieve his goal in one battle and take over all of Dong Zhuo's territory in one fell swoop.
"Hehe, if I were to tell you, there are now tens of millions of people under my rule, Zhao Hao."
So, how many troops should I have?
Oh... I forgot to include Qingzhou. I'm afraid that in the near future, the number of soldiers and people under my rule will only increase!
Li Ru found Zhao Hao's words hard to believe. Bingzhou was barren, and it would be difficult for it to have a population of ten million.
"You don't need to worry about whether I'm exaggerating or engaging in reckless military campaigns, or whether I'm using barbarian troops. Anyway, my real plan is to launch a full-scale attack on Xiliang."
So if you burn everyone in Luoyang to a crisp, who will I use to establish my authority, and who will my subordinates use to achieve political achievements and merits?
However, burning the city was a good plan. Only in this way could Dong Zhuo announce to the outside world that the crown prince was dead, and that the late emperor would leave a 'last will' to abdicate in favor of Dong Zhuo.
However, the area burned needs to be controlled, and it is essential to reassure Dong Zhuo so that he can go to Chang'an with peace of mind, and to ensure that those remaining in Luoyang are all on my side.
That way, my plan will be more likely to succeed!
"Your...plan?"
Zhao Hao smiled wickedly and said in an unquestionable manner.
"Li Ru, if I had a way to give you and most of Dong Zhuo's people a way to survive."
Will you still choose to die? Or will you carry the burden of guilt towards your ideals, your life, and your past? Will you use all your remaining strength to...
"All dedicated to me?"
...
Not long after, Zhao Hao and Li Ru discussed many details of the plan. Only after Zhao Hao had fully understood the situation of the tunnel did he leave with Dian Wei.
Yuwen Chengdu? This guy was naturally left behind as a safety net, in case Li Ru betrayed him or anything went wrong with the royalist plan.
In May, Zhao Hao brought Dian Wei back to the camp in Hanoi, and Dian Wei's family had already been taken to Jinyang for resettlement.
When Dian Wei saw that the wealthy young man in front of him was actually the famous Zhao Hao, he immediately pledged allegiance to him and obeyed Zhao Hao's orders.
Providing Dian Wei with equipment and martial arts techniques wouldn't consume much luck value.
By June, with the addition of some capable new generals, Zhao Hao's right and left arms had changed.
"Young master, the person you found is truly excellent! I, Old Dian, haven't encountered someone who could withstand so many of my moves in a long time!"
Lu Junyi, the Jade Kirin of Water Margin
Command: 87, Strength: 102, Intelligence: 78, Politics: 65, Charisma: 80
Personality traits: 1. Heroic 2. Courageous 3. Resolute 4. Valiant (Increases troop siege ability by 30%) 5. Capture
"Old Dian, you'll be in for a world of hurt when you get back from Chengdu."
"ah?"
"Junyi, how are you getting to know the military camp these past few days?"
"Thank you for your concern, Young Master. The brothers in the Imperial Guard are taking good care of me. Junyi has already gotten used to military life."
Zhao Hao nodded in satisfaction. Of all the famous officials who appeared in the tavern this time, only Lu Junyi was a capable fighter. After all, he was a Qilin, so Zhao Hao assigned him to his personal guards to temporarily fill the vacancy left by Yuwen Chengdu.
"That's right, after the autumn harvest... you'll have plenty of room to make your mark."
Now, all of you, train twice as hard!
"Yes, sir!"
July arrived quickly, and in many places, just as the Bingzhou Army governed, people began harvesting grain crops in a great hurry.
Although they don't need to launch a major war like Zhao Hao, the current situation in the world is chaotic, and if they don't reap the rewards as soon as possible, it will benefit those landlords and gentry.
They all hoped to use these resources to strengthen themselves and survive in the chaotic world!
Meanwhile, in those regions where crops fail and natural disasters strike repeatedly, the horrific plight continues...
"Gentlemen, I have already given you plenty of face!"
Today marks the fifth time someone has suggested moving the capital! Only by moving the capital to Chang'an can the world be at peace and the people's hearts be settled!
"Everyone, please speak freely!"
Dong Zhuo's ability to suggest moving the capital five times in a row in court was already the limit of his patience.
Now that his forces have become more stable, Dong Zhuo has decided to realize his ambitions...
The supreme ruler!
To become the supreme ruler, moving the capital became the first step in all plans.
"What, no one objects this time? Does that mean they all agree?"
Dong Zhuo was quite surprised by the ministers' silent reaction. On previous occasions, these people had all been cursing and swearing, as if they would rather die in the court than let Dong Zhuo succeed.
What I fear most is a sudden silence, and a friend's sudden concern.
Just as Dong Zhuo was puzzled by the ministers' silence, a familiar voice rang out from the hall and lingered.
"Grand Tutor Dong... why didn't you tell me about such a good thing?"
"Since none of the court officials agreed, I still have to stand up for our Dong family..."
"We greet the Empress Dowager and wish her a long and healthy life!"
Unlike the original course of history, Empress Dowager Dong did not lose her life in the power struggle with Empress He.
At that time, He Ling, He Jin, and other members of the He family had already focused their attention on Zhao Hao, and naturally forgot about dealing with the former Empress Dowager Dong, who is now the Grand Empress Dowager.
"This... I'm so sorry to trouble you, Clan Sister!"
Aside from sharing the same surname, Dong, the two probably have no other connection whatsoever.
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