now.
Dong Zhuo, the governor of Bingzhou and the Left General of Pingbei, was returning to Jinyang after inspecting Xihe County.
During the Han Dynasty, the jurisdiction of Xihe Commandery roughly covered the area west of the present-day Lüliang Mountains, from Pianguan to the confluence of the Sheyan River and the Yellow River on both banks of the Yellow River.
Dongsheng, Meiji and other places were also under the jurisdiction of Xihe County.
As soon as Dong Zhuo entered Jinyang, he heard from scouts that Liu Wei's troops from the Hetao region had entered Dongsheng, driven away the Xiongnu, and built a city.
Dong Zhuo was furious and was about to send someone to Yunzhong to find Yao Guangxiao and question him about why he had broken the private agreement.
Li Ru, however, persuaded him to stop:
"Father-in-law, it will be of no use sending someone to question us now."
"Dongsheng is too far from Jinyang. Even if we station our troops there, it will be difficult to keep up with the supply of provisions. It would be better to send a general to lead an army to Zhenlin, south of Guluo City."
"In this way, we can keep the Xiongnu people in Guluo City in check."
"At the same time, this group of Xiongnu people served as a buffer, blocking the southward advance of the King of Yunzhong's army."
"Anyway, north of Guluo City, it's all desert and grassland."
Dong Zhuo nodded: "Although we already have 50,000 troops in Bingzhou, there aren't many scattered across the various counties!"
"We have already stationed 20,000 men in Dingxiang and Yanmen, partly to guard against the King of Yunzhong, and partly to guard against the Wuhuan and Xianbei people in Youzhou."
"In addition, the Qiang people in Shangjun have been very active recently. Generals Niu Fu, Li Jue, and Guo Si have taken away another 10,000 troops."
“Since my son-in-law has made this suggestion, I will have Hua Xiong lead five thousand troops to Zhenlin.”
Li Ru said, "Father-in-law, the old King Guli of Guluo City has sent people to persuade him many times to surrender, but he is stubborn and refuses."
"Now that the Cloud King's army is approaching, let's see how long he can keep up his stubbornness."
Dong Zhuo said coldly, "It's Shi Tugu who knows the times and understands that surrendering to us is the only way out. If that old fellow, King Guli, doesn't surrender to us now, he will only be slaughtered by King Yunzhong."
Li Ru felt that it was still possible to try and win over King Guli:
"General Hua will go there again to persuade the old King Gu Li. After all, he still has tens of thousands of soldiers and twenty to thirty thousand followers under his command."
Dong Zhuo wholeheartedly agreed:
"This is the last time. If he won't listen to our advice, let him wear down the Cloud King's army! We'll just sit back and watch the tigers fight."
"However, we must seize his 20,000 followers and the young and beautiful women of his tribe before he does."
Li Ru chuckled: "Father-in-law, that's only natural, I will certainly keep it in mind."
Shi Tugu surrendered to Dong Zhuo, and in order to obtain the fertile Sheyanze, he offered more than twenty young and beautiful women from his tribe.
Dong Zhuo kept five for himself and distributed the rest to his generals.
Even Niu Fu and Li Ru, Dong Zhuo's sons-in-law, each received two.
They were perfectly in sync with the unique experiences of Xiongnu women.
At this moment, a subordinate rushed in to report:
"General Dong, Mr. He from the General's residence has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo frowned.
The last time, it was this same Lord He Yong who came to Hedong to find Dong Zhuo, who was about to take office as the Left General of Pingbei. However, he conveyed the General's order to Dong Zhuo to attack Liu Wei from behind, who was then fighting a major battle between Shanwu and Qiangqu Chanyu.
This trip is definitely not going to be anything good.
General Dong, how have you been?
"Thanks to the great general's great fortune, I am filled with trepidation in Bingzhou. Now, Bingzhou is bordered by the Xianbei to the north, the Qiang and Hu to the west, and the Xiongnu within its borders as well. I fear that I have failed to defend the country well and have let down the great general's cultivation!"
Dong Zhuo knew that he was able to become the governor of Bingzhou because He Jin was supporting him.
In front of He Jin's confidants, one should naturally speak politely.
"Hehe, this time, General Dong's time to repay the General's kindness has come."
He Yong said with a forced smile, "General Dong, have you heard that His Majesty has issued an edict summoning members of the imperial family to the capital?"
"I've heard about it!" Dong Zhuo had heard about it long ago.
However, in his view, Prince Liu Wei, who was in Hetao, would definitely not go to Luoyang.
If he goes back, it will be like entering a den of dragons and tigers.
Empress He had already been sharpening her knife, waiting for him.
Liu Wei will definitely choose not to accept the imperial decree, or find other excuses not to go to Luoyang.
"Liu Wei, the King of the Clouds, has also set off for Luoyang!"
He Yong smiled mysteriously.
"He really went to Luoyang? Then why haven't I heard a thing in Bingzhou? I haven't seen him anywhere outside Yanmen Pass or in Dingxiang County!"
Dong Zhuo was slightly surprised.
"Because he did not go through Yanmen Pass, but heard that he would take the route along the Qin Straight Road to Shangjun and then through Guanzhong."
"Moreover, at this moment, they have probably already entered the territory of Shangjun."
Dong Zhuo and Li Ru exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with astonishment and regret.
If Liu Wei had already entered Shangjun by this time, then he would have already passed Guluo City.
Sending Hua Xiong with his troops now is way too late!
"What happened to General Dong?"
He Yong seemed to notice the expressions on Dong Zhuo and Li Ru's faces, and asked.
"Nothing, nothing. Mr. He, what brings you here from afar? Why do you say it's time for this humble general to repay the great general's kindness?"
"Actually, it's nothing serious. Someone in the Luoyang Palace just doesn't want the King of Yunzhong to go to Luoyang unharmed. Do you two understand?"
Dong Zhuo's face twitched: He's sending him to target Liu Wei again!
"Mr. He, as you know, the King of Yunzhong is a prince. We dare not act openly!"
He Yong smiled slightly:
"The General had already thought of this and considered everything for you."
"I heard that General Dong took in 10,000 Xiongnu people. Why don't you let them go?"
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