"As everyone knows, the Grand Tutor has shown him great favor. Could it be that while my Liangzhou army is fighting desperately, you have secretly reached a settlement?"
Ding Yuan retorted, "I, Ding Jianyang, have acted uprightly and stood firm. This is the letter Dong Zhuo wrote to me. If you have any doubts, take it and read it!"
After saying that, he took out the letter and showed it to Yuan Shao.
After Yuan Shao took the letter, he found that it was mostly filled with trivial family matters and expressions of concern, but there were many corrections. So he asked, "Why is this?"
"How could I have known? This is exactly what Dong Zhuo sent!"
Ding Yuan declared loudly, "I am upright and honest, and I am not afraid of any doubts."
"Benchu, let us work together to solve the problem of Dong Zhuo, and we must not fall for his divisive tactics."
"Of course!"
Yuan Shao returned the letter to Ding Yuan, his face gloomy. "Dong Zhuo has raised the 'no war' sign; let's all return to our camps!"
Seeing that Yuan Shao looked unwell, Ding Yuan led his troops back to camp.
...
"What a brilliant plan! With just three letters and a few words, he aroused suspicion among Yuan Shao, Ding Yuan, and Lü Bu."
Dong Zhuo was in high spirits after returning to his camp.
"Father-in-law, I never expected you to have such a brilliant plan. It truly amazes me," Li Ru flattered from the side.
He did not expect that Dong Zhuo would be able to keenly perceive the subtle relationship between the imperial coalition forces and fabricate a counter-espionage plot out of thin air.
Regardless of the outcome, a rift was created between Yuan Shao and Ding Yuan, and between Ding Yuan and Lü Bu.
It turned out that Niu Fu had offered a plan last night, which Dong Zhuo adopted. He immediately sent three letters to the imperial army.
In war, envoys are not to be killed.
Besides, we are all still officials of the Han Dynasty, and it's not like we've reached a life-or-death situation.
Yesterday's battle had already intimidated Dong Zhuo with Lü Bu and his heavy cavalry.
If Dong Zhuo writes this letter now, he might be scared and choose to compromise and hand over the young emperor!
Therefore, Yuan Shao and others did not refuse to associate with Dong Zhuo without hesitation.
So early this morning, Dong Zhuo personally went out of the camp and used persuasive words to arouse suspicion in the hearts of the three.
"Ding Yuan's troops also need provisions. If he runs out of provisions in time, he will definitely turn to Yuan Shao, and there will inevitably be another round of intrigue and power struggles."
Dong Zhuo is now deeply embroiled in this situation, and it is believed that it will not be long before he causes internal discord between Ding Yuan and Yuan Shao.
"How's the battle going in Bingzhou? Liu Wei's troops shouldn't be able to get into Yanmen Pass!"
Dong Zhuo asked Niu Fu beside him, "Have Hua Xiong, Fan Chou, and Zhang Ji entered Hedong yet?"
"There's no news yet!" Niu Fu shook his head.
"Report!"
At this moment, a scout came running, reporting urgently from General Hu Zhen, the Prefect of Shangdang.
Dong Zhuo's face twitched, as if he had a bad feeling.
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