"Mother, why did my brother raise an army to attack Luoyang?"
"And why do you insist on the death of your imperial brother?"
The young emperor suddenly asked, "I've heard many people say that Father Emperor died of poisoning. Is that true?"
What!
Empress Dowager He looked at Liu Bian in alarm, never expecting him to ask such questions, and immediately said sternly:
"Your Majesty, what nonsense are you spouting? Who exactly is whispering slander in your ear? I'm going to kill them!"
"Don't let your mind wander! You are the emperor who reigns over the world, holding the power of life and death over all people. If you want someone to die, they have no choice but to die!"
Liu Bian was so frightened by Empress Dowager He's fierce gaze that he dared not look her in the eye: "I understand! I will not have any wild thoughts!"
"But ever since I became emperor, it seems no one listens to me!"
Empress Dowager He was speechless for a moment.
"Your Majesty, it will be soon, you can trust your mother!"
Suddenly, a ruthless glint appeared in Empress Dowager He's eyes.
......
Dong Zhuo returned to his Grand Tutor's mansion.
Due to the three-layered defense on the western and northern fronts, Dong Zhuo dispatched 60,000 of his 110,000 troops to garrison key passes such as Hangu Pass, Mengjin, and Yinping County.
The remaining 50,000 troops were stationed in Luoyang to control the city's defenses.
Meanwhile, the Western Garden Army, the Five Schools of the Northern Army, the Yuzhou Army, and Yuan Shu's army also dispersed to places such as Yanshi, Gongxian, Yique Pass, and Dagu Pass to guard against Liu Biao of Jingzhou taking the opportunity to send troops.
There are also indications that Liu Biao dispatched his general Huang Zu with 30,000 troops out of Xiangyang, seemingly to coordinate with Liu Wei.
As soon as he stepped off the carriage, Li Ru, Niu Fu, Dong Min, and others greeted him and led him inside.
After settling down, Dong Zhuo slowly said:
"The young emperor is weak and incompetent, lacking any imperial dignity. I intend to depose him and install the Prince of Chenliu in his place!"
"The Grand Tutor also expressed his support."
Li Ru immediately exclaimed, "Father-in-law, that's brilliant!"
"The King of Yunzhong is entering the capital under the pretext of avenging the late emperor, eliminating the poisonous empress, and establishing a virtuous ruler. If we depose the young emperor, hand over Empress Dowager He to Liu Wei, and then establish the King of Chenliu, then Liu Wei will have no reason or excuse to enter Luoyang!"
"Yes, that's what the Grand Tutor and the others think too! In order to defeat Liu Wei, in addition to having a strong army, we must also occupy a moral high ground."
Dong Zhuo nodded. "Immediately arrange for someone to find the Prince of Chenliu, depose the young emperor first, and then arrest Empress Dowager He! Niu Fu, you will handle this matter personally."
“Yes!” Niu Fu stepped forward and loudly agreed.
"What was Lü Bu's reaction when we sent Ding Yuan's coffin and Red Hare to Xingyang?"
Dong Zhuo then asked Li Ru, "Have I still promised to give him the original Bingzhou troops and marry my granddaughter to him?"
"When Lü Bu learned that Ding Yuan had died because of Yuan Shao, he relented! However, he said he would only obey orders, not summons!" Li Ru replied. "Moreover, he will not marry your granddaughter."
"Very good!"
Dong Zhuo's face lit up with joy, and he asked curiously, "Does he dislike my granddaughter?"
"You know, my granddaughter is my precious darling."
"No, he feels that by marrying your granddaughter, his seniority is lower than ours."
"Haha, I see. It's a pity I only have two daughters!"
Dong Zhuo smiled and shook his head, "Then in a few days I'll go to the Empress Dowager and ask for a few concubines for him; I'm sure Lü Bu will like them!"
"Furthermore, Li Ru, you should draft a memorial requesting that Lü Bu be appointed as General of Valiant Might and stationed at Xuanmen Pass to jointly resist Liu Wei!"
Dong Zhuo then held discussions with his subordinates and advisors at the Grand Tutor's residence.
"Grand Tutor, something terrible has happened!"
"An army of 100,000 has arrived from the Guanzhong direction! Mianchi and Xin'an were captured in less than half a day!"
Suddenly, a scout rushed in with an urgent report.
Dong Zhuo frowned: "Isn't there Hangu Pass? What's the panic! Don't mention 100,000, even a million troops can't do anything to me!"
"Grand Tutor, a large number of warships have appeared on the Hongnong River behind Hangu Pass."
"General Hu Zhen is attacked from two sides and requests reinforcements!"
What! !
Everyone in the hall was taken aback.
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