Bingzhou, Taiyuan Commandery.
Dong Zhuo was discussing matters with Li Ru and others when a messenger rushed in.
"My lord, something terrible has happened! Zhang Xiu's army has been defeated!" The messenger was covered in sweat.
Upon hearing this news, Dong Zhuo was immediately stunned, then quickly stood up and asked sternly, "How is this possible? Just a few days ago, they sent back battle reports that they had captured three counties in Ji Province!"
The messenger wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "My lord, Zhang Xiu is outside... They have been defeated, and Lü Bu... has been captured."
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo slammed his fist on the table and roared, "You bastard! Let Zhang Xiu get in here!"
Soon, Zhang Xiu walked in.
At this moment, he was covered in wounds, his clothes were tattered, and his face was pale, clearly indicating that he had suffered serious injuries.
"Your subordinate deserves to die! Please punish me, my lord!"
Zhang Xiu knelt down abruptly, biting his lip, and said in a deep voice.
Seeing Zhang Xiu in such a disheveled state, Dong Zhuo, who was about to lose his temper, felt a pang of pity.
"Zhang Xiu, what exactly happened?" Dong Zhuo asked after a moment of contemplation.
Zhang Xiu lowered his head and told Dong Zhuo the whole story. Dong Zhuo had not expected that the Yellow Turban rebels would mobilize more than 200,000 troops.
But what upset Dong Zhuo the most was that Lü Bu was captured in this battle.
But when Zhang Xiu mentioned that Dian Wei had joined the Yellow Turban Army, his eyes revealed an incredulous look.
"You said Dian Wei has joined the Yellow Turban rebels? What about Mr. Lu?" Dong Zhuo asked, frowning.
Zhang Xiu sighed, "I didn't know, but my junior brother, whom I've never met, is also in the Yellow Turban rebels' ranks."
"Therefore, I suspect that Guiguzi must be connected with the Yellow Turban Army!"
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo's expression shifted between light and dark, and he remained silent for a long time.
If even Mr. Lu is in the Yellow Turban Army, then things will be very difficult!
He had personally witnessed Lu Li's power. Let alone one Lu Bu, even ten Lu Bus combined probably wouldn't be a match for Lu Li.
"My lord, I am willing to lead an elite cavalry force to Ji Province to rescue General Lü!"
Zhang Xiu had always harbored resentment towards Lü Bu for defeating him, but this time Lü Bu actually stayed behind to resist the Yellow Turban Army in order to make him retreat.
This kindness moved Zhang Xiu to tears.
"No need, you may leave now!" Dong Zhuo waved his hand in refusal. Although he was furious, he knew that this battle was beyond saving.
If Lu Li were present, even if the Yellow Turban Army sent out all its elite troops, they would only be sending them to their deaths.
Seeing this, Zhang Xiu dared not say anything more and immediately left the tent.
Dong Zhuo sat in his chair, his brows furrowed, deep in thought.
After a long silence, he murmured, "Wenyou, do you think Mr. Lu was the one who instigated the Yellow Turban Rebellion?"
Li Ru stroked his beard and analyzed, "My lord, we have had contact with Mr. Lu before."
"This person doesn't seem like the type to stir up trouble; on the contrary, they might be fanning the flames. I wonder if there's something else going on?"
Dong Zhuo nodded. He had been through thick and thin with Lu Li, and he had also told Lu Li his secret.
It was precisely because he trusted Lu Li's character that if Lu Li was really stirring things up behind the scenes, then he wouldn't consider him an enemy!
But if there are other reasons...
Thinking of this, Dong Zhuo narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharpening. "Then, in your opinion, what should be done?"
Li Ru shook his head slightly and said softly, "Since it is no longer certain whether Mr. Lu is really involved, let's hold back and wait and see."
"But what about the imperial court?" Dong Zhuo asked, frowning.
After all, Emperor Ling of Han had ordered him to suppress the Yellow Turban rebels. Initially, he captured three counties in Ji Province, and Emperor Ling even issued an edict to commend Dong Zhuo.
But who could have imagined that Zhang Xiu would suffer such a complete defeat in the blink of an eye?
Li Ru stroked his beard and smiled calmly, "My lord need not worry, the court is probably too busy taking care of itself right now."
Dong Zhuo was taken aback, not understanding what Li Ru meant.
"My lord, Zhang Jiao has dispatched over 200,000 troops to Ji Province. Is it really just to hold off our mere 50,000 soldiers?" Li Ru said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, a flash of inspiration struck Dong Zhuo.
"You mean Zhang Jiao is going to attack Luoyang!" Dong Zhuo exclaimed in surprise!
"Indeed!"
"Zhang Jiao has mobilized so many troops; he must be planning to attack Luoyang!"
Dong Zhuo was now completely enraged and exclaimed that Zhang Jiao was a madman.
"How dare he attack Luoyang? Isn't he afraid that the governors of the various states will rise up against him?"
Although the governors of various prefectures are currently holding back their troops and allowing the Yellow Turban Rebellion to run rampant, if the Yellow Turbans dare to attack Luoyang, the imperial court only needs to issue an imperial edict to support the emperor, and the governors of various prefectures will have to send troops to support the emperor.
If this were to happen, it would completely disrupt all of Dong Zhuo's previous plans and arrangements.
Dong Zhuo was now feeling extremely frustrated and wished he could kill Zhang Jiao to vent his anger!
"My lord, do not panic. There is still a way to salvage this situation."
"Hmm? Wenyou, stop keeping me in suspense and tell me quickly."
Li Ru slowly said, "My lord, you might as well visit Mr. Lu. If he really is involved in the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he will surely help you!"
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up, and he laughed, "That's right! How could I have forgotten about Mr. Lu? I'll write a letter right away to invite Mr. Lu to discuss this important matter!"
"But...where is Mr. Lu now?"
Li Ru smiled confidently and said, "Just give the letter to Dian Wei, and he will pass it on to Mr. Lu."
Dian Wei is Lu Li's beloved disciple. If they can't find Lu Li, can't Dian Wei find him too?
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo laughed heartily and exclaimed, "Wen You is truly our Zhang Liang!"
Li Ru smiled modestly and said nothing more.
After writing the letter, Dong Zhuo ordered someone to send it to Ji Province as soon as possible.
The letter quickly reached Dian Wei's hands. When Dian Wei received the letter, he was completely bewildered. Why was Dong Zhuo writing to him?
However, the messenger told Dian Wei that the letter was for Mr. Lu and requested that Dian Wei deliver it to Lu Li.
After seeing the messenger off, Dian Wei took the letter and went to Lu Li's room.
"Master, Dong Zhuo has sent you a letter," Dian Wei said respectfully.
Lu Li glanced at Dian Wei and took the letter from his hand.
"Oh? A letter from Dong Zhuo?"
Lu Li nodded slightly, opened the letter, and as he looked at its contents, a smile gradually appeared on his face.
"Tiezhu, tell me why Dong Zhuo wrote me a letter?" Lu Li asked with interest after putting down the letter.
“I think it’s because Zhang Xiu went back and told me about seeing me, so he suspects you might also be in the Yellow Turban Army?” Dian Wei said, scratching his head.
Lu Li smiled and nodded; Dian Wei's mind was becoming increasingly shrewd.
"That's right, but that's only one of them!"
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