The revival of the Han Dynasty must start with Dong Zhuo

Chapter 234 Volume Expedition
Use force to stop war.

Today’s battle is to avoid fighting tomorrow.

Otherwise, Liu Xie could have completely abandoned Bingzhou, hidden in Guanzhong until Yuan Shao died of illness, and then headed east while the pseudo-imperial court in Hebei was in chaos.

But every additional year of war will inevitably result in more deaths of Han people.

Even if the battlefield does not take place in Bingzhou or Jingzhou, it will take place in Yangzhou, Xuzhou, and Youzhou.

Liu Bei had felt sorry for the innocent people of Yizhou when he went on an expedition, and Liu Xie was similarly afraid that the potential and wealth of the Han people would be drained away in years of war.

In order to quickly end the chaos and pacify Hebei in the future, Taiyuan has a strategic significance that cannot be abandoned, so Liu Xie still wants to transfer all the Xiliang troops to Bingzhou to stop Yuan Shao's offensive.

If Taiyuan can be preserved this time, the Guandong forces will no longer be as arrogant as before, and will be forced to switch from strategic offense to strategic defense.

Therefore, Liu Xie could only ask Dong Zhuo for help and go to the battlefield again!

"Ugh."

Dong Zhuo also knew the significance of this battle.

"I accept your order!"

The situation in Bingzhou could only be managed by Dong Zhuo himself.

Liu Xie's brows finally relaxed at this moment.

In this war, the court's tone was defense rather than offense.

With Dong Zhuo going to Bingzhou to fight, the other places were obviously much easier to control.

Liu Xie extended his hand to Dong Zhuo's slightly sagging abdomen and said with a smile: "In this way, I will not worry about the war in Bingzhou. From now on, I will no longer ask about the transfer and arrangement of the Grand Tutor, and I will leave it all to the Grand Tutor."

Dong Zhuo smiled and shook his head: "Your Majesty is really good at saving trouble. This style is exactly the same as Wen He."

Everyone burst into laughter, while Jia Xu looked at Dong Zhuo depressedly, wondering how this matter had become related to him.

Liu Xie also laughed.

In any case, with Dong Zhuo personally taking action, Bingzhou would definitely be safe.

Not only did he have generals like Lu Bu, Li Jue, Guo Si, and Xu Rong, but he also had Zhong Yao to allocate military supplies in Hedong. Now he had received intelligence from Yuan Shao in advance and knew that the opponent's main attack direction would be Jiexiu... The time, place, and people were all on the side of the court, and Liu Xie had no idea how he could lose this time.

They also discussed the establishment of grain routes, supply of military supplies, and most importantly, how to contact Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shu so that they could do as much as possible behind Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to reduce the combat pressure on the front battlefield.

After the discussion, the others left one after another, and only Dong Zhuo remained sitting in his chair, seemingly considering something.

Liu Xie was afraid that Dong Zhuo would go back on his word: "Grandmaster, a gentleman's word is as good as his bond! Don't change your mind at the last minute! Otherwise, how can you be the queen and set an example for Liu Wansheng!"

Dong Zhuo: ...

He looked at Liu Xie speechlessly and said, "Am I the kind of person who would trust others so easily?"

"I am thinking... Xu Rong, Li Jue, Guo Si and others are old after all. Should we call them into the court and give them the position of Nine Ministers so that they can retire peacefully?"

Liu Xie thought he had heard it wrong.

Although generals such as Xu Rong, Li Jue, and Guo Si were indeed quite old, why did they have to retire?

However, Liu Xie reacted quickly.

Dong Zhuo doesn't want them to live out their retirement.

This is to take away their military power and force them to resign from their posts as pillars of the country!
As for why Dong Zhuo wanted to do this...

Liu Xie's expression was complicated, and his eyes showed tenderness: "Grandmaster, do you want to take over the military power of those military leaders so that I can take over the Xiliang Army?"

There is no other explanation beyond this.

Dong Zhuo did not deny it.

"I actually wanted to do this as early as your majesty's wedding."

"It's just that the court changed its system before, and sent Xuande to Shu. There were so many complicated things to do, so I never had the chance."

"After the battle in Bingzhou, why not bring these people back to the court, grant them high positions, and let them retire in peace."

Liu Xie did not expect Dong Zhuo to make such a decision.

Summoning those Xiliang heroes back to the court did make it easier for Liu Xie to control the Xiliang army.

If there is a war like this again that requires the mobilization of the entire Xiliang army, there will be no need for Dong Zhuo to go there in person.

but……

"Grand Master, do you know that if you make such a decision, you will lose the foundation of your life?"

Without military power, Dong Zhuo was like a tiger without claws and teeth.

So even Liu Xie deliberately reminded Dong Zhuo to think twice before acting.

Unexpectedly, Dong Zhuo raised his arm and waved it gently.

"As your majesty can see, even with this kind of movement, I will be slightly out of breath, let alone fighting on the battlefield?"

"After this battle, I am afraid it will be very difficult for me to lead troops again."

"Besides... Your Majesty just mentioned the foundation of my life, but hasn't your Majesty always been my foundation?"

Liu Xie's pupils suddenly shrank, but then gently relaxed, and even his eyelids slowly became filled with joy.

"Since Grand Master can say this, I have nothing more to ask for."

"However, I still disagree with recalling Li Jue, Guo Si, and Xu Rong to the court."

This time it was Dong Zhuo who was surprised: "Why?"

Liu Xie pointed to the sand table in front.

"The world is now divided into three parts. If we want to revive the Han Dynasty and pacify the world, we will have to fight more wars in a short period of time, not less."

"Those Xiliang soldiers are old subordinates brought up by Li Jue and Guo Si. They are able to use them as if they were their own arms. The soldiers obey the orders of the generals, and the generals understand the intentions of the soldiers." "If the generals are suddenly replaced, it will inevitably weaken the combat effectiveness of the Xiliang army..."

"Once their fighting power weakens, the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, which is once feared by the world, may no longer be as invincible as before."

"If we cannot win on the battlefield, then pacifying the world will be a long way off."

"Therefore, I do not want to summon them into the court and weaken the army's combat effectiveness."

Dong Zhuo frowned: "Your Majesty, aren't you afraid of them..."

"I'm not afraid!"

Liu Xie had a loud voice.

"I know that as long as the Grand Tutor is here, they can't turn the tables."

"Just now, the Grand Master said that I am the foundation of the Grand Master's career, but I also know that the foundation of my career is also the Grand Master."

Liu Xie put his hand on Dong Zhuo's shoulder.

"Now that the Han Dynasty has not yet risen, why does the Grand Master have to say such discouraging words about not being able to fight?"

"After the Grand Master personally takes the order to capture Yecheng, take Yuan Shao's head, and march to the Central Plains and drink water from the Yangtze River, come and discuss this matter with me."

"Duke Zhou spent the first year putting an end to the rebellion, the second year conquering Yin, the third year conquering Yan, the fourth year establishing Marquis Wei, the fifth year building Cheng Zhou, the sixth year establishing rituals and music, and the seventh year handing over the government to King Cheng. If the Grand Master leaves such a messed up world to me, I don't want it!"

Dong Zhuo laughed a few times and said, "Your Majesty really doesn't allow me to have a moment of rest."

"That's natural."

Liu Xie also laughed loudly: "This is not over yet! When the Grand Master retires from his military service, he will also need his help in raising his great-grandson!"

?

Dong Zhuo's eyes lit up: "Could it be that Bai has already..."

"Nope."

"Then what is your Majesty talking about?"

"Sooner or later!"

"I have a prescription that guarantees the birth of a son."

"Master, are you sure your prescription will work?"

……

When Dong Bai learned that Dong Zhuo was going to go on another expedition, although he had some complaints, he still accepted it very naturally.

After all, in Dong Bai's memory, there were few days when Dong Zhuo did not fight a war.

The recent period of time spent in Chang'an City has been the longest period of time that Dong Zhuo and Dong Bai have spent together.

Before leaving, Dong Bai specially wrote a gift list and gave it to Dong Zhuo——

"Grandfather! I want everything on it!"

"Especially that confectionery! Sister Zhaoji said that the most delicious thing in Hedong is that! Remember to bring more!"

"..."

Dong Zhuo looked at Dong Bai, who was now the Empress of the Han Dynasty and was still asking him for gifts like a little child, and he smiled bitterly and shook his head.

This kind of thing could be purchased by just asking a few palace servants. Why would it be necessary for him, a dignified Grand Tutor, to bring it to Dong Bai personally?

But what can I do about my own granddaughter?
Of course I dote on you!
"Okay, okay, grandpa will definitely bring it to you."

As usual, Dong Zhuo wanted to touch Dong Bai's head before going to the battle.

But this time, Dong Zhuo was slightly stunned, with his hands in the air, somewhat at a loss.

He then realized that Dong Bai had grown so tall that he couldn't even reach him with his hand.

Especially when the headdress on Dong Bai's head, which symbolizes the Queen of the Han Dynasty, is added, her height is almost the same as Dong Zhuo's.

Dong Bai noticed Dong Zhuo's confusion, and immediately squatted down, put his head under Dong Zhuo's hand, and shook it gently a few times.

"Grandfather, you must come back earlier this time! Don't be like before, where I don't see you for half a year!"

Dong Zhuo was relieved. He rubbed Dong Bai's head with his rough hands a few times and said, "Don't worry! There is no danger in this battle. We will be able to return safely in three months!"

Dong Bai felt the familiar touch on his head and chuckled a few times.

At this time, Dong Zhuo also taught Dong Bai: "You are now the queen of the Han Dynasty. You must pay attention to etiquette and pay attention to the harmony of the harem. Even if the emperor favors you, you should not be so casual. Remember to pay your respects to the emperor every day, and remember to conceive the emperor's child as soon as possible... Oh, did you tell the emperor that you were leaving the palace today? How could a queen like you leave the palace privately..."

"Abaabaaba!"

Dong Bai pouted, made a strange noise, and fled away.

"I know, I know! I'll take my brother-in-law away! Grandfather will definitely remember my sweets! Remember to bring some more!"

Seeing Dong Bai carrying Liu Wansheng away and running away, Dong Zhuo was so scared that he shouted from behind: "Slow down! Slow down! Hiss! This annoying girl!"

However, after Dong Zhuo looked at his palm, he unconsciously grabbed the air and then laughed foolishly.

"He is a sensible child after all."

"Your Majesty is right. The war should be ended by our generation."

"Wansheng was born in a troubled time, and I can't let my great-grandson be born in a troubled time as well."

Dong Zhuo regained his spirit, put on his armor and sword, rode on his horse, and swore an oath outside the city of Chang'an.

This battle,

We should return with a great victory just like the countless battles we have experienced in the past!

(End of this chapter)