Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 401 Wang Yun Harms Dong
Human hearts are hard to fathom.

Originally, Luoyang had several thousand garrison troops. Yang Biao organized some more men in the past few days, and together with the officials, they gave them to Huangfu Song. However, the miscellaneous troops that Huangfu Song did not take with him totaled more than four thousand.

However, the White Wave Army controlled the Empress Dowager and the officials, and had a lot of hostages, so Yang Biao had no choice but to bring the White Wave Army into Luoyang.

After the officials were brought back, they had about five thousand men with them. However, these five thousand men were prisoners of the White Wave Army, those who had not put up a strong resistance in Gong County. Their weapons were confiscated and they were being kept under guard.

Yang Feng believed that Yang Biao would support him in dealing with Li Le and Hu Cai, so he tried to join forces with Yang Biao to forcibly suppress the two.

The idea itself is not wrong. Yang Biao and Yang Feng are related by blood, and if Yang Feng cannot control the White Wave Army, then the White Wave Yellow Turbans will inevitably plunder Luoyang.

In Yang Feng's opinion, Yang Biao should help him even if it's just for his own safety, otherwise Li Le and Hu Cai wouldn't let Yang Biao go after they take control of the White Wave Army.

As long as Li Le and Hu Cai can be eliminated, the blame for Empress Dowager Dong's death can also be placed on them.

Yang Feng thought Yang Biao would listen to him.

However, Yang Biao did not participate in the battle when the White Wave Army was fighting amongst themselves in Luoyang.

Yang Biao's first reaction was not to help Yang Feng, but to take advantage of the infighting within the Bai Bo Army to immediately rescue the officials and leave Luoyang.

How could the prestigious Yang family, with four generations of high-ranking officials, think the same way as Yang Feng...?

Yang Biao wouldn't even go out of the capital with Empress Dowager Dong, so how could he possibly risk going to war with Li Le and Hu Cai?

What Yang Feng saw as a benefit, Yang Biao saw as a disaster.

What Yang Feng saw as hostages, Yang Biao saw as the real gain.

—If the officials are rescued from the Yellow Turbans, such a great favor could very well bring rewards that last for generations.

Perhaps in the future, when a clan falls into decline and peril, a single word of support from the imperial court would be enough to ensure its continued prosperity or even its resurgence.

This is not an act of charity, it is a business deal, but this kind of business deal is clearly more suitable for the Yang family than taking the risk of investing in the warlord Yang Fengdang.

Taking advantage of the infighting among the White Wave Army east of Luoyang City, and the lack of people to supervise the prisoners, Yang Biao rescued the officials and organized all the personnel to leave the city and flee westward toward Hangu Pass.

That is, the direction of Hongnong. Yang Biao's family was in Huayin, Hongnong, which was very close to Chang'an—Dong Zhuo was in Chang'an.

Moreover, they burned the White Wave Army's supplies and set fire to various important locations in Luoyang.

With Empress Dowager Dong dead, Luoyang was no longer so important to these officials.

Since their wealth had already been plundered by Yang Feng, the officials had no worries and fled quite quickly.

When they returned from Gongxian, their carriages and horses fell into Yang Feng's hands. They had already been robbed of their valuables, and were only brought back with grain and fodder, so now they could be taken away directly.

They would never engage in a pointless war with the Yellow Turbans.

When the Yellow Turbans were fighting in the streets of Luoyang, the officials' troops set fires everywhere to block the streets and burned supplies that were inconvenient to take with them.

It's normal for fires to break out in the city when the White Wave Army is fighting, and it's also normal for some troops to take the opportunity to loot and plunder. The city is not like the open space outside the city where troops are lined up, so it's chaotic and difficult to control.

After Li Le and Hu Cai drove Yang Feng out of Luoyang, they discovered that fires had broken out all over the city. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, they quickly organized troops to put out the fires.

At this time, all the officials had followed Yang Biao out of the city and arrived.

The officials knew Luoyang very well; they knew exactly where the supplies were stored.

In order to salvage supplies and reorganize the army, Li Le and Hu Cai did not immediately pursue Yang Biao, as they were also worried that Yang Feng would turn around and launch a counterattack.

We need to hurry and salvage some food supplies, otherwise we might starve to death.

None of the troops that entered Henan benefited.

Yufuluo suffered heavy losses, with about 20,000 troops remaining, but almost all of his food supplies were gone. He was heading towards Chenggao, looting and gathering up the scattered defeated soldiers.

Fearing an attack by the Xiongnu, Niu Fu did not follow the White Wave Army to Luoyang. Instead, he moved from Gong County to Goushi. He also went there to plunder, and his troops were also without food.

With Guo Tai dead, the White Wave and Yellow Turban rebels were fighting amongst themselves. Li Le and Hu Cai captured Luoyang City, which was burning. They had about 12,000 troops left, and their food supplies were also running low. They were putting out the fire and trying to salvage their food.

Yang Feng fled south to the Yangren area, leaving less than 5,000 troops, who also lost most of their food supplies.

……

The situation on the Hanoi battlefield has now taken a dramatic turn. The siege of Chaoge has been lifted, and Zhang Yan has crossed the Black Mountain to launch a counterattack. Most of the Xiongnu people in western Black Mountain have fled to Huguan in Shangdang County.

Cao Cao had also captured Ji County, and reinforcements from his various units had arrived. Li Qian, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Yue Jin, and other units began to recapture the counties of Hanoi.

Xu Huang left Shexian and advanced his troops into Shangdang, and had already reached the northeastern part of Huguan.

Guan Yu has already entered Taiyuan County and is launching an attack on Yuci County, the exit of Jingxing Pass.

The Xiongnu tribes had been cut into three parts.

The Xiongnu tribes north of Huguan and west of Taiyuan; the Xiongnu troops between Huguan and Huai County, that is, those remaining in Henan and southern Bingzhou; and the main force of the Xiongnu trapped south of the Yellow River.

North of Huguan, Guan Yu and Xu Huang faced only the elderly and weak.

Cao Cao was in Hanoi, and Zhang Yan was in southern Bingzhou, both launching rapid counterattacks.

The main force of the Xiongnu south of the Yellow River also had little will to fight. They had suffered too many losses, their rear was cut off, they could not return home, and they lacked food and supplies, so panic was severe.

The threat posed by the Xiongnu is actually not that great anymore.

……

At this time, in Shanxian County.

Wang Yun was indeed very clever; after realizing that Yufuluo was launching an indiscriminate attack, he ran westward.

Wang Rou also led some of her troops to protect Wang Yun, but most of the Xiongnu soldiers had already scattered, leaving Wang Yun and Wang Rou with only about five hundred men.

They originally intended to cross the river via Mengjin, but upon discovering a large number of White Wave troops in the Mengjin area, they bypassed it and went directly to Shanxian without even entering Luoyang.

Wang Yun originally planned to return to his hometown of Taiyuan, where he could cross the river to Hedong from Shanxian County.

It was in Shanxian County that he encountered Lü Bu, who was building a pontoon bridge.

At the time, Lü Bu was unaware of what had happened in Gong County; he was merely acting on Dong Zhuo's orders to suppress the White Wave Army of Hedong.

Upon seeing Wang Yun, Lü Bu was somewhat surprised: "Why is Your Highness here? Has Luoyang fallen?"

Lü Bu and Wang Yun were both from Bingzhou, making them natural allies of Dong Zhuo. Wang Yun had also often tried to befriend Lü Bu, and the two had a good relationship.

"Alas, it is the work of villains. Yufuluo led 50,000 Xiongnu troops to defeat Niu Fu, and the Empress Dowager is likely to fall into Yufuluo's hands."

Wang Yun, of course, dared not mention colluding with the Xiongnu: "I barely managed to break through the encirclement and was just about to report this matter to the Minister of Works..."

Lü Bu was puzzled and had a lot of questions: "Fifty thousand Xiongnu? Defeated Niu Fu? Weren't the Xiongnu in Hanoi? Didn't Niu Fu return to Luoyang?"

Clearly, Lü Bu was unaware that it was Wang Yun who suggested that Empress Dowager Dong travel east.

Niu Fu must have told Dong Zhuo about this when he sent him a military report, but Dong Zhuo really didn't need to tell Lü Bu too much.

Seeing that Lü Bu was unaware of the situation, Wang Yun wanted to send Lü Bu to Gong County: "Since Fengxian has dispatched troops, why not hurry to rescue the Empress Dowager? If you can defeat Yufuluo, it will be a great achievement..." "I only have four thousand men under my command. How can such a small force defeat Yufuluo's fifty thousand troops?"

Lu Bu pointed behind him: "We should hurry and report to the Minister of Works, and ask him to send a large army to our aid."

Wang Yun was a little confused: "How could Fengxian only bring these few troops when he led his troops to suppress the White Wave bandits? Didn't Minister Dong send reinforcements for Fengxian?"

Dong Zhuo did not send additional troops to Lü Bu.

Lü Bu felt that Dong Zhuo might not trust him—he had recently clashed with Dong Zhuo.

When Wang Yun asked about it, Lü Bu complained, "I'm afraid the Minister of Works already dislikes me..."

After Sun Jian withdrew his troops, Dong Zhuo no longer appointed Lü Bu as the commander-in-chief of Nanyang, but instead transferred Zhang Ji there and reassigned Lü Bu as the commander of the central army.

The Commander of the Central Army holds a higher rank than the Protector-General, and is also the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

This was actually a promotion, a sign of trust and favor. The position of Commander of the Central Army was always reserved for the most trusted subordinates, and Lü Bu certainly couldn't be ungrateful.

However... Hua Xiong was originally Dong Zhuo's subordinate, and Lü Bu felt as if he had taken over Hua Xiong's job.

Actually, it's not quite the same. The Central Army Commander has the authority of a military supervisor. He looks like a bodyguard leader, but he is actually a military police captain—just like Zhao Yun.

However, Lu Bu had previously deliberately framed Hu Zhen, leading to Hua Xiong's death at the hands of Sun Jian. Dong Zhuo then appointed Lu Bu as Commander of the Central Army. Lu Bu felt that Dong Zhuo might know he had framed Hu Zhen and was deliberately making him take Hua Xiong's place...

There's no way around it; that's how people with a guilty conscience are—they see everything as a trap for themselves.

Lü Bu would definitely prefer to lead troops in the field as a military region commander. He felt that his real power had been stripped away, so he was naturally dissatisfied with being a bodyguard.

After becoming a bodyguard, Lü Bu couldn't control his lust and seduced Dong Zhuo's concubine...

Dong Zhuo is unaware of this matter yet.

Dong Zhuo had many concubines, and his generals would present him with beautiful women from all over the place. Even Dong Zhuo himself might not have known exactly how many concubines he had. In addition, he was getting old and could not take care of so many.

But Lu Bu was naturally a little flustered after stealing someone's body...

Dong Zhuo liked to drink, and during this time the matter of the Buddhist sect was difficult to handle. There were also problems in Bingzhou and the capital region. Bad news was coming from all directions, so Dong Zhuo's temper was naturally not very good.

A few days ago, he got drunk and hurled some insults, saying that people from Bingzhou were unreliable.

They also criticized Lü Bu, saying that he wasn't serious about his duties—and indeed he wasn't; Lü Bu really didn't want to be a bodyguard.

Lu Bu also had a bad temper, and he would talk back when he was scolded.

As a result, Dong Zhuo was furious. Lü Bu and Dong Zhuo had formed a father-son alliance. Although it was not a case of adopted son, it was at least a father-son relationship. How dare the junior talk back after being scolded?
Enraged and drunk, Dong Zhuo attempted to kill Lü Bu with his hand halberd. Lü Bu dodged, so Dong Zhuo threw the halberd at him again, aiming for his head.

Fortunately, Lü Bu was quick-witted and dodged the attack. After Dong Zhuo calmed down a bit, Lü Bu, feeling guilty for having an affair, thought that Dong Zhuo might have discovered his affair with the concubine. So he suppressed his anger and apologized, calling himself an "unfilial son." Only then did Dong Zhuo calm down.

But Dong Zhuo almost killed him, so a grudge was already formed.

This time, Dong Zhuo did not send reinforcements to Lü Bu. Lü Bu felt that Dong Zhuo dared not keep him by his side anymore and deliberately distanced himself from him, transferring him to Hedong.

Actually, that's not true...

Dong Zhuo did not hold a grudge against Lü Bu because of what happened while he was drunk. He ordered Lü Bu to pacify Hedong and Niu Fu to pacify the White Wave Army, both to eliminate obstacles. Niu Fu did not receive any reinforcements either.

It was because Dong Zhuo was going to Linzi that no reinforcements were sent to anyone; the main force was intended to be used in Qingzhou.

With Lü Bu's main force, it was enough to keep the White Wave Army in Hedong from causing trouble. Dong Zhuo, the Xiongnu, wanted to keep them around to hold off Cao Cao and Liu Bei's troops. Dong Zhuo did not intend to wipe out the Xiongnu, so there was no need for Lü Bu to lead too many people.

Moreover, Dong Zhuo really couldn't explain things too clearly to Lü Bu.

Otherwise, what if the main force hadn't even left Hulao Pass yet, and Lü Bu and Niu Fu let slip that Dong Zhuo was going to Qingzhou, and Cao Cao or Liu Bei's men learned of it? If Liu Bei's men abandoned the war in Hebei and quickly returned to their camp, wouldn't that ruin everything...?

But who knew that Jia Xu would pull off a treacherous move, inviting trouble and turning the tables on Dong Zhuo? Now, troops are everywhere around Luoyang, and the Xiongnu and the White Wave Army have become obstacles. It will be much more difficult for Dong Zhuo to go to Qingzhou now.

Of course, no one except Zhang Baiqi knew about Jia Xu's plan.

When Wang Yun learned of the conflict between Lü Bu and Dong Zhuo, he had an idea.

"Dong Zhuo is ruthless and intolerant of any mistakes. Since Fengxian has already been suspected by him, why not strike first? Dong Zhuo sent Fengxian to Hedong with only his own troops, which is tantamount to sending Fengxian to his death..."

Wang Yun spoke with a sinister tone: "The situation has changed now. Niu Fu, Dong Min, Dong Huang and others have died in Gong County. Fengxian has a father-son alliance with Dong Sikong and is already the successor of his troops... Why not seize the opportunity to kill Dong Zhuo? Fengxian can then use his troops and take control of the capital region. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Wang Yun certainly wanted to kill Dong Zhuo—otherwise, he would definitely be killed by Dong Zhuo, and his whole family might be killed as well.

Once Dong Zhuo learns that Wang Yun has fled, Lü Bu's mission will most likely become eliminating the Wang clan of Taiyuan.

In fact, Niu Fu, Dong Min, and Dong Huang are all still alive.

Wang Yun did not know whether they were dead or alive, nor did he know that the White Wave Army had attacked Yufuluo, but judging from the previous situation of Yufuluo besieging Gongxian, Niu Fu and the others were indeed in grave danger.

Lü Bu was already one of the four big shots in Dong Zhuo's army. If Dong Zhuo and his three relatives died, Lü Bu would truly be the biggest big shot in Dong Zhuo's army.

However, Lü Bu hesitated: "I have already made a blood oath with my son, how can I do this?"

Wang Yun advised, "Fengxian, Dong Zhuo has already made his move to kill you! You're too busy trying to save your own life to talk about a father-son alliance. When he threw his halberd at you, did he still have any fatherly affection for you?"

Lu Bu thought about it and agreed.

If Dong Zhuo isn't killed, his affair with the concubines will be discovered sooner or later...

Moreover, if Dong Zhuo were killed now, Lü Bu would gain the greatest benefit, and Wang Yun's suggestion to let Lü Bu take control of the capital region and the surrounding three provinces could indeed be made.

If Dong Zhuo, Niu Fu, Dong Min, Dong Huang, and others were all dead, Dong Zhuo's generals would surely defect to Lü Bu.

However, Lü Bu still felt that this was not a good idea: "If I kill Dong Zhuo, why would his troops surrender to me?"

"It wasn't that Lü Xian killed Dong Zhuo...it was the White Wave Yellow Turbans who attacked and killed Dong Zhuo!"

Wang Yun pointed to the sky: "Fengxian doesn't need to show himself, just let the rocks fall from the cliff..."

Lu Bu suddenly realized, "That's right, isn't the purpose of this operation to wipe out the White Wave Yellow Turbans? Shan County is strategically important and could easily be attacked by them..."

Shanxian County is located on the banks of the Yellow River in the middle of the ancient Xiaohan Road, with Dayang County on the opposite bank.

The ancient roads run along both the east and west sides of Shanxian County, with cliffs to the south and the Yellow River to the north. The ancient roads are very narrow, so soldiers and horses would be stretched into long lines.

If you want to go up the southern cliff, you can go around to the Xin'an Mountain Road, which is fifty miles to the east. You can use the cliff to launch a rock-falling ambush. To get up the cliff, you need to go around to the Xin'an Mountain Road, which is fifty miles to the east.

It's quite possible that the White Wave Yellow Turbans could have circled around to the cliffs and ambushed us—if Xin'an had been occupied by the White Wave army.

"But Dong Zhuo might not believe me at this point..."

Lu Bu was already considering how to proceed.

"Fengxian can send someone to report to Dong Zhuo that the Empress Dowager has fallen into Yufuluo's hands, and Dong Zhuo will surely lead his army here quickly."

Wang Yun said, “I will ambush them on the cliff and kill them with falling rocks as soon as I see their carriage. Then, Fengxian will lead his troops to kill the ‘White Wave Yellow Turbans’ to avenge Dong Zhuo. All we need to do is kill some county residents and tie the yellow turbans to their heads. With me as your witness, no one will doubt Fengxian.”

(End of this chapter)