Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 156 Liu Bei Displays His Power, Tells Dong Zhuo to Come and See Me (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
Cai Yong is now fifty-eight years old.

After sending his daughter Cai Wenji to Chang'an, Cai Yong felt that his wish had been fulfilled. After requesting permission, he then focused his energy on collating books at the Eastern Pavilion.

Upon hearing the news that Liu Bei was leading his troops eastward, Cai Yong was also surprised.

What surprised Cai Yong even more was that Wang Yun actually sent him to deliver a message outside Hangu Pass, and also to test whether Liu Bei had any intention of competing with Dong Zhuo.

"How could the Imperial Uncle possibly contend with Dong Sikong?"

"I am getting on in years, may someone else go instead?"

Despite Cai Yong's request to be replaced, Wang Yun insisted that Cai Yong personally go to Hangu Pass to deliver the order, citing "the greater good."

Left with no other choice, Cai Yong had to take the order and drive there.

Upon arriving at Hangu Pass, the young general Qin Xi learned that Cai Yong had arrived and hurriedly went down the pass to greet him, saying, "Lord Cai, are you passing through Hangu Pass to find the Imperial Uncle?"

Cai Yong nodded and said, "Indeed, I am going to find Xuande. Please, Commandant Qin, let me pass."

Qin Xi glanced at Cai Yong, who only had an old servant driving the carriage behind him, and asked doubtfully, "Lord Cai, you're going to Chang'an without any guards?"

Cai Yong shook his head and sighed: "Xuande has been summoned to Luoyang. I just need to wait quietly in Xin'an City, west of Hangu Pass."

Qin Xi was even more puzzled, so he suggested, "Although Xin'an County is not far from Hangu Pass, Lord Cai is old. Why don't we rest at Hangu Pass for the time being, and I will send someone to find the Imperial Uncle first?"

Cai Yong was already exhausted, so when he heard Qin Xi's suggestion, he replied, "In that case, thank you very much, Commandant Qin."

Qin Xi smiled and said, "It is my honor to be able to serve Lord Cai."

After inviting Cai Yong to rest at Hangu Pass, Qin Xi immediately summoned his cousin Qin Le and instructed him, "Immediately go west to find the Imperial Uncle and tell him that Lord Cai only brought an old servant and was driving a carriage to Xin'an City to wait for the Imperial Uncle. I was worried that something might happen to Lord Cai, so I left him at Hangu Pass and asked the Imperial Uncle to come quickly."

Qin Le whispered, "Could it be that someone is targeting the Imperial Uncle? Otherwise, why would they make Lord Cai work so hard?"

"Don't make wild guesses!" Qin Xi said lightly. "Just tell the Imperial Uncle the truth."

Qin Le dared not ask any more questions, so he spurred his horse westward and galloped for two days before encountering Guan Yu's vanguard.

Upon learning that Cai Yong was at Hangu Pass, Guan Yu was greatly surprised: "Do you know why Lord Cai has entered Hangu Pass?"

Qin Le shook his head: "Lord Cai didn't say anything. Commandant Qin only told me to quickly send a message to the Imperial Uncle. But judging from Lord Cai's expression, he seemed helpless."

"Hmph!" Guan Yu's expression was displeased. He summoned Zhou Cang and ordered, "Take Qin Le to see the Imperial Uncle." Then he called to his deputy Liu Pi, "Quickly lead a hundred cavalry to Hangu Pass and make sure to take good care of Lord Cai."

Zhou Cang and Liu Pi accepted the order and left.

Guan Yu's tone was even colder: "If I find out who allowed Cai Gong to enter Hangu Pass, I will not let him off easily."

Cai Wenji has now officially married Liu Bei, and Cai Yong is Liu Bei's father-in-law.

For Guan Yu, anyone who insulted Liu Bei deserved to die, and anyone who insulted Liu Bei's father-in-law deserved to die as well.

rear.

After Qin Le recounted in detail Cai Yong's entry into Hangu Pass, the smile on Liu Bei's face gradually froze.

"It seems there are quite a few people who don't want me to go to Luoyang."

"Wenhe, I'll be going now."

Liu Bei did not linger. He took Chen Dao, Huang Zhong, Ma Chao, and Fa Zheng with him and led five hundred light cavalry toward Hangu Pass.

Upon arriving at Hangu Pass, Liu Bei immediately put Huang Zhong in charge of the pass's defenses, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving. He also sent Ma Chao to Luoyang to deliver a message to Dong Zhuo.

The message was simple and direct: "Tell Dong Zhuo to come to Hangu Pass to see me."

After everything was arranged, Liu Bei went to see Cai Yong.

He bowed deeply and said, "It is my fault that my father-in-law has suffered!"

Cai Yong quickly helped Liu Bei up, saying, "Xuande, you mustn't perform such a grand ceremony."

Then, in surprise, he asked, "You married Wenji? When did that happen?"

"In this urgent situation, I was unable to inform my father-in-law in time." Liu Bei recounted in detail how he received the imperial edict and was summoned to Chang'an.

Cai Yong then understood the reason and said, "No wonder Minister Wang Yun insisted that I personally deliver the order and refused to release the man. It is because he suspects Xuande."

It was actually Wang Yun.
Liu Bei snorted coldly: "Doubt me? Wang Yun is not qualified! He was promoted to Minister of the Imperial Secretariat by Dong Zhuo, and he really thinks he is the king's advisor."

If Wang Yun had not made any move to appoint Cai Yong, Liu Bei might have made a more suitable appointment after entering Luoyang.

Now that Wang Yun has taken action against Cai Yong, regardless of Wang Yun's motives, it is a provocation against Liu Bei.

Since they dared to provoke him, Liu Bei naturally wouldn't hold back.

Seeing Liu Bei's murderous aura, Cai Yong couldn't help but ask again, "Xuande, did you really come to Luoyang to compete with Dong Sikong? Dong Sikong has treated me very well, and I really don't want Xuande to compete with Dong Sikong."

Dong Zhuo indeed treated Cai Yong with great courtesy: first as the Chief Scholar of the Imperial Academy, then as the Imperial Censor, then as the Imperial Secretary, and finally as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Within three days, he had served in all three high positions. He was then transferred to the position of Prefect of Ba Commandery, and later retained as a Palace Attendant.

It could also be said that if Cai Yong hadn't only wanted to go to the Eastern Pavilion to proofread books, Wang Yun might not have become the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

"For the sake of my father-in-law, as long as Dong Zhuo is willing to give up Luoyang and relinquish his military power, I can let him die peacefully." Liu Bei did not give a definitive answer.

Dong Zhuo had many loyal followers, and if given the opportunity, Liu Bei hoped to control casualties rather than fight Dong Zhuo to the death.

Liu Bei didn't want Yuan Shao to laugh at him in Hebei, so he made a sarcastic remark: "Look, Liu Bei and Dong Zhuo are two scoundrels. I used a little trick to make them fight each other. How foolish they are."

Upon hearing this, Cai Yong sighed and stopped trying to persuade him.

Liu Bei's willingness to grant Dong Zhuo a peaceful end was already a great favor to Cai Yong.

If Dong Zhuo insisted on fighting, Liu Bei would not have sat idly by and waited to die without retaliating.

the other side.

Ma Chao rushed to the walls of Luoyang, glancing at the soldiers guarding the city walls and the Luoyang residents coming and going at the city gate.

He then took out his bugle from his waist.

The heavy bugle call instantly drew everyone's attention.

Upon hearing the news, the city gate captain led a squad of city guards out and shouted at Ma Chao, "Who are you? Why are you blowing the horn and disturbing the order here?"

Ma Chao sneered, "I am Ma Chao, a disciple of the Imperial Uncle, Commander of the Imperial Guard, and a native of Fufeng. And who are you?"

Upon hearing that he was a disciple of Liu Bei, the city gate captain's expression instantly changed: "I am Wang Shi, the city gate captain. I have met Commandant Ma. May I ask why Commandant Ma is blowing the horn here?"

Coincidentally, Wang Shi, the city gate captain, was also an old man.

The first time he was sent by Liu Bei to take over the defense of the West Gate by the Xiyuan Army, he was knocked away by Zhang Liao with a single halberd strike.

The second time, when Liu Bei sent the Xiyuan Army to take over the defense of the West Gate, he simply clasped his hands in greeting and awaited orders.

Ma Chao sneered repeatedly: "I've come to deliver a message for the Imperial Uncle." Then, Ma Chao gathered his strength and roared: "Dong Zhuo, get out of here and go to Hangu Pass to see the Imperial Uncle!"

Below the West Gate tower, everyone was horrified. Wang Shi's face turned deathly pale: "Commander Ma, shut up! Don't shout nonsense!"

However, Ma Chao ignored him and shouted ten times in a row, turning around and leaving without paying any attention to Wang Shi.

"Ugh! Why am I on duty again today?!"

Wang Shi felt that his life was very hard, because every time he was rotated, he would encounter something related to Liu Bei, and it was always a big deal.

If it weren't for the need to support his family, Wang Shi would really want to resign and go home.

Because Ma Chao first used his bugle to attract everyone's attention, and then shouted ten times in a row, all the soldiers and civilians at the West Gate heard it clearly.

The news quickly reached the Sikong Mansion, leaving Dong Zhuo utterly astonished.

"You want me to go to Hangu Pass and see Liu Bei?"

After a brief moment of shock, Dong Zhuo's anger flared up instantly.

"You little brat Liu Bei, how dare you insult me!"

Although Dong Zhuo's intention in bringing Liu Bei into Luoyang was ill-intentioned, Liu Bei had already stabbed him in the back before Dong Zhuo had even formally laid a hand on him, which made Dong Zhuo feel strongly offended.

"My son Fengxian, quickly muster the cavalry! I want to go to Hangu Pass myself. I want to see how Liu Bei wants me to get to Hangu Pass!" Dong Zhuo was furious and ordered his men to put on their armor.

Lu Bu was startled.

what's the situation?
Why are you going to compete with the Imperial Uncle?

I've only just won over Minister Lu; I'd like to establish a kinship with the Imperial Uncle.

With his thoughts racing, Lü Bu quickly advised, "Father, Imperial Uncle is usually a gentle man. His sudden outburst of anger today must have a reason. Judging from the current situation, it seems as if you have humiliated Imperial Uncle's parents. I think we should investigate this matter first to avoid being instigated by villains."

Reminded by Lü Bu, Dong Zhuo calmed down considerably from his rage and thought to himself: Could it be that Liu Bei has guessed that I am going to seize Yongzhou? If so, if I go to Hangu Pass now, I may be killed by Liu Bei.

Thinking of this, Dong Zhuo changed his mind and said, "Summon General Niu Fu to lead troops to Hangu Pass immediately and ask the Imperial Uncle why he sent someone to humiliate me."

Lu Bu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then volunteered, "Why don't I also go with General Niu? If it's really a misunderstanding, I can report back to my godfather in time."

Dong Zhuo nodded in agreement, saying, "Very well. If it's a misunderstanding, it will prevent any conflict."

After Lü Bu left, Dong Zhuo immediately summoned Zhou Bi to discuss the matter.

Upon hearing the news, Zhou Bi was secretly delighted.

Although the goal of keeping Liu Bei in Chang'an to confront Dong Zhuo was not achieved, the objective of instigating a conflict between Liu Bei and Dong Zhuo was accomplished.

Zhou Bi's expression immediately turned serious: "Minister, forgive my bluntness. I'm afraid the Imperial Uncle has long harbored the intention to seize Luoyang. This time, it was my miscalculation that I let the wolf into the house."

Dong Zhuo frowned deeply: "You mean, Imperial Uncle's entry into Luoyang this time is not to go to Yuzhou by imperial decree, but to carry out a plan to 'borrow a route to destroy Guo'?"

Zhou Bi nodded emphatically: "That must be the case! Otherwise, why would the Imperial Uncle humiliate the Minister of Works like this? I suspect that humiliating the Minister of Works is a provocation. Once the Minister of Works goes to Hangu Pass, he will surely fall into the Imperial Uncle's ambush. If the Minister of Works unfortunately dies, the Imperial Uncle can take control of Luoyang without bloodshed."

Dong Zhuo hesitated for a moment.

Although Zhou Bi's words made a lot of sense, Dong Zhuo still felt that there was something wrong with them, but he couldn't figure out exactly what the problem was.

Seeing this, Zhou Bi added fuel to the fire, saying, "I have also heard that Zhang Wen, the Commandant of the Capital Region, was humiliated by the Imperial Uncle. The Imperial Uncle is now powerful and arrogant. If we do not strike first, we may be harmed by the Imperial Uncle."

Dong Zhuo exclaimed in surprise, "Zhang Wen was humiliated? When did this happen?"

Zhou Bi continued to fan the flames, saying, "On the way to Luoyang, Zhang Wen said, 'I am the Commandant of the Capital Region,' and the Imperial Uncle kicked him to the ground and ordered his disciples to whip Zhang Wen thirty times."

“Zhang Wen’s relative Cai You came to me, hoping to put aside past grievances with Sikong and work together to deal with Liu Bei. Yang Biao also came to me, saying that the Yang family of Hongnong had been harmed by the Imperial Uncle and hoped to join forces to subdue them.”

Dong Zhuo was aware that Liu Bei had arranged for his trusted confidant Xun You to be stationed in Hedong, and that he had also forced Huang Guang, the governor of Hongnong, to suppress the Yang family of Hongnong.

Because he had a grudge against Zhang Wen, Dong Zhuo was happy to see this happen.

Now that the situation has changed and Dong Zhuo is still unsure of Liu Bei's intentions, he has become more inclined to believe Zhou Bi's guess.

"I have already sent Niu Fu and Lü Bu to Hangu Pass to inquire about the reason. In Zhongyuan's opinion, what should I do next?"

Zhou Bi's tone hardened as he said, "We can deploy more troops to ambush between Hangu Pass and Luoyang. The Minister of Works can then feign apology to the Imperial Uncle, luring him deeper into the territory, and then gather troops to capture him. Once the Imperial Uncle is captured, his confidants can be expelled, and the rest of the troops will be no threat."

"Lord Sikong, hesitation will only lead to trouble."

Encouraged by Zhou Bi, Dong Zhuo finally made up his mind and ordered Dong Yue and others to lead their troops to ambush Dong Zhuo.

Subsequently, Dong Zhuo personally led his troops to Hangu Pass.

After most of the troops in Luoyang had been transferred away, Zhou Bi's eyes turned sinister: Fight! Fight as hard as you can! The harder you fight, the faster Yuan Gong can establish himself in the north.

Zhou Bi then returned to his residence.

A figure emerged from the shadows; it was Guo Tu, a former official of Yingchuan County who had now joined Yuan Shao's forces.

"Minister Zhou, how is the matter concerning Lord Yuan progressing? When will the Prince of Hongnong be assassinated?" Guo Tu's tone was cold, showing no regard for the former emperor, the Prince of Hongnong.

Zhou Bi smiled confidently: "What difficulty is there in killing the Prince of Hongnong? Today, Liu Bei is fighting with Dong Zhuo, and most of his troops have gone to Hangu Pass, which is the time when Luoyang is undefended."

"I can transfer Li Ru, the physician of Hongnong, away. The rest is up to you. After you succeed, leave Luoyang quickly. Don't give anyone any leverage over you. If you are caught, I will not save you."

Guo Tu sneered, "As long as you can lure Li Ru away, the Prince of Hongnong will surely die. However, let me remind you, Liu Bei is a man who does things unpredictably. Your plan has too many flaws. It's already a feat that you've managed to buy us the opportunity to assassinate the Prince of Hongnong. Why don't you leave Luoyang with us?"

Zhou Bi didn't seem to care: "It's alright. Ever since I arrested Yuan Wei's cronies last time, Dong Zhuo hasn't suspected me again. As long as Dong Zhuo is in Luoyang, I'll be safe. Now that Zhang Wen, the Commandant of the Capital Region, and the Yang family of Hongnong are both willing to help Lord Yuan seize Luoyang, how could I leave so easily? Don't you want to see me make a contribution?"

Seeing that Zhou Bi was determined not to comply, Guo Tu stopped trying to persuade him and said, "Since that's the case, the assassination cannot be delayed."

In his heart, Guo Tu mocked Zhou Bi for being reckless: Liu Bei is a man even Yuan Shao had to avoid, yet you dared to invite him into Luoyang; since you successfully instigated Dong Zhuo, shouldn't you have run away early instead of staying here to wait for death?

But what does that have to do with me?

If I assassinate the Queen of Hongnong, I can return to Hebei and ask Lord Yuan for credit.

The Prince of Hongnong's Mansion.

Zhou Bi found Li Ru again.

Since Li Ru analyzed the situation for Dong Zhuo last time, Zhou Bi has taken a liking to Li Ru. Especially after learning that Li Ru advised Dong Zhuo to kill the Prince of Hongnong, Zhou Bi intended to befriend Li Ru.

Li Ru also seemed to want to befriend Zhou Bi, and the two became acquainted over time.

However, this familiarity is only superficial; they make friends but don't truly connect.

"What brings Minister Zhou here today?" Upon seeing Zhou Bi, Li Ru's tone became warm, as if he and Zhou Bi were truly close friends.

(End of this chapter)