My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

end of August.

Luoyang, Dong Zhuo's residence.

The former General He Jin's mansion has changed hands. Tonight, the high gates and deep courtyards are brightly lit, and the sounds of string and bamboo instruments can be faintly heard, but they cannot conceal the murderous aura hidden beneath the prosperity.

Carriages and horses streamed in front of the mansion gate, and officials and dignitaries gathered in great numbers.

Grand Tutor Yuan Kui, Minister of Works Wang Yun, Minister of Agriculture Liu Hong, Commander of the Imperial Guard Ding Yuan, Governor of Dongjun Qiao Mao, Commandant of the Army Cao Cao, Commandant of the Capital Region Yuan Shao... almost every prominent figure in Luoyang received an invitation from Dong Zhuo tonight.

This is not an invitation.

It is a test, a deterrent, and even a declaration of war.

Inside the main hall, the banquet had already begun.

Dong Zhuo sat in the main seat, his face flushed, raising his cup and looking around, but there was no smile in his eyes, only unfathomable calculation.

Beside him stood a towering figure, his hand on his sword.

It was Yuwen Chengdu.

Tonight he was not wearing armor, only a black outfit, which made his figure appear even more robust and powerful.

Although he did not have the Phoenix Winged Gilded Halberd in his hand, no one dared to meet his gaze wherever his eyes swept over them.

That sense of oppression even made many veterans who had experienced battles feel a chill in their hearts.

This young man's prowess is probably no less than that of Xiang Yu or Li Cunxiao!

"Gentlemen!"

Dong Zhuo raised his cup and stood up, his voice booming and overpowering the music: "Having come to the capital from Xiliang, I hope you will all take good care of me today!"

He deliberately emphasized the phrase "from Xiliang".

This is not a humble expression.

It is a declaration.

I, Dong Zhuo, have arrived with the iron cavalry of Xiliang. From this day forward, Luoyang will have a place for me.

The expressions on the faces of the people present varied.

Wang Yun stroked his beard and lowered his eyes, as if he hadn't heard.

Yuan Wei's face was ashen as he slowly raised his cup.

Cao Cao had a faint smile playing on his lips.

Ding Yuan frowned, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the wine glass.

"Today, I have prepared a simple feast. Please enjoy yourselves." Dong Zhuo took in everyone's reactions and laughed heartily.

"It's a great honor to have you all here! Hahahaha..."

The laughter was filled with self-satisfaction.

His three thousand Xiliang cavalry have entered the city in batches. His bluff has been very effective. The officials in Luoyang are unsure of his true strength, and many opportunists have secretly defected to him in the past few days.

Tonight's banquet is to see who dares to oppose him!

"Gentlemen, please!" Dong Zhuo raised his bowl.

After a brief silence, everyone raised their glasses one after another.

"Please, Mr. Dong."

The voices were scattered, each person preoccupied with their own thoughts.

A cold glint flashed in Dong Zhuo's eyes, but he remained calm and drank the wine in one gulp.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

Although the music was playing and the dancers were performing, everyone's attention was focused on Dong Zhuo.

Ding Yuan suddenly slammed down his wine bowl.

"Bang!"

The sound of the porcelain bowl hitting the table was particularly jarring amidst the music.

The room fell silent.

The dancers stopped, and the musicians fell silent.

Countless eyes were fixed on Ding Yuan.

The Commander of the Imperial Guards and Governor of Bingzhou had a grim expression as he stared directly at Dong Zhuo.

The open confrontation has begun.

Dong Zhuo's gaze turned slightly cold as he slowly put down his wine cup.

He stared at Ding Yuan, then suddenly burst into laughter!

"Hahahahaha..."

Before his laughter had even subsided, he slammed his wine bowl heavily onto the table!

"Snap!"

The porcelain bowl shattered.

This is no longer just smashing a bowl, it's a protest!

The air in the hall froze instantly.

The civil officials turned pale, while the military officers gripped their sword hilts.

Seeing this, Li Ru quickly gave Dong Zhuo a wink.

Dong Zhuo's smile faded, but the fierce glint in his eyes remained.

He slowly stood up and looked around at everyone.

"Please do not be alarmed, everyone."

The voice was calm, yet carried a chilling pressure.

"I have something to say, please listen carefully."

Everyone held their breath.

Dong Zhuo paced back and forth, his voice echoing in the silent hall: "Since ancient times, the emperor has been the master of all people and the supreme ruler of all chariots. Without majesty, he cannot serve the ancestral temples or govern the state."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the faces, some shocked, some angry: "But the current emperor is weak and lacks authority, his demeanor as a ruler is inappropriate. In contrast, the Prince of Chenliu is intelligent, studious, shrewd, and capable, possessing the qualities of a wise ruler."

Dong Zhuo stopped in his tracks, and his words, each one like a thunderclap, boomed: "I intend to depose the young emperor and install the Prince of Chenliu as his successor!"

What do you all think?

Dead silence.

Absolute silence.

Someone's wine glass slipped from their hand and shattered with a "crack," but no one went to look.

Deposing and installing an emperor?

Dong Zhuo has gone mad?!

Wang Yun closed his eyes, his fingers trembling slightly.

Yuan Wei's face was ashen, but anger was already evident in his eyes.

Cao Cao lowered his head to drink, but a mocking smile appeared on his lips.

Ding Yuan trembled all over, not from fear, but from anger!

Dong Zhuo took in everyone's reactions and sneered inwardly.

Deposing or establishing a new ruler?

This is just a smokescreen.

What he wanted was to test the reactions of all parties, eliminate dissidents, and ultimately seize control of the Han dynasty through the act of deposing and installing emperors!

His background as a border general instilled in him both inferiority and a violent urge to replace the high-ranking civil officials in Luoyang.

Tonight marks the beginning.

"If none of you have any objections..." Dong Zhuo began slowly.

"snort!"

A furious shout interrupted him.

Ding Yuan suddenly stood up and kicked over the table in front of him!

The cups and plates were in disarray, and wine was spilled everywhere.

"Dong Zhuo!" Ding Yuan's beard and hair stood on end, his eyes bulging with fury.

"Who are you to utter such arrogant words!"

Behind him, at the doorway.

Both generals turned to the side at the same time, their hands resting on their weapons.

The man on the left, about twenty years old, with a face like jade and eyes like bright stars, held a long iron spear with a cold, sharp glint at its tip. He was Zhang Liao, courtesy name Wenyuan.

The man on the right, slightly older, with a resolute face and a silent demeanor, held a thick-backed longsword in his hand. The blade was broad and its edge gleamed with a faint light. This was Gao Shun.

The two men's eyes were like lightning, fixed on the hall, waiting for Ding Yuan's order to charge in!

Ding Yuan pointed at Dong Zhuo, his voice trembling with anger: "The Emperor is the late Emperor's legitimate son, and has committed no wrongdoing. How dare you presume to depose and install him?!"

He stepped forward, his voice shaking the rooftops: "This is tantamount to usurpation!"

These words tore away all pretense.

According to the Han system, governors of outlying prefectures were not allowed to interfere in politics without an imperial edict, and had no right to depose or install the emperor.

Dong Zhuo's actions were already an act of usurpation and treason!

Ding Yuan commanded 5,000 elite troops in Bingzhou. As the Commander of the Imperial Guard, he was responsible for defending the capital. He was upright and lacked flexibility, but it was precisely because of this that his resistance at this moment was so resolute and reckless.

Dong Zhuo's face was ashen.

He stared at Ding Yuan, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Ding Jianyang..."

Dong Zhuo spoke slowly, his voice as cold as ice: "Do you know who you're talking to?"

"Hmph! Traitors and rebels, everyone has the right to kill them!" Ding Yuan did not back down.

Dong Zhuo slammed his fist on the table!

"boom!"

The entire table was cracked slightly by his slap!

"Today is..."

Dong Zhuo spoke each word slowly and deliberately, his killing intent soaring: "Those who submit to me prosper, those who defy me perish!"

Before he could finish speaking...

"bass!"

"bass!"

Zhang Liao and Gao Shun simultaneously drew their weapons, slipped into the hall, and stood in front of Ding Yuan to protect him!

Zhang Liao pointed his spear diagonally, the tip trembling slightly, its tip sparkling like cold stars.

Gao Shun held his long sword horizontally; the blade was heavy, and his aura was as imposing as a mountain.

The two men glared at Dong Zhuo, showing no fear whatsoever.

The civil officials in the hall retreated, while the military officers gripped their weapons, looking tense.

A great war is about to break out!

Dong Zhuo laughed.

He looked at Yuwen Chengdu beside him.

Chengdu.

"Your son is here." Yuwen Chengdu bowed, his voice calm.

"If a fight breaks out, do you think you can take down these two?" Dong Zhuo asked casually, as if asking what to have for dinner.

Yuwen Chengdu raised his eyes and glanced at Zhang Liao and Gao Shun.

Just a quick scan.

Zhang Liao's grip on the gun tightened suddenly.

Gao Shun's pupils contracted slightly.

That was a military general's intuition.

The person in front of you is extremely dangerous!

"Father."

Yuwen Chengdu slowly spoke: "Within ten rounds, I can take the heads of two people."

His tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable confidence.

Zhang Liao and Gao Shun's expressions changed.

mad!

But for some reason, they had a vague feeling that this person might really have this ability!

"Hahahaha!" Dong Zhuo laughed loudly.

"Good! Good! You truly are my son!"

He looked at Ding Yuan, his eyes full of mockery: "Ding Jianyang, did you hear that? My son said that within ten rounds, he would take the heads of your two beloved generals."

"Do you believe it or not?"

Ding Yuan's face turned ashen.

He believes.

The imposing presence Yuwen Chengdu exuded said it all.

This man's bravery is probably no less than that of the legendary Xiang Yu and Li Cunxiao!

But so what?

"That old scoundrel Dong Zhuo!" Ding Yuan gritted his teeth.

"Even if I die in battle, I, Ding, will never collude with you!"

Li Ru finally found an opportunity and hurriedly stepped forward to stand between the two sides.

He first bowed to Dong Zhuo: "My lord! Today, at this banquet, we shall not discuss state affairs, we shall not discuss state affairs!"

He then turned to Ding Yuan and the others, bowing deeply: "Gentlemen! It's all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! Today we'll only drink and reminisce, nothing else! Come, drink, drink!"

These words were not only to give Dong Zhuo a way out, but also to give everyone present a way out.

The civil officials, as if waking from a dream, echoed the sentiments.

"Yes, yes! Jianyang, please calm down!"

"Mr. Dong was just speaking in a drunken stupor; don't take it seriously!"

"Today we'll only drink, not discuss politics!"

Ding Yuan looked around at everyone.

Those faces—some filled with fear, some with hypocrisy, and some with indifference.

He suddenly felt a deep weariness and sorrow.

The Han Dynasty court has become so corrupt!

"Hmph!" Ding Yuan turned away, flicking his sleeve.

"Walk!"

Zhang Liao and Gao Shun protected him and slowly retreated.

Upon reaching the hall entrance, Ding Yuan abruptly turned around, pointed at Dong Zhuo, and cursed, "Dong Zhuo, you old scoundrel! You won't succeed!"

"I will remember this humiliation!"

"There's plenty of time. Let's wait and see!"

After saying that, he strode away.

The hall remained deathly silent for a long time.

Dong Zhuo stared in the direction Ding Yuan had left, his eyes surging with murderous intent.

Li Ru advised in a low voice, "My lord, a small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. Ding Yuan holds the Bingzhou army in his hands; we must not act rashly."

Dong Zhuo scoffed, "The Bingzhou army? My son Chengdu is worth a thousand troops!"