The Three Great Han Dynasties: Awaken Liu Bei with a scolding; you weave mats and sell sandals.

Chapter 179 Dong Zhuo is getting arrogant

Inside the carriage, Liu Hong instructed Cui Dan beside him: "In the Imperial Guard of the Great Han, some trusted generals should be stationed. Remember, their ranks should not be too high, only mid-level ones are sufficient. This way, with layers of checks and balances, people can feel at ease."

"Yes, General."

Cui Yan nodded secretly.

That was exactly what he was thinking just now.

Meanwhile, inside the Hall of Recruiting Talents.

Tong Yuan, the former spear master, is now a Grand Master of the Palace, having officially entered officialdom. Even his disciple Shi Tai'a has transformed himself, no longer resembling a wandering knight, and has become a capable man under Liu Hong.

From afar, both master and apprentice saw a bright future ahead.

"Master, those people who came out of Liangzhou recently seem a bit strange, they seem to be making unusual moves."

Shi Tai'a said softly, a hint of seriousness on his face.

Tong Yuan waved his hand and slowly said, "This matter has nothing to do with you and me, master and disciple."

We are no longer wandering knights, but court officials. This kind of espionage is the duty of wandering knights. If you rashly reveal this matter, it would be tantamount to stealing someone else's credit.

This achievement may seem insignificant to you and me, master and disciple, but to others, it could be a chance to achieve great fame.

Tong Yuan was over fifty years old, and although he had served as the emperor's tutor.

However, he ultimately had the name but no power, and was unable to establish a prominent family or join the ranks of clans. It was only after entering the Hall of Recruiting Talents and becoming one of Liu Hong's men that he truly achieved a good reputation.

This honor was hard-won, so he cherished it all the more; and because he had been through the rain himself, he was willing to hold an umbrella for others as well.

"Understood, Master."

Upon hearing this, Shi Tai'a nodded slightly and kept the matter in mind.

The scene shifts to the governor's mansion in Liangzhou, where Dong Zhuo laughs loudly, clutching the recently arrived imperial edict tightly in his hand, his face beaming with undisguised joy as he talks incessantly.

"Wonderful, absolutely wonderful."

"Wenyou, do you see? Your father-in-law has taken another big step forward. Now I am the top leader in Yong and Liang provinces, and I also command a large army. But unfortunately, not long after, I will have to hand over this power to the Liu clan of Youzhou."

L

"How lamentable."

Dong Zhuo smacked his lips, his face clearly showing some resentment, but what could he do about it?

They are the Qiang people of Liangzhou.

It's laughable to think that we can contend with them with such a small force.

Seeing this, Li Ru quickly stepped forward and advised, "Father-in-law, you would never dare to do such a foolish thing. We must act cautiously now in order to have a chance of survival. We must not forget the long-term principles because of temporary gains or losses."

"Or perhaps you intend to openly offend the General?"

Seeing that Dong Zhuo still didn't take it seriously, Li Ru could only use Liu Hong as a warning to others.

Soon, Dong Zhuo let out a deep sigh.

Just now.

He did indeed develop a strange greed.

With this nominal authority and control of the military, wouldn't he be able to combine military and political power and become a veritable local tyrant in Liangzhou?

Unfortunately, while the idea was good, putting it into practice was extremely difficult.

Just look at the mountain above his head.

The Liu family of Youzhou was someone he could not surpass.

If he dares to act rashly, and the Liu family is enraged, then in Liangzhou, especially among the Qiang people, the Ma family of Xiliang, and Han Sui and others, they will probably not let go of such a great opportunity.

By then, once they have a handle against us...

The chance that the Dong family of Xiliang had finally managed to seize and rise to the ranks of a second-rate aristocratic family would vanish in an instant, completely disappearing into nothingness.

If these things are still within his acceptable range, then it's really hard to say what Li Cui, Guo Si, and all those arrogant and fierce generals under his command will be thinking at that time.

They could stage a mutiny, tie Dong Zhuo up, and hand him over to the Grand General's residence in Luoyang.

These wolf cubs under his command are all capable of doing just that.

Dong Zhuo snorted coldly.

He knew these wolf cubs all too well; not a single one of them was a trustworthy good person, which infuriated him.

"My dear son-in-law, what do you suggest we do about this? We can't just sit here in Liangzhou and wait, that wouldn't be right."

Dong Zhuo spoke, his words still filled with resentment.

Li Ru smiled slightly and said slowly, "Father-in-law, have you forgotten so quickly? That Lu Bu, the strongest among the Western Garden Colonels now?"

He might be our opportunity.

"He is capable, but what use is he now?"

Although he is strong, and it is said that no one can match him in the competition among the Western Garden Commandants, so what? After all, personal bravery is really useless in front of a large army. Does he have the might of the Hegemon of Western Chu at the end of the Qin Dynasty?

Otherwise, how could he be a match for the Great General?

Hearing his father-in-law say this, always trying to compare himself to the general, Li Ru felt his heart sink. He quickly said, "Father-in-law, it's not that I want to be enemies with the general, but that I want Liangzhou to continue to take the initiative in Luoyang."

This Commandant Lü was from Bingzhou, and the governor of Bingzhou, Ding Yuan, was his adoptive father. However, his adoptive father treated him merely as a master and servant.

If we can win them over, wouldn't Liangzhou have a greater chance of gaining leverage in Luoyang?

This is a golden opportunity.

"You mean, you want to strip this Commandant of the Western Garden of his military power? Will the General agree?"

Dong Zhuo asked in a deep voice.

Li Ru rubbed his forehead, feeling that his father-in-law was getting carried away. He quickly waved his hand and said, "It's not about seizing the general's military power, but about stirring up the situation of the Western Garden Commandant and making Lü Bu one of our own."

To put it bluntly, this is nothing more than a factional struggle under the general's command, so the general may not necessarily get involved.

At that time, my father-in-law will also be able to maintain his position under the general, and may even reap more benefits.

After pondering for a moment, Dong Zhuo was finally persuaded by Li Ru, but winning over Lü Bu proved to be a difficult task.

After all, in this era, the relationship between a godfather and his godson is usually very solid. If one tries to persuade him rashly and fails, given Lü Bu's temperament, it's likely that he will be in trouble.

Of those who went there, nine out of ten would be beheaded.

At that very moment, one of Dong Zhuo's men stepped forward. This man was named Li Su, and he was an old friend of Lü Bu.

He bowed to Dong Zhuo and said, "My lord, I am willing to go to Luoyang. As long as I offer you fine horses, money, gold and silver, I will surely be able to bring Lü Bu into my Liangzhou faction."

"Very well. Li Su, if this matter succeeds, I, the governor, will personally celebrate your achievement and reward you handsomely."

Dong Zhuo was overjoyed and shouted.