Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

He stood up, stretched his limbs, and said:

"Make preparations, we'll send this old man off on his final journey tomorrow."

...

Nighttime, Hulao Pass.

Dong Zhuo summoned Li Ru.

When Li Ru entered the tent, Dong Zhuo was staring blankly at the bronze mirror.

The face reflected in the bronze mirror was plump and old, with wrinkles all around its eyes.

Hearing footsteps, Dong Zhuo turned around and said calmly:

"Wenyou, sit down."

Dong Zhuo pointed to the seat next to him.

Li Ru sat down without saying a word.

Dong Zhuo remained silent for a moment before speaking:

"Wenyou, if I die in battle tomorrow, you should lead everyone to surrender to Liu Ce."

Li Ru was taken aback and said, "Prime Minister..."

Dong Zhuo waved his hand, interrupting him:

"Listen to me. You've followed me for so many years, and I've never given you any benefits. If I die tomorrow, you must find a way to survive. Take your brothers and surrender to Liu Ce; he won't make things difficult for you."

He paused, then said:

"There's one more thing, please help me look after my granddaughter, Dong Bai."

When Dong Bai was mentioned, Dong Zhuo's eyes softened as he said:

"In my life, I've killed countless people and committed countless evil deeds, but this is my only granddaughter. She's only a little over ten years old, she doesn't understand anything, and she hasn't participated in any bad things. If I die tomorrow, she'll be an orphan. Wenyou, please take good care of her for me and let her grow up safely."

Li Ru's eyes reddened, and he nodded emphatically:

"Rest assured, Prime Minister. As long as I, Li Ru, live, I will ensure Miss Dong Bai's safety."

Then, Li Ru paused, and asked again, "Prime Minister, what if Liu Ce...?"

"What if Liu Ce does something? Kill you? Or kill Bai'er?"

Dong Zhuo smiled, a smile tinged with bitterness and a hint of relief, and said:

"Wenyou, you don't understand. Liu Ce won't kill you."

Li Ru was stunned and asked, "Why?"

Dong Zhuo patted his round belly and said slowly:

"Although I, Dong Zhuo, am not very capable, I still have some prestige. If Liu Ce wants to incorporate the Xiliang army, he will not kill you. Not only will he not kill you, he will also give you an important position. Moreover, Liu Ce has a precedent."

"precedent?"

"Zhang Jiao's daughter, Zhang Ning, is now Liu Ce's concubine."

Seeing Li Ru's puzzled look, he explained:

"Why do you think Liu Ce's strength increased so quickly after he quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion? It's because the remnants of the Yellow Turbans actively sided with him. Why did they side with him? Because Zhang Ning was the Yellow Turban Holy Maiden, the daughter of Zhang Jiao. By marrying her, Liu Ce won over the hearts of the Yellow Turbans."

"Although Liu Ce deliberately concealed Zhang Ning's identity, I did fight against Zhang Jiao in Guangzong back then, so I know a little about this."

He patted Li Ru on the shoulder and said:

"Liu Ce may seem carefree on the surface, but he's actually quite cunning. However, he has one principle... he doesn't harm his family and never kills innocent people indiscriminately. Therefore, it's better for Dong Bai to fall into his hands than in anyone else's."

After listening, Li Ru nodded emphatically and said:

"Understood, Your Excellency. Rest assured, I will certainly convey your message."

Dong Zhuo waved his hand and said:

"Alright, go ahead. Tomorrow... will be my final battle."

...

Early on the third day.

The sky was clear and the air was crisp, with not a cloud in sight.

It's a rare good day.

The gates of Hulao Pass were wide open.

Dong Zhuo, wearing a suit of tailor-made armor, struggled for a long time before finally mounting his horse.

The armor was so heavy that it made it hard for him to breathe.

With the help of his personal guards, he managed to climb onto the horse's back.

He carried a heavy longsword in his hand, the same sword he used in Xiliang when he was young. It had been with him for over twenty years and had beheaded countless Qiang people.

Looking back at his attire, Dong Zhuo couldn't help but laugh.

I remember when I was young, fighting in Xiliang, I could do somersaults on horseback while wearing this armor.

Now he's so fat that he needs a guard to help him mount a horse.

Before you know it, a lifetime has almost passed.

He took a deep breath, raised his long sword, and shouted:

"Leave the city!"

Led by generals Guo Si and Fan Chou, ten thousand Xiliang cavalrymen marched out of Hulao Pass in neat formation.

The horses' hooves pounded the ground, kicking up clouds of dust.

The inherent ferocity of the Xiliang army was fully revealed at the last moment.

In the wilderness, Liu Ce and his men were already waiting.

He rode a black horse, wore black gold armor, and held the Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd in his hand, looking majestic and awe-inspiring.

Behind him followed Li Jing, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Zhang Liao, and Lü Bu—all top-tier warriors, each exuding a murderous aura.

Behind them were ten thousand Youzhou cavalry, their armor gleaming and their military bearing impeccable.

Even their breathing was synchronized; just standing there, they exuded an overwhelming aura.

The two armies faced each other, three hundred paces apart.

Dong Zhuo looked up at the sky, then at Liu Ce opposite him.

The sky is still the same sky, but the person is no longer the same person.

He laughed suddenly.

He raised his long sword and shouted with all his might:

"kill!"

Ten thousand Xiliang cavalrymen roared and charged straight into Liu Ce's army formation with thunderous hooves, as if mountains were collapsing and the earth was splitting!

Liu Ce smirked, pointed his Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd forward, and shouted in unison:

"kill!"

With a squeeze of his legs against the horse's belly, the black horse neighed and charged forward!

The Youzhou cavalry behind them charged forward like a tidal wave!

The cavalry on both sides collided violently, like two torrents!

"boom!!!"

The sounds of clashing metal, neighing warhorses, and screams of soldiers filled the air in an instant!

Liu Ce had only one goal... Dong Zhuo!

He rode his black horse and charged straight at Dong Zhuo amidst the chaos of the army.

The Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd flew through the air, and any Xiliang soldiers who blocked its way died upon touching it!

With one sweep of his halberd, he sent two flying; with another, he felled three more, carving a bloody path straight towards Dong Zhuo's face!

Dong Zhuo's eyes also turned red.

Seeing Liu Ce charging towards him, he roared, gripped his long sword tightly with both hands, and with all his might, slashed down fiercely at Liu Ce!

He wished he could split Liu Ce and his horse in two!

"Bang!!!"

A deafening crash! The halberd and the sword clashed violently, sparks flying all over their faces!

Dong Zhuo felt an overwhelming force surge through him, and his tiger's mouth instantly split open, bleeding profusely!

The long sword in his hand was smashed to pieces by the Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd and flew out in several pieces!

Before Dong Zhuo could react, Liu Ce's Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd swept across the battlefield!

A flash of cold light, as fast as lightning!

"Pfft!"

The halberd blade sliced ​​directly across Dong Zhuo's neck!

The huge head flew off instantly and rolled a long way away!

His eyes were still wide open, and his face still held the fierce look of someone on the verge of death.

"Prime Minister!!!"

When Guo Si and Fan Chou saw Dong Zhuo beheaded on the spot, they rushed forward with bloodshot eyes and roared, ready to fight Liu Ce to the death!

But on their side were top-tier killing gods like Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Lü Bu!

Guan Yu swung his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, a flash of cold light, and directly beheaded Fan Chou!

With a flick of his eighteen-foot spear, Zhang Fei pierced through Guo Si!