Dong Zhuo stopped at the Sunset Pavilion and pitched his main tent in Longmen Mountain. Longmen Mountain is located between Yishui and Luoshui. It is the only high mountain near Henan County. Dong Zhuo stood on the top of the mountain every day and looked out, watching the Yishui and Luoyang rivers meeting in the south of Luoyang City, and the green water belt passing around the city. In autumn, The light shines down, giving the pagoda of White Horse Temple, the tower of Guangyang Gate and the cruise ship in Luoshui a noble golden color.
However, the former general had no intention of enjoying the scenery. He sent envoys to Xianyang Garden every day to urge He Jin to act faster. He also went to the Northern Army in person from time to time to communicate with the generals. Occasionally, when he had free time, he would interview his close relatives here, and said with emotion: "It is said that King Yu opened this dragon gate to control the floods, leaving a thousand-year royal aura. Once a carp comes up here and climbs over this mountain, it can leap into the air and transform into a dragon. Now. Now I am already fifty-five, do I still have a chance to show my ambition?"
If you have a way, the emperor and heaven will pay off. On the night of August 25th, Dong Zhuo took off his military uniform, wrapped himself in his pajamas, and leaned against an oil lamp to read "The Art of War" by Wu Zi at night. When he read "Enabling the Enemy", he suddenly felt something in his heart and put on his pajamas. Wearing a tiger skin cloak, he came out of the tent and saw the flaming fire mist in Luoyang City, like a red river in the desert, covered with a layer of blood mist in the cold moonlight.
Dong Zhuo knew that the time had come, so he rode down Longmen Mountain and reached the Sunset Pavilion camp without changing his clothes. When he arrived at the camp, Dong Zhuo summoned his six closest friends, Niu Fu, Dong Yue, Duan Xuan, Hu Zhen, Xu Rong, and Li Ru, and said to them:
"You are all the heroes I admire the most, and you are all my brothers and sisters. People often say that clothes are not as good as new, and people are not as good as old. You have been with me in battles for more than ten years, and have killed countless enemy invaders. With this consideration, you are worthy of your comrades. A deep love is better than that of Lord Xinling and Hou Ying. Now the Han Dynasty is on the verge of collapse and the soldiers have been exhausted for a long time. I will risk my life and sword to bring justice to the world. I hope you will trust me with your wealth and life and rebuild the world of Lang Lang. .”
After hearing these words, the six people were all excited. Li Ru took the lead and said: "Dong Gong is worried about government affairs every day. From sunrise to sunset, we all see it. As the saying goes, the phoenix tree does not bloom because there is no phoenix to build it." Chao, the state is in chaos, and it is precisely because there is no loyal minister like Dong Gong. Dong Gong promotes us and shows us his righteousness. How can we remain indifferent? We are willing to live and die with Dong Gong."
Then they ordered all the soldiers and horses, and moved along the Luoshui River towards the brightest fire in the night. Five thousand Longxi knights rode for twenty miles, first passing by Shanglin Garden and then Xianyang Garden. Dong Zhuo sent people to Xianyang Garden to inquire about the news. They learned that Yuan Wei, Yuan Shao and Yan Yu's army entered Luoyang. Where is Xianyang Garden now? It was an empty city. He thought that in this situation, it was too late to enter the city. It was better to occupy Xianyang Garden first and use it as a foundation to watch the changes in the situation in the eastern capital.
After making up his mind, Dong Zhuo assigned three generals, Yang Ding, Duan Xuan, and Dong Yue, to lead 2,000 people to settle in Xianyang Garden and take possession of the remaining personnel and weapons in the garden. But what is more important is the situation in the city. Dong Zhuo first ordered the military commander Jia Xu to enter the city. He was responsible for contacting Dong Min and inquiring about information about the Northern Army and the Xiyuan Army. He then sent Li Ru to the city to find the Taifu and offer gifts to the Taifu in advance. He recounted his past relationship as a rafter officer in the Taifu's mansion, and then informed him of his whereabouts, showing that he had no other intentions.
Grand Tutor Yuan Wei led his troops to station in front of Canglong Gate and was busy contacting important ministers of the country such as Sikong Liu Hong, Situ Dinggong, former Taiwei Cui Lie, etc. Li Ru waited for two hours to see him. He was dressed in plain clothes. He took a snow horse as a gift and paid homage to the Taifu. The Taifu glanced at the white horse and said to Li Ru: "I have received the former general's wishes, but state affairs are not a child's play, and military personnel cannot be allowed to interfere. The feng shui of Xianyang Garden is pleasant, so you can rest here for a day or two. .”
The worst thing in Li Ru's life was that he was called a warrior, and the Tutor's words hurt his heart. After he rode back to Xianyang Garden, he angrily said to Dong Zhuo: "The Tutor is using warriors to counter the government. The military man is the most important thing. Now when he met me, he spoke very softly. In the future, it will be natural for the military man to betray the Taifu. I must take this as a warning."
Late at night on the 26th, Jia Xu finally came back. He stayed in Luoyang City for a day. When he came back, his face was full of excitement. He did not talk about the Northern Army and the Xiyuan Army. He only said to Dong Zhuo: "Sili Xiao The generals have invaded the South Palace, and Chang Shi and others have retreated to the North Palace. They must be unable to defend themselves, and the day of escape is not far away. If you want to seize the opportunity and gain great righteousness, you can go north to seize the river crossing now and wait for the emperor to come!"
Dong Zhuo was very angry when he saw that Jia Xu did not ask for information about the imperial army but instead made such nonsense. He criticized Jia Xu and said: "Don't be smart about things. In Luoyang, ten of the world's talents account for it. Luoyang is surrounded by The city gates are guarded by them, how can the emperor get out of the city?" He sent Jia Xu out, and then sent envoys to the city to inquire about the news.
But on the twenty-seventh day, Dong Min sent news that the Beigong had been invaded by various armies, but there were only five jade seals left in the Yongle Palace. The army searched the palace extensively. Dong Zhuo was greatly surprised when he heard this. He immediately invited Jia Xu back to his tent, blaming himself for not knowing how to recognize people. Then he asked, "Wen He, according to your opinion, where should the Emperor be?"
Jia Xu pointed to the vast Beiman Mountain in the distance: "If the emperor wants to escape, he can only cross the river and go north, but I predict that he will not be able to cross the river. Beiman Mountain is the place where Luoyang must pass on his way north. The general only needs to guard the key points. Search carefully in the mountains, and the emperor will find himself in the arms of the general."
The former general agreed deeply, and he immediately led three thousand knights to Beiman Mountain.
Beimang Mountain seems to rise out of the ground from Luoyang, but it is actually a branch of Laoshan Mountain, stretching for more than 200 miles from west to east. The mountains are lined with trees and green like clouds, which can be described as rugged and magnificent. But for tourists passing through Mang Mountain, they will only remember the endless barren hills and tombs in Bei Mang Mountain.
From the time of Shizu Zhongxing to the funeral of the late emperor, five imperial mausoleums have been built on Mang Mountain: Shizu Yuanling, Andi Gongling, Shundi Xianling, Chongdi Huailing, and Lingdi Wenling. In addition to the imperial mausoleum, there are Su Qin's tomb, Lu Buwei's tomb, Fan Chong's tomb, Jia Yi's tomb, Deng Zhi's tomb, Ban Chao's tomb, Zhu Falan's tomb, powerful officials who rebelled against the king, heroes and celebrities, generals and monks, scattered like stars in Mang Mountain. The knights of Longxi stepped into Mang Mountain and walked among the forest of steles, listening to the rustling wind and the autumn leaves all over the road. They couldn't help but feel confused, as if they were among the flowing water, as if they had lost something.
On that day, Dong Zhuo set up three checkpoints at Mang Mountain to prevent Luoyang's army from marching north to fight for it. Then he led the rest of his troops to cross Bei Mang Mountain. In the early morning of the 28th, when he reached the mountainside, he saw the mountains at the foot of the mountain from a distance. Situation: The emperor rides a horse alone, Minister Min holds King Chenliu in his arms and rides a horse together. Lu Zhi leads the horse in front. They all come slowly towards the mountain as if they have just woken up from a dream. When Jia Xu saw this scene, he couldn't help laughing and said, "Your Majesty, you already have great justice in your hands."
Dong Zhuo laughed loudly when he heard this. He patted the sword on his waist and said, "The emperor is in danger, and only his officials will know how to be honest." He then rode his horse in front, followed by the Longxi knights holding high the banner with the word "Dong" behind them, and three thousand people walked along the hillside. Running downwards, it stirred up billowing smoke and dust among the mountains and forests. The emperor was lying on his horse, having a nightmare because of last night's sword light and flesh and blood. At this time, he was awakened by the sound of horse hoofbeats. When he opened his eyes, he saw Liangzhou horses everywhere. When his mind was lost, he burst into tears to the minister.
When Lu Zhi saw that it was former general Dong Zhuo who was riding his horse in front of him, he was surprised and wary. While comforting the emperor, he said: "The Marquis of Zhuxiang has no edict to come here. I'm afraid it's not appropriate." Dong Zhuo first saluted the emperor and stood up. Lu Zhi asked in return: "Does the minister have any edicts at this point? Should ministers serve the country loyally and save the country from danger, but should they think twice?" Lu Shangshu could not answer, so he could only sigh and reply: "The country has reached this point, you I am a sinner, so how can I be loyal?"
Dong Zhuo then said: "Only the emperor can decide who is a loyal minister and who is a sinner. It is not something you or I can do for you." So he went to ask the emperor about the past three days. The emperor was undecided and could not speak for a while. On the contrary, King Chenliu on the side saw this and narrated for the emperor how he had omitted the earthen road to leave the city, from He Jin's death to Zhang Rang's drowning in the river, and according to Lu Zhi's instructions, he said that all the regular attendants were acting as per the imperial edict.
After King Chenliu finished speaking, Dong Zhuo saw that he knew the answer fluently, and couldn't help but admire King Chenliu's intelligence: "No wonder the late emperor chose it. Dong Zhuo knows how wise King Chenliu is today." He patted the Wulin horse under him, He also asked King Chen Liu, "I see that your highness's horse is hungry, thirsty, and weak, and has difficulty walking. However, this horse is a thousand-mile horse from Liangzhou. It can walk on mountains and rocks as if it were flat ground. Why don't you, your highness, ride with me?"
King Chenliu looked at Dong Zhuo's majestic figure, pulled Min Gong's sleeves and robes and said: "The former general's kindness is appreciated by Liu Xie. It's just that Min Shilang saved me in the fire and water. Liu Xie is grateful and has no intention of changing his driving. Although the horses are lacking, they are still in danger." Just walk more slowly." Dong Zhuo could only say: "Your Highness is kind and virtuous." He immediately went with Mingong and sent someone to Luoyang to inform the ministers of the court to welcome him.
When the ministers in the court heard that Dong Zhuo had stopped the emperor at Mang Mountain, they were like a fire. They hurriedly changed into Zhuang Zheng's court clothes and rode to Mang Ban. Former Taiwei Cui Lie was the first to arrive. He saw the Longxi knights forming four formations in front and behind. , surrounded the emperor tightly, it seemed like he was guarding prisoners instead of serving the emperor, so he was very angry.
He led more than a dozen of his subordinates on horseback, intending to enter Dong Zhuo's formation. Before he could pay homage to the Emperor, he pointed at Dong Zhuo's nose and cursed: "How can a rough man like you know the majesty of the Emperor? Such a warrior." Your Majesty's behavior is only frightening. If you want to maintain your integrity as a minister, you should release the emperor quickly and avoid suspicion outside the city. Don't let others kill people based on rumors that you have disobedient intentions!"
Dong Zhuo was furious when he heard this. He shouted to Cui Lie: "Our army traveled three hundred miles day and night to rescue him. Why did Cui Gong say 'avoid'? Cui Gong thought my knife was useless. Can't I chop off your head?" After that, He took out his knife, cut off Cui Lie's crown, and said with a sneer: "As an auxiliary minister of the country, you can't correct the royal family, which has caused the country to be in disgrace and the emperor to be exiled. Instead, you advised me to avoid suspicion. How can you be so brave?" !”
Cui Lie was frightened by his expression and could not speak for a moment. Dong Zhuo regarded him as a piece of grass and continued southward with his subordinates and the emperor. Lu Zhi was behind him. Seeing Dong Zhuo's hesitation in holding the sword, he couldn't help asking: "Don't you fear the master in the city, Mr. Dong, acting like this?"
Dong Zhuo smiled and said: "Brother Lu, a native of Yan, don't you know that swords are better than culture?"
While he was talking, a melodious sound of bells came from the Mang Mountain. It was the monks of the White Horse Temple who were ringing the bells in the bell tower and chanting. Later generations said that this sound was like waking up from a hangover, like a lamp being dimmed, the heart of three generations was extinguished, and the outward and outward emotions were all used up. But for Dong Zhuo, it was just a reminder that the struggle had just begun.
