It had been raining continuously in Luoyang for two months. By mid-August, the sky temporarily cleared up. Unexpectedly, after Dong Zhuo came to Beijing, the sky began to rain again.
The autumn rain was cold and desolate, covering up the smoke and blood of Luoyang. The living looked at the constant raindrops under the eaves, feeling a little dazed for a moment, as if the chaos of the past few days was just a nightmare. But the dilapidated palace walls and overturned charcoal trees in Luoyang all tell the story of how time flies and things change and people change. Privately, officials were discussing worriedly: How many more days will the chaos continue?
Yuan Shao also felt that time could not wait for us. He discussed with his staff all night and finalized the strategy of letting Zhi Jinwu challenge the former general. It was already Yinshi the next day, and there was no light in the sky, but Sizhou Biejia and Wu Qiong still hurried out. Mansion, in a dim black fog, soaked in rain, he rode his horse towards the north of the city.
After Ding Yuan refused to return the edict last night, he still had a good dream as usual. At Yin Shi, he also got up and cleared his face as usual. This has been his habit for many years. Ding Yuan has always believed that as a general, he must always set an example and set an example for his soldiers. Therefore, he gets up an hour earlier than his soldiers on weekdays and is also at the forefront during war. But it was raining at this time, so he couldn't practice sword practice as usual, so he picked up an oil lamp and looked at the map of Luoyang in the tent.
When Wu Qiong arrived, Ding Yuan had already unloaded the map and placed it on the table. He was lying next to the table in a light robe, placing stones on the map with his hands. He used pebbles as people from Liangzhou, sharp stones as people from Bingzhou, and wooden chips as palace walls to deduce the outcome of the battle between the two armies. Wu Qiong saw sharp stones and round stones intertwined among the wooden chips, and Ding Yuan was holding a Pointed stone, frowning and tapping on the table.
When Ding Yuan saw Wu Qiong arriving, he showed a look of understanding. He stood up and said, "What are your plans, Mr. Yuan? It must be related to Dong Zhuo!" Wu Qiong looked at the map on the table, then turned to Jin Wu. He laughed and said, "It's true. Dong Zhuo has stolen power, and Yuan Shijun needs Ding Gong's help, so he specially sent Wu Qiong to discuss the matter. But at this moment, it seems that Ding Gong has a good plan, and there is no need for Wu Qiong to say more." .”
This flattery was of no use to Ding Yuan. He waved his hand and said: "How can I dare to say that I have a good plan to deal with Dong Zhuo, the most evil creature in the world? But it's just a matter of personnel. I have also seen Liangzhou horses in Jizhou, tens of thousands of moths Thieves cannot be used as a single force. They are really rare and powerful soldiers in the world. However, Dong Zhuo is still cautious and cunning in using his troops. To be honest with Wu Junyan, I just deduced it on the table and I am really not sure of victory."
Wu Qiong was quite surprised after hearing this. He thought that warriors are the most competitive, and even a great warrior like Ding Yuan would find it difficult to defeat him. He couldn't help but ask: "In this case, is Ding Gong not willing to challenge Dong Zhuo?"
Ding Yuan knew what he meant, took out a riding whip from the side of the case, shook his head and smiled at Wu Qiong: "It is difficult to defeat Dong Zhuo, but it is also difficult to defeat. I just hope that Wu Jun will repay Yuan Shijun: Dong Zhuo's nature is like a python. If you don't put yourself in danger, you will retreat to protect yourself if you are slightly weakened. Just like the horse whip in my hand, it is not difficult for me to break the arrow, but to make me break the whip, I must use a sharp sword. If you want to make a sudden move, the king and the master will do it. It is really difficult to get rid of Dong Zhuo. Don’t place too much hope on someone.”
Only then did Wu Qiong react, feeling quite ashamed that he had suspected Ding Yuan of being timid, and then asked Ding Yuan about his plan: "Since Mr. Ding knows the enemy, how are you going to challenge him?"
Only then did Ding Yuan scratch his itch. He pulled Wu Qiong to the map and analyzed the current situation: Yuan and Dong Zhuo each account for half of Luoyang's troops, but the imperial army in the capital is wavering. If one side has the upper hand, the imperial army will They fall in the face of the wind, so they can distinguish themselves without a decisive battle.
The Yuan family held the Queen Mother, and Dong Zhuo held the Emperor. There was a check and balance between the two, and it was difficult to distinguish between superior and inferior. Dante's original troops occupied the Luoyang arsenal and Taicang. There were piles of armor in the arsenal and mountains of rice and grain in Taicang. It can be used for the soldiers of Bingzhou. The horse breeds of Bingzhou's army are not as good as those of Liang people, but everyone is wearing armor. It can be used for close combat with Liang people, which is the way to win.
Ding Yuan thought over and over again and decided to send troops to Beigong Shuoping Gate first. Once Shuoping Gate was captured and the Bingzhou army arrived in front of Yongle Palace, the Liang people could not use their fast horses, and Dong Zhuo was in a dilemma. If he faced the battle, it would be difficult to win. , if he does not fight, he must withdraw from Yongle Palace. Ding Yuan speculated that Dong Zhuo would still withdraw from Beigong due to his temperament. In this way, he had full control of the palace city, and had Taicang rice and grain, so he could fight Dong Zhuo for a long time. Although Dong Zhuo had an emperor, he had no food and no city, and the imperial army could only fail. Then Dong Zhuo could only bow his head and tie his neck, waiting for the slaughter.
After Ding Yuan and Wu Qiong finished talking about the plan, he felt his lips and throat were dry. He looked up outside the tent and saw that the sky had turned into a hazy gray-green color. Only then did he realize that it was already Mao hour. He took a pot of wine and poured a glass for Wu Qiong. Joan. Wu Qiong waved her hand and declined, and said to Ding Yuan: "I have to go back to meet Yuan Jun again. It is inconvenient that I smell of alcohol on my body."
Ding Yuan was a little disappointed. He took back the cup and drank it himself, then raised the wine jar and poured it down his throat. After finishing the drink, Zhi Jinwu burped and smiled at Wu Qiong: "Please forgive me, the army is lonely. I have been in the army for many years. If I don't drink for two days, I will be in a state of confusion and don't know how to live my life."
After packing up the map, Wu Qiong packed his raincoat and luggage and said with a smile: "If Duke Ding wins this battle, I will hold a banquet for Duke Ding on behalf of Yuan Shijun, and we will get drunk before we get off! Don't think Duke Ding thinks Wu Qiong is a drunkard." " Before he left, he finally asked: "When will Ding Gong go to war?" Ding Yuan replied: "It's ugly tonight." "Then Yuan Shijun and I will wait for the good news of Ding Gong."
After Wu Qiong left, Ding Yuan reorganized his thoughts and realized that there were no gaps, so he summoned his generals to come to the tent to discuss matters. He now has under his command the chief secretary Lu Bu, the military commanders Hao Meng, Cheng Lian, and Wei Yue, and the military marshals Wei Xu, Song Xian, Hou Cheng and other generals. Except for Hao Meng and others, most of them are Zhang Yi's former shogunate.
Ding Yuan trained in the army in Hanoi for nearly half a year. During this period, he had a close relationship with the people: he successively recommended Zhang Liao, Zhang Yang and other people to serve in the capital, and entrusted Lu Bu and others with important tasks. They all fell in love with him and called him "Father Ding". He was also quite proud. Even when facing the world-famous Liangzhou Dama, he saw that everyone in the tent was heroic and heroic, and he felt a little more arrogant.
He told the generals the plan of the war in detail, and encouraged them: "Now that Dong Zhuo and the Taifu are fighting for power, it is a good opportunity for us warriors to take advantage of the wind. Sir, we are working hard for the court just to fight with a sword. We are rich and noble, and now the Grand Tutor has promised that if we can force Dong Zhuo out of the palace, it will be no more than a trivial matter to make him a marquis or a nobleman. There is a good opportunity ahead, but I hope you will not lose your reputation as a warrior in Bingzhou!"
Everyone agreed, and Ding Yuan was very satisfied. That day, Xu soldiers went to Taicang to eat and drink as much as they wanted, and left the generals to eat and drink in the tents. Although it was still raining, everyone in the Bingzhou army was very excited and sweating all over after eating. , many shirtless men were seen punching each other in the barracks, which was lively until midnight.
After Ding Yuan was three-thirds drunk, he stopped trying to persuade the generals to drink. He objected and said, "Tomorrow is going to be a hard battle. You should go to bed early and don't waste time." The generals nodded in agreement and then After picking up the armor and swords, they left the tent one after another. Finally, only the chief clerk, Lu Bu, was left in the tent. He was fully clothed in armor, but he had no intention of leaving.
This scene made Ding Yuan quite surprised. Before he could ask any questions, Lü Bu stepped forward to salute and said that he had something important to report to Ding Yuan, but he did not dare to speak to others. go.
Ding Yuan was even more confused when he heard this. He asked in a low voice: "Why can't you tell others if you have something to report?" Lu Bu looked around, then inquired about the tent door behind him. After a long time, he whispered in Ding Yuan's ear: "Dong Zhuo has a secret secret in the army."
These words were like thunder on the ground, making Ding Yuan horrified. He suddenly woke up from the drunkenness in his mind. He immediately touched the handle of the knife and said, "Who is it?!" Lu Bu immediately kept silent and pointed outside the tent door. Ding Yuan understood, so he walked out of the tent and said to his guards: "You have been guarding for a day. Go and rest for a while and eat whatever you want. I have important matters to discuss with the chief registrar."
After all the personal guards had dispersed, he looked around and was convinced that there was nothing except the rain. Then he turned back to the tent and said anxiously to Lu Bu: "Fengxian, you said that there is Dong Zhuo's secret room in our army. What is it about?"
Lu Bu stood up, looked at Ding Yuan and said, "Your Majesty, during the Xiping period, Dong Zhuo served as the governor of Bingzhou for three years. Most of the generals in the Bingzhou army were promoted by Dong Zhuo. The general is now leading the Jin people to attack Dong Zhuo. How can the old love be fulfilled?"
Ding Yuan saw Lu Bu's eyes flashing with ferocity and his whole body full of ferocious aura. He screamed in his heart. He immediately prepared to draw his sword and fight. However, Lu Bu had already prepared his strength and tore off Ding Yuan's sword first and kicked him to the ground. In pain, Ding Yuan knocked over the table and dropped the wine glass, and the wine clinked and splashed all over the floor. Lu Bu drew his sword and moved forward. Ding Yuan hurriedly grabbed the bow bag and wild goose feather quiver in the corner of the tent. But it was too late to draw his bow. Seeing Lu Bu slashing with his sword, he panicked and could only use his bow bag to block. Unexpectedly, one of Lu Bu's hands was cut off with one blow. Rang was hurt so much that he knew it was inevitable, so he shouted repeatedly: "Here comes someone! Please kill me first!" Lu Bu stepped forward, stepped on his cheek, cut off Ding Yuan's head with a knife, and took it out of the army bloody. account.
Outside the military tent, Hao Meng, Cheng Lian and others also walked out of the rain. Each of them brought more than 20 guards in armor, holding a knife in one hand and the newly chopped head in the other. It turned out that they all The personal guards who had just been dispersed by Ding Yuan had all been killed by Lu Bu and his allies.
One of the guards took off his iron armor, his bun and face were wet from the rain, but his face was full of relief. Li Su stepped forward to greet Lu Bu and encouraged him: "Feng Xian, you have done such a great service for Dong Gong, and you will surely rise to the top and become a successful person. Dong Zhuo is waiting for your good news in Yongle Palace. Let's go quickly." .”
Lu Bu held Ding Yuan's head, retracted his sword, and when he met Li Su, he was also full of joy, but he was reserved and said: "How can I meet Duke Dong with such a face? It seems like yesterday that Duke Dong promoted me to be the music director. And Wait for me for a moment." So he took off his armor, put on a robe, and found a beautiful lacquer box to place his head. Then he took a Si chariot and met Dong Zhuo with Li Su.
The former general was overjoyed when he saw this and praised him in public: "Fengxian has a handsome appearance and is as strong as a mountain. He can really be called the hero of our Jin people." At this point, he suddenly shed tears and said: "I often think that I will have an unworthy son and it will be difficult for him to succeed in the military. I am always sad for this, but unexpectedly, when I went to carry him, my two sons were killed by moth thieves. My son is the same age as Fengxian. When I see Fengxian, how can I not make people cry?"
Dong Zhuo adopted Lu Bu as his adopted son and appointed him as the Cavalry Commander. He still led Ding Yuan's original tribe, and everyone under his command was promoted. When Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang heard the news, they couldn't help but sigh: "The master doesn't know how to use weapons and despises warriors. How can he compete with the former general for power? Now that the general trend is clear, it's hard for us to wait and see." We also broke out of camp in the rain that day and came out. , and threw himself into the Xianyangyuan camp.
By this time, of the 40,000 imperial troops in the capital, 30,000 had fallen to Dong Zhuo, and there was no need to say more about the political affiliation of the government.
