Outside the palace gate, Xu Rong was kneeling alone in the snow.
After Zhang Heng let him go back that day, he passed through Xingyang and then arrived at Chenggao. After ascertaining the cause and effect, Chenggao guard Hu Zhen did not dare to neglect, and immediately sent a message to Luoyang, and at the same time sent someone to escort Xu Rong back to the capital.
It's said to be an escort, but it's actually an escort. However, Xu Rong was on the same level as him after all. Although he was defeated, he had not yet been convicted, so Hu Zhen did not dare to deal with it without authorization.
Therefore, Xu Rong arrived with Hu Zhen's military report. After arriving in Luoyang, Xu Rong did not even dare to return home, so he knelt in front of the palace gate and waited for treatment.
Looking at the tall and majestic Sima Men in front of him, Xu Rong felt mixed emotions in his heart and his face showed worry.
Dong Zhuo had always been cruel, and he was not his direct descendant. After being defeated, he just wanted to survive, and he dared not ask for anything else.
The snow was still falling, and Xu Rong's body was gradually covered with snow, but his whole body remained motionless, as if he had lost his life.
I don’t know how long it took, but the Sima door was slowly opened and Dong Huang came out.
Xu Rong finally showed an expression on his face. He reluctantly raised his stiff hands and saluted, "General, I will pay my respects to the servant."
"General Xu, there is no need to be polite." Dong Huang waved his hand and said, "The Prime Minister has ordered you to enter the palace. Please come with me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Xu Rong said thank you and was about to stand up, but because he had been kneeling in the snow for too long, his legs were no longer in control, and he couldn't get up even after trying several times.
Seeing this, Dong Huang's eyes flashed with a trace of unbearability, and he waved his hand and ordered the soldiers behind him to help Xu Rong up.
As soon as he entered the Tai Pavilion, Xu Rong saw Dong Zhuo sitting high on the throne, and Li Ru, who was sitting on the lower right with a cold expression.
"Xu Rong, the guilty general, is going to see the Prime Minister!"
Xu Rong quickly took two steps and paid homage to Dong Zhuo.
"Oh, what's the crime, General?"
Dong Zhuo chuckled and said coldly.
"Returning to the prime minister's country, I was stationed in Xingyang. I heard that the bandits from Guandong were invading. I wanted to make a contribution to the prime minister's country, so I led my troops eastward. Unexpectedly, I was plotted by the bandit army, and I was defeated. I asked the prime minister to punish me!"
Sometimes speaking is also an art. Xu Rong deliberately described his defeat as a result of his eagerness to achieve meritorious service. Dong Zhuo's expression softened slightly, but he still did not say a word.
Xu Rong understood that Dong Zhuo was waiting for him to take the initiative to speak, and quickly recounted the entire battle process.
Xu Rong still understands the principle of not being intimate. The more he shirks his responsibility at this time, the more resentful Dong Zhuo will be aroused. So he didn't add fuel to the fire, nor did he blame the dead man Yang Ding for the defeat, but chose to tell the truth.
Although the battle report had been submitted earlier, when Dong Zhuo heard with his own ears that Yang Ding sent troops to attack Juan County without authorization, he couldn't help but slapped the table.
"Yang Ding underestimated the enemy and rushed in. He should be killed!"
"Ming Gong, please calm down and wait until General Xu finishes speaking." Li Ru advised, gesturing for Xu Rong to continue.
Xu Rong then continued to tell how he defeated Cao Cao on the banks of the Bian River, and then went to the battle in Juan County.
It was from here that what Xu Rong told began to deviate from the facts.
For the entire battle of Juan County, Xu Rong placed all the blame on one person - Zhang Liao!
In Xu Rong's depiction, although Liu Bei's army was strong, he could still cope with it. It was all Zhang Liao's fault that betrayed his faith and surrendered to the enemy, cutting off his own way back. This led to his return in defeat and only escaped with his own life.
After listening to Xu Rong's story, Dong Zhuo, who had been furious just now, was silent now. He looked at Xu Rong suspiciously, trying to see if Xu Rong was lying.
But Xu Rong was neither humble nor arrogant, his eyes were calm and indifferent, and he looked like he was waiting for the judgment to come. Dong Zhuo was a little unsure, and he couldn't help but look at Li Ru with questioning eyes.
Li Ru didn't speak, but nodded slightly.
Compared to Dong Zhuo, he thought deeper.
Zhang Liao was originally He Jin's old subordinate, so it was reasonable to surrender to the enemy before the battle. Yang Ding underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly, seeking his own death without blaming others. Xu Rong had no need to lie about these obvious things.
The only thing that concerns Li Ru is the combat effectiveness of the Kwantung Allied Forces.
Now that we are planning to send troops, we cannot do without understanding this.
Thinking about it, Li Ru slowly said: "General Xu, I don't understand something, and I would like to ask for advice."
Xu Rong hurriedly clasped his fists respectfully and said: "Sir, please tell me. In the end, the general must tell you everything he knows!"
"You have fought several battles with the Guandong bandits, not to mention the victory or defeat. I want to know what their fighting strength is like?"
Hearing this, Xu Rong immediately frowned, as if thinking hard.
Li Ru did not urge him, but instead took a pot of hot tea from the fire nearby, poured Dong Zhuo a cup first, then refilled himself a cup, and tasted it slowly.
All Han people are good at drinking, but Li Ru likes tea. This is quite similar to Zhang Heng.
After a long time, Xu Rong thought of his words and said, "Back to Prime Minister Guo and Sir, the combat power of the Guandong bandits cannot be generalized, and the final general cannot be said."
"What do you mean by this?"
Dong Zhuo almost laughed angrily at this nonsense and asked coldly.
"Xiang Guo, the last general fought against the Guandong bandits twice, winning first and then losing. Cao Mengde's soldiers were vulnerable, but Liu Xuande's soldiers who fought later were elite soldiers and brave men, and they should not be underestimated. The two are like There is a huge difference, so it is difficult for the general to judge, but he does not dare to deceive the prime minister, so he has to tell the truth."
Hearing this, Dong Zhuo frowned.
Li Ru next to him shook his head and said: "The ten fingers are still long and short, and Guandong is a group of bandits, so you don't have to worry."
"Wen You is joking. I have been a soldier all my life and have killed countless thieves with my sword. How can I be afraid of a rabble?" Dong Zhuo sneered and said with disdain on his face.
With that said, Dong Zhuo turned his attention to Xu Rong again.
At this time, Xu Rong also began to hold his breath and concentrate, and even his body started to tremble slightly. He knew that the most critical moment was coming, and Dong Zhuo's next words would be the verdict that decided his fate.
At this time Li Ru suddenly stood up and shook his head at Dong Zhuo.
Dong Zhuo understood and sat down again.
Li Ru turned around, his eyes swept across Xu Rong like a sharp blade, and the words in his mouth did not contain any warmth.
"Zhonglang General Xu Rong failed to defeat the thieves, and his soldiers suffered heavy casualties, which caused the court to lose face. Such a serious crime should have been beheaded in public. However, thinking that there was a reason for what happened, and the previous time he killed the thieves for meritorious service, so he was punished with a small punishment, a large warning, and a salary. For three years, he was ordered to shut himself up and think about his mistakes!"
In the hall, Xu Rong was so excited after hearing Li Ru's sentence that he couldn't express his excitement. He quickly kowtowed and thanked him: "Thank you so much for not killing me, Prime Minister. I will burst into tears with gratitude and panic!"
Li Ru said calmly: "The general said something serious. You have to reflect on it after you go back, so that you can make meritorious deeds in the future."
"Thank you so much, Prime Minister, thank you sir, I will retire at the end of the day!"
Xu Rong thanked him profusely again, then stood up and retreated slowly.
Until after leaving the Chancellor's Desk, Xu Rong was still in a daze and couldn't believe what had just happened.
I thought it would be good if I could save my life, but who knew that I still retained my official position, and even the information Mr. Lian Ziyi prepared for me was not used.
From the bottom of his heart, Xu Rong didn't want to betray Zhang Heng, so he was prepared to use it as a last resort to save his life. But now that Dong Zhuo had no intention of killing him, there was no need to use it.
If Zhang Heng knew what Xu Rong was thinking, he would give him a thumbs up and praise him for being so smart.
I gave you the information just to tell Dong Zhuo. Why are you so attached to love and justice?
After his life was saved, Xu Rong's mind became active again.
Liu Xuande had won consecutive battles. Dong Xiangguo could not remain indifferent and would definitely send troops to counterattack.
The war is about to begin, what a troubled time!
But where is my way out?
For the current plan, it is better to find a way to send the family members out of Luoyang first, so as not to be constrained again in the future.
As Mr. Ziyi said, Dong Xiangguo is not the master of the Ming Dynasty. If there is a chance in the future...
Xu Rong frowned and thought for a while, finally made up his mind, and then strode out of the palace.
In the Chancery, Dong Zhuo was a little puzzled by Li Ru's decision just now.
"Wen You, Xu Rong cannot escape the blame for Xingyang's defeat. It's okay if he doesn't kill him. But why isn't he even punished? How can he convince the public?"
Li Ru shook his head and said: "Ming Gongrong, how did Xu Rong join the old army after all, and he had the merit of severely defeating Cao Mengde in the previous round. Now the war is about to begin. If this person is really killed, it will inevitably cause panic in the army."
After a pause, Li Ru added: "Ru also knows the worries in Ming Gong's heart. But don't worry, Ming Gong, as long as we win this battle, the whole world will bow to you, and all the monsters and monsters will have no escape! As for those The rats in the gutter naturally escaped without a trace!"
Li Ru's words were full of confidence, and his eyes shone with a ruthless light.
"Okay, then send out troops to wipe out the Guandong bandits!"
Dong Zhuo slapped the table and set the final direction.
