Chapter 79: A Fierce Battle Looms

Page 1 of 3

Dong Zhuo vented his frustrations in a haphazard manner, yet at heart, nothing was resolved.
He turned and called, “Wen You?”
Li Ru cupped his hands in salute. “Grand Tutor….”
“Hm?”
Dong Zhuo arched his brow, and at last Li Ru changed his address, calling him “father-in-law.”
He did not do so out of any lingering hope in Dong Zhuo, but rather because the situation had changed; now, he had another way out.
Previously, after he had instigated Dong Zhuo to poison the emperor, he had earned the enmity of all scholars under heaven, and could only cling tightly to Dong Zhuo’s war chariot.
But now, Chen Cong had gifted his sword to Dong Zhuo, essentially acknowledging the marriage.
Chen Cong’s attitude, to a large extent, represented the stance of the man behind him—Cao Cao.
At this juncture, Li Ru could not possibly turn against Dong Zhuo for real.
Should he do so, it was likely that Cao Cao, who was outside the situation and unaware of the facts, would misunderstand.
Though he changed his address, he could not be expected to plot sincerely anymore.
Truthful advice is hard to hear.
He now only wished to be a good son-in-law, obedient to his father-in-law’s wishes.
As for the fate of the Liang army…
He saw no future for it anymore.
“Father-in-law, let us move the capital to Chang’an.”
Dong Zhuo’s heart leapt—moving the capital was excellent!
He had long grown weary of the hardships of war, and tired of living in constant fear.
If he abandoned the capital region and retreated to the heart of Guanzhong, with Xiliang at his back, as long as he held the Hangu Pass, he could sleep soundly from then on.
Of course,
Going to Guanzhong was easy, but to once more exit the Hangu Pass and seek the imperial treasure to rule the realm was now little more than a dream.
But Dong Zhuo no longer cared; in his sixties, how many good years did he have left?
Moreover, his lineage was cut off; even if he claimed the imperial treasure, to whom would the legacy be handed?
Better to indulge in pleasure.
Though Yang Ding deserved death, his spirit of enjoyment still had something worth emulating.
Thinking of this,
Dong Zhuo asked again, “Wen You, your plan is sound. Who should remain to block the two routes of the rebel armies?”
“At Sishui, leave three thousand Flying Bears, and ten thousand elite cavalry. Li Jue as commander…”
Li Ru paused, swept his gaze around, then continued, “Niu Fu as deputy.”
Niu Fu trembled at the words, nearly crying out in alarm.
He could not understand why his brother-in-law would set him up like this: leaving only thirteen thousand cavalry to cover the retreat, and naming him deputy commander. Was this not a death sentence?
Li Ru’s thinking was simple—testing the waters.
He cared nothing for Niu Fu’s fate, but he needed to know whether Niu Fu would live or die.
Before Niu Fu could object, Li Ru continued, “At Mengjin, send Fan Chou with two thousand Flying Bears and three thousand heavy cavalry as advance support. Xu Rong shall lead twenty thousand infantry to follow and press forward. Even if victory is not achieved, they can delay the enemy; once our main army returns, the rebels can be destroyed.”
Dong Zhuo frowned. “Guo Si still commands the Flying Bears. Can Fan Chou replace him?”
Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

Li Ru answered earnestly, “No, father-in-law needs a great general by his side for protection. Fan Chou’s cavalry will stabilize Mengjin, and afterward, with Xu Rong’s talent, he can block the rebels from advancing south.”
Since he was testing the waters, he would not throw all his stones at once.
Assuming Li Jue was most likely lost,
If Niu Fu died, he would still need a grand general with military prestige to fight the rebel lords to the end.
If Niu Fu lived, then it would not be too late to plan for Guo Si.
Thus,
With the situation at Mengjin unclear, he would not let Guo Si take risks.
“Very good,” Dong Zhuo decided.
Niu Fu wore a mournful expression; he had not yet found a good excuse to avoid battle.
He left the tent in a daze, only to be stopped by Li Ru, who called, “Ah Fu.”
Niu Fu replied irritably, “Brother-in-law, you’re not being fair—you keep yourself safe and leave your brother-in-law to die.”
“No need to complain. Look what this is,” Li Ru said, handing him a precious sword.
Niu Fu’s eyes widened in shock, about to cry out when Li Ru covered his mouth, whispering, “Don’t make a sound. I took it from father-in-law’s tent.”
Tai’a...
Niu Fu’s mood shifted to joy; he quickly wrapped the sword in his cloak.
This way, even if defeated, who among the enemy generals would dare kill him?
“Thank you, brother-in-law. I misjudged you.”
Li Ru patted his back. “We’re brothers-in-law; there’s no need for thanks. Prepare for battle with peace of mind.”
“Alright.”
Watching Niu Fu’s lightened figure, Li Ru revealed a rare smile.
Now, the only one who could kill Niu Fu was Chen Cong.
Only with such a test could the outcome be meaningful.
That night,
The Xiliang army reorganized under the moonlight and set out.
They left their camps standing, with many straw men to confuse the enemy.
Li Jue and Niu Fu led the Flying Cavalry ten miles back, choosing a narrow front and wide back at a river mouth by the mountains to set up camp anew.
...
...
Hulao Pass.
At dawn, a scout rushed into the command tent.
“Reporting to the alliance leader: no smoke rises from the enemy camp. They appear to be retreating.”
Yuan Shao was overjoyed, slapping the table.
“Good! Excellent! Advance and scout further!”
“Understood!”
All the lords rejoiced.
Dong Zhuo had grown comfortable and did not want to fight, and the lords were much the same.
Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

They were here for glory and renown, not to throw their lives away against Dong Zhuo.
Now that Dong Zhuo was retreating without a fight, it was ideal.
They would gain achievements and fame, paying little price.
Only Cao Cao wore a grim expression, staring at the map in silence.
Yuan Shao called “Mengde” three times without response, until Xu Chu nudged him and he returned to himself.
“Mengde, what troubles you?”
Cao Cao rubbed his aching temples. “I am thinking, if Dong Zhuo’s army retreats, who will he leave to cover the rear?”
“Hm?” Yuan Shao asked, puzzled. “What’s the concern?”
“Alliance leader, do you recall our previous plan?”
Yuan Shao nodded. “A lone force circles to Mengjin for a feigned attack, drawing Dong Zhuo’s cavalry to support, then we fight them in the field. What’s wrong with it?”
“Wrong! Very wrong! Now Dong Zhuo’s forces are retreating; he only needs to dispatch a cavalry force to Mengjin to delay us, and when his main army returns, he can easily wipe out the isolated force at Mengjin. Would he still send a large cavalry force to support Mengjin?”
“You mean…”
Cao Cao took a deep breath and nodded. “West of Luoyang is mostly open terrain. If Dong Zhuo uses cavalry to cover the retreat, how will we counter them?”
At his words, the lords were in an uproar.
The strength of the Liang army lay in its heavy cavalry, and their fiercest were the Flying Bears.
Despite all their maneuvering, they had not escaped this daunting problem.
Battling large cavalry forces in the field was a terrifying prospect—
Especially against the elite Xiliang cavalry.
Even if they could spread the line and encircle the enemy, the cost would be more than they were willing to pay.
“Do you have a solution, Mengde?”
Cao Cao said solemnly, “Raid their camp.”
The lords’ hearts sank again.
A camp raid was feasible against infantry; raiding a cavalry camp could easily turn into a head-on clash.
The treasures they prized were no match for those Xiliang brutes.
After a few rounds of mounted archery and a single charge, their forces would be depleted…
But now the lords were cornered.
The plan for a feigned attack had been agreed upon by all.
In front of their officers, who dared suggest staying behind the walls?
If Dong Zhuo’s army was allowed to return west and destroy the isolated force at Mengjin, who would follow them in future campaigns?
To advance or retreat was equally perilous; their hearts bled, but they could not voice their fears.
And the scout who had yet to return was like the final nail sealing their coffin, burying their last faint hope.
A fierce battle was at hand.
All they could do was pin their hopes on a successful camp raid.
Page 3 of 3