Chapter 56 Celebrating Success

  The first year of Yuanping was an extremely turbulent year.

  This year, Emperor Ling died, and Emperor Shao ascended to the throne. Dong Zhuo entered the capital and deposed Emperor Shao, enthroning Chenliu King as emperor. Thereafter, various warlords from Guandong rose in arms against Dong Zhuo, and the Han dynasty was on the verge of collapse. The people's faith was also crumbling.

  When the beams and pillars that once supported the grand mansion rot away, all that's left is a pile of rubble.

  The regime of the Han Dynasty has been in power for nearly four hundred years and is now at its end.

  Since the outbreak of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the first year of Zhongping, the Han Dynasty has been shaken by wind and rain. Although the Yellow Turbans were suppressed, local warlords became more powerful, further weakening the central imperial power, which was already unable to intimidate the vassals.

  Once the clothes on your body are stripped off, you will be ridiculed endlessly.

  Although it's very uncouth, it's the most fitting description of the current imperial family of China.

  Even now, even the most stubborn-minded people seem to have seen the precursors of the collapse of this great mansion.

  Unconsciously, people's loyalty and faith in the Great Han are quietly changing.

  In the first year of Yuanping, in August, Sun Ce led a memorial to the imperial court and took the post of governor of Yu Province. At the same time, he also led a memorial to the imperial court for Wu Chenghou and Changsha Taishou Sun Jian to ask for merits, and appointed Sun Jian as Hu Lie Jiangjun.

  Dong Zhuo, in order to appease Yuan Shu and Sun Jian, and alleviate the pressure from the lords of Guandong, reluctantly agreed to Yuan Shu's memorial.

  At this time, Cao Cao, the unparalleled hero, had not yet found a place to settle down and temporarily stationed his army in Chenliu, relying on his good friend Zhang Miao, the governor of Chenliu, to search for talents and friends, and train his troops.

  At the end of August, Luo Zheng led three thousand Western Liang iron cavalry and returned to Luoyang.

  Dong Zhuo ordered all his generals to go out of the city ten miles to welcome them and gave this large army extremely high courtesy.

  That night, they had a grand feast in Jia De Hall again to celebrate their victory.

  Inside the magnificent golden hall, nearly two hundred seats were arranged.

  The courtiers gathered in the morning, and all the generals from Xiliang arrived. They took their seats according to their official ranks. Wine and delicacies were served continuously, accompanied by the melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments. The palace hall's dance troupe arrived, singing softly and dancing elegantly, with enchanting music that intoxicated everyone.

  Living such a life of intoxication and indulgence is indeed easy to get lost in.

  Dong Zhuo was clearly enjoying himself, frequently urging others to drink, with a flushed and delighted expression.

  The Western Liang generals also had red faces and thick necks, with a relaxed demeanor, having gained some elegance but lost some of their ferocity.

  It is easy to go from simplicity to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to simplicity.

  Luxurious living is most likely to wear away a person's ambition and lead them to degeneration.

  Although the Kanto daimyos have temporarily withdrawn their troops for now, the real chaotic era has yet to arrive, and it's not a time to enjoy.

  Look at Dong Zhuo and then look at the Western Liang generals, the decline of the Western Liang warlord group is not without reason.

  "I have one word, I beg of you, sir, to listen."

  At this moment, Dong Zhuo suddenly spoke out loudly.

  Everyone immediately shut their mouths and looked at Dong Zhuo. The hall was quiet for a moment, with only the sound of a needle falling being audible.

  Dong Wen held up his wine cup and said loudly: "This time, we were able to successfully repel the rebel army from Guandong, thanks to the concerted efforts of everyone. We have preserved our rivers and mountains, and our ancestral temples have not been lost. Hu Zhen, Hu Mao, Niu Jin, and others have died in battle in a foreign land, and I am deeply grieved. I intend to memorialize the Emperor to posthumously confer upon Hu Zhen the title of Second-Rank Marquis of Poyang, with his eldest son inheriting the title and emolument. What do you gentlemen think?"

  "The Prime Minister is wise and brilliant."

  "Long live our wise and brilliant lord!"

  All officials and Western Liang generals from then on were in unanimous agreement, without any dissent.

  Long before the princes of Guandong rose in revolt, opposition to Dong Zhuo within the court had already been largely eliminated. Now that the Western Liang army has defeated the Guandong coalition forces and its prestige is at an all-time high, who would still dare to come forward in opposition to Dong Zhuo?

  Those who can sit here are all high-ranking officials in the court attached to Dong Zhuo.

  Dong Zhuo, seeing no one objecting, was overjoyed and continued: "Although Hu Zhen is dead, but the fierce cavalry commander Luo Zheng led a large army to conquer the Central Plains, defeating Sun Jian's forces. His achievements are not to be forgotten. What do you think should be done to reward him?"

  "It's all up to Master's decision!"

  All ministers and Western Liang generals naturally did not dare to be out of tune, and the right to decide was again pushed to Dong Zhuo.

  It was Niu Fu who spoke out in a different tone, "My lord, Luo Zheng's background is unclear, although he has made some minor contributions, however, the deaths of Hu Mao and Niu Jin are suspicious. In my humble opinion, we should wait until the cause of their deaths is clear before granting rewards."

  "Niu Fu Jiangjun's words are indeed correct, I request that Your Excellency investigate clearly."

  General Li Jue also agreed, his eyes towards Luo Zheng were somewhat cold.

  Several ministers and generals of the Western Liang army also echoed in support, apparently belonging to the party of either Guo Si or Li Jue.

  Niu Fu, Li Jue.

  Lu Zheng's expression didn't change, but his eyes turned cold.

  If Niu Fu had an opinion about him, Luo Zheng had long expected it.

  After all, Niu Jin is dead, no matter what, this Niu Fu will resent himself.

  But Li Jue himself had not offended him, at the Tiger Trap Pass, he had once scolded himself, and his younger brother Li Huan had blocked him for a night under the Hangu Pass, now he was even more obstructing himself, which really made him furious.

  Dong Zhuo remained expressionless and asked Li Ru, who was standing below him, "What does Wen You think?"

  Li Ru was about to voice his agreement with Li Jue's proposal, but suddenly noticed that Dong Zhuo's eyes seemed somewhat unusual, and he was startled in his heart. The words he had originally intended to say also changed to: "Ru has drunk two more cups and is already slightly intoxicated, please let the lord decide."

  Dong Zhuo thought for a moment and said: "Since it's like that, let's put it aside for now!"

  "My lord is wise."

  All officials naturally echoed in unison, anyway it's none of their business.

  Li Jue's face showed a hint of pleasure as he looked at Luo Zheng with an inexplicable glint in his eyes.

  Lu Zheng's face was expressionless as he drank, his eyelids lowered, but in reality, a cold killing intent was flashing.

  Li Meng and Wang Fang also had the good fortune to attend the celebration banquet, sitting at the last seat, in a location close to the gate of the main hall.

  Seeing the reward for his meritorious service being put off, he suddenly flew into a great rage.

  Two men followed Luo Zheng from Qiao County to Yanzhou, and then from Yanzhou to Hebei, fighting for thousands of miles. They had long since surrendered to Luo Zheng with their five bodies on the ground. Now seeing Luo Zheng being ostracized by Li Jue and others, how could they not be furious?

  If it weren't for this place being a bit too real, I'm afraid they would have jumped up and started chopping people with their cleavers long ago.

  If there is no reward for good service, how can we expect officers and soldiers to risk their lives, and how can we win the allegiance of the people?

  Li Mu and Wang Fang did not dare to say it out loud, but for the first time they felt dissatisfied with Dong Zhuo's actions.

  The two rose from humble beginnings, although they were former subordinates of Li Jue, they were not among Dong Zhuo's trusted followers when he first rose to power and had never received any recognition or promotion from him. They also did not regard Dong Zhuo as their superior and actually had little loyalty towards him.

  Under Luo Zheng's command for several months, he had long been won over by Luo Zheng.

  Now seeing Dong Zhuo's unfair rewards and punishments, how can he not be dissatisfied in his heart.

  This dissatisfaction may be nothing, but it will plant a thorn in your heart.

  Luo Zheng sat at the top of the two, just one seat apart, and hastily made a gesture with his eyes.

  Li Meng and Wang Fang's angry faces slightly faded away, and they lowered their heads to drink their wine in silence.

  As for Xu Chu and Zhao Yun, they were just ordinary generals of the Lu family and did not have the qualifications to attend such a celebration banquet.

  Luo Zheng also didn't plan on letting these two show off in front of others, lest they attract envy.

  The next morning.

  After the morning meeting, Dong Zhuo called Li Ru to a side hall.

  Li Ru seemed to know Dong Zhuo's mind, his face calm as usual, and he didn't say a word.

  Dong Zhuo sank into thought for a moment before asking: "What does Wen You think of this man Luo Zhen?"

  Li Ru hesitated before answering: "He is capable of waging war and has some ability in commanding troops."

  Dong Zhuo was taken aback and said: "How can you be so sure?"

  Li Ru said: "I have inquired among the soldiers, and since leaving Wuguan, this man has had many ingenious strategies. General Hu Zhi's surprise attack on Wan City was entirely due to his clever tactics. Later, he launched a night raid on Qiao County, defeating 3,000 of Gongsun Zan's Youyan cavalry, crossed the river and advanced into Jizhou, then turned north and entered Youzhou, marched out into the great desert from the south of the Yellow River bend, and returned to Guanzhong, all with superior strategic planning."

  Dong Zhuo stroked his long beard and said slowly: "I didn't expect Wen Hou to give such a high evaluation of this person."

  Li Ru just spoke based on facts and did not speak for Luo Zheng, he remained silent after hearing this.

  Dong Zhuo said again: "Then what about the cases of Hu Miao and Niu Jin?"

  "This, although there are doubts, but I really dare not make random guesses."

  Dong Zhuo said: "Wen Yu, don't mind speaking your thoughts."

  Li Ru had no choice but to reply: "Hu Mao and Niu Jin died in Luo Zhen's account, the army all passed on that the two wanted to seize military power, so they wanted to put each other in this place. However, according to Li Ru, the death of the two should have some connection with Luo Zhen."

  Dong Zhuo narrowed his eyes and said nothing.

  After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly asked: "What does Wen You think, can this person be used?"

  Li Ru hesitated and didn't dare to make a rash judgment. After pondering for a moment, he put forward his own opinion from Dong Zhuo's standpoint: "He can be used, but his heart can be measured. As for how to use him, it still needs to be decided by the lord."

  Dong Zhuo nodded, "He's capable and can be used, his heart can be measured, Wen You is indeed eloquent, a sharp tongue that pierces the heart."

  Li Ru's face was calm and he didn't say anything, but a faint, almost imperceptible cold smile rose at the corner of his mouth.

  Dong Zhuo said, "What Wen You have said is exactly what I wanted. If there are capable people who are not used, it is my fault! If those with merit are not rewarded, how can we expect to win the hearts of the people? My intention is to promote Luo Zhen as Zhonglang General, and the rest will be rewarded according to their merits. As for the matter of rewards, let Wen You take care of it!"

  "Roger that."

  Li Ru slightly bowed his head in response and then retreated and went out.

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