Chapter 36: Severing One Arm

  Small jade pieces, the entire body has no white color at all, as black as a starless night sky.

  Wang Yun and Lü Bu had both experienced many things in their lives, but today's events still gave them a sense of unreality, as if they were dreaming.

  He turned his head to look at Liu Bian, the King of Hongnong was coughing non-stop while rubbing his chest, Cao Jie helped him catch his breath on one side and fetched clear water and fruit for him to rinse his mouth.

  "What's so special about this jade?"

  Wang Yun was still able to hold back his curiosity and not reach out, but Lü Bu didn't have such good patience and composure. His curiosity grew more and more, and he stretched out his hand to pick up the jade piece for a closer look.

  But unexpectedly, just as he was about to move, the jade piece suddenly bounced up from the ground and flew into Liu Xuan's hand with a whoosh.

  This move shocked everyone even more. If it was said that putting a jade piece in the mouth of King Hongnong could cure someone who had been poisoned so deeply, then this move of retrieving an object from afar was even more incomprehensible to them.

  Wang Yun was still thinking about what was going on when Lü Bu, who had experience fighting against the Yellow Turbans, suddenly said: "Taoist mystic arts?"

  Liu Xuan held the black jade piece in his palm, but did not directly touch it. The jade piece contained a potent poison, and Liu Xuan did not dare to grasp it carelessly at this moment. So the jade piece floated on his palm, gently drifting up and down, as if it were a mysterious toy.

  But this made Wang Yun and Lü Bu even more surprised. Although Lü Bu saw that this was a mysterious technique, he had always been reserved about such techniques. Although he had seen many Yellow Turbans, he had only heard that some people in the Yellow Turban bandits were good at witchcraft, but he had never really encountered it before.

  Wang Yun's family was considered a wealthy and influential clan, and he had also heard of such mysterious events before, but he had never seen them with his own eyes. Just now, Liu Xuan's move of taking things out of thin air had already shocked him, but that could still be explained as 'using some clever trickery'. But what about the current situation?

  "Have you seen Wen Hou?"

  Liu Xuan turned his head and found that Lü Bu's serious apprehension was even more severe. The kind of gaze that only people in a precarious situation would reveal, it seemed that he was quite apprehensive about this move of his own, and it was even more likely that he was apprehensive about whether or not he understood some "demonic arts" that could directly harm people.

  Unfortunately, Liu Xuan was busy incubating the dragon egg at the moment, and his body's dragon energy was difficult to mobilize. Even the move he made just now wasn't using his own strength, but rather utilizing the true yuan within the jade piece to connect with his own techniques, allowing him to make such a small move. If he wanted to use any more powerful techniques, it would be impossible.

  After holding it in his palm for a moment, waiting for the color on the jade piece to fade slightly and no longer emitting a strange fragrance, Liu Xuan casually put away the jade piece. Everyone didn't notice what method he used, but the jade piece just disappeared like that.

  In fact, Liu Xuan had stored it in his own divine soul, but now his divine soul was still very weak and could only store some small things. Large objects couldn't be put inside, and they had to be refined into magical treasures by himself.

  Looked at the King of Hongnong, and found that although Liu Bian's poison had been completely removed, his mind was not clear. He was still dazed and confused. He made a gesture to Cao Jie, who had followed him for many years as an official, and understood his intentions. He supported the King of Hongnong and took him down to rest.

  As soon as he left, the house was once again left with only a few people, except that Xun Yu was standing by, and Cao Cao's arrival brought a hint of bloodthirstiness to the side hall, making Lü Bu somewhat uneasy.

  "Has Duke Wen considered this carefully?"

  No one expected that as soon as Liu Bian left, Liu Xuan would directly ask for Lü Bu's response. However, in Liu Xuan's heart, there was nothing wrong with this, after all, he had already finished speaking and the benefits were laid out before Lü Bu. Next, it depended on how Lü Bu chose, if Lü Bu chose his side, then naturally there was nothing more to say, and everyone would discuss together how to deal with Dong Zhuo.

  If you choose not to respond...

  Liu Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and although there was no special movement in his hands, both fists were clenched, ready to strike at any moment.

  On the other side, Cao Cao, due to his hasty arrival, had not removed his armor and was also holding a long sword, ready to strike at any moment - Cao Cao's intelligence naturally understood that if Lü Bu did not comply today, he absolutely could not let him leave.

  Not to mention the great trouble that would follow, even if they were to go back and inform Dong Zhuo, it was not something they could accept. Although Liu Xun had already decided to turn against Dong Zhuo, it was still better to let Dong Zhuo know as late as possible - killing the middle-aged officer still had an excuse, but what about killing Lü Bu? Could they shift the blame and say that they had sent Lü Bu somewhere else?

  He was lost in thought, when he saw Lü Bu suddenly stand up with a calm face and say: "I am a minister of Han, how can I commit treason? But I will follow your orders."

  With these words spoken, it basically means that Lü Bu has turned to his own side. Although it is not known which aspect moved Lü Bu in the end, since he succeeded, it is a good thing.

  He knew that Lü Bu would not be afraid, for he was now in his prime and had been fighting wars since his youth. At present, neither he nor Cao Cao could make Lü Bu feel afraid - even if he showed off his powerful martial arts skills, Lü Bu would not be intimidated.

  So it's impossible that he was forced by violence to agree, then it must be his own interests that moved him.

  Actually, it's almost the same. Lü Bu was initially quite hesitant and thought that what Liu Xuan said Dong Zhuo could give him, he could also give him, there wasn't much difference.

  After all, although Dong Zhuo's reputation is getting worse and worse, he is still the powerful Dong Xiangguo, and whatever Lu Bu asks for, Dong Zhuo can grant him, perhaps even more readily than the emperor himself.

  It's not that simple, Dong Zhuo is so overbearing, although he has only been under Dong Zhuo for a short time, but also knows that not only are the officials of the court dissatisfied with him, even the soldiers under Dong Zhuo's account are not all satisfied.

  Especially after a long wait in the capital, some soldiers also started to miss their homes. However, Dong Zhuo's power relied on these soldiers, so he couldn't let them go home. At the same time, apart from being very pleased with his own rewards, the rewards for some generals who had followed him for a long time were rather ordinary.

  For example, Hua Xiong had been following Dong Zhuo since he rose to power in the Western Liang province. Just a few days ago, he even helped Dong Zhuo block the Emperor's path, giving him an excuse to lead his troops into the capital. As a result, after being severely injured by Liu Bei's single strike, Dong Zhuo didn't hold Hua Xiong in high regard for these past few days - otherwise, Hua Xiong wouldn't have had to volunteer to fight against the Eastern warlords.

  Today, Zi is going to deal with Dong Zhuo again. If he continues to be at Dong Zhuo's side, will it really be good for him?

  Lü Bu was muddled about some things, but he knew that in this world, without a good reputation, it would be impossible to get by. In Dong Zhuo's place, there was basically no possibility of having a good reputation. If Dong Zhuo could continue to dominate for a long time, that would be fine, but now Lü Bu saw the crisis.

  "Why don't we just abandon Dong Zhuo and leave?"

  Especially after seeing Liu Xuan's mysterious methods, Lü Bu felt that Dong Zhuo had no chance of winning - Dong Zhuo wanted to harm the emperor, but he could only rely on some despicable means, such as poisoned wine and the like, but Liu Xuan was clearly not afraid of these.

  If Dong Zhuo wants to resort to force, that would be self-destructive and all the lords of the land will immediately rise up against him - at that time it won't just be the lords of Guandong, and Dong Zhuo's own backyard may also catch fire.

  These people are not killing rebels for any reason, the real reason is to gain fame. At the same time, Dong Zhuo's power, which relies on the imperial court, will also collapse immediately, and what advantage does Dong Zhuo have at that time?

  After some thought, Dong Zhuo seemed to have no advantage, Lü Bu may not be good at planning, but it doesn't mean that these superficial things can't be understood, so he immediately defected to the Emperor's side. At this time, he couldn't talk about loyalty, if he wanted to truly subdue Lü Bu, Liu Xuan still had a lot of work to do.

  Besides, it is reasonable for him to serve the emperor as a Han minister and he is still the highest commander of the imperial guard cavalry, the Huojun.

  Liu Xuan saw Lü Bu surrender, and his heart also relaxed a bit. He wasn't happy to get Lü Bu's bravery, but he was happy to have gotten rid of one of Dong Zhuo's arms. At the same time, the matter didn't leak out, and their plans became even more leisurely.

  "The deceased deeply understood the great righteousness, and I am very comforted."

  After a few words of comfort, he promised several benefits, which were nothing more than issuing an edict to confirm Lü Bu's title as Duke of Wencheng - during the Han Dynasty, the titles of marquis were divided into county marquis, township marquis and village marquis, with Duke of Wencheng being a county marquis, which was considered the highest rank among all marquises.

  Although the actual benefits are limited, with this title of Wenhou, in the imperial court, he can also be considered a person who can sit and stand with the three dukes. With his military power, what more could Lü Bu ask for? He immediately bowed down to thank him.

  Liu Xuan only then turned his head to Wang Yun and said, "The Minister of Works is probably still unaware of my plans. Meng De has been busy reorganizing the Imperial Guards these days, so he may not know either. Today is a good opportunity for us to discuss it in detail."

  It was said that it was a consultation, but everyone knew that the Son of Heaven had already made up his mind and called them to tell them what to do next.

  Cao Cao didn't seem to mind, he had guessed that Liu Xuan was going to change his plans, but it was just a matter of taking action earlier, the changes wouldn't be too great. On the other hand, Wang Yun looked curious, wondering what this young emperor was going to do.

  "Your Majesty wants to punish Dong Zhuo?"

  Liu Xuan heard Wang Yun ask this, and suddenly laughed: "Dong Zhuo? Why should he be executed? Dong Guogong is loyal to the country, personally leading troops to garrison Tiger Trap Pass, making it impossible for the eastern bandits to advance an inch. He is a great meritorious minister. Tomorrow at court, we still need to reward him heavily."

  Wang Yun was taken aback, but immediately understood Liu Xuan's intention - to drive Dong Zhuo out of Luoyang. He was overjoyed in his heart - if Dong Zhuo led his troops out of the capital, he would shut the city gates and watch as Dong Zhuo clashed with the heroes of Guandong. Without a steady supply of grain, Dong Zhuo would surely be defeated by the heroes of Guandong.

  Cao Cao thought otherwise, he had already seen that the heroes of Guandong were just a group of mobs, and it was difficult to achieve great things. Liu Xuan did this, wasn't he trying to take advantage of Dong Zhuo's absence to move the capital ahead of time?

  Looking at Liu Xuan, he saw that Liu Xuan indeed nodded slightly to him, but didn't say anything explicitly. Cao Cao knew it wasn't the right time yet, and Wang Yun was not someone trustworthy enough. He guessed that the Emperor wanted to wait until Dong Zhuo left the capital before making a move to relocate the capital.

  As expected, after briefly discussing the tasks for the next morning, Liu Xuan kept Lü Bu and Cao Cao behind: "The matter of moving the capital is a major one, we must make arrangements as soon as possible!"