Chapter 54: Cao Cao Calls for an Expedition Against Dong Zhuo

  It's been several months since the last fire burned in Pangu Valley, and Zhang Rui has spent his days talking about life and ideals with two little girls, and practicing swordsmanship alone.

  Today, Xiao Mengzi from outside the gate came back with a shocking piece of news. Cao Cao has escaped from Luoyang and is scattering his wealth in Chenliu, broadly inviting heroes from all over the world to discuss Dong.

  It turned out that after Zhang Rui left that day, Emperor Ling found a palace maid who looked similar to Liu Min and created the illusion that she had jumped into a well in despair. Then he began to provoke his elder brother-in-law Zhang Letian's conflict with him, under Yuan Shao's suggestion, He Jin summoned Dong Zhuo, the governor of Liangzhou, to come to the capital to execute the Ten Eunuchs, but what Emperor Ling did not expect was that he would not live to see the day when the Ten Eunuchs were destroyed.

  In the beginning of 184 AD, Emperor Ling died, and under the control of Empress He and He Jin, Crown Prince Liu Bian ascended to the throne. The Ten Regular Attendants feared He Jin's power, so they used a plot to lure He Jin into the palace, then killed him, and took hold of Emperor Shao Liu Bian and Chenliu King Liu Xie in an attempt to escape.

  The fleeing crowd happened to meet Dong Zhuo, who was entering the capital. Zhang Rang was already dead and couldn't die again. After Dong Zhuo entered the capital, he monopolized power, first deposing Emperor Shao and establishing Chenliu King Liu Xie as Emperor Xian. Later, he also killed Lü Bu and Ding Yuan, governor of Bingzhou. At this point, Dong Zhuo controlled the armies of Yong, Liang, Si, and Bing states, with tens of thousands of soldiers. He had literary talents like Li Ru and Jia Xu, and military leaders like Lü Bu, Hua Xiong, Li Jue, and Guo Si. His elite troops included the White Tiger Army from Western Liang and the Wolf Riding Army from Bingzhou, making him arguably the most powerful warlord in the land.

  Dong Zhuo, whose power had expanded to an extreme degree, did not put the imperial authority in his eyes at all. He first appointed himself as the Chancellor, wore a sword to court, killed several old ministers who opposed him, and forced Yuan Shao to flee. The Han Dynasty was basically in name only by then.

  Now that Zhang Rui knows this news, he naturally can't continue to be idle in the Mo family valley. Cao Cao's favor, he still has to return. Even if it's going to be in the Mo family valley in the future, that's a matter for later.

  Mo Pan knew he couldn't keep Zhang Rui, so he prepared a farewell wine for Zhang Rui early on.

  "Rui Er, I hope your journey goes smoothly. Remember that the gates of Mo Jia are always open for you. If you need anything, just issue a Mo Zi order and Mo Jia will be your backing forever. And now, Shuang Er is in your care, take good care of her." At this moment, Mo Pan was both a solemn father and a thoughtful leader.

  Mo Shuang has been in close contact with Zhang Rui for several months, although he claimed to be going to find Liu Min, but anyone with discerning eyes can tell what's really going on. This time, Mo Shuang insisted on following Zhang Rui out of the valley under the pretext of gaining experience, which is equivalent to a formal entrustment.

  "Rui'er, bring Mo Wen and Mo Wu along. Let these two little ones be your personal guards. It's good to have someone to rely on for anything." Mo Yu said.

  Mo Wen and Mo Wu also wanted to leave the valley, after all they were born in this Mo family valley and also wanted to see the outside world. As soon as they heard their grandfather say so, the two of them showed a surprised look in their eyes, unexpectedly their grandfather was so open-minded this time!

  Zhang Rui and his five companions packed their bags, each took out their wings, and soared into the sky above the nine heavens. The plot of the Three Kingdoms is finally unfolding, Zhang Rui is really looking forward to it!

  Biyang Zhang's mansion, Zhi Caihe and Guo Jia were packing their belongings. Since Zhang Jue's rebellion, Xun Shuang was no longer running the Yingchuan Academy, so the two could not continue their studies and had to return home to Biyang. When news of Cao Cao's victory over Dong in Chenliu arrived, they were also extremely excited. There had been no news of Zhang Liao since the Yellow Turbans were put down, it was as if he had vanished into thin air. If Zhang Liao wasn't dead, he would definitely go to find Cao Cao upon hearing this news, so the two decided to take a chance and try their luck there.

  "Wenji, don't worry, Zhibo is such a clever person, he will definitely be fine. Maybe at this moment, he is already in Cao Cao's camp." said Xi Zhicai.

  "Yes, don't worry, Sister Wenji. As soon as we have any news, we'll send someone to deliver a message back immediately." Little Guo Jia also advised Cai Wenji on the side.

  Cai Wenji was also heartbroken, never expecting that after parting in Puyang that day, she would never see Zhang Yu again, nor did she know whether he was dead or alive, leaving behind only one sentence to wait for him. But where are you now?

  Cai Yong saw Cai Yan like this every day, and he was also helpless in his heart. As a father, how could he not want to make his daughter happy? He just didn't have a good solution for now, so he could only sigh repeatedly.

  "Xiao Er, that rascal, went off without even sending a message back. When he returns, I'll skin him alive!" Qingquan Old Master was also worried about his own son, and seeing Cai Yan, this future daughter-in-law, getting more and more heartbroken every day, he too was bitter about this unfilial child. No matter where he is, shouldn't there be some news coming back?

  "Old Master... What great news~~~~~~!" The old housekeeper, Old Pineapple, rushed all the way to the front of Master Qingquan.

  "What's all the fuss about? You're making such a big deal out of nothing."

  "Master! Master is back!" Old Pineapple ran over, panting heavily.

  Cai Yan, who had been dull-eyed until then, quickly ran towards the gate upon hearing this, and the crowd also rushed towards the gate.

  Zhang Rui and the five of them flew all the way to Puyang, Zhang Rui was also afraid that his family would be worried, it had been several months since he last sent a message back home, and he didn't know how things were going at home.

  As soon as he pushed open the door, he saw old steward Lao Boluo suddenly turn around and run towards the backyard. What's going on? Is this how I'm welcomed home? It doesn't make any sense. Zhang Rui shook his head and walked into the inner hall.

  Not yet in the inner hall, a delicate figure suddenly threw herself into his arms.

  "Brother Rui, where have you been all this time? Do you know how scared Wenji was? Many people said that you were killed by the assassin sent by Zhang Lao, but Wenji refused to believe it. However, after several months without any news from you, she couldn't help but wonder where you went and why you didn't send a message back."

  It turned out that Cai Yan rushed into her own arms, and Zhang Rui only knew how much of a scumbag he had been these days after hearing Cai Yan's words. Every day, he was flirting with Liu Min and Mo Shuang in the valley, forgetting that there was still a Cai Yan waiting for him at home. He secretly vowed to himself that he would never make such a mistake again, and would never let his beloved woman be heartbroken because of him.

  "Haoyan, don't worry, as the saying goes: good people die young, and troublemakers live for a thousand years. I'm such a big troublemaker, how would King Yanwang take me to the underworld?" "Pfft", Cai Yan in his arms burst into laughter at his own joke. Liu Min and Mo Shuang also rolled their eyes, this rascal is really bad.

  Guo Jia and Xi Zhi-cai rushed out, saw Zhang Rui, and the three brothers naturally exchanged a few pleasantries. Everyone moved to the inner hall, and Qingquan Old Master hurriedly ordered someone to bring down wine and dishes. His own son had returned safely, and his heart was also at ease.

  Zhang Rui recounted his experiences to everyone, and when they heard the thrilling parts, they all sweated for Zhang Rui. It's good that he returned safely. Cao Cao was going to attack Dong, so Zhang Rui would definitely go with him. Coincidentally, Zou Ji and Guo Jia were also free, so they naturally followed along. The three young girls were temporarily placed in the Zhang household, as it wasn't convenient for women to be in a military camp. With Mo Wen and Mo Wu, the two brothers, there were exactly five people.

  Zhang Rui stayed at home for another day, comforting his three red sleeves, and brought his four brothers to Chenliu. Meng De, this time I will really recognize you as the master and help you conquer the world.