Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Hua Xiong, a bereaved dog, had managed to escape with his life, fleeing hastily to the interior of the Great Wall. He had completely discarded his previous contempt and arrogance, a completely different person. He quietly recuperated within the Great Wall, issuing strict orders to his men to hold their ground and not to engage in battle again.

Meanwhile, Hua Xiong hurriedly reported the current situation to Prime Minister Dong Zhuo in detail. In this report, he emphasized Sun Ce's extraordinary bravery and, crucially, the old friendship between Sun Ce and Ma Chao. Hua Xiong pondered internally, desperately hoping to persuade Prime Minister Dong to transfer Ma Chao to this area. He reasoned that if Ma Chao were to arrive, perhaps his fame and strength would stabilize the situation. Perhaps, leveraging Ma Chao's special relationship with Sun Ce, he could even subjugate Sun Ce and use him for his own ends. In that case, his current defeat would be somewhat mitigated, and Dong Zhuo's vast power would be even more formidable. As he pondered these matters, he anxiously awaited Dong Zhuo's response.

Dong Zhuo also quickly received the urgent report sent by Hua Xiong, and then he immediately summoned his staff to discuss whether to ask Ma Chao for help.

At this point, Li Ru understood Ma Chao's inner thoughts perfectly. After all, between his beloved master and Dong Zhuo, who had shown him immense gratitude, Ma Chao was inevitably faced with an extremely difficult decision, one that left him feeling incredibly entangled. Furthermore, Li Ru knew full well that Dong Bai, with her stubborn and recalcitrant nature, was determined to marry Ma Chao. If Ma Chao were pushed too hard at this point, forced into opposition, and placed in an undue predicament, he would undoubtedly harbor deep resentment. However, given Dong Zhuo's unconditional, almost doting, attitude towards Dong Bai, he was certain to accede to her will.

So after repeated consideration, Li Ru decided that the relationship between Dong Zhuo and Ma Chao must not be broken, and that every effort must be made to maintain this delicate situation. So, Li Ru began to persuade Dong Zhuo.

Li Ru bowed and said to Dong Zhuo sincerely, "My lord, I hope you will carefully consider whether to invite Ma Chao here. The current situation in Xiliang is really not optimistic and it is in urgent need of stabilization. Xiliang is our rear base, and we must have a loyal and capable person to stabilize the situation. Only in this way can we be able to attack and defend in this treacherous and chaotic situation. My lord, think about it, Ma Chao just conquered the Dongqiang, and here are the Xiongnu in Xiliang. "If we force Ma Chao to leave Xiliang at this moment, what if there is another disturbance there? Wouldn't that be more trouble than good? Moreover, Ma Chao is already in a very difficult position, caught between his master and you, my lord. If we continue to force you, I'm afraid it will only backfire. It would be better to let Ma Chao stay in Xiliang for the time being and let him continue to stabilize the situation there. Once the situation stabilizes, it won't be too late to make other plans." Dong Zhuo frowned as he listened to Li Ru's words and fell into deep thought.

If there's one person in the world who best understands Dong Zhuo, the one who can accurately decipher his thoughts, it's none other than Li Ru. Li Ru has followed Dong Zhuo since his early years, weathering countless trials and tribulations along the way, and later having the good fortune to become Dong Zhuo's son-in-law. Over these long years, his understanding of Dong Zhuo's thoughts has become truly profound, and his ability to analyze and control various situations has reached an astonishing level.

Li Ru possessed a mind far superior to that of ordinary men. His thoughts were like a dense web, capable of perceiving subtleties invisible to ordinary people. He knew full well that, given the current situation, no matter how far Dong Zhuo might advance in the future, he lacked a suitable successor. Dong Zhuo would never pass his legacy on to incompetent nephews. Instead, he poured all his emotions into Dong Bai, driven by his affection for her, his compassion for her life, and his longing for and grief for his only son. Even though Dong Bai was a woman, she would undoubtedly inherit the Xiliang legacy. Furthermore, he had watched Dong Bai grow up, and he knew her intimately. Dong Bai's heart was completely devoted to Ma Chao, a man of both literary and military prowess, far from being easily manipulated. Li Ru, with his keen and profound insight, clearly understood that a man as extraordinary as Ma Chao would undoubtedly create a truly extraordinary legacy.

Li Ru's thoughts were clear and thorough, even beginning to ponder the aftermath of Dong Zhuo's death and his own escape route. He knew full well that Dong Zhuo was already old, and now faced with hostility from all corners of the country, the situation was complex and uncertain. Ma Chao, on the other hand, was young, promising, intelligent, and courageous, possessing boundless potential and possibilities. He understood that the future of Xiliang was inextricably linked to Ma Chao, and that he, too, must make thorough plans for the future. In his mind, Li Ru had already sketched out a complex and far-reaching plan. Relying on his exceptional intelligence and precise grasp of the situation, he sought to find the most secure position for himself in these turbulent times, ensuring his safety in any eventuality while also securing a bright future for the people and causes he held dear. He silently planned everything in his mind, meticulously considering every detail, demonstrating his astonishing mental prowess and precise grasp of the future.

Li Ru had always harbored a deep concern about the current situation. As Dong Zhuo's power and influence continued to expand, his earliest generals, like Li Jue and Guo Si, also rose in power. As their power grew, their ambitions grew like wild weeds. However, in battle after battle, their true abilities were never fully demonstrated, revealing a situation of clearly insufficient capabilities but overreaching ambitions. This was undoubtedly a potential source of instability.

At the same time, as younger generals like Ma Chao and Lü Bu gradually emerged and gained significant positions and connections within the Western Liang army, this caused deep anxiety among the generals who had originally followed Dong Zhuo. Coupled with the fact that Dong Zhuo had now become an enemy of the entire world, these circumstances undoubtedly became a huge dilemma for Dong Zhuo.

However, as Dong Zhuo's power grew, he seemed to have no clear awareness of these problems. Instead, he became increasingly resistant to advice and increasingly arrogant. Perhaps it was simply the confusion and complacency that comes with age. Dong Zhuo's current arrogance was a stark contrast to the ambitious Dong Zhuo of his earlier years. Li Ru's constant reflection filled him with worry and frustration. He feared the worsening situation and the direction of the future, yet felt unable to truly change Dong Zhuo. He could only sigh inwardly.

With Dong Zhuo now in control, these former Xiliang subordinates can be deployed together for the time being, largely due to Dong Zhuo's authority and their years of accustomed to following his orders. However, if Dong Zhuo were to encounter any unexpected situation or suffer serious external trouble, these people would likely turn into hungry wolves, ready to turn against their master. Unchecked, their ambitions and selfish desires would likely be unleashed without restraint, causing great chaos and unrest, bringing unpredictable uncertainty and crises to the entire situation. This is undoubtedly a huge hidden danger.

Li Ru watched Dong Zhuo's wavering decision, then glanced at his subordinates, including Li Jue and Guo Si, each with their own agenda. A decision had already been made. He knew he must do his utmost to ensure the stability of Western Liang, and a stable rear base was crucial. Ma Chao's presence, coupled with his special relationship with Dong Bai, convinced him that even if these useless old subordinates were completely abandoned, Western Liang's future would remain unaffected. Through his planning and deliberation, he had a clear vision of Western Liang's future direction and support. He was determined to steadfastly pursue this path, dedicating his utmost to its stability and development. Even in the face of numerous difficulties and internal strife, he would not retreat, determined to protect the foundation and future of Western Liang.