Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

There was a young man, born into a prominent family, yet he was a minor branch of the clan, holding no significant position within his clan. His father had three sons, and he was not the eldest. Facing a despairing invasion, his father and brother resolutely rushed to the front lines, seeking honor and glory. Fearless and courageous on the battlefield, they eventually achieved considerable merit, earning them the attention of their clan. The clan began to establish kinship with them, even extending offers of support to his father and brother. This delighted them, hoping to escape their impoverished existence by joining the aristocratic family. However, despite their idealistic ambitions, the family's direct descendants viewed these minor branches as mere pawns. Tragically, in a fierce battle, both father and son perished.

After the successive deaths of his father and older brother, the kin he had barely managed to establish disappeared without a trace during this difficult time. His mother, facing life's numerous hardships alone, struggled to raise him and his younger brother with immense fortitude. Over those long years, his mother endured hardships, toiling day and night to provide them with a sheltered home. She shouldered the burden of life on her fragile shoulders, holding up a sky of hope for her children. Under her mother's care and guidance, the young man gradually grew into a resolute, courageous, and ambitious man. Even in his youth, he was known for his chivalry and bravery, earning him a reputation far and wide.

His fame spread far and wide, and the young man was recruited by the imperial court as a guard. He was filled with ambition and hope for the future. He felt that now was finally his chance to realize his ambitions, serve his country, and improve his family's plight.

He stood at a new starting point in his life, his gaze fixed firmly on the horizon. All the hardships and setbacks he had endured had become his driving force. He knew full well that he shouldered the expectations of his family and the mission of serving his country.

The young man secretly vowed to carve out a niche in this chaotic world through his own hard work and talent. He wanted to impress the clan members who had once looked down on him, and to ensure his mother a stable life. To achieve this goal, he was willing to sacrifice everything, fearless of all hardships and obstacles, and forge ahead courageously. He then served under the Lieutenant General of the Xiongnu, serving as a military commander. In the fierce battles against the Qiang people in Hanyang, he demonstrated a unique fighting style: a combination of rough and ruthless combat, like a tiger descending from the mountains, yet also possessing subtle strategic thinking. In every battle, he calmly analyzed the situation and skillfully planned his moves. His outstanding performance earned him numerous military exploits, and he was soon appointed a doctor by the imperial court.

In those fierce wars, the young man rose through the ranks with his fearless fighting style and brilliant strategy. As his position rose and his experience grew, he increasingly discerned the nation's ills. He witnessed the suffering of the people in the midst of war, the displaced, the homes destroyed by the flames, and everything pierced his heart.

The once passionate young man, tempered by the years and the impact of reality, slowly became a middle-aged man with a deep concern for the world. He was filled with anxiety for his country and its people, and constantly yearned to change it. However, faced with the complex situation and formidable resistance, he often felt powerless. His will was there, but his strength was lacking. This helplessness, a constant presence, plunged him into deep pain and entanglement. But he did not give up, still striving for opportunities to change the status quo. Even if there was only a glimmer of hope, he was willing to fight for it.

He steadily advanced in his official career, subsequently serving as magistrate of Guangwu County, commander of the northern part of Shu Commandery, and commander of the Wuji Commandery in the Western Regions. However, circumstances unpredictable led to his dismissal. But fate did not forsake him; his exceptional talents and past achievements remained undiscovered. Later, he was solemnly recruited by the Minister of Rites to serve as governor of Bingzhou and prefect of Hedong, once again shouldering heavy responsibilities and embarking on a new journey.

With keen insight, he clearly saw the ills of the state. The aristocratic families, like entwined pythons, controlled too many resources, yet failed to contribute fully to the nation. These wealthy families, obsessed with the continuation of their lineages, led extravagant and wasteful lives. In stark contrast, the common people lived in dire straits, struggling to survive. They struggled in poverty and hardship, burdened by war, taxes, and forced labor.

He knew full well that this situation was not a solution. This contradiction, like an ever-inflating balloon, would eventually burst violently. He worried deeply, pondering how to resolve this increasingly acute conflict. He understood that if he didn't act quickly, the country would descend into further chaos, and the people's suffering would only deepen. Yet, he also felt the insignificance of his own power. Compared to the powerful aristocratic families, his efforts seemed insignificant. Yet, he didn't give up, still painstakingly searching for a viable solution, hoping to bring a glimmer of hope to the country and its people.

The nation's ills had long been entrenched, and the people, long oppressed, finally, reaching the limit of their endurance, rose in rebellion. Like a spark, the uprising instantly ignited the nation. Citizens from all over responded, taking up crude weapons and fighting for survival and dignity.

For a time, war raged, and the country was plunged into immense turmoil. The already shattered social order collapsed completely, and the people searched for hope amidst despair. The aristocratic families, faced with this sudden uprising, were either panicked or attempted to exploit the chaotic situation for greater gain.

This man, who had once worked hard to maintain national stability, watched the flames of the uprising blaze with mixed emotions. He understood the people's frustration and anger, yet he worried about the country's future. He knew the uprising would have a devastating impact on the nation, and how to quell it and address the country's fundamental problems became a daunting challenge he had to face.

To safeguard national stability, he actively engaged in battle. Over the long years, he overcame countless hardships and obstacles, and through unremitting efforts, he finally succeeded in suppressing the peasant uprising. However, in this fierce battle, the casualties were still the poor people. They already lived in poverty, and became innocent victims in the storm of war. After the victory, however, it was the wealthy families who enjoyed the fruits of their labor. They continued to live in luxury, indifferent to the suffering of the people.

Thanks to his outstanding military achievements, he was finally granted power and began to govern a region. However, despite dedicating nearly half his life to this struggle, he still failed to address the fundamental chaos that plagued the country. He could even say he had no access to the imperial court, no role in its decision-making. He felt immensely helpless and frustrated, his efforts seemingly navigating the periphery, unable to reach the core of the problem. Yet, he refused to give up, still searching for opportunities to change the status quo, hoping one day to truly make a greater contribution to the country and its people.

All he could do now was to protect the country and its people, doing his utmost to defend the borders from foreign invasion. He waited patiently for an opportunity. Finally, the eunuchs and relatives of the emperor's wife fought for power, and the situation became increasingly chaotic. At this critical juncture, he was summoned to the central government.

As Li Ru spoke, he fell into deep thought, as if he had returned to the distant past. The scroll of memory slowly unfolded in his mind, and the changes and fierce battles of the past emerged one by one.

Li Ru stopped talking, looked at Ma Chao, and said slowly, "If my guess is correct, I think the general has guessed who I'm talking about. Yes, this person is the late Lord Dong."

As Ma Chao listened to Li Ru's story, he sensed a significant discrepancy between the Dong Zhuo he remembered and what he had in mind. He couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Wenyou, if Dong Zhuo had such ambitions for the country, how could so many things have happened?" Ma Chao frowned slightly, his eyes filled with confusion and thought. He remembered Dong Zhuo as a tyrannical, oppressive official, a stark contrast to the man Li Ru described as once ambitious and dedicated to his country and his people. He couldn't understand what had caused Dong Zhuo to undergo such a dramatic transformation. Was it the allure of power? Or was it the pressure of circumstances? Ma Chao desperately sought answers from Li Ru to unravel the mystery within him.

Li Ru chuckled softly, a laughter filled with complex emotions. It was unclear whether he was laughing at the fickleness of fate or the fickleness of human nature. He slightly restrained his smile and said slowly, "It is precisely the aristocratic families. This is what makes aristocratic families hateful. They control public opinion and always stand on the high ground of justice to condemn others. Admittedly, Mr. Dong has many shortcomings and criticisms, but in summary, the winners are the kings and the losers are the bandits. As they say, bloodlust, debauchery, violence, etc., if we succeed, then Mr. Dong will be a famous minister in history, just like Yi Yin and Huo Guang. Mr. Dong had great ambitions and wanted to change this chaotic world, but unfortunately he was blocked by the aristocratic families and ultimately ended up like this. Those aristocratic families, in order to protect their own interests, did not hesitate to distort the facts and portray Mr. Dong as an unforgivable person. They practice selfishness in the name of justice, which is truly despicable."