Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Dong Zhuo had long been aware of Han Sui's collusion with the Eastern Qiang in a rebellion. Despite the distance between Longxi County and Han Sui's Jincheng County, they had actually interacted and crossed paths years earlier. Dong Zhuo was well aware of the importance of Wuwei as a strategic location. He had long experienced the capriciousness of Han Sui and his followers. It could even be said that his early rise to power was due to suppressing their rebellion and the unrest of the Qiang people.

In those turbulent times, news spread like wildfire. Upon learning of the rebellion, Dong Zhuo was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. He recalled the days of battle with Han Sui and his men, the cries of battle still ringing in his ears. The distance between Longxi and Jincheng Commanderies did not prevent the rebellion's spread.

Dong Zhuo's mind reeled from the events of several years ago. His encounters and dealings with Han Sui and his men had given him a deeper understanding of their character and tactics. Han Sui and his men's capriciousness, like the unpredictable winds and clouds, made Dong Zhuo realize the thorny nature of this rebellion.

Wuwei County held a crucial strategic position, a crucial link between east and west, controlling vital transportation routes and resources. Dong Zhuo understood that if Han Sui and his men captured Wuwei, it would have a profound impact on the overall situation. His own early career was closely tied to suppressing these rebellions and the unrest among the Western Qiang. Those bloody days of battle, those desperate clashes with the enemy, became an indelible part of his memory.

Now, facing the renewed rebellion of Han Sui and his allies, Dong Zhuo knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down. He must be fully prepared to face this impending challenge. At the same time, he was secretly calculating how to capitalize on this opportunity to further consolidate his power and position. In this era of intrigue and war, every decision could affect the future, and Dong Zhuo must act with caution to maintain his footing amidst this turmoil.

Dong Zhuo summoned his sons-in-law Li Ru and Niu Fu, along with generals Zhang Ji, Guo Si, and Li Jue, for a meeting. Li Ru was the first to conduct a detailed analysis of the situation at court. He noted that after Emperor Ling's death, Empress Dowager Dong and Dong Cheng had been key supporters of Dong Zhuo within the court. Their attempt to orchestrate a coup to support Liu Xie's ascension to the throne had unfortunately failed, indirectly impacting the Dong family's interests. Meanwhile, the rebellion of Han Sui and his allies presented an ideal opportunity to capitalize on the situation. Seizing this opportunity, they could expand their military forces in the local areas. As their presence in the regions grew stronger and their command of a significant force strengthened, Empress Dowager Dong and Dong Cheng would secure a firmer foothold in the political center.

Dong Zhuo deeply agreed with this. He understood that the relationship between him, Queen Mother Dong, and Dong Cheng, at both the local and imperial levels, was inherently interconnected and interdependent. The more stable their position in the court, the more political resources Dong Zhuo could access. When they were in a weak position, or showed signs of weakness, Dong Zhuo could only lie dormant for a while. After all, there were so many soldiers and horses in the world that he could not dominate alone. Conversely, the more stable Dong Zhuo was in the local area and the stronger his military power, the greater his say in the central government. These people completely adhered to the concept of aristocratic families. For them, family interests were above all else, far surpassing the so-called family and country feelings.

Li Ru advised Dong Zhuo that the current turmoil among the Han rebels was an opportune time to expand his power. The Western Liang cavalry, renowned for their might, were renowned far and wide. If we could unify the entire territory of Western Liang now, then in the future, when the cavalry were on the move, should the situation at court change, and the power controlled by the aristocratic families led by He Jin, the Empress Dowager, and the eunuchs, shift, we could lead the Western Liang cavalry down upon the tide. Once we had passed Hangu Pass, we could sweep across Chang'an and Luoyang. With our mighty force, we would naturally be able to seize control of the world.

After listening to Li Ru's advice, Dong Zhuo frowned slightly and said, "What Wen You said is very much in line with my opinion! But now that Han Sui has rebelled, what should we do?"

Li Ru offered Dong Zhuo a suggestion, "My lord, first, we must intensify our military preparations, expand our forces, and train our generals to be fully prepared for the expedition. Second, we must significantly strengthen our armaments, forge weapons, and stockpile rations. Given the court's current situation, if we expect them to gather armaments and march together, Han Sui would have already cornered Ma Teng. Third, we must closely monitor the court's developments. As soon as an order arrives, we can lead our troops to attack immediately. We must act with swiftness and take Han Sui and the other rebels by surprise. Fourth, we can contact the Western Qiang tribes and have them divert Han Sui from Jincheng, distracting him from the battle. We can even send the Western Qiang north to threaten Jiuquan, Zhangye, and other prefectures, causing unrest in the alliance of the Eight Tribes of Western Liang."

Dong Zhuo stroked his beard and laughed, saying, "Hahahaha, I have Wenyou, and my heart is as steady as a rock!"

Dong Zhuo, puzzled by Li Ru's words, asked Jia Xu and Li Ru, "Ma Teng is a very arrogant man. I've rescued him now, but I'm afraid he won't be of any use to me." Li Ru smiled and replied, "My lord, you can contact Ma Teng first and have him coordinate internal and external forces to defeat the enemy. Ma Teng is like an ant on a hot pot, surrounded on all sides. If anyone comes to rescue him, he'll cling to it like a lifeline. Our army only needs to attack Han Sui and the other eight tribes of Western Liang. If the Eastern Qiang attack, let Han Sui handle it, and Ma Teng will naturally resist. The Eastern Qiang are a powerful force, and their people are fierce. I suspect Ma Teng's territory is only the Wuwei County, so how many troops can he have? Even if he manages to defeat them, he will be severely weakened and can only survive. If he doesn't rely on you, he won't be able to cause any trouble."

Li Ru continued with a vicious look on his face, "Even if he refuses to surrender to us, wouldn't it be easy for us to deal with him? Even if we let him continue to grow, how long will it take him to recover? He is just a small general guarding a strategic point. Since he has his heart set on the Han Dynasty, we have an opportunity to take advantage of him. With him at our rear, we don't have to worry about unrest from the Qiang people. Even if he grows, if he can't resist, he will still ask us for help. His power cannot grow, and he will always rely on others to rescue him. Why should we care about him?"

Dong Zhuo finally felt relieved and turned his attention to his generals. These generals were all warriors from Xiliang. They were brave and fearless in battle, but they were truly incomprehensible when it came to plotting and scheming. Dong Zhuo looked at the group of people before him and could only make reasonable arrangements based on their talents.

Dong Zhuo sat majestically at the head of the table, his face solemn as he began to arrange various matters. He shouted, "Everyone, listen! Xu Rong possesses the demeanor of a great general, a calm and experienced commander, and possesses exceptional talent in military training. I order him to rapidly recruit new soldiers and intensify rigorous training. We must ensure that our army's combat effectiveness reaches a new level."

Hearing Dong Zhuo's order, Xu Rong stood up solemnly, clasped his fists, and said, "I will obey your orders and do my utmost to fulfill my mission!"

Dong Zhuo nodded slightly and continued, "Generals Guo Si, Li Jue, Zhang Ji, and others, carefully select from among our existing troops those who are fearless, immensely strong, and tall. They will form our elite division, the Flying Bear Army. This army will serve as our trump card, capable of playing a decisive role at critical moments."

Upon hearing this, Guo Si, Li Jue, Zhang Ji, and other generals' eyes sparkled with excitement. They responded in unison, "We will go all out, carefully select, and form this Flying Bear Army!"

Dong Zhuo then said solemnly, "Niu Fu will be responsible for coordinating the preparation of military rations and the arrangement of military equipment. We must ensure that the supply of materials is sufficient and the military equipment is complete and sophisticated. There must not be any negligence!"

Niu Fu stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Please rest assured, my lord. I will do my best to ensure that all supplies are properly prepared!"

Finally, Dong Zhuo turned his gaze to Li Su and spoke earnestly, "Li Su, you must immediately travel to Western Qiang with abundant treasures and persuade the King of Western Qiang to ally with us and request that he send troops to contain Han Sui and other rebellious generals. This matter is of grave importance. You must proceed with caution and achieve your goal!"

Li Su accepted the order with a serious expression and said, "I will definitely fulfill my mission and do my best to complete the task entrusted by my lord!"

All the generals present felt Dong Zhuo's determination and courage, and they all expressed their willingness to cooperate closely and fulfill their respective responsibilities. For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was solemn and filled with high morale.

Indeed, there is no doubt that Dong Zhuo and Li Ru possessed considerable insight and judgment in observing and analyzing the situation at court. Through their thorough understanding and in-depth analysis of all aspects of the situation, they had a high degree of confidence and certainty regarding whether the court would dispatch their troops.