Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Ding Yuan had arrived with his impressive army, setting up camp outside Luoyang. This overwhelming force, like a dark cloud, brought unbearable psychological pressure and a deep shadow to the eunuch faction and Dong Zhong's forces at court. Dong Zhong, on his part, had been urging Dong Zhuo to hurry to the capital. He Jin, seizing the opportunity, solemnly recommended Ding Yuan to the court as the Prefect of the Guards.

The Ten Eunuchs, horrified, sensed He Jin's utter determination to exterminate them all. After some conspiracies, these treacherous and cunning men decided to take a risk and strike first. So, with ulterior motives, they flocked to Empress Dowager He, tearfully complaining and fabricating lies that He Jin was determined to put them to death. Empress Dowager He, foolish enough to naively believe there was still room for maneuver, anxiously summoned He Jin to the palace for a consultation.

Initially, He Jin was reluctant to enter the palace, but under Empress He's repeated urging, this incompetent He Jin foolishly believed that the Ten Attendants had already surrendered. His foolish nature was fully revealed, and he still entered the palace with an arrogant and domineering attitude.

After He Jin's departure, Yuan Shao, Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shu, and others, who had been slow to realize the dire situation, suddenly woke up. Furious, they quickly mobilized their troops and rushed to the palace to rescue He Jin. However, fate had a cruel twist of fate, and He Jin was brutally murdered by those ruthless eunuchs.

Upon hearing the news of He Jin's murder, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Yuan Shu, and others were overcome with grief and indignation, seething with rage. Without hesitation, they commanded their armies, surging like a tide towards the restricted area of ​​the city gates, engaging in a thrilling, life-or-death struggle with the eunuch clique. Throughout this fierce battle, they held a single unwavering resolve: to completely eradicate the eunuch clique, ridding the court of this immense cancer and venting their deep hatred. For a moment, the entire palace was plunged into chaos, with countless young eunuchs and palace maids brutally murdered.

Sensing the dire situation, the Ten Eunuchs were terrified. They, along with the Emperor, Empress Dowager He, Prince Liu Xie, Empress Dowager Dong, and other palace dignitaries, fled in panic. Alarmed by the deafening cries of battle within the palace, Lu Zhi quickly ordered Dian Wei to guard the gates. He then led Zhao Yun and the White Horse Volunteers to investigate the situation. Just then, they encountered the Ten Eunuchs leading the Emperor and his companions out of the palace, pursued by Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and their followers. Neither side seemed to truly care about the Emperor's safety. Desperate, Lu Zhi ordered the White Horse Volunteers, who had been waiting in ambush outside Luoyang City, to come and provide support. He then joined Zhao Yun and the remaining White Horse Volunteers in the eunuchs' protection of the Emperor.

In the palace, flames blazed, reaching the sky. The entire city of Luoyang was plunged into chaos. Ding Yuan, stationed outside the city, also noticed the sudden change. Ding Yuan's chief clerk, Lü Bu, rushed to report the situation and urgently requested that Ding Yuan send troops into the city to stabilize the situation.

However, Ding Yuan was extremely stubborn and pedantic. He insisted that no action should be taken without He Jin's explicit order. He ignored Lü Bu's proposal and even scolded him with a hint of contempt, saying, "State affairs are beyond the reach of a mere clerk like you!"

Upon hearing this, Lü Bu was filled with indignation, but faced with Ding Yuan's stubbornness, he was helpless. Lü Bu possessed a keen sense of war, perceiving the urgency and gravity of the situation. He understood that if the chaos in the city was not brought under control, the consequences would be disastrous. However, Ding Yuan's stubbornness prevented him from fully utilizing his talents, leaving Lü Bu filled with frustration and resentment.

Ding Yuan's stubbornness and his contempt for Lü Bu also hindered his ability to respond to and handle the situation. Lü Bu's keen perception contrasted sharply with Ding Yuan's dullness, further highlighting the contradictions and conflicts between the two.

Lü Bu returned to his residence indignantly and sank into a chair, his face full of anger and resentment. Zhang Liao followed him in and looked at him with concern.

Lü Bu angrily said, "Wenyuan, you're talking about Ding Yuan. Although he adopted me as his son, he doesn't trust me at all! I can see suspicion and dissatisfaction in his eyes! I have such extraordinary martial arts skills, but he won't let me lead the charge. Instead, he makes me serve as a clerk in this tent! Now that the situation in the capital is so critical, I went to make a suggestion, but he scolded me! In his eyes, I am not even an adopted son. I am just an insignificant person who can be summoned and dismissed at will!"

Zhang Liao frowned, pondering for a moment. Then, in a calm and reserved tone, he offered counsel, "Fengxian, Lord Ding is truly a loyal and patriotic man. Perhaps he's just a bit stubborn and pedantic at times. Unlike your passionate and radical personality, he prefers to play it safe. Don't hold onto too much resentment."

Lü Bu was furious after hearing Zhang Liao's words. He stood up abruptly, clenched his fists, and said through gritted teeth, "I risked my life for him, and he treats me like this! How can I swallow this rage?"

Zhang Liao sighed softly, a hint of resignation on his face. He looked at Lü Bu and continued, "Fengxian, you and I serve under him now, so we should prioritize the greater good. Lord Ding's actions may have their merits, and we should be more understanding. Besides, you and I possess talents, and there will always be a time to display them. Don't let a momentary anger ruin your bright future."

Lu Bu remained silent for a long time before he slowly said, "What Wenyuan said makes sense, but the frustration in my heart is really hard to dissipate."

Zhang Liao stepped forward, gently patted Lü Bu on the shoulder, and said soothingly, "Don't dwell on this any longer. I believe things will improve in the future."

--split line--

Under Dong Zhong's constant urging, Dong Zhuo anxiously led his army on a non-stop march. One day, just as they finally reached Mangshan and other areas outside Luoyang, Dong Zhuo saw from afar flames rising from the city. The raging flames seemed to burn through the entire sky, and thick smoke billowed into the air, shrouding the city in darkness and terror.

Dong Zhuo was terribly anxious upon seeing this. His rugged face was filled with anxiety and impatience, his wide eyes revealing his inner uneasiness. He kept waving his whip, urging the soldiers to speed up their march, as if every moment of delay would mean the wealth and glory that was about to be achieved would slip away from him.

Dong Zhuo was a man quite different from Ding Yuan. He possessed a bold and reckless spirit. Upon witnessing such a shattering event in the capital, his first reaction wasn't hesitation or retreat, but a decisive rush to enter the city. In his mind, the troops within the city were the cornerstone of his ambitions. No matter the difficulties and obstacles ahead, he would charge forward and stabilize the situation. At that moment, the coveted wealth seemed within reach, gleaming alluringly in the firelight, filling Dong Zhuo's heart with desire and impulsiveness. He couldn't wait to grasp it firmly.

Gongsun Xu was keenly aware of the unusual chaos in Luoyang City and quickly sent scouts to investigate. Unexpectedly, the scouts encountered the White Horse Volunteers sent by Lu Zhi, and both sides brought urgent and crucial news.

Gongsun Xu did not delay at all and immediately gave orders, leading the White Horse Volunteers to gallop towards Luoyang City.

Luoyang was in chaos. Generals like Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shu led their troops in pursuit of the eunuchs, while the Ten Eunuchs, along with the imperial court's nobles, fled the city in panic. Lu Zhi and Zhao Yun, determined to protect the emperor, joined the escort.

Meanwhile, outside the city, Dong Zhuo's army was on its way, nearing arrival. Meanwhile, the White Horse Volunteers, led by Gongsun Xu, were also galloping towards Luoyang. With the forces about to collide, the situation became increasingly tense and complex.