Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Dong Zhuo purged the aristocratic families one after another, like cutting leeks. Within days, Luoyang City was a river of blood. It seemed as if people dared not go out at night, and one could almost hear the silent weeping of the various aristocratic families. Under these circumstances, Ding Yuan's troops stationed outside Luoyang could no longer hold back. Finally, Ding Yuan felt heartbroken and a sense of crisis. Yuan Wei, Xun Shuang, and others once again sought out Ding Yuan for advice.

The three highest officials of the imperial court, the Grand Marshals Yuan Wei, Xun Shuang, and Zhang Wen, all held such high titles. When they met Ding Yuan, they bowed and cried out in agony, "Is Duke Jianyang truly willing to sacrifice the 400-year-old Han dynasty for his own selfish ambitions? Dong Zhong had previously shown some restraint in his efforts to eliminate dissidents, but allowing a Western Liang warrior to take control of government, slaughtering the aristocratic families and shedding blood, has shaken the very foundations of the Han. Now, everyone in Luoyang is in danger, and you, with your vast army at your disposal, remain silent. Are you simply going to watch him wreak havoc on the world?"

Ding Yuan's face was full of confusion. After returning the greetings, he led them to sit down. Ding Yuan said in a troubled tone, "It's not that I'm sitting there and watching. It's really that without the seal and military token, without the imperial edict and military token, how can I mobilize the troops?"

Xun Shuang said, "Duke Jianyang, if everyone behaves like you, the Han Dynasty will soon be destroyed. The Dong family has already become traitors to the country, not caring at all about the turmoil in the country. Let's just watch them wreak havoc on the world."

Ding Yuan hesitated for a long time, but finally made up his mind and said, "Since that's the case, I will obey your orders."

After hearing this, the three important ministers were very happy and excited, and then left together.

Ding Yuan then summoned his generals and issued military orders, ordering Gao Shun's Xianzhen Camp to deploy outside Luoyang. Zhang Liao was to prepare Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry for support, while the other generals were to secure the camp and await further instructions. Lü Bu was to accompany Ding Yuan to the imperial court.

Dong Zhuo had always been wary of the Bingzhou army outside the city. When the Bingzhou army showed signs of movement, Dong Zhuo sensed it and quickly summoned Li Ru to discuss countermeasures. Li Ru advised the generals to prepare for battle and, if a banquet was held, to secretly arrange for the execution of assassins. Dong Zhuo then planned to invite the generals, Ding Yuan, and other ministers to a banquet under the guise of reconciliation. During the banquet, he would raise the issue of enthroning Liu Xie as emperor. If they still refused to comply, he would resort to direct action at the banquet. By then, the enemy would be leaderless and less of a threat. With his position set, it would be up to Ding Yuan to confront him.

At the banquet, Dong Zhuo reiterated his old topic, beginning to discuss the possibility of establishing Liu Xie as emperor. The ministers remained silent, and the atmosphere became tense. He persistently questioned their stance. At this crucial moment, Ding Yuan resolutely stood up and confronted Dong Zhuo fearlessly, saying, "Dong Zhuo, are you attempting to emulate Wang Mang? The emperor is still in a state of confusion. We should act decisively to welcome him back, yet you dare to commit such a heinous act of treason." Dong Zhuo was immediately mortified and unable to step down. He shouted in rage, "Where are my men?" Immediately, Hua Xiong, one of his men, led a group of fierce swordsmen and axemen. Lü Bu showed no fear. He held his Fang Tian Hua Ji with awe-inspiring dignity, glaring at the crowd with wide-eyed fury. Hua Xiong, overwhelmed by Lü Bu's captivating presence, was so timid that he dared not move a muscle. Dong Zhuo, sensing Hua Xiong's cowardice, suppressed his surging anger. Ding Yuanze said firmly, "If you insist on committing such a heinous act, the only way to decide the outcome is on the battlefield."

Dong Zhuo was intimidated by Ding Yuan's momentum for a moment, and it was not easy for him to attack on the spot. He could only watch Ding Yuan and Lu Bu leave.

After the banquet, Dong Zhuoyue's anger grew, and he lashed out at Hua Xiong and the other generals. Hua Xiong, knowing he was at fault, could only humbly acquiesce. Li Ru, observing this, quickly tried to persuade him, "Lord, please calm down. In my opinion, the generals accompanying Ding Yuan are truly formidable. General Hua Xiong's behavior is probably due to fear; he's probably worried he might accidentally injure you during the fight."

Hua Xiong quickly echoed, "Yes, yes, that general looks very powerful. I know I am no match for him. My own death is a small matter, but I cannot let my lord take such a risk."

Dong Zhuo sat in the upper seat, stroking his beard, his eyes gleaming with thought as he said, "This Lü Bu's martial arts are indeed formidable. Among all our troops, I'm afraid only Ma Chao, who is suppressing the rebellion in Xiliang, can currently match him."

Li Ru nodded slightly and replied, "My lord, you are absolutely right. Ma Chao is a brave man and has made many military achievements in Xiliang. His bravery should not be underestimated."

Hua Xiong said, "Yes, my lord. Ma Chao is very famous in Xiliang. His fighting ability is also extremely astonishing. Perhaps he can really compete with Lu Bu."

Dong Zhuo frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "I just wonder how Ma Chao is doing in suppressing the rebellion in Xiliang."

Li Ru said, "My lord, please send someone to investigate and learn about Ma Chao's current situation to see if he can return from suppressing the rebellion as soon as possible."

Hua Xiong agreed, "Yes, my lord. If Ma Chao could return soon, perhaps Lü Bu would be intimidated, which would be of great benefit to our army."

Dong Zhuo nodded and said, "Alright, then we will quickly send someone to Xiliang to convey my concern and have Ma Chao quell the rebellion and return as soon as possible."

Li Ru bowed and said, "Yes, my lord." Then he began to arrange the relevant matters and sent a message to notify Ma Chao to come.

Ever since Dong Zhuo and Ding Yuan parted ways at the banquet, clashes and conflicts between Dong Zhuo and Ding Yuan's armies have flared up sporadically. The warriors of both sides, frequently engaged in border warfare with foreign tribes, were generally comparable in combat effectiveness. However, Dong Zhuo's army lacked top-tier commanders, putting them at a relative disadvantage. However, Dong Zhuo's army enjoyed a geographical advantage. While Ding Yuan's army was also capable, he hadn't fully mobilized his forces until Dong Zhuo deposed him. This led to Lü Bu's repeated requests for battle, but Ding Yuan's refusal to respond left Lü Bu feeling a surge of frustration. Dong Zhuo, on the other hand, had been suppressing his urge to fight since he had decided to invite Ma Chao. Since a battle offered no real benefit, all his hopes rested on Ma Chao's arrival.

Ever since Gongsun Xu and Zhao Yun led the fearless White Horse Volunteers, escorting Lu Zhi and the emperor on their escape, they had scarcely found peace. Along the way, they encountered obstacles and challenges from all sides, as the generals and garrisons everywhere were filled with confusion and bewilderment at their actions. In the popular imagination, how could an emperor willingly and proactively follow his ministers on this quest? And, logically, why would an emperor, unless coerced, abandon the immense temptations of his supreme position? Especially in this era where the divine right of kings was firmly established, Lu Zhi's act of leading the emperor on his escape was inconceivable to many generals, who believed he was coercing the emperor.

Gongsun Zan, Zhao Yun, and their White Horse Volunteers faced a difficult and arduous escape. At every checkpoint or garrison, they faced constant questioning and harassment. The generals looked at them with suspicion, their words expressing disapproval of their actions. Faced with this, Gongsun Zan could only patiently negotiate with the various commanders, attempting to explain the truth. However, these explanations fell flat in the minds of the commanders, whose suspicions and prejudices were not easily dispelled. Furthermore, those commanders close to the Dong family pursued them relentlessly, seemingly determined to capture them. In this predicament, even the White Horse Volunteers, despite their considerable combat power, were exhausted and overwhelmed by the relentless pursuit and entanglement. They had to remain vigilant and alert, constantly prepared for any possible danger or attack.

Originally, Lu Zhi and the emperor had hoped to leverage their status as emperor to get the governors of various regions to follow them and eventually subjugate them. However, the situations they encountered along the way did not give them any hope, and they eventually had to give up the idea.

In desperation, they had to follow the White Horse Volunteers to Youzhou where Gongsun Zan was, intending to make a long-term plan after arriving there.