Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

After completing his mission, Li Su immediately returned to Luoyang to meet Dong Zhuo and reported the situation in detail. Dong Zhuo was overjoyed when he heard the news, and was so excited that he even rewarded Li Su.

Dong Zhuo called Li Ru to discuss again. He excitedly held Li Ru's hand and said happily: "Wenyou, you are so amazing, you are simply my Zi Fang. Your little trick not only helped me successfully solve the worries in my heart, but also doubled our strength. You alone are equivalent to a hundred thousand troops!" After hearing this, Li Ru just smiled implicitly and said nothing more.

Dong Zhuo calmed down and asked, "Wenyou, Lü Bu has come to surrender with the Bingzhou army. How should we receive him and appease him?" Li Ru pondered for a moment before replying, "My lord, you can lead all the civil and military officials to open the gates of Luoyang and receive him with great fanfare. This will demonstrate our respect and regard for Lü Bu and his generals, and will also show the civil and military officials who should be respected in Luoyang from now on."

Dong Zhuo's brows lit up when he heard this. He nodded repeatedly, saying, "That's exactly what should be done! This way, we can show all the ministers in the court that no one dares to become my enemy in the future."

Dong Zhuo was overwhelmed with excitement and immediately ordered his men to inform all the ministers. He then decisively promoted Li Su to a higher rank and ordered him to bring more lamb and fine wine to the Bingzhou camp as a token of welcome and reward for the Bingzhou troops. Dong Zhuo, on his part, dressed up meticulously, eagerly awaiting the gathering of civil and military officials, who would lead them in a grand reception in Luoyang City for the surrender of Lü Bu and his generals.

The towering, imposing gates of Luoyang slowly opened wide, like a gaping mouth about to devour something. The faces of the important officials in the court were as solemn as dark clouds, their eyes filled with a complex mixture of helplessness and worry. They were mercilessly driven like cattle and sheep by the Xiliang soldiers, passively lined up in crooked rows. Their hearts felt like countless lively rabbits, filled with anxiety.

"Alas, Lü Bu's arrival with the Bingzhou army is a blessing or a curse. With Dong Zhuo so arrogant, I'm afraid our future will be even more difficult," an old minister groaned inwardly, beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. "I don't know how this situation will develop. We can only leave it to fate. I hope it won't be too bad." Another minister was also in a state of panic, his hands trembling with nervousness.

Dong Zhuo, on the other hand, was in a completely different state from these important officials. He was clad in magnificent and solemn court robes, each thread gleaming with dignity, the delicate embroidery seeming to speak of his power. From head to toe, he exuded an air of self-satisfaction, like a proud rooster. A swaggering and unbridled smile graced his face, one filled with disdain for everything. One hand casually grasped the longsword at his waist, the other leisurely stroking his beard, a symbol of his pride, each strand gleaming with smugness. His slightly narrowed eyes betrayed a sense of control and confidence, like an emperor looking down upon all.

"Haha, Lü Bu's surrender has greatly increased our army's strength. Sooner or later, the world will be mine." Dong Zhuo was filled with ecstasy, his ambition reaching its peak. "These ministers must now obey me. Seeing them trembling with fear is truly ridiculous." He sat firmly in the magnificent carriage, adorned with gold and jade, like a moving palace. He awaited the arrival of Lü Bu and his companions with the air of a victor, as if he had already foreseen an even more glorious future. His heart was filled with anticipation and excitement for the grand spectacle to come, as if the entire world trembled beneath his feet.

The Xiliang generals, all in gleaming armor, stood erect on the other side of Dong Zhuo's carriage. Among them, only Ma Chao stood out. His armor was dazzling, and he sat quietly beside Dong Zhuo's carriage, wielding a spear.

Ma Chao's heart was swirling with endless turmoil, a bitter taste rising in its core. In the few short months since Dong Zhuo left Xiliang, he had rocketed from a general with limited influence on the border to a powerful official. He couldn't help but lament the rapid pace of change, and a complex wave of emotions welled up within him.

Although Dong Zhuo's courtesy remained as gracious as ever, seemingly unchanged, Ma Chao keenly sensed that, thanks to his immense power, Dong Zhuo was becoming increasingly agitated and domineering. Watching the Han dynasty endure so many trials, Ma Chao was filled with worry and frustration. Dong Zhuo, on the other hand, held little reverence or affection for the Han dynasty. His personal and clan interests were paramount, and his burgeoning selfishness seemed to be slowly eroding whatever lingering conscience Dong Zhuo might have once possessed. Ma Chao knew that if this continued, the situation would inevitably spiral out of control. This long-term trend was a grave omen, forcing the Han dynasty into a more dire state, and the people into even deeper suffering.

However, Dong Zhuo's kindness to Ma Chao was as great as a mountain, a debt that weighed heavily on his heart like a heavy yoke. On the one hand, he felt heartbroken and dissatisfied with Dong Zhuo's actions, but on the other, he couldn't let go of that profound debt. This plunged Ma Chao into a state of deep conflict and pain. Tormented by this contradiction, he could only sigh inwardly, thinking of slowly finding opportunities to persuade Dong Zhuo to change, even just a little. However, deep down, he felt a deep sense of powerlessness and uncertainty, unsure whether such a plan could truly be realized. Everything seemed so confusing and elusive.

In the distance, smoke and dust suddenly rose, and the rumble of horse hooves like thunder approached from afar. Upon hearing this sound, Ma Chao slowly put away his complicated thoughts, sat upright on his horse, and stared intently at the direction of the sound.

Dong Zhuo soon noticed Lü Bu and his men approaching. He was so excited that he could barely contain himself, not even caring about his appearance. He suddenly stood up, his hands trembling slightly. Lü Bu, Zhang Liao, and the other generals led the Bingzhou army, approaching like a whirlwind. Before they could even reach them, they hurriedly dismounted from their horses and prostrated themselves on the ground.

Dong Zhuo was utterly thrilled to be helped down from the carriage. He quickly stepped forward, extending both hands to support Lü Bu. Lü Bu raised his head, his eyes filled with sincerity and determination. With a slightly trembling voice, he said, "Lord Dong, today, Lü Bu and the Bingzhou army sincerely surrender. I am willing to serve you with all my might, even at the cost of my life! From now on, Lü Bu's life is yours. I will follow you to conquer the world and achieve unparalleled achievements!"

Dong Zhuo's joy was like a surging tide, unstoppable. A beaming smile washed over his face, and he exclaimed, "Ah, Fengxian, you're too kind! Having General Lu join us is like adding wings to a tiger! It's like a fish in water! This is truly a great opportunity bestowed upon me by Heaven!" He then eagerly beckoned Ma Chao. Dong Zhuo's face was filled with ecstasy. He held Lu Bu and Ma Chao tightly, one on each side, and exclaimed contentedly, "Haha, now that I have Mengqi and Fengxian by my side, there's no need to worry about failing to achieve my goals! With you two brave generals by my side, I can conquer the world! Hahahaha!" Dong Zhuo's heart was filled with joy. He felt his power had suddenly grown. With a peerless general like Lu Bu joining him, he felt he was one step closer to his goal of dominating the world.

Lü Bu's face lit with delight as he introduced the generals behind him to Dong Zhuo one by one. With each name, Lü Bu's gaze lingered on the general for a moment, a trace of solemnity in his eyes. Dong Zhuo, with a genial smile on his face, helped each of them to their feet, soothing them with gentle words. His movements were neither hurried nor slow, as if he feared a rough approach might frighten the generals. Dong Zhuo patted each general's shoulder affectionately, saying, "Well done, well done! You are all our brave generals." As a result, the tightly furrowed brows of the Bingzhou generals gradually relaxed, and the anxiety in their eyes slowly dissipated.

Dong Zhuo then hosted a banquet for the young generals in the palace's spacious and magnificent hall, laden with fine wine and delicious food. The important officials who served as spectators narrowed their eyes slightly, while others exchanged glances, their hearts etched with a sense of surprise. Observing Dong Zhuo's high-spirited demeanor and the high spirits of his generals, they silently pondered that Dong Zhuo's military might was now so formidable that no one in the land could possibly stand against him. It seemed that Dong Zhuo's vain attempt to establish another emperor was unstoppable. Their expressions grew solemn, and a complex mix of emotions welled up within them: worry, resignation, and deep anxiety about the future.