Lu Bu: My wife comes from two thousand years later

Although Dong Zhuo was obsessed with the luxury of Luoyang, it did not mean that he was really stupid. After being reminded by Li Ru, he understood that these people were using the banner of attack to actually use Dong Zhongying to provoke a war so as to seize the opportunity to occupy territory and even use him to enhance their reputation.

Although most people have their own ulterior motives, there are also some ministers who truly want to support the Han Dynasty, such as Cao Mengde. Moreover, the other party is so powerful that they must be fought.

Dong Zhuo asked, "How should we deal with the current situation?"

Li Ru twirled his short beard and said, "Although the coalition forces are not united, they are powerful and have blocked Luoyang's transportation lines to the east, south, and north. Luoyang is running low on food, so this battle must be won quickly. The Xiliang and Bingzhou armies are brave and valiant. In my opinion, we can first launch a surprise attack to repel one of their routes. Furthermore, my lord should immediately send people to Liangzhou to win over Ma Teng and Han Sui to prevent them from cooperating with the coalition forces."

After Han Sui and others were repelled by Huangfu Song during their last attack on Chencang, the rebels in Liang Province began to fight for power and attack each other, and their power had weakened. Although Dong Zhuo was despised by scholars all over the world, these rebels in Liang Province did not care whether you were cruel or not. It was not difficult for Dong Zhuo to win them over as long as he rewarded them with official positions in the name of the court and gave them some benefits.

Dong Zhuo nodded and said, "Wen You's words make sense. I will send an envoy to Liang Province."

"As for the war, leave it to Fengxian to arrange!"

"Yes!" Lu Bu responded with a bow.

Dong Zhuo had great confidence in Lu Bu's military ability and loyalty. Logically, there should be no problem with him around, but Dong Zhuo always felt uneasy. As Li Ru said, Luoyang was short of food. If a quick victory could not be achieved, no matter how good Lu Bu was at fighting or how elite his army was, they would collapse without a fight.

After enjoying supreme power and a luxurious life, Dong Zhuo became increasingly afraid of death. He supported his large belly and slowly sat back on the couch. "To prevent any unexpected events, I think... how about moving the imperial capital to Chang'an?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the court officials who had been keeping their heads down in silence raised their heads, all with faces full of surprise and disbelief. How could the heroes scare Dong Zhuo like this just after they started their rebellion?

"Prime Minister, this is inappropriate!"

"Moving the capital would undermine the very foundation of the Han Dynasty. This is absolutely unacceptable! I hope the Prime Minister will think twice before acting!"

Dong Zhuo snorted coldly, "Why not? Luoyang is under attack from three sides, with numerous checkpoints and barriers, which has dispersed our forces. Furthermore, there are rebel forces at work behind the scenes. Chang'an, on the other hand, is different. As long as we hold Huayin, the rebels will have no chance of advancing. Furthermore, Chang'an is the capital of the Han Dynasty. Why not make it our capital?"

As Dong Zhuo spoke, he felt more and more that this idea he had just had was a good one. He continued, "Luoyang's importance lies in the emperor, the nobles, the wealth, and the large population. If we move all of these away and then burn the city, it will be completely destroyed. It will also lose its connection to Guandong and the Central Plains. Even if the coalition forces invade, what will be the point?"

"Prime Minister, it is winter now. The people in Luoyang are already short of food and clothing. How can they travel thousands of miles to Chang'an? Moreover, you have no food to provide for the people. I don't know how many people will starve to death or freeze to death on the way. The ancestral temples and imperial tombs are all here. Moving the capital is absolutely not an option. Please think twice before doing so, Prime Minister." Wang Yun bowed and said.

Li Ru was also confused by Dong Zhuo's sudden idea. Moving the capital would be of great benefit in military terms, but it would be extremely inappropriate politically. At least moving the capital at this time would be extremely inappropriate.

Li Ru had been following Dong Zhuo for some time and had a very good understanding of his lord's personality and preferences. It was useless to talk to him about the long and difficult journey and the lives of the people. If Dong Zhuo had taken these things into consideration, he would not have done such an outrageous thing.

"Moving the capital is no easy task. If you rush to move before those people from Guandong have gathered, you'll inevitably be ridiculed. You're afraid. In my opinion, we should wait and see. If the war goes smoothly, there's no need to mobilize so many troops."

Dong Zhuo thought about it and it seemed to make sense. If he ran away before the battle even started, it would be too much of a disgrace to the Xiliang army. He nodded and said, "Let's follow Wen You's advice and fight a couple of battles first. However, we still need to prepare for the relocation of the capital."

Dong Zhuo stretched himself and was about to dismiss the court when he suddenly remembered something and asked, "Did that brat Yuan Shao appoint himself General of Chariots and Cavalry?"

Li Ru replied, "Exactly!"

Dong Zhuo frowned and said to Liu Xie, who was sitting above him, "Fengxian was ordered to suppress the rebellion and protect the capital. How could his official position be lower than that traitor Yuan Shao? Your Majesty, please appoint Fengxian as the General of the Cavalry."

Li Ru couldn't help but look sideways when he heard this. "Promoting him before the battle even begins, the lord really dotes on Lü Bu!" The other princes and ministers looked dissatisfied. Did Dong Zhuo really think the court belonged to him? He could confer whatever titles he wanted. Back then, the Marquis of Guanjun was awarded the title of General of the Cavalry for conquering Qilian and occupying Hexi. Why did Lü Bu get that title?

Liu Xie thought of his brother who had been poisoned not long ago. How could he dare to oppose Dong Zhuo's words? He said timidly, "I, I will follow the words of the Prime Minister!"

The rank of General of the Cavalry is the highest military rank after the General, and Lu Bu couldn't help but be tempted. However, this position is only a temporary honor and might be lost soon, so it's better not to accept it.

He bowed and said, "I have not accomplished anything, so I dare not accept the title of General of the Cavalry. Please revoke your order, Your Majesty!"

Lu Bu's humble attitude made the ministers quite satisfied. Although Lu Bu was Dong Zhuo's son-in-law, his behavior was completely different from Dong Zhuo. He was a reasonable man. After Dong Zhuo's death, if this man took charge of the army, everyone's situation would definitely be much better than it is now.

Dong Zhuo said, "The traitor Yuan Shao dared to appoint himself General of Chariots and Cavalry. You were personally appointed by His Majesty, so why wouldn't you accept it? Just accept it."

Dong Zhuo was firm in his attitude, and Lu Bu was too lazy to refuse any longer, so he accepted the military position. At this point, everything that needed to be said in today's court meeting had been said. Dong Zhuo ordered Li Ru to temporarily serve as Lu Bu's military advisor and announced the adjournment of the court.

Dong Zhuo suddenly brought up the issue of moving the capital, and also based the final decision on whether to move the capital on the success of the war. He also appointed Lu Bu as the General of Cavalry in advance, which was tantamount to putting pressure on Lu Bu in disguise. He arranged Li Ru to be the military advisor. Although the original intention was to help Lu Bu, he also installed surveillance cameras around him.

Li Ru is not someone who can be easily fooled. Lu Bu had originally planned to use the hands of the princes in Guandong to clean up Dong Zhuo's old subordinates in Xiliang, but now with Li Ru here, it is really troublesome!

After leaving the palace, Lu Bu went to the prince's mansion to find Zhang Mo, and the two of them came to Jia Xu's residence together.

The cold wind was howling outside. Jia Xu, who was hiding in the house and warming himself by the fire, received a report from his servant and hurriedly put on his cloak and came out to greet them.

"I didn't know that the General of the Cavalry was coming. I'm sorry for not welcoming you. Please forgive me!"

Jia Xu was short and fat, and in winter, he wore thick clothes, making him look like a ball. Seeing his neck tucked in like a turtle, Lu Bu smiled and said, "Sir, you are well-informed."

Jia Xu put his hands in his sleeves and breathed out cold air, saying, "Since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, there have been very few people who have held this position. Although the rank is lower than that of a general, the title of cavalry is more glorious than that of a general."

He looked at Zhang Mo and said, "This young lady must be the general's newly-married wife, the daughter of Situ Wang?"

"Exactly!" Lu Bu introduced. "Last time I told you, she was the one who helped me with the aftermath work in Xihe County."

Zhang Mo bowed and saluted, "I've long heard of your name, sir. Nice to meet you!"

Jia Xu returned the greeting and asked curiously, "What kind of fame do I have? Speaking of fame, the story of the young lady and the general has spread almost throughout Luoyang these days."

Zhang Mo wondered, "What story?"

Jia Xu's eyes flickered between Lu Bu and the other man, a smile on his face full of meaning. Lu Bu whispered, "On the day of our engagement, when we were in your room..."

Zhang Mo explained with some embarrassment, "That's not..."

"It's nothing?" Jia Xu interrupted her, "Young lady, it's better for you to keep silent about that from now on!"

Zhang Mo reacted and quickly bowed, "Sir, you are right, I will remember it."

Jia Xu nodded slightly, and couldn't help but look at her twice more, sighing, "Situ Wang has given birth to a good daughter!"

After saying this, he turned and walked into the house. Lu Bu and the other two followed him in, and the three of them took their seats as host and guest.

"General, what do you want to ask today?" Jia Xu warmed his hands on the stove and signaled the servants to make tea.

Lü Bu had many questions to ask, but he came today to keep Jia Xu, his intellectual bank, close at hand, rather than withdrawing from it only when needed. He bowed and asked, "Nothing special, I just want to ask, sir, since you're willing to offer me advice, why haven't you pledged your loyalty to me yet?"