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The next morning, the sound of war drums echoed outside Luoyang City. Someone hurried into Dong Zhuo's tent and reported, "Ding Yuan has brought his troops to the city outskirts to challenge us, boldly provoking you. Please make a quick decision, my lord!"
Dong Zhuo was leaning against his desk, his expression cold. Upon hearing this, he slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly. His face turned ashen as he gritted his teeth and said, "Ding Yuan, that old fool truly does not know when to quit! Li Ru, come with me to battle; I want to see just how capable he really is."
Before long, Dong Zhuo was fully armored and led his iron-clad troops out of the city to confront the enemy, facing Ding Yuan's forces across a stretch of desolate land. The banners of both armies fluttered in the wind, swords and spears glinting in the piercing morning sun, filling the battlefield with a palpable sense of bloodlust.
As the two armies formed their ranks, a figure suddenly rode out from Ding Yuan's side. He was tall and imposing, clad in bright armor that shone brilliantly. Wearing a golden crown with his hair tied back and donning a battle robe adorned with flowers, his armor gleamed as if brand new. A lion-skin belt cinched his waist, and in his hand was the Fangtian Halberd, glimmering coldly. The sound of his horse's hooves thundered like rolling thunder. As he appeared, it was as if a shooting star had streaked across the sky, capturing everyone's attention.
Dong Zhuo frowned slightly, feeling a twinge of apprehension but more so an insatiable greed. He gazed at Lü Bu's chiseled face and coldly remarked, "A fierce tiger, is it? If he can be used for my purposes, he would be a valuable talent; if he stands against me, then he must be eliminated swiftly."
Lü Bu rode forth on Red Hare to the front lines and swung his Fangtian Halberd, his voice booming like thunder: "Dong Zhuo! Do you still remember my adoptive father Ding Jianyang?"
Following this, Ding Yuan charged forward on horseback and pointed directly at Dong Zhuo, shouting angrily: "Dong Zhuo! The nation is in turmoil due to the eunuchs' usurpation of power; the common people are suffering greatly. Yet you, without any merit to your name, dare to speak of deposing the emperor and disrupting the court's affairs! What exactly are your intentions?"
Dong Zhuo looked at Ding Yuan with a glint of cold malice in his eyes. He sneered and rode a few steps closer, his voice sharp as a blade: "Ding Yuan! What right do you have to act so arrogantly before me? You are nothing but a decayed old man who can't even defend your own territory yet dares to challenge me, Dong Zhuo?!"
Furious, Ding Yuan turned back to Lü Bu and shouted: "Fengxian! Let this treacherous minister witness your strength today!"
Just as Dong Zhuo was about to retort against Ding Yuan, Lü Bu suddenly spurred his horse forward with his spear raised high like a fierce tiger pouncing on its prey. Red Hare galloped like lightning; in mere moments he closed in on Dong Zhuo's position. The Fangtian Halberd flashed menacingly as it came crashing down with devastating force.
"Protect the lord!" Dong Zhuo's guards cried out in alarm as they quickly raised their weapons to block Lü Bu's attack. However, Lü Bu effortlessly swept through them with his spear; several guards fell instantly to the ground, blood staining the earth beneath them. His gaze was icy and merciless, leaving Dong Zhuo drenched in sweat from fear.
Dong Zhuo hastily yanked on the reins and retreated on horseback while shouting urgently: "Fall back! Fall back!" Lü Bu relentlessly pursued him from behind; each swing of his spear claimed more lives, creating a scene that resembled hell itself.
" general Lu, do you dare to stand against me, Dong Zhuo?" Dong Zhuo turned and roared, though his tone betrayed a hint of fear.
"Dong Zhuo!" general Lu's voice rang out like a thunderclap, his spear pointed directly at Dong Zhuo's back. "How dare you flaunt your power in this world? Today marks your end!"
In a moment of crisis, Ding Yuan's army surged forward, arrows raining down like a storm. Dong Zhuo's soldiers screamed in agony as they fell one after another. Realizing the dire situation, Dong Zhuo urged his mount to retreat at full speed, desperately trying to carve out an escape route. His troops had already scattered in disarray, fleeing in groups and completely losing their will to fight.
After his victory, general Lu halted his horse and watched Dong Zhuo flee into the distance, a look of disdain in his eyes. "A coward who only knows how to run away dares to speak of power? What a joke!"
Dong Zhuo's army retreated thirty miles away, setting up camp in a state of utter disarray. Inside the tent, Dong Zhuo's face was ashen, his fingers drumming furiously on the table, his eyes filled with resentment. His voice was low and thunderous like rumbling earth: " general Lu... this arrogant fool dares to humiliate me! If I do not eliminate him, what face will I have left?"
Li Ru stood nearby, frowning slightly as he spoke in a deep voice. "My lord, general Lu's valor is indeed extraordinary. If we confront him head-on, it may not end well. It would be better to seek another strategy."
Dong Zhuo snorted coldly, his expression softening slightly as his gaze deepened. "Though general Lu is fierce, he has a fatal weakness. This man is driven by greed; if I can win him over to my side, how can I fear for the stability of the realm?"
The generals within the tent began to murmur among themselves, none daring to offer suggestions lightly. Just then, a man entered from outside the tent with an air of confidence. He clasped his fists in greeting and spoke with composure: "My lord need not worry. general Lu and I are from the same hometown; I know his character well. Though he is brave, he is shallow-minded and easily tempted. Just offer him a significant benefit, and he will betray his lord to come under your command."
Dong Zhuo looked at this man with a glimmer of expectation and skepticism in his eyes. "Oh? Are you truly confident that you can persuade this unruly tiger?"
The man smiled slightly, speaking with certainty: "Though general Lu is brave, he craves fame and fortune. With my silver tongue, I can surely make him willingly hand over Fangtian Halberd and bow before you."
Hearing this man's confident proposal, Dong Zhuo scrutinized him closely. The man was tall and looked capable, with an air of shrewdness about him. Dong Zhuo smiled faintly, his tone now laced with curiosity: "Who are you to boast that you can entice general Lu to betray his lord?"
The man clasped his fists again and replied boldly: "I am Li Su of the Tiger Ben Middle Command. Having long served in the military, I understand general Lu's nature well. He is unmatched in bravery but blinded by greed for wealth and fame. Just offer him something that stirs his heart, and he will surely betray Ding Yuan and come to serve you."
Hearing this, Dong Zhuo's eyes brightened slightly, though he still harbored some doubts. "Li Su, since you dare to propose such a grand scheme, tell me, how do you plan to win over Lü Bu?"
Li Su smiled faintly, his tone carrying a hint of certainty. "My lord, there is a prized steed under your command, named Red Hare. It can travel a thousand miles in a day, crossing rivers and climbing mountains as if they were flat ground. This horse is extraordinary, rare in the world. Coupled with golden jewelry as bait, and by appealing to his sense of loyalty and righteousness, Lü Bu will surely present you with the Fangtian Halberd and pledge his allegiance to you."
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo furrowed his brow slightly, seemingly reluctant. "Red Hare is a treasure I have cherished for many years; why should I give it away?"
Li Su clasped his hands together and replied, "My lord, while Red Hare is indeed precious, it is ultimately just a horse. If Lü Bu were to align himself with you, his martial prowess would be worth more than ten thousand troops. What joy would it not be to exchange one horse for a peerless general?"
Dong Zhuo remained hesitant and turned to Li Ru beside him, asking, "What do you think of this plan? Do you believe it is worthwhile?"
Li Ru's expression was calm as he slightly cupped his hands in respect. His tone carried a note of reassurance. "My lord, this is indeed a crucial moment that could determine the fate of the realm. Lü Bu's bravery surpasses all; if we gain his assistance, unifying the world will be within reach. A horse and some pearls are trivial compared to such a grand undertaking."
Dong Zhuo pondered for a moment before finally lifting his head and laughing heartily. "Well said! What is one horse worth? As long as it can bring Lü Bu to serve me, even a thousand gold pieces for this horse would be worth it!"
With a wave of his hand, he commanded boldly, "Bring forth my Red Hare! Also reward Li Su with one thousand taels of gold, dozens of pearl pearls, and a Jade Belt—give them all to him!"
Moments later, Red Hare was led before the tent. The horse was entirely crimson like fire, its mane shimmering with golden light. Its robust body exuded an imposing presence as it stood there lightly pawing the ground with its hooves, its gaze sharp as a sword.
Li Su looked at Red Hare with inner delight. He mounted the horse and tightened the reins before bowing to Dong Zhuo. "My lord need not worry; with this horse and the golden pearls and Jade Belt in hand, Lü Bu will surely abandon Ding Yuan and come to serve you!" With that, he spurred the horse and rode off, disappearing into the swirling sands of the desert.
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