Watching Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, eager to flex their muscles, Chen Xi stroked his chin, knowing he needed to refine his plan further. After all, within the coalition of the Eighteen Feudal Lords against Dong Zhuo, there were too many benefits to reap: some could gain fame, some could profit, and some could gain both fame and fortune—all of which were extremely important!
February of the year 190 in the Common Era was still very cold, and even sitting with a brazier, Chen Xi was slightly shivering, completely incomparable to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, whose physical qualities and vigor were such that they probably could withstand even Siberian climates. To a certain extent, they were no longer merely human.
Soon, roast meat and meals were served, and performances of music and dance began. After feasting and enjoying the entertainment, under the leadership of Yuan Benchu, they began discussing how to deal with Dong Zhuo, with most believing that this campaign against Dong Zhuo was destined for victory!
First, Cao Cao proposed splitting the troops into five routes: one to attack Sishui Pass, another to feign an attack on Hulao to draw attention, a third to circle around Luoyang and strike from the rear, another to sever the route between Hangu Pass and Luoyang, thwarting Dong Zhuo's hopes for reinforcements from his hometown, and the final route to cut off the retreat path through Xingyang.
To be honest, this proposal could maximize the coalition army's advantage in numbers and generals; if well-coordinated, even if it didn't result in Dong Zhuo's death, it could inflict severe damage. Regrettably, the proposal was rejected.
Yuan Shao suggested confronting Dong Zhuo head-on, without any subterfuge, to simply roll over him at Hulao Pass and crush him to death.
Well, in Chen Xi's view, Yuan Benchu's proposal was also not bad. If everyone put in their utmost effort, this plan was more direct, more effective, and simpler than Cao Cao's plan. It showed that at that time, Yuan Shao wasn't incompetent. After a little consideration, everyone agreed to this proposal.
In Chen Xi's opinion, Yuan Shao's strategy was purely to use his power to overwhelm others, but it was very effective since he held the initiative. He wanted to fight a decisive battle at Hulao Pass, so Dong Zhuo had no choice but to confront him there. Concentrating his efforts on a single battle was a sound strategy.
Regrettably, Yuan Shao underestimated these people's selfish motives, or perhaps he intentionally indulged their selfishness, allowing them to waste away under Hulao. Those who died were not his men, and it was his future enemies who were being weakened.
For Yuan Shao, this was advantageous and simple: if they were defeated, it would be because they didn't give it their all. With their superior numbers and generals, victory was certain if they were fully committed—this was recognized by all. If they won, the tale would spread far and wide, surely extolling Yuan Benchu's commanding skills. Whether in victory or defeat, he would incur no losses, only increasing his advantage—by any measure, it was a sound strategy.
With stomachs full and the general strategy determined, Sun Jian also accepted the position of the vanguard to scout ahead since the identity of the guard general at Sishui Pass was still unclear at this time. The other lords casually proceeded towards Hulao Pass; the principle of "Divine Speed" did not apply to this battle.
Meanwhile, in Luoyang City, Dong Zhuo had received the news. After a bout of scolding and quelling the commotion in his residence, he gathered his generals, preparing to give those troublemakers from the East a severe beating.
Inside Luoyang City, Dong Zhuo sat loftily on his couch, surveying his valiant generals, feeling reassured. "Rats from the East have mustered an army of five hundred thousand to punish my household. I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter."
One subordinate stepped forward; his hair bound in a Golden Crown, draped in the Hundred Flowers Battle Robe, armored in Tang Niju Armor, and girded with the Lion Barbarian Treasure Belt. His sharply contoured cheeks exuded an air of contempt for the world—it was the Flying General, Lyu Bu.
The undisputed top military general of the Three Kingdoms Period, usually the target of a beating by multiple opponents, but regardless of how many faced him, they could only drive him back—the strongest of the era, the peak of martial force in the Three Kingdoms.
"I wish to alleviate Father's concerns. To me, the Eastern lords are mere mice, and I am willing to lead thirty thousand elite cavalry to shatter these vermin for Father!"
"You truly are my admirable son, Fengxian!" Dong Zhuo laughed heartily, his satisfaction with this son was immense. He remembered the time in Luoyang when Ding Yuan, relying on Lyu Bu, nearly managed to kill him.
Lyu Bu alone broke through the defenses arranged by ten thousand of his men, and if it hadn't been for his generals' desperate efforts, along with his own capabilities, he could have kneeled right then and there. Even so, Hua Xiong, Guo Si, Li Que, Pan Chou, Zhang Ji, and Zhang Xiu together nearly lost one or two of their ranks to Lyu Bu that day.
Hua Xiong had previously been known as the brave general of Xiliang, Zhang Xiu was young and fierce, and the others all had their own skills, but even they nearly met their end at Lyu Bu's hands, which clearly demonstrates Lyu Bu's ferocity.
Just as Dong Zhuo was about to order Lyu Bu to put an end to the rats of Guandong, someone stepped forward from behind Lyu Bu, "Why use a cleaver to kill a chicken? These mere Guandong rats, I am willing to go and ensure they are utterly defeated!"
"Good, good, good, with such valiant generals, why should I concern myself with Guandong's petty rodents? Hua Xiong, heed my command."
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I command you as the vanguard, lead fifty thousand infantry and cavalry to Sishui Pass to hold firm, and be vigilant against the potential sneak attacks of those Guandong rodents."
"Your subordinate obeys the command!"
"Xu Rong, heed my command."
"Your subordinate is here!"
"I command you to lead fifty thousand troops to fortify Hulao, you must not fail."
"Understood." Xu Rong responded with a resolute expression.
"Pan Chou, Zhang Ji, I command you both to lead a hundred thousand foot soldiers to guard the strategic locations around Luoyang City!" "Understood!"
"Li Que, Guo Si, the two of you are to lead fifty thousand infantry and cavalry to hold Hangu Pass. If Hann Sui dares to make any treacherous moves, execute him immediately!" "Understood!"
"The rest of you inspect the movements within Luoyang. If anyone dares to conduct clandestine communications with those Guandong rats, execute them without mercy!" All the generals consented.
It must be said that at this time, Dong Zhuo still possessed some abilities, but unfortunately, after returning to Chang'an and with the natural barrier of Hangu, Dong Zhuo completely decayed,
There was no helping it; as the old saying goes, "Wine is a gut-piercing poison, lust is a bone-scraping steel knife, wealth is a downhill charging tiger, and conceit is the root of calamity"; back in Chang'an, Dong Zhuo indulged in all four, leading to his downfall. It can only be said that comfort leads to decay, and in the absence of ambition and determination, one can only become a stepping stone for others in this chaotic world.
After the assembly of the Feudal Lords ended, they each returned to their respective camps. Liu Bei's camp was naturally close to that of Gongsun Zan, but unlike before, it was no longer subordinate to Gongsun Zan. Instead, it stood independently, recognized as one of the smaller Feudal Lords, receiving scheduled distributions of provisions.
When Liu Bei returned from his talk with Gongsun Zan, Chen Xi, along with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, were discussing future events. However, it was clearly Chen Xi doing the instructing, while Guan Yu and Zhang Fei could only sit and listen.
"Thank you, sir, for your recent assistance. I have no way to repay you." Liu Bei walked straight into the tent toward Chen Xi and bowed deeply.
Unlike the sluggishness of Guan and Zhang, Liu Bei was well aware of the significance of his seat among today's ranks, being mixed among the lords. Before arriving, he had barely dared to dream of joining their ranks, but now he had done so effortlessly, engaging in joyous conversation with Tao Qian and Kong Rong.
When could he, Liu Bei, ever mingle and boast among a group of Border Officials, something he would not have dared to even dream of in the past? Despite having the ambition, his humble birth left an indelible mark of inferiority deep in his heart.