Chapter Nineteen: Dong Zhuo Seizes Luoyang

“Useless.” Dong Zhuo looked at Liu Bian with disdain flashing in his eyes. “Wen You, what do you think about me enthroning the King of Chenliu as the emperor?”

As he spoke, a thought crossed his mind.

Although he disliked anyone surnamed Liu, Liu Xie was incomparably better than Liu Bian.

Li Ru, courtesy name Wen You, was Dong Zhuo’s son-in-law, a man of strategy who had greatly aided Dong Zhuo in achieving success in Liangzhou.

“My lord, this is an excellent plan,” Li Ru said after careful consideration, his eyes brightening. “I have heard that the late emperor favored the King of Chenliu and wished to enthrone him, but illness prevented him from fulfilling this, and the powerful minister He Jin beat him to it. Now that you intend to enthrone the King of Chenliu, it is a return to the rightful order, and naturally, the people will follow.”

Dong Zhuo replied, “Wen You, you speak to my heart. But first, I must secure Luo Ang’s allegiance.”

Jinyang, the Governor’s Office.

At this moment, Xi Zhicai had arrived in Jinyang and was working alongside Luo Ang and others to transform Bingzhou into a prosperous, economically strong region like Youzhou.

“Lord, the economy of Bingzhou now matches that of Youzhou!” Xi Zhicai reported.

Luo Ang nodded. “Excellent. This way, the people will have food to eat, and the children will have books to read.”

“I have already posted recruitment notices for talents throughout Bingzhou. Now, we only await those who will come to join us,” Xi Zhicai added.

“Thank you for your hard work, Zhicai,” Luo Ang said.

“For the great cause of our lord, it’s nothing,” Xi Zhicai replied.

Just then, a servant entered, clasped his fists, and said, “My lord, Dong Zhuo has sent someone.”

Lü Bu stood up angrily. “My lord, allow me to kill the messenger and then lead our army into Luoyang to slay Dong Zhuo and avenge my foster father.”

Luo Ang stopped him. “Let us hear what he has to say first before making a decision.”

“Yes,” Lü Bu agreed.

Luo Ang turned to the servant. “Bring him in.”

“Yes.” The servant complied.

Soon, Dong Zhuo’s envoy entered.

Luo Ang asked, “What is the purpose of your visit from Dong Zhuo?”

The envoy said, “By the order of my lord, I have come to request the allegiance of the Marquis of Yan.”

Lü Bu stood again, furious. “Tell him we refuse to surrender to Dong Zhuo.”

“Fengxian, please sit,” Luo Ang said.

Lü Bu reluctantly sat down.

Luo Ang continued, “Do you have any proof to persuade me to surrender to Dong Zhuo?”

The envoy produced a letter written by Li Ru to Luo Ang, offering surrender, and handed it to a nearby attendant.

The attendant received it and passed it to Luo Ang.

Luo Ang carefully read the letter and then said, “You may leave now. I will discuss this matter with my subordinates.”

The envoy withdrew.

Luo Ang asked his men, “What do you think? Should I surrender to Dong Zhuo or not?”

Lü Bu, Gao Shun, and Zhang Liao clasped their fists. “My lord, do not surrender to Dong Zhuo!”

Xi Zhicai said, “Generals, please be patient. I understand your grief, but now is not the time for revenge.”

Gao Shun asked, “Why do you say that, strategist?”

Xi Zhicai explained, “Our forces are no match for Dong Zhuo’s at present. Moreover, Dong Zhuo controls the troops in Luoyang and wields the court’s authority. If we surrender temporarily, we can train our soldiers and wait for the other lords to raise armies against Dong Zhuo. Then we can strike.”

Dong Yuan remained silent, clutching her clothes tightly.

Seeing her silence, Luo Ang said gently, “Let us pause here for today and continue tomorrow.”

“Agreed.” Everyone stood and left.

Luo Ang approached Dong Yuan. “Yuan, I understand how you feel.”

At that moment, Dong Yuan embraced Luo Ang and began to weep.

Seeing her sorrow, Luo Ang said, “Alright, I promise you. Please don’t cry.”

Dong Yuan lifted her tear-filled eyes and choked out, “Why must you fight against my father?”

Luo Ang understood her attachment to her father. “Because your father is tyrannical, cruel, and merciless. Since he took power, there has been no peace. Now in Luoyang, his soldiers ravage the land, abduct women, and burn and pillage—it is truly an outrage to both gods and men.”

Tears in her voice, Dong Yuan said, “You could choose not to fight him.”

Luo Ang replied, “Even if I do not, the other lords will.”

Dong Yuan sobbed, “If they will fight your father, please don’t. After all, you promised to be my husband.”

Luo Ang recalled his promise and said, “Very well. I promise you.”

The next morning, Luo Ang gathered Xi Zhicai and others to discuss whether to surrender to Dong Zhuo.

Lü Bu said, “My lord, we must not surrender! To do so would bring eternal infamy!”

Xi Zhicai said calmly, “General Lü, I understand your anger, but please hear me out.”

“Speak, strategist,” Lü Bu replied.

Xi Zhicai asked, “Did your foster father say anything to you before he died?”

Lü Bu answered honestly, “He told me not to seek revenge.”

Xi Zhicai said, “If so, why do you insist on it?”

Lü Bu said, “Filial piety is the foundation of all under heaven. As Ding Yuan’s adopted son, I must avenge him!”

Xi Zhicai pressed, “You know filial piety is paramount and wish to avenge your foster father, but you must also remember his final words not to take revenge. Have you forgotten?”

Lü Bu lowered his head in silence.

Xi Zhicai continued, “We are responsible for defending Bingzhou and Youzhou against the Qiang, Xiongnu, and Wuhuan tribes. Our goal is twofold: to reclaim the nomadic peoples on the steppes and to observe the situation from afar to see what we might gain. Fengxian, I have something to tell you—though I’m unsure if I should.”

“Please, strategist,” Lü Bu said.

“Did your foster father leave any other instructions?” Xi Zhicai asked.

“He only said not to seek revenge,” Lü Bu replied.

Xi Zhicai said, “Then why be so stubborn? If you insist on revenge, we will not stop you.”

Lü Bu fell silent.

Xi Zhicai said, “Fengxian, I know you want to avenge your foster father, but since he asked you not to, I urge you to reconsider.”

Lü Bu’s inner turmoil subsided, and he said, “Your words have enlightened me. From now on, I will obey the lord’s commands.”

Xi Zhicai said, “Since that is settled, we shall feign submission to Dong Zhuo. Once he is dead, we will seize Luoyang and other territories. To the west, we will take Xiliang; to the south, Jingzhou. This will lay the foundation for the lord to unify the realm.”

Luo Ang nodded. “Zhicai’s words echo my own thoughts. I will personally go to Luoyang to convey this.”

Zhang He clasped his fists. “My lord, you must not go to Luoyang!”

Wei Xu also clasped his fists. “Yes, my lord, please do not go!”

Luo Ang raised his hand. “My mind is made up. No more persuasion.”

Seeing his resolve, the others fell silent.

In the afternoon, Luo Ang went to the guest quarters where Dong Zhuo’s envoy was staying to inform him of their decision.

“I have discussed with my subordinates, and we are willing to submit to Dong Zhuo. However, I must emphasize one thing.”

The envoy smiled broadly. “Whatever the Marquis of Yan requests, my lord will surely agree.”

“If Dong Zhuo truly intends to enthrone the King of Chenliu, he must not harm the Empress Dowager or the current emperor. If he does, I will lead a campaign against him.”

“Rest assured, my lord would never so much as harm a hair on the emperor or the Empress Dowager,” the envoy assured.

“In that case, I shall bring Yuan with me when we journey to Luoyang,” Luo Ang said.

The envoy was surprised. “The Marquis of Yan will come to Luoyang personally?”

Luo Ang nodded. “Indeed.”

“Then we shall depart tomorrow,” the envoy said.

Without hesitation, Luo Ang agreed. “Very well.”

“I will set out today to report this to my lord in Luoyang,” the envoy said.

“Thank you,” Luo Ang replied.