Chapter 22: Journey to Ji County

Pingzhou.

At this moment, Dong Yuan was escorting Empress Dowager He, Liu Bian, and Lady Tang towards Jinyang.

The Empress Dowager’s voice came from the carriage: "Yuan Yuan, where are we now?"

Dong Yuan replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, we have already arrived in Pingzhou and are currently heading towards Jinyang."

The Empress Dowager caught the implication in Dong Yuan’s words and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

Dong Yuan responded, "It is my duty to ensure the safety of Your Majesty and the others; I shall not shirk it."

The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "Yuan Yuan, you are different from your father. Your father, for his own selfish reasons, deposed the emperor, while you, for the sake of the people, have desperately tried to stop him."

Hearing the Empress Dowager’s words, Dong Yuan sighed as well and said, "I am honored that Your Majesty understands me."

The Empress Dowager said, "But tell me, the Marquis of Yan has been gone so long; why has he not returned?"

Dong Yuan comforted her, "Your Majesty, rest assured, my husband is fine; he will return soon!"

Just then, the sound of galloping horses came from behind, growing closer.

The Empress Dowager anxiously asked, "Are those the bandits who were chasing us earlier?"

Dong Yuan said, "I don’t know."

Suddenly, Luo Ang appeared with Zhang Fei, Xu Chu, and Xu Ding before Dong Yuan, the Empress Dowager, Liu Bian, and Lady Tang.

Luo Ang said, "Sorry for being late."

Dong Yuan said, "It’s alright; we have just arrived in Pingzhou as well. Husband, who are these three rough-looking men following you?"

Luo Ang introduced them, "Let me introduce them. These three are generals I recently recruited. This is Zhang Fei, this is Xu Chu, and this is Xu Ding, Xu Chu’s elder brother.

"Wing De, Zhong Kang, and Xu Ding, this is my wife, and the Empress Dowager’s family is riding in the carriage."

Upon learning that the Empress Dowager, Liu Bian, and Lady Tang were inside the carriage, Zhang Fei, Xu Chu, and Xu Ding immediately dismounted and knelt before the carriage, saying, "We did not know the Empress Dowager was here; please forgive us."

The Empress Dowager’s voice came from inside the carriage, "You have no sin. If it were someone else, they would not have recognized me. Now, I am no longer the Empress Dowager."

Zhang Fei said, "No matter what, to us common folk, you will always be the Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager was surprised to hear that there were still people loyal to the court and disloyal to Dong Zhuo.

Jinyang. Governor’s Mansion.

At this moment, Xi Zhicai was conversing with a stranger.

Xi Zhicai said, "Ju Shou, you have just arrived here, unfamiliar with the land. Moreover, you have only recently joined our lord’s ranks. Since our lord has not yet met you, you need to spend more time understanding the generals under our lord’s command."

It turned out that this man was none other than the illustrious Ju Shou from history.

Ju Shou, a native of Guangping, was the military inspector for Yuan Shao in the late Eastern Han. He was ambitious and strategic, formerly serving as an assistant in Jizhou, recognized for his talent, twice appointed county magistrate, later serving under Han Fu as an assistant and promoted to cavalry commander. He had offered sound advice to Han Fu, but it was not heeded.

After Yuan Shao took control of Jizhou, Ju Shou oversaw both internal and external military affairs, instilling fear within the troops. He helped Yuan Shao seize Qingzhou, Pingzhou, and Youzhou, thus unifying Hebei. He proposed welcoming the emperor and opposed dividing power among princes, suggesting a three-year plan to defeat Cao Cao, but Yuan Shao did not accept these ideas and instead diminished his military authority.

During the Battle of Guandu, Ju Shou proposed a cautious advance strategy, which Yuan Shao rejected. On the eve of the burning of Wuchao, he again proposed protecting supplies externally, but was ignored.

After Yuan Shao’s great defeat, Ju Shou was captured by Cao Cao but refused to surrender. He attempted to return to Hebei but was ultimately killed after his plans failed.

"I have taken note of the strategist’s words."

Just then, a steward entered and told Xi Zhicai, "Strategist, the lord has returned!"

Hearing Luo Ang’s return, Xi Zhicai immediately stood and said, "Understood, you may leave now."

"Yes," the steward replied and left.

Ju Shou also stood and asked, "Strategist, shall we go out to greet the lord?"

Xi Zhicai shook his head, "No need; the lord does not like his followers to meet him outside the city."

Soon, Luo Ang entered with Dong Yuan, Zhang Fei, Xu Chu, and Xu Ding.

Xi Zhicai and Ju Shou clasped their fists in greeting, "My lord!"

Luo Ang comforted them, "Zhicai, you have worked hard! Zhicai, this is—"

Xi Zhicai replied, "My lord, this is Ju Shou from Guangping. He has long admired your name and has come to pledge loyalty."

Luo Ang was astonished to learn this was the famed Ju Shou, hardly believing he would join his cause.

Ju Shou clasped his fists and said, "Ju Shou pays respects to my lord."

He then quickly knelt halfway to the ground.

Luo Ang hurriedly helped him up, saying, "Since you have pledged to me, I will treat you well and will not be displeased or ignore your advice."

Ju Shou was moved and said, "My lord’s kindness leaves me at a loss for how to repay."

Luo Ang said, "As long as you are loyal, that is the best repayment."

Ju Shou said, "I will wholeheartedly serve my lord."

Xi Zhicai, seeing Zhang Fei, Xu Chu, and Xu Ding behind Luo Ang, asked, "My lord, who are they?"

Luo Ang introduced them one by one, "These three are Zhang Fei, Xu Chu, and Xu Ding, Xu Chu’s elder brother. I met them on the road."

He then recounted the events to Dong Yuan, Xi Zhicai, and Ju Shou.

Dong Yuan was furious, "I never expected Niu Fu to be so audacious. I have clearly stated I will not marry him, yet he shamelessly pursued me and even sought to kill my husband!"

Luo Ang said to Dong Yuan, "Yuan Yuan, first arrange lodging for the Empress Dowager and the others. I need to discuss matters with Zhicai and the others."

Dong Yuan nodded, "Very well."

She then went to prepare accommodations for the Empress Dowager, Liu Bian, and Lady Tang.

Luo Ang said, "Please, everyone, sit."

They all took their seats according to rank.

Luo Ang said, "When I was in Luoyang, I proposed marriage to Dong Zhuo. Don’t misunderstand; I did this to prevent him from attacking me. My purpose is to protect Pingzhou and Youzhou from foreign invaders beyond our borders, so that the people of China may live free from slaughter."

Hearing Luo Ang’s analysis, Zhang Fei, Xu Chu, Xu Ding, Xi Zhicai, and Ju Shou recalled how foreign tribes lingered beyond the Central Plains, always watching.

Luo Ang continued, "Therefore, I have decided to endure humiliation and bear the blame of a lifetime, all to safeguard the welfare of the people in the Central Plains. I fear not the slander against me, but the disturbances inflicted upon our people by those tribes beyond the frontier."

Xu Chu clasped his fists, "My lord, rest assured, I will not allow those tribes to set foot in the Central Plains."

Luo Ang nodded approvingly, "Zhong Kang, I am pleased with your resolve! Ju Shou, I appoint you as Household Minister and Governor of Jinyang, to guard Pingzhou along with Hao Meng and Cao Xing. Should foreign tribes attack Pingzhou, immediately send word to Jixian."

Ju Shou said, "My lord’s generosity leaves me with no words to repay."

Luo Ang said, "Hao Meng, you are appointed Commander of the Cavalry; Cao Xing, Commander of the Infantry. Stay with Ju Shou to protect the people of Pingzhou. If foreigners attack, send word immediately to Jixian. Also, all bandits and mountain robbers in Pingzhou must be eradicated, so the people there will no longer suffer their attacks."

Hao Meng and Cao Xing clasped their fists, "Yes."

Luo Ang looked to Xu Chu, Zhang Fei, and Xu Ding, "When I return to Jixian, I will reward you three."

They clasped their fists, "Yes."

Luo Ang said, "We will rest in Jinyang for a few days, then proceed to Youzhou."

All clasped their fists, "Yes."

Luo Ang turned to Zhang Liao, "Wenyuan, send scouts to Luoyang to gather intelligence and observe the situation."

Zhang Liao clasped his fists, "Yes."

Luo Ang asked Xi Zhicai, "Zhicai, what changes have there been among the warlords?"

Xi Zhicai shook his head, "No significant changes, but one man is quietly expanding his power."

Luo Ang’s suspicions deepened but he dared not be certain, "Who?"

Xi Zhicai said, "Liu Bei."

Luo Ang’s suspicions were confirmed.

Xi Zhicai continued, "Liu Bei now leads Liu Bi and Gong Du, having allied with Tao Qian of Xuzhou, doing quite well there."

Luo Ang said, "I feared this would happen!"

Xi Zhicai asked, "My lord, why do you say that?"

Luo Ang said, "I am not concerned about the others; they are straightforward and do not deceive. But Liu Bei is different—he is a hypocrite. He claims to uphold the Han dynasty but really seeks to unify the realm for himself. He claims descent from Prince Jing of Zhongshan, though this is hard to verify after so much time. Born to a peasant family in Zhuo County, his identity is obscure. Unlike Liu Zhang or Liu Biao, who hail from noble families, his background is uncertain."

All nodded at Luo Ang’s analysis.

Xi Zhicai said, "My lord, I have one more thing to report."

Luo Ang said, "Speak."

Xi Zhicai said, "From our spies, I learned that Liu Bei has indeed used his royal kinship to win hearts and minds, gaining many governors and generals’ loyalty."

Gao Shun said, "It seems we must be wary of Liu Bei!"

Several days later, Luo Ang was admiring flowers in the backyard, Dong Yuan standing beside him.

Suddenly, a military officer hurried in, clasping his fists, "My lord, General Zhang Liao has arrived."

Luo Ang’s heart quickened, "Quickly, bring him in!"

The officer nodded and left swiftly.

Soon, Zhang Liao entered with a dusty young man dressed in commoner’s clothing. He bowed to Luo Ang, "My lord!"

Luo Ang said, "No need for formalities, rise."

Zhang Liao and the young man stood.

Luo Ang asked, "Has something happened again in Luoyang?"

The young man said, "A major event occurred recently. Cao Cao attempted to assassinate Dong Zhuo but failed and has fled Luoyang. The court has issued arrest orders, calling on the world to capture Cao Cao."

Dong Yuan’s eyes widened, "What? Cao Cao tried to kill my father!"

Luo Ang thought, Since this has happened, the war of the eighteen warlords against Dong Zhuo will soon erupt!

At that moment, a military officer hurried in and bowed to Luo Ang, "My lord, Cao Cao has arrived with someone, requesting an audience with you!"

Luo Ang was greatly surprised, thinking, Cao Cao should be fleeing to Yanzhou, why has he come here?

Dong Yuan said, "Husband, I shall go kill Cao Cao!"

Luo Ang said, "You should rest first. I need to speak with Cao Cao face to face."

Dong Yuan said, aggrieved, "Understood, husband."

She withdrew.

Luo Ang looked to Zhang Liao and the young man, "You may rest."

"Yes," they replied, departing.

Luo Ang immediately rose and went to the gate, where he saw Cao Cao and another distinguished-looking man in plain clothes waiting outside.

Luo Ang smiled and greeted them, clasping his fists, "Brother Mengde, I hope all is well!"

Cao Cao sighed and clasped his fists, "Brother Zicheng, I have fallen on hard times and fled here to escape pursuers. I hope you can shelter me."

Luo Ang invited them into the hall.

They sat according to rank, and tea was brought.

Cao Cao and his companion drank the tea in one gulp.

Seeing this, Luo Ang understood they were famished and ordered food and wine.

The two ate ravenously as if they had not eaten for days.

After a while, Cao Cao finally put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said contentedly, "I have barely survived!"

Luo Ang asked, "You are being pursued by Dong Zhuo; why did you come here?"

Cao Cao said, "To be honest, I planned to assassinate Dong Zhuo to rid the nation of harm but failed and had to flee in haste!"

He pointed to the man beside him, who had just set down his chopsticks and looked distinguished, "This is Chen Gong. He was formerly the magistrate of Zhongmou County. Were it not for his noble rescue, I would have been ripped apart by now!"

Luo Ang’s eyes widened as he looked at Chen Gong, thinking, So this is Chen Gong!

Chen Gong clasped his fists to Luo Ang, "I have long admired your valor, General Hou. Meeting you today is a lifelong comfort."

Luo Ang smiled and clasped his fists, "Brother Gongtai, you are too polite! Your ambition and wisdom are great; I have long admired you!"

Chen Gong was astonished, wondering where this General Hou had heard of him.

Luo Ang asked, "Mengde, what are your plans?"

Cao Cao said, "Dong Zhuo brings disaster to the nation; if not removed soon, the entire land will suffer eternal ruin! I plan to flee to Yanzhou quickly and issue a call to arms, rallying loyal and righteous men to form an alliance to defeat the traitor! Though Dong Zhuo is powerful, if we loyalists unite, his removal is assured!"

Luo Ang thought, As expected!