Chapter Thirty-Nine: Promotion and Ennoblement
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When Zhang Ji heard Luo Ang’s question, he stared blankly for a moment before clasping his fists. “General, you must have misunderstood. I know Jia Xu. He serves as a military adviser, but he is not my subordinate. He serves Niu Fu and is currently at Niu Fu’s residence.”
Luo Ang nodded to show that he understood, then began considering how he might bring Jia Xu under his command. After all, Jia Xu was an unparalleled genius, one of the three great military advisers of the Three Kingdoms era.
When Yuan Shao, Sun Jian, and Gongsun Zan learned that Cao Cao had been defeated, they were startled at first. Then, without further hesitation, they led their armies out of Hulao Pass.
Once they had left the pass and learned that the other warlords had already returned to their respective territories, they saw no reason to remain and departed as well.
Leading his battered and defeated troops out of Hulao Pass, Cao Cao saw that the once-mighty coalition army of hundreds of thousands had scattered like leaves before the wind, leaving only devastation across the ground. Grief and fury welled within him, and he cursed aloud, “A pack of cowards, yet you still dream of contending for dominion over the realm!”
Cao Ren asked, “My lord, what should we do now?”
After a brief moment of thought, Cao Cao frowned. “After this battle, Dong Zhuo’s foundation has become nearly impossible to shake. We can only return to develop our own territories, strengthen our forces, and contend with the other warlords!”
As he spoke, he turned to look at the ruined Hulao Pass and sighed. “Brother Zicheng, I wonder what it will be like when we meet again in the future?”
With that, he waved his hand and called out, “Let us return!”
Luoyang. The Grand Tutor’s Residence.
At that moment, the great hall was ablaze with lamplight and filled with an atmosphere of celebration.
Seated high upon the central dais, Dong Zhuo threw back his head and laughed heartily. “I thought I would surely lose this time and be forced to abandon Luoyang. Who could have imagined that I would ultimately defeat those rebels and preserve the city? I am truly delighted!”
Li Ru clasped his fists. “It is all thanks to Your Excellency’s boundless fortune! You are favored by Heaven’s mandate; naturally, Heaven itself protects you!”
Several officials immediately echoed his words.
Dong Zhuo laughed loudly and praised him. “Well said, Li Ru!”
As he spoke, he turned toward Luo Ang, who was drinking by himself, and sighed. “Our great victory today was possible only because of my worthy son-in-law! You truly are my lucky star. Since you have saved me, I must reward you handsomely!”
Luo Ang set down his wine cup and clasped his fists. “You flatter me, Grand Tutor. I am hardly worthy of such praise.”
Dong Zhuo immediately waved his hand. “You are worthy, you are worthy! Before you returned with the army, I had already secured an imperial edict.”
With that, he gestured to the charming maid standing beside him.
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The maid immediately took the imperial edict and stepped forward, coming to stand beside Dong Zhuo.
Dong Zhuo proclaimed, “I obtained an imperial edict appointing my worthy son-in-law as General of Chariots and Cavalry.”
A murmur swept through the hall, and everyone looked at Luo Ang with envy and jealousy.
Luo Ang was somewhat surprised. He had been in this world for several years and naturally knew what the office of General of Chariots and Cavalry entailed.
Within the Han military hierarchy, the highest position was naturally that of Grand General, which ranked above the Three Excellencies. He Jian had previously held that office. Beneath the Grand General stood three equal senior commands: General of Cavalry, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and General of the Guard.
The rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry was second only to that of General of Cavalry. With no Grand General currently appointed, Luo Ang’s military office was effectively the highest in the army. It was no exaggeration to say that he now wielded tremendous authority.
Luo Ang quickly recovered and rose to his feet, clasping his fists. “Thank you for your generous favor, Father-in-law!”
Dong Zhuo burst into laughter and waved his hand.
The maid holding the imperial edict immediately advanced with small, measured steps and presented it to Luo Ang.
Luo Ang accepted the edict. “Thank you, Father-in-law!”
Dong Zhuo suddenly remembered another important matter and announced, “Li Ru previously said that Luoyang has become a land exposed to attack from every direction and that the imperial court should not remain here. I find his reasoning entirely sound. Therefore, I have decided that, beginning today, the capital shall be moved to Chang’an. However, the common people need not panic. They may remain in Luoyang and continue to live and work in peace.”
This was the first Luo Ang had heard of the news, and several thoughts swiftly passed through his mind.
Dong Zhuo looked at him with a smile. “As for the important responsibility of remaining behind to guard Luoyang, I shall entrust it to you, my worthy son-in-law!”
Luo Ang stared blankly for a moment, then secretly rejoiced. This was precisely what he had hoped for.
Dong Zhuo continued, “To ensure Luoyang’s safety, I have decided to leave behind the city’s original twenty thousand troops as well as twenty thousand soldiers from Liang Province, all of them at your disposal. Li Jue will remain here as your deputy general and assist you.”
Luo Ang and Li Jue were both somewhat surprised, and they exchanged a glance.
At that moment, Luo Ang noticed the obvious displeasure in Li Jue’s eyes, though the man said nothing.
Dong Yuan looked at Dong Zhuo. “Father, I shall remain here to help my husband.”
Dong Zhuo turned to her. “Very well.”
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Dong Yuan said, “Thank you, Father.”
Dong Zhuo cautioned her, “But you must be especially careful.”
“Do not worry, Father,” Dong Yuan replied. “I will be careful.”
Dong Zhuo was in high spirits and continued drinking with his civil and military officials. Before long, he was completely drunk and was carried away by several maids to rest in the chambers behind the hall.
Once Dong Zhuo had departed, everyone felt free of restraint.
The banquet grew even livelier. Officials, both civil and military, came one after another to toast Luo Ang, treating him almost as though he were the master of the occasion.
Of course, not everyone offered him a toast. Guo Si, Li Jue, and several others sat there drinking in silence, their faces dark and sullen.
After Li Ru had finished toasting Luo Ang, he glanced at Li Jue and asked, “General, you seem displeased.”
Li Jue snorted without replying. He tilted back his head and drained the entire cup of wine in his hand.
Li Ru glanced at Luo Ang, who was surrounded by people and barely able to keep up with the endless toasts. He then turned back to Li Jue. “It seems you are unwilling to serve as the General of Chariots and Cavalry’s deputy?”
Li Jue snorted. “I have followed the Grand Tutor through countless battles for years. Who would have thought that I would one day be reduced to serving as someone else’s deputy? How could that not leave me bitter?”
Li Ru leaned closer and lowered his voice. “It seems the general has failed to grasp the Grand Tutor’s deeper intentions.”
Li Jue’s eyes widened. He turned toward Li Ru and asked irritably, “What exactly do you mean, Li Ru?”
Li Ru lowered his voice even further. “Although the General of Chariots and Cavalry possesses the talent of a great commander, he has not shared years of life-and-death struggles with the Grand Tutor as you and the others have. Naturally, the Grand Tutor must guard against him. The General of Chariots and Cavalry is indeed the commander responsible for defending Luoyang, and under ordinary circumstances, you must assist him. That much is beyond question. But your other important duty is to keep watch over this general on the Grand Tutor’s behalf. Should he display any improper intentions or take any suspicious action, you must not act rashly. Report to the Grand Tutor at once. Do you understand now?”
At these words, Li Jue’s eyes lit up. “So that is the Grand Tutor’s deeper intention! I never realized it. Thank you for enlightening me. Otherwise, I might have mishandled the matter!”
Li Ru smiled faintly and clasped his fists. “There is no need for such courtesy between us. We are both the Grand Tutor’s own men.”
Li Jue nodded deeply in agreement. He poured himself another cup, raised it, and said, “Allow me to offer you a toast!”