Chapter 22: Countless Eyes on Jizhou

Dong Zhuo returned to his camp after the defeat, feeling somewhat dejected but not discouraged. Victory and defeat are joint in warfare. However, he did not anticipate a massive personal blow waiting for him.

Outside the camp was a prisoner cart, just like the one used for Lu Zhi, quietly awaiting him.

"Dong Zhuo, you have failed in battle and deeply disappointed His Majesty. You are stripped of your rank and sentenced to death reduction by one degree. You are to be escorted to Luoyang immediately to await further orders!"

"Huangfu Song will take over the troops and the campaign here!"

The eunuch delivered the imperial edict from Emperor Ling of Han and ordered his men to arrest Dong Zhuo.

Old Dong, who had always fantasized about advancing further, was suddenly sentenced to life imprisonment. He was dumbfounded, trembling with anger, and filled with a mix of emotions:

From a Feathered Forest Guard, I have endured harsh conditions at the border, dining in the wind and sleeping in the dew, licking blood off the blade. After all the hard work, have I lost everything because of one defeat?

No, it doesn't make sense. How could His Majesty repeatedly change generals during a crucial suppression campaign?

Although Dong Zhuo was a military man, he was not stupid. To achieve the highest position among ministers as Grand Tutor, to acquire the most beautiful woman in the land, Diao Chan, to bully the most capable general of the time, Huangfu Song, and to build the world's most impregnable private residence, Wu Bao, such a successful man couldn't be brainless.

After deep thought, Dong Zhuo quickly concluded and cursed in his heart:

"Damn eunuch Zhang Rang, it must be because, like Lu Zhi, I didn't bribe him!"

"Liu Hong, you blind fool, do you think dismissing me and appointing Huangfu Song can quickly quell this rebellion?"

Meanwhile, in Luoyang, there was a scene of song and dance in the splendid palace, luxurious and joyful. However, Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, sat listlessly, watching the dancing maidens without interest.

The year 184 was a disaster for the Han Dynasty. The massive Yellow Turban Rebellion troubled Liu Hong greatly, and reports of the Qiang people in Liangzhou rebelling in collaboration with local Han officials made him sense an extraordinary crisis.

At this moment, the once mighty Han Dynasty was like a lone boat in a storm, facing an unprecedented giant tempest. In this storm, everyone had their agendas.

Righteous officials like the great scholar Lu Zhi were apprehensive, hoping to quell the rebellion swiftly. On the other hand, opportunistic leaders like the Yuan family secretly watched, hoping to profit from the chaos.

Feeling the instability of his throne, Liu Hong naturally noticed the undercurrents among the various factions. His suspicious nature made him distrust everyone except the Ten Regular Attendants who grew up with him.

A sudden, harsh sneeze interrupted Liu Hong's thoughts. Below, Zhang Rang sniffled and humbly apologized, "Your servant deserves to die for disturbing Your Majesty's pleasure!"

Emperor Ling turned his head with concern, "Zhang Rang, are you unwell? If you are truly ill, then rest properly."

"I can't do without you. In this vast world, there are few I can rely on."

Zhang Rang bowed deeply, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. Your servant is deeply grateful. It is my fortune to serve Your Majesty and alleviate your worries. It is just a mild cold, nothing serious."

"Then go and rest quickly!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After Zhang Rang left the palace, he was filled with satisfaction.

"Lu Zhi, so what if you are a great scholar of the time?"

"Dong Zhuo, so what if you are a brave general of Xiliang?"

"Open your eyes and see who holds the power now."

"If you dare to collude with He Jin, this fate awaits you!"

In Zhang Rang's eyes, Lu Zhi was arrogant and conceited; Dong Zhuo was a foolish brute. Zhang Rang demonstrated his power by letting those who might lean towards He Jin understand the current reality.

While helping Liu Hong manage affairs and restraining General-in-Chief He Jin, Zhang Rang also seized the opportunity to establish his deterrence.

With rivals eliminated, the focus naturally shifted to power and wealth.

"Now that His Majesty treats me like a father, I am above all others. How can the affairs of the world not follow my will?"

He flicked his sleeve, walked back to his mansion with a proud stride, and smiled slyly, "If I claim illness for a few days, I wonder how many gifts of concern I will receive?"

In the palace, without Zhang Rang, Liu Hong seemed to lose his spirit. Like his Liu family's empire, the vast royal palace seemed like a drafty house.

"The current priority is to quell the Yellow Turban Rebellion. As long as Zhang Jue lives, I can't sleep or eat in peace."

"Lu Zhi harbors ill intentions, and Dong Zhuo is useless. If Huangfu Song fails again, who can I rely on?"

This question also troubled Lu Zhi. In the dark prison, the great scholar sat quietly, his eyes deep and worried. The flickering shadows of the solitary oil lamp on the stone wall seemed to narrate his current predicament and helplessness.

"I am imprisoned here, unaware of the northern war's progress. The court is weak, and the Ten Regular Attendants control the government, selling offices and exploiting the people. Who can save the country from falling and the people from suffering?"

"Who can shoulder the burden of the world's people?"

In Jizhou, Guangzong, Huangfu Song had received the imperial edict. After quelling the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the Yingchuan region, he rushed to the northern front. To prevent drastic changes due to mid-battle command changes, Huangfu Song pressed forward without rest, leading his troops to Xiaquyang overnight.

"Zhang Jue's forces are formidable. I must quickly take over the army and stabilize the situation; any delay could bring disaster."

At this moment, all eyes were on Jizhou.

Now, in Xiaquyang, Wang Yan had been persuading Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei for a long time, but to no avail. Just as he was about to leave, he heard Zhang Fei suddenly point towards the Han army camp and laugh loudly, "Ha ha, retribution is swift, delightful!"

Wang Yan was puzzled. Looking in that direction, he saw soldiers escorting a prisoner cart slowly approaching. Inside the cart was none other than Dong Zhuo.

Wang Yan: ...

Emperor Ling of Han was indeed hasty, repeatedly changing generals in battle.

The rapid changes in the situation exceeded Wang Yan's expectations. Judging by the timeline, Dong Zhuo was experiencing his second major life setback. After this, he would become utterly disillusioned with the court, transforming into the capricious villain he was destined to be.

The current court situation was indeed chaotic; everyone was subject to manipulation.

In a word, chaos.

It seemed entering officialdom was not as simple as he had thought.

The scene made everyone roughly guess the reason behind it. Thirty years east of the river, but now it was west of the river.

As Dong Zhuo passed by Wang Yan and the others, the scene was quite dramatic. Guan Yu glanced sideways with his phoenix eyes, gently stroking his beard, and chuckled coldly. Zhang Fei snorted, feeling gleeful.

Liu Bei's gaze was deep, his expression inscrutable, but his hands tightly gripped his twin swords, loosening and tightening. Wang Yan, with his enhanced senses from the genetic modification, observed everything and noticed Liu Bei's reaction, slightly stunned.

"Big Ears has a killing intent towards Dong Zhuo?"

Wang Yan stared at the disheveled Dong Zhuo in the prisoner cart. Currently, he was a middle-aged man with meritorious military service and no major blemishes, a man with ambition.

He was not yet the spoiled military brute, nor had he become the bloated pig flying in the wind. He only humiliated Liu Bei; where did such deep hatred come from?

Although Wang Yan also wanted to kill Dong Zhuo to prevent future chaos, acting now would be unjustified and would earn the resentment of Dong Zhuo's Xiliang army.

Wang Yan decided not to take risks with Dong Zhuo. If there were a chance in the future, he would eliminate him. Otherwise, "picking up the pieces" and incorporating the Xiliang army wouldn't be a bad option.

At his peak, Dong Zhuo had the opportunity to control the Eastern Han regime. However, his lack of a son was his greatest weakness. Once he died, the powerful Xiliang army would collapse without a leader.

That would be a great fortune.

Previously, profiting from these influential figures was difficult, but now it was different. The villain had been toppled; he was no longer the Colonel!

His status was far inferior to mine now!

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

With this in mind, Wang Yan said, "General Dong, do you need my father to report the actual situation of the war in Jizhou on your behalf?"