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The next morning, the sound of war drums echoed outside Luoyang City. Someone hurried into Dong Zhuo's tent and reported, "Ding Yuan has brought his troops to challenge us outside the city, boldly provoking us. Please, my Lord, make a swift decision!"
Dong Zhuo leaned against his desk, his expression cold. Upon hearing this, he slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly. His face turned ashen as he gritted his teeth and said, "Ding Yuan, that old fool truly does not know when to quit! Li Ru, come with me; I want to see just how capable he really is."
Before long, Dong Zhuo was fully armored and led a heavily armed unit out of the city to confront the enemy, facing Ding Yuan's forces across a stretch of desolate land. The banners of both armies fluttered in the wind, and weapons glinted in the piercing morning sunlight, filling the battlefield with a murderous aura.
As the two armies formed their lines, a figure suddenly emerged from Ding Yuan's ranks. He rode forth on horseback, tall and imposing, clad in brilliant armor. Wearing a golden crown atop his head and adorned in a floral battle robe, his armor shone as if new. A lion-skin belt encircled his waist, and in his hand, the Fangtian Halberd gleamed ominously. The thunderous sound of hooves echoed as he approached. The moment he appeared, it was as if a meteor had streaked across the sky, capturing everyone's attention.
Dong Zhuo frowned slightly, feeling a twinge of apprehension mixed with greed. He gazed at Lü Bu's sharply defined features and coldly remarked, "A fierce tiger, is it? If I can use him for my purposes, he will be a valuable asset; if he stands against me, then he must be eliminated swiftly."
Lü Bu rode his Red Hare to the front lines and brandished his Fangtian Halberd with a voice like thunder: "Dong Zhuo! Do you still remember my adoptive father Ding Jianyang?"
Following this, Ding Yuan charged forward on horseback and pointed directly at Dong Zhuo, shouting angrily: "Dong Zhuo! The country is in turmoil due to the eunuchs' usurpation of power; the common people are suffering greatly. And you, with no merit whatsoever, dare to speak of deposing the emperor and disrupting the court's affairs! What exactly are your intentions?"
Dong Zhuo looked at Ding Yuan with a cold glint in his eyes. He sneered and rode a few steps closer, his voice sharp as a blade: "Ding Yuan! What gives you the right to speak so brazenly before me? You are nothing but a decaying old man who cannot even defend your own territory; how dare you challenge me, Dong Zhuo?!"
Furious, Ding Yuan glanced back at Lü Bu and shouted: "Fengxian! Let this treacherous minister witness your strength today!"
Just as Dong Zhuo was about to retort to Ding Yuan, Lü Bu suddenly spurred his horse forward with his halberd raised high like a fierce tiger pouncing on Dong Zhuo. His Red Hare moved like lightning; within moments he was upon Dong Zhuo's position. The Fangtian Halberd shimmered with deadly intent as it swung down.
"Protect the Lord!" cried one of Dong Zhuo's guards in alarm as they quickly raised their weapons to block Lü Bu's attack. However, Lü Bu effortlessly swept through them with his halberd; several guards fell instantly to the ground, blood staining the earth. His gaze was icy and merciless, causing Dong Zhuo to break into a cold sweat.
Dong Zhuo hastily pulled on the reins of his horse and retreated rapidly while shouting urgently: "Fall back! Fall back!" Lü Bu pursued relentlessly behind him; each swing of his halberd claimed more lives, creating a scene that resembled hell itself.
"Lu Bu, do you dare to stand against me, Dong Zhuo?" Dong Zhuo shouted back, his voice laced with a hint of fear.
"Dong Zhuo!" Lu Bu's voice boomed like thunder, the tip of his spear aimed directly at Dong Zhuo's back. "You think you have the right to flaunt your power in this world? Today is your day of reckoning!"
At that critical moment, Ding Yuan's army surged forward, arrows raining down like a storm. Dong Zhuo's soldiers screamed in agony as they fell one after another. Realizing the dire situation, Dong Zhuo urged his mount to retreat at full speed, desperately trying to carve out an escape route. His soldiers had already scattered in disarray, fleeing in groups and completely losing their will to fight.
After his victory, Lu Bu halted his horse and watched Dong Zhuo flee into the distance, a look of disdain in his eyes. "A coward who only knows how to run away dares to speak of power? What a joke!"
Dong Zhuo's army retreated thirty miles away, setting up camp in a state of utter disarray. Inside the tent, Dong Zhuo's face was ashen, his fingers drumming forcefully on the table, his eyes filled with resentment. His voice was low and thunderous like a rumble from the depths of the earth. "Lu Bu... that arrogant fool dares to humiliate me like this! If I do not eliminate him, what face do I have left?"
Li Ru stood nearby, frowning slightly as he spoke in a deep voice. "My Lord, Lu Bu's bravery is indeed formidable. If we confront him directly, it may not end well. It would be wise to consider another strategy."
Dong Zhuo snorted coldly, his expression easing slightly as he gazed thoughtfully. "Though Lu Bu is fierce, he has a fatal weakness. This man is driven by greed; if I can win him over to my side, how can I not secure my hold on the world?"
The generals in the tent began to murmur among themselves, none daring to offer suggestions lightly. Just then, a man entered from outside the tent, exuding confidence. He clasped his fists in salute and spoke with a calm tone. "My Lord need not worry. I am from the same hometown as Lu Bu and know his character well. Though he is brave, he is also shallow-minded and easily tempted. If we offer him a significant benefit, he will surely betray his lord and come under your command."
Dong Zhuo looked at this man with a glimmer of expectation and skepticism in his eyes. "Oh? Do you truly have confidence in persuading this unruly tiger?"
The man smiled slightly, speaking with certainty. "Though Lu Bu is brave, he is greedy for fame and fortune. With my silver tongue, I can surely convince him to hand over the Fangtian Halberd and kneel before you."
Hearing this man's confident proposal, Dong Zhuo scrutinized him closely. The man was robustly built and exuded an air of competence; there was a shrewdness about him. Dong Zhuo smiled faintly, adding a note of testing to his tone. "Who are you that dares boast of being able to entice Lu Bu away from his lord?"
The man clasped his fists again and replied proudly, "I am Li Su of the Tiger Ben Zhonglang, having long served in the army and well aware of Lu Bu's nature. He is unmatched in bravery but blinded by greed for wealth and fame. Just grant him an enticing offer that stirs his heart, and he will undoubtedly betray Ding Yuan and come to serve you."
Hearing this, Dong Zhuo's eyes brightened slightly, but he still held some doubts. "Li Su, since you dare to make such a bold claim, tell me, how do you plan to win over Lü Bu?"
Li Su smiled faintly, his tone filled with certainty. "My Lord, you have a prized steed named Red Hare, which can travel a thousand miles a day and traverse water and mountains as if they were flat ground. This horse is extraordinary, rare in the world. By adding golden jewelry as bait and appealing to his sense of loyalty and righteousness, Lü Bu will surely present the Fangtian Halberd and pledge himself to your service."
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo furrowed his brow slightly, seeming reluctant. "Red Hare is a treasure I have cherished for many years; why should I part with it?"
Li Su clasped his hands together and replied, "My Lord, while Red Hare is precious, it is ultimately just a horse. If Lü Bu were to submit to you, his valor would be worth more than ten thousand troops. What joy is there in exchanging one horse for a peerless general?"
Dong Zhuo remained hesitant and turned to Li Ru beside him, asking, "What do you think of this plan? Do you believe it is worthwhile?"
Li Ru's expression was calm as he slightly cupped his hands in respect. His tone carried a hint of reassurance. "My Lord, this is indeed a crucial moment for determining the fate of the realm. Lü Bu's unmatched bravery could greatly aid you; with his assistance, unifying the world will be within reach. A horse, a few pearls—compared to your grand ambitions, they are hardly worth mentioning."
Dong Zhuo lowered his head in thought for a moment before finally looking up and laughing heartily. "Well said! What is one horse worth? As long as it can bring Lü Bu to my side, even a thousand gold pieces for that horse would be worth it!"
With a grand gesture, he commanded boldly, "Bring my Red Hare here! Also prepare one thousand taels of gold, several dozen pearls, and a Jade Belt—all of it to be given to Li Su."
Moments later, Red Hare was led before the tent. The horse was entirely red like fire, its mane shimmering with golden light. Its robust body exuded an imposing aura as it stood there lightly pawing the ground with its hooves, its gaze sharp as a sword.
Li Su looked at Red Hare and felt secretly pleased. He mounted the horse and tightened the reins before bowing to Dong Zhuo. "My Lord, rest assured. With this horse and the golden pearls and Jade Belt in hand, Lü Bu will surely abandon Ding Yuan and come to serve you!" With that, he spurred the horse and rode off into the swirling yellow sands, his figure disappearing from sight.
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