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The night wind was chilling, and the torches outside the tent flickered, casting shadows on Lü Bu's face, which was a mix of emotions. In one hand, he held the bloodied Fangtian Halberd, while the other gripped the dagger at his waist. His footsteps were heavy yet resolute as he strode towards Ding Yuan's main tent. The light within illuminated the fabric of the tent, and through the dimness, one could see Ding Yuan reading by candlelight, surrounded by an eerie silence.
Lü Bu pushed aside the tent flap, and a gust of cold wind rushed in, causing the candlelight to flicker. Ding Yuan looked up and, upon seeing Lü Bu, smiled warmly. "Fengxian, it's so late. What brings you here?"
Standing at the entrance, Lü Bu's expression darkened. After a moment of silence, he stepped forward. His voice was low but laced with suppressed anger. "Ding Yuan, I am a man of worth; why must I be subjected to your son's whims and your constant oppression?"
Ding Yuan was taken aback for a moment. He set down his scroll and furrowed his brow in confusion. "Fengxian, what do you mean? I have treated you like my own son; how can you speak of oppression?"
Lü Bu let out a cold laugh and drew his dagger, its blade gleaming ominously in the candlelight. He advanced a few steps closer, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Son? Don't mistake your patronage for kindness! You know full well that I possess great talent, yet you confine me to this camp as your subordinate. Do you not find that laughable?"
At these words, Ding Yuan's expression changed dramatically. He stood up, his eyes filled with shock and disappointment. "Fengxian! I have shown you immense favor and trust; how can you utter such treasonous words? Do you not realize that everything you have now is given by me, Ding Yuan?"
Lü Bu's gaze turned icy; all traces of affection vanished from his face. He spoke softly but firmly: "My talents and strength do not require dependence on anyone, especially not on a mediocre man like you!" Before he finished speaking, he struck down with his dagger; a flash of cold light silenced Ding Yuan's voice forever.
Ding Yuan's head rolled to the ground, blood gushing forth and staining the carpet inside the tent. His unblinking eyes were filled with terror and regret, as if even in death he questioned Lü Bu's motives for this act.
Wiping the blood from his blade, Lü Bu cast a cold glance around before walking to the entrance of the tent. His voice was harsh and commanding: "Ding Yuan is dead! He was unkind; thus I killed him! Will you follow me, Lü Bu, or will you leave? Decide quickly!"
Outside the tent, the soldiers fell into stunned silence. They exchanged glances filled with both fear and confusion. Lü Bu's reputation was formidable; his martial prowess was unquestionable. Yet this act of betrayal sent chills through them. Some soldiers bowed their heads in silence, quietly dropping their weapons and turning to leave; others hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose to stay.
Lü Bu observed all this with a cold stare devoid of remorse or emotion.
The next morning, sunlight broke through the mist, illuminating the desolate mountain path. Lü Bu rode atop Red Hare with an imposing presence, carrying Ding Yuan's severed head at his waist and an icy demeanor in his eyes. He galloped swiftly until he reached Dong Zhuo's camp outside his tent where Li Su awaited him.
As Li Su saw Lü Bu approach on horseback and caught sight of the bloodied head hanging from his waist, a cold smile spread across his face. He stepped forward and lowered his voice. "Brother, your methods are indeed impressive! With this achievement, Duke Dong will surely regard you as a trusted confidant."
Lü Bu nodded coldly, dismounted, and tossed the head of Ding Yuan to Li Su. "Take me to see Duke Dong."
Soon, Lü Bu followed Li Su into Dong Zhuo's grand tent. Inside, the golden armor gleamed in the light, and Dong Zhuo sat in the main seat, his expression tinged with anticipation. When he saw the head in Lü Bu's hand, excitement shone unabashedly in his eyes. He laughed heartily, stood up, and strode toward Lü Bu.
"General!" Dong Zhuo's voice was loud and full of enthusiasm as he bowed deeply. "Today, with your assistance, it is as if I have received much-needed rain for my parched crops. This battle will no longer be a challenge for us!"
Lü Bu was slightly taken aback; Dong Zhuo's demeanor surprised him. After a moment of thought, he returned the bow with a hint of humility in his tone. "Duke Dong's kindness will be etched in my heart. If you do not mind, I would like to call you my adoptive father to repay your kindness today."
Dong Zhuo laughed heartily and waved his hand, helping Lü Bu to rise. "Good! Good! Since that is the case, we are family now!"
Immediately, Dong Zhuo ordered someone to bring a golden armor robe and personally draped it over Lü Bu. He also presented him with a jade belt and a treasured sword. Grasping Lü Bu's hand, they sat down together to drink, the atmosphere lively as if they were long-lost friends reunited.
As they drank to their hearts' content, Dong Zhuo, in high spirits, exclaimed, "Lü Bu, your arrival truly adds wings to my ambitions! With you by my side, my great enterprise will surely be as stable as Mount Tai!"
Lü Bu smiled slightly, raising his cup with a respectful tone. "Adoptive father has great aspirations for the world; I am willing to assist you with all my strength and clear the path ahead!"
The tent was filled with laughter and joy; however, sitting nearby was Li Ru, who remained calm throughout. Waiting until the festivities began to wind down and Dong Zhuo's drunkenness eased slightly, he quietly approached and advised in a low voice, "My lord, now that Lü Bu has pledged his loyalty and his strength is growing day by day, we cannot delay any longer. The matter of succession must be decided soon; otherwise, prolonged uncertainty may lead to unforeseen changes."
Dong Zhuo's smile faded as he furrowed his brow. After a moment of contemplation, he replied softly, "You are right; this matter cannot be postponed any further. Tomorrow, I will summon all officials to Wen Ming Garden for a meeting and announce the plan for succession in person."
Li Ru smiled faintly, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes. "My lord is indeed wise; this move will surely make the world take notice."
That day, Dong Zhuo hosted a grand banquet for the officials at Luoyang Palace. The scene was magnificent but the atmosphere was stiflingly oppressive. Clad in full armor, Lü Bu stood behind Dong Zhuo holding Fangtian Halberd. Beside him stood a squad of fully armed soldiers whose stern gazes suggested that any slight disturbance could provoke deadly violence.
The officials had already gathered, from the Grand Minister Yuan Wei to the ordinary court officials; none dared to be late, nor did anyone speak casually. After several rounds of wine, Dong Zhuo, his face flushed, stood up and drew the treasured sword from his waist. The blade glimmered coldly in the light, resembling a venomous snake poised to strike. His voice was deep and powerful, cutting through the murmurs in the hall: "Gentlemen, I have summoned you today to discuss an important matter."
The ministers bowed their heads in silence, the only sound being the faint crackling of the torches.
Dong Zhuo walked to the center of the banquet, his gaze sweeping over each trembling face. With a cold laugh, he slowly spoke: "The Emperor is young and incompetent, utterly incapable of managing the affairs of the realm. How can such a coward serve the ancestral temple and stabilize the state? I, Dong Zhuo, cannot bear to see the people suffer any longer. Today, I have decided to follow the precedent set by Yi Yin and Huo Guang, to depose the current Emperor and grant him the title of King of Hongnong, while establishing the King of Chenliu as the new Emperor. What do you all think?"
At these words, a wave of shock rippled through the hall; ministers exchanged glances but no one dared to speak. The air felt frozen under the weight of his declaration. Dong Zhuo surveyed them with a cold smile, lightly waving his sword as his voice rose a few notches: "Whoever does not comply will see just how sharp my sword is!"
At this moment, fear gripped the ministers as they lowered their heads to avoid his gaze. Yet amidst this heavy silence, a cold snort shattered it: "Dong Zhuo, you are too arrogant!"
Everyone turned towards the voice and saw Central Army Lieutenant Yuan Shao standing up, his expression stern and his gaze piercing Dong Zhuo. He stepped forward into the center of the hall and confronted Dong Zhuo directly, his tone resolute: "The Emperor has only been in power for a few years and has not committed any wrongdoing. You wish to depose him for your own gain; this is an act of rebellion! How can you face the world after doing such a thing?"
Dong Zhuo's eyes narrowed with cold fury as he pointed his sword at Yuan Shao: "Yuan Shao, I hold absolute power over this realm; why should I consult you on matters of succession? If you dare utter another word, do you think my sword lacks sharpness?"
Hearing this, Yuan Shao stepped forward instead of retreating. With a sneer, he drew his own treasured sword and pointed it at Dong Zhuo: "Dong Zhuo, your sword may be sharp, but do you think my sword is dull? If you dare commit such treason today, do not blame me for drawing my sword against you!"
The two swords faced each other under the flickering candlelight, an atmosphere thick with murderous intent enveloping the hall. Dong Zhuo was momentarily taken aback; he had assumed all officials feared him like a tiger but was surprised that Yuan Shao dared to oppose him openly and even draw his weapon in defiance. Narrowing his eyes with a dark expression and a cold smile tugging at his lips, he said: "Yuan Shao, you truly are audacious!"
Yuan Shao did not back down; pointing his sword at Dong Zhuo, he retorted coldly: "If you dare depose the Emperor, all under heaven will rise against you! If I sit idly by today, how can I face others in the future?"
The tension between them crackled in the air like electricity, as if a bloody battle could erupt at any moment.
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