Chapter Eighteen: Li Ru’s Intentions

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… However, what struck everyone as peculiar was that Guan Yu had already dispelled Hua Xiong’s internal energy and hadn’t assigned anyone to watch over him, yet Hua Xiong remained in the rear camp without attempting to flee. Chen Xi guessed it was likely because Hua Xiong couldn’t bring himself to lose face.

“Zijian, surrender,” Guan Yu and Zhang Fei urged again after sharing a hearty meal with Hua Xiong. Having been bested before, Hua Xiong had already recovered thanks to his extraordinary physical constitution.

“Yunchang, Yide, I understand what you’re saying,” Hua Xiong shook his head, a hint of melancholy in his voice. “But Minister Dong has been kind to me. Until he abandons me or falls in defeat, I will never surrender to anyone else.” He paused, then added, “As I said before, if Minister Dong falls and I become leaderless, I would surrender to Lord Xuande—though that’s highly unlikely.”

“Not necessarily!” Chen Xi lifted the tent flap and saw three burly men sitting on the ground, eating large chunks of meat and chatting leisurely.

“Greetings, Mr. Chen,” Hua Xiong saluted.

“How about a wager? I know you have great faith in Dong Zhuo. But if Dong Zhuo loses at Hulao Pass, retreats from Luoyang with his troops, and then, in a bid to delay the allied forces, sets fire to Luoyang—you will surrender. Because what he plans to do next will disappoint you greatly. He is no longer the Dong Zhongying of Xiliang; his eyes have been dazzled by the splendor of the East, and he is no longer the gallant, generous warrior of old.” Chen Xi spoke calmly.

Hua Xiong said nothing, only gazing at Chen Xi. After a long silence, he finally uttered, “You don’t understand how strong Minister Dong truly is.”

“So you agree then,” Chen Xi smiled. “I understand better than you do. The strongest general in the world, the finest troops, the cleverest strategist—but their leader is not the strongest ruler. On the contrary, Dong Zhongying is, at best, a third-rate sovereign now.”

“The strongest general in the world!” Zhang Fei’s eyes widened like an ox’s; Guan Yu slightly opened his eyes, looking at Chen Xi. They only caught that phrase, ignoring the rest.

“Yes, the strongest general in the world,” Hua Xiong said dejectedly. “Yunchang, Yide, you two may be stronger than me, but compared to Lü Bu, I think even the two of you together might not stand a chance.”

“No way…” Guan Yu asked solemnly.

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“Your third strike made me realize just how formidable he is,” Hua Xiong said with a bitter smile.

A flicker of battle spirit passed across Guan Yu and Zhang Fei’s faces, their eyes blazing. Such a powerful man was exactly the kind of challenge they longed to face, hoping the path ahead would become clearer through such an encounter.

“Well then, General Hua, remember my words when those events come to pass,” Chen Xi said, ignoring their eagerness. Let them be; with their skills, running away from Lü Bu if needed was possible.

“The strongest general in the world?” Outside the tent, a cavalry commander training horses overheard the conversation. Since Guan Yu and Zhang Fei spoke loudly, the sharp-eared commander on horseback touched the sword at his waist, tightened his grip on his silver spear, and silently picked up a bow hanging on the saddle, gazing toward Hulao Pass.

“I beseech permission to reinforce Hulao Pass!” Lü Bu once again requested to join the battle. He knew Hua Xiong had broken through the lines but was felled by three strikes. Such a formidable foe was exactly what he had been waiting for.

Dong Zhuo waved his hand, signaling Li Ru.

“Hulao Pass, guarded by General Xu, is secure. However, there is rebellion in our rear. Han Sui has stirred the Qiang tribes again. Though Generals Li Que and Guo Si can suppress them, we should recall Xu Rong to guard the rear. Prime Minister will personally lead the army at Hulao Pass to confront the Eastern warlords!” Li Ru said coldly, without naming names, no one would guess this lean civil official was Dong Zhuo’s chief strategist.

Li Ru had grown somewhat disillusioned with Dong Zhuo, who had settled into a life of indulgence and no longer followed the orderly plans Li Ru had once hoped for.

Born into a humble family in the western region, Li Ru despised the dominance of aristocratic clans over wisdom and thought. Dreaming of unifying the world and remaking the order, he had steadily pushed Dong Zhuo to his unparalleled position. Sadly, the splendor of the East had clouded Dong Zhuo’s mind, turning him into a tyrant who often forgot why he had risen to power.

This was why Li Ru insisted on recalling Xu Rong to guard the rear at Hulao Pass—not out of contempt for the Eastern warlords, but because they stood no chance against Xu Rong.

As long as Xu Rong held Hulao Pass, the Eastern warlords could only taste defeat. This unheralded general rose step by step from frontier soldier to colonel, his experience unmatched by the warlords who had not yet faced battle. His loyalty would never waver.

Dong Zhuo was too strong, Li Ru realized in hindsight. While other warlords worried about land and men, they already held the momentum to swallow the world. Unintentionally, Li Ru had laid a foundation so solid that even facing the entire realm, they could not be utterly defeated.

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Yet this solid foundation also bred complacency among the generals in Luoyang, who no longer bore the fierce spirit of Xiliang warriors under Dong Zhuo’s leadership.

Li Wenyou needed a ruler who could sweep the world, shatter old rules, and with his guidance, establish new order—not a bloated man deluded by Eastern splendor.

Years of counsel and initial effort led Li Ru to believe Dong Zhuo was only temporarily blinded, his solid foundation masking all dangers. A sharp wake-up call would redirect him to the path Li Ru had prepared. To fulfill his dream, even if he were to be torn apart like Shang Yang, Li Ru would harbor no regrets.

“I see. Then order all generals to march with me from Hulao to defeat the Eastern vermin!” Dong Zhuo agreed without hesitation.

Though bewitched, Dong Zhuo still habitually trusted Li Ru’s advice. If his most capable strategist said so, then so be it. Fearless—he had the strongest general, the finest troops, and the mighty Hulao Pass. Dong Zhuo himself would deal with those Eastern vermin!

Yet Dong Zhuo did not notice the civil official sitting beside Li Ru shaking his head slightly—Jia Xu already understood Li Ru’s true thoughts.

“Agreed!” The generals shouted in unison.

“The first battle is mine!” Lü Bu said after surveying the assembled generals. “Though Hua Xiong vexed me, I will avenge him!”