I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 482 Dong Zhuo's Sense of Participation
Lu Bu has been feeling pretty great in recent months!

At first, he was discouraged by the people in the emperor's residence, who thought that Luoyang was full of people like Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, and Xu Chu.

But when I really arrived in Luoyang, I found that it was nothing special.

Among the famous eight commanders of Xiyuan, only Huang Zhong could catch his eye.

No, Lu Bu thought, he is now a colonel, and there are still some capable people among the eight colonels.

As for the others, Jian Shuo, Feng Fang, Xia Mou...are they here to lead the army? If they were not strong enough, it would be fine if they could manage the army as strictly as Duan Wei, but in Lu Bu's eyes, the management of these three people was just like children playing house, and Lu Bu looked down on them.

But it's just a clay chicken and a dog's ears.

Therefore, every time Lu Bu saw Jian Shuo, the captain of the Xiyuan Army, he would think of replacing him.

One day, Lü Bu, who was riding in the camp, received news that the emperor wanted to send the Xiyuan Army and the Northern Army to the four directions to deter disobedience. Now, the emperor wanted to come to the Xiyuan Army to decide whether each unit should stay or go.

Lu Bu immediately became alert.

Luoyang is not like a frontier fortress.

If he was outside the Great Wall, he could just chop off someone he didn't like, but in Luoyang, he wanted to replace Jian Shuo, so he couldn't just chop off Jian Shuo's head. So, he needed more military exploits.

After waiting and waiting, the emperor finally came.

……

"Dong Qing, you haven't been to the military camp for several years. Are you missing it today?" Liu Bian asked Dong Zhuo.

Miss you?
Of course Dong Zhuo missed him very much, but ever since Li Ru revealed the reason why he was feared a few years ago, Dong Zhuo dared not even mention the issue of military power.

When Dong Zhuo heard the emperor asking about it, he patted his fat belly and said, "Your Majesty, please don't make fun of me. I travel in a carriage now, and it's hard to get on a horse. If I lose the military affairs, I won't be able to get involved."

Liu Bian said with a smile: "You must help today. At present, regarding the current situation of land measurement in various places, where the effect is the best and where the effect is the worst, I still need your more suggestions!"

Dong Zhuo said: "It is up to your majesty to decide."

His only goal now is to become one of the Three Dukes, but to become one of the Three Dukes, one does not need military power.

However, as Dong Zhuo looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar military scenes along the way, he couldn't help but feel a bit complicated.

Liu Bian also noticed this scene.

Although Dong Zhuo quickly changed his mindset and began to seek progress after arriving in Luoyang, it was absolutely impossible for Liu Bian to hand over the military power to him.

Even for Yuan Shu, who had always performed well, it would be enough for him to be the Yin of Henan and command the undermanned Henan County troops.

However, it's okay to ask them for some reference opinions.

After all, they are responsible for measuring the fields, so at least they can have some sense of participation.

In fact, long before he came, it had already been decided who would lead the troops where. Now Liu Bian just came to the Xiyuan army in person to confirm it and meet the generals who would be of great use.

——"... Zhang He, the military commander of the other division, led 800 soldiers to Beihai State in Qingzhou... Taishi Ci, the military commander of the other division, led 800 soldiers to Guangling County in Xuzhou..."

After Liu Bian finished speaking, he asked Dong Zhuo, "What do you think?"

The emperor had given all the orders in one breath, what else could Dong Zhuo think?

Liu Bian continued, "Now that the troops have not set out yet, you can speak freely."

Dong Zhuo still replied in the same way: "It's all up to your majesty to decide!" Seeing that Dong Zhuo was still so sensible, Liu Bian said with satisfaction: "In that case, all the commanders should prepare to set out according to your order."

After saying this, Liu Bian was about to emphasize some precautions to the generals who were about to set off, but he was interrupted before he could finish his words.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to fight!"

Liu Bian immediately recognized the owner of the voice - Lu Bu.

Seeing someone from his own army suddenly interrupt him, Jian Shuo immediately became angry. He immediately stood up and reported to Liu Bian: "Your Majesty, Captain Lu disregarded military discipline and behaved improperly in front of the emperor. I think he should be punished for his misconduct in front of the emperor."

Jian Shuo is not an idiot. He doesn't even hide the gaze that Lu Bu looks at him every day. He has been unhappy with Lu Bu for a long time.

Liu Bian waved his hand and said, "It's okay. It's a good thing that the general dares to fight. I won't blame him! But the officials in the court took into consideration that Fengxian had just arrived at Xiyuan Army not long ago. If he rashly led his troops to guard the local counties and states, it would be easy for villains to take advantage of him. That's why they didn't let Fengxian lead the troops to the battle."

After hearing this, Lu Bu blamed those nosy court officials in his heart, but he did not forget to continue to ask for battle: "Your Majesty, I have led troops on the frontier for many years and have never failed. I am willing to issue a military order!"

Dong Zhuo watched from the side. This was not the first time he met Lu Bu. Back in Bingzhou, he had some conflicts with Ding Yuan. At that time, he was deeply impressed by the brave Lu Bu.

Now seeing Lu Bu so eager to fight, he felt even more fond of him.

It's a pity that Lu Bu has already worshipped Ding Yuan as his father, so he can't interfere in military affairs. Otherwise, he actually wanted to have a good relationship with Lu Bu.

Seeing that Lu Bu didn't know how to stop while he was ahead, Dong Zhuo hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, all the places that need garrisons have candidates, so there is no need to send additional troops."

As soon as he finished speaking, Dong Zhuo saw Lu Bu glaring at him angrily.

This glance made Dong Zhuo feel that Lu Bu was a reckless man, but it also made him more curious about Lu Bu.

When Lu Bu realized that he could not go on the expedition, he had to retreat back to his original position.

Seeing that Dong Zhuo had explained it for him, Liu Bian said nothing more and only said, "The responsibility of guarding outside is heavy, and the same is true for guarding Luoyang."

It seems that Lu Bu has learned some lessons from his experience in Zhuo County. He at least knows how to advance and retreat, and he did not ask other generals to give up their positions to him.

After the small episode from Lu Bu, Liu Bian finally started the topic that had been interrupted: "Military discipline must be taken seriously, and the people must not be disturbed. When taking things from the people during the march, money must be paid..."

"You all go to various prefectures and counties to guard one side. The matter of measuring land involves the welfare of the people. If there are those who pretend to obey but secretly disobey, they will be punished with thunderous means! I am waiting for your triumphant return in Luoyang!"

"Wan Sheng!"

……

When they left the Xiyuan Army camp, Liu Bian asked Dong Zhuo, "I see that you have a good impression of Lü Fengxian?"

Dong Zhuo was stunned. He felt that he had hidden it very well. Even the words that secretly reminded Lu Bu to know when to advance and when to retreat were actually nothing wrong.

How did the emperor know that?

After a little thought, Dong Zhuo answered honestly: "When I met Lü Fengxian, it was like seeing myself back then..."

Liu Bian didn't expect to get this answer.

However, he immediately remembered that Dong Zhuo was also famous for his bravery when he was young, and was recruited into the officialdom by local officials... The two men's life experiences were indeed somewhat similar.

Liu Bian thought that Dong Zhuo had no son, only a granddaughter, so he promised: "I know you have a granddaughter. If you have a son in the future, maybe I can change my surname to Dong and inherit your title of marquis. I wonder if you are willing to do so?"

(End of this chapter)