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Within the city of Luoyang.
With a furious kick, Dong Zhuo sent the table before him crashing to the floor, scattering the fine delicacies in a chaotic mess across the ground.
"Where did these Yellow Turban bandits come from?!" Dong Zhuo roared, his bloodshot eyes glaring fiercely. "Do they take me for a witless three-year-old?"
Li Ru remained silent.
The closest Yellow Turban forces to Luoyang were the Baibo Army, and farther off were the Black Mountain Army. These were the two most substantial remnants of the Yellow Turban rebels. But to suggest that these scattered remnants had the audacity to penetrate deep into the heartland of Sili and boldly attack Hangu Pass…
Wasn't that as obvious as lice on a bald man's head?
Yet the situation was peculiarly delicate. Everyone knew what this "Yellow Turban" affair was really about and who was hiding behind the façade. But without irrefutable evidence, there was no way to hold the masterminds behind it accountable.
"Reinforcements have been dispatched and will arrive by tomorrow. The siege at Hangu Pass will surely be lifted," Li Ru said, his voice tinged with disdain for those who smiled amicably to his face while plotting in the shadows.
"And if it isn't lifted?" Dong Zhuo demanded, fixing his glare on Li Ru.
Having risen from the west and being a military man himself, Dong Zhuo was well-versed in the strategic intricacies of such passes. The western walls of Hangu Pass were manageable, but the eastern approach was narrow, with towering, thick walls buttressed by two corner towers built into the mountainside. With just three thousand defenders and ample supplies, the pass could make tens of thousands—or even more—attackers pay in blood to learn why it was called the most formidable pass under heaven…
"If it isn't lifted…" Li Ru lowered his gaze, speaking softly, "then we move the capital and let them lead the charge…"
This was Li Ru's final stratagem, devised after receiving the battle reports from Hangu Pass. If it came to that point, there would be no need to worry about saving face. Were they trying to block the capital's relocation at Hangu Pass? If the reinforcements couldn't break the siege in time, then the masterminds behind it would be forced to personally storm the pass!
Dong Zhuo was momentarily stunned, then burst into hearty laughter, clearly delighted with Li Ru's plan.
After a few laughs, Dong Zhuo's expression darkened. "The relocation of the capital must proceed swiftly! It must be done within three days!"
Li Ru was taken aback. Three days?
That was far too rushed…
"My lord, three days is too short. With so many matters to attend to, I fear it may not be feasible…"
"Five days at most!" Dong Zhuo cut him off decisively, leaving no room for debate. "The capital must be moved within five days! No more discussion! How dare those eastern rats keep acting so arrogantly!"
"…As you command." Seeing Dong Zhuo's resolve, Li Ru could only acquiesce, though he sighed inwardly. Five days. With so little time, many supplies wouldn't be transported in time, and the journey would likely be fraught with problems.
Li Ru withdrew, and a nearby attendant cautiously began cleaning up the mess on the floor. Dong Zhuo, still seething with anger, felt restless and irritated.
Why were there so many damned problems!
"Bring me the golden elixir!" Dong Zhuo had grown enamored with the effects of the golden elixir(Jindan). After consuming it, he felt as if he were floating in bliss for a time, his senses heightened to an extraordinary degree, as though his soul could wander the heavens, free from the mundane troubles of the world.
Soon, an attendant presented a white jade gourd. Dong Zhuo uncorked it, poured out a small golden pill, and stared at it with a hint of obsession before slowly placing it in his mouth.
A group of serving maids and attendants filed in, paying their respects before approaching. A dozen delicate hands gently helped Dong Zhuo change, removing his formal court robes and replacing them with lighter garments.
As each piece of clothing was removed, a maid stepped forward with a silver tray to receive it, then respectfully retreated to the line.
First the outer robe, then the inner garment, and finally the underclothes.
Dong Zhuo stood boldly, arms outstretched, eyes half-closed, savoring the power of the golden elixir coursing through him…
Then, a designated attendant carefully removed the cage veil crown from Dong Zhuo's head…
Though called a "cage veil," it was exquisitely intricate. The leather crown was adorned with finely woven rattan panels on both sides, gilded with gold and silver. The crown was studded with gold and gems, ornamented with a cicada motif, and topped with a marten tail…
Thus, this headpiece was also known as the "Cicada and Marten Crown", symbolizing the strength of gold, the purity of the cicada that dwells high and drinks clear dew, and the marten's fierce interior beneath a soft exterior. Only those of the rank of the Three Dukes or princes could wear it.
A maid holding a silver tray stepped forward, head bowed, to receive the Cicada and Marten Crown. She took two steps back, preparing to withdraw.
Dong Zhuo wrinkled his nose, suddenly speaking, "You… stop!" With a puzzled expression, he stepped forward, heedless of his coarse black hair exposed to all, and slowly approached the trembling maid. Leaning down, he sniffed at her head.
Closing his eyes and tilting his head, Dong Zhuo remained silent, pondering. This scent… it was so familiar, but what was it?
The petite maid was completely overshadowed by Dong Zhuo's presence, trembling uncontrollably. Those around her seemed frozen, as if under a spell, not daring to move or even breathe.
Dong Zhuo abruptly opened his eyes, staring at the maid before him. It came to him—this was the fragrance of the grasslands, the scent of tender green shoots just sprouting in the spring!
He leaned closer to the maid's neck, inhaling deeply, greedily. Seeing the delicate skin of her neck, he couldn't resist and licked it.
The maid shuddered, letting out a soft cry. Unable to steady the silver tray, it clattered to the ground, the Cicada and Marten Crown rolling to the side. Terrified, she hurriedly tried to kneel and beg forgiveness, but Dong Zhuo scooped her into his arms.
His large hands slowly kneaded her, as if trying to draw out her very essence, sniffing as he chuckled hoarsely, "Little beauty, do you have a name?"
The maid, unable to resist as he groped her, replied with a trembling, tearful voice, "My… my lord, this servant… my surname is Ren… I have… no given name…"
Dong Zhuo grunted, his hands slowly peeling back her clothing. Glancing at the cage veil crown on the floor, he said, "Very well, then you shall be called Diaochan…"
Outside the central pavilion, Lü Bu watched the line of maids file out. He scanned them repeatedly but couldn't find that small figure among them. His heart sank, the muscles in his cheeks twitched, and his face paled…
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A/N: There was no heroic woman to rival men's valor, only a frail, delicate girl, her life as fleeting as grass… Old Master Luo gave Diaochan a dazzling, sacrificial debut, but after using her, didn't even bother to give her an ending… In the end, that radiant beauty in the "Romance" was merely a tool to highlight men's cunning…