flstandardbreds Chapter 95 Wang Yun's Attempt to Win Over Lü Bu? Li Ru's Concern for the Xiliang Army
Chapter 95 Wang Yun's Attempt to Win Over Lü Bu? Li Ru's Concern for the Xiliang Army
"This humble official congratulates Grand Tutor!"
"With the Grand Tutor here, our Han Dynasty is like having a pillar of stability."
"This is a blessing for all people!"
After the Grand Tutor finished his ceremony, Wang Yun was the first to congratulate Dong Zhuo.
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo glanced at Wang Yun with amusement.
This old fellow was also the one that Dong Zhuo favored most among all the Han court officials!
After all, other veteran officials of the Han Dynasty, such as Yang Biao, Ma Richan, and Shi Sunrui, all had terrible tempers.
Only Wang Yun was eloquent and had served three emperors.
"Hmph, sycophant."
"I, Yang, am ashamed to be associated with this person!"
Yang Biao muttered to himself.
Of course, this "quiet" was only what Yang Biao perceived as quiet.
In fact, Wang Yun, who was standing not far in front of him, heard it all very clearly.
Wang Yun was not annoyed at all.
His acting skills have been honed through three dynasties.
Even Yang Biao, a veteran official of the Han Dynasty, couldn't see through Wang Yun's acting skills, let alone the bunch of brutes under Dong Zhuo's command.
Sure enough, as soon as the court meeting ended, Fan Chou and Zhang Ji put their arms around Wang Yun's shoulders and walked out of the main hall together.
"Minister Wang, wouldn't it be wonderful if all the Han court officials were as wise as you?"
Fan Chou sighed deeply.
Wang Yun said with a forced smile:
"General Fan need not worry about this."
"The strong must always be tested and proven by time."
"Those who are stubborn and unwilling to serve the Grand Tutor will be eliminated sooner or later."
Upon hearing this, Fan Chou's expression immediately brightened.
"Wang Situ, you're absolutely right!"
"However, I still hope there will be more intelligent people like you!"
Wang Yun only bid farewell to Fan Chou and Zhang Ji when they reached the fork in the road.
Wang Yun dusted himself off, looking disgusted.
It looks like I can't keep this outfit.
Sooner or later, these uncouth warriors of Xiliang will all be exiled to the frontier and never return to the capital!
……
Back at the mansion
A burly man, nine feet tall and dressed in a brocade robe from Sichuan, had been waiting for Wang Yun for a long time.
"Fengxian! I've run into those two murderers, Fan Chou and Zhang Ji. I've kept you waiting."
Upon seeing Lü Bu before him, Wang Yun's face immediately broke into a smile.
Lu Bu raised his hand and said:
"I have only just arrived myself."
"Besides, both Minister Wang and I are from Bingzhou."
"This is the bond between fellow townsmen, how can it be compared to those two fools, Fan Chou and Zhang Ji?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Yun's smile deepened even further.
He personally poured Lü Bu a cup of wine, and said meaningfully:
"A large forest has all kinds of birds."
"Those two fellows, Fan Chou and Zhang Ji, are trying to exclude us Bingzhou people through their words!"
Lu Bu's face immediately showed a hint of anger.
The conflict between him and the four main figures of Xiliang—Li Jue, Guo Si, Fan Chou, and Zhang Ji—had been brewing for quite some time.
As Dong Zhuo's most trusted Xiliang loyalists, the Xiliang F4 looked down on Lü Bu, an outsider from Bingzhou.
As an unparalleled top general, Lü Bu also looked down on the Xiliang F4, who held a large amount of military power by relying on their status as the direct descendants of Xiliang.
In short, neither side can stand the other.
But neither of them could do anything about the other.
At least, while Dong Zhuo still needed Lü Bu, the Xiliang F4 only dared to sabotage Lü Bu behind his back.
However, recently, with the defeat of Ma Teng and Han Sui, a large number of cities in Liangzhou were recovered by Dong Zhuo.
The power and influence of Li Jue, Guo Si, Fan Chou, and Zhang Ji were even greater than before.
In contrast, consider Lü Bu.
Without the warlords of Guandong as his rivals, his value in Dong Zhuo's eyes had diminished considerably.
Although Dong Zhuo did not abandon Lü Bu.
But compared to the rising star of the Xiliang F4, Lü Bu has already sensed the crisis.
Wang Yun took the opportunity to get close to Lü Bu.
Despite Wang Yun's background, it couldn't compare to the Yuan family, which had held high office for four generations.
But Wang Yun is the current head of the legitimate Wang family of Taiyuan.
The Wang family of Taiyuan, as one of the few prominent families in Bingzhou, is a testament to their prestige.
He and Lü Bu were both from Bingzhou.
Gaining Lü Bu's trust was incredibly easy for Wang Yun!
And so, the two have become like close friends despite their age difference, often getting together for drinks.
Seeing Lü Bu down cup after cup of Dukang wine, Wang Yun subtly probed:
"Fengxian, do you know that Cao Mengde unified Yanzhou?"
"What!?"
"Even that scoundrel Cao Mengde became the ruler of a province?"
Upon hearing this news, Lü Bu's displeasure was almost palpable.
no way.
Lu Bu really couldn't accept it; in just a year and a half, the gap between the two sides had widened so much!
A year and a half ago, Cao Cao was just a minor governor of Dongjun.
The army numbered only a few thousand, and the generals only a handful.
Even the title of the legitimate Prefect of Dongjun belongs to Qiao Mao, not Cao Cao.
But now?
Cao Cao became the ruler of Yan Province!
With an army of over 100,000, he was no longer the minor governor he once was!
Without comparison, there is no harm.
Lu Bu looked down at his arm.
That year, the muscles in my arms remained unchanged.
Their official positions and status remained almost unchanged.
He is said to be the leader of the Bingzhou army.
However, the treatment of the Bingzhou army was incomparable to that of the Xiliang direct line!
He shook his head, his face filled with bitterness.
Wang Yun, observing Lü Bu's expression, said a lot of comforting words.
After that, Wang Yun thoughtfully allowed Lü Bu to stay overnight at his residence.
To overthrow Dong Zhuo, or even replace him, Wang Yun needed a good sword!
The best candidate is none other than Lü Bu, a fellow townsman from Bingzhou!
……
Shangshu Lingfu
The white hair at Li Ru's temples appeared weathered and faint in the candlelight.
Who would have thought that Li Ru, who is only in his early forties, looks like he is in his fifties?
All of this began with the relocation of the capital to Chang'an.
At that time, Li Ru proposed the strategy of moving the capital to Chang'an.
One purpose was to stabilize the Kansai region, and the other was to incite infighting among the warlords of Kanto.
But more than a year has passed.
Li Ru suddenly realized that moving the capital to Chang'an was a mistake!
Just like Dong Zhuo being granted the title of Grand Tutor today.
Li Ru never supported this from the beginning.
What benefits would it bring to be appointed Grand Tutor?
It has absolutely no practical use!
This only made the Han court officials feel that Dong Zhuo was eager to usurp the throne.
In Li Ru's view, empty fame was the most impractical thing.
In just over a year, the once strong and robust Xiliang army suffered a sharp decline in combat effectiveness.
In terms of military discipline and regulations, the corruption has reached its extreme.
From top to bottom, the initial arrogance before entering Beijing is gone!
With an army like this, can it really defeat the warlords of Guandong like the Qin state of old?
The answer seems obvious.
What chilled Li Ru even more was...
Dong Zhuo himself was also blinded by the allure of wine, women, and food.
All he could think about was how to enjoy himself.
In the Kanto region, warlords fought each other, and dramatic changes occurred every moment.
Yuan Shao took Ji Province, Gongsun Zan controlled You Province, Cao Cao unified Yan Province, Tao Qian established a separatist regime in Xu Province, Yuan Shu dominated Huainan, and Liu Biao controlled the nine commanderies of Jingxiang.
These are all formidable rivals!
Each one is growing stronger.
And what about Dong Zhuo and the Xiliang army?
What are they doing?
Can the mighty Western Liang army... ever regain its former glory?
……