The presence of a sharpshooter among their ranks made their victory more understandable.

He pointed angrily at the silk spread out on the table before them, “I’m furious about this! Look at what she’s had people write!”

It was a scathing critique indeed!

He had thought that after returning to Bingzhou, there had been no movement for twenty days, thinking that she had accepted the various changes that had occurred in Luoyang during her absence.

But who would have thought she was brewing something big at this moment!

Seeing Dong Zhuo almost fuming with rage over the critique, Li Ru picked up the scroll from the table.

The handwriting was impeccable.

Considering Dong Zhuo’s feelings, Li Ru refrained from voicing his admiration.

After some thought, he was certain this was the work of the esteemed scholar Cai Yong, whose name had been on the list Li Ru had presented to Dong Zhuo earlier.

However, since Cai Yong was a scholar from Bingzhou, Li Ru had dismissed the idea of recruiting him.

Yet, surprisingly, Qiao Yan spared no effort in utilizing him for this purpose.

Cai Yong’s distinctive handwriting was unmistakable.

Upon scrutinizing the style of the critique, Li Ru realized it differed from Cai Yong’s usual inscriptions and prose but closely resembled Qiao Yan’s pragmatic approach from Bingzhou.

The opening lines read:

“At the dawn of the Former Han, tyranny and abuse of power led to rebellion. As the Later Han declined, Wang Mang’s usurpation insulted the heavens and earth, causing chaos. Now, Dong Zhuo, though claiming loyalty, in reality…”

Li Ru glanced at Dong Zhuo’s face as he read this.

Qiao Yan directly compared Dong Zhuo to notorious figures like Lu Chu and Wang Mang, leaving him no dignity.

Li Ru understood why Qiao Yan called this a pragmatic critique, especially with these opening lines.

The calamity of Lu Chan and Lu Lu was quelled by Grand Commandant Zhou Bo and Prime Minister Chen Ping.

Wang Mang’s usurpation was ended by Emperor Guangwu’s restoration.

Ultimately, these treacherous villains never met a good end, and it seems that Dong Zhuo, who boasts of loyalty but is truly a Han traitor, follows this pattern as well.

This sets the tone for morale!

Looking further, one can understand why Dong Zhuo is so angry.

Because Qiao Yan not only listed the reasons why he, self-proclaimed loyal and righteous, is actually disloyal, but also launched a personal attack against Dong Zhuo, followed by a barrage of verbal assaults.

Comparing this to her previous “Essay on Provincial Governors and Feudalism,” she has clearly improved her skills in scolding.

Recently, Li Ru has advised Dong Zhuo to be more restrained, but his advice has largely fallen on deaf ears.

At this moment, he paused, thinking about how his general was the first to be openly insulted in such a way by Qiao Yan.

However, as the one being insulted, he probably didn’t find it enjoyable at all.

[From the time Dong Zhuo took over as Chancellor, he’s had a snake’s heart and a wolf’s nature. He gained favor from the late Emperor and was appointed General to suppress Liangzhou. However, he failed to quell the rebellion of Ma Teng and Han Sui, instead making alliances with the powerful and entering the palace excessively. He pillaged the treasures of the imperial tombs, forced the Empress Dowager to death, extorted wealth from the people, and sat in control of state affairs from the Three Offices.]

[Allowing Dong Zhuo’s unchecked actions today, plundering treasures from the Tomb of Marquis Wu for his own use, forcing the murder of the Empress Dowager, and tomorrow, desecrating the remains of past sages with the rank of Colonel of Tomb Robbers, are disasters for the Han dynasty. His covetousness and heart for undermining pillars are apparent, and the capital laments. Alas, how tragic!]

“…” Li Ru glanced silently at Dong Zhuo again.

In a sense, Qiao Yan’s accusations against Dong Zhuo were different from the usual, and she didn’t exaggerate the facts.

For instance, she criticized Dong Zhuo for failing to suppress the Liangzhou rebellion despite his position as General, making alliances with the powerful, exceeding his authority by entering the palace in a carriage, stealing treasures from the Tomb of Marquis Wu, forcing the Empress Dowager to death, and extorting wealth from the people — all of which Dong Zhuo had recently done.

It was precisely because of these reasons that she could conclude with a passionate conclusion:

[Dong Zhuo’s crimes have reached this point, making him unworthy of any role in governance. How can he not be removed with spear and sword, military might and prowess, to restore order and rectify the state’s affairs!]

[With this proclamation spread throughout the realm, all will know the difficulties faced by the Holy Court. Those capable of rescuing the country from crisis are not limited to Qiao Yan alone. When provinces and counties unite, men of ambition from all directions will advance to Luoyang, raise their armies, and demonstrate their power —]

[When we look at Dong Zhuo again, he’s just a mere man from Xiliang! As the law dictates!]

“Finished reading?” Dong Zhuo’s mood hadn’t calmed down, and there was still a cutting edge to his gaze as he looked at Li Ru.

He had been staring at the proclamation for half a day, but the last line, “Regarding Dong Zhuo as no more than a mere man from Western Liang,” kept haunting him.

The thought of Qiao Yan, a mere sixteen-year-old, commissioning Cai Yong to write such a document made him want to march troops straight to Bingzhou and confront her.

But perhaps Dong Zhuo hadn’t had enough of being insulted today.

Three days later, he received news that Qiao Yan had spread the proclamation in Bingzhou and Hedong, and organized thirty thousand troops to march from Zhi Pass, following the Fen River towards Hedong.

It was exactly as the proclamation stated, preparing for an exceptional feat with skilled archers, strong soldiers, and formidable weapons!

“Bingzhou still faces border threats. How can this Qiao Yan command thirty thousand soldiers?” Dong Zhuo growled.

Yet, considering Qiao Yan had absorbed the Black Mountain bandits and Hedong bandits, counting them as logistical support troops, the numbers were nearly accurate.

Comparing this to his meager three thousand men when he first arrived in Luoyang, he felt his age creeping up on him.

“It’s not Qiao Yan’s troops that General should worry about,” Li Ru said solemnly. “Qiao Yan’s advance guard has already been welcomed by the Wei Family, Pei, and Jia families with feasts and celebrations.

Despite her previous residence in Bingzhou, she has gained support from the powerful families of Hedong, which cannot be underestimated.”

Dong Zhuo indeed felt concerned about this.

During his time stationed here, the Hedong families had never welcomed him warmly, yet they treated Qiao Yan with such deference when she marched troops into Hedong.

Thinking about his own governance in Luoyang, where he had to rely on scholars who only gave advice, the real administrative positions were distributed to others.

His frustration grew.

Before Li Ru could suggest a strategy, Dong Zhuo slammed the table and stood up.

“The heart of a snake, the nature of a wolf,” and “just a mere man from Western Liang” kept echoing in his mind.

With Qiao Yan’s troops settling in Hedong and their grand reception, if he remained indifferent, it would be an insult to his self-proclaimed status as a prime minister!

“Who dares to launch a surprise attack on Qiao Yan’s camp while her troops are not yet settled, and drive them away?” he demanded.

No sooner had he spoken than someone replied, “I am willing to go!”

Dong Zhuo followed the voice and saw that the one stepping forward was none other than Niu Fu.

Niu Fu… He could be considered a competent general, but his current position was largely due to being Dong Zhuo’s relative.

Seeing that Niu Fu volunteered for battle, Dong Zhuo briefly hesitated, considering Qiao Yan’s military achievements.

But the next moment, he thought of Qiao Yan’s accusation that he was unworthy of his previous military title because he couldn’t quell the chaos caused by Ma Teng and Han Sui.

Since Niu Fu was his son-in-law, his participation in the battle now could serve as proof that Dong Zhuo was not incapable in warfare.

“General—” Dong Zhuo interrupted Li Ru, saying, “Li Ru, there’s no need to say more. My decision is made. I will send my son-in-law to lead the charge, with Aduo as his deputy. We’ll strike while the Bingzhou troops are still preparing in Hedong!”

“No,” Li Ru shook his head. “I’m not suggesting that General Niu should not attack Qiao Yan’s forces. I’m thinking that her fiery rhetoric in the proclamation shows youthful vigor. Why don’t we first bolster her confidence by making a gesture of goodwill, before resorting to military action?”

“What do you mean by that, Li Ru?” Dong Zhuo asked.

Li Ru replied, “I’ve heard that there’s a man named Li Su under your command, who is from Bingzhou. Why not send him as an envoy with a substantial gift to present to Qiao Yan?”

“This is… showing weakness to the enemy.”

Upon hearing that Li Su was visiting under Dong Zhuo’s command, Qiao Yan was genuinely surprised.

After inviting him into her tent, she witnessed him bow deeply and say, “Since Prime Minister Dong entered Luoyang, he first negotiated among the traitors of the Yuan clan, then took over military affairs, and promoted talented individuals.

If there have been misunderstandings caused by actions that did not reflect Prime Minister Dong’s intentions, upon hearing that Marquis Qiao is marching north with fierce generals and brave soldiers to attack Luoyang, Prime Minister Dong feels anxious.

He wishes to have a discussion with Marquis Qiao on the principles of governance.”

“I heard that Marquis Qiao likes to ride a crimson steed. Prime Minister Dong once captured a steed during his campaign in Xiliang, aptly named Red Hare.

He wishes to offer this steed as a gift to Qiao Hou, to foster goodwill. May I inquire about Marquis Qiao’s thoughts on this?”

Qiao Yan furrowed her brow.

Red Hare?

Wait, is she following Lu Bu’s script now?