He had originally planned to follow the agreement with Qiao Yan and go to Le Ping after his period of mourning to continue serving her.

However, Yang Biao had said that Qiao Yan was now the Governor of Bingzhou and had assembled a capable team from Bingzhou.

Since Yang Xiu was only fifteen, he wouldn’t be much help there and should instead stay in Luoyang to observe the situation and learn more skills.

At that time, Yang Biao had felt that his advice was quite reasonable, but now with Qiao Yan in the north of the Yellow River, even if she could not achieve her attack goals in the short term, there was at least a guarantee of retreat, unlike the threat of Dong Zhuo, who would kill anyone at will.

Having Yang Xiu in the capital now truly seemed to endanger their family.

Yang Xiu said, “Father, do we protect our lives for the time being, or do we sacrifice ourselves for the Han dynasty, not hesitating to die for it?”

Yang Biao, hearing his son’s calm tone and weighing the meaning of his words, felt a heavy heart and asked, “What about the former option?”

“If it’s the former, Father should immediately seek out Huang Ziyan and visit the Prime Minister’s residence. Explain that you and I opposed the relocation of the capital merely out of nostalgia and had no intention of interfering with Dong Zhuo’s actions. We are here to apologize. Since Dong Zhuo has already executed the Minister of Personnel, he must regret it now and worry about others in the court harboring thoughts of rebellion. It would be better to spare your life. But…”

This would come at the cost of their integrity and face.

Yet, in the face of such a threat and with their entire family at risk, what other choice did they have but to bow to Dong Zhuo?

As Yang Xiu said, the execution of Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong not only ensured Dong Zhuo’s decision to relocate the capital but also made him regret his actions somewhat.

With the death of these two men, the previously created image of Dong Zhuo being close to the scholars was completely shattered.

He had to continue using harsh methods to intimidate, and Dong Zhuo had no idea how historians would record this period of history.

Hearing that Yang Biao and Huang Wan were coming to apologize made him feel a sense of joy.

Regardless of whether their apology was forced or how sincere it was, it was at least good news for him!

Dong Zhuo immediately reported to the court, appointing Huang Wan and Yang Biao as the Guanglu Doctor.

Although they could not be reinstated to the top three positions, they were given official titles with a rank of two thousand stones to show some respect.

When Yang Biao received this appointment edict and the messenger left, he felt not joy but sadness.

The Guanglu Doctor was a close minister to the Emperor, responsible for advising and responding.

However, in the current Han Dynasty, where the ruler was not truly a ruler and the ministers were not truly ministers, the so-called close minister might only be able to teach the Emperor and have no substantial role.

He held the edict for a long time and whispered, almost like in a dream, “I don’t know when we will see Lu Gong(Lu Zhi) and Ben Chu(Yuan Shao) attacking Luoyang. If the Emperor relocates the capital, our esteemed position will be lost!”

Yang Xiu, standing aside, asked, “Why does Father not think that it might be Qiao Bingzhou who first entered Luoyang?”

He spoke candidly and perceptively, and his question was posed without much concern.

Yuan Shao, by seniority, should still be considered his uncle.

From what Yang Xiu had seen in Luoyang, the power struggles there suggested that it might not be as optimistic as his father thought.

He suspected that Yuan Shao’s insistence on attacking Nanjing was not merely due to the lingering effects of the party ban, nor was it because he wanted to respect the eldest son’s position and confront Lu Zhi, who held the late Emperor’s decree, thus allowing Dong Zhuo to profit.

Today’s attack wasn’t necessarily just a reaction to Dong Zhuo’s autocratic misrule.

These factions, who had once fought for their interests, might not show the advantage of numbers when the situation seemed to call for unity.

“Father, I’d like to make a bet with you.”

Seeing Yang Biao’s surprise, Yang Xiu calmly continued, “You think it’s Lu Gong and Yuan Shao who will enter Luoyang first, but I think it will be Marquis Qiao. The Yellow River’s natural defenses might not pose a significant problem for her. If I win, please allow me to go to Bingzhou and serve as Lord Qiao’s subordinate.”

Compared to the troubling affairs of the court, he would prefer to go to Bingzhou and do something practical.

Yang Biao was silent for a moment before replying, “If you win, it would indeed prove your skill in observing people and assessing situations. I wouldn’t stop you.”

To him, any force that could break into Luoyang would be good news.

The current situation outside the Eight Passes lacked Dong Zhuo’s predatory presence.

There were many people with the heart to save the country.

At least, the capital relocation could not proceed!

Once the decision to relocate the capital was made, even though Yang Biao was living in the affluent areas of Luoyang, the imminent order to move triggered significant changes in the city.

Xu Rong, Niu Fu, and Qiao Yan were stationed on the north and south banks of the Yellow River, and with Duan Wei guarding Hangu Pass, Li Ru speculated that Qiao Yan’s earlier feigned confusion might have been intended to make Dong Zhuo divide his troops.

Dong Zhuo immediately ordered Duan Wei’s troops to leave Hangu Pass and lead a portion of the soldiers to the vicinity of Chang’an, setting up camp in Huayin.

According to the reports from Duan Wei, Huayin had arable land, but as Yang Biao had said, despite the Red Eyebrows Rebellion occurring nearly two hundred years ago, the population was still limited.

With the recent fires and upheavals in Chang’an, people had fled and would not return, making it difficult to establish a new capital there.

Dong Zhuo’s casual mention of relocating the capital was one thing, but moving people was another matter entirely.

He directly ordered his subordinates to issue an edict in the streets and alleys of Chang’an for relocation.

Those who did not comply would be executed by the Western Liang soldiers on the spot.

Forcing people to abandon their well-established businesses and move to a somewhat desolate city to fill the population gap between Chang’an and Luoyang was an exceptionally ruthless relocation policy.

Such public outrage could not be stopped even by Dong Zhuo’s tight control of the passes, and the news reached the allied forces in the East.

Including the news of Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong’s deaths.

“Absurd!” Lu Zhi slammed his fist on the table, rising angrily.

In his efforts to mend relations with Yuan Shao, he could make some concessions, showing himself to be a reasonable elder.

However, facing the tragic forced relocation of the Han capital, his heart burned with anger, wishing he could storm into Luoyang the next day.

Qiao Yan’s strategy, divided into three approaches—one for striking with full force, one for catching the enemy off guard, and one for feigning weakness—had already been conveyed by Cao Ang to Cao Cao and discussed at the alliance meeting.

Sun Jian and Yuan Shu’s representatives, Zu Mao and Ji Ling, agreed wholeheartedly with this plan.

The notion of striking with full force was undoubtedly a recognition of their military capability and swift action.

Cao Cao and Lu Zhi also approved of Qiao Yan’s quick attack strategy.

Taking advantage of Dong Zhuo’s belief that they needed time to regroup and balance forces, launching an immediate attack to seize Xuanmen Pass seemed feasible.

Qiao Yan had faced as many battles as most of them, and as a governor, she had no reason to lie about her situation.

If she claimed to have a way to cross the river, it was likely true.

There was now an additional reason to attack quickly.

At the temporary alliance meeting, Lu Zhi’s tone carried urgency: “If Dong Zhuo successfully relocates the capital, even if we capture Luoyang, we may not rescue the emperor. The livelihood established in Luoyang over two hundred years would be destroyed overnight.”

“Gentlemen, I have never spoken harshly since the alliance formed, but now the lives of a million people in Luoyang hang in the balance. We must launch a swift attack, advancing on three fronts, to have any chance of saving the Han dynasty!”

After finishing, Lu Zhi looked towards Yuan Shao.

With the largest number of troops under his command, Yuan Shao needed to lead or at least issue directives to form a decisive force.

Lu Zhi understood Yuan Shao’s hesitation.

Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong had been executed at Dong Zhuo’s whim, Huang Wan and Yang Biao had their positions stripped, and Yuan Shao’s family members, Yuan Wei and Yuan Ji, were under Dong Zhuo’s surveillance.

Yuan Shao’s concern for his family’s safety was understandable.

However, Lu Zhi was unprepared for Yuan Shao’s response.

Yuan Shao slowly said, “We can indeed send troops, but if Dong Zhuo fortifies the passes, Hulao Pass would be even harder to break.”

“Our appointed governors and administrators have been in their posts for less than a month. Even if they can access the local treasuries, the amounts are limited.

To inspire our soldiers to fight bravely, our current grain reserves are insufficient.

Lu Gong, considering that Qiao Yeshu in Bingzhou can face off against Niu Fu and Xu Rong across the river and has been in control for a year and a half…”

“Crossing the river is no easy task. Why not have her send a batch of grain from Henei to us? We can consider it a loan, and as soon as the grain arrives, we will launch an immediate assault. What do you think?”

Lu Zhi’s smile, prompted by Yuan Shao’s agreement to deploy troops, froze on his face.