Since the year when Wei Ji sought help from Qiao Yan for reinforcements, the Wei family of Hedong has maintained contact with Leping.

Wei Ji promised to send two people from the Wei clan to teach in Leping.

If the future head of the Wei family has free time, they occasionally stay in Leping for a few days.

After Qiao Yan became the governor of Bingzhou, his ties with the influential families of Bingzhou grew closer.

This seemed to trigger a sense of crisis in them, so they sent Wei Zhongdao, Wei Ji’s younger brother, to study there.

However, Qiao Yan viewed these connections related to the educational activities around Leping Academy as fleeting.

In the current chaos of Dong Zhuo’s misrule, where the authority of Han is in ruins, the era of regional warlords ruling independently seems not far off.

Therefore, mere verbal support and pledges are no longer sufficient for Qiao Yan’s needs.

One might say this is a result of political pragmatism.

The Wei family of Hedong must take a clear stand!

This also serves as a bargaining chip to present to Dong Zhuo.

Lu Yuan stood up and said to Qiao Yan, “I’ll take care of the matters concerning the alliance with the Hedong clansmen, while Wenhe focuses on analyzing the generals from Liangzhou and devising strategies for imminent battles.”

During the years in Bingzhou, Lu Yuan had always been by Qiao Yan’s side and naturally absorbed her astute and capable demeanor.

Even without making any commitments now, Qiao Yan believed in her assurance from years ago — that she would remain steadfast due to the confidence given by the lord.

This wouldn’t change today.

Her goal was to persuade the Wei family of Hedong to show goodwill by sending troops to Bingzhou, rather than engaging in emotional appeals or fostering friendly exchanges.

Qiao Yan’s initially stern expression softened slightly at the mention of this military order. “Go ahead, Bingzhou will support you.”

She glanced again at the few people seated, aside from the cautious Jia Xu, who seemed somewhat excited about the impending Battle of Luoyang.

It went without saying for Lu Bu.

Earlier, Qiao Yan had entrusted him with managing the military camps and fields at Suiyuan, likely due to his reputation among the Xianbei and successful agricultural efforts, with Jia Xu’s assistance.

However, tasks like farming and garrison duty couldn’t compare to the thrill of facing rebellious traitors in Luoyang.

Even someone as strategic as Guo Jia, youthful as he was, couldn’t hide a hint of eagerness in his eyes at this moment.

After all, it was the capital city, Luoyang…

To emphasize their commitment to this expedition and the justice of condemning Dong Zhuo, before departing from Bingzhou, Qiao Yan had sent a proclamation to Luoyang.

At Qiao Yan’s request, Cai Yong had composed this proclamation titled “Proclamation for Qiao’s Bingzhou Campaign Against the Traitor Dong.”

Knowing Dong Zhuo’s character well, Qiao Yan chose not to send the message through intermediaries who could become scapegoats. Instead, he assigned a task to Lu Bu.

“With your strength, capable of shooting a three stone bow, hitting the city wall from beyond Luoyang’s guard range should be effortless.”

Qiao Yan handed Lu Bu a distinctive white feathered arrow, along with the silk scroll bearing the proclamation. “Ride my chestnut horse and make it known that our campaign against Dong Zhuo is just. Our Bingzhou forces fear neither him nor his Xiliang warriors. Can you do this?”

This bold gesture, entrusted to him by Qiao Yan, excited Lu Bu immensely.

“My lord, rest assured, I will make it happen!”

With dozens of riders, Lu Bu immediately set out, leaving the complete reorganization of the army to Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun.

Yet, he failed to grasp Qiao Yan’s intentions behind this move.

To him, the fact that Qiao Yan entrusted such a task solely to him was praise enough.

Watching Lu Bu depart, Qiao Yan turned to Guo Jia with another question, “Is General Han Fu still unwell?”

When Qiao Yan announced her decision to prepare defenses and adjust manpower in Bingzhou’s counties, most local governors had no objections.

However, Han Fu suddenly claimed illness, perhaps fearing Qiao Yan would draft him alongside her to Luoyang for the campaign.

Guo Jia replied, “Clearly, my lord’s control over Bingzhou is beyond what he imagines. He seems to think you’re unaware of his correspondence with Yuan Shao. The Yuan brothers fleeing secretly from Luoyang also seem to be gathering troops to overthrow Dong Zhuo. Han Fu naturally can’t support Lord Qiao’s rebellion.”

“However, my lord may find a pleasant surprise. After spreading the proclamation against Dong, several willing recruits have emerged. Han Fu’s subordinate, Qu Yi, disagrees strongly with his feigned illness.”

Once a crack appears in the wall, it becomes easier to break through.

Just like Lu Bu, Qu Yi was a fierce and talented individual, a potential strong ally when the time came, but first, he needed a place to prove himself.

In this regard, Han Fu’s performance paled in comparison to Qiao Yan’s.

Guo Jia said to Qiao Yan again, “If the lord could recruit Qu Yi under his command, it would be like setting two knights against each other to determine who’s superior, rather than wasting Qu Yi’s talents under Han Du and Liao.”

“You can discuss this here for now,” Qiao Yan shook his head, “Let’s not rush. Let’s see how Lu Bu performs.”

Indeed, Lu Bu exceeded Qiao Yan’s expectations by far.

By the age of thirty in Bingzhou, he had developed formidable martial prowess and a penchant for provocation.

Since Dong Zhuo entered Luoyang, his arrogance had grown, yet he remained vigilant in defending Luoyang, while also indulging in extortion and plunder.

Especially the roaming soldiers from the Western Liang who were “searching for criminals” inadvertently served as patrols.

However, today, a group heading towards Henei to plunder was ambushed midway.

These soldiers from Western Liang were accustomed to wielding their blades against the weak, causing some disorder among their ranks on this expedition.

Usually, this might not be a problem, but they were unexpectedly attacked by the fierce cavalry of Bingzhou.

Although Lu Bu wasn’t versed in military tactics, he knew one thing well: none of these men should escape his grasp alive!

It was an almost instinctive way of fighting.

They rode steeds provided by Lord Qiao from beyond the frontier, wielding sharp weapons forged from Bingzhou’s iron mines.

After resting for a night, they targeted this group of Western Liang bandits.

If they let them escape, it would be unacceptable!

Thus, instead of fellow soldiers returning from their northern looting, the guards atop Luoyang’s northern wall witnessed dozens of riders racing towards them.

From afar, it was clear these weren’t their own troops.

To ensure they could clearly distinguish friend from foe, the cavalry halted just within shooting range.

Each rider swiftly hurled three or four heads they carried forward, creating a startling display.

Before the defenders atop the city walls could react to the identity of those below, a remarkable scene unfolded: a white-feathered arrow soared through the air, severing Dong’s banner from the city wall and embedding itself into the watchtower.

A second arrow followed immediately, landing within three inches of the first, this time bearing a silk scroll tied to it.

The Xiliang troops on the wall couldn’t help but gasp in astonishment.

The leader below displayed remarkable archery skill and astonishing range!

As he nocked another arrow and scanned the walls for targets, the defenders hesitated in their intent to descend and pursue.

The enemy clearly anticipated their reaction, and the young commander on his crimson horse laughed aloud.

In response, his fifty riders behind him shouted in unison, “Under the orders of Governor of Bingzhou, Marquis Qiao, we present this gift to Dong Zhuo and deliver the proclamation against the traitor. We depart!”

Lu Bu led the charge against the traitors like the wind, his arrows striking swiftly.

His speed in withdrawing his men was astonishing, showing no intention of lingering in this place.

As the Xiliang troops descended from the city, realizing these heads belonged to their comrades who had set out north that day, they found it impossible to pursue the Bingzhou cavalry, who left without hesitation.

They could only report the incident, along with the scroll that accompanied the feathered arrow, to Dong Zhuo.

When Li Ru entered the office of the Grand Commandant, he found a room in disarray, and Dong Zhuo seated behind his desk, seething with anger.

This was a stark contrast to the triumphant demeanor he had displayed just days earlier, sword in hand.

“Why are you so enraged, General?” Li Ru approached Dong Zhuo cautiously. “I’ve heard reports of what happened today at the northern gate of Luoyang. The Bingzhou army merely used fifty riders to rout our hundred. It was a calculated move, not difficult to win if they were determined. But in a real confrontation between our armies, how could we allow them such easy access?”

“Do you think I’m angry about that?” Dong Zhuo replied icily.

He had experienced many skirmishes with small cavalry units during his time in Liangzhou.

Despite Lu Bu’s provocation, he had already sent someone to inspect their corpses, roughly knowing how they had achieved success.