However, her situation with Lu Bu was vastly different, and Dong Zhuo clearly didn’t expect her to bow down and relinquish command of her troops.

Thus, the meaning behind Dong Zhuo’s actions became somewhat subtle.

Qiao Yan pondered silently.

Even though she was just a sixteen-year-old youth, albeit precocious and skilled in warfare, she had been elevated to this position due to the former emperor’s lack of capable successors.

Now, in order to protect the orphan left by the former emperor, she voiced dissatisfaction with Dong Zhuo’s rule as prime minister in Luoyang, and led troops south.

She gained support from influential families in Hedong, who treated her with feasts and gifts.

Dong Zhuo, now in full power, feared her and sent envoys to negotiate, even offering prized horses as gifts.

What should her response be?

Others didn’t know about her earlier actions and words, which were sometimes childish and meant to lull Liu Hong into complacency.

Others didn’t know the extent of her plans behind this military campaign, which were not merely based on indignation towards Dong Zhuo’s actions.

Others wouldn’t understand her perspective, viewing this historical period from the future, possessing maturity and insight far beyond her teenage years.

Although amused by the gift of the famous Red Hare horse, originally intended for Lu Bu, her amusement quickly faded as she focused on strategic planning between the two armies.

She turned to Li Su from Wuyuan County, who wore an ingratiating expression.

She asked calmly, “Dong Zhuo has committed many atrocities and controls the court. What can he say to me outside the gates of Luoyang?”

“Lord Qiao, you’re mistaken,” Li Su replied with a wry smile. “The prime minister never sought to disrespect the Han dynasty as the proclamation suggests. He’s merely managing disputes with the aristocrats in the capital, which sometimes require forceful measures.”

Qiao Yan scoffed, “Wasn’t he responsible for the forced execution of Empress Dowager He?”

Li Su shook his head. “Marquis Qiao, not being in the capital herself, how can she know the full story? The struggle for the throne between brothers is inevitable, and the late emperor’s decree favored Dong Zhuo as the next emperor, while Empress Dowager He preferred another. If she tried to use her power as empress dowager to depose or entangle with the emperor, the stability of Luoyang would be compromised. Prime Minister Dong had no choice but to accept the infamy.”

Qiao Yan couldn’t help but acknowledge Li Su’s eloquence.

He managed to portray Dong Zhuo as someone who endured humiliation for the greater good.

Yet Li Su’s explanation entirely avoided the fact that Dong Zhuo’s actions endangered the prestige of the Han dynasty after the fire at Nangong.

If Empress Dowager He could be so casually coerced, then the current emperor’s inviolable image was nothing more than a joke.

Qiao Yan felt that Li Su’s explanation was biased and somewhat absurd, but she didn’t immediately refute him.

After a moment of silence, she asked, “What about the reports of looting and plundering in Bingzhou, witnessed by my subordinates who came to deliver the proclamation? How does General Dong Zhuo explain that?”

Li Su bowed apologetically and replied, “Madame Qiao, you may not be aware that many soldiers in that region are unruly. While you might handle Xianbei with ease and return with plundered cattle and sheep, calming their rebellious hearts remains a challenge.”

“Dong Chancellor relies on these soldiers from Xiliang to control the situation in the capital. It’s not easy to provide them with money to serve him, so he allows them to plunder temporarily to pacify them. With only 3,000 soldiers from Xiliang, having money to spend in Luoyang will ensure stability, and they will settle down soon.”

Qiao Yan tapped her fingers on the table, momentarily stunned by this twisted logic.

Li Su’s defense was clearly crafted from his association with Dong Zhuo’s camp.

Realizing the weakness of his argument, Li Su quickly shifted gears. “Marquis Qiao, don’t just focus on Prime Minister Dong. Luoyang has walls but lacks fortifications. If your army advances and clashes with Prime Minister Dong’s Northern Army and the Xiliang troops brought into Luoyang, it won’t be like the recent cavalry charge directly to the north wall.”

“In a battle within Luoyang’s walls, the people of Luoyang won’t just lose wealth; their lives will be in danger! Does Marquis Qiao want to become a criminal in the eyes of Luoyang’s people, as stated in your accusation against Chancellor Dong?”

If not for the absence of moral constraint now, Qiao Yan would have given him a piece of her mind.

Li Su was adept at speaking to specific audiences.

If she was indeed a governor known for governing Bingzhou with both military might against the Xianbei and good governance, and lacked experience in internal conflicts in the Central Plains, she might hesitate upon hearing such words.

This hesitation was fleeting but not unnoticed by Li Su.

He thought to himself, Mr. Wen’s observations were indeed correct.

This display of weakness might not entirely convince Marquis Qiao of their innocence, nor would it make her overly confident, but it was enough to sow some doubt in her mind.

That was sufficient!

Seizing the moment, he continued, “Could Marquis Qiao please accompany me to see Prime Minister Dong’s sincerity?”

And what was this sincerity?

Naturally, it was the gift of that Red Hare horse!

Qiao Yan’s chestnut horse was raised from a young foal and, though it was nearly adult-sized, it wasn’t fully matured yet.

However, this Red Hare horse was clearly approaching adulthood.

The Red Hare, what is it? Apart from its bright red color, its most distinctive feature is the “rabbit head” in horse evaluation.

Above the horse’s nose, there’s a protrusion resembling a rabbit’s head, a hallmark of heavy warhorses.

In fact, General Qiao Yan’s Zhu Tan(Horse) also has similar features, though less pronounced than on the Red Hare.

Even with Li Su’s subordinates restraining its reins, this spirited steed still displays a fierce and temperamental nature.

For novice riders, it offers little benefit, but for top generals, especially skilled in mounted archery, it’s an ideal gift.

Seeing Qiao Yan’s interest in the Red Hare, Li Su couldn’t help but feel pleased and continued, “A fine horse befits a great general. Who is Lord Qiao but one deserving the best steed under heaven? The Prime Minister has sought a suitable master for the Red Hare, and now, it coincides with Lord Qiao’s presence.”

“Don’t sweet-talk me here,” Qiao Yan retorted, though she took a few steps towards the Red Hare, as if appraising this rare and excellent horse.

She seemed increasingly convinced that Mr. Wen’s strategy of feigning weakness against the enemy might indeed be effective!

Li Su added, “The Prime Minister knows persuading Lord Qiao between a few words won’t be easy, given his loyalty to the state. Thus, the Prime Minister suggests arranging a meeting near Luoyang, close to the northern suburbs, where Lord Qiao could bring a thousand men, and the Prime Minister will bring eighteen hundred Warriors. This exchange will aid the new emperor’s plans and protect the residents of Luoyang from war. What does Lord Qiao think?”

Qiao Yan shifted her gaze from the Red Hare to Li Su.

His keen insight startled her, but after a moment’s thought, she asked, “Where exactly will we meet?”

“In five days, twenty miles north of Luoyang, at the Sunset Pavilion,” Li Su promptly replied.

After some consideration, Qiao Yan agreed, “Very well, as you say.”

With the agreement settled, the Red Hare remained as a gift at the military camp in Bingzhou.

Li Su happily led his companions back south.

Qiao Yan watched as Li Su disappeared into the distance, and with his departure, any lingering hesitation within her turned into firm resolve.

Immediately, she issued orders:

“Remove the outer perimeter defenses in the camp and prepare ambush positions internally. Over the next few days, ensure strict vigilance and defense rotations.”

“Li Ru is cunning; back when Dong Zhuo was besieged by Han Sui and others deep in Xiliang territory, nearly surrounded and nearly out of supplies, Li Ru devised a plan to build dams on the Yellow River in Hedong to cut off upstream water flow.

He also instructed Dong Zhuo’s troops to catch fish and shrimp in the river for food, tricking the Western Qiang leaders into thinking that the Han army had truly run out of provisions.

They continued to besiege but did not kill, giving Dong Zhuo the opportunity to escape.”