Chapter 45: Meeting Dong Zhuo

  Luoyang City, central inner city.

  A magnificent and majestic, towering and grandiose mansion lies like a lion crouching, a tiger lying down, emitting an unparalleled aura.

  On both sides of the mansion's gate stood two stone lions, each one zhang high.

  The two stone lions have different shapes and postures. The one on the left has its head held high, its mouth wide open, and its front half of the body slightly crouched down, as if ready to pounce at any moment. The one on the right has its head raised high, its front legs lifted up, and the whole lion appears to be jumping.

  Two stone lions, showing the extraordinary place of this mansion.

  The gate of the mansion was a two-zhang-wide and two-zhang-high copper-iron gate. In the center of the gate, a huge door knocker hung. Above the gate, a gold-plated giant signboard with golden characters that shone brightly: "Dong Fu".

  In front of Dongfu Gate stood four soldiers wearing armor.

  Soldiers holding long spears, with a stern expression, are truly majestic and intimidating.

  Such a magnificent and extravagant mansion, in Luoyang City, apart from the current Taishi Dong Zhuo, there is no other second family.

  At this time, in the backyard of Dong Taishi's mansion, two middle-aged men were sitting opposite each other.

  "Excellent! Then Cai Yong will bring Wang Can to visit. I plan to let Wang Can take the post of Governor of Ru'nan, what do you think?"

  The man wore a black python robe, with a brown cloak draped over it, and on his head was a black long crown. He had a round waist and broad shoulders, tiger eyes and a wide mouth, and under his chin was a face with whiskers, looking like a rough and robust man.

  Judging from his age, he is probably over 40 but not yet 50.

  This man is Dong Zhuo, the tyrant who dominated the imperial court.

  The man he asked was slightly younger than Dong Zhuo, about 30 years old. He was thin and tall, with narrow eyes and thin lips, giving off a sinister feeling. This person was none other than Li Ru, the son-in-law of Dong Zhuo, also known as Li Wenyu.

  "Father-in-law, are you planning to keep Wang Can confined in Runan?"

  Li Ru's dark eyes rolled around, and he said in a very humble tone. His speech was extremely cautious, unlike Li Ru's caution, Dong Zhuo sat casually, with one hand holding a wine cup, and the other hand occasionally scratching his head. While sitting opposite Dong Zhuo, Li Ru was sitting upright, with both hands respectfully placed on his legs, extremely cautious, with a face always tense, as if facing a prehistoric giant beast.

  Dong Zhuo shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Wang Can was able to transform from a Yellow Turban rebel to become Cai Yong's disciple. This person is not simple at all, he has abilities and plans. Compared to Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, I value this person more. Yuan Shao and Cao Cao both have power and are from large clans. If we use them, there will be too many restrictions and they cannot be used by me. But Wang Can is different, Wang Can is just a Yellow Turban rebel with a low status. As long as he is utilized well, I think I can turn him into a sharp blade in my hand."

  "Since it's a sharp blade in hand, naturally won't restrict Wang Can, let him have no place to use his skills."

  Dong Zhuo had been in a high position for a long time, and his aura was intimidating. As he spoke, an invisible air of majesty emanated from him, causing people to feel a tremble in their hearts.

  Li Ru continued: "Father-in-law, from a junior son-in-law's perspective, Wang Can is a man with great ambitions, and it's probably not easy to grasp him."

  Dong Zhuo's expression changed slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Wen You," he said, "you seem to know Wang Can quite well?"

  Li Ru said, "Father-in-law, the young son-in-law had two face-to-face conversations with Wang Can. The first time was when Wang Can had just entered the Cai Mansion and visited Cai Yong. At that time, Wang Can was not yet a disciple of Cai Yong, but only visiting him. At that time, the young son-in-law saw that Wang Can had great talent, so he had the intention of loving talent, thinking that if Wang Can were to bind himself to Cai Yong, it would also be considered serving his father-in-law, therefore he helped things along and let Wang Can become a disciple of Cai Yong."

  "The second time was at the banquet where Wang Can made Cai Yong his teacher, when Xiao Yu didn't receive an invitation from Cai Yong but went anyway. At that time, Xiao Yu thought of exposing Wang Can's identity as a Yellow Turban bandit, making him a target for everyone to shout and beat, but unexpectedly Wang Can said 'Before heaven worries, I worry; after the world is happy, I am happy', which transformed Wang Can into Cai Yong's successor, and even made the Confucian scholars in Luoyang accept Wang Can. It was truly humiliating."

  "In my opinion, Wang Can is not the kind of person who would be willing to lower himself. Therefore, I suggest that Father-in-law put Wang Can aside for now and let him experience what it's like to be unable to get reused. After tempering him a bit, try to test Wang Can again to see if he can be used by Father-in-law."

  "Wen You, your suggestion, I have never doubted. If it weren't for Wen You, I wouldn't be in this glorious and powerful position today. However, Wen You, have you considered that although the Western Liang Iron Cavalry is formidable, they lack a leader who can take charge on their own? Even if it's Lü Bu, Niu Fu, Li Jue, or Guo Si, they are only obedient generals, lacking the ability to take charge independently. That's why I want to recruit Wang Zan and let him take charge."

  Li Ru raised his body, and with a serious expression, he advised: "Taishi, between a talented general and an obedient one, although the former is more likable, but between an disobedient talented general and an obedient ordinary general, I hope Taishi can choose the obedient ordinary general. The Xiliang Iron Cavalry is invincible, what it needs is an obedient general, not a disobedient talented general. I hope Taishi will think thrice."

  As they spoke, Li Rou's title had changed, directly from father-in-law to Taishi.

  Dong Zhuo hastily waved his hand and said: "Wen You, sit down, let's talk while sitting."

  After Li Ru sat down, Dong Zhuo said: "Wen You, your intention is to send the Western Liang Iron Cavalry to receive Yuzhou, and then confine Wang Zan in Yuzhou, not allowing Wang Zan to show his head, thoroughly making Wang Zan disappear from the people's sight?"

  Li Ru shook his head and said, "Father-in-law, just confining Wang Can in Runan is obviously not enough. Wang Can has occupied Runan for a month now, which is more than enough time for him to turn Runan into an iron fortress. Even if Father-in-law lets the Western Liang Iron Cavalry occupy Runan, can you guarantee that you will be able to grasp and eliminate Wang Can, making him disappear from the people's sight?"

  Dong Zhuo thought for a moment, shaking his head: "I'm afraid it's not possible. Wang Can occupies Yuzhou and has the ability and means to do so. He also has the geographical advantage and the support of the people. The Western Liang Iron Cavalry wants to control Yuzhou, but at the same time, they want to be able to manipulate Wang Can at will. It's hard to achieve that. To say nothing of it, the Western Liang army might even be manipulated by Wang Can."

  Dong Zhuo paused for a moment, then asked: "What does Wen You plan to do with Wang Can?"

  Li Ru's eyes turned cold and he said in a deep voice: "Transfer Wang Can out of Runan City, then send him to Bashu, where he will become an official."

  A horse-drawn carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the main gate of the Dong Mansion.

  The horse carriage curtain opened, and Wang Can, dressed in a white robe, emerged from the carriage, standing on the carriage shaft before getting down. Immediately afterwards, Cai Yong also came out of the carriage, standing on the carriage shaft.

  "Be careful, teacher."

  Wang Can stood beside the carriage, supporting Cai Yong as he got down from the carriage, and walked towards Dong Zhuo's mansion.

  As he entered the main hall of Dong's mansion, Wang Can looked up and saw Dong Zhuo sitting in the center of the hall wearing a black robe with golden trimmings, Li Ru standing beside him with a calm expression, his eyes slightly narrowed as he waited for Wang Can and Cai Yong to enter.

  "Greetings, Grand Master."

  Cai Yong and Wang Can stepped forward, with Wang Can standing slightly behind Cai Yong. The two of them bowed to Cai Yong at the same time.

  "Master Cai, please take a seat, please take a seat." Dong Zhuo smiled and hurriedly invited Cai Yong to sit down. "Everyone" is a title of respect for people with profound knowledge. Cai Yong was erudite, a literary figure, calligrapher, and polymath who was well-versed in classics, history, astronomy, music, and excelled at writing poetry and prose. Dong Zhuo addressed Cai Yong as "Master Cai" to show his respect for him.

  "Haha... for now, what a handsome young man."

  Dong Zhuo's eyes shifted, and he smiled, saying: "It is my honor that Lord Cai comes to visit me first. Please, Lord Cai, do not be restrained, just be at ease."

  "Thank you, Imperial Tutor." Cai Yong bowed to Dong Zhuo and then sat down with a flourish of his robe.

  Wang Can also sat down beside Cai Yong, sitting upright and straightening his body.

  "First of all, you can surrender to the imperial court, I am very happy. Tell me, what are your requirements? As long as it is a reasonable requirement, Ben Taishi will try his best to satisfy you."

  Dong Zhuo had a smile on his face, but when he spoke, his tiger eyes flashed with a cold and stern light.

  "Bullshit, who believes you, who's looking for death." Wang Can cursed silently in his heart. He clearly noticed the cold glint in Dong Zhuo's eyes, and he knew that this was just a polite phrase from Dong Zhuo. If he believed it to be true and asked Dong Zhuo for an exorbitant price, he would probably get Dong Zhuo's butcher knife instead.

  PS: Continue to ask for collection, ask for flowers, brothers and sisters give some strength, help Xiaodong a bit, rush the list, come on!!!