A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

Chapter 224: Ding Yuan's Shocking Move

"This Ding Yuan is not a complete waste."

"With such a good opportunity, why not take advantage of it and get on Lu Bu's fast track?"

"With Lü Bu's abilities, he can easily make a name for himself in the border army. The northern border army is within the sphere of influence of our Wei family, so Lü Bu will naturally come into our sights."

"Based on Lu Bu's martial prowess, he could almost be considered a weakened version of several of our ancestors."

"He will definitely be highly valued by our Wei family, and Ding Yuan will also rise to prominence along with him."

"Isn't this better than resorting to such a thankless method?"

"If I were Lü Bu, I would definitely seize an opportunity to rise to power. Once I started my rebellion, I could easily bring down Ding Yuan."

"They really squandered a winning hand."

Wei Ya shook his head, truly baffled by Ding Yuan's thinking.

"Master Dong, this is wonderful news!"

Wei Ya brought Lü Bu's information to Dong Zhuo, who was overjoyed after reading it.

Ding Yuan was a good fool! If he hadn't been so stupid, how would he have had the chance to subdue Lü Bu?!

"My lord, I am from the same hometown as Lü Bu and we are old acquaintances. I am willing to use my silver tongue to persuade Lü Bu to surrender without resistance!"

Dong Zhuo was overjoyed. This man was his strategist Li Su, who was also quite resourceful, but he still had doubts.

"Even after suffering humiliation, Lü Bu remains utterly loyal to Ding Yuan. How do you intend to persuade him to surrender?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Dong, just look at this intelligence report."

Wei Ya smiled and handed over another intelligence report. After reading it, Dong Zhuo's eyes widened. He looked at Wei Ya, then at the intelligence report.

If Wei Ya hadn't always been so composed, he would have almost suspected that Wei Ya was joking with him.

In order to ensure that Lü Bu would follow him wholeheartedly and become his adopted father, Ding Yuan actually sent men disguised as foreign bandits to wipe out Lü Bu's village!

Then he adopted Lü Bu as his godson and promised to avenge him!

Is this something carbon-based biological energy could do?

Although the term "carbon-based life" didn't exist at that time, Dong Zhuo always felt that Ding Yuan's description was somewhat abstract.

Li Su replied, "If that's the case, today's persuasion to surrender will surely succeed."

"I have heard that my lord has a famous horse named Red Hare, which can travel a thousand miles a day without stopping day or night."

"If we obtain this horse, Lü Bu will be completely convinced and will be worlds apart from Ding Yuan."

"How can a mere horse compare to such a great general?!"

"I hereby appoint you as General of the Household, and you shall be in full charge of this matter. If you can persuade Lü Bu to surrender, it will be a great achievement."

Dong Zhuo readily agreed and sent men to fetch Red Hare, along with a thousand taels of gold, dozens of pearls, a jade belt, and a pair of jade discs.

It was given to Li Su to persuade Lü Bu to surrender.

After observing Li Su's attire, Dong Zhuo added another full-body battle robe, one of his treasured possessions.

Li Su secretly traveled to Lü Bu's residence with gifts, but was intercepted by Gao Shun on the way.

"Quickly inform General Lü that an old friend from Jiuyuan has come to see you."

Gao Shun first ordered Li Su to be searched. Seeing the precious horses and jewels Li Su was carrying, Gao Shun knew exactly what Li Su's purpose was.

When Lü Bu heard that an old friend from Jiuyuan had come to visit, he came in person.

Upon seeing Lü Bu, Li Su straightened his armor and robes. "Brother, how have you been?"

When Lü Bu saw that it was Li Su, a sense of joy at reuniting with an old friend rose in his otherwise melancholy heart.

"Long time no see! Judging by your armor, Yuan Gong, I wish you a successful career!"

When Lü Bu saw Li Su's attire, a look of envy and joy at his friend's promotion flashed in his eyes. Having frequented the military, he could clearly tell that this was clothing worn only by a Lieutenant General.

"Su is currently under Lord Dong's command, serving as a General of the Household. Fengxian's bravery surpasses Su's by a hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand times."

"He must already be a high-ranking general, granted titles and honors—how delightful!"

Lu Bu's lips curled into a bitter smile, and he let out a long sigh.

"Bu is currently serving as the registrar."

"Registrar!"

"How could someone as brave as Fengxian do this?!"

"Could that rumor be true?!"

Li Su was shocked, as if he had just learned of the news.

"What rumor?"

Lu Bu asked in confusion.

Li Su looked around, then took a few steps closer to Lü Bu. "Fengxian, is there a place where we can talk?"

Lu Bu nodded and led Li Su back to his bedroom, asking Gao Shun to personally lead troops to guard it.

"Is it true that Ding Yuan, that old scoundrel, has been trying to claim all of Fengxian's military merits?"

There was no one else around. Lü Bu nodded bitterly, but still spoke up for Ding Yuan.

"Ding Yuan is, after all, Bu's godfather. How can you address him like that?"

"We'll talk about that later. I just want to ask, is he also asking you to transfer your military merits to his son, so that two or three generations of his family will leech off you?!"

Li Su's expression was now extremely horrified, filled with terror.

"Yes."

Lu Bu's tone was full of frustration.

"Does Fengxian know why I've come?"

Li Su's eyes flashed with fire as he stared intently at Lü Bu.

"Isn't this a reunion of old friends?"

Lu Bu asked in confusion.

"No, I am currently serving under Lord Dong. Today, I noticed that Lord Dong seemed troubled, so I went to inquire about it."

"That's when I learned of Fengxian's whereabouts."

"Upon witnessing Fengxian's bravery, Lord Dong was overjoyed and sent someone to inquire about your whereabouts, Fengxian."

"This investigation uncovered a past event, so I came here on Lord Dong's orders to recruit Fengxian."

"Lord Dong ordered me to bring a fine horse. This horse is the king of horses in Xiliang, named Red Hare. Its hair is as red as charcoal, without a single stray hair. It is ten feet long from head to tail and eight feet tall from hoof to neck. It roars like the Dead Sea and looks like it is about to leap into the sea."

"This horse is a thoroughbred, capable of traveling a thousand miles in a day and eight hundred miles at night, without stopping day or night."

"Brother Wei Ya also wrote a poem for Red Hare."

"Galloping a thousand miles, sweeping away dust; crossing waters and climbing mountains, dispelling the deathly fog. Pulling back the silken reins and jade tassels, a fiery dragon flies down from the ninth heaven."

"In addition, there are a thousand taels of gold, dozens of pearls, a jade belt, and a pair of jade discs."

Looking at the steed, Lu Bu could no longer hide his affection. He gently stroked Red Hare's head, and Red Hare snorted and nuzzled closer.

"What a fine horse! It is indeed a dragon steed that understands human nature."

But Lu Bu suppressed his feelings and turned away.

"Brother, do you not know? Is that my godfather?"

"Those are my dearest friends and family, my only family!"

"You can leave now. Just pretend you were never here today."

Li Su didn't move. He took out a piece of paper from his pocket. "Brother, do you still remember what day the fourth day of the fourth month is?"

"Of course I remember."

Mentioning this, even a tough man like Lü Bu had tears welling up in his eyes, "That is the anniversary of my father and mother's death."

"Has Fengxian found that gang of bandits from back then?"

"I have found him, and it is all thanks to my adoptive father's help that I was able to kill my enemy."