The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

Meanwhile, Xun Hao, in Tao Qian's tent, did not discuss any interests.

He simply sat there quietly, describing to the renowned benevolent old man the impending catastrophe that would consume millions of lives in Luoyang.

"...Women and children weep, elders wail, people are forced to leave their homes and die on the road. I am but a humble man with little power to change the situation. I can only hope that a benevolent ruler like you can leave a glimmer of hope for the people in this chaotic world."

His pale face and sincere eyes deeply moved Tao Qian, who sighed repeatedly.

Seeing Tao Qian moved, Xun Hao coughed a few times, his voice even weaker: "Saving one person is a meritorious deed, saving a city is even more so, allowing the Prefect's benevolent name to spread throughout the world and be revered by all people. Such unparalleled merit is far beyond what gold and silver can compare to." He adopted a very humble posture, spoke earnestly, without any coercion, simply presenting Tao Qian with a choice, an opportunity to demonstrate "benevolence and virtue."

Tao Qian had no reason to refuse.

Xun Yu then went directly to Han Fu, the governor of Ji Province. He did not discuss the greater good, but only the practical benefits.

"Lord Han, if Dong Zhuo flees west into Guanzhong, the war will inevitably drag on for a long time. At that time, refugees will rise up everywhere, and Ji Province, which borders Sili, will be the first to bear the brunt. Rather than being exhausted from dealing with it later, why not seize this opportunity to finish the job in one battle and eliminate future troubles forever?"

Seeing Han Fu's hesitation, Xun Yu added another strong dose of advice: "Moreover, both Alliance Leader Yuan and General Cao have decided to send troops. If you remain inactive, how will you conduct yourself in Hebei in the future?"

Upon hearing this, Han Fu looked surprised: "Wenruo, what makes you say this? Yuan Shao did not express his opinion during today's meeting." He was suspicious, wondering whether Xun Yu was bluffing or if there was something else going on.

Xun Yu remained unfazed, as if it were a casual remark, then seemed to back down: "Perhaps I misunderstood. But if the alliance leader decides to advance tomorrow, would you, my lord, be willing to be the first to respond, to secure Hebei?"

This was a clever trap. Han Fu didn't need to immediately express his opinion; he only needed to do a favor. He calculated in his mind that if Yuan Shao didn't move, he wouldn't either; but if Yuan Shao made a move, he would be the first to respond. This way, he wouldn't offend the alliance leader and would also show a positive attitude—why not?

"If Benchu ​​truly has this intention, Fu, I will naturally respond," Han Fu reassured him.

Having persuaded Han Fu, Xun Yu immediately went to the camp of Kong Rong, the governor of Beihai.

The two were old acquaintances, and Kong Rong held Xun Yu in high regard. Upon meeting, Kong Rong grasped Xun Yu's hand and spoke with great sorrow about the current situation.

Xun Yu did not discuss military matters, but only talked about literature and education with Kong Rong. In a somber tone, he described the possibility of Dong Zhuo burning the city, and spoke of the tragic scene in which countless rare books in the Lantai Stone Chamber and the Dongguan Library would soon be reduced to ashes.

"...The manuscripts of the pre-Qin philosophers and the commentaries of the sages of the Han Dynasty are the lifeblood of our Chinese culture for hundreds of years! Once they are all burned, we scholars will become trees without roots and water without a source. How will we face our ancestors in the afterlife?"

Kong Rong listened with deep regret, beating his chest and stamping his feet, as if those books had already turned to ashes before his eyes.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Xun Yu changed the subject, and said in a low voice with a tone full of regret, "I have heard that among the royal collection are several volumes of the Spring and Autumn Annals annotated by Confucius himself, as well as commentaries on the Analects by his close disciples that have not been passed down to the world. Even my Confucius Mansion in Qufu probably has never seen such sacred objects."

"What?" Kong Rong suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with astonishing light.

"If we can rescue him before the fire," Xun Yu looked at him, his voice filled with expectation and admiration, "it would be an unparalleled merit for us scholars, and a glorious achievement for you, Kong Beihai, to bring honor to your family and ensure your name is remembered in history!"

These words precisely struck a chord with Kong Rong's sense of honor and mission as a descendant of Confucius and a literary luminary. Protecting his ancestral relics and bringing glory to his family was more compelling to him than any military achievement.

"Wenruo!" Kong Rong gripped Xun Yu's hand tightly, his voice trembling with excitement. "I'll go gather troops right now and go with you! Even if it costs me my life, I will rescue the relics of the sages from the fire!"

The most crucial step was that Xun You went to see Yuan Shao alone.

Unlike Xun Yu, Xun You did not deliver a passionate speech, nor did he offer any enticing bait like Guo Jia. Upon entering the tent, he sighed deeply at Yuan Shao, his face filled with worry.

"You heard that the traitor Dong Zhuo wanted to burn down the city. This act is outrageous and inhuman, and it is abhorrent to both gods and men."

Yuan Shao waved his hand impatiently: "Gongda, I already know about this matter. However, the matter of sending troops still needs to be discussed at length."

"What the Alliance Leader says is quite right." Xun You followed his words, "However... there is something that troubles me, and I must speak it out."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Yuan Shao's face, his voice extremely low.

"Grand Tutor (Yuan Kui) has already met with misfortune."

Yuan Shao's expression changed instantly.

Yuan Wei was his uncle, and also the person with the highest status in the court from the Yuan clan of Runan.

Xun You seemed oblivious to his grim expression and continued in a somber tone, "If the alliance leader's army is so close, yet we sit idly by and watch Dong Zhuo leave Luoyang so brazenly, without avenging him."

"At that time, how will the world judge my allies? And how will they judge... the Yuan family of Runan, who have served the country wholeheartedly for four generations and held high office?"

Those last few words were like heavy hammer blows, striking Yuan Shao's heart relentlessly.

He could disregard Cao Cao's life or death, Sun Jian's defeat, and even the survival of millions of lives in Luoyang. But he could not disregard the prestigious reputation of the "Yuan Clan of Runan."

If he were to be branded as "disloyal and unfilial" because of his hesitation, how could Yuan Shao have the face to stand between heaven and earth? How could he, as the leader of the alliance, command the heroes of the world?

This is ten thousand times more terrible than defeat or loss of troops.

When Yuan Shao convened the assembly of the feudal lords again, the atmosphere inside the tent was completely different.

Before Xun Yu could speak, Yuan Shu was the first to jump out. He slammed his hand on the table and passionately advocated for an immediate advance, his words vehement, as if he were the one most loyal to the Han Dynasty and most concerned about the fate of the nation.

"This traitor Dong Zhuo is committing perverse acts, attempting to burn down our capital and destroy our ancestral temples! Such a national traitor is an outrage against both gods and men! How can we, who have raised an army of righteousness, sit idly by? I am willing to mobilize all my troops to be the vanguard of the allied forces, march straight to Luoyang, and capture this traitor Dong Zhuo alive!"

Kong Rong echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of protecting cultural classics, and spoke with tears in his eyes.

The other lords looked at each other, and seeing that the wind had changed, they all expressed their agreement. Even Han Fu, who had agreed, did not make it into the top three.

A farcical public discussion, amidst the chorus of voices echoing each other with their own ulterior motives, surprisingly reached a consensus.

The allied forces have finally decided to take action.