Chapter 48

So we should still do our work for His Majesty well; that's the most important thing right now!

Zhang Liao also sighed to Xi Zhicai.

Alright, we should speak less of these from now on; let's keep moving. We're still a bit far from Bing Province, and even reaching the nearest Shangjun will take five days!

Xi Zhicai was more cautious; he immediately interrupted Zhang Liao's words, and the two then talked about military affairs.

What the Military Advisor said is, we shouldn't say these from now on; by the way, I heard the Shangjun Defender is said to be Niu Fu's younger brother, Niu Gao, with two thousand troops stationed?

Zhang Liao also immediately changed the subject, asking Xi Zhicai about the situation in Bing Province.

Yes, this Niu Gao has no ability; his forces are merely a bunch of third-rate generals, and the two thousand troops stationed there aren't very strong in combat.

It's said that this Niu Gao is actually Niu Fu's cousin!

Frankly, Xi Zhicai couldn't see the sense in Dong Zhuo's arrangement; how could two such fools guard Bing Province, which the Xiongnu covet?

This isn't intending to hand over Bing Province to the Xiongnu, is it?

Although Bing Province lacks the wealth of other prefectures, it is still part of the Han Dynasty's frontier.

We haven't even had time to dispatch strong troops for garrison; how could we send such people to defend against the Xiongnu?

Hmph, it's all about connections; if it weren't for Fengxian seeking revenge, he wouldn't have cooperated with Dong Zhuo—such a person doesn't deserve our loyalty!

Upon hearing Xi Zhicai's words, Zhang Liao immediately snorted coldly and said disdainfully.

What! General, are you saying that Lü Bu killed Ding Yuan for revenge, not for the Red Hare?

Upon hearing Zhang Liao's words, Xi Zhicai was greatly surprised; this doesn't match the rumors.

Wasn't it said that Lü Bu joined Dong Zhuo's forces for a Red Hare horse, killing his adoptive father Ding Yuan?

How come, hearing what Zhang Liao said, could there be some hidden truth?

Of course; otherwise, do you think Fengxian would really kill Ding Yuan just for a Red Hare horse? Would we still follow him faithfully?

Zhang Liao also understood Xi Zhicai's surprise; after all, Lü Bu never explained this back then, and few people knew.

Back then, they also advised Lü Bu to make this known to the world, but Dong Zhuo blocked them all.

Later, the claim that Lü Bu killed his adoptive father Ding Yuan for a Red Hare spread throughout the world; even if he wanted to explain, without evidence, nobody would believe it.

Back then, few knew the truth; Fengxian previously had a younger sister. When we first joined the army, we all enlisted under Ding Yuan, hoping to kill Xiongnu and defend home and country.

Unexpectedly, during a battle with the Xiongnu, they used a surprise tactic to attack Wuyuan Commandery; Ding Yuan was in the city at the time, and to save himself he abandoned the townspeople.

He actually had five thousand troops, yet he fled without fighting when scared by just two thousand Xiongnu; and Fengxian's younger sister was in the city at that time.

After we drove off the Xiongnu and arrived, the whole city had been burned, slaughtered, and looted by them, and Fengxian's younger sister also died at their hands then.

And Ding Yuan, feeling ashamed of his actions, ordered the news to be blocked.

From then on, we all formed an opinion of Ding Yuan, and he also thought about how to get rid of us.

Coincidentally, He Jin had summoned Ding Yuan to the capital to rally for the throne, and Ding Yuan came to Luoyang; you know what happened afterward.

Zhang Liao, with a calm expression, told Xi Zhicai the whole story in one breath.

After finishing, Zhang Liao looked at the dazed Xi Zhicai beside him, mouth slightly open, and waved his hand in front of him.

With a slight upturn of the corners of his mouth and a full-face smile, he said: "How? Don't you feel it's a bit hard to believe!"

After hearing Zhang Liao's words, Xi Zhicai finally came to his senses; seeing Zhang Liao's expression, he knew he was being laughed at.

He immediately retorted unhappily to Zhang Liao: "Hearing this suddenly, I think nobody would stay calm!"

What you said is really too unbelievable!

Looking at the stubborn Xi Zhicai, Zhang Liao didn't refute him, just smiling at him.

Being stared at by Zhang Liao made Xi Zhicai feel creepy all over; he said irritably: "I say, Zhang General, what kind of look is that? I tell you, I'm a normal man—don't hit on me!!!"

Hearing Xi Zhicai's words, Zhang Liao's smile vanished; he stared at Xi Zhicai in disbelief, mouth slightly open, pointing at him with a trembling hand.

His voice trembling, he struggled to speak: "No, I was saying how could someone be as shameless as you—was that what I meant?"

Hehehe, I just don't want to see that face of yours; who made you look at my joke?

Seeing Zhang Liao getting angry, Xi Zhicai also decided to drop it, and immediately smiled and said.

However, Ding Yuan never expected to be such a person; it seems he deceived everyone under heaven.

Not joking with Zhang Liao, Xi Zhicai wiped the smile from his face and spoke solemnly.

Hehehe, that's because you haven't been in contact with him; otherwise, I'm afraid you couldn't help but kill him!

Hearing Xi Zhicai say that, Zhang Liao, accustomed to it, replied indifferently.

Then, Ding Yuan's former righteous image was all deliberately fabricated by him; I don't know how someone like him agreed to He Jin's request to enter the capital.

Ignoring Zhang Liao's expression, Xi Zhicai thought of Ding Yuan's actions and asked, puzzled.

Hehe, this calls for talking about his shameless mindset; back then, he just wanted to come and gain fame to earn some merit for future promotion.

He just wanted to come to Luoyang to join the fun; but he never imagined that this would cost him his life!

Zhang Liao said this, feeling relieved inside. Back then, his relationship with Lü Bu and the few of them was very good.

Therefore, everyone loved the house and thus loved Lü Bu's sister as well; they doted on her greatly, and she was very sensible, so everyone had long treated her as their own younger sister.

They never expected that the sister they doted on would lose her life pointlessly because of Ding Yuan's cowardice.

So, when Lü Bu killed Ding Yuan back then, they didn't stop him; they even clapped and cheered.

They also never expected that Dong Zhuo, that villain, would be so shameless.

Then why did Dong Zhuo, back then, also want to ruin the reputation of General Lü?

Regarding Dong Zhuo's practice, even with Zhicai's cleverness, after Hundred thoughts it is still incomprehensible.