Chapter 103

Sure enough.

Gu Yi checked Wang Yun’s administrative performance in recent days and discovered an extremely abnormal thing.

Li Li, a subordinate of Li Jue, and Hao Meng, a subordinate of Lu Bu, had a conflict at a restaurant.

The cause of this incident was Li Li provoking Hao Meng and insulting the group of Bingzhou brothers following him.

How could Hao Meng endure this?

Although his name was indeed "cute," it didn't mean he lacked spirit.

Hao Meng and Li Li had a dispute on the spot.

As a result, Li Li’s martial arts were too poor, and he was pressed to the ground by Hao Meng in a few moves.

Originally, the matter should have ended there.

After all,

conflicts often arose between the Xiliang loyalists, the Bingzhou faction, and the Luoyang Imperial Guard faction.

As long as no one died, it generally wasn't a big deal.

But unexpectedly,

someone suddenly spread the news.

According to the laws set by Dong Zhuo, this was disturbing the peace.

The matter fell to the new Mayor of Chang'an, Wang Yun, to handle.

Subsequently, Wang Yun sentenced Hao Meng to thirty lashes, while Li Li suffered no consequences at all.

Then, the matter inexplicably spread.

The soldiers of the Bingzhou faction were filled with dissatisfaction toward Lu Bu.

And led by the three generals Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng, they launched a protest against Lu Bu.

"Hehe, this Wang Yun really has a good scheme."

"Is he trying to force Lu Bu to rebel?"

"Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng have mediocre abilities, but they are usually close to Lu Bu."

"These three also betrayed Lu Bu at the White Gate Tower in history, tying him up and bringing him before Cao Cao."

"Wang Yun winning over these three generals is indeed just right."

"But... no matter how much you scheme, Wang Yun, this time, you can only have worked in vain."

Gu Yi put down the files in his hand.

His position was Minister of Justice.

Coincidentally, he could intervene in all legal cases within Chang'an.

This time,

not only would he make Wang Yun fail in his attempt,

but he would also completely resolve the problems existing within Lu Bu and the Bingzhou faction!

...

"Gu Yi?"

"Why is he coming to see me?"

In the Situ residence,

looking at the calling card presented by the butler, Wang Yun showed confusion.

He had now completely given up on winning over Gu Yi.

It wasn't that he didn't want to win him over,

but Gu Yi’s status was such that he simply couldn't be swayed!

As long as Gu Yi’s brain wasn't broken, it was impossible for him to be turned by Wang Yun.

Therefore, Wang Yun set his sights on Lu Bu and the Bingzhou faction.

And the person standing behind the three generals Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng was none other than Wang Yun.

Although these three were close to Lu Bu,

they were not die-hard loyalists like Gao Shun and Cao Xing.

For the three of them,

as long as the benefits were sufficient, betraying Lu Bu was not a big deal.

And Wang Yun happened to give them exactly what they wanted most!

"Master, should we see him or not?"

The butler asked Wang Yun.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Yun replied:

"See him, of course, why wouldn't I?"

Wang Yun’s acting skills were master-level.

Regarding Gu Yi’s visit,

given Wang Yun’s personality, there was naturally no possibility of refusing.

"Situ Wang, long time no see, you are still as elegant as ever."

Gu Yi greeted Wang Yun.

Behind him stood Zhao Yun, Zhang He, and Huang Zhong.

Seeing this formation, the corners of Wang Yun’s mouth twitched slightly.

As long as something involved Gu Yi,

at least for Wang Yun,

there hadn't been a single good thing so far!

However,

although that was what Wang Yun thought,

the face he showed was still one of hospitality.

He squeezed a smile onto his slightly wrinkled old face and said to Gu Yi:

"Linzhi is a very busy man."

"After taking Diaochan, you didn't even bring her back to see me."

"I waited and waited, and finally you have come."

"With your arrival, my Situ residence is like being filled with brilliance."

Wang Yun’s polite words came easily.

However, Gu Yi’s purpose for coming today was not to listen to these pleasantries.

Gu Yi smiled slightly and said:

"Situ Wang, you have been very idle lately!"

"You even dare to intervene in military affairs?"

"Bang!"

Hearing this,

the smile on Wang Yun’s face froze instantly.

He had thought of countless possibilities, but he never thought that Gu Yi would come to him with such an accusatory tone.

After all,

Gu Yi had never spoken to him in such a tone before.

However, Wang Yun was Wang Yun.

The old fox quickly composed his emotions and responded with a smile:

"Linzhi, why do you say that?"

"I am already half in the grave; what other thoughts could I have?"

"Could it be that my clansman Wang Yun serving as Mayor of Chang'an has made you dissatisfied?"

"Sigh, Linzhi, you have truly misunderstood me."

"The reason I let Wang Yun serve as Mayor of Chang'an is, firstly, because you were promoted to Minister of Justice, leaving the position of Mayor of Chang'an vacant."

"Secondly, it is because Wang Yun’s administrative ability is indeed quite good."

"With him as Mayor of Chang'an, the various livelihood and security issues in Chang'an will surely be properly resolved."

"If Wang Yun doesn't do a good job, we can just replace him."

Wang Yun guessed that the only thing that could have caused a conflict between him and Gu Yi recently was his clansman Wang Yun taking over as Mayor of Chang'an.

Therefore, facing Gu Yi’s "accusation,"

Wang Yun chose to take the initiative to bring this matter up.

However,

after listening to Wang Yun’s explanation, the expression on Gu Yi’s face remained unchanged.

"I say, Situ Wang, are you planning to keep playing dumb?"

"It's not that I'm criticizing you, but Wang Yun’s ability is not that great either."

"Look, after Wang Yun took over as Mayor of Chang'an, he didn't even clean up his own mess."

"You let such a person provoke Lu Bu; isn't that just asking for trouble?"

"No, that's not quite right either."

"After all, those involved are confused, while the bystander is clear."

"Lu Bu and Gao Shun might not necessarily guess that it was all you ordering Wang Yun to stir up trouble."

"If I’m not mistaken, Li Li should also be an important part of your plan, right?"

"Or to be precise, he is the mole you planted in Li Jue’s army."

"Poor Hao Meng, he suffered thirty lashes for nothing, only to be used by Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng."

"Although I don't know what you promised these three, it must be something Lu Bu couldn't give them."

"As for your ultimate goal, after much thought, there should only be one."

"That is... to incite the Bingzhou army to rebel!"

"Tsk tsk, as expected of you, Situ Wang!"

Wang Yun was now drenched in cold sweat.

He even had the urge to jump up and kill Gu Yi on the spot!

However,

Zhao Yun, Zhang He, and Huang Zhong, standing behind Gu Yi, were like three iron towers of guardian deities.

Their eyes were fixed on Wang Yun, making him feel increasingly uneasy.

"Alright, Situ Wang, I’m telling you this today not to settle scores with you."

"I don't care what your ultimate goal is."

"But there is one thing I want to do now that requires your full assistance, Situ Wang."

Facing Gu Yi’s smiling appearance, Wang Yun suppressed the hatred in his heart and asked through gritted teeth:

"Linzhi, what do you want?"

"Anything I have, you can take it all!"

"Straightforward!"

"Since you said that, Situ Wang, then I can be completely at ease."

Gu Yi smiled slightly.

Immediately, he whispered a few instructions in Wang Yun’s ear.

After hearing them, the expression on Wang Yun’s face was as ugly as if he had eaten something foul.

But he had no way to refuse Gu Yi.

Gu Yi had seen through his entire plan.

At this moment, Wang Yun was like meat on a chopping block, with nowhere to escape!

Inciting the Bingzhou army to rebel, hehe... how many heads did Wang Yun have to withstand Dong Zhuo’s killing?

Now, he had no choice but to let Gu Yi manipulate him.

Relying on the authority of the Minister of Justice,

Gu Yi could quickly compile a complete set of evidence of Wang Yun inciting the Bingzhou army to rebel.

Therefore, from the moment Gu Yi arrived at the Situ residence,

Wang Yun had already completely lost!

However,

Gu Yi did not intend to let Wang Yun die just like that.

Even if it was just to use the waste, he would squeeze out his last bit of value!

"Alright, Situ Wang, it’s time for you to fulfill your promise."

"Go and call the three generals Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng over!"

Gu Yi waved his hand.

Wang Yun’s nephew, Wang Ling, hurriedly followed Wang Yun’s instructions to find the three of them.

"Gu Yi!"

"I have no other wishes."

"I only hope, can you spare the Wang family?"

Wang Yun asked in a tone that was almost pleading.

"Situ Wang, the Wang family can naturally be spared."

"But, in what form it should be spared, I think you don't need me to remind you again, right?"

Hearing this,

Wang Yun let out a long sigh of relief.

The Wang family would henceforth completely become a running dog for Dong Zhuo’s army.

But compared to the outcome of family extermination, this was already much, much better.

As for Wang Yun himself,

he no longer hoped to survive.

The preservation and flourishing of the family

for the leader of an aristocratic family in this era

was a matter far more important than his own life!

Before long, the three generals Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng arrived at Wang Yun’s residence, completely bewildered.

As soon as he entered the door, Wei Xu said carelessly:

"Situ Wang, according to the day we agreed upon, isn't it the day after tomorrow?"

"Why did you suddenly move the time up?"

However,

before Wei Xu’s voice had even faded,

he saw Gu Yi’s figure reflected in his sight.

The three of them were almost scared out of their wits on the spot.

"General Wei, General Song, General Hou, right?"

"I already know all about the dealings between you and Situ Wang."

"In other words, you three need to take orders from me from now on."

"If not, hehe, you know what the outcome will be, right?"

Gu Yi went straight to the point, pressuring the three generals.

The three of them were not brave people to begin with.

The main reason they were won over by Wang Yun was because of benefits.

But even if the benefits were great, compared to their lives, their lives were certainly more important.

And who was Gu Yi?

He was the husband of Dong Zhuo’s eldest granddaughter!

Equivalent to the number three figure in Dong Zhuo’s army at the moment.