Chapter 1574

Ma Richen looked at Dong Zhuo's arrogant appearance with mixed feelings. He knew deeply that today's scene was not just a change of power, but a trampling on the dignity of the Han imperial house. However, in front of this hegemon, any resistance appeared so pale and weak. He lowered his head, a trace of helplessness and sorrow flashing in his eyes, but he also understood that he had to survive in these cracks.

Seeing that Ma Richen no longer spoke, a satisfied smile curled at the corner of Dong Zhuo's mouth. He turned to face the officials, his voice as loud as a bell: "Gentlemen, my actions today are all for the sake of the country and the eternal stability of our Great Han's mountains and rivers. The soldiers have fought bravely and should receive the rewards they deserve. Do any of you have objections?"

In the court, there was silence. The officials either lowered their heads without speaking or looked at each other, none daring to express their stance easily. Dong Zhuo's prestige was like an invisible mountain, pressing them so hard they could not breathe.

At this time, an old man wearing gorgeous official robes slowly stepped out; it was the Grand Marshal Yang Biao. Although he was old, his eyes remained sharp, and his voice was steady: "Prime Minister, it is only natural for soldiers to be rewarded for their meritorious service. However, the laws of the imperial court cannot be abandoned. I hope the Prime Minister can uphold justice, reward and punish clearly, so as not to chill the hearts of those who are loyal and devoted."

Hearing this, Dong Zhuo frowned slightly, but immediately returned to a peaceful expression: "The Grand Marshal's words are reasonable. I will naturally uphold justice and will never let any meritorious official be wronged. At the same time, for those who harbor evil intentions and attempt to destroy the stability of the imperial court, I will never tolerate them."

After finishing, Dong Zhuo's gaze swept across the court, seemingly wanting to see through everyone's thoughts. The officials felt a chill in their hearts and dared not act rashly even more.

At this time, Li Ru coughed lightly, breaking the dull atmosphere in the court: "Gentlemen, today's business is concluded. The Prime Minister still has important matters to handle; you may withdraw from court first."

The officials were like those granted amnesty, bowing and withdrawing one after another. Ma Richen and Yang Biao exchanged a look, both seeing helplessness and worry in each other's eyes. They knew that after today, there would be no more peace in the court.

Dong Zhuo looked at the backs of the departing officials, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes. He turned to Li Ru and said: "Wenyou, you stay behind. I have important matters to discuss with you."

Li Ru responded respectfully and followed Dong Zhuo into the inner chamber. Inside, the candlelight flickered, reflecting the gloomy faces of the two. Dong Zhuo said in a deep voice: "Wenyou, did you see any clues in the court today?"

Li Ru pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Prime Minister, in the court today, although no one dared to openly oppose, there must be dissatisfaction in their hearts. Especially those old officials of the Han house are even more wary of you. You need to be careful to prevent them from colluding secretly and acting against you."

Dong Zhuo nodded and said in a deep voice: "Wenyou's words are very true. Although I have already grasped great power, the foundation of the Han house is deep and cannot be underestimated. You should closely monitor the movements of those old officials; once you discover anything unusual, report it to me immediately."

Li Ru responded and said again: "My lord, there is one more matter that requires your decision. Although the Guandong allied army has been defeated, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and others still have not given up, and there may be future trouble. You need to prepare early to prevent the unexpected."

Hearing this, a trace of ruthlessness flashed in Dong Zhuo's eyes: "People like Yuan Shao and Cao Cao are just clowns; why are they worth mentioning? I have already sent Hua Xiong to guard Sisi Pass and ordered Li Jue, Guo Si, and others to lead troops to patrol the border; I assume they would not dare to act rashly. However, Wenyou's reminder is correct; I still need to strengthen precautions just in case."

After finishing, Dong Zhuo discussed with Li Ru for a while before letting him withdraw. After Li Ru left, Dong Zhuo sat alone at the desk, deep in thought for a long time. He knew that although he had already grasped great power, forces like the old Han officials and the Guandong allied army were still secretly stirring. He had to remain vigilant at all times to ensure his position was stable.

However, just at this moment, sudden news broke Dong Zhuo's deep thought. A guard rushed into the inner chamber, knelt down, and reported: "Prime Minister, something terrible has happened! Outside Luoyang City, a mysterious army has suddenly appeared and is rapidly approaching the capital!"

Hearing this, Dong Zhuo stood up abruptly, a trace of shock and suspicion flashing in his eyes. He said in a deep voice: "Do you know which force it is? And who is the leader of the army?"

The guard shook his head and said: "Reporting to the Prime Minister, that army is coming fiercely, their flags are unclear, and the leader of the army is also unknown. But looking at their well-equipped state and high morale, I fear they are not comparable to ordinary armies."

Dong Zhuo felt a chill in his heart, knowing that this matter was no small thing. He immediately ordered Li Ru to summon the generals to discuss countermeasures. At the same time, he sent out spies to Luoyang City to find out news, determined to find out the identity and intention of that mysterious army as soon as possible.

In the court, tension and chaos returned. The officials discussed one after another, guessing the identity and intention of that mysterious army. And Dong Zhuo sat on the dragon throne, his face as gloomy as water, secretly calculating response strategies in his heart. He knew that this storm might have just begun...

As time passed, the spies finally brought back news. That mysterious army was actually the Liangzhou cavalry from the west, and the leader of the army was none other than the Inspector of Liangzhou, Ma Teng!

Hearing this, Dong Zhuo's heart shook. He knew deeply of Ma Teng's bravery and loyalty, and even more so of the Liangzhou cavalry in his hands, which was a force not to be underestimated. Now, Ma Teng led his army to approach Luoyang; what was his intention?

Dong Zhuo immediately summoned Li Ru to discuss countermeasures with him. Li Ru pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Prime Minister, although this man Ma Teng is brave and good at fighting, his temperament is upright and easy to control. You can send an envoy to Liangzhou, in the name of the imperial court, to order Ma Teng to lead his army back to Liangzhou and not to enter the capital without authorization. At the same time, you can promise him high official positions and generous rewards to appease his heart."

Dong Zhuo nodded, feeling that Li Ru's plan was feasible. Thus, he immediately sent an envoy, carrying an imperial edict and generous gifts, to Liangzhou to see Ma Teng.

However, before the envoy had even set off, even more shocking news reached Dong Zhuo's ears. Ma Teng had actually led his army to break through the defense line outside Luoyang City and was rapidly approaching the capital!

Hearing this, Dong Zhuo was furious and immediately ordered Li Jue, Guo Si, and others to lead their troops to meet the enemy. At the same time, he personally led his army out of the city, swearing to capture Ma Teng to vent the hatred in his heart.

The two armies met outside Luoyang City, and a fierce battle unfolded immediately. The Liangzhou cavalry were incomparably brave, and Dong Zhuo's army was also an elite force. Both sides traded blows, locked in a stalemate. However, just as the battle entered the white-hot stage, a sudden change completely altered the situation on the battlefield...

It turned out that Ma Teng leading his army to approach Luoyang was not to rebel against the imperial court, but to save the emperor and serve the king! He learned that Dong Zhuo was oppressing the Han house and harming loyal officials, and his heart was filled with indignation. Thus, he resolutely led his army to march east, swearing to eradicate Dong Zhuo and restore the dignity and order of the Han house.

And that sudden change was precisely a fierce general under Ma Teng's command suddenly rushing into Dong Zhuo's army and beheading Dong Zhuo! This scene stunned everyone. Dong Zhuo's army collapsed instantly, while the Liangzhou cavalry pursued the victory and wiped out Dong Zhuo's remaining forces in one fell swoop.

When Ma Teng led his army into Luoyang City, the entire capital boiled over. People flooded into the streets, cheering Ma Teng's name and celebrating the downfall of Dong Zhuo. And for those old officials of the Han house, they were even more moved to tears. They knew that this day was one they had waited for a long time...

After Ma Teng entered the city, he immediately summoned the officials, announced Dong Zhuo's crimes, and announced the restoration of the dignity and order of the Han house. He promised to uphold justice, reward and punish clearly, and let the imperial court regain its vitality. At the same time, he ordered people to hang Dong Zhuo's corpse on the city wall as a warning to others.

However, just as Ma Teng was preparing to show his great ambitions, an even more severe challenge arrived quietly. It turned out that although Dong Zhuo was dead, his remaining forces had not been completely eliminated. Li Ru, Hua Xiong, and others fled to various places, colluding secretly, preparing to make a comeback. And Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and others in the Guandong allied army also took the opportunity to stir, attempting to seize great power.

Ma Teng knew deeply that although he had already grasped great power, the situation remained turbulent. He had to remain vigilant at all times to ensure the stability and prosperity of the Han house. Thus, he began to reorganize the imperial court, strengthen precautions, and at the same time sent envoys to various places to recruit and appease Dong Zhuo's remaining forces, attempting to bring them into the orbit of the imperial court.

However, Ma Teng's efforts did not receive a response from everyone. Some of Dong Zhuo's old subordinates still harbored dissatisfaction and colluded secretly, attempting to destroy the stability of the imperial court. And Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and others in the Guandong allied army took the opportunity to launch an offensive, attempting to seize great power.

A new storm was brewing quietly... And Ma Teng stood at the center of this storm, welcoming new challenges and tests. He knew that only by persisting could he ensure the stability and prosperity of the Han house. And he also believed that he would definitely be able to lead the Han house toward a more beautiful future...