Chapter 65

With no other choice, Ma Teng fought while retreating, taking his defeated troops to flee toward other cities.

But Han Sui did not intend to let him go.

He proceeded to lead the allied forces to surround Ma Teng in Fufeng.

Inside and outside Fufeng City, it could be said that it was surrounded so tightly not even water could leak through.

If Li Ru hadn't planted spies in various parts of Liangzhou in advance, I fear this news would never have been transmitted.

After understanding the detailed situation,

Dong Zhuo asked everyone:

"Gentlemen, what are your views on this? Feel free to speak your mind."

"But I will say this first: Liangzhou must be recovered."

"Do not offer me any suggestions about abandoning Liangzhou or leaving it to its own devices."

As Dong Zhuo's voice fell,

everyone couldn't help but look at Niu Fu.

Niu Fu bore a great responsibility for why the Dong Zhuo army had lost the ancestral land of Liangzhou.

Before entering the capital, Old Dong had already decided to leave Niu Fu to guard Liangzhou.

But this fellow Niu Fu didn't know whose bewitchment he had listened to.

He fought a battle with Han Sui and others and did not win.

After that, he actually decided to temporarily abandon Liangzhou!

At that time, Old Dong was busy with the matter of entering the capital and was in a standoff with Ding Yuan, so he had no time to deal with this mess.

After all,

compared to partitioning Liangzhou, entering the capital was certainly more important.

After entering the capital and seizing the highest authority, wouldn't it be easy to take back Liangzhou?

Plus, Old Dong was extremely protective of his Xiliang direct line.

Niu Fu was his own second son-in-law.

Therefore, even though Niu Fu had committed the major mistake of losing cities and land, Old Dong did not excessively punish him.

Instead, he chose to let him make up for his crimes by guarding Hangu Pass to prevent the army's retreat route from being cut off.

Now,

Old Dong specifically emphasized that Liangzhou must be recovered, and everyone naturally thought of the disgraceful thing Niu Fu had done back then.

However, Niu Fu's skin was also unusually thick.

Facing the playful gazes of the crowd, Niu Fu was as steady as Mount Tai, not moving a muscle.

As if losing cities and land was not something he had done.

Sweeping his gaze over the crowd,

Li Ru spoke first:

"Compared to Ma Teng, this fellow Han Sui is undoubtedly more cunning."

"In the previous rebellions of Bian Zhang and Song Jian, Han Sui provided a lot of planning."

"The reason the two thieves were able to stir up such a great momentum back then had everything to do with Han Sui."

"Now, if we let this fellow Han Sui defeat Ma Teng, I fear he will become the largest separatist force in the Liangzhou region."

"At that time, if our army wants to recover Liangzhou, the difficulty will be much higher than it is now."

"Looking at Ma Teng, although he has participated in several rebellions before,"

"he is, after all, an official of the court personally enfeoffed by His Excellency the Chancellor some time ago."

"Han Sui gathered a group of rebels to openly surround and kill Ma Teng; this is simply disregarding the dignity of the court."

"From any angle, our army should take this opportunity to send troops and recover Liangzhou in one fell swoop."

"Moreover, even the slogan for sending troops has been actively provided by this fellow Han Sui."

"Using the name of punishing rebels and rescuing court officials is very suitable for the current situation."

Li Ru's words were agreed upon by everyone, including Gu Yi.

If it were any other force, attacking Liangzhou might be very difficult.

But who was Old Dong?

If the Wave-Calming General Ma Yuan was an idol-level figure who had already passed away in that small territory of Liangzhou,

then Old Dong was the top idol currently alive in Liangzhou!

What's more,

Ma Teng and Han Sui were already fighting to the death.

Old Dong taking this opportunity to send troops and recover Liangzhou in one fell swoop could be said to be twice the result with half the effort!

.......

Everyone had no objections to sending troops to recover Liangzhou.

Especially the Xiliang core faction.

They were originally from Liangzhou, so recovering their homeland was a matter of course.

As for Xu Rong and Lu Bu.

Although they were not as enthusiastic about recovering Liangzhou as the Xiliang core faction.

But sending troops to attack Liangzhou meant more opportunities to make contributions.

From the issue of the Sishui Pass and Hulao Pass guards not long ago, it can be seen.

Dong Zhuo no longer seemed to suppress the Luoyang Imperial Guard system and the Bingzhou system as much as before.

This was naturally the best thing for Lu Bu and Xu Rong.

Therefore, the two made up their minds.

In the upcoming war, they must get a share of the pie no matter what.

However.

How could the Xiliang core faction not realize the huge military merit contained in the battle to recover Liangzhou?

Shortly after Li Ru finished speaking.

Li Jue and Guo Si stood up immediately and asked Dong Zhuo for the command:

"My Lord! Please let your subordinates lead the army to recover Liangzhou!"

Fan Chou and Zhang Ji, although a beat slower.

Also followed Li Jue and Guo Si in asking for the command.

Hua Xiong thought for a moment and also stood up, applying to lead the army.

Niu Fu naturally goes without saying.

He had long been thinking of making up for his crimes and washing away his shame.

How could he give up the excellent opportunity placed before him now?

In an instant.

Except for the two civil officials, Gu Yi and Li Ru.

All six high-level military generals of the Xiliang core faction stood out.

Xu Rong and Lu Bu looked at each other silently, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

Internal competition... we can't compete with them, damn it!

Watching the Xiliang generals ask for the command together.

A hint of gratification flashed across Dong Zhuo's face.

However, there can only be one commander-in-chief.

At this moment, Dong Zhuo's protective nature came online again.

He decided to appoint Niu Fu as the commander-in-chief, leading fifty thousand troops to coordinate from the center.

Li Jue and Guo Si would each lead thirty thousand troops as the left and right wings to assist Niu Fu in recovering Liangzhou.

As for Ma Teng, who was besieged in Fufeng.

Although Ma Teng was a rebel before.

But he had now transformed into a court official appointed by Dong Zhuo.