Chapter 343: Why Attack?

Liu Hong's exhilaration and ambition sparked by the great victory at Changshe did not last long.

Why? This forces us to mention that Lu Zhi was escorted back to Luoyang.

With Lu Zhi removed from office, who can succeed him and continue leading the offensive against the Yellow Turban main force led by Zhang Jiao?

Scanning the court and the army, a name leapt into Liu Hong's mind—Dong Zhuo.

At this time, Dong Zhuo was far from the later chaotic, cruel, and tyrannical power‑broker.

He originated from the frontier, skilled with bow and horse, physically superior, fought the Qiang and Hu in his youth, repeatedly earning battle honors, and was already highly respected within the Liangzhou forces—a genuine famous general who rose through military merit and had fought a hundred battles.

In Liu Hong's eyes, Dong Zhuo fought bravely and was experienced, making him the ideal choice to replace Lu Zhi and subdue Zhang Jiao.

Thus, the imperial decree was issued, appointing Dong Zhuo as East Middle Colonel, bearing the command token, to oversee the war in Hebei.

At this moment, inside the large tent of Dong Zhuo's army, the atmosphere was solemn.

Several core commanders stood solemnly on either side, having just heard the scouts' detailed report on Guangzong and the surrounding enemy situation.

Everyone's gaze converged on the East Middle Colonel seated at the main seat—his robust figure, rugged face, and long whiskers—awaiting his next decision.

Dong Zhuo's fingers unconsciously tapped the crude map spread before him, his eyes shifting repeatedly between the two points representing Guangzong and Xiaquyang, pondering for a long while.

The tent was so quiet that only the crackle of torches and the heavy breathing of those present could be heard.

Finally, he lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp:

"Send the order down: effective immediately, lift the siege on Guangzong County; the main army… shall turn northward and attack Xiaquyang County where Zhang Bao is stationed!"

When the order was issued, several commanders in the tent were stunned, their faces showing surprise.

An impatient deputy general could not help stepping forward, clasping his fists: "General! Middle Colonel Lu has been besieging Guangzong for a long time; Zhang Jiao is already a trapped turtle, just one more step away from total victory! Why abandon it now and instead attack the more heavily garrisoned, better fortified Xiaquyang?"

"This move… seems a bit of abandoning the near to chase the far; is it improper?"

Dong Zhuo heard this, did not get angry, but his eyes cooled slightly, glanced at the deputy, and said calmly, "Just one step away? Who told you it's just one step?"

He rose, his towering frame exuding an invisible pressure, and walked into the tent: "Zhang Jiao possesses the The Tai Ping Essential Art; his demonic arts are unfathomable! Legends say he can turn beans into soldiers, summon wind and rain, summon heavenly thunder; his Talisman Water can even revive the dead, flesh and bone!"

"Who dares claim he is out of options? Who knows what cunning tactics he will employ when forced into a corner?"

"Lu Zhi's prolonged failure to capture him cannot be without cause. Do you truly think Zhang Jiao is that easy to take?"

He turned, his stout finger heavily tapping the marked Xiaquyang location on the map, his voice slowing, yet carrying deeper deliberation:

"Guangzong City is fortified, Zhang Jiao's demonic arts are unpredictable; even if a strong assault succeeds, our army will suffer heavy casualties, and the outcome remains uncertain."

"As for Xiaquyang, although Zhang Bao commands many troops, he has courage but no strategy, far less troublesome than Zhang Jiao."

"Our army has just won a great victory, morale is high; if we can crush Zhang Bao with thunderous force, we will sever a limb of Zhang Jiao, weaken the rebel army's overall strength and morale, and turn a small win into a great one, securing steady progress."

"Then, the isolated Guangzong citadel, besieged inside and out, may fall without a fight!"

He surveyed the commanders in the tent: "Avoid the strong, strike the weak; that is the best strategy. Do you understand?"

The commanders exchanged glances; some still felt it a pity to abandon the soon-to-be-captured Guangzong, and were skeptical of Dong Zhuo's warning about Zhang Jiao's demonic threat, yet seeing Dong Zhuo's clear analysis, his illustrious past record, and his respected stature as commander, no one voiced opposition, and they all clasped fists:

"The junior officer obeys!"

Thus, Dong Zhuo's great army quietly broke camp, lifted the siege on Guangzong, and the main force turned direction, like a dark colossal serpent winding northward toward Xiaquyang.

Behind them, on Guangzong's city wall, a slender yellow figure stood alone in silence.

Zhang Jiao quietly watched the Imperial Army's torch‑lit column recede, merging into the distant forest.

In his deep‑set, dark eyes reflected the azure sky.

Only a faint yellow flash passed, turning the blue sky into a yellow one.

When Julu Governor Guo Dian learned that East Middle Colonel Dong Zhuo was leading the main force north to attack Zhang Bao's troops in Xiaquyang, and received the imperial decree ordering him to fully cooperate with Dong Zhuo, an uncontrollable joy and excitement surged in his heart.

In Guo Dian's view, this was a heaven‑sent opportunity! He had long harbored deep hatred for the Yellow Turban forces entrenched in Xiaquyang, seeing them as a serious internal threat.

Zhang Bao commanded tens of thousands, guarding a crucial pass; not only did he severely threaten Julu Commandery's security, but he also pierced the court's pacification campaign like a poisonous sting.

Now, with a famed general like Dong Zhuo leading the imperial main force, abundant troops and high morale, if Zhang Bao can be wiped out in one stroke, the Yellow Turbans of Jizhou could be halved, benefiting both the state and private interests—a great boon!

He seemed to already see victorious banners fluttering atop Xiaquyang's city walls.

Therefore, when scouts reported that Dong Zhuo's army had arrived nearby and set up camp, Guo Dian immediately bathed, changed into his most solemn official robes, bearing supplies for the troops and full of anticipation, and proactively went to Dong Zhuo's main camp to pay his respects.

Inside the Central Army Big Tent, Dong Zhuo received Guo Dian.

Guo Dian, seeing Dong Zhuo's towering figure and rugged visage, though smiling, sensed a battle‑hardened vigor in his brows, dared not delay, and hurried forward to salute: "Governor Guo Dian of Julu, I pay respects to Middle Colonel Dong!"

Dong Zhuo laughed heartily, appearing quite warm, rose and gestured: "Governor Guo, no need for formalities! We both serve the court, united against the traitors; we must work together! Please, sit down!"

The two took their respective seats as host and guest; a simple banquet had already been prepared inside the tent.

Guo Dian first, on behalf of Julu's populace, expressed welcome and gratitude for Dong Zhuo's army, then detailed the terrain around Xiaquyang, enemy conditions, and the county troops he could mobilize, speaking earnestly and with a proactive attitude.

Dong Zhuo listened, nodding occasionally, appearing quite pleased, conversing amiably with Guo Dian; amid clinking cups, the atmosphere was rather harmonious.

When the small talk was nearly over, Guo Dian felt the moment ripe, could no longer contain his eagerness, smiled broadly, and respectfully asked Dong Zhuo: "Middle Colonel Dong, your tactics are god‑like, your might shakes the frontier; now that you personally lead the royal army here, may I ask… what strategy will you employ to attack the Xiaquyang held by Zhang Bao?"

"My subordinate will certainly give full cooperation, to be at your disposal!"

He fully expected Dong Zhuo to speak passionately about formations, whether to launch a strong assault or a clever capture, and had even prepared to immediately return and ready the troops, serving as Forerunner.

However, when Dong Zhuo heard this, the motion of raising his cup to drink paused slightly.

He slowly set down his cup, the enthusiastic smile on his face fading a bit, replaced by an inscrutable faint smile; his gaze remained calm as he looked at Guo Dian and asked back:

"Attack?"

He gently shook his head, his tone lazy and matter‑of‑fact:

"Governor Guo, why… must you take the initiative to attack?"

Guo Dian's smile froze instantly, his whole body as if struck by a binding spell, standing dumbfounded, his mind unable to process anything.

"……Middle Colonel Dong, what do you mean?"