As the anti-rebel manifesto ignited the Han Dynasty, the governors and county magistrates of all states and counties were all filled with excitement.

After the Yellow Turban Rebellion was suppressed, local tyrants and ambitious people had a long time to develop, and it can be said that they all had strong troops and horses under their command.

Seeing that the Han Dynasty was becoming more and more chaotic and the emperor was being deposed and replaced, Dong Zhuo, a mere common man, was able to usurp power in the court and the country. Relying on the military force in his hands, he slaughtered officials and slept in the harem at night.

The powerful and ambitious people in various places are seeing their own power expand, and they feel that the Han Dynasty is weak. Now is the time for them to make a name for themselves, gain prestige, and demonstrate their military power.

Xuzhou, Pengcheng, and provincial governor’s office.

In the hall.

Ding Yuan sat in the main seat.

Lu Bu, Zhang Yang, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Hou Cheng, Wei Xu, Song Xian and other direct descendants.

Dozens of local civil and military officials from Xuzhou, including Wang Lang, Chen Gui, Chen Deng, Cao Bao, Zuo Rong, Zhang Kai, Lu Fan, Zang Ba, and Mi Fang, gathered together.

It has to be said that Ding Yuan sat in the main seat, watching how he had worked hard for several years, garrisoning troops in various counties in Xuzhou, dealing with bandits, local gangsters, and remnants of the Yellow Turbans, and either winning over or bribing local powerful people, to have the current scene of so many talented people. Ding Yuan felt very satisfied.

“You should have also received the letter from Cao Cao, the governor of Chenliu County, who said he was following the emperor’s order. What do you think? Should the governor of this state raise an army to respond to Cao Cao?”

Ding Yuan stroked his beard, looked at the civil and military officials, and spoke in a majestic voice.

Listening to Ding Yuan’s question, without any hesitation, Lu Bu, the first person on the side of the generals, stood up, bowed to Ding Yuan, and said loudly:

“Father, Dong Zhuo is a traitor to the country. He was extremely rude to you before and he really deserves to be killed. But before that, Bu only killed Li Que and one of his generals. This time, Bu is willing to fight and take down Dong Zhuo’s head to strengthen your power!”

Lu Bu spoke in a loud and passionate voice, and was quite respectful to Ding Yuan.

This is different from the historical situation where Lu Bu was just a clerk under Ding Yuan.

After Ding Yuan brought his direct subordinates from Youzhou to Xuzhou and took office, he quickly appointed Lu Bu as his first general and suppressed all kinds of rebellions in Xuzhou. It can be said that he gave him both the people and the soldiers.

And Lu Bu also did not disappoint Ding Yuan, showing the momentum and strength of Lu Bu, also known as Lu Wenhou in history.

The entrenched bandits, the powerful tyrants, and the remnants of the Yellow Turbans.

They all collapsed under Lu Bu’s powerful killing tactics.

So, after seeing Lu Bu’s abilities and skills, Ding Yuan began to use Lu Bu more and more.

He even gave Lü Bu a lot of money when he asked the court for the position of general.

“Haha, my son is very brave. If you make another move, you will certainly take down the head of Dong the thief.” Ding Yuan glanced at the heroic Lü Bu, smiled and comforted Lü Bu, then looked at Zhang Yang, Chen Gui, Chen Deng, Wang Lang and others, and said, “What do you think?”

Although Ding Yuan was impressed by the bravery of his adopted son Lu Bu and knew that he was a good swordsman, in Ding Yuan’s opinion, Lu Bu was brave but lacked wisdom.

On the contrary, the wisdom of Zhang Yang, Chen Gui, Chen Deng, Wang Lang and others was highly recognized by Ding Yuan.

Zhang Yang bowed to Ding Yuan and said:

“It is the general trend to attack Dong Zhuo. The princes of the world have long been unhappy with Dong Zhuo. This time, I am afraid that many princes will respond. The governor is the pillar of the Han Dynasty, and we should respond. As Fengxian said, take down Dong Zhuo’s head and greatly enhance the prestige of the governor!”

Zhang Yang, Ding Yuan’s direct descendant, spoke first, causing Ding Yuan to nod with satisfaction.

Chen Gui, Chen Deng and Wang Lang, three local warlords in Xuzhou, saw Ding Yuan’s attitude and knew what to say.

Wang Lang took the lead and said to Ding Yuan: “Although the Han Dynasty has suffered from the traitors, the heroes of each state and county also have the Han Dynasty in their hearts. Since Cao Cao has issued the emperor’s will, then all states and counties should respond. If they do not respond, it will probably cause dissatisfaction among the people and the noble families. The governors should respond and lead the army to punish the traitors, so as to show their loyalty to the Han Dynasty!”

Wang Lang’s words also made Ding Yuan nod his head in agreement. He himself also thought that he should send troops to respond, and all his subordinates thought that they should send troops. At this time, Ding Yuan knew what to do.

“Okay, since responding to the emperor’s call to fight against the traitors is the general trend, I, as the governor of Xuzhou, should lead the troops to respond.” Ding Yuan said in a deep voice, and the final word was given. As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Bu, Wei Xu, Song Xian, Zang Ba and other generals all smiled.

They are military generals, and they are only valuable on the battlefield.

It can be said that the people who were happiest about this expedition were this group of people.

“Governor, although you are supposed to respond to the emperor’s edict, I have something to say that you might want to listen to. It may bring you good fortune.”

At this moment, Chen Gui, who had been silent, spoke.

All of a sudden, the people in the hall who had just been agitated slowly calmed down, and all looked at Chen Gui who was standing in the first position of civil officials.

Even Ding Yuan restrained the smile on his face, looked at Chen Gui, and said with a cautious look in his eyes:
“Han Yu, feel free to say whatever you want to say!”

Ding Yuan respected Chen Gui.

The reason for this is, on the one hand, Chen Gui’s background.

Chen Gui was from Xia Pi, Xuzhou. Like the Yuan family, he came from a prominent aristocratic family.

Chen Gui himself was the grandson of Guanghan prefect Chen Wei, the nephew of Taiwei Chen Qiu, and the cousin of Wujun prefect Chen Yu and Ruyin prefect Chen Cong.

It can be said that Chen Gui had a prominent family background and was ranked high among the Han people.

After Ding Yuan arrived in Xuzhou, Chen Gui, who was already the prime minister of Xiapei State, immediately came to meet him in person, helped him to secure his position in Xuzhou, and persuaded the major powerful people to join him.

Chen Gui’s family background and reputation, as well as the huge help provided by being the first to surrender, meant that the Chen family had placed all their bets on him. This made Ding Yuan full of gratitude and respect for Chen Gui.

Of course, after spending such a long time together, Ding Yuan also admired Chen Gui’s wisdom.

Now, Chen Guiyan, can you give him a chance?

Chen Gui bowed to Ding Yuan and said:
“At first, the governor asked someone to ask the court for money and food under the pretext of something, but Dong Zhuo refused and massacred officials, which aroused public outrage. The lord ordered General Fengxian to assassinate Dong Zhuo and beheaded Dong Zhuo’s general Li Que, which made people happy. The governor’s name spread throughout the Han Dynasty, and the nobles and officials all said that the governor and General Fengxian were very kind.”

“Unfortunately, Cao Cao later attempted to assassinate Dong Zhuo, serving him and cutting off one of his arms. It can be said that Cao Cao’s name, Cao Mengde, was known throughout the world, overshadowing the governor and General Fengxian.”

“Cao Cao also said that there was an imperial decree, calling on all governors to attack the traitor Dong Zhuo. If this is accomplished, I am afraid that Cao Cao’s reputation will increase suddenly, and he will even be the greatest contributor to the Han Dynasty. Cao Cao, Cao Mengde, is just the governor of Chenliu County. What virtue and ability do he have? The governors of the thirteen states of the Han Dynasty are all higher than him, Cao Cao. How can it be Cao Cao’s turn to attack the traitor and call on the princes of the world?”

“Therefore, if possible, the governor might as well respond immediately and announce it to the world, lead the army to the alliance, and seize the position of leader of the princes in one fell swoop. By then, your reputation and prestige will increase dramatically!”

Chen Gui said something to Ding Yuan that made Ding Yuan shudder all over.

Not only Ding Yuan.

Even the eyes of Lü Bu, Zhang Yang, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Hou Cheng, Wei Xu, Song Xian, Wang Lang, Chen Gui, Chen Deng, Cao Bao, Zuo Rong, Zhang Kai, Lü Fan, Zang Ba and others in the hall were bright.

“Leader?” Ding Yuan opened his eyes wide, looked at Chen Gui, and said with a gleam in his eyes:
“Okay, let’s go and compete for the title of leader!”

……

Ding Yuan of Xuzhou announced to the world, and Jizhou, Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Jingzhou, Yangzhou and other states all summoned civil and military officials to discuss the matter, and then responded one after another to the alliance.

While all the states in the world were mobilizing their troops, in Jinyang, Bingzhou, Li Hong also summoned his civil and military officers to prepare for the upcoming meeting of princes. (End of this chapter)