Chapter 607: The Breaking Point
Chapter 607: The Breaking Point
September 25, 2017
"Dong Zhuo, are you sure you want to do this?"
As Lu Hai Kong spoke, his tone filled with impatience, and Dong Zhuo was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected Lu Hai Kong to be so direct.
Not only him, but even Li Ru, by his side, felt the same way. This Lu Hai Kong was not following the usual script.
"What are you talking about, Lu Hai Kong? I don't understand what you're saying about Dong Zhuo."
"Are you pretending not to understand, or are you just being obtuse?" Lu Hai Kong turned to Dong Zhuo with an exasperated look.
This was the moment of truth, a direct confrontation! Seeing this, Dong Zhuo's heart gradually grew cold, but his expression remained puzzled.
"Enough, I'm not in the mood for your roundabout ways. Let's be straightforward. Today, I'm determined to pass through Qu Liang, and I will eliminate Zhang Jiao and the Yellow Turban Army. No matter who it is, and no matter how they try to stop me, they will become my enemy. I will show no mercy to my enemies."
Dong Zhuo's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. Lu Hai Kong had cut straight to the point, and his words carried a heavy weight.
"Lu Hai Kong, what do you mean by that? Do you think this is something I, Dong Zhuo, arranged..."
"It doesn't matter if it was arranged by you or not. My words and my determination are clear. Today, no matter what, I will enter Julu. I hope you'll let me pass through Qu Liang without too much trouble. Of course, I won't just let it go. I can give you the credit for eliminating the Yellow Turban Army, and I can say that it was done under your command."
"You can have your revenge, and I'll get the credit. What do you think of this proposal?"
As Lu Hai Kong made this proposal, Dong Zhuo's heart couldn't help but skip a beat. It was clear that he was tempted by Lu Hai Kong's suggestion.
What was Dong Zhuo busy with if not seeking merit? He wanted to climb the ladder of success and, ideally, sit on the throne of the Governor of Liangzhou.
With the merit of defeating the Yellow Turbans and Dong Zhuo's own resources, it wasn't impossible for him to become the Governor of Liangzhou.
But almost at the same moment that Dong Zhuo was tempted, Lu Hai Kong, you down? You really misunderstood. These are all Ding Yuan's doing, and I have nothing to do with it. I've just taken office, and I don't have much authority in my hands. Didn't you see Ding Yuan's arrogant attitude? He made me lose face!"
It was obvious that Dong Zhuo still insisted on his original plan. While Lu Hai Kong's proposal tempted him, being tempted was one thing, and believing was another.
Although Dong Zhuo and Lu Hai Kong were allies, they didn't have deep ties of interest. Dong Zhuo wouldn't believe him just because of his words, nor would he change his original plan.
However, at this moment, Dong Zhuo was indeed tempted. If Lu Hai Kong was willing to wait for a day or two, he might have been able to convince Dong Zhuo.
But at this moment, Lu Hai Kong's patience had completely worn thin.
From the moment Dong Zhuo refused, Lu Hai Kong's face turned cold, and he stared at Dong Zhuo with a chilly gaze.
At this moment, seeing Lu Hai Kong's cold expression, Dong Zhuo's heart suddenly stirred with emotion. It was as if he had done something wrong, but Lu Hai Kong quickly pushed Dong Zhuo into the swamp of regret.
"Since you're shameless, don't blame me for being impolite."
After speaking these words with a chilling tone by Dong Zhuo's ear, Lu Hai Kong ignored him and rode off on his horse, accompanied by Dian Wei, towards Qu Liang City.
Ding Yuan witnessed the exchange between Lu Hai Kong and Dong Zhuo. Despite the distance, he didn't catch every word, but it was clear that there was tension between them. In this situation, Ding Yuan knew that he had to continue with his plan.
So, Ding Yuan stepped forward, ready to speak, but Lu Hai Kong spoke first.
"Ding Yuan, you accuse me of colluding with the enemy. Where's your evidence?"
Ding Yuan, with a forced smile, replied, "How can there be no evidence? We have Zong Yuan Yu Nue's confession!"
"Yu Nue? Confessions? What kind of nonsense is this? You believe a traitor like Yu Nue when he says that I, Lu Hai Kong, who killed the Yellow Turban generals Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang, and who is about to capture Zhang Jiao, is colluding with the enemy and betraying the country?"
Dong Zhuo was surprised to see Lu Hai Kong stepping forward to defend Ding Yuan. His heart, which had been on edge, relaxed.
At this moment, Dong Zhuo felt that Lu Hai Kong might be a little naive. Didn't he see that these were just excuses? Even if Lu Hai Kong argued until the sky turned green, Ding Yuan would still block him today.
Dong Zhuo was relieved, but Li Ru had a vague sense of foreboding.
As expected, at this moment, Lu Hai Kong, standing below the wall, revealed a cruel smile: "Ding Yuan, are you out of your mind? You can't see such an obvious frame-up? No, no, no, you must have seen it. You must have an ulterior motive! You, Ding Yuan, are the real traitor!"
With these words, Lu Hai Kong revealed his true nature.
"Seize that traitor!"
Lu Hai Kong's words were cut short as four blood-red flowers suddenly bloomed from the limbs of Ding Yuan. The shadow of the moon appeared behind Ding Yuan, and this sudden scene left everyone speechless.
"Lu Hai Kong, what are you doing?" Dong Zhuo roared with anger, a hint of panic in his voice. The situation was completely unexpected, and he began to worry about how things would unfold.
Dong Zhuo realized that Lu Hai Kong was far more stubborn and aggressive than he had anticipated. When he saw Ding Yuan lying in a pool of blood, regret began to brew within him.
"What am I doing? Can't you see? I'm arresting a traitor who colludes with the Yellow Turban Army!" Lu Hai Kong turned and glared at Dong Zhuo.
Dong Zhuo couldn't understand why Lu Hai Kong was reacting so aggressively. He had only wanted Lu Hai Kong to wait for him, and now this.
But in this situation, Dong Zhuo had no choice. Instinctively, he confronted Lu Hai Kong head-on.
"Arresting a traitor? Lu, that's enough! You're clearly taking advantage of your position to settle personal scores! Don't think I don't know about the petty squabbles between you and Ding Yuan..."
"Dong Zhuo, watch your words! What do you mean by personal scores? I'm clearly arresting Ding Yuan, a traitor who colludes with the Yellow Turban Army!"
"Traitor? Fine, a traitor indeed. You just asked Ding Yuan for evidence of his collusion, and now I'll ask you the same. You claim Ding Yuan is a traitor, but do you have any evidence?"
As Lu Hai Kong spoke, the gates of Qu Liang City suddenly opened, and several teams rushed out from within.
Dong Zhuo and Li Ru's faces paled when they saw the teams that emerged from the opened gates.
The three teams were led by Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian, three tough nuts that Dong Zhuo had been keeping an eye on within his 100,000-strong army in Qu Liang. He had always been wary of them.
Dong Zhuo was completely baffled. There had been no signs of unrest, yet these three had chosen this moment to stand against him. He couldn't understand when they had aligned themselves with Lu Hai Kong.
But it was too late for such thoughts. Seeing the three, Dong Zhuo and Li Ru knew the situation had taken a turn for the worse, and Lu Hai Kong gave them no time to react.
"Dong Zhuo wants evidence, so you three give it to him!" Lu Hai Kong's cold voice rang out.
At his command, Tan Tai Ming Jing, under Liu Bei's command, waved his hand, and a team emerged carrying a wooden box.
"Lu Hai Kong, Dong Zhuo, this box contains a large number of letters we found in Ding Yuan's camp, corresponding with the Yellow Turban Army. Can these serve as evidence?"
Dong Zhuo and Li Ru's faces darkened at these words. Tan Tai Ming Jing was using the same tactic Dong Zhuo had used against Zong Yuan and many other Han generals. They had no way to refute the accusation.
"By the way, Dong Zhuo, among these letters, we also found details about Ding Yuan's plot to assassinate General Huangfu and Zhu General. Several letters mention you, and we'd like you to explain."
Tan Tai Ming Jing held up the wooden box, taking out the letters one by one, a confident smile on his face, but his words were sharp and accusatory, directly pointing the finger at Dong Zhuo.
Before Dong Zhuo could respond, Lu Hai Kong's eyes widened with fury, and he channeled his inner power to shout, "Nonsense! How could Dong Zhuo be involved in the assassination plot? What motive would he have? And didn't he just capture Zong Yuan, the traitor? Would Dong Zhuo really assassinate General Huangfu and Zhu General and frame Zong Yuan for it?"
Lu Hai Kong's voice, amplified by his inner power, carried across half of Qu Liang, and many soldiers heard his words clearly. Their faces paled at the accusation. In that moment, Dong Zhuo's recently established authority and credibility took a severe blow.
Lu Hai Kong was clearly pushing Dong Zhuo to his limit.
At that moment, Dong Zhuo looked at Lu Hai Kong's cold face and recalled his own words.
'If you're going to be shameless, then don't blame me for being impolite!'
(End of Chapter)
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