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Dong Zhuo set out from Maiwu, leading a grand procession towards Chang'an. With banners guiding the way and guards surrounding him, the convoy kicked up dust as it moved forward, creating a magnificent spectacle. Dong Zhuo sat inside his luxurious carriage, a look of pride on his face as if he could already envision himself crowned as emperor, with the masses bowing before him.
However, as the convoy traveled thirty miles, a sudden loud crack echoed through the air. The carriage that Dong Zhuo was riding in jolted violently and tilted to one side; one of its wheels had broken. Guards rushed forward to support the carriage, and amidst the commotion, Dong Zhuo was helped down, his face marked by surprise and displeasure.
"What is happening?" Dong Zhuo demanded, frowning with a hint of impatience in his gaze.
The guards answered nervously, "Grand Tutor, the wheel suddenly broke; we may not be able to proceed."
Dong Zhuo's expression darkened as he snorted coldly, "Forget it. Bring me a horse!"
Moments later, a fine steed was led before Dong Zhuo. He mounted the horse and continued on his way. Yet after just ten miles, the horse suddenly became restless, neighing loudly and breaking free from its reins. It reared up on its hind legs, nearly throwing Dong Zhuo off its back.
The guards hurriedly stepped in to calm the wild horse while Dong Zhuo steadied himself, a shadow of unease crossing his face. He turned to Li Su beside him and asked with a tone of curiosity and doubt, "The wheel broke and the reins snapped; what do these strange occurrences signify?"
Li Su remained composed and stepped forward respectfully, speaking in a calm tone, "Grand Tutor, this is indeed a manifestation of heaven's will. The broken wheel symbolizes that you are about to part with the burdens of the past; the snapped reins signify that you will soon ride upon a new chariot with golden saddles, representing your destiny being fulfilled! All of this is an auspicious omen for your ascension."
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo's gloomy expression instantly lightened, replaced by a satisfied smile as he nodded in agreement. "Indeed, one cannot go against heaven's decree. Very well, let us hasten our journey; do not delay my grand ascension!"
Li Su slightly lowered his head to conceal the fleeting glint in his eyes and allowed a barely perceptible cold smile to surface at the corners of his mouth.
The next day, Dong Zhuo's convoy continued towards Chang'an. Halfway there, the weather suddenly changed; the once clear sky was shrouded in dark mist. A fierce wind arose, swirling with dead leaves and dust, enveloping the entire procession in chaos. The horses were startled, their whinnies echoing through the air as soldiers halted their advance, anxiety evident in their eyes.
Dong Zhuo sat inside his carriage and lifted the curtain to peer outside at the strange phenomenon. His face darkened as he exclaimed, "What is going on? Could this be an ominous sign?"
Li Su quickly rode closer to the carriage upon hearing this and bowed respectfully. "Grand Tutor, do not worry! This is merely an unusual celestial phenomenon indicating that you are about to ascend to greatness; naturally there will be red light and purple mist to signify heaven's authority. This is indeed an auspicious sign; please rest assured."
Dong Zhuo's furrowed brow relaxed slightly as a smug smile appeared on his lips. "Haha! Truly, one cannot go against heaven's will! Accelerate our advance; let not destiny be kept waiting!"
The procession pressed onward until they finally reached the outskirts of Chang'an. The city gates swung wide open as officials had already lined up to welcome them. Banners waved high and gongs resounded loudly as everyone knelt down in reverence, calling out "We welcome you, Grand Tutor!" However, among them was no sign of Dong Zhuo's trusted strategist Li Ru.
Dong Zhuo scanned the crowd with a slight frown and asked a nearby guard, "Where is Li Ru?"
The guard replied softly, "Grand Tutor, Lord Li Ru is unwell at home and could not come to greet you."
Dong Zhuo pondered for a moment before waving his hand dismissively. "Forget it; such trivial matters are not worth worrying about."
Upon entering the Prime Minister's Residence, Lü Bu personally came to offer his congratulations. Clad in armor, he strode forward with a firm step, clasped his hands, and knelt, saying, "Congratulations, Grand Tutor, on your imminent ascension to the throne and the establishment of a lasting legacy!"
Dong Zhuo wore a broad smile, his tone filled with affection and pride. "Fengxian, as I ascend to the esteemed position of the Nine-Five, you shall govern the military across the land and assist me in safeguarding this great empire!"
Lü Bu knelt and bowed his head, his voice resolute. "I shall not fail the Grand Tutor's trust; I will do my utmost to assist and protect the court!" He then retreated to rest before the tent.
As night fell, a cold wind howled outside Chang'an, and a faint, youthful singing drifted in from afar, carried by the breeze into Dong Zhuo's tent. The song was clear yet eerie, singing:
"Endless grass, how green it grows! For ten days hence, no life shall show!"
Dong Zhuo furrowed his brow, his expression darkening. He beckoned Li Su over and asked in a low voice, "These nursery rhymes sound mournful; could they be ominous?"
Li Su stood outside the tent, took a deep breath, then entered calmly. "Grand Tutor need not worry. These rhymes are merely foolish musings of the common folk and hold no real significance. In my opinion, they poetically imply that the Liu Clan's fortunes have run out while the Dong family shall rise—this is a symbol of destiny's alignment!"
Dong Zhuo's brow relaxed slightly as his expression softened into a faint smile. "Indeed! These common sayings do have their own peculiar charm."
He turned to sit down, lifted his wine cup, seemingly casting aside all unease as he immersed himself in his dreams of grandeur.
At dawn, Dong Zhuo's convoy was ready to set out. The honor guard was lined up in formation, banners fluttering in the wind, and armored soldiers stood solemnly. Dong Zhuo donned splendid attire and sat proudly in an opulent carriage, exuding arrogance in his confident gaze. Beside him, Li Su held a treasured sword and followed closely behind with an impassive expression that concealed hidden malice.
The convoy had not traveled far when suddenly a figure appeared by the roadside—a man dressed in a blue robe with a white cloth wrapped around his head, holding a long pole. A length of white cloth was tied to the pole with a character for "mouth" written at both ends, fluttering conspicuously in the wind. The sight sparked murmurs among the crowd.
Dong Zhuo lifted the curtain of his carriage and frowned. "Who is this man? What is he trying to convey with that cloth?"
Li Su immediately stepped forward and replied in a hushed tone, "Grand Tutor need not worry. This man is deluded; those who speak of 'heart afflictions' are often troubled within—there's no need to take him seriously."
Dong Zhuo snorted coldly and waved his hand dismissively. "Drive him away! Do not let him disrupt our dignified procession!"
Several guards stepped forward to shout at the man, who was soon driven off. The convoy continued toward the palace where officials had already lined up along the road in their ceremonial robes, kneeling to welcome them. The sound of drums and music from the honor guard blended with the officials' praises; Dong Zhuo observed it all with growing satisfaction as a slight smile crept onto his lips.
Li Su rode closer with sword in hand; a flicker of barely perceptible coldness crossed his eyes as he respectfully said, "Grand Tutor, we have arrived at the North Gate."
Dong Zhuo nodded as they entered through the North Gate. Suddenly, the guards were halted outside while only about twenty men remained to accompany him in front and behind the imperial carriage. Dong Zhuo paid little mind to this change and continued toward the palace.
Upon entering through the main gate of the palace, Dong Zhuo caught sight of Wang Yun and other officials standing in formation outside the hall. Each held a sword firmly in hand; their gazes were sharp and their expressions grave. This unusual scene sent a chill through Dong Zhuo's heart; he straightened abruptly and turned to Li Su with a low voice asking, "Why are Wang Yun and others standing there with swords? What does this mean?"
Before Dong Zhuo could wait for Li Su's response, he felt the carriage jolt violently. Li Su remained silent, gripping the edge of the carriage as they pushed into the main hall. Dong Zhuo frowned, sensing something was amiss. Just as he was about to speak, a loud shout rang out from outside the hall:
"The rebel Dong Zhuo has arrived! Where are the guards?"
The voice boomed like thunder, echoing throughout the grand hall. Startled, Dong Zhuo sat up abruptly and turned to look around, only to see over a hundred armored soldiers emerging from behind the screens on either side, wielding long spears and halberds, their eyes fierce as they advanced menacingly.
"Rebellion! Rebellion!" Dong Zhuo roared, reaching for his waist. However, his heavy armor hindered his movements, and before he could draw his sword, several spears had already thrust toward him. He barely managed to dodge but was still pierced in the left arm by one of the spears. Blood gushed out instantly, splattering across the carriage as he cried out in pain and fell heavily to the ground.
Lying on the ground, Dong Zhuo's face turned pale, drenched in cold sweat as he clutched his bleeding arm and gritted his teeth, shouting, "Fengxian! Where is my Fengxian? Come save me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a tall figure emerged from behind the carriage with a resounding step. Holding the Fangtian Halberd firmly in hand, Lu Bu's voice was as cold as ice: "Lu Bu is here by imperial decree to eliminate the traitor! Dong Zhuo, you deserve to die a thousand deaths!"
Upon seeing Lu Bu, a glimmer of despair and disbelief crossed Dong Zhuo's eyes. "Fengxian... it's you..."
Lu Bu coldly stared at the fallen Dong Zhuo, his eyes blazing like burning flames. He said nothing more; instead, he thrust his Fangtian Halberd forward with great force, aiming directly for Dong Zhuo's throat. Dong Zhuo's eyes widened in shock; he could only manage a hoarse scream before the decorated halberd pierced through him, leaving him powerless on the ground.
Almost simultaneously, Li Su swung his sword and severed Dong Zhuo's head from his body. Holding it aloft, he shouted loudly: "Traitor Dong Zhuo has been executed!"
Lu Bu stood before Dong Zhuo's corpse, holding his halberd in one hand while retrieving the emperor's edict from his robe with the other. He raised it high and announced loudly: "Lu Bu acts on behalf of His Majesty’s secret decree to eliminate the traitor Dong Zhuo! The innocent need not fear!"
Seeing that Dong Zhuo was dead, all the soldiers in the hall knelt down in reverence and shouted in unison: "Long Live the Emperor! Long Live the Emperor!" Their voices thundered and soared into the skies.
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