Chapter 9: Aspiring to be a Match for Thousands (Part 2)

He was unwilling to discuss the matter further and turned to Li Ru, saying: "Your mother-in-law mentioned that you came to see me for something?"

Dong Zhuo nodded slightly, "Since that is the case, the foundation of Lintao will be entrusted to you."

"A Chou, Grandma is tired. Accompany me back to the room and finish telling Grandma the story from yesterday."

The longer one stays in this era, the clearer one becomes about the thoughts of the people in this time. If one frequently tells others that the world is in chaos, they are either regarded as insane or pursued by the authorities. My grandmother is very astute; how should I explain this to her

Dong Zhuo, upon hearing this, was overjoyed

Sitting beside him, Niu Fu couldn't help but ask curiously, "Wenzheng, what are you laughing at?"

Niu Fu stood up and said: "Father-in-law, why don't I stay here? The child is currently the Northern Commander, responsible for affairs in the Qiang region, and has a good relationship with the local leaders. Thinking about it, I am the most suitable person to remain here."

To leave the remote and desolate place of Longxi is something that Dong Min and others could only wish for but cannot attain

Dong Zhuo also noticed Li Ru's unusual behavior and quickly stopped laughing, asking: "Wenzheng, is there something inappropriate about this?"

Hu Zhi, who is the person that embraced Dong Fei in the training ground

Dong Feiwen was taken aback, somewhat unclear about what the old lady meant

What are you worried about? What are you afraid of?

Li Ru nodded and said, "Wenzheng believes that once my father-in-law arrives in Hedong, he will undoubtedly need to establish good relations with the local gentry. However, we must not give up on Lintao; it is backed by the Qiang people, which is our foundation. Moreover, the Northwest is rich in fine horses. If we are to go to Hedong, we must leave a reliable person to deal with the Qiang... If Lintao is stable, then my father-in-law's position in Hedong will also be secure"

"A Chou, do you have any aspirations?"

Respectfully bidding farewell to the elderly lady

The old lady pondered for a long time and said, "A Chou, you are not wrong. Now tell me, what is your ambition?"

Grandma, I want to become a formidable opponent to thousands!

Dong Min frowned and said, "Wen Zheng, just speak your mind."

The old lady raised her head, as if gazing at the sky, and after a long while, she suddenly let out a long, deep sigh.

The old lady exclaimed, "You child, it is quite amusing to hear you say that. While others are eager for their official positions to grow larger, why are you afraid instead?"

The old lady said: "Although grandmother's eyes are blind, her heart is not. You usually do not like to speak, being taciturn, but grandmother knows that A Chou is not an ordinary person. Those people say A Chou is a monster, but in fact, they are afraid of A Chou and jealous of A Chou. After Yuan'er got married, A Chou had no one to talk to, but A Chou does not want to worry grandmother"

Is it a blessing? That child is indeed brave and strong, possessing such abilities at such a young age, which is truly remarkable. However, this child is not close to me; no matter how brave he is... When my mother was alive, I could still make use of him. But now that my mother is gone, who can make use of him?

Dong Zhuo recalled this matter and felt somewhat troubled

Dong Fei did not concern himself with whether the old lady could see him, and he nodded solemnly, responding: "Indeed, as long as A Chou possesses the ability to stand against ten thousand foes, he can protect grandmother from harm and ensure that sister can be happy for a lifetime"

Dong Fei may not kneel to Dong Zhuo, but he holds a genuine respect for the old matriarch

Having finished speaking, he stood up and said: "Everyone, prepare yourselves to welcome the arrival of the angels. After the angels depart, I will take you to explore Xiliang, where I will introduce you to the leaders of various Qiang tribes, so that you may continue your endeavors here after I leave."

The old lady could not help but feel curious, "With your grandmother here, no one in this family will bully you. Although your father does not like you, you are still his biological son; how could he possibly harm you? Don't be fooled by his loud and boisterous demeanor... In the future, your father's position will grow increasingly prominent, and by then, there will be even fewer people who would dare to bully you. Ah Chou, tell your grandmother, what are you afraid of?"

Li Ru chuckled softly beside him, but he quickly realized his lapse in decorum and hurriedly covered his mouth

"Wenzheng, your father-in-law has been promoted, why are you not happy?" Niu Fu could not help but ask

He hurriedly knelt before the old lady, remaining silent as he listened to her admonitions. However, in his heart, he secretly admired her; the old lady was not simple! Who said that ancient people had straightforward thoughts? Even a blind old lady could articulate such words, so how could those remarkable individuals be easy to deal with?

Li Ru's words were not fully expressed, yet none of the people in this hall are fools

Dong Fei thought for a moment and said, "Grandma, I am precisely afraid that my father's position will continue to rise."

The wind is gentle, and the swaying leaves rustle softly

a formidable opponent

The old lady's words made the faces of those in the hall flush with embarrassment. Dong Zhuo felt extremely stifled, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to hide in. This was not only because he was humiliated in front of everyone, but more importantly, the old lady's words were not wrong.

Human desires are boundless, thus one continually strives for higher achievements. Eventually, when you reach the pinnacle, that is when danger arises

Dong Fei said: "Grandma, the higher the official rank, the greater the ambition. You once said that my father’s greatest dream was to become a Xusi lieutenant. But after becoming a Xusi lieutenant, what did he think? He aspired to hold an even higher position. One day in the future, when he becomes a Grand Minister or a Minister of Works, what will he desire then? When the Dong family is at the height of its glory, it is likely to also be the day of our greatest peril."

What Dong Fei said sounds quite ridiculous, but upon careful consideration, it indeed holds a certain truth

He naturally distinguished the difference between the Governor of Hedong and the Colonel of the Guard, nodding repeatedly: "Wenzheng's news is indeed good, wonderfully good beyond words"

Father-in-law, being appointed as the Governor of Hedong is indeed a good thing. However, the current state of the court is unstable; there are already disputes over party affiliations, and now there are even eunuchs meddling in politics. Although the Central Plains are appealing, they are rife with factions. The land of Hedong is fertile, but the influence of the gentry is significant. I am thinking that we, being in Lintao, are situated far from the court and can act freely, but if we were to go to Hedong... I am thinking that we, being in Lintao, are situated far from the court and can act freely, but if we were to go to Hedong...

He quickly rose to his feet, "My lord, you flatter me. I have always believed myself to possess considerable courage, but after witnessing today, I realize I have underestimated the heroes of the world. Young master, with your valor and youth, your future achievements will undoubtedly be extraordinary; this is indeed a blessing for you, my lord."

Most of the people in the hall have not truly awakened yet, but that does not mean that no one has heard Li Ru's laughter

Dong Fei always says that in the future, father will meet a bad end, and grandmother, you will also be implicated

Dong Ya is the father of Dong Zhuo and Dong Min

Hu Zhen and others hurriedly stepped forward to offer their congratulations, yet Li Ru remained seated calmly at the table

Dong Zhuo nodded slightly, "Indeed, as long as I hold military power, which of those aristocratic families in Hedong would dare to underestimate me? However, Wenzheng, you must accompany me to Hedong. It is better for you to deal with those scholars. Who should stay behind?"

As everyone took their seats, Dong Zhuo slammed the long table fiercely and, lowering his voice, roared: "This wretch, this wretch... If it weren't for my mother stopping me, I would definitely have beheaded that wretch's dog head"

The old lady finished speaking and glanced at the crowd in the hall, "Esteemed guests, if there is nothing further, I shall take A Chou back."

Niu Fupu sprayed a mouthful of water out, and then hurriedly stifled a laugh.

The old lady had no choice but to regard this grandson with new eyes; it seemed she had underestimated A Chou after all

Dong Fei trembled slightly and replied softly, "Yes!"

The old lady said: "You usually go to the training ground to watch those people practice martial arts, and you keep training every day. Grandmother understands that you are worried, that you are afraid, aren't you?"

Dong Zhuo was taken aback upon hearing this

Dong Zhuo and others were discussing in the hall, while the old lady brought Dong Fei back to their residence and sat down on the stone pedestal at the entrance

But can Dong Zhuo understand these words if they are said now

Li Ru and Niu Fu have a good relationship. Holding back a laugh, he whispered: "Brother-in-law, my father-in-law said to behead A Chou's dog, but if A Chou's head is that of a dog, wouldn't my father-in-law..."

At this moment, Dong Zhuo had also calmed down and said to a man on his right, "Wencai, I apologize for the earlier incident that may have amused you... Wenzheng, let me introduce you. This is my newly acquainted hero, Hu Zhen from Liangzhou, who possesses considerable martial prowess. From now on, we are all one family, so please get to know each other well."

As the elderly lady was assisted by Dong Fei and left, the people in the hall let out a sigh of relief.

Congratulations, Your Excellency

The old lady suddenly gasped in shock, unable to speak for a long time

Father-in-law, the court has sent word that you are to be appointed as the Governor of Hedong. I have come to inform you that the envoy will arrive in the next few days, and I hope you will make your preparations soon

***

It is a very simple truth, yet many people fail to see through it