Chapter 8, the hair stands on end

Duan Wei is one of the few generals of the Dong faction who still harbors respect for the imperial family, and he is also one of the rare generals who genuinely cares about the lives and welfare of the common people. When he was stationed in Huayin, he prioritized agricultural development and refrained from disturbing the local populace, allowing the people to live and work in peace.

Due to the sensitive identity of Dong Bao, Duan Wei, although very dissatisfied with the spy sent by Dong Zhuo, was aware that Dong Bao was secretly engaging in some heinous activities. However, he found it difficult to reprimand or punish him further.

Liu He, who has been reborn, is meeting Duan Wei for the first time. However, the original Liu He, who is now deceased, had encountered important generals under Dong Zhuo in both Luoyang and Chang'an more than once, and Duan Wei is one of them

Faced with a suspicious Duan Wei, Liu He felt as if his heart was about to leap out of his chest. Now, with the addition of the poison master Jia Xu, Liu He truly regretted not having acted wisely earlier by turning his horse around to show off his bravery. Instead, he should have recklessly urged his horse to escape through the already opened gate.

Liu He vaguely remembers that historically, the infamous strategist Jia Xu initially served under Duan Wei, as both Jia Xu and Duan Wei hailed from the same region of Wuwei. Unfortunately, this top-tier strategist did not receive significant recognition from Duan Wei; otherwise, Duan Wei might have accomplished some earth-shattering feats.

Liu He’s mind is not a humanoid machine, so it is impossible for him to remember the courtesy names of all the civil and military officials who appeared in the history of the Three Kingdoms. However, he can clearly recall the names of some particularly remarkable figures.

Duan Wei has always been cautious and prudent. Upon discovering so many points of suspicion, he immediately called out to Liu He, preparing to inquire in detail for clarity

Seated beside Duan Wei was a middle-aged scholar in his forties, who appeared refined in demeanor but spoke little. He quietly listened to the conversation between the host and the guest, occasionally casting a subtle glance at Liu.

Liu silently lamented his plight, exchanged a glance with Wang Yue and Ding Kuang, then dismounted. Under the watchful gaze of hundreds of curious eyes at the gate, he slowly made his way towards it

When Liu He first entered the watchtower, he did not pay much attention to the middle-aged scholar. However, upon hearing Duan Wei say to this person, "Brother Wenhe, this is the eldest son of Liu Bo'an, the Grand Secretary by the Emperor's side and the Governor of Youzhou, who possesses the demeanor and grace of the Grand Tutor!" he immediately felt every hair on his body stand on end.

First, Duan Wei discovered that the more than ten people below, whether riding or leading their horses, were actually authentic Xiliang warhorses; next, Duan Wei found that the young man leading the way was actually a chamberlain by the side of Emperor Liu Xie; finally, Duan Wei vaguely sensed a faint smell of blood from below.

Later on, Emperor Xian appointed Duan Wei as "General of Annan" and Marquis of Wenxiang. Cao Cao further promoted Duan Wei to the position of Grand Minister of Ceremonies and Minister of Rites. Among the original followers of Dong Zhuo, he was one of the few who managed to meet a peaceful end

Inside the closed building, a relatively exquisite spread of food and wine has been prepared. Liu He and Duan Wei sit opposite each other, drinking wine and engaging in some trivial conversation.

However, the more Liu and Yue were worried about something, the more it seemed to come true! Liu originally thought that by intimidating the guards, he could pass through quickly, but instead, he inadvertently alerted Duan Wei from the Western Liang army stationed at Wuguan.

After Dong Zhuo's death, Li Jue took Liu Xie hostage to Huayin, where Duan Wei personally came out of the camp to welcome him and provided food and clothing for the Emperor Xian. Later, Li Jue returned to Chang'an, causing harm to the common people. Duan Wei then led troops to attack Chang'an, killed Li Jue, and escorted Li Jue's entire family of over two hundred people to Xuchang, where they were all executed by Cao Cao

Today, Duan Wei was reading a military book in the camp when he suddenly heard his personal guard quietly report that the subordinate general, Dong Bao, intended to take action against a group of homeless refugees. Instantly filled with rage, he immediately dropped the book and rushed towards the defense.

Liu Heyi, seeing Duan Wei's demeanor, realized that he could not escape for the time being. He had no choice but to brace himself and say: "It is not that I underestimate the general, but rather that I am on a mission from the Emperor to Jingzhou to handle an urgent matter. Moreover, since the general is busy with military affairs, I did not dare to entertain the thought of disturbing you, yet it seems I have inadvertently provoked you."

Dong Bao is a typical petty person who appears fierce but is actually timid. Upon observing Duan Wei being particularly courteous to Liu He, and noticing Liu He's casual tone when speaking with Duan Wei, he realized that the two shared some rapport. Therefore, he did not dare to neglect the attendants that Liu He had brought with him

As Liu and Kua were riding the large black horse, just as the horse's head was about to enter the archway of the Wuguan Gate beneath the blue stone roof, they suddenly heard a voice from above saying, "Liu Shizhong, please stop." At that moment, they were so startled that they nearly fell off the horse's back

In the context of the Three Kingdoms, there is only one scholar known as "Wenhe," and that is Jia Xu, the top strategist of the Three Kingdoms—Jia Wenhe

"I can't believe I would be so easily provoked! How could I have drawn out Duan Wei?" Liu felt a pang in his heart, desperately suppressing the intense urge to gallop out of Wuguan. He then struggled to turn his horse around, forcing out a smile that was more painful than crying, and shouted at the face of a middle-aged general that was peeking over the city wall: "General Ning Ji, next time you speak, could you please lower your voice? My horse nearly got startled by you!"

Hearing Duan Wei's words, Dong Bao, who was standing nearby, also advised with a pleasing expression: "What the general says is absolutely right. There are no signs of human habitation for dozens of miles beyond Wuguan. Minister Liu has had a tiring journey; why not rest for a night within the pass, regain your strength, and continue your journey tomorrow?"

The closed-off Dong Bao then instructed the soldiers to bring Liu He’s attendants into a camp, and subsequently arranged for the cooks to prepare meals and hot water for bathing and foot soaking for these twenty individuals

Liu Heji, whose courtesy name was Zhuo Ming, hailed from Wuwei. This individual was naturally suspicious and served as a Zhonglangjiang under Dong Zhuo, earning the title of Ningji General. He can be considered a direct line of the Xiliang faction among the three forces of Xiliang, Bingzhou, and Luoyang under Dong Zhuo's command.

By the time Duan Wei arrived, he saw Dong Bao honestly allowing a group of people to pass. Out of curiosity, he carefully observed this group and indeed discovered some discrepancies.

Liu had a relatively favorable impression of Duan Wei, as this individual was not as brutal and unscrupulous as Dong Zhuo, Guo Shi, or Li Jue. However, he was also aware that Duan Wei was very cunning and inherently suspicious. Before Dong Zhuo's death, Duan Wei had been extremely loyal, which made Liu and Tushu worry that Duan Wei might discover the flaws in their group, thereby hindering their plan to return to Youzhou

Duan Wei, upon hearing Liu He’s words filled with a hint of complaint and teasing from the wall, revealed a slight smile and said to Liu He below, "Sir Liu, knowing that I am stationed at Wuguan, you come here without prior notice, clearly showing that you do not regard me highly."

Looking into Jia Xu's eyes, which seemed capable of piercing through the human heart, Liu He found that the food and drink in his mouth had lost all flavor. He felt that his luck had truly gone to his grandmother's house.

When Dong Zhuo initially rose to power, he had four key associates: Niu Fu, Dong Yue, Hu Zhen, and Duan Wei. Later, as Dong Zhuo took control of the Han court, they were each appointed as one of the Four Great Zhonglang Generals

Before understanding Liu He’s intentions for leaving the pass, Duan Wei did not plan to let him through. He then called out to Liu He, saying: "Since we have met now, why not have a discussion at the pass? The day is getting late, and I see that your attendants are also exhausted. It would be better to rest in the camp for the night and set out again tomorrow."

As long as one can escape from danger, what does it matter to oneself whether others live or die? Without Wang Yue and Shi A as enforcers, are there not still martial arts masters like Tong Yuan, Deng Zhan, and Song Chao? Without the loyal Xianyu Yin, does Youzhou not still have another Xianyu Fu?