In the main hall,Dong Zhuo was immersed in the pleasures of wine and merriment.Suddenly,a cacophony of noise from without shattered the harmonious ambiance.Dong Zhuo's brow furrowed in displeasure,and he bellowed irritably,"What in blazes is going on out there?"Li Ru,Fan Chou,Zhang Ji,and the other Xiliang generals and advisors exchanged blank looks at this query,at a loss for an answer.

Before they could dispatch anyone to investigate,they beheld Lu Bu,usually so imposing and domineering,staggering into the hall at this moment.

"Fengxian,my dear son,you...What on earth has happened?!"Dong Zhuo was truly astounded,his face a mask of shock.

"Father,I...I have failed you.I was vanquished by those rebels,"Lu Bu lamented,his countenance utterly downcast,his visage gloomy as the darkest night,and his voice laden with despair."Now,the rebel army has seized the opportunity and is surging into our pass like an unstoppable deluge."

At these words,the hall erupted into chaos.All present were dumbfounded.After all,Lu Bu was famed far and wide for his extraordinary martial might,hailed as the bravest in the army.Who could have imagined he would taste defeat?And even more staggering was that the rebels had actually breached the pass.What was to be done?

After a moment of stunned silence,Dong Zhuo was consumed by rage.Without a second thought,he seized the wine cup on the table and hurled it at Lu Bu,roaring furiously,"You miserable wretch!All the trust I placed in you has been for naught!"

Fortunately,Lu Bu was as agile as a cat.He swiftly sidestepped,narrowly avoiding the flying wine cup.

Gazing at Dong Zhuo,who was seething with fury in the hall,Lu Bu,proud and haughty as he was,burned with anger within.He thought to himself,I've risked life and limb for you,endured countless hardships.Just because of this single defeat,you humiliate me thus.It's truly intolerable!In his fury,blood rushed to his head,and he was nearly overcome by the urge to charge forward,raise his Fangtian Hua Ji,and slay Dong Zhuo on the spot.

Fortunately,at this critical juncture,Li Ru,the ever-watchful advisor,perceived the worsening situation and hastened forward.He positioned himself between Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo and attempted to soothe them with gentle words."Prime Minister,please calm your wrath.In my view,those rebels must have employed the most devious and underhanded tactics.General Fengxian merely fell prey to their schemes for a moment and unfortunately suffered this setback.However,this is not the time for recriminations.Now that the rebel army has already infiltrated our city,our most urgent priority is to devise a solution post-haste."

Under Li Ru's painstaking persuasion,Dong Zhuo grudgingly reined in his anger and asked,albeit with great reluctance,"So,in your opinion,what should we do now?"

"Behold,Prime Minister.Yuan Shao and his men have divided their forces into two prongs,and their actual manpower is not overly substantial.We have over a hundred thousand troops within the pass.If we engage them in direct combat,victory may yet be within our grasp,"Li Ru declared with confidence,thumping his chest as if victory were already assured.

Upon hearing Li Ru's words,Dong Zhuo subconsciously stroked his chin,his eyes glinting with a flicker of contemplation.True,that was what he said,but even Lu Bu,his most capable warrior,had been defeated by the rebels.Could they truly triumph in this battle?Dong Zhuo pondered this as the shouts of the approaching battle grew louder and clearer outside.He felt not the slightest shred of confidence.

Back in Liangzhou,Dong Zhuo had been a forthright and chivalrous soul.He had delighted in upholding justice and performing noble deeds.Later,as he embarked on his military career and rose to become a general,he had been dauntless in battle,repelling the barbarians on several occasions.However,years of indulgence in a life of dissipation had eroded his former courage and lofty aspirations.

After careful deliberation,Dong Zhuo finally muttered in a subdued tone,"This seems too perilous.We shall retreat!"

"Prime Minister!"Li Ru cried out in alarm."Prime Minister,you must not think thus!Hulao Pass is the gateway to Luoyang,a strategic stronghold coveted by every military strategist.Once we relinquish it so readily to the allied forces,they will be able to march unimpeded towards Luoyang.The consequences will be dire beyond imagination!"

"I have made my decision.Cease your prattling!"Dong Zhuo waved his hand impatiently,then rose and fled in a panic.The others exchanged glances,and after a brief hesitation,they had no choice but to follow Dong Zhuo in his hasty retreat.

Thus,with Dong Zhuo's panicked flight,the allied forces effortlessly captured Hulao Pass.

When Yuan Shao learned that it was Cao Cao who had seized Hulao Pass,he was elated and promptly led the remaining troops to rendezvous.

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In the evening,Yuan Shao ordered his men to prepare a sumptuous banquet to celebrate the great victory of the day.

"Mengde,you were outstanding today!You managed to repel the Xiliang Army and capture Hulao Pass.This is a remarkable achievement!Here,I toast to you!"Yuan Shao beamed,raising his wine cup high.

"Lord Alliance,you are too kind!"Cao Cao quickly waved his hand and said earnestly,"In truth,today's victory is entirely due to Mr.Lin Yu!"

Everyone was slightly taken aback at this revelation and turned their gazes towards Lin Yu,seated in a corner.

During this period of ceaseless battles,everyone had been subsisting on dry military rations,with no opportunity to hunt and improve their fare.Lin Yu's palate had grown so weary of the blandness that he could scarcely endure it.Finally,with Yuan Shao's banquet,Lin Yu was not about to let this splendid opportunity pass.He was feasting heartily.When Cao Cao mentioned him,he was in the midst of devouring a roast chicken with gusto.

Under the collective gaze of all,Lin Yu felt not the least bit of discomfort.He calmly set down the remains of the chicken bones in his hand,wiped his greasy hands,and said with a smile,"Lord Cao,you flatter me.Today's victory is the result of the entire army's unity and cooperation.Moreover,my second brother Dian Wei and third brother Zilong's valiant efforts in repelling Lu Bu were instrumental in achieving this great triumph."

"Quite right!Today's great victory owes much to Dian Wei and Zilong!"Cao Cao exclaimed,slapping his forehead as if in sudden realization.

"Here,I toast the two heroes!"Yuan Shao said,raising his wine cup and gesturing towards Dian Wei and Zhao Yun.Dian Wei and Zhao Yun promptly raised their cups and drained them in one bold swig.

After several rounds of wine,the banquet atmosphere grew lively.Many princes and generals came forward one by one to converse with Lin Yu and his two brothers,eager to foster good relations.Cao Cao,as always,remained close by,vigilant lest they be lured away by others.

In a corner,Zhang Fei watched Lin Yu and his brothers,who had become the center of attention at the banquet,with a tinge of envy in his heart.He couldn't help but mutter under his breath,"What's there to be so proud of?If it were me and Second Brother,we could have achieved the same."

"Third Brother,mind your words!"Liu Bei sighed helplessly upon hearing Zhang Fei's muttering,then looked at Gongsun Zan and said with a wry smile,"I truly did not expect Zhao Zilong to be so valiant..."

Gongsun Zan's expression soured at Liu Bei's words.When Zhao Yun had sought refuge with him previously,he had not regarded him highly.After all,Zhao Yun came from a humble background with low status.Hence,he had casually agreed to give Zhao Yun to Lin Yu.Who could have foreseen that Zhao Yun would display such extraordinary martial prowess on the battlefield today and achieve overnight fame?Now he had not only lost a powerful general for naught but also made himself appear shortsighted and inept at recognizing talent.How could he be in a good mood?

After the banquet,sated and content,Cao Cao led his men back to his quarters.He dismissed those around him,leaving only Lin Yu in the room.

"Mr.Lin Yu,you are truly my lucky star.Were it not for you today,we could not have captured Hulao Pass so effortlessly,"Cao Cao said with a smile."The Lord Alliance has just bestowed a generous reward of money.I shall send someone to deliver it to you later,so that you may distribute it among your two brothers."

"Thank you,Lord Cao,"Lin Yu replied with a faint smile.

At this moment,Cao Cao stretched languidly and then said with a chuckle,"Mr.Lin Yu,you seem to have no inclination towards officialdom,nor do you seem overly concerned with wealth.I am truly curious as to what it is that you desire."

Just as Lin Yu was about to respond,his eyes met Cao Cao's.In that instant,he detected a glint of suspicion in Cao Cao's gaze.Lin Yu's heart skipped a beat.Oh no!Cao Cao's suspicious nature was rearing its head again!It was no wonder.Cao Cao had previously invited him to assume an official position,but he had declined out of laziness.When offered money,he had shown little enthusiasm.Such behavior was hardly normal.No wonder Cao Cao was suspicious.

Lin Yu's mind began to race like a well-oiled machine.In the blink of an eye,he devised a plan.He scratched his head,feigning embarrassment,and said,"To be honest,Lord Cao,what I truly desire...are women."

It was,in fact,the truth.In his previous life,he had been a pure and inexperienced youth.Besides the digital content stored on his computer's hard drive,he had never even held a girl's hand.

Upon hearing Lin Yu's words,Cao Cao was initially stunned,then burst into hearty laughter."I had thought you were an emotionless and desireless being!That's simple.I shall reward you with a few beautiful women later."

Lin Yu's heart leaped with joy at these words.He had been correct in his assessment;Cao Cao was a man who understood and appreciated the pleasures of life.With this shared understanding,perhaps their relationship could become more amicable and less fraught with suspicion.

The next day,as the allied forces prepared to march towards Luoyang,Lin Yu found himself the recipient of a most unexpected gift from Cao Cao—a bevy of beautiful women,each more stunning than the last.They were to serve as his personal attendants,a gesture that spoke volumes of Cao Cao's largesse and his desire to keep Lin Yu content and loyal.

Dian Wei and Zhao Yun,upon hearing of this gift,exchanged amused glances."Our brother certainly has a way of surprising us,"Dian Wei remarked with a chuckle.

Zhao Yun nodded,a smile playing on his lips."It seems we have much to learn from him about the art of living."

As the days passed,the allied forces continued their march,meeting with various challenges and skirmishes along the way.But with each victory,their morale grew,and their unity was strengthened.Lin Yu,with his newfound companions,found a certain comfort that he had not known before.Perhaps,he mused,there was more to this life than just strategy and survival.

Cao Cao,for his part,was pleased with the development.He had won not only a strategic victory but also the loyalty of a man whose talents he valued highly.As they approached Luoyang,he felt a sense of anticipation.With each step,the future seemed to unfold with endless possibilities.

And so,the stage was set for the next chapter in the epic tale of the Three Kingdoms,where alliances would be tested,and the fates of heroes would be forever altered.For Lin Yu,Dian Wei,and Zhao Yun,the road ahead was paved with both glory and peril,and they walked it side by side,ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.