A Brilliant Scheme

Wang An nodded gravely, assuring he would relay Wang Bo's words faithfully. Seeing Wang Bo had nothing further to say, Wang An took his leave and returned to Jinyang.

After Wang An departed, Wang Bo inquired about the distance between the rear army and Jinyang, then made his rounds among the soldiers. As he expected, despite several days of forced march, the Qing Wolf Army showed no sign of fatigue; after a night's rest, their fighting spirit was fully restored. Satisfied, he nodded approvingly. Having eaten the steaming meal provided by the Wang family to reward the Xing Han Army, he was about to order the troops to move out when Niu Er reported from outside the tent: someone claiming to be a messenger from the court wished to see Wang Bo, speaking with considerable arrogance.

Wang Bo was taken aback but chuckled quietly, instructing his men to first summon the generals before allowing the visitor in. Inwardly, he dismissed the claim: a messenger from the court? Surely just one of Dong Zhuo's lackeys. Coming to play the big shot here? You'll taste a little humiliation first!

Soon, a man of medium stature entered the tent, his head wrapped in a scholar's scarf, iron armor on his upper body, but a long robe-skirt below. The man's outfit annoyed Wang Bo: neither military nor civilian, an awkward mishmash. His pompous stride, head held high and chest out, was so exaggerated that even the usually unconcerned Xu Chu snorted in disdain.

"Ahem! I am Li Su, Cavalry Commandant under Prime Minister Dong, sent by his order to bring General Wang joyful news!" Li Su ignored the angry faces of those flanking him, clasped his hands in greeting as an equal, and loudly addressed Wang Bo seated at the center. Though initially surprised at the discipline of the Xing Han Army and Wang Bo's youth, he quickly reassured himself: what scene have I not witnessed? His arrogance returned.

"Oh? Li Su…?" Wang Bo opened his eyes at the name—wasn't this the very Li Su who lured Lü Bu into killing Ding Yuan? Hmph! He immediately said, "I have only heard that Dong Zhongying's camp boasts the literary Li Wenyou and the martial Lü Fengxian, but never of anyone named Li Su! If Dong, the esteemed Prime Minister, wishes to meet me, why send an unknown nobody? Does he underestimate the mighty Xing Han Army?"

Li Su's face darkened instantly, but he dared not be too unruly. He retorted, "General Wang dwells in Yanmen and does not know: Li Wenyou is but a sycophant! Though favored now, what true talent has he? I, Li Su, am a close friend and fellow townsman of Lü Fengxian; his turning against Ding Yuan was my own counsel!" He puffed his chest with pride.

"Hmm? Hmph! Ding Jianyang has shown much favor to the Xing Han Army. Though not intimately acquainted, I have always appreciated his kindness! To think he met his end at your hands? Guards! Take him out and give him fifty strokes with the army rod!"

"Yes, sir!" A group of burly guards entered, ready to drag off the bewildered Li Su.

"Master! This cannot be! If he truly is sent by the court, such treatment is unwise! Fifty strokes may well kill him!" Pei Yuan Shao hurried to intervene.

"Hmm… Very well! But to let him off entirely would not satisfy my anger. Ten strokes as a warning!" Wang Bo waved his hand, and the guards, without hesitation, dragged Li Su—who had only just recovered from his shock—outside before he could utter a word.

"You ignorant brute! I am sent by the Prime Minister, bearing the emperor's mandate—who dares punish me? General Wang, calm your anger! Hear me out… Spare me, master! Spare me…"

Hearing Li Su's cries outside, Wang Bo and Pei Yuan Shao exchanged gleeful glances, then burst out laughing with the other generals.

Li Su was given ten solid strokes. Fortunately, he was of humble origins and had served as a fighting officer, wielding sword and spear against barbarians. If he had been a frail scholar, such a beating would have cost him half his life.

Li Su proved tough; soon after the beating, trembling, he returned to face Wang Bo. He had little choice—having volunteered for the task of persuading Wang Bo, if he failed, facing the unpredictable and violent Dong Zhuo would be far worse than any pain on his backside.

He had made a solemn pledge, thinking it a great opportunity to shine. Though he had to cross bandit-infested Taiyuan, fortune favors the bold. Armed with his eloquence and the lure of a governorship, how could he fail to win over these rustic soldiers? But now, Wang Bo seemed even more capricious than Dong Zhuo—he resorted to punishment at the slightest provocation. What bad luck!

It was too late to regret; Li Su cursed inwardly but dared not show his displeasure. Enduring the pain, he steeled himself and entered the tent to continue his mission.

"General Wang! Hiss… This is all a misunderstanding! The death of Lord Jianyang is truly lamentable! Lü Fengxian killed his father under Dong Zhong… the Prime Minister's orders… The scheme was Li Wenyou's, not mine! I was merely Lü Fengxian's countryman, happened to be present and gifted him the steed Red Hare—please forgive me, General Wang! Hiss…" Under the mocking gaze of the crowd, Li Su knelt in pain, fearing he might provoke Wang Bo’s wrath again.

"Hmph!" Wang Bo snorted heavily, turning his head away.

Seeing the situation, Li Su dared not argue further. He quickly produced the imperial edict and the seal of the Governor of Bing Province, respectfully raising them overhead: "Here is the Prime Minister's memorial, the imperial decree appointing General Wang as Governor of Bing Province, and the official seal. Please accept them, General Wang! I am here to deliver this joyful news!"

"Oh? Bring them here at once!" Wang Bo's eyes lit up. He eagerly took them from Xu Chu, admiring the ornate decree and caressing the ancient, lustrous seal, his mouth full of praise.

After a long while, Wang Bo burst into laughter, and the generals followed suit.

—

After his laughter subsided, Wang Bo waved his hand and addressed the still-kneeling Li Su: "Excellent! Commandant Li, rise! I misunderstood you just now—do not take offense! Someone, bring him a seat!"

"Lord Wang, you are too kind—no offense, no offense… Hiss… Thank you, Lord Wang!" Li Su slowly rose, but when he saw the strange wooden chair handed to him by the grinning giant, and compared it to Wang Bo's own seat, his face turned purple. Hesitating but unable to refuse, he gritted his teeth and carefully sat down.

"Hmm…" A muffled groan escaped his nose; he could distinctly feel fresh blood from his wounds being squeezed out, sweat beads soon covering his face.

"Commandant Li, you have worked hard! Did the Prime Minister leave any message for me?" Wang Bo paid no mind to Li Su's suffering, having intended it as a slight.

"Such toil is nothing, Lord Wang! The Prime Minister said before I left: General Wang has labored greatly, and appointing you as Governor of Bing is well-deserved. Even a position among the Three Excellencies would not be too much…"

"Hahaha… Excellent! Excellent! Commandant Li, you are most talented! Why not join the Xing Han Army? I would make you my right hand!"

"Lord Wang flatters me! How could I accept such praise? Besides, I am a man of faith; having undertaken this task, I must see it through!"

Li Su, unsure if Wang Bo was mocking or testing him, deftly shifted the topic while complimenting himself: "The Prime Minister also said: he wished to appoint you as Grand Commandant, but your youth and lack of experience led to objections from the court, so he had to abandon the idea!"

"Is this true?" Wang Bo's eyes widened in surprise.

"Every word is true! If I speak a single falsehood, may heaven strike me down!" Li Su feigned an oath, though the pain made his mouth twitch.

Wang Bo waved his hand in acceptance, then muttered, "It is true! I am still… young, and lack sufficient merit. What should I do?"

Li Su was secretly pleased, though he showed no emotion. He continued, "The Prime Minister pondered long and hard, and upon my advice, offered you a clear path!"

"Oh? Commandant Li, speak quickly!" Wang Bo leaned forward, eager.

"Patience, Lord Wang! Now, the traitors in the east—Qiao Mao, Cao Cao, and others—are conspiring rebellion; the Yuan clan also harbors ambition, stirring unrest. The Prime Minister treated them well, but they repay him with ingratitude and ignore the people's suffering. He wishes to eliminate them and has assembled tens of thousands of Xiliang troops, now advancing east.

"Unexpectedly, the White Wave bandits, once scattered by our army, have revived amid the chaos. Though a minor nuisance, they cause trouble in Hedong. The Prime Minister is furious, sending General Niu Fu to suppress them, but the bandits flee to the mountains, only to return and harass the region after the army leaves."

Li Su, eager to show off his eloquence, spoke at length. But his hands gripping the chair grew tired, so he stood up discreetly and continued as Wang Bo listened intently.

"Now that General Wang is appointed Governor of Bing, and your Xing Han Army is elite, skilled in pacifying refugees and bandits, this is a perfect opportunity to wipe out the White Wave bandits. This would remove a threat to the emperor, ease the Prime Minister's anger, and earn you great merit, silencing all doubts at court. Would this not be ideal? Heh heh!"

"Oh?" Wang Bo, annoyed by Li Su's rambling, was tempted to beat him again, but for the sake of extracting benefits from Dong Zhuo, he restrained himself. Hearing these words, he was overjoyed: just what he wanted! Old Dong had the same idea? Now he could press his advantage.

"Is that all?" Wang Bo interrupted Li Su's endless speech.

"Uh…" Li Su was momentarily stunned, staring blankly at Wang Bo.

"In war, there are countless losses—men, arms, funds…" Wang Bo ticked off items on his fingers, then continued, "My army has just entered Bing; the people here are destitute, the powerful clans unwilling to help, leaving our supply lines strained. We have many brave fighters, but lack capable administrators and planners…"

This litany of difficulties left Li Su uneasy: so he wants something tangible? Even such a high office doesn't sway him? Asking for benefits before battle—truly greedy!

—

Before Li Su could respond, Wang Bo slapped the table: "Very well! Commandant Li, return to the capital and tell the Prime Minister: the Xing Han Army will soon drive out the Xiongnu and subdue Yufu Luo. Only then will I consider this matter further—I must see the Prime Minister’s sincerity!"

"Indeed… Lord Wang speaks truly! Luoyang is far away, with bandits rampant between; even if the Prime Minister wishes to help, his hands are tied. Once you defeat the White Wave bandits, the way will clear…"

"Enough! If the Prime Minister is stingy, I’ll drive the White Wave Army into Hedong and Hongnong… Hmph!" Wang Bo turned hostile at once.

"Lord Wang…"

"Guards! See him out!"

As Wang Bo turned away, the generals all glared and snorted in unison. Li Su knew he had failed, having suffered humiliation and fearing what Dong Zhuo might do to him upon his return.

On the journey back, Li Su was preoccupied with how to report his failure, his wounds constantly reminding him of Wang Bo's contempt. If not for his alert aides, he nearly fell prey to mountain bandits.

Near Luoyang, an evil scheme suddenly came to him, and his anxiety eased as he galloped toward the city.

After reporting in, he entered the splendid Prime Minister's mansion. Dong Zhuo, immersed in pleasure, snapped open his eyes when he heard Li Su had returned empty-handed, his gaze fierce as a wolf.

Kneeling, Li Su dared not delay, and before Dong Zhuo could vent his anger, he spilled all he had learned, disparaging Wang Bo and the Xing Han Army as greedy peasants.

Dong Zhuo soon lost patience, brusquely interrupting, "Despicable! Utterly despicable! Such greedy villains are no better than Yuan Benchu!"

Heaving his immense body, he gasped heavily.

"You claimed it would be easy—is this a lie?" Dong Zhuo jabbed his finger at Li Su.

Li Su, seeing Dong Zhuo about to vent his fury, quickly protested, "Prime Minister, calm your anger! I dare not deceive you! I did not expect Wang Bo to be so shameless! But does this not prove he and his men are ignorant fools? With a little cunning, we can control them easily!"

"Then tell me—what plan do you have?"

"Men of honor value righteousness; petty men value profit. If you wish to use them, grant them some small benefit at first. Whether the Xing Han Army attacks the White Wave bandits or not, it's out of their hands. When I left, Wang Bo was already targeting Yufu Luo—a sworn ally of the White Wave bandits. If Yufu Luo is defeated, the bandits cannot sit by!

"We only need to send a few spies to spread rumors among the bandits, saying the Xing Han Army is coming south by order to attack them. How do you think the White Wave bandits will respond?"

Li Su, growing animated, forgot himself.

"Excellent! Brilliant! Hahaha…" Dong Zhuo laughed before Li Su finished.

"Rest assured, Prime Minister! I will see the Xing Han Army and the White Wave bandits fight to the death. You need only sit back and reap the rewards! Hehehe…"