Outside Luoyang City at this time, generals like Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shu were still vigorously pursuing and killing those who were fleeing in disarray.
They shouted at times, brandished their weapons at others, while the Ten Attendants, escorting the nobles from the palace, desperately fled in panic.
Just as they were about to catch up, those people threatened the lives of the palace nobles, attempting to perish with their pursuers.
However, Yuan Shao and the others paid no heed to this; they continued their relentless pursuit.
Lu Zhi and Zhao Yun, helpless, could only stay close to the Emperor as his personal guards.
Lu Zhi, while comforting the frightened Emperor and assuring him that reinforcements had been sent, bravely fought the enemies in a desperate struggle.
Just at this critical moment, Dong Zhuo's troops also surged forward like a tide.
Guo Si and Li Jue, two Flying Bear Army generals, led the Flying Bear Army to assault Yuan Shao and Cao Cao's forces from both flanks.
In an instant, the pursuers were caught off guard by Dong Zhuo's attack.
Seeing the situation grow increasingly perilous, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao had no choice but to give up, regroup their forces, and deal with this sudden turn of events.
As Dong Zhuo's army stabilized the situation, Dong Zhuo sat steadily on his horse and slowly approached the group of people who had been pursued.
He frowned slightly, a look of confusion and inquiry on his face, then asked, "Who exactly are you? And why are you being pursued by such a large army?"
Those who had been chased by Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, terrified like startled birds, became uncontrollably excited upon seeing Dong Zhuo appear like a divine soldier, rescuing them from their desperate situation.
Their previously panicked faces instantly broke into expressions of wild joy, and one of them, with a hint of arrogance, said, "General, why do you not come forward and pay your respects quickly!
We are Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, the palace attendants!
This is because General He Jin conspired and rebelled, and we desperately protected the palace nobles as they escaped!
At this moment, the Empress, Empress Dowager, and Emperor are among us, so why do you not quickly come forward to receive them!"
As he spoke, he lifted his chin, his eyes filled with smugness and arrogance, as if showing off their "capital" to Dong Zhuo.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Dong Zhuo's face, a surprise that vanished like lightning, and then the corners of his mouth curved slightly upward, an almost imperceptible smile quietly appearing.
That smile seemed to hide endless cunning and triumph, as if everything was within his calculations.
He raised his horsewhip and gave it a gentle flick; the whip made a crisp sound in the air, like a trumpet of victory.
Then, he slowly dismounted, unhurriedly, each movement appearing steady and resolute, showcasing his authority.
Dong Zhuo walked steadily forward, his steps firm and powerful, carrying an irresistible momentum.
When he arrived among the so-called nobles, his gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, quickly scanning the crowd.
However, his gaze did not linger on the Emperor or Empress Dowager He; instead, it directly locked onto Grand Empress Dowager Dong in the crowd.
Dong Zhuo's face immediately showed a look of pleasant surprise; he widened his eyes and loudly exclaimed, "Dong Zhuo of Western Liang leads his troops to rescue the Emperor!"
This voice was as loud as a great bell, echoing through the air.
Grand Empress Dowager Dong now recovered from her panic; her face still showed traces of alarm, but her eyes held a few more hints of relief and peace of mind.
She called out loudly, "Is that Dong Zhuo? Dong Zhongying!"
Dong Zhuo, hearing this, quickly responded loudly, "Aunt, your nephew is indeed Dong Zhongying of the Dong clan!
Your nephew learned of the palace incident and was burning with anxiety, so I immediately led my troops to rescue the Emperor.
Your nephew is late in rescuing the Emperor and has caused Aunt to be alarmed!"
As Dong Zhuo spoke, he quickly stepped forward to support Grand Empress Dowager Dong, his face full of concern and self-reproach.
Grand Empress Dowager Dong gently patted Dong Zhuo's hand, her voice tinged with emotion, "Zhongying, it's so good that you could come!
The situation is so chaotic now; I am truly worried!"
Dong Zhuo quickly said, "Aunt, rest assured, with your nephew here, no one will harm Aunt or His Majesty!"
Grand Empress Dowager Dong nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes, "Zhongying, you are thoughtful.
Your arrival this time is a great merit!"
Dong Zhuo bowed and said, "It is my duty to serve Aunt and His Majesty.
As long as I can ensure the safety of Aunt and His Majesty, your nephew will not shrink from any danger!"
Grand Empress Dowager Dong, however, did not take up Dong Zhuo's words but instead pushed Prince Liu Xie forward and said to Dong Zhuo, "Zhongying, this is Prince Liu Xie.
The late Emperor placed great hope in Liu Xie when he was alive.
Since you are here, you must protect the Prince's safety."
Dong Zhuo looked at the pushed-forward Liu Xie with a slight hint of confusion, pondering inwardly, but still took a step forward and respectfully bowed, saying, "Empress Dowager, this humble general will do his utmost to protect the Prince."
Dong Zhuo left the others aside, ignoring them.
This made Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong feel ignored and slighted; they clustered around Empress Dowager He, their faces showing displeasure.
The two stood beside Empress Dowager He and said sternly, "Bold Dong Zhuo, you only have Empress Dowager in your eyes!
You should know that Empress Dowager He and His Majesty are here!
How dare you be so arrogant and rude?
Are you not afraid that Empress Dowager will punish you?"
Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong's faces were full of ruthlessness, and their words were quite arrogant, seemingly completely disregardful of Dong Zhuo's presence.
They still thought about the existence of their alliance with Dong Zhong's faction, thinking that Dong Zhuo was merely an insignificant general of Dong Zhong's faction, and thus felt no burden or pressure whatsoever.
Dong Zhuo had not yet reacted; he looked at Grand Empress Dowager Dong, who then spoke, "Zhongying, capture these damned eunuchs and the wicked Empress!"
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo did not hesitate for a moment; he waved his hand, and his soldiers, like wolves and tigers, rushed into the crowd, quickly apprehending the arrogant eunuchs, including Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong, and even controlling those around Empress Dowager He, as well as Empress Dowager He herself.
Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and the others showed expressions of terror, shouting at the top of their lungs, "We, we don't understand!
We were allied to deal with He Jin before, and now He Jin has been executed by us, Empress Dowager, what do you mean by this?
Are you going to be someone who breaks faith?"
Their voices were filled with panic and confusion.
Dong Zhuo's face grew even angrier upon hearing their words; he widened his eyes, glaring, and roared, "Silence!"
This roar exploded like thunder in everyone's ears, making them tremble with fear.
He firmly gestured to the generals on his left and right, his eyes seemingly carrying endless authority and killing intent.
Upon receiving the order, the generals drew their swords without hesitation and directly charged into the group of eunuchs, raising their swords and bringing them down, beheading the eunuchs.
All of this happened so quickly that no one had time to react.
The rolling heads and splattering blood stunned everyone present.
For a moment, a deathly silence fell over the surroundings; everyone was as silent as cicadas in winter, even their breathing became cautious.
They were shocked by Dong Zhuo's decisive order to execute, and their hearts were filled with fear.
Everyone understood that this Dong Zhuo before them was not someone easy to deal with; he was a general who held significant military power and acted arrogantly.
Even Grand Empress Dowager Dong and Prince Liu Xie, who were not threatened, could not help but tremble in their hearts at this sudden bloody scene.
They began to re-examine this seemingly respectful Dong Zhuo, and their apprehension towards him increased by a few points.
As for Empress Dowager He, when she heard the news of He Jin's death, she felt as if struck by lightning, her heart filled with immense sorrow and burning anguish.
When she saw the eunuchs mercilessly slaughtered by Dong Zhuo, she instantly understood that He Jin had been her greatest reliance, her support and pillar in the deep palace.
She recalled her past with He Jin, filled with endless regret for her foolish actions, for not realizing He Jin's importance to her.
This regret and self-reproach surged into her heart like a tide, making it unbearable.
Under this intense emotional impact, Empress Dowager He's body swayed uncontrollably, and she finally fainted, collapsing to the ground.
The surrounding soldiers, seeing this, showed no emotion.
At this moment, Dong Zhuo strode towards the Emperor, who was protected by Zhao Yun and Lu Zhi behind him.
Lu Zhi's expression instantly turned solemn; he frowned deeply, his eyes wide with anger, gripping his sword tightly, and suddenly held it horizontally, blocking Dong Zhuo's path, and angrily shouted, "Dong Zhongying, what is your intention?"
A fleeting hint of awkwardness crossed Dong Zhuo's face, but he quickly returned to his normal demeanor.
He respectfully cupped his hands, bowed slightly, and said sincerely, "Lu Shi, you misunderstand.
In my early years under Lu Shi's command, when we fought against the Yellow Turbans together, Dong Zhuo already admired Lu Shi immensely.
Lu Shi is wise and mighty; Dong Zhuo has absolutely no treacherous ambitions.
I am merely here to pay my respects to the Emperor."
Lu Zhi still tightly guarded the Emperor, his sharp eyes fixed on Dong Zhuo, showing no signs of relaxing his vigilance, and said, "The Emperor is well and does not need others to disturb or distract him."
Seeing Lu Zhi's expression, Dong Zhuo, though displeased, did not act out of consideration for his old friendship with Lu Zhi.
He frowned slightly, a helpless expression on his face, and stepped forward, asking Grand Empress Dowager Dong, with a slightly anxious tone, how to arrange the next steps.
Empress Dowager said, "Guards, return to the palace first; we will discuss it at length once inside!"
Dong Zhuo's subordinates quickly brought forth a carriage, respectfully stopping it before Grand Empress Dowager Dong and Prince Liu Xie.
Grand Empress Dowager Dong, with the assistance of her attendants, somewhat laboriously boarded the carriage, followed closely by Prince Liu Xie, whose eyes held a hint of unease and apprehension.
Dong Zhuo stood beside the carriage, his figure tall and imposing, clad in battle armor, exuding a fearsome aura.
He personally took on the role of guard, his eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings, ensuring no danger approached.
Subsequently, Dong Zhuo flicked his horsewhip, and the procession slowly began to move, heading towards Luoyang City.
The wheels rolled, raising clouds of dust, and Dong Zhuo, riding a tall horse, followed closely beside the carriage, his gaze cold and resolute, as if guarding something important.
Everyone, under his escort, followed step by step, and the entire procession, in the lingering glow of the setting sun, appeared somewhat heavy and oppressive.