ess。
But Zhang Fei's voice was heard； shouting； 〃My brother has slain Hua Xiong。 What are we waiting for？ Why not break through the Pass and seize Dong Zhuo？ Could there have been a better time？〃
Again arose the angry voice of Yuan Shu； 〃We high officials are too meek and yielding。 Here is the petty follower of a small magistrate daring to flaunt his prowess before us！ Expel him from the tent； I say。〃
But again Cao Cao interposed； 〃Shall we consider the station of him who has done a great service？〃
〃If you hold a mere magistrate in such honor； then I simply withdraw；〃 said Yuan Shu。
〃Is a word enough to defeat a grand enterprise？〃 said Cao Cao。
Then he told Gongsun Zan to lead the three brothers back to their own camp； and the other chiefs then dispersed。 That night Cao Cao secretly sent presents of meat and wine to soothe the three after this adventure。
When Hua Xiong's troops straggled back and told the story of defeat and death； Li Ru was greatly distressed。 He wrote urgent letters to his master who called in his trusted advisers to a council。
Li Ru summed up the situation； saying； 〃We have lost our best leader； and the rebel power has thereby bee very great。 Yuan Shao is at the head of this confederacy； and his uncle； Yuan Wei； is holder of the office of Imperial Guardianship。 If those in the capital bine with those in the country； we may suffer。 Therefore we must remove them。 So I request you； Sir Prime Minister； to place yourself at the head of your army and break this confederation。〃
Dong Zhuo agreed and at once ordered his two generals； Li Jue and Guo Si； to take five hundred troops and surround the residence of Imperial Guardian Yuan Wei； slay every soul regardless of age； and hang the head of Yuan