Chapter 86: Bring Me My Iron Bow of Great Courage

After Lu Bu’s furious outburst, Yuan Shu ordered his soldiers to taunt and insult them from across the river, hoping to provoke Lu Bu into launching an attack.

However, Lu Bu was not so easily tricked. He may have been impulsive, but he wasn’t foolish.

Crossing a river for battle was no simple task, especially with Yuan Shu’s formidable army watching menacingly on the opposite bank. Without proper preparation, hastily attempting the crossing would result in heavy casualties. Lu Bu had worked hard to build up his resources and did not want them squandered in this campaign.

Thus, Lu Bu immediately mobilized three divisions to chop down trees. Over the course of three full days, they constructed nine floating bridges.

Yuan Shu didn’t remain idle either. While Lu Bu was building the bridges, he commanded his forces to construct wooden and stone fortifications along the Huai Riverbank. His plan was to leverage the natural barrier of the river to repel and annihilate Lu Bu’s troops during their crossing.

Five days swiftly passed by.

On both banks of the Huai River, banners fluttered high, casting shadows that seemed to blot out the sky. Both armies stood ready, fully prepared for battle.

Yuan Shu had deployed a massive force of sixty thousand soldiers, effectively emptying his reserves.

It was crucial to note that despite claiming to have hundreds of thousands of troops, most were logistical forces. In reality, his combat-ready army numbered around ten thousand, significantly depleted by previous defeats.

The current six thousand soldiers represented all the available manpower he could muster, even drawing some from those guarding against Sun Ce’s incursions.

Yuan Shu fully understood the significance of this battle. If Lu Bu successfully crossed the river, even if Shou County didn’t fall immediately, Yuan Shu would be unable to withstand simultaneous attacks from both Lu Bu and Sun Ce.

However, if he could defeat these three invading forces led by Lu Bu, it might buy him time to regroup. With renewed morale, there was a chance he could swiftly reclaim all lost territories!

On Lu Bu’s side, they had slightly more troops at their disposal. His own force consisted of forty thousand soldiers, supplemented by thirty thousand Jizhou troops, along with the additional ten thousand hastily assembled by Liu Bei, totaling eighty thousand men.

Despite having numerical superiority, they did not hold the advantage geographically. Crossing a river puts the attacking force at a significant disadvantage. One failed engagement could jeopardize all previously gained advantages, potentially leading to a complete rout.

“This battle will truly determine our final fate.”

As Lu Bu gazed upon the dense ranks of Yuan Shu’s army on the southern bank of the Huai River, a sobering realization flashed through his eyes, dispelling any lingering complacency.

Victory here would mean the elimination of the false emperor.

On the opposite bank, Yuan Shu stood atop his fortified encampment, gazing at the allied forces gathered along the northern shore of the Huai River, his expression dark and somber.

Since declaring himself Emperor, within mere months, he had faced relentless assaults from various armies, suffering immense casualties.

“Le Jiu, go forth and issue the challenge!” Yuan Shu commanded one of his generals standing nearby.

Challenging the enemy before battle served both to boost the morale of one’s own troops and potentially intimidate the opposition without resorting to combat.

Of course, given the current circumstances, the latter outcome seemed highly unlikely; it was primarily for boosting morale.

“As you command!” Le Jiu saluted, mounted his horse after descending from the camp, and rode to the banks of the Huai River. He bellowed towards Lu Bu’s army, “Traitorous dog! Whelp Lu Bu!”

“You dare raise unjustified arms against the borders of Great Cheng!”

“Now, His Majesty the Emperor of Great Cheng personally leads this expedition to punish your rebellious transgressions. Hasten across the river and meet your doom!”

“Hasten across the river and meet your doom—!”

Le Jiu’s booming voice resonated like a massive bell, echoing across both banks of the Huai River, clearly audible to soldiers on both sides.

On the southern bank of the Huai River, Liu Bei, Yan Liang, and others instinctively turned their gazes toward Lu Bu.

With a grim expression, Lu Bu looked back at Zhang Fei.

The insult “three-surnamed slave” had originated from Zhang Fei’s mouth and now spread widely.

“What’re you looking at me for? It wasn’t me who called you that. If you’ve got the guts, respond with your own retort!” Zhang Fei showed no embarrassment and glared right back.

“Hmph!”

Lu Bu deemed it unworthy to engage further with this boorish man. He spurred his horse forward and coldly replied, “Traitor Yuan Shu, cease your incessant noise!”

“There is only one rightful Emperor under heaven! Who do you think you are, daring to call yourself such?”

“This general will take your head today!”

Unfazed, Le Jiu countered with another taunt, “Three-surnamed slave! All bark and no bite!”

“The fate of Great Han has run its course. Today, warlords divide the land, with both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao harboring ambitions against the throne. The so-called Emperor is merely a puppet!”

“Our Great Cheng Emperor follows the heavens’ mandate, ascending to the throne rightfully. This is destiny’s decree, far beyond comprehension by someone like you, a mere three-surnamed slave.”

“It’s not too late to retreat and surrender. Otherwise, when my mighty army advances, I’ll ensure you meet a fate worse than death without burial!”

It was evident that Le Jiu’s retorts were not spontaneous but rather prepared by one of Yuan Shu’s scholarly advisors.

Lu Bu could hold his own in verbal sparring through brute force, but how could he match wits with a scholar? For a moment, he found himself at a loss for words.

“Hurry! Cheer on Le Jiu!” Seeing Lu Bu falter, Yuan Shu felt triumphant and gleefully ordered his soldiers to rally behind Le Jiu.

Instantly, his troops roared together:

“Surrender!”

The thunderous cries from the sixty-thousand-strong army shook even the waters of the Huai River, reaching a peak in morale!

Realizing the situation was turning dire, Liu Bei approached Lu Bu and advised, “General, don’t engage in this verbal duel anymore. Order our forces to attack directly.”

Having already lost some morale during the initial exchange, prolonging the confrontation would only worsen their position, ultimately benefiting Sun Ce.

“Ugh…” Lu Bu gritted his teeth, his face turning ashen. Though deeply unsatisfied, he knew Liu Bei was right.

Just as he was about to end the verbal battle and return to his ranks, Le Jiu’s robust taunts once again echoed across the river.

“Three-surnamed slave! Cowardly scum, your Grandpa Le Jiu is here!”

“Hurry up and come over to meet your death!”

These taunts were the final straw for Lu Bu. He abruptly turned, glaring fiercely at the figure across the river, his eyes bloodshot with rage, murderous intent surging within him.

“Bring me my Iron Courage Bow!” Lu Bu roared like a demonic deity.

Fetch the bow? Liu Bei and others were taken aback, unsure of what Lu Bu intended by demanding his bow.

Shortly after, two soldiers carried over a massive bow nearly as tall as a man, while another soldier followed holding a thick iron arrow, roughly two fingers wide!

The colossal bow was pitch-black, crafted from refined iron, clearly indicating its immense weight.

Despite its heft, Lu Bu effortlessly lifted the heavy bow with one hand, then grabbed the iron arrow, nocking it onto the string and aimed towards the opposite bank.

Only then did everyone realize what Lu Bu planned to do.

He intended to shoot down Le Jiu, who was taunting them from across the river!