Chapter 88: Lu Bu: Can I Become Great General?

“Fighting outnumbered? What kind of skill is that?!”

“Come here, you whelp Ji Ling! Since I couldn’t take your worthless life last time, let’s go another three hundred rounds today!” Zhang Fei charged straight for Ji Ling with unwavering focus.

During the siege on Pei County when Ji Ling led his forces, all three brothers had narrowly escaped death at his hands. Zhang Fei harbored this grudge ever since and finally found his chance for revenge!

“Bandit with bulging eyes, prepare to meet your end!”

The sight of their mutual enemy ignited fury in both men. Ji Ling, too, had long awaited the opportunity to kill Zhang Fei. Without wasting any words, they clashed fiercely together.

“I’ll capture Yuan Shu!”

Seizing the moment, Lu Bu broke free from the fray and resumed pursuit of Yuan Shu’s chariot.

“Hold it right there, Lu Bu!”

Qiao Rui and Li Feng were alarmed by this move and attempted to intervene, but their path was blocked by the gleaming Dragon Crescent Blade. Guan Yu stood firm, his phoenix-like eyes glaring sidelong at them.

“With me here, dare you make a rash move!”

With Zhang Fei and Guan Yu preoccupying Yuan Shu’s top generals, Lu Bu was unstoppable on the chaotic battlefield, akin to a divine being descending from heaven—no one could withstand even a moment against him.

Death awaited any who dared obstruct his path.

Each swing of his double-bladed halberd claimed numerous lives.

“False Emperor, you will not escape!”

Having pierced through the guards protecting Yuan Shu’s retreat, Lu Bu spurred his Red Hare mount forward, rapidly closing the gap between himself and Yuan Shu’s chariot.

Terrified beyond belief, Yuan Shu abandoned his carriage, seizing a cavalryman’s horse and galloping away. He cared nothing for the dignity befitting the so-called Great Cheng Emperor at that moment.

As he fled, he shouted, “Stop Lu Bu, and I’ll reward you with ten thousand gold!”

The accompanying soldiers rushed forward to impede Lu Bu, but how could they match his prowess? They were swiftly cut down upon confronting him.

“Die, whelp Yuan Shu!”

Finally, Lu Bu caught up, aiming his double-bladed halberd directly at Yuan Shu’s neck, intent on beheading him on the spot!

Clang!

Just as fear-stricken Yuan Shu neared certain death, a silver flash streaked across, intercepting between Lu Bu’s halberd and Yuan Shu’s throat.

It was a gleaming silver spear now lodged diagonally in the ground, its shaft still vibrating from the impact. The force behind it left Lu Bu’s arm momentarily numb.

Following the trajectory of the flying spear, Lu Bu spotted a familiar figure, his expression betraying surprise.

“Zhang Xiu! What are you doing here?!”

The newcomer was none other than Zhang Xiu himself.

Mounting his horse, Zhang Xiu retrieved the silver spear from where it had struck the ground, his gaze fiercely locked on Lu Bu.

“You won’t kill him today!”

Lu Bu’s eyes filled with disdain at these words.

Despite being known as the Spear King of the Northlands, to Lu Bu, Zhang Xiu was no more significant than a common street thug.

With a cold sneer, he rebuked, “Pup Zhang Xiu, your uncle Zhang Ji was bestowed the title of Protector-General and Marquis of Pingyang by His Majesty. Instead of honoring this great grace, you both dared to threaten the Emperor’s imperial procession. As traitors like yourselves, how do you have the audacity to live? If I were you, I’d cut off my own head and present it to the Emperor as penance.”

Enraged by Lu Bu’s words, Zhang Xiu retorted, “Three-surnamed slave, who are you to lecture me?”

“Ignorant fool, today shall be your last. Your head will accompany mine when offering them to the Emperor.” Lu Bu shook his double-bladed halberd menacingly, enveloping Zhang Xiu and Yuan Shu with palpable killing intent.

Just as Lu Bu prepared to strike down Zhang Xiu, the earth began to tremble beneath their feet.

Another massive army approached rapidly from the distance, bearing banners inscribed with a black character ‘張’ against a white background.

It was Zhang Xiu’s army from Wancheng rushing to their aid!

Zhang Xiu quickly distanced himself from Lu Bu with Yuan Shu in tow, positioning them at the forefront of the incoming cavalry. “I have eight hundred armored horsemen here; how do you plan to kill me?!”

Given Lu Bu’s fearless nature, even facing eight hundred ironclad riders wouldn’t deter him. However, before setting out on this expedition, Chen Gong had repeatedly emphasized his role as the primary force against Yuan Shu. If he were to become trapped by the enemy cavalry and suffered any misfortune, all their hard-won gains would be snatched away by Yan Liang and Wen Chou.

The thought that Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao were two peas in the same pod left Lu Bu seething with anger. If Yuan Shao were to conquer Yuan Shu’s territory, it would spell doom for the Emperor’s cause.

Pointing his double-bladed halberd directly at Yuan Shu, Lu Bu roared defiantly, “Old thief, keep your head safe. This general will soon come to Shouchun to claim it!”

With those words, he turned his horse and departed from the scene.

Zhang Xiu’s heart, which had been pounding anxiously, finally settled down. He genuinely feared that Lu Bu might recklessly charge forward despite the odds. While the eight hundred ironclad riders could likely detain Lu Bu, Zhang Xiu’s own life might not have been secured.

He swiftly turned to Yuan Shu and said, “Your Majesty, mount your horse immediately! We must leave this place without delay!”

“Yes! Yes!” Yuan Shu, already shaken to the core, eagerly agreed, desperate to flee back to Shouchun.

Even after Yuan Shu’s escape, the battle raged on until dusk.

Over twenty thousand soldiers perished, with the remaining either scattered or captured; his once formidable army of sixty thousand was virtually annihilated.

Additionally, all five generals—Ji Ling, Qiao Rui, Zhang Xun, Li Feng, and Lè Jiù—were killed in action, leaving no survivors.

Led by Lu Bu, the allied forces suffered casualties numbering around seven to eight hundred but emerged victorious without question.

The turning point hinged on Lu Bu’s arrow, which drastically impacted the morale disparity between both sides, coupled with the opportunities created by the charge led by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and other prominent generals.

Without these factors, even if victory were still attainable, the casualties would likely have exceeded ten thousand.

On the southern bank of the Sishui River, within the central camp,

Lu Bu discussed the battlefield situation with Chen Gong and Liu Bei.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou, alongside Zhang Liao, cleaned up the field.

Guan Yu and Gao Shun took charge of integrating the prisoners.

Zhang Fei led troops to pursue the fleeing enemy forces.

“Gongtai, why did Zhang Xiu rescue Yuan Shu?” Lu Bu couldn’t comprehend Zhang Xiu’s actions.

Had it not been for his arrival with eight hundred ironclad cavalry, Yuan Shu would have already met his demise under Lu Bu’s halberd!

Stroking his beard thoughtfully, Chen Gong pondered before replying, “After defeating Cao Cao at Wancheng, Zhang Xiu feared retaliation and led his forces to seek refuge with Yuan Shu. His presence here isn’t surprising. However, I cannot immediately fathom why he chose to save Yuan Shu.”

Hearing even Chen Gong was puzzled, Lu Bu decided not to dwell on it further but lamented regretfully, “So close, just so close! This general nearly beheaded that false emperor!”

Beheading the false emperor would have been an unparalleled feat.

Would Yuan Shao then still dare to claim the title of Great General?

Liu Bei smiled reassuringly, “General, there is no need for self-blame. Today’s decisive victory across the river owes greatly to your efforts. The false emperor now stands alone, bereft of support. Even if he escapes, what difference does it make? He is merely a walking corpse awaiting burial.”

Lu Bu’s extraordinary shot by the Sishui River had left an indelible impression on Liu Bei, far more astonishing than his famous feat at the army encampment years ago.

“It’s not the same,” Lu Bu sighed, shaking his head with worry etched across his face. “Without completing our mission, how can this general report back to His Majesty?”

Failing to secure the false emperor’s head could jeopardize his position as Great General. Growing increasingly frustrated, Lu Bu slammed his hand on the table. “Had I known this would happen, that arrow should have been aimed directly at Yuan Shu.”

Seeing Lu Bu consumed by regret, Chen Gong refrained from consoling him. Instead, he was pleased that Lu Bu heeded his advice, prioritizing self-preservation over charging recklessly into the eight hundred iron riders to pursue Yuan Shu.

Turning to Liu Bei, Chen Gong said, “Shiyun, please send someone to monitor Zhang Xiu’s movements and determine where they intend to flee with the false emperor.”

“Additionally, there is another matter… Cao Cao has led a force of fifty thousand troops into Yangzhou via waterways, likely heading for Shouchun. We must remain vigilant.”

Before Liu Bei could respond, Lu Bu erupted in anger, “That traitor Caesar dares to steal our glory!”