Chapter 36

Henei Commandery, outside Huaixian,

Liu Bei held a military reorganization meeting,

"Everyone, the latest intelligence: the Baibo Army has gathered over a hundred thousand people. Led by Guo Tai, Yang Feng, and others, they defeated Dong Zhuo’s general Niu Fu in Taiyuan."

"They have also united with the Southern Xiongnu Yufuluo, who moved to the Fen River, and have broken through Taiyuan, Shangdang, and other places."

"Now, they have raised an army and are marching south, intending to attack Anyi, the seat of Hedong Commandery."

Liu Bei looked around and found that everyone seemed to have no reaction upon hearing this,

"What do you all think we should do?"

Zhang Fei was the first to speak,

"Big Brother, what is there to discuss? With one thrust of my spear, I’ll wipe out those Guo Tai and Yang Feng!"

Liu Bei waved his hand,

"Yunchang, you speak first."

Zhang Fei’s face was full of grievance; was his suggestion not a suggestion?

Guan Yu still had his eyes half-closed,

"Big Brother, Yufuluo of the Xiongnu has tens of thousands of Xiongnu cavalry. Although they aren't elite, their mobility is very strong, so we must be on guard."

"Their route of advance should be south along the Fen River. We can find a favorable terrain to ambush them and defeat them in one fell swoop."

Guan Yu continued,

"Big Brother, rest assured, I only need two strikes: one for Yufuluo and one for Guo Tai!"

Bai Yuekui and Hua Hua Mulan looked at each other; Liu Bei’s two brothers were absolutely the best in the world at bragging!

Liu Bei nodded,

"Yunchang’s words are exactly what I think. Zhao Zilong, you speak."

Zhao Yun paused,

"Lord, Guo Tai has broken through several cities and defeated the Xiliang Iron Cavalry led by Niu Fu, so he must be arrogant and look down on our army. We can use the strategy of the 'arrogant enemy,' pretending to be defeated to lure them into an ambush circle."

Everyone’s eyes lit up,

Liu Bei gave a thumbs up,

"Good, Zhao Zilong, what a great strategy!"

Liu Bei praised him sincerely; Zhao Yun was gradually developing into someone both civil and martial, which was what he wanted to see.

Zhao Yun felt inspired; he didn't want to be a personal guard captain forever, far from the battlefield; he also wanted to lead an army independently.

His lord truly wanted to cultivate him, unlike Brother Gongsun Zan, who just treated him as a bodyguard with decent martial arts.

Bai Yuekui and Hua Hua Mulan also expressed their views, which were much the same: use the strategy of the arrogant enemy to defeat them!

Liu Bei looked at Gao Shun,

"Gao Shun, you share your thoughts too."

Gao Shun said slowly,

"Commandant, what everyone said just now is good. It mainly depends on how it is implemented. We must also find a suitable ambush location based on the Baibo Army’s position, set up a strong force to block the front, and have surprise troops charge out from both sides; the enemy will inevitably fall into chaos."

Liu Bei nodded,

"Good, Gao Shun, the task of that strong force is handed to you."

Gao Shun felt grateful for Liu Bei’s trust and cupped his hands,

"I will definitely complete the task."

Not shirking, working earnestly, not afraid of hardship, and being loyal and obedient—Gao Shun could be called a model of a true soldier.

Liu Bei didn't ask Guo Jia, knowing he hadn't decided to follow him yet and was just helping him with paperwork for the time being.

Afterward, Liu Bei announced the reorganization of the entire army,

Guan Yu would lead two thousand infantry and cavalry to form the Yu Battalion!

Zhang Fei would lead two thousand infantry and cavalry to form the De Battalion!

Zhao Yun would lead fifteen hundred elite cavalry!

Hua Hua Mulan’s Hua Battalion would mainly consist of archers and crossbowmen,

and Bai Yuekui would be mainly responsible for the supply battalion, handling various fortifications, siege equipment, and so on.

Gao Shun would lead one thousand men, and Liu Bei would equip him with many strong men to form the Trapping Battalion.

"Gao Shun, you just focus on training. Hedong and Taiyuan have the benefit of salt and iron; I will find a way to get you one thousand sets of heavy infantry equipment."

Gao Shun was moved; he had always had an idea to train an invincible heavy infantry unit, and he hadn't expected Liu Bei to help him realize it so soon.

After everyone had left,

Liu Bei asked Guo Jia with a smile,

"Guo Fengxiao, what do you think of our army?"

Guo Jia nodded,

"Brother Liu Xuande’s arrangements are very appropriate. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun are all fierce generals of the age, and Gao Shun’s personality is steady; his training and command are excellent. Brother Liu Xuande will surely defeat the Baibo Army this time."

Liu Bei said in a deep voice,

"This time, I will not only break the Baibo Army, but I will also make the Yufuluo forces, who bullied our Han people, pay the price!"

Guo Jia looked at Liu Bei and felt in his heart that although Liu Bei had a low birth, little support, it was not impossible for him to achieve great things!

Hedong Commandery, Wei family,

"Cai Yong rejected our proposal and even married Cai Yan to Minister Lu’s student, Liu Bei?"

"How can Liu Bei be mentioned in the same breath as our Hedong Wei family?"

Since the Wei family received the favor of Emperor Wu of Han through Wei Zifu and the Great General Wei Qing’s crushing defeat of the Xiongnu, they had enjoyed three hundred years of glory.

Although the Wei family was not what it used to be, it was still a prominent clan in Hedong.

Wei Zhongdao’s older brother, Wei Ji, slammed the table, very angry.

After sulking for a while, he thought of the Baibo Army marching south and went to discuss it with the Hedong Administrator, Wang Yi.

Hedong, Yangxian,

Baibo Army leader Guo Tai was full of pride,

"Haha, Niu Fu is a piece of trash. The Xiliang Iron Cavalry is called invincible under Heaven, yet they were beaten to a pulp by us!"

Yang Feng cupped his hands,

"This is entirely due to the Great Commander’s brilliant command."

Han Han Xian and others also scrambled to flatter Guo Tai,

and Guo Tai felt that he had already surpassed the Great Sage Zhang Jiao and that replacing the Spirit Emperor Liu Hong was just around the corner!

"Report!"

"Four thousand government troops are challenging us five miles outside the city! They are flying the banner of Cavalry Commandant Liu Bei."

Guo Tai?

"Four thousand soldiers dare to challenge me? Who is this Liu Bei, is his brain not working?"