Chapter 31: Filial Lu Bu Solely Stabs His Adoptive Father

Liu Bei, leading his soldiers, has already entered Xuzhou, but what he does not know is that Lu Bu has already returned after a crushing defeat of Xuzhou's troops.

Cao Bao led his personal troops forward to cover the Danyang soldiers' retreat, but was nearly surrounded by Gao Shun and his men. Zhang Liao could have captured Er Ye and his men entirely, but recalling that Guan Yu is a fellow hometown righteous man, he felt reluctant and thus created a flaw, allowing Er Ye and Cao Bao to leave. Er Ye ultimately led his five hundred elite swordmen to rescue Cao Bao.

When Liu Bei arrived near Xuzhou, a handful of scouts caught up with the main army, entered the central camp, and handed the letters they carried to Jia Xu.

Jia Xu opened several letters and examined them carefully, then hurried to find Liu Bei, who was on horseback.

"Lord, the situation is dire. People from the Dark Net in Chang'an reported that Cao Cao has beheaded Zhang Ji and Yang Feng, and now has taken control of the entire Sili Region."

Liu Bei initially found it hard to believe; after all, he had left nearly a hundred thousand troops, and they were so easily taken by that fellow Cao Cao? After thinking it over, Liu Bei could reluctantly accept it, since Zhang Ji and Yang Feng were ordinary men, how could they possibly defeat the old fox Cao Cao?

Indeed, the Han Emperor and Cao Cao seem destined to be intertwined!

"Furthermore, Lord, Cao Cao has also dispatched tens of thousands of troops behind us; it seems he wants to take advantage."

Liu Bei sneered.

"This Cao Cao really thinks we're made of paper; this time none of the men he sent will get away!"

Jia Xu stroked his beard and mused.

"Lord, whatever you wish to do, I, Jia Xu, also have an idea."

"Lu Bu is a fierce tiger, Cao Cao a cunning wolf; it's simply a matter of driving the tiger to swallow the wolf. Lord Wen He, please see!"

Liu Bei produced a map, pointed to a mountainous area outside Xuzhou City, and said to Jia Xu.

"We can first ambush our troops here, then have Zi Long lead the Snow Dragon Cavalry to lure Lu Bu over, while Yun Chang and his men inside the city attack Lu Bu's main camp from both sides. In this way, Lu Bu, that bereaved dog, will be doomed. If Lu Bu is defeated, shouldn't we then strike the Cao forces behind us? With Lu Bu's mournful troops as a vanguard, they can help us carve a path through Cao's army!"

Jia Xu clasped his hands and laughed.

"Lord, I have a suggestion: we can feed false news to Lu Bu, telling him we have already allied with Cao's army; additionally, Lord, you can dam the Si River, letting its main flow run through the mountainous area you have marked. That way, whether it's Cao's troops or Lu Bu's men, they will be nothing but fish and shrimp in the water."

"Fine! That scoundrel Cao Cao wants to take everything, so this time we'll let him bleed!"

Then the two acted according to the plan: Xu Huang led over twenty thousand of the Loyalist army to ambush in the mountains on both sides, while Zhang San Ye took ten thousand troops to the upstream of the Si River to build a dam and block the water.

The Si River originates from the Mount Tai Range, flows through Pengcheng, passes Xia Pi; when Cao Cao flooded Xia Pi, the Si River was one of the waters used.

Liu Bei and Jia Xu's original plan was to lure Lu Bu's troops into this river valley, then use the mobility of the Snow Dragon Cavalry to draw away Lu Bu's army. As for Cao Cao's forces, they would also send a detachment to lure them to where Lu Bu's troops are; thus, regardless of how many troops they have, they will become fish and shrimp in the water.

Liu Bei sent secret agents through the night to contact Guan Yu, Mi Zhu, and others in the city; when they saw the exquisite soap the envoy carried as a token, the people of Xuzhou City were taken aback.

Guan Yu also knew that only his own elder brother would use such a frivolous item as a token, so although Guan Yu did not understand what his brother meant by having him build hundreds of rafts, he still cooperated with Jia Xu's outside‑the‑city deployment, ordering his men to prepare many bamboo rafts.

When dusk fell, Liu Bei had already sent Zhao Yun to lead the Snow Dragon Cavalry to block the front of Lu Bu's main camp, and thousands of men shouted together.

"Filial Lu Bu, who only stabs his adoptive father. The three‑surname household slave, who buries his father every day."

Lu Bu initially felt startled and doubtful upon seeing this well‑equipped cavalry, but hearing their shouts, his face instantly flushed with anger.

"Damn! Where did these people come from? Bring me my Fang Tian Hua Ji, Wen Yuan, you lead three thousand Iron Cavalry and charge out with me."

Zhang Liao knew that Lu Bu's inability to accept his 'dry father' was a hurdle in his mind, and without further urging, he replied with a nod and went out to rally his Iron Cavalry.

"Lord Wen, the origins of this troop are unclear; we must be cautious and see what's really going on."

Lu Bu let out a cold snort, thinking to himself that the one being scolded isn't you, and that Chen Gongtai certainly isn't in a hurry!

Chen Gong kept urging in vain, but seeing Lu Bu's impatient expression, he fell silent.

Then Lu Bu and Zhang Liao led their Iron Cavalry, thundering forward to clash with the Snow Dragon Cavalry, with Lu Bu at the forefront, shouting.

"You audacious dog thief! Take my spear!"

Zhao Yun sneered, spurred his horse forward to meet him, and the bright silver spear clashed heavily with the Fang Tian Hua Ji, causing Zhao Yun's blood to surge instantly.

"Is this the world's top warrior? Today I, Zhao Yun, shall truly learn from him!"

Lu Bu, with a full‑force thrust of his spear, displayed an unmatched momentum and strength, while Zhao Yun employed the master‑passed Hundred Birds Facing Phoenix Spear Technique.

In an instant, the tip of the bright silver spear turned into dozens of cold rays, while Lu Bu countered with his expansive spear technique; the two exchanged blows for over a dozen rounds in a flash.

Red Hare circled the Jade Lion repeatedly, and Zhao Yun, using the stirrup beneath his horse, could better channel his power; thus the two were fairly evenly matched for a time.

After sixty to seventy exchanges, they rode apart; Lu Bu felt a hidden alarm, wondering when the world had produced another such fierce general who could fight him so long without defeat.

Zhao Yun, facing this world's top general, fully unleashed his spear technique, daring not to hesitate.

A deputy behind Zhao Yun saw a large banner fluttering in the distance and immediately ordered his men to sound the horn.

Zhao Yun shouted loudly.

"These three‑surname household slaves are too formidable! We must retreat quickly!"

Lu Bu's eyes widened, and he bellowed.

"You little slick! Stay where you are!"

Zhao Yun laughed heartily, then led the Snow Dragon Cavalry away at a gallop, while Lu Bu resolved to capture them all in one net.

"All commanders, obey! Follow me to seize these bandit soldiers!"

Then Lu Bu, mounted at the front, led his three thousand Iron Cavalry in pursuit, and Zhang Liao, having no time to object, could only follow.