Chapter 357

"My lord." The Jiuyuan County Magistrate held a wine cup with a smiling face and toasted Duan Yu: "My lord, I heard that you needed a guide, so I specifically recruited a brave man from the county."

The Magistrate stood up and looked at Lu Bu, who was sitting at the end of the banquet, drinking alone, and called out:

"Fengxian, why don't you pay your respects to the General of the Household?"

Lu Bu, who was drinking with his head down, looked up, first glanced at Duan Yu, and then stood up proudly.

The Magistrate smiled and said to Duan Yu: "My lord, this is our Jiuyuan County Thief-Catching Official, Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian."

"He has the courage of ten thousand men."

"If he guides you on this trip, it will surely ensure your march goes smoothly."

"This young man is familiar with the terrain of the Mobei grasslands beyond the Yinshan Mountains."

"You can use him as you wish, my lord."

Duan Yu raised an eyebrow and looked at Lu Bu: "The Galloping Tiger of Jiuyuan, Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian, I have heard of him."

Hmm?

Lu Bu was stunned.

Seeing Duan Yu's expression change suddenly, he said with pleasant surprise: "You have heard of me too, my lord?"

Duan Yu nodded with a smile and said: "I have heard of you."

Zhang Liao and the others sitting below Duan Yu were all dumbfounded.

The Galloping Tiger of Jiuyuan?

Never heard of such a person.

"You know my title, the Galloping Tiger of Jiuyuan, my lord?" Lu Bu's face flushed with excitement.

Tie Shitou and Wang Hunu, standing at the door, rolled their eyes.

Looking at Lu Bu as if he were a fool.

How did this guy get so full of himself?

Saying he's heard of you is just to flatter you a bit.

You really think you're someone important?

A Thief-Catching Official of Jiuyuan County, saying that is just to give you face.

"Fengxian." The Magistrate frowned and said: "Do not be rude and arrogant in front of the General of the Household."

"The Marquis of Guo has roamed the Mobei, burned Tanhanshan, and killed so many Xiongnu and Xianbei that their corpses covered the fields; that is what is truly famous throughout the world."

"What Galloping Tiger of Jiuyuan, you are the General's guide on this trip; you should humbly learn from him."

Seeing that Lu Bu's arrogance was about to flare up again, the Magistrate hurriedly poured a bucket of cold water on him.

In terms of martial prowess, Lu Bu had it.

The Magistrate knew this well.

But why was Lu Bu brave, yet still served as a county Thief-Catching Official for several years without being promoted?

Wasn't it because his personality was too arrogant.

Colleagues didn't like him, superiors didn't like him.

Being arrogant in the county was one thing.

But in front of Duan Yu, you, Lu Bu, are just a small county Thief-Catching Official.

What is there to show off about a reputation rumored in a county?

Fearing that Lu Bu would displease Duan Yu, the Magistrate spoke up.

Lu Bu looked at the Magistrate with some dissatisfaction.

Duan Yu smiled and pressed his hand down: "Young man, it's normal to have some arrogance."

The Magistrate hurriedly turned his head, smiled flatteringly, and bowed to Duan Yu: "Your achievements, my lord, are famous throughout the world; who in the world today does not know your name."

"If we talk about arrogance, you, my lord, at the age of twenty, holding a position of two thousand shi, are truly the one who is arrogant in the world."

"In a barbarian land like Jiuyuan County, how could there be anyone who can compare with you, my lord."

The Magistrate's flattery was like a long rainbow.

However, Duan Yu had heard similar things countless times since returning to Jinyang.

He had long since felt nothing.

"Qing'an." Duan Yu glanced at Chen Qing'an, who was sitting next to Zhang Liao.

Chen Qing'an, wearing a set of black armor and becoming increasingly steady, stood up and bowed: "The subordinate is here."

"You and Wenyuan lead the vanguard; tomorrow, Thief-Catching Official Lu and his subordinates will follow you into the vanguard to guide the way."

"Understood!" Chen Qing'an replied.

Duan Yu's gaze turned to Lu Bu: "Thief-Catching Official Lu, on this mission, the Son of Heaven has an imperial decree to display the military might of the Great Han; you will guide the way in the vanguard, and if we arrive at Shoujiang City smoothly, that will be a merit."

"After returning from the mission, I will naturally request merit for you in my report."

"Do you have any questions?"

When Lu Bu heard Duan Yu say "display the military might of the Great Han," his eyes lit up, and a flash of light seemed to pass through them.

"Reporting to my lord... no." Lu Bu said.

Duan Yu nodded: "Hmm, that's good."

The banquet continued.

After three or five cups of wine, as Duan Yu ordered Chen Qing'an, Zhang Liao, and the others to return to the camp, the Magistrate also let Lu Bu go back to prepare for tomorrow's departure.

After leaving the county government office.

Lu Bu found his subordinates Hou Cheng, Wei Xu, and Song Xian.

At this moment, at Lu Bu's home.

The four of them gathered together.

Wine and food were set out on the table again.

After Song Xian drank a bowl of wine and wiped his mouth with his sleeve, he said to Lu Bu: "My lord, on this mission to the Xiongnu, Duan Yu also said it was for the Son of Heaven to display the military might of the Great Han."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Lu Bu held a wine bowl in one hand and asked thoughtfully: "What do you mean by that?"

Wei Xu, who was on the side, smiled and said: "My lord, to display the military might of the Great Han, of course, you need brave men."

"You are skilled in archery and horsemanship, my lord, and your courage is unparalleled; if you can display your martial prowess after arriving at the Xiongnu, you will surely become famous far and wide."

"And with Duan Yu there as a comparison, you will appear even more mighty, my lord; this is the opportunity."

Lu Bu's interest grew even more upon hearing this.

Then, unable to suppress the excitement in his heart, he said: "You mean, let me display my martial prowess among the Xiongnu?"

Several people nodded repeatedly.

"My lord, in the past, when Han envoys visited the Xiongnu, they would display their martial prowess to intimidate the Xiongnu."

"And the Xiongnu would also send warriors to test the military might of the Great Han."

"I think it will be the same this time."

"If you can seize this opportunity, my lord, and show your skills, why worry about not becoming famous throughout the world?"

"That Duan Yu only became a Marquis and a General by relying on the Xiongnu and Xianbei to become famous; if he, Duan Yu, can do it, why can't you, my lord?"

"I think that Duan Yu is just so-so; maybe he's just famous for nothing."

"When the time comes, if you can suppress the Xiongnu, and even suppress Duan Yu, when the Son of Heaven hears of it, you will surely be granted a title in the capital!"

"Yes, my lord, Hou Cheng and Song Xian are right."

The three of them spoke one after another, making Lu Bu's face flush with excitement.

Lu Bu, holding the wine bowl, raised his hand and drank the wine in the bowl.

"Good, I, Lu Bu, will definitely use this opportunity to become famous throughout the world!"

Early the next morning.

When the sun rose, the army stationed outside Jiuyuan County began to break camp.

Chen Qing'an and Zhang Liao led three hundred vanguard cavalry to open the way in front.

Duan Yu led Gao Shun, Zhang Xun, and two thousand cavalry as the main force to escort Yufuluo and Huchuquan.

Lu Bu, who had fantasized all night about becoming famous among the Xiongnu, was dressed and ready early.

With more than a dozen of his cavalry subordinates, wearing armor and holding the Painted Halberd of Heaven, he joined the vanguard where Chen Qing'an and Zhang Liao were to guide the way toward the Yinshan Mountains. ===== CHAPTER 359 =====