Chapter 1009: A Great Reputation

The next morning, as the sun first shone down, the coalition of lords stood ready at Hulao Pass, the atmosphere heavy and tense. Gu Yi stood on a high platform, surveyed the lords, and loudly announced the plan from the previous day: to employ a group-combat strategy against Lu Bu to crush the morale of Dong Zhuo’s army.

Kong Rong, Bao Xin, and other minor lords felt uneasy, but they had no choice but to bite the bullet and respond. After all, this seemed the most likely way to break the deadlock. Gongsun Zan wore a grave expression; he knew that while the plan was clever, its execution was fraught with variables, especially when facing a peerless fierce general like Lu Bu.

Just then, the three brothers of Liu Bei waited silently for their moment within Gongsun Zan’s ranks. A wise light flickered in Liu Bei’s eyes as he whispered to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "My two virtuous brothers, today is the perfect opportunity for us to make a name for ourselves. When the battle begins, Yide will go first, followed by Yunchang, and I will provide support. Remember, our target is Lu Bu; you must be careful."

Zhang Fei, unable to restrain himself any longer, rubbed his fists and palms, itching to charge forward and cross swords with Lu Bu immediately. Guan Yu nodded steadily, indicating that he would follow his eldest brother’s arrangements.

At an order from Gu Yi, seven brave generals were selected from the coalition, including Xiahou Dun from Cao Cao’s command and Ji Ling from Yuan Shu’s camp. They advanced toward Hulao Pass together, weapons in hand, looking imposing and ready to deal Lu Bu a heavy blow.

Atop Hulao Pass, Dong Zhuo sat in the center of the main tent, with Lu Bu clad in battle armor at his side. Dong Zhuo sneered and said to Lu Bu, "Fengxian, these rabble dare to challenge you. Go and give them a taste of your power."

Lu Bu accepted the order, took his halberd, mounted his horse, and rode straight to the front of the pass. His gaze was like a torch, sweeping over the coalition generals, and an invisible pressure made many of them shudder.

"Who dares to come and die?" Lu Bu roared, his voice like a great bell, making everyone’s eardrums ache.

Zhang Fei could no longer hold back. Ignoring Liu Bei’s attempt to stop him, he spurred his horse out and shouted, "Zhang Yide of Yan is here! You slave of three surnames, don't you dare run!"

Hearing this, Lu Bu frowned and pointed his halberd at Zhang Fei: "A nameless pawn, and you dare challenge me?"

The two clashed instantly, blades flashing and dust flying. Zhang Fei’s Serpent Spear was heavy and powerful, each strike seemingly capable of splitting mountains and cracking rocks; Lu Bu’s Painted Halberd was agile and versatile, balancing offense and defense. For a time, it was hard to determine a winner.

Seeing this, Guan Yu knew the time had come. He raised his blade, spurred his horse, and joined the fray. His blade technique was sharp, every move aimed directly at Lu Bu’s vitals. Though Lu Bu was fierce, he began to feel the strain against the combined assault of Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.

Liu Bei observed from the side. Seeing Lu Bu gradually losing the upper hand, he calculated silently. Suddenly, he drew his twin swords and joined the battle. While Liu Bei’s swordsmanship was not as sharp as his two sworn brothers', it was agile and versatile, and his coordination with them was seamless. With the three of them joined, their power multiplied.

Lu Bu felt immense pressure. Though he was unstoppable, he found it difficult to cope with the siege of Liu Bei and his brothers. Dong Zhuo saw this clearly from the pass and was greatly alarmed, urgently ordering the troops inside to sally forth and assist.

However, at that moment, several other brave generals in the coalition saw their chance and charged out, joining the ranks of those besieging Lu Bu. Xiahou Dun, Ji Ling, and others displayed their skills, and soon Lu Bu was surrounded completely.

Though Lu Bu was peerless in bravery, he could not fight off so many hands. As his stamina waned, he finally revealed a flaw. Zhang Fei spotted the opportunity and thrust his spear, striking Lu Bu’s left arm. Lu Bu cried out in pain, his body swaying, and Guan Yu took the chance to slash down, striking Lu Bu’s shoulder. Lu Bu let out a miserable scream and fell from his horse.

Seeing this, Liu Bei immediately ordered everyone to stop the attack. He knew that although Lu Bu was defeated, Dong Zhuo’s army remained, so it was not wise to linger. Thus, the coalition generals returned in triumph, bringing Lu Bu’s head with them.

Below Hulao Pass, the coalition of lords cheered, and the three brothers of Liu Bei became famous overnight. Gu Yi praised the performance of the three, calling them heroes of the coalition. Liu Bei modestly stated that all of this was for the sake of the Han dynasty and the common people of the world.

Yet, Liu Bei understood in his heart that this was merely the beginning of their journey toward a greater stage. The road ahead was still long, and they needed to continue their efforts to gain a foothold in these chaotic times.

After this battle, the morale of the coalition was greatly boosted, while Dong Zhuo’s army fell into despair. Gu Yi took the opportunity to direct the coalition in a more fierce assault on Hulao Pass. Although Dong Zhuo’s army resisted stubbornly, the defensive line of Hulao Pass was finally breached under the coalition's constant pressure.

The coalition poured into the pass and engaged in fierce street fighting with Dong Zhuo’s troops. Seeing that the situation was lost, Dong Zhuo had no choice but to flee toward Changancheng with his remnants. The three brothers of Liu Bei performed many meritorious deeds in the battle, and their names became increasingly renowned.

Through this campaign, Liu Bei not only gained the recognition of the lords but also harvested a large amount of troops and supplies. He knew that to gain a foothold in these chaotic times, he had to constantly expand his power. Thus, he began to actively recruit soldiers and horses to build up his strength.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also displayed extraordinary martial arts and strategy during this campaign. They not only became Liu Bei’s right-hand men but also stood out among the coalition. Many praised their heroic deeds, calling them "enemies of ten thousand."

The heroic performance of Liu Bei’s three brothers at Hulao Pass spread like a prairie fire across the Central Plains. Their names became legendary, inspiring countless ambitious men to join the great cause of pacifying the world. Liu Bei, taking this opportunity, gradually established his prestige within the coalition, laying a solid foundation for his future development.

However, the victory at Hulao Pass did not immediately stabilize the situation in the world. Although Dong Zhuo had fled to Changancheng, his remaining forces were still vast, and the lords were engaged in internal strife; the situation remained complex. Liu Bei knew that to truly stand firm in these chaotic times, he had to seek more profound strategic opportunities.

Thus, in the following days, Liu Bei began to plan actively. On one hand, he strengthened his alliances with other lords; on the other, he secretly developed his own power. He knew that talent was the most precious resource in chaotic times, so he recruited widely, regardless of background, as long as they had talent. This measure allowed Liu Bei to quickly gather a group of wise and brave strategists and generals.

At the same time, Liu Bei realized deeply that military power alone was not enough to pacify the world; the hearts of the people were the foundation. Therefore, when governing his territories, he focused on people's livelihoods, reduced taxes, and encouraged farming, making the people live in peace and contentment, and they praised his rule. This series of measures not only strengthened Liu Bei’s foundation of rule but also won him a high reputation among the common folk.