Chapter 040: The Strategy of Marriage Alliance

Outside Xuzhou, in the main camp of Cao’s army.

In the dead of night, Cao Cao was roused from his rest by Cao Peng, who reported that Lü Bu intended to leave the city that very evening.

“Anmin, how can you be certain Lü Bu will come out of the city tonight?” Cao Cao inquired.

“I have spies hidden within Xiapi. Just now, they sent word: Lü Bu suddenly called his troops to arms this evening, so he is likely making a move,” Cao Peng replied.

Trusting in Cao Peng, Cao Cao immediately resolved to let him direct the troops for the attack. Cao Peng seized the opportunity to propose summoning those three—Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. Cao Cao found the idea excellent, and ordered the three to lead their surviving men in the coming action.

As before, Cao Cao placed command of the troops in Cao Peng’s hands.

All the ambushes were set, and, just as anticipated, Lü Bu emerged from the city.

This time, Lü Bu was leading his men out to establish a camp, so as to form a pincer with Xiapi.

Cao Peng cared little for Lü Bu’s intentions; so long as he left the city, he must be stopped.

The moment Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei caught sight of Lü Bu, it was as if enemies met—blood boiling, eyes blazing! Especially Zhang Fei, hot-blooded as ever, who grasped his eight-foot spear and charged forth.

“Traitor with three surnames, don’t you dare flee! Zhang Fei of Yan stands before you!”

Zhang Fei, spear in hand, rushed at Lü Bu, fire in his eyes. Were it not for Lü Bu, the three brothers would never have been reduced to serving under Cao Cao.

Lü Bu hurriedly raised his Sky-Halberd to meet the attack, and a fierce cavalry duel erupted.

“Third Brother, let us aid you!” called Liu Bei, drawing his longsword, while Guan Yu raised his blade. Once more, the three heroes joined forces against Lü Bu!

Surrounded by Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, and pressed by Cao Peng with his troops, Lü Bu was forced to retreat in defeat.

He returned to the city in disarray, seeking counsel from Chen Gong.

“At this point, our only option is to request aid from Yuan Shu,” Chen Gong said helplessly.

Lü Bu frowned and replied, “But we only just refused his marriage alliance. He must be furious. Why would he be willing to send troops to help us?”

Chen Gong reasoned, “Yuan Shu has declared himself Emperor and alienated everyone. We are his only remaining allies—he will certainly send his forces. But with the entire city of Xiapi surrounded by Cao’s army, breaking through their lines will be no easy matter.”

Gritting his teeth, Lü Bu declared, “I have the Red Hare, and my Coiling Dragon Halberd. Sir, I must trouble you to guard the city while I lead the troops in a breakout myself!”

Lü Bu had a daughter named Lyu Lingqi, renowned for her beauty. Back when Lü Bu first took Xuzhou, Yuan Shu had already sent envoys seeking her hand for his son.

At that time, Chen Gong believed that Yuan Shu was drawing the ire of the world upon himself, and that this was an attempt to shackle Lü Bu to his cause, so he had directly refused the proposal.

Now, with the old matter revived, Lü Bu could only expect humiliation, but he had no other recourse.

Upon hearing the news, Lyu Lingqi hurried to see her father.

“Father, are you truly going to marry me to Yuan Shu’s son?” she asked, tears trembling in her eyes.

Lü Bu could hardly face her, his voice low. “Ling’er, I have wronged you. We are at the end of our rope; if we do not seek Yuan Shu’s aid, the city’s fall is inevitable.”

“Does my happiness mean nothing to you?” she demanded.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Lü Bu hardened his heart. “You are Lü Bu’s daughter, and with that comes responsibilities you must bear.”

“This is settled. Prepare yourself. Go say your farewells to your stepmother.”

Lü Bu knew she could not accept this at once, so he left to give her time to come to terms with her fate.

At that moment, a woman of otherworldly grace and peerless beauty entered, gently embracing Lyu Lingqi with her warm hands.

This was Diao Chan, her stepmother, with whom she had always been close.

Diao Chan comforted her, “Ling’er, let me speak to your father again. Perhaps he will change his mind.”

“Stepmother, there’s no use. In his heart, the city is worth more than I am. Don’t anger him further. If this is my fate, I will accept it.” By now, Lyu Lingqi was sobbing uncontrollably.

Diao Chan bit her lip, her heart aching for the girl, yet powerless to help.

She was a clever woman; she understood all too well what the fall of the city would mean. She did not want her husband to die.

It was done. Lü Bu personally called the troops, preparing to break out by force.

He still commanded eight mighty generals and the elite cavalry from Liangzhou, and believed he had strength enough for the fight.

“Zhang Liao, you will lead the vanguard. I will follow close behind.”

“At your command!” Zhang Liao replied.

Chen Gong approached, and he and Lü Bu exchanged a glance, each seeing the helplessness in the other’s eyes.

“After I go, I leave everything here in your hands, sir.”

“Rest assured, General.”