Chapter 046: Lü Bu Inspects the Camp

It was the dead of night. A group of men clad in black hugged the shadows along the city wall, inching closer to the gates of Xiapi. They were Cao Cao’s deathsworn, men trained for the most perilous tasks. Cao Cao had reserved these elite assassins for a purpose, entrusting them all to Cao Peng, believing that only he could wield their talents to their fullest.

Each of these men was a master of the bow and crossbow. With a twang of bowstrings, arrows sliced through the night, volley after volley, dozens of shafts arcing silently over the walls and into the city. As soundless as their arrival had been, so too was their retreat—vanishing without a trace.

Cao Peng’s task was accomplished: what needed to be delivered had found its way inside the city. Now, like seeds sown deep in the earth, all that remained was to wait for them to take root and bear fruit.

The next morning, in the barracks of Xiapi, Zhang Liao stood grim-faced over a heap of arrows and letters. His heart churned with unease.

“No one is to utter a word of this. Should anyone leak a single detail, death will be their only reward!” he ordered sternly.

Zhang Liao knew that if Lü Bu or Chen Gong learned of these things, it would ignite chaos within the ranks. The letters contained detailed lists of those colluding with Cao’s camp, accompanied by evidence. Whether these were true or not no longer mattered to Zhang Liao; he understood that if civil strife broke out, it would be impossible to contain. He was a man who saw the greater picture—he would not let the army destroy itself from within.

With a single blaze, all the evidence was reduced to ash.

On that very same day, Lü Bu, who had not appeared in public for some time, finally summoned Chen Gong. He had decided to venture out and see the situation for himself. Rumors swirling within Xiapi had already reached Lü Bu’s ears; he knew well the pressure Chen Gong was under.

In truth, Chen Gong’s loyalty to Lü Bu was unwavering. During Lü Bu’s convalescence, only two people had remained by his side: Diao Chan and Chen Gong. Diao Chan, ever anxious, clasped Lü Bu’s hand, reluctant to let him leave.

“My lord, should you not rest a while longer? Your wounds are not yet fully healed. If you go out now, I’m afraid…”

“Do not worry, I know my limits. Besides, if I stay hidden any longer, the soldiers may well revolt,” Lü Bu replied tenderly, lingering with Diao Chan for a moment before setting out.

Chen Gong, overwhelmed with duties, had not seen Lü Bu in several days. “Fengxian, if you do not show yourself soon, I fear disaster will strike the army!”

At these words, Lü Bu’s anger flared. “They are all cowards, fearing for their lives! Now that it seems I may be defeated by Cao Cao, they are already contemplating surrender.”

“Come! Let me see for myself just how far these men have fallen,” he declared. He instructed Chen Gong to make arrangements, intent on discovering what plots his soldiers were hatching.

The moment he stepped into the barracks, Lü Bu sensed a change in the air. Something was amiss. Zhang Liao approached him.

“General, at last you’ve returned!” said Zhang Liao. Even for a man seasoned by countless storms, the sight of Lü Bu’s scarred face gave him pause.

“Has something happened in the army?” Lü Bu asked.

“N-no, nothing at all. What makes you ask?” Zhang Liao stammered, not a man skilled in deception. His answer was awkward, and even Lü Bu could sense something was off.

“It’s nothing, only some idle gossip in the ranks, which I’m sure has reached your ears as well. Now that you’ve shown yourself, those who love to wag their tongues are fearful of punishment,” Zhang Liao answered, half truth, half evasion.

Lü Bu was not entirely convinced, but he continued alongside Zhang Liao deeper into the camp. As they passed by a captain’s tent, Lü Bu caught the scent of wine.

“I recall that Chen Gong had long since issued a prohibition against drinking. So why does someone dare to drink in the camp?” Before Zhang Liao could answer, Lü Bu pushed open the tent flap to see for himself who was breaking the law.

Inside, they found Zang Ba sprawled drunkenly on the ground, wine flask in hand. Zhang Liao, exasperated, had already warned him time and again to abstain from drink in the army.

Zang Ba opened his eyes to see Lü Bu and was momentarily stunned, then mortified. He scrambled to his feet and saluted.

“General!”

Lü Bu sneered, “Well done! If I had not come to the camp today, would you still be lying here in a drunken stupor even as Cao’s troops broke through our gates?”

Zang Ba broke out in a cold sweat, knowing he had been caught red-handed. He lowered himself in contrition.

“Lord Wenhou, please quell your anger. I admit my fault…”