Chapter 053: Shooting Gao Shun

With Gao Shun leading the seven hundred men of the Formation Breakers to shield him, Lu Bu managed to charge all the way to the city gates. However, the relentless pursuit of the rebels along the way greatly slowed their advance, allowing even more enemy troops to close in. In the eyes of these rebels, Lu Bu’s head was the key to rank and fortune.

Gao Shun reined in his horse, swept his long spear before him, and said coldly, “My lord, go quickly! The rebels are upon us. I will hold them here.” At this point, Lu Bu understood well the need to sacrifice the pawn to save the king. He left behind a single instruction—“Be careful”—then spurred his horse and galloped away.

Moments later, Zang Ba, Hao Meng, and Hou Cheng—three of the Eight Mighty Generals—arrived at the scene with their troops. Their brows knitted at the sight of Gao Shun standing in their way. This man had truly become an unexpected variable. Among the Eight Generals, all but Zhang Liao had taken the chance to influence and turn their subordinates against Lu Bu, but Gao Shun had been overlooked. Though he commanded merely seven hundred soldiers, each was a warrior who could stand against ten. No wonder, even with the city’s troops now in revolt, Lu Bu had managed to flee this far.

“What do we do?” Hou Cheng asked uneasily, well aware that Gao Shun was not someone to be trifled with.

Hao Meng frowned, then said, “Let me try to persuade him…” Though he knew Gao Shun was a man of unyielding loyalty, he decided to give it a try and rode forward.

“Brother Gao Shun, nearly everyone in the city has pledged themselves to Minister Cao. Why fight to the death for Lu Bu?” Hao Meng called out.

Gao Shun merely let out three cold laughs and replied frostily, “Death is all that awaits me today. How could I, Gao Shun, a man of seven feet, stoop to your sort of craven survival?”

“Well, I’ll give you that for spirit!” Hao Meng barked, leveled his spear, and charged. The two clashed on horseback.

Sparks flew from the tips of their spears, and as their horses wheeled and charged, hooves splashed the puddles beneath. “Aren’t we going to help?” Hou Cheng asked, noting that Zang Ba still held back from joining the fray.

With a sigh, Zang Ba at last swung his spear and joined the battle. His hesitation sprang from genuine respect for a man like Gao Shun—a comrade who had once faced life and death at his side. To strike him down was no easy thing.

Against Hao Meng alone, Gao Shun had held his own with ease. With Zang Ba joining, the pressure became immense and he was quickly forced onto the defensive. Seeing this, Hou Cheng steeled himself and charged in as well. The Formation Breakers pressed their attack, while the new arrivals’ men rushed forward to meet them, and soon the two sides were locked in chaotic melee.

Before long, Cao Peng, who had already breached the city, arrived with his troops. Seeing the fierce fighting ahead, he seized a soldier and demanded, “What’s happening up there?”

“General, we were chasing Lu Bu,” the soldier replied, bowing hurriedly, “but Gao Shun’s Formation Breakers are blocking our way!”

“Gao Shun…” Cao Peng muttered. He recalled the name well—a man of loyalty and righteousness.

“Do you know this man, General? Shall we try to take him alive?” the deputy asked, sensing Cao Peng’s reluctance.

Cao Peng let out a sigh. “Loose the arrows and kill him.” Though Gao Shun had never been highly regarded by Lu Bu, his loyalty was unwavering. Even if taken alive, he would never surrender. History bore witness: Cao Cao had once captured both Zhang Liao and Gao Shun; neither would yield, but while Zhang Liao was spared, Gao Shun was put to death. That itself spoke volumes.

Knowing all this, Cao Peng, though tempted by the thought of commanding the Formation Breakers, could only steel himself and give the order.

“Surrendered troops, fall back lest you be caught in the crossfire! Archers, loose!”

At the command, a volley of arrows darkened the sky, raining down around Gao Shun. He swung his spear furiously, striving to fend them off, but wave after wave came, endless and overwhelming—no single man could withstand such a storm. In the end, both he and his horse were pierced through, bristling with arrows like a hedgehog.

Zang Ba gazed sorrowfully at the iron-willed warrior who lay slain before him. At last, he shouted, “Soldiers of the Formation Breakers, your commander Gao Shun is dead! Surrender at once!”

Cao Peng gave him an approving look; had Zang Ba not spoken, he himself would have issued the same command. Though the Formation Breakers had been shattered, he still wished to save as many survivors as possible.

Riding forward, Cao Peng addressed the three surrendered generals. “Gentlemen, the city still needs you to bring the rebel forces to heel. I leave this task in your hands.”

All three recognized Cao Peng and knew his high standing under Cao Cao; none dared show disrespect. Speaking for the others, Zang Ba declared, “General, rest assured. We will see it done!”