Chapter 54: The Fall of Xiapi and the Pursuit of Lü Bu

In the city of Xiapi, from the very moment the great flood engulfed it, the soldiers within had already lost all will to fight. At that critical juncture, Zang Ba, Hao Meng, and others suddenly raised their arms and rallied the troops, immediately gaining the support of two-thirds of the city’s garrison. The remaining soldiers, under the command of Zhang Liao and Chen Gong, put up only feeble resistance.

Soon after, word spread that Lü Bu had abandoned the city and fled. Even more soldiers, now utterly demoralized, gave up hope. The Cao army stormed into the city, their momentum unstoppable, and seized the entire city of Xiapi in one fell swoop. In this battle, the casualties suffered by Cao’s forces were so minimal as to be almost negligible.

When the news reached Cao Cao, he slapped his desk in delight and exclaimed, “Cao Peng is truly the qilin child of the Cao family!” What Cao Cao did not know, however, was that the very Cao Peng he so praised was now deeply troubled.

Lü Bu’s escape from the city had taken Cao Peng completely by surprise. In the original flow of history, Lü Bu was to have been betrayed by his own men, bound in his sleep, and handed over directly to Cao Cao. Clearly, his own presence had become a variable, creating a butterfly effect and altering the course of events.

Cao Peng knew without a doubt that Lü Bu must not be allowed to escape. He immediately ordered Xu Huang and Zhang He to continue sweeping through Xiapi, gathering the surrendered soldiers. Next, he commanded Xu Chu and Dian Wei to lead their own troops in pursuit of Lü Bu.

Even so, he did not rest. He quickly dispatched scouts on fast horses to request that Cao Cao order Liu Bei to lead his battered forces in pursuit of Lü Bu as well.

Although Liu Bei now had but few troops remaining, the fierce fighting prowess of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei could still be put to good use.

After the Cao army set out, they first sealed off a hundred-mile radius, continually tightening the encirclement. As for Liu Bei, he and his two sworn brothers, following Cao Peng’s instructions, lay in ambush at a point within the search area.

According to Cao Peng, this was the spot where Lü Bu was most likely to be intercepted.

“Elder brother, is that scoundrel Lü Bu really going to pass through here?” Zhang Fei, his eyes wide with vigilance, stared intently ahead, fearful that Lü Bu might slip past unnoticed.

Beside him, Guan Yu said, “Third brother, though Cao Peng is a sanctimonious schemer, he certainly has a sharp mind. Since he has set up such a tight net, Lü Bu is sure to come this way.”

“Let’s hope so…” Though Zhang Fei disliked Cao Peng, he earnestly wished this time Cao Peng’s calculations would prove correct—then he could finally vent his anger on Lü Bu.

As fate would have it, they were not disappointed; Lü Bu, astride his Red Hare steed, did indeed appear.

“Elder brother, second brother, isn’t that Lü Bu?!” As he spoke, Zhang Fei sprang out and leapt onto his horse, gripping his eight-foot serpent spear as he charged to intercept.

“Traitor of three surnames, where do you think you’re going!” In order to block Lü Bu’s escape, Zhang Fei hurled his spear straight at Lü Bu’s back.

Hearing the whistle of the spear splitting the air, Lü Bu did not even turn his head; he simply swept his halberd behind him, deftly knocking the spear aside.

The eight-foot serpent spear was sent flying back, landing once again in Zhang Fei’s hands. Eyes blazing with fury, Zhang Fei leveled his spear at Lü Bu and said coldly, “Traitor of three surnames, last time you were lucky to escape with your life. This time, you won’t be so fortunate.”

Lü Bu did not reply, but gripped his coiling-dragon halberd tightly, fully on guard. He knew that with Zhang Fei present, Liu Bei and Guan Yu could not be far off.

Sure enough, as he expected, the red-faced Lord Guan dragged his Green Dragon Crescent Blade as he approached.

“Third brother, this villain is a formidable warrior—let me face him first!” came the voice from behind Guan Yu. The man with broad ears and long arms was none other than Liu Bei.

The three brothers closed in on Lü Bu from three directions, cutting off all avenues of retreat.

Not far away, Cao Peng, watching through his telescope, saw Liu, Guan, and Zhang intercept Lü Bu. He immediately turned to Dian Wei and Xu Chu and said, “I will not go over there now. I shall stay here and watch the two of you claim your glory!”

Dian Wei and Xu Chu thought Cao Peng meant not to compete with them for merit, and quickly bowed in thanks before spurring their horses forward.

But was it truly out of modesty that Cao Peng refrained from joining the fray? Of course not; only Cao Peng knew what was in his heart.

His real reason was that Lü Bu absolutely must not die by his own hand, for he was the father of Lü Lingqi. If he participated in the interception and the siege, and Lü Lingqi learned of it one day, their bond would be forever severed.