Hua Xiong's smile froze. How could he not know his own capabilities? He hurriedly spoke, "My lord, I believe we should not pursue a cornered enemy. Perhaps we should wait a moment for everyone else to arrive before we deal with the King of Chu together. That way, you won't have to be the first to make a move!"
Wang Kuang paced back and forth on the ground. After a while, he spoke softly, "What you say has some merit. However, they are no match for you as a general now. What is there to fear? Charge forward, protect the emperor, and titles and rewards await us today!"
Hua Xiong felt a chill of dread. If he went out, he would only be delivering himself to Lu Bu on a platter. He tried to stop him again, "My lord, this matter absolutely cannot be rushed. Otherwise..."
"Say no more, my mind is made up," Wang Kuang said, lowering his head. Of course, he did not forget to add, "If you have any concerns, you can tell me directly!"
"If we succeed, there will certainly be no shortage of benefits for you, General!"
Sometimes, painting a rosy picture is quite necessary. Hua Xiong, his face full of smiles, hurriedly said, "Is this true?"
"Naturally. When have I ever lied to you? Who knows, you might even be enfeoffed as a Marquis of a Ting!" Wang Kuang silently added another incentive.
This was too much. Hua Xiong forgot everything else. His face filled with excitement, and he rushed to say, "My lord, Hua Xiong will gladly be the vanguard. However, that Lu Bu is truly shameless, fighting alongside Ye Feng. I implore my lord to think of a solution!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Kuang knew how much Hua Xiong was exaggerating. After all, Lu Bu was famously known as a general who did not shy away from a group fight. If they fought together, Lu Bu would likely lose face, and Ye Feng would never do such a thing!
"Rest assured, General. Since you cannot handle them alone, two more Great Generals are indeed on their way. Once they arrive, we can deal with their master and servant together!" Wang Kuang said confidently. In his eyes, no matter how useless Hua Xiong was, with those two, achieving great deeds would be a matter of course!
"May I know who my lord is referring to? Perhaps they are even Hua Xiong's friends!" Hua Xiong sighed heavily and slowly asked, "To think that I would need my lord's assistance, I am truly ashamed!"
"General, there is no need for that. Victory and defeat are common in warfare. Moreover, King Chu is bullying the few with numbers, so he cannot be considered a true hero. Now that we can match their numbers, he will surely be annihilated!" Wang Kuang said with great confidence.
However, war has never been about numbers. Zhang Fei's roar alone could send Cao Cao's million-strong army into disarray, and Zhao Zilong could fight his way in and out seven times!
In the blink of an eye, Hua Xiong noticed Wang Kuang's expression change and tried to sneak away stealthily. After all, even the grandest promises are meaningless if one is not alive to enjoy them!
"My lord, my lord!" Hua Xiong cupped his hands and called out several times before Wang Kuang snapped back to attention. "There are many military matters to attend to, and the grain and fodder also need to be brought over today. I think it would be best to wait for the two generals to arrive before making any plans!"
"That makes sense!" Wang Kuang pondered, "The army has not moved, but provisions have come first. In that case, General, please rest well. If we cut off their supply line tonight, we might even win without a fight!"
Hua Xiong rolled his eyes at Wang Kuang in his heart. Winning without a fight was impossible. He didn't consider what kind of person Ye Feng was; he was the brilliant strategist who pacified the Nine Provinces. If he were to stumble over such a minor mistake, Hua Xiong would look down on him!
However, since Wang Kuang was speaking with such interest, Hua Xiong couldn't directly break his illusion and could only say with feigned interest, "May I know who the remaining two generals are, that they have earned my lord's such high regard?"
Wang Kuang stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "It's no harm to tell you. They are none other than General Xing Daorong of Lingling and the Peerless General Pan Feng. Both of them are renowned throughout the land and will surely be able to defeat Lu Bu."
"My lord, you mean Pan Feng, who is as famous as Lu Bu!" Hua Xiong's eyes widened, and he hastily asked, "In that case, we will surely be able to take Lu Bu's head. Then, advancing unimpeded will be a matter of course!"
"Excellent, this general is willing to serve you with all his might!" Hua Xiong cupped his hands and said excitedly. Following them would be a surefire way to gain military merit!
"We will hold a send-off banquet for the three generals later!" Wang Kuang said triumphantly. "As long as we win, I am willing to be recorded in the annals of history alongside the three generals!"
"Very well, thank you, my lord, for your kind intentions!" Hua Xiong cupped his hands, completely convinced. "We will surely slay Lu Bu, and then advancing unimpeded will be a matter of course!"
"With your words, I can finally rest assured!" Wang Kuang laughed heartily. Just as he finished speaking, an axe grazed Hua Xiong's ear, and he could clearly see several strands of hair fall to the ground!
Only after the axe thudded heavily onto a pillar behind the tent did Hua Xiong react. He hurriedly exclaimed, "Who dares to launch such a sneak attack? What kind of hero are you!"
"I am the Peerless General Pan Feng! If anyone is not convinced, come out and fight me to see who is the superior!" a man with his upper body bared declared proudly, his hair flying into the tent!
Hua Xiong shivered. He knew his own capabilities and quickly cupped his hands with a forced laugh, "I have long heard of your peerless might, General, comparable to Lu Bu. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation!"
"That's where you're wrong! What is Lu Bu? He's nothing but a common chicken. I can break him with a flick of my hand!" Pan Feng sneered, picked up his axe, spun it a few times in his hand, and asked, "Who are you, to interfere in my business!"
"General, you may not know, but this is Hua Xiong. He has already fought with Lu Bu. If you wish to learn about Lu Bu's methods, you might as well ask him, so you can make proper preparations!" Wang Kuang frowned and explained with a smile!
"No need. If I cannot defeat Lu Bu, then I am merely famous in name only. I will surely send him back here and never return!" Pan Feng said confidently.
Hua Xiong felt that Pan Feng's words were somewhat familiar and even more grating. He could only swallow the words he had held back.
"Very well, once the other general arrives, the three of you can jointly slay Lu Bu!" Wang Kuang said, his face beaming as if he already saw victory. "Please drink this cup of wine to wish you success in battle!"
Pan Feng grasped the wine cup, then heard a commotion outside. His brow furrowed, he grabbed his axe, and strode towards the outside of the tent. "I'll be back soon. We'll drink this wine when I return!"
Hua Xiong, having been defeated by Lu Bu, was now happy to see Lu Bu in trouble. He quickly mounted his horse and rode out. Seeing Pan Feng raise his axe and menacingly question Ye Feng's army, he fiercely demanded, "Who is Lu Bu? Come out quickly and die!"
"Hah! You shameless cur, stop your arrogance! Your grandfather is here! Quickly state your name!" Lu Bu's Red Hare horse galloped forward, his Heaven-Shattering Halberd pointed at Pan Feng!
"I am the Peerless General Pan Feng! I have come today to take your life. If you dismount and surrender, I may speak a good word for you before my lord, and spare your life!" Pan Feng declared proudly. "Although we are equally famous, you are but a common chicken. Do you still intend to fight?"
"Such bold words! Take this!" Lu Bu's halberd instinctively flicked towards Pan Feng's hands. Pan Feng raised his axe to block, but the halberd instantly changed from a flick to a thrust. Pan Feng, caught off guard, frowned and cursed, "You shameless cur! Today, I will surely take your life!"
Ye Feng had initially felt a bit apprehensive seeing Pan Feng's fierce approach. Upon hearing it was Pan Feng, he understood how much skill he possessed. He thought to himself, if another Xing Daorong were to appear, then the most boastful general of the Three Kingdoms era would be complete!
"Ye Feng, you receive your lord's stipend, yet you now hold the Emperor hostage to command the feudal lords. Do you feel no shame? Quickly bind yourself, or dismount and surrender. I can then speak a few good words for you before my lord and spare your life!" Wang Kuang pointed at Ye Feng and taunted. "If you delay, I cannot protect you!"
"That's right, Ye Feng. A wise man knows when to submit to circumstances. Moreover, surrendering to my lord will not tarnish your reputation. What do you say?" Wang Kuang, though magnanimous, had managed to gather quite a few retainers, but how many of them truly possessed skill was a joke!
"Lord Mengchang had three thousand retainers, each with their own outstanding talents. Your retainers, in my opinion, are a joke!" Ye Feng slightly raised his horsewhip and mocked. "If you are unconvinced, fight me. If I lose, I will naturally apologize sincerely. Otherwise, get lost from where you came!"
The retainers behind Wang Kuang exchanged glances. After a long while, someone spoke, "I am not feeling well today, so I am certainly unable to fight!"
"My mother has just passed away, how can I wield weapons!"
"..."
One excuse after another emerged. Even Wang Kuang frowned and chided slightly, "Are there really no generals among so many of us?"
"We truly cannot fight. We beg my lord to forgive us!" a retainer dared to speak.
"I originally thought your retainers were highly capable, but they are merely a bunch of useless scoundrels! To think that you would aim to take Liangzhou with such people is simply laughable!" Ye Feng said coldly. "Warriors of Liangzhou, pick up your spears and short blades, and charge out with me! Military achievements lie before us!"
After a battle of wits, Wang Kuang's side had already lost morale. If they charged out, it would clearly be offering themselves as food to Ye Feng. At that moment, Wang Kuang forced himself to speak, "The two generals have not yet decided the victor. Does King Chu wish to break the rules?"
What rules or no rules? It was merely a fear that if the central plains troops were wiped out, the barbarians would take advantage and attack. But Ye Feng's soldiers were endless, so how could he fear the Southern Barbarians or Northern Savages?
"Good," Ye Feng agreed. He then shouted to Lu Bu, "Fengxian, the decisive battle is at hand. Do not linger in combat!"
"Good!" Lu Bu replied, retracted his halberd, and sneered, "I have given you so many chances, and you are still no better than this. Now you are surely doomed! Die!"
Pan Feng felt his scalp tingle. Lu Bu's attacks were fierce, like a barrage of raindrops, and as elusive as traces of mud and ice left by flying geese. He was truly unable to cope and hastily shouted, "Hua Xiong, why do you not come to my aid? If you capture this person alive, my lord will surely reward you handsomely!"