The season of farewell...
Always reluctance, melancholy, regret.
But... at this moment, Lü Bu and Diao Chan were not pessimistic; there was light in their eyes, and hope shone through that light.
"If I had known I would part ways with the General today, Diao Chan would have worn the totem the General most admired, instead of this male attire. Many times, Diao Chan has thought, if I have no fate to meet the General again in this life, Diao Chan wishes only for death!"
Tears welled up, one after another...
"Diao Chan, I understand your feelings. If I, Lü Bu, have these words from you, this life is worthwhile, already worthwhile... But, promise me, you must absolutely not seek death. Live well, find Lingqi, and raise Lingju. I will protect you where you cannot see."
There was no embrace goodbye. The two maintained a certain distance with tacit understanding.
This was the farewell between him, Lü Bu, and Diao Chan, and it was also a hurdle he had to overcome to be reborn.
"I know the General is doing all this for me, and for the General, for Lingqi, and for Lingju, I will also live well. Please be assured, General..."
Hoo...
A long exhale.
After a long silence, Lü Bu closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the original reluctance and tear stains were gone, replaced by a firm resolve in his eyes!
The resolve of parting, the resolve that began from the source!
"Lu Yu is a reliable person. I have betrothed Lingqi to him! He also promised that as long as my sister agrees, he will marry Lingqi! Even if Lingqi's difficult temperament cannot pass his sister's test, at least... Lingqi can be taken into the Ministry of Agriculture. No matter what, Lu Yu will have to call you 'little mother,' and Lingju will be his sister! Diao Chan, can you understand my intentions!"
"Yes, General, Diao Chan understands all your intentions. The General is securing a good future for me, for Ju'er, and for Lingqi... and also for those soldiers who were loyal to you! The General is truly considerate..."
"Haha..."
"Hahaha..."
Hearing Diao Chan's "considerate," Lü Bu let out a sighing laugh.
Yes...
He, the peerless God of War, Lü Fengxian of Jiuyuan... when did he become "considerate"? It seemed... the arrogant, haughty, selfish Marquis of Wen had truly perished at Bai Men Tower!
Lü Bu had completely changed, becoming someone who considered his family and fulfilled his brotherhood. This feeling of sacrifice and fulfillment was something Lü Bu had never experienced in the first half of his life.
To be honest, doing so actually stirred his heart!
"Alright, Diao Chan, you may go... go back. From now on, we must not meet again!"
As he said this...
Lü Bu turned around. He held his head high and strode into the large tent.
It wasn't that he didn't want to look at Diao Chan a few more times, but... parting was inevitable, separation was inevitable. What must be cut must be cut!
This was the best belonging, and also the best ending.
He used to always ask - where is my Diao Chan!
And from now on, this question would no longer need to be asked, because Lü Bu already had the answer in his heart - in his heart! His Diao Chan would always be in the heart of his Jiuyuan Lü Fengxian!
May we part as friends, find joy in separate paths, and never meet again!
"Genera..."
Diao Chan uttered only one word. Before, "General" was inseparable, but at this moment... the word "General" was forcibly swallowed, or perhaps it transformed into thick tears, into endless longing.
Dawn was approaching...
Cao's camp gate was closed, like a slumbering beast, with patrolling armored soldiers occasionally passing by quietly.
Because it was too early, the entire military camp was silent!
Gradually, the quiet night began to brighten fuzzily. Daybreak would eventually come, the sun would rise as usual, and life would go on!
Only... after this night, Diao Chan's lover had "passed away."
Farewell, General, farewell, Marquis of Wen. I hope in the shadows, you can return to being the God of War and justice in the hearts of the people of Jiuyuan!
...
...
For an entire day, on the desolate Bai Men Tower, human activity reappeared.
Today, dark clouds obscured the sun...
Cao Cao, along with his civil and military officials, stepped onto the stone steps of Bai Men Tower. It seemed... the punishment of enemy generals that was not completed yesterday would continue today.
"Brother, Second Brother, why is this Cao Cao so strange? He could have finished dealing with the enemy generals in one day, but he dragged it to today. What devious plan is he hatching now?"
Following behind everyone else and ascending the tower, Zhang Fei scratched his head and curiously asked Liu Bei and Guan Yu beside him.
"Second Brother, what do you think?" Liu Bei paused his steps and asked Guan Yu.
Guan Yu stroked his long beard, pondered for a moment, and still could not fathom Cao Cao's intentions.
"Yesterday, Cao Cao killed Lü Bu. Over a thousand loyal and righteous individuals knelt at Bai Men Tower. It is heard that there was a conflict with the Tiger Guards, and they only retreated late at night. It seems that today, Bai Men Tower will have many more loyal and righteous souls added!"
Guan Yu had always valued loyalty and righteousness the most...
Naturally, he admired those loyal and righteous individuals the most. Three hundred Bing Province wolf riders, seven hundred elite battle-hardened soldiers. These troops could be used! And he wanted to use them!
Hoo...
Hearing this, Liu Bei let out a soft sigh, his eyes narrowing.
He muttered to himself, this was for the best. Cao Cao was always suspicious; how could he spare these loyal and righteous people? Once they were killed, it would weaken Cao's camp's combat effectiveness.
Secondly, Cao Cao would also gain a reputation for killing surrendering enemies. Regardless, it would be beneficial to him, Liu Bei!
If these loyal and righteous individuals had joined Cao Cao, that would be what truly troubled Liu Bei!
"Second Brother is correct. Cao Cao deliberately delayed dealing with the enemy generals by a day. His purpose is likely to screen out those loyal to Lü Bu. They will be beheaded today as a warning. This is Cao Cao's style of doing things: 'I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me.' As the saying goes... a general's success is built upon countless bones!"
"Alas... in this world, who truly cherishes the lives of soldiers? Are their lives not lives!"
Liu Bei sighed sentimentally...
The unspoken meaning was that in this world, only he, Liu Bei, was benevolent and cherished the common people!
Guan Yu remained silent.
Zhang Fei nodded earnestly.
"Exactly, exactly. If Brother were dealing with these generals, there would likely be no bloodshed or killing!"
As he said this...
Liu Bei signaled for them to say no more, and the three quickly ascended Bai Men Tower.
At this moment, Cao Cao sat leisurely in the main seat, while Liu Bei walked forward cautiously and sat in the guest seats.
Liu Bei noticed that, just like yesterday, Cao's camp's Hidden Dragon Lu Yu was absent. Besides that, there were several other guest seats beside his, but no one was occupying them.
Of course, none of this was important...
The Hidden Dragon was in Cao's camp, and he usually acted quite discreetly!
As for the guest seats, perhaps prominent families from Xiapi city would send representatives.
In Liu Bei's opinion.
This new round of dealing with enemy generals, or rather... this new round of slaughter, would not change!
The common people! Killing surrendering enemies is inauspicious! The common people!
...
...
As most people had arrived, it was time for the enemy generals to appear.
"Tap tap..."
Footsteps echoed on the city steps!
The first to appear was Chen Gong.
"Gongtai, long time no see..." Seeing Chen Gong from afar, Cao Cao stood up and went to greet him.
However...
Chen Gong maintained his usual aloof demeanor.
Liu Bei shook his head inadvertently, muttering to himself that Cao Cao's warm welcome was likely to be met with a cold shoulder.
In fact, it wasn't just Liu Bei who thought this way...
Most of the influential families in Xiapi city shared the same sentiment.
Chen Gong hated Cao Cao; this was already an open secret!
In their view, if there was only one person in Xiapi city who would not surrender, it would undoubtedly be Chen Gong.
As expected... Guan Yu's thoughts were the same as Liu Bei's. He lowered his voice and said in a tone that only the three brothers, Liu, Guan, and Zhang, could hear, "Big Brother, Third Brother, I heard that Chen Gong left Cao Cao in the past because Cao Cao was wicked. Chen Gong would rather serve the incompetent Lü Bu than the cunning and treacherous Cao Cao. The two are ultimately not on the same path. It is unlikely that he can be persuaded to surrender by Cao Cao's sweet talk. This action by Cao Mengde is superfluous."
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei nodded.
"Second Brother's judgment of people is becoming more accurate."
As they spoke, Zhang Fei nodded heavily and whispered, "Both elder brothers, actually, I think the same way."
As soon as he said this.
Chen Gong spoke.
"Does Duke Cao remember the agreement between you and me?"
The moment this first sentence was uttered, Liu Bei felt something was amiss...
Duke Cao?
Chen Gong actually addressed Cao Cao as Duke Cao? In his cunning, Chen Gong always addressed Cao Cao directly by name, or even as Cao Thief, Rebel Cao, Moth Cao, Treacherous Cao!
This title of "Duke Cao" was deeply meaningful!
And... agreement?
What agreement did he have with Cao Cao? Could it be...
The more he thought about it, the more chilling it became!
Before he could ponder further.
Cao Cao's words followed. "I remember, I remember... Gongtai's agreement with me. How could I forget?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Gong nodded and repeated the agreement. "Duke Cao personally promised that I, Chen Gong, would surrender to the Dragon Soaring Camp, but not to you, Cao Cao. I hope Duke Cao will keep his word!"
Surrendering to the Dragon Soaring Camp, but not to Cao Cao!
This request was very strange, very peculiar!
However, Cao Cao did not seem to mind Chen Gong's request at all. He reached out and patted Chen Gong's shoulder.
"Naturally. Come, take a seat and have some wine!"
Saying this, Cao Cao led Chen Gong to the main seats, sitting to Liu Bei's right, closer to Cao Cao.
According to the hierarchy of guest seats, this position... Chen Gong's status was far above Liu Bei!
Of course...
This was not the main point. The main point was... Chen Gong's statement - surrendering to the Dragon Soaring Camp, but not to Cao Cao!
This?
What is going on? What exactly is going on? Surrendering to the Dragon Soaring Camp? Isn't that surrendering to Cao Cao?
Chen Gong... Chen Gong, who had betrayed Cao Cao in the past, how could he surrender?
At this moment, even Liu Bei, who was usually skilled at hiding his true thoughts, was stunned, his mouth agape wide enough to swallow an egg!
His entire face was like a phrase - I don't understand, but I am greatly shocked!
And Cao Cao's words followed.
"Gongtai, from now on, you will be the Colonel of the Dragon Soaring Camp. You only need to follow the orders of Lu Yu, the Commander of the Dragon Soaring Camp. You do not need to obey me..."
As these words were spoken, Chen Gong did not reply, but merely smiled, as if acknowledging.
After taking his seat, his gaze shifted to Liu Bei on his left.
"Brother Xuande, long time no see!" Chen Gong actively greeted Liu Bei.
"Brother Gongtai, you..." Liu Bei was completely bewildered. He felt as if he hadn't woken up properly today, as if he were in a dream. Yet, when he pinched himself, the pain told him everything was real!
"Brother Xuande seems very surprised." Chen Gong smiled faintly, not delving into the topic. Instead, he waved his hand, "Brother Xuande, why don't you look down? Today... there will likely be many more surprising things for you."
This...
Liu Bei's heart sank. He suddenly had a premonition of something ominous.
And Guan Yu beside him, although his face still maintained its usual impassive expression, his heart was also stirred repeatedly.
Zhang Fei, however, could not help but ask Chen Gong.
"Why is this Chen Gong so spineless? Coming and going, leaving and returning. Learning nothing good, only learning the bad from Lü Bu... is this interesting?"
As these words were spoken...
Chen Gong glared at Zhang Fei, sneered, but remained silent.
In fact, he had only four words in his heart - You know nothing!
- The Hidden Dragon lies in the abyss, but will soar to the heavens!
The future ruler of the world would come from the Dragon Soaring Camp... To serve such a wise lord and display his lifelong talents was what Chen Gong yearned for. As for you, the three brothers Liu, Guan, and Zhang, Chen Gong, having seen through everything, could only chuckle.
"Third Brother, don't speak nonsense. Mr. Gongtai, please forgive him. This third brother of mine..."
Liu Bei was about to apologize.
Just then.
Another general quickly stepped onto Bai Men Tower, accompanied by seven armored soldiers behind him.
"It's the Elite Battle Array, Gao Shun!"
Guan Yu was the first to utter this coldly.
Only by clashing with the Elite Battle Array would one know how terrifying the Elite Battle Array was? How terrifying was Gao Shun?
It was no exaggeration to say that even the usually arrogant Guan Yu had suffered significant losses at the hands of the Elite Battle Array on multiple occasions!
If.
Guan Yu were to rank his most formidable opponents, it would not be Lü Bu, but the Elite Battle Array and Gao Shun.
Therefore, Gao Shun's appearance made him treat it with exceptional solemnity.
As expected...
Because of Guan Yu's words, everyone's gaze turned towards Gao Shun and the soldiers of the Elite Battle Array, who were approaching with powerful strides.
"Who are you? State your name!"
Cao Cao was quite far from Guan Yu and had not heard his voice, so he asked first.
"I am Gao Shun!"
"Oh..." Cao Cao remembered. The Elite Battle Array that Yu valued so highly was commanded by this person. "So you are the commander of Lü Bu's renowned and brave Elite Battle Array!"
This was praise...
Unexpectedly, "No," Gao Shun uttered the word "No" first.
"Duke Cao is mistaken. From now on, the Elite Battle Array is no longer under General Lü, but is a part of the Dragon Soaring Camp!"
Having said this, Gao Shun cupped his hands in a bow.
"Gao Shun, Commander of the Elite Battle Array's First Division, pays respects to Duke Cao!"
With Gao Shun's bow, the seven centurions behind him also cupped their hands in a bow. "Centurions of the Elite Battle Array's First Division pay respects to Duke Cao!"
Although there were only eight of them, their voices were deafening!
Hoo...
Silence!
Suddenly, the atmosphere on Bai Men Tower became silent!
A silence so profound that a needle drop could be heard, with only the heavy breathing of countless onlookers.
The Elite Battle Array? They... they surrendered just like that? Casually surrendered? Without any ripple?
One must know...
Just last night, they, along with the three hundred loyal men of Bing Province, had knelt before Lü Fengxian's corpse.
Everyone had almost certainly concluded that they would fight to the death and not surrender, and that Cao Cao would cruelly slaughter them, leaving none behind...
But overnight, the situation had drastically changed!
They surrendered!
This...
Hoo... Liu Bei gasped for air.
Now, anyone whose head had not been kicked by a donkey could clearly see the situation!
Yesterday morning.
Cao Cao's not interrogating these enemy generals was not because he was waiting, or to probe who was loyal to Lü Bu, but rather... he had taken action, taken behind-the-scenes action. He had spent an entire day completing the persuasion of these enemy generals!
This was not the main point...
The main point was, by what means had he managed to make Chen Gong, Gao Shun, and the Elite Battle Array surrender willingly and wholeheartedly!
What sharp methods, what terrifying methods!
Liu Bei's chest heaved. He felt a tightness in his chest, not pain, but a suffocating pressure.
He glanced sideways at Chen Gong beside him, only to see him looking composed and at ease, as if everything happening now was within his expectations.
No wonder Chen Gong had mentioned earlier.
That there would be many surprising things for him, Liu Bei, today!
Many?
Heh, not many... but it was incredibly disheartening, suffocatingly disheartening.
At this moment, Liu Bei keenly realized something. That's right, ever since Xiapi city fell, that Cao camp's Hidden Dragon, the commander of the Dragon Soaring Camp, Lu Yu, had never once appeared!
If one also considered his incredible ability to discern people's minds...
And... Chen Gong and Gao Shun had both explicitly stated they were joining the Dragon Soaring Camp, then... it was highly likely... no, not "highly likely," but "definitely"!
The instigator, the persuader of enemy generals, must have been the Hidden Dragon Lu Yu. It must have been his plan. What a terrifying fellow, what a meticulous fellow!
Upon thinking of this, Liu Bei's eyebrows knitted together.
At this moment, his usual composure seemed unable to hide his expression. His inner thoughts were reflected on Liu Bei's face, which was as bitter as a melon.
The only fortunate thing was that at this moment... Cao Cao's attention was not on him, otherwise... he, Liu Bei, would have been exposed.
"Haha..."
"Hahahaha..."
Demonic laughter echoed on Bai Men Tower.
Cao Cao quickly walked up to Gao Shun, reached out, patted his chest, and said with a smile, "Good! Gao Shun and the seven hundred Elite Battle Array soldiers joining the Dragon Soaring Camp is like adding wings to a tiger!"
Cao Cao immediately ordered: "By order, the Elite Battle Array is to be incorporated into the Dragon Soaring Camp, with Gao Shun as the Dragon Soaring Camp's Guard General, conventionally commanding the soldiers of the Elite Battle Array. The Elite Battle Array will retain its original military system. From now on, all actions will be dispatched entirely by Lu Yu, the Commander of the Dragon Soaring Camp!"
- "Thank you, Duke Cao!"
- "Thank you, Duke Cao!"
Gao Shun first cupped his hands, and the seven centurions also cupped their hands.
This surrender was out of loyalty, out of righteousness!
The so-called "will to charge into battle, life or death!"
Of course...
Besides that, who in the Elite Battle Array didn't know that the food in the Dragon Soaring Camp was the envy of everyone in Cao's camp!
One day without meat, at least three strings of beads!
Stomp! Stomp!
Just then, another heavy set of footsteps sounded.
It was Zhang Liao, Zhang Wenyuan!
Seeing him ascend Bai Men Tower, Liu Bei's eyes darted. He couldn't just sit and wait!
If he remained silent now... then he, Liu Bei, would truly be like drawing water with a bamboo basket, all in vain!
Hoo...
He let out a soft sigh, and Liu Bei stood up abruptly!
...
...