Ten li south of Xuchang city's south gate.
A woman, dressed in a light white gown, wore a serene smile on her face, radiating a fresh and ethereal aura from within.
It was this disposition, akin to a flower fairy from a valley, that imbued her with a unique charm.
Her name was... Xiahou Juan, the grandniece of Xiahou Yuan.
Xiahou Yuan was known as the righteous and remarkable man because, during a time of widespread famine, he had given up his own son to support his deceased brother's orphan.
For years, he had treated Xiahou Juan as his own daughter, and Xiahou Juan had come to call him "Father."
From a very young age, Xiahou Juan had been exceptionally sensible.
She had followed her "Father" step by step from poverty. Regardless of their wealth, she always wore simple clothes and had managed all affairs of the Xiahou manor with care for years.
Speaking of which...
Xiahou Yuan's legitimate wife was Dingxiang, but over the years of her marriage, she had given birth to child after child...
From Xiahou Heng to Xiahou Ba, Xiahou Cheng, Xiahou Wei, Xiahou Rong, Xiahou Hui, Xiahou He... It could be said that Dingxiang was either pregnant or on the way to being pregnant these years. Coupled with... so many sons needing care, how could she possibly have the time to manage the daily affairs of the Xiahou manor?
For this reason... Xiahou Juan managed the entire back courtyard of the Xiahou Yuan residence.
Accustomed to simplicity, she disliked having servants do many things. Xiahou Juan always personally attended to sweeping the courtyards and preparing meals.
Even though the Xiahou manor today was vastly different from its past, once a habit of frugplicity was formed, how could it be easily changed?
Even for daily firewood gathering, Xiahou Juan would go herself. The only person who followed her was a groom.
"Gathering wood, gathering branches, walking along, looking around..."
Xiahou Juan hummed softly while gathering firewood.
At this moment, she was near Mount Rang.
Just then.
Not far away... sand and stones flew, and dust billowed everywhere!
The sound of "dada dada" hooves suddenly echoed.
"You fools, keep up with me!"
"Ride faster, you scoundrels!"
Approximately three thousand cavalry were galloping, and the leader, with a leopard's head and a ringed face, was as dark as charcoal. He wielded an eight-zhang serpent spear, galloping on his horse while shouting!
His skin, which might not have been discernible even at night, was extremely conspicuous in broad daylight...
If it wasn't Zhang Fei, who else could it be?
"Cao thief, I, Zhang Yide, am coming for you..."
That's right... Zhang Fei led three thousand cavalry as the vanguard army, charging towards Xuchang city.
Liu Bei's plan was meticulous. In his opinion, the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan had already begun. Whether Cao or Yuan won, they would not be able to reinforce Xuchang immediately!
Zhang Fei and these three thousand cavalry were fast, swift in their movements, and their actions were sudden... Xuchang city might not be able to react!
Furthermore, Liu Bei had arranged a plan with Fu Wan, who was close to the Emperor, to coordinate from within and without, open the city gates, and welcome the Emperor to Jingzhou! This was not impossible!
At this very moment, Zhang Fei was charging in.
The three thousand vanguard troops were charging!
As long as he reached the south city gate, more than half the matter would be settled!
Of course... besides "kidnapping" the Emperor, they wouldn't mind looting a bit more, such as... women!
It should be known that although Zhang Fei was one of the three sworn brothers of the peach garden, these cavalry behind him were Yellow Turban rebels. In their eyes, there were no rules or righteousness!
On the other hand, Xiahou Juan...
Seeing this scene, her face instantly turned as pale as paper!
"Run... run..."
Subconsciously, the only thought that came to her mind was "run." She had to hide in Mount Rang...
"Report, General Zhang, a woman has been spotted at the foot of Mount Rang!"
"Let me see!"
Zhang Fei's leopard eyes widened, and his sharp gaze fell upon Xiahou Juan, who was fleeing in a white skirt.
Finally...
His eyes lingered on the waist area of the white skirt.
Although the woman was running, the green sash tied around her willow waist fluttered in the wind. Zhang Fei unconsciously looked at his own rough palm. He felt that this woman in the white skirt's waist could likely be held entirely in his palm!
"Heh..."
Zhang Fei sighed in admiration...
Not bad, this kind of fresh and delicate, petite woman actually gave Zhang Fei a sense of amazement. Especially that waist, he really wanted to hold it.
Damn, this was the feeling of being smitten.
"Bring that woman to me!"
Zhang Fei immediately ordered...
"But... Lord Liu's mission to the general was to abduct the Emperor, not... to abduct this woman!" a subordinate immediately advised.
"Heh heh..." Zhang Fei smiled. "Aren't we just taking her along? What are you dawdling for? Go..."
At this, several soldiers dismounted and pursued Xiahou Juan up the mountain path.
Zhang Fei watched this scene with great interest.
He even had a feeling that the little waist in motion was exquisite!
...
...
Xuchang City, Imperial Academy, Workshop.
Zhuge Jun was adjusting something.
It seemed to be a mechanism... about eight inches long, with the back four inches being cylindrical and the front four inches being conical...
The front three inches had a full twelve fine blood grooves, and the tip was extremely sharp, flashing with a faint cold light!
"That's right. Lu Zongzhang's blueprint described sixteen holes, capable of three releases. But why... the one I made can only release twice!"
Zhuge Jun muttered to himself.
"Kongming..." At this moment, a clear voice called out. Zhuge Jun looked up, and before him stood Cai Zhaoji, the head of the Imperial Academy!
"Disciple greets Master Cai!" Seeing Cai Zhaoji, Zhuge Jun put aside the black box in his hand and quickly stood up to perform the customary salutation.
Speaking of which, although he was a student of the Imperial Academy, he was also the earliest disciple of Chief Cai and Chief Lu, a honor shared only by Cao Mu besides him.
Even Yang Xiu, Yang Dezǔ, whom Chief Lu highly valued, did not have such an opportunity.
"No need for formalities," Cai Zhaoji said gracefully. "After you delivered the Thunderbolt Chariot to Guandu and returned, you've been staying in this workshop every day. You even specifically asked Cao Mu to assign you over a dozen craftsmen? Not leaving the house or stepping outside the door. If someone hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known? 'Kongming,' what... what are you doing? Do you need to be so absorbed in your work that you forget to eat and sleep?"
This...
Zhuge Jun paused and replied truthfully, "I dare not hide anything from you, Master..."
As he spoke, he pointed his finger at some blueprints on the desk. "These were given to me by Master Lu. He said I should forge them as soon as possible, and it even relates to his safety."
Hmm...
Upon hearing Lu Yu's name, Cai Zhaoji's mood faltered slightly. Her gaze shifted to the blueprints on the desk.
"What is this?"
"A hidden weapon!" Zhuge Jun replied truthfully.
"A hidden weapon?" Cai Zhaoji frowned. Why would Yu-di be making hidden weapons? Was the Guandu front line too dangerous? Was he trying to protect himself? Then... why didn't he come back?
Just the mention of Zhuge Jun's "hidden weapon" caused Cai Zhaoji to fall into a stream of conjectures and a series of questions!
... Suddenly, she became full of worry for Yu-di's situation.
Her younger brother going to the front lines was already enough to make her worry, keeping her awake almost every night.
Now...
Her heart's worry could no longer be contained.
Seeing Cai Zhaoji's expression change, Zhuge Jun understood.
Under the heavens, the only person who could make this foremost talented woman of the age show such an expression was her brother.
"Sister Zhaoji, please rest assured. Master Lu is well in Guandu and has won several great victories..."
Zhuge Jun had returned two months ago, so he was unaware of the current situation of the Battle of Guandu. However... in his impression, due to the appearance of the Thunderbolt Chariot, the Yuan army had retreated ten li, their morale was already scattered, and their spirits were low. The Cao army held the advantage.
Speaking of which.
Zhuge Jun had intended to stay at Guandu and serve Master Lu closely, so that... he could learn some true skills.
Never did he expect that Lu Yu would directly hand him a scroll of blueprints and ask him to immediately return to the Imperial Academy workshop to try and forge the devices depicted in them.
What's more, Lu Yu's words made Zhuge Jun feel a lingering fear...
He had said there was an peerless expert with great martial arts skills... If he didn't have these devices for self-defense, he himself was not safe!
Good heavens...
Did he not feel safe even with the protection of Commander Dian?
Thinking of this, Zhuge Jun no longer dared to hesitate!
After returning to Xuchang city... he began to try making them.
However... although this device appeared small, it was extremely complex to manufacture. Moreover... while making it, he also had to test it. Therefore, Zhuge Jun had not left the workshop's door for almost two months.
"Let's not talk about Yu-di anymore," Cai Zhaoji continued. She gracefully picked up the blueprints, scanned them with her eyes, and softly recited the words written on them – "Zhuge Divine Crossbow"!
That's right...
It was Zhuge Divine Crossbow, not Zhuge Repeating Crossbow. It was a type of hidden weapon from the Tang Sect.
Lu Yu had first heard this name in his previous life because of a certain national animation... But as he read more, he actually found this "Zhuge Divine Crossbow" in books related to hidden weapons!
He had even specifically traveled to the Shu region to consult ancient texts left by the Tang Sect. And indeed, he had found some clues, and there was even a master who was skilled in this.
According to him, the "Zhuge Divine Crossbow" was an improvement by the Mohists based on the "Zhuge Repeating Crossbow"...
It belonged to the mechanical type of hidden weapons, characterized by strong lethality and a large range.
In essence, it was a small, portable crossbow that incorporated some mechanisms. The crossbow bolts were pressed into a slender black box. The entire box contained forty-eight crossbow bolts, capable of three releases.
Each release required a separate loading of the mechanism. The rectangular black box had sixteen holes at one end, and could simultaneously release sixteen tailless crossbow bolts. The firing speed was extremely fast, capable of piercing stone within fifty meters.
As a pure hidden weapon, a surprise attack within fifty meters could be fatal, extremely domineering!
However, its drawback was that its power would significantly decrease beyond fifty meters!
Of course, these were not important. Who would use such a thing beyond fifty meters?
Zhuge Jun took a set of "Zhuge Divine Crossbows" from the ground and placed them before Cai Zhaoji. "That's right. This is what Master Lu asked me to forge. Although... it's not completely finished yet, it already possesses a certain destructive power!"
When mentioning the Zhuge Divine Crossbow, Zhuge Jun's words became more animated.
"Master Cai, please do not underestimate this Zhuge Divine Crossbow. Although it looks like a small crossbow, its internal craftsmanship is extremely complex. In fact, it even contains three secret buckles. Once someone attempts to dismantle it, the mechanism within will be triggered, damaging the most crucial parts and rendering it unusable. Therefore, despite its immense power, the Zhuge Divine Crossbow is not afraid of imitation!"
Huo...
Zhuge Jun's words greatly surprised Cai Zhaoji. She carefully examined the "Zhuge Divine Crossbow." It was small and not heavy, and even she, a woman, could easily lift it.
Furthermore... according to Zhuge Jun, Lu-di's blueprints even considered preventing imitation and unauthorized disassembly. Then...
"Are these crossbow bolts? Is the power truly immense?"
Cai Zhaoji blinked her eyes and asked curiously.
Her thought was simple: if this small crossbow was truly powerful, then at least Lu-di would be much safer, wouldn't he?
"How about I let Master Cai try it..."
Zhuge Jun performed a series of operations...
In fact, although the Zhuge Divine Crossbow before them was only a "semi-finished product," the only difference from the finished product was in the continuous firing capability. The finished Zhuge Divine Crossbow could fire three volleys in succession, but this semi-finished product could only fire two volleys, though its power was not diminished.
Cai Zhaoji was full of curiosity, curious whether this novel item invented by Yu-di could protect him.
Zhuge Jun wanted to show off in front of his master.
"Master Cai, please watch carefully. First, aim, then... fire..."
Before the word "fire" could even be uttered...
"It's not good, it's not good..." a hurried shout was heard.
Cai Zhaoji and Zhuge Jun simultaneously turned their heads to look outside the door.
They saw a craftsman from the forging workshop rushing into the workshop, out of breath.
"There's a troop of enemy soldiers... attacking... attacking! There are several thousand of them, they've reached Mount Rang and are about to arrive... arrive at Xuchang city!"
What...
Upon hearing this, both Cai Zhaoji and Zhuge Jun's expressions grew solemn.
Never did they expect that the craftsman's report was not finished yet.
"Cao... Miss Cao is still... still at Mount Rang. A iron ore deposit was discovered there today, and Miss Cao went there personally..."
The Cao girl the craftsman mentioned was naturally Cao Mu...
Upon hearing "Cao Mu's" name, and that enemy soldiers had reached Mount Rang, Cai Zhaoji's brows immediately knitted together, and her eyes were filled with worry for Mu'er!
Zhuge Jun, however, ran out immediately.
As he ran, he shouted to the craftsmen testing the Zhuge Divine Crossbows...
"Quick, quick... everyone pick up your Zhuge Divine Crossbows and follow me... follow me..."
Why...
Zhuge Jun suddenly became so excited, so on high alert!
...
...
"Miss, run quickly..."
At the foot of Mount Rang, as soon as the groom shouted, his back was chopped off by the pursuing cavalry.
Although Liu Bei spoke of benevolence and righteousness, this Yellow Turban army led by Liu Pi, Pei Yuanshao, and Zhou Cang had no regard for such things. They were wild and accustomed to killing, and killing someone was a commonplace matter for them.
"No..."
"Don't chase after me!"
Xiahou Juan was terrified. At this moment... she could hear the continuous footsteps behind her, drawing nearer and nearer.
"Juan'er..."
Just then, a voice called out.
Xiahou Juan looked up and saw that it was Cao Mu!
As Xiahou Yuan's "precious daughter," she had known Cao Mu since childhood. Seeing Cao Mu at this moment was like seeing the last ray of dawn in the darkness.
"Sister Mu..."
"Quick... quickly get up."
Cao Mu pulled Xiahou Juan onto the stone steps. Compared to Xiahou Juan, Cao Mu was accompanied by several armored guards from the Dragon Falcon Camp.
These were specifically left for the forging workshop by Lu Yu.
It was no exaggeration to say that the forging workshop now held significant weight within the Dragon Falcon Camp!
And Cao Mu, today... she was originally here to inspect the mine that had been excavated from Mount Rang. Never did she expect... someone to report that a troop of enemy soldiers was attacking. Before even descending the mountain, she encountered Xiahou Juan being pursued.
"This is bad..."
Cao Mu's eyes grew cold.
Visibly, hundreds of enemy soldiers were charging towards them from the foot of Mount Rang.
"Oh my, there's not just one young lady... two, no wonder General Zhang's eyes are wide open!"
"The waists of these two young ladies are truly slender..."
"Hahaha..."
"Give it up, do you think you can lay hands on women that General Zhang fancies? Are you tired of living?"
"Heh heh, General Zhang fancies the one in the white dress. And here's another one. Brothers haven't touched a woman for a long time!"
Increasingly vulgar words were uttered by these enemy soldiers.
And each shouted phrase, when heard by Cao Mu and Xiahou Juan...
Cao Mu was slightly better, trying to hold her body upright. But... Xiahou Juan was already terrified.
Like a kitten eyed by a tiger...
In Cao Mu's embrace, she curled herself up, trembling uncontrollably.
She... she had grown up cherished by Xiahou Yuan since childhood, held in his mouth for fear of melting, held in his palm for fear of shattering. How had she ever encountered these ruffians with red eyes?
"Pat..." With a sound, Xiahou Juan's legs gave out. If Cao Mu hadn't caught her, she might have collapsed.
"Sister Mu... what do we do? What do we do?"
Tears like beads of sweat fell from Xiahou Juan's eyes.
"Sister Juan... if... if..." Cao Mu gritted her teeth. Compared to the timid Xiahou Juan, she was more resolute. "If we are unfortunately captured, please, please do not reveal your and my identities."
Ah...
Xiahou Juan raised her eyes. With her keen intellect, she immediately understood Sister Mu's meaning.
Sister Mu was worried that these enemy soldiers would use them as leverage to force Xuchang city to open its gates.
If... if that were the case, how could they, as sisters, face the Cao clan and the Xiahou clan?
"I... I understand..."
Although still very frightened, Xiahou Juan nodded with effort. She knew what to do!
She instinctively tucked her hands into her embrace, and Xiahou Juan bit her lip tightly, as if forcing herself to become... stronger.
"Please quickly go up the mountain to hide, Ladies, and let us stall the enemy for a moment... perhaps, perhaps we can wait for reinforcements!"
Several armored soldiers from the Dragon Falcon Camp drew their sabers and stood ready. On Mount Rang, they did not carry polearms, their warhorses were not nearby, nor were they wearing heavy armor.
All they had was the finely crafted steel saber at their waists!
Moreover, when it came to mountain combat... they, as cavalry, might not be able to match those mountain bandits!
... Facing the charge of over a hundred enemy soldiers, the possibility of resistance was extremely slim.
But...
Every armored soldier of the Dragon Falcon Camp knew what Cao Mu meant to the Dragon Falcon Camp and Commander Lu!
For reinforcements, they must hold on until... reinforcements arrived!
However... would there be reinforcements?
Xuchang city's garrison numbered only three thousand?
In the face of such a sudden offensive?
Would they... would they rush out to aid?
In an instant, countless question marks were etched on everyone's brows.
...
...