Chapter Fifty-Three: Slaying Hu Zhen, Battling Lü Bu

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“So this is all the might the eighteen coalition lords can muster? Cowards cowering in their shells, afraid to fight. If so, they should roll back home instead of disgracing themselves here,” Hu Zhen bellowed with wild laughter.

“Hu Zhen, prepare to meet your end.” Without wasting words, Zifan spurred his horse straight toward Hua Xiong.

Riding a white steed, the Jade-Kylin that glimmered in the night, and clad in black armor, Hu Zhen’s gaze grew grave. He had long harbored a deep wariness of Zifan’s martial prowess, but with the entire Xiliang army watching from behind, he could not afford to tarnish their reputation. He had no choice but to force himself into battle.

Zifan’s blade flashed down, aiming straight for Hu Zhen’s head. Hu Zhen raised his broadsword to parry, pushing with all his might, but he was wholly unprepared for the ferocity of Zifan’s strength. The broadsword was batted aside. Zifan, quick-eyed and swift-handed, pressed his advantage, allowing Hu Zhen not the slightest reprieve. With a deft twist of his wrist, he swept his blade across Hu Zhen’s abdomen.

A sharp crack.

Hu Zhen crashed to the ground!

Blood soaked the earth...

At that moment, the allied lords heard the thunderous drums outside the pass, shaking the heavens and earth. As they peered out to investigate, Zifan strode forth, holding Hu Zhen’s severed head aloft, and flung it to the ground. Wine still warmed the dead man’s lips.

Cao Cao, witnessing the scene, lifted his goblet and approached Zifan with a smile. “What splendid skill, dear brother! You have my deepest admiration. Let us drink together to this deed.”

“Thank you, Brother Cao.”

Meanwhile, Hu Zhen’s routed soldiers hastened back to report their defeat at the pass. In Dong Zhuo’s camp, his chief strategist Li Su hurriedly penned an urgent letter, summoned his attendants, and ordered them to ride through the night to Luoyang to inform Dong Zhuo.

Upon hearing the news, Dong Zhuo was greatly alarmed. He quickly called a council with Li Ru, Lü Bu, and others. Lü Bu said, “Now that our vanguard Hu Zhen has fallen, our army’s morale is low. Yet the coalition’s forces are vast and their spirits high, and they have chosen Yuan Shao as their leader. But their unity is fragile, their troops are scattered, and they have just fought a great battle. We must not wait for them to regroup—let us concentrate our forces and strike first, catching them off guard.”

Dong Zhuo was delighted. “My son speaks wisely.”

Strategist Li Ru bowed and said, “Yuan Shao’s uncle, Yuan Kui, now serves as Grand Tutor within the palace. If he conspires with enemies within, we may face betrayal from inside. We should eliminate him first, to forestall future trouble.”

Dong Zhuo lowered his head in thought. “All the world is now against me—what do I have to fear?” With that, he ordered Lü Bu to lead five hundred men to surround Yuan Kui’s residence, sparing neither young nor old, and to deliver Yuan Kui’s head to the front lines as an example.

Immediately, Dong Zhuo raised an army of two hundred thousand, splitting his forces into two. He ordered Li Ru to lead fifty thousand to hold Yishui Pass, while Dong Zhuo himself commanded one hundred fifty thousand with Lü Bu, advancing into the pass. Lü Bu was sent ahead with thirty thousand to set camp at the front line, while Dong Zhuo stationed himself within the pass.

They prepared to face the coalition in a decisive battle.

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The allied coalition’s scouts brought urgent news.

“Reporting to the alliance leader and all generals—Dong Zhuo’s army has entered the central plains, and Lü Bu has encamped before the pass!” a soldier rushed in to report.

“Alliance leader, since Dong Zhuo now holds the pass, I, Sun Jian, volunteer to lead the vanguard and strike down this traitor. I hope you all will aid me in taking Dong Zhuo’s head,” Sun Jian declared.

“Wentai, your courage and strength are worthy of the task,” Yuan Shao nodded approvingly. The other lords organized their troops and supplies and headed toward Sishui Pass.

Zifan hurried after Sun Jian. “Brother Wentai, wait!”

“Oh, General Zifan, what matter brings you here?”

“General Sun, your courage in volunteering as vanguard is admirable. I only urge you, Brother Wentai, to ensure ample supplies of food and fodder, just in case, and beware those who may try to steal your credit.” Zifan recalled that the history books spoke of this, though the details were hazy, so he offered the advice in good faith.

“Brother Zifan, you worry too much. With a great battle ahead, our supplies are sufficient. Besides, as a general, I know well that the army’s provisions precede its march.”

Seeing the situation, Zifan knew further words were futile. He sighed, “Then may Brother Wentai return victorious.”

“General, when do we set out? I’d rather not linger with these lords—few among them are men of worth,” Dian Wei said upon returning to camp.

“Send orders to prepare more provisions, ready the army’s needs, and ensure that weapons and armor are kept close at hand. Rest well tonight. Victory is not won by words but by strength. At dawn, we march.”

“Yes, sir,” Ding Feng and Dian Wei replied with clasped fists.

“Tomorrow, Ding Feng, you lead the Black Cavalry ahead to scout Sun Jian’s position. Go, but do not get drawn into battle—caution above all.”

Beneath the walls of Sishui, Sun Jian gazed at the city and proclaimed his determination to take it.

Sun Jian immediately launched an assault, breaking through one of Dong Zhuo’s vanguard units. But unexpectedly, Lü Bu struck from the right, throwing Sun Jian’s front and rear lines into chaos and cutting off his supplies. Sun Jian could only retreat northward.

Reaching Nanyang Commandery, Sun Jian requested supplies from Prefect Zhang Zi. Zhang Zi, recommended to Dong Zhuo by the scholars Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong and appointed as Nanyang Prefect to win over the learned men, was a renowned figure from Yingchuan.

The commandery officials argued that Sun Jian, being only a prefect, had no authority to requisition Nanyang’s grain. Thus, Zhang Zi refused him supplies and barred him from entering the city.

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Sun Jian then sent men to request provisions from Yuan Shu. But someone sowed discord between Yuan Shu and Sun Jian, warning Yuan Shu that if Sun Jian entered Luoyang first, he would become uncontrollable. Yuan Shu, growing suspicious, withheld further supplies.

With no food, Sun Jian’s forces suffered grievous losses. That night, Lü Bu launched a surprise raid, routing Sun Jian’s army. Demoralized, they could hardly withstand another assault.

Once more commanded by Dong Zhuo, Lü Bu advanced to pursue Sun Jian.

“That wretch Yuan Shu has ruined me!” Sun Jian cursed bitterly.

“My lord, we must flee!” Cheng Xian rallied his men to hold off Lü Bu’s assault.

“My lord, hurry!” Zu Mao arrived with a troop to reinforce them.

“General, so long as the green hills stand, we’ll have wood for fuel. Go, hurry!” As Sun Jian watched his forces fall into chaos, he had no choice but to order a retreat.

Cheng Xian and Zu Mao led their troops to cover Sun Jian’s withdrawal. With a thunderous crack, Lü Bu snapped a commander’s neck with his bare hands, adding another corpse to the field. The other, seeing his comrade slain, fled in terror. Lü Bu, however, did not pursue; instead, he frowned and looked west, sensing a powerful presence approaching.

Lü Bu smiled. “At last! Only Zifan among the coalition lords can stir my fighting spirit. Beating ants does not excite me, but now the one I’ve been waiting for finally comes.” As Zifan charged toward him, Lü Bu felt an inexplicable thrill.

Facing history’s mightiest general, Zifan dared not be careless. He summoned all his strength and rushed in. With a resounding crash, their weapons collided. Lü Bu was astonished—Zifan had withstood his full force. “Impressive! With such skill, Hu Zhen’s death was no injustice. I never thought you’d improve so quickly. But even so, you’re still not quite my match.” With each word, Lü Bu pressed harder, Zifan’s face flushed red, the strain showing, but he fought on. The two clashed again, wheeling their horses for another charge.

Seeing Zifan faltering, Ding Feng and Cheng Xian rushed in to assist. Lü Bu, alone in enemy ranks, felt no fear and fought all the fiercer, soon matching the three blow for blow. Realizing Lü Bu’s overwhelming strength, Zifan loosed a prepared arrow with a piercing screech. It nearly struck Lü Bu, who frowned, turned his horse, and seized the chance to break free from the encirclement.