Chapter Fifty-Four: Breaking Through Barriers

Lu Bu spurred his horse and called out, “Zifan, come again tomorrow and let’s have a proper fight!”

A plume of dust rose behind him, suggesting a large cavalry force was closing in.

“Is that Governor Zifan of Youzhou ahead?” A rider galloped forward. “I am Liu Bei, Prefect of Pingyuan, sent by Governor Gongsun. Please let me pass and deliver my message.”

“I’ve long heard of you, Prefect Liu Bei!” Zifan quickly clasped his hands in greeting, his gaze lingering on Liu Bei, whose legendary role in dividing the realm into three was immortalized in history books. Zifan’s curiosity was piqued.

“Why would a general like you know of a mere prefect such as myself?” Liu Bei replied modestly.

“I’ve heard that Governor Gongsun has a kinsman of the imperial family under his command—his Majesty’s uncle. I’ve long wished to make your acquaintance. Moreover, the tale of Liu, Guan, and Zhang’s brotherhood in the Peach Garden is already spreading among the people. Your exploits against the Yellow Turbans are thunderous. Having met you today, your reputation is well deserved.”

“General Zifan, you are perceptive indeed, unlike those other lords who only sneer,” Zhang Fei bellowed with a laugh. “By the way, where is that turncoat Lü Bu?”

“Third Brother, mind your manners!” Liu Bei admonished. “General Zifan, please don’t take offense. My third brother is rough-spoken but means no harm. If you know Lü Bu’s whereabouts, please enlighten us.”

“Lü Bu is just ahead. I suspect Dong Zhuo is not far behind,” Zifan replied.

“In that case, let’s catch up to Lü Bu and deal with him first…”

System, are you there?

Help me check the stats for Liu, Guan, and Zhang… Certainly, host…

Please wait, host…

Liu Bei: Combat Power, 82; Strategy, 78; Hypocrisy, 100%; Command, 86.

Guan Yu: Combat Power, 94; Stamina, 80; Strategy, 78; Command, 82.

Zhang Fei: Combat Power, 92; Stamina, 93; Strategy, 74; Command, 80.

System, what on earth is “Hypocrisy”…?

Host, Liu Bei radiates benevolence, possesses irresistible charisma, and a silver tongue that moves men to tears—he is truly the Chosen One of the Three Kingdoms, blessed with an innate buff…

Heh… what nonsense…

The four pursued Lü Bu to the foot of a pass. There, atop a war chariot shaded by a blue silk parasol, sat a burly, imposing figure, with a large “Dong” character fluttering above.

Zhang Fei shouted, his voice booming, “That must be the villain Dong Zhuo! To capture the traitor, seize the king first—let’s grab Dong Zhuo and uproot the problem!”

“Dong Zhuo, prepare to die!” he roared, and without waiting for orders, led his men in a charge. Arrows rained down from the pass, forcing Zhang Fei to retreat.

Zifan rode up and said, “Dong Zhuo is cunning, and the Xiliang cavalry are fierce. We must reconsider our approach. Let us regroup and discuss our next move.”

Hulao Pass was a place of extreme strategic importance, difficult to assault due to its narrow, high fortifications. The three main passes were each formidable. Dagu Pass, fifty li south of Luoyang, was a deep valley fifteen kilometers long, flanked by rugged ravines and babbling streams, overgrown with shrubs. The terrain was natural and forbidding—a single man could hold off a thousand.

Zifan gazed at the valley road before Dagu Pass. “Jiayu Pass is the least treacherous of the three, seemingly the easiest to attack—but for that very reason, it will be heavily guarded. Xuanyuan Pass is the most perilous, with twelve sharp turns, winding and twisting; passage is slow and easy to ambush.

“As for Dagu Pass, though the valley is long, the land is flat and the road runs straight, with no places to hide troops. I doubt Dong Zhuo has enough men to lay an ambush here. Our best chance is to storm Dagu Pass straight to Luoyang. But Dong Zhuo will surely send Lü Bu to defend it—we must defeat Lü Bu to enter the capital.”

“Your words are as enlightening as ten years of study—such insight is uncanny!” Sun Jian exclaimed, clasping his hands in admiration.

“You flatter me, Brother Sun,” Zifan replied modestly. “If I’m not mistaken, Dong Zhuo is now leading his troops to Hulao Pass to confront the coalition army. The outcome won’t be decided soon—this is our chance to slip through the defenses. Gentlemen, do you have the confidence?”

“Yes! We are at your command, Brother Zifan,” Sun Jian answered with a smile.

“Brother Sun, lead your troops as the vanguard to assault Dagu Pass. Liu, Guan, and Zhang, head to Jiayu Pass. I’ll lead the main force to attack the central pass. Dong Zhuo will surely send reinforcements—you three must intercept them and let not a single soldier slip by.”

“Yes, sir!” they responded in unison.

The next day, Sun Jian mustered his forces and set up camp just out of arrow range from Dagu Pass. Raising his ancient saber, he stood tall in his saddle and shouted, “You on the pass! Were it not for villains deceiving me and depriving my army of supplies, I would not be here today. Surrender now, or when I break through, none shall be spared!”

Lü Bu stood atop the wall, sword in hand, and sneered, “Just a pack of chickens and dogs. I routed them only moments ago—now they want another bout? Who among you dares come forth and prove yourself before the might of the Xiliang cavalry?”

“I volunteer!” General Hou Cheng stepped forward with a salute.

“Well said! General Hou, your martial prowess is unmatched—you will surely vanquish this foe. I shall commend you to the Chancellor upon your return. Make it quick!” Lü Bu encouraged him.

Hu Zhen took up his spear with confidence. “General, once I slay this man, I shall return victorious!”

As Hou Cheng rode out, Zu Mao on Sun Jian’s side wasted no words, leapt onto his horse, and charged. In a few exchanges, Hou Cheng began to falter; the difference in their skills was clear. Hou Cheng could only hold on desperately, unable to strike back.

Zu Mao, realizing he couldn’t finish his opponent quickly, feinted an opening. Hou Cheng’s eyes lit up, and he thrust at Zu Mao’s chest. Zu Mao dodged, roared, and brought his blade down, cleaving Hou Cheng’s head.

Seeing Hou Cheng slain so swiftly, Lü Bu was shocked—he had underestimated the strength of the coalition.

Hou Cheng was not the best in the army, but he was by no means weak. To fall so quickly was unexpected.

Delighted by Zu Mao’s victory, Sun Jian led his troops to press the attack.

Arrows rained down from the walls. Zu Mao led his men, hauling long scaling ladders up the walls, while catapults, battering rams, and crossbows pounded the gates. Determined to redeem himself, Sun Jian had brought ample siege equipment.

Inside the pass, Lü Bu realized that holding out was futile—casualties were mounting, and the Xiliang troops were ill-suited to siege warfare; open battle was their forte.

So Lü Bu led his wolf cavalry out to meet Sun Jian in pitched combat. Gradually, Sun Jian sensed something was wrong—these wolf cavalry were Xiliang’s elite, powerful and fierce. Infantry against cavalry was a deadly mismatch.

Reluctantly, Sun Jian let Lü Bu withdraw. Watching Lü Bu’s retreating figure, Sun Jian could only sigh in frustration.