Wei Xiaobao's Three Kingdoms Adventure

Chapter 100 Undercurrents Beneath the Surface

Early that morning, Zhang Fei came to Wei Xiaobao to drink again.

The two men had barely sat down, their glasses barely filled, when news arrived of a resounding victory on the front lines. Zhao Yun's cavalry had ambushed Ji Ling's forces on the plains, killing hundreds. Liu Bei and Guan Yu, relying on the terrain along the Huai River, were holding off Yuan Shu's forces, with both sides experiencing successes and setbacks.

Zhang Fei heard the battle report and emptied his glass of wine. He said, "Everyone is off to the front lines making achievements, while I'm just sitting here drinking alone."

Wei Xiaobao advised: "Don't I still have you by my side?"

Zhang Fei said, "You've already done a great service by delivering this intelligence. If I were to fight Yuan Shu, there wouldn't be a clear winner. I would have chopped off Yuan Shu's head long ago."

Wei Xiaobao said, "If you go to the front, leaving me alone to defend Xia Pi, wouldn't it be disastrous if someone attacks the city?"

Zhang Fei said, "Cao Cao's army is currently stationed in Xuchang. To capture Xiapi, he must first pass through Xiaopei, where Lü Bu is guarding. What are you worried about?"

Wei Xiaobao's heart skipped a beat, and he said, "So, my second brother isn't worried about Cao Cao, he's worried about Lu Bu!"

Zhang Fei downed another glass of wine and asked, "Why are you worried about Lü Bu? Lü Bu fell for Cao Cao's treacherous scheme in Yanzhou and lost Puyang. Does he have a good memory?"

Wei Xiaobao said, "Oh, it's all my fault for only wanting to steal the imperial seal and forgetting that Lü Bu came to me for help. Lü Bu was able to kill Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo, so he will definitely betray me. Quick, put the wine away! No more drinking."

Zhang Fei was already angry, and when he heard that Wei Xiaobao wouldn't let him drink, he swept all the wine jars and glasses on the table to the ground with one arm and said, "My eldest brother asked me to look after the house, my second brother didn't let me drink, and now he won't let you have a good time either."

Wei Xiaobao explained, "You're drunk. If Lu Bu attacks me, I won't be able to defeat him!"

Zhang Fei said, "If Lü Bu dares to attack us, let him have a taste of my spear."

Suddenly, someone outside the door came to report: "Report! Urgent news from the front, Lu Bu has led his troops out of the city and is heading straight for Xia Pi!"

Zhang Fei was not surprised but delighted. He rubbed his hands excitedly and shouted, "Come here, bring me my Zhangba Snake Spear."

Zhang Fei took Wei Xiaobao to the top of the city gate tower, and soon they saw a large flag with the word "Lu" on it in the distance.

Zhang Fei laughed out loud: "Haha, it really is Lu Bu. I've been feeling really pent up these past two days, now I can finally have a good fight."

Wei Xiaobao stopped Zhang Fei and said, "Brother Liu Bei asked you to defend the city, so you are not allowed to go out and fight."

Zhang Fei was so eager to fight that he blew his beard with anger and shouted, "Lü Bu's head has been delivered to my door. How can I let this military achievement go unrewarded?"

During the Han Dynasty, soldiers' military merits went beyond counting kills, including special feats like being the first to reach the enemy line, breaking through enemy lines, beheading generals, and capturing flags. The most significant feat was beheading a general. This specifically referred to killing the enemy's highest commander, making this feat incredibly difficult to achieve. During a standoff between two armies, each commander would be stationed in the center, flanked by elite guards. However, if Lü Bu were to take on the role, the situation would naturally be different.

Lu Bu was known to be unrivaled in the world. If someone challenged him, why would he hide in the army and send others out?

Zhang Fei understood this reason, so he was eager to challenge Lu Bu in a duel.

Although Wei Xiaobao didn't understand these principles, he did understand that if Zhang Fei lost the duel, he wouldn't be able to defend Xia Pi City on his own. Wei Xiaobao continued, "Lü Bu's subordinate Chen Gong is full of evil plans. What if he has already set an ambush? Wouldn't it be a waste of your life if you went there? I can't defend Xia Pi by myself."

Zhang Fei had followed Liu Bei on many campaigns, and this was his first time defending a city as the supreme commander. Hearing Wei Xiaobao's reminder, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat and said, "Right, right, right, things are different now. If we lose Xia Pi, we'll have nowhere to go again. It's a pity that Lu Bu is right here, and it's really hard not to let me go out and have some fun."

Wei Xiaobao said, "As long as we hold on, when the army returns victorious, aren't you afraid that we won't have a chance to fight Lu Bu? Then we can surround Lu Bu's troops, and my second brother and I will beat the drums to cheer you on. You'll have a great time."

Zhang Fei was overjoyed. He no longer thought about leaving the city to fight alone. Instead, he stood on the city gate tower and watched Lü Bu's troops approach the moat. Then he shouted, "My little boy, Lü Bu, you were defeated by Cao Cao in Yanzhou and had nowhere to go. My elder brother kindly took you in and allowed you to garrison in Xiaopei to recuperate. How dare you take advantage of my elder brother's absence to launch a surprise attack?"

Lü Bu, standing at the gate of the city, said, "A true man, born under heaven, how can he remain in a state of discontent and inferiority? Liu Bei also obtained Xuzhou from Tao Qian. Now, can I seize it from him again?"

Zhang Fei cursed: "How could my brother trust such a heartless thief like you!"

Lu Bu said no more and ordered the archers to shoot.

The moat of Xia Pi City was extremely wide, and most of Lu Bu's army's arrows fell into the moat. Even if there were some that could cross the river bank, they all hit the city wall.

Zhang Fei burst into laughter when he saw this.

Chen Gong had already ordered his men to challenge Zhang Fei and kept cursing him for being a coward.

Zhang Fei on the city wall couldn't stand being mocked and stomped his feet in anger. If Wei Xiaobao hadn't stopped him, he would have shouted to go out of the city to fight a duel.

Zhang Fei was already worried: "Brother didn't leave much food when he left. If we continue to be trapped like this, even if I don't leave the city to fight alone, someone will starve and surrender."

Wei Xiaobao had personally experienced Lu Zhi's encirclement and suppression of the Yellow Turban Army in Guangzong and Cao Cao and Lu Bu's battle in Yanzhou. He had long known the importance of food and grass, and when he heard what Zhang Fei said, he also became worried.

Wei Xiaobao suddenly remembered that when Guo Jia and Xun Yu had advised Cao Cao to temporarily abandon the attack on Xuzhou, they had mentioned that the Danyang soldiers left by Tao Qian were at odds with Liu Bei, so he quickly asked, "Brother Zhang San, are there any of Tao Qian's former troops in Xuzhou?"

Zhang Fei didn't understand why Wei Xiaobao suddenly asked this. He pointed to a man in the distance and said, "That Cao Bao is the general of the Danyang army. He used to be a subordinate of Lord Tao."

Wei Xiaobao said, "When I was in Chenliu, I heard from Cao Cao's men that the Danyang faction in Xuzhou City was at odds with Brother Liu Bei. If Cao Bao and Lu Bu colluded, we would be in real danger."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "That's what I did when I was in Guangzong. I had to be on guard against others."

Zhang Fei said, "Besides Cao Bao, there's also Xu Dan. These two have always been secretly disobeying my brother."

Wei Xiaobao then realized that Xuzhou City was just as Guo Jia had predicted. While all appeared harmonious on the surface, the three factions of Liu Bei, Lü Bu, and the Danyang soldiers had already been falling apart. If Lü Bu could launch a surprise attack today while Liu Bei was away with his troops, the Danyang soldiers would betray Liu Bei and surrender before him tomorrow.

Wei Xiaobao was glad that he had reminded Zhang Fei. The only thing he could do now was to hope that Liu Bei would receive the news that Xia Pi was besieged and rush back to rescue him in time.

(End of this chapter)