Wei Xiaobao's Three Kingdoms Adventure

Chapter 70: Retreat

Shuang'er and the other two had already returned from the foot of the mountain and were calling Wei Xiaobao for help.

When Wei Xiaobao came out of the thatched cottage, he saw Shuang'er and Mu Jianping carrying a lot of things in their hands, and even Liu Xie was carrying a big white goose on his little shoulders.

Diao Chan also came up to help and asked, "Why did you suddenly go shopping for so many things?"

Shuang'er and Mu Jianping smiled at each other and said, "These are all prepared for your wedding."

The two girls smiled at each other after they finished speaking. Diao Chan blushed.

After putting the things away and assigning the tasks, Shuang'er went to the kitchen to prepare the evening banquet. Liu Xie assisted her, while Mu Jianping accompanied Diao Chan into the room to dress up. Only Wei Xiaobao and Lu Zhi, two grown men, could not help and sat in the room chatting.

It is rare to find a peaceful scene in the desolate mountains and wilderness during the chaotic times.

Red candles, red veils, and a table full of home-cooked dishes that were not rich but filling, this was Wei Xiaobao's wedding.

Wei Xiaobao and Diao Chan had just finished bowing to Lu Zhi when they heard a voice from outside: "Brother, there are red lanterns and red peach charms. Could it be that Master Lu is getting married today?"

Another voice said, "Third brother, don't talk nonsense."

Lu Zhi heard the noise outside and said to Wei Xiaobao with a smile, "I didn't expect someone would come to congratulate you today."

Wei Xiaobao was curious and turned around to see three people standing outside the door.

The room was bright, but dark outside. The three men stood in the shadows but did not enter. The leader clasped his fists and said, "Student Liu Bei greets the teacher."

Lu Zhi helped Wei Xiaobao up, turned to Mu Jianping and said, "Wen Ji, go and invite your brother in."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "So it's Liu Bei. Doesn't that mean Lord Guan is here too? Damn it! Even Lord Guan is here to attend my wedding. Isn't that a huge honor for me?"

Liu Bei and his two brothers had already followed Mu Jianping into the house.

When Wei Xiaobao saw Guan Yu, whom he had been thinking about day and night, he almost pulled Diao Chan to kowtow to Guan Yu.

Lu Zhi pointed at Wei Xiaobao and said, "Xuan De, this is the Wei Xiaobao I mentioned to you the other day. I have adopted him as my adopted son, and today is his wedding day."

Lu Zhi pulled Wei Xiaobao aside and said, "Xiaobao, this is also your student, a descendant of King Jing of Zhongshan, and Prime Minister of Pingyuan, Liu Bei."

Wei Xiaobao stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Wei Xiaobao, courtesy name Bozhi, is honored to meet you, brother."

Liu Bei quickly helped him up.

Wei Xiaobao saluted Guan Yu and Zhang Fei respectively and said, "Greetings to Second Brother Guan and Third Brother Zhang."

Guan Yu nodded.

Zhang Fei laughed heartily. "I didn't expect you to know me, Old Zhang. It's a shame I didn't know about my brother's wedding today, so I came empty-handed. I'll make it up to you another day."

Lu Zhi waved his hand and said, "We are in such a state of chaos right now, there is no need to worry about these etiquettes. Since we have caught up with Xiaobao's wedding, let's take the table together."

After saying this, Lu Zhi asked everyone to sit around the table.

During the meal, everyone kept congratulating Wei Xiaobao and praising Shuang'er's cooking skills.

Wei Xiaobao wanted to have a few more drinks with Guan Yu, but he was worried that he would recognize him as the person who toasted him at Sishui Pass that day, so he didn't dare to be too polite. Instead, Zhang Fei was greedy for wine and kept drinking with Wei Xiaobao.

After the banquet, Wei Xiaobao sent Diao Chan back to his room. Before he had time to admire his wedding room and his bride, he was called over by Lu Zhi.

Lu Zhi waited for Wei Xiaobao to enter the room and said, "Xuan De has come from afar, so he must have something important to discuss. Since there's no one else here, you might as well speak directly."

Liu Bei first clasped his fists towards Wei Xiaobao and said, "I apologize for interrupting Bozhi's happy event."

Wei Xiaobao smiled and said it was fine. Liu Bei continued, "Cao Cao wants to attack Xuzhou to avenge my father, and Kong Rong, the Prime Minister of Beihai, wants me to go to support Tao Qian. I'm undecided, so I came to ask for your advice."

Lu Zhi asked, "Cao Cao has been recuperating in Qingzhou for a long time. Why did he suddenly attack Tao Qian?"

Liu Bei said, "After Cao Cao became the governor of Yanzhou, he wanted to take his father, Cao Song, to Taishan County to retire. However, while passing through Xuzhou, he was killed by Zhang Kai, a subordinate of Xuzhou Governor Tao Qian. Cao Cao, under the pretext of avenging his father, launched an attack, slaughtering many along the way, and the city of Xiapi was in imminent danger."

Lu Zhi said, "Cao Cao has long wanted to expand his territory. How could Tao Qian be so foolish? Isn't this just giving Cao Cao an excuse?"

Wei Xiaobao said, "I've met Zhang Kai. He loves to rob people on the road. He must have thought Cao Cao's father was a rich man and robbed him."

Lu Zhi asked, "How did you meet Zhang Kai?"

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "Not only have I met Zhang Kai, I've also met Tao Qian and Mi Zhu! I never thought that I pretended to be your son to deceive Tao Qian, and now I really have become your son."

Wei Xiaobao said, "My adoptive father asked me to go undercover in the Yellow Turban Army. I was on my way from Guangling Commandery to Jizhou when I passed through Xuzhou and was stopped by Zhang Kai."

Lu Zhi and Wei Xiaobao looked at each other.

Lu Zhi thought to himself, "He still remembers my instructions. I was right about him. If I were to explain this to Xuande again, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to explain it in a few words. It's better to leave it at that."

Liu Bei said, "Zhang Kai is truly despicable. He has harmed his lord and the people of Xuzhou for money. Master, my brother Gongsun Zan is currently at war with Yuan Shao. If I were to go to Xuzhou, I'm afraid Pingyuan City would be undefeatable. Besides, I only have a thousand soldiers under my command. Even if I were to go to Xuzhou, I wouldn't be able to resist Cao Cao's army."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "It seems you want to go, but you don't have any soldiers. Can your teacher, my godfather, recruit soldiers for you?"

Lu Zhi nodded and said, "Yuan Shao has captured Yecheng and taken over Han Fu's troops, and now his army is strong. Pingyuan is located between Yecheng and Bohai County, and Yuan Shao has troops stationed in Nanpi County. I'm afraid he will attack Pingyuan sooner or later. In this case, going to Xuzhou seems to be a solution for you."

Liu Bei said, "I think so too, but I still need troops. If you can ask me to lend you five thousand elite soldiers, I will surely be able to save Xuzhou."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "Why would you borrow troops from others to fight? But you'll even have to borrow Jingzhou from now on. I never lend money to others when I gamble. If I have money, I gamble. If I don't have money, I don't gamble. If I win with borrowed money, who gets the money?"

Lu Zhi said, "Gongsun Zan is in need of troops. I'm afraid even if I do this for your sake, I can't borrow 5,000 elite soldiers."

Liu Bei said, "Then my three brothers will have no choice but to go to Xuzhou alone."

Lu Zhi said, "Don't worry, Xuande. Even though I don't have 5,000 elite soldiers, I still have a way to make Cao Cao retreat."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "Oh right, we've already agreed to have Cao Cao go pick up Liu Xie. This way he'll have to fight Li Jue and Guo Si, so he won't have time to attack Xuzhou."

Liu Bei hurried to Xuzhou. Upon hearing Lu Zhi's plan to retreat, he clasped his fists and said, "Then my three brothers will go to Xiapi first to help Tao Qian defend the city."

After seeing off Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, Wei Xiaobao asked Lu Zhi, "Foster Father, did you tell my brother that the plan to retreat was to have Cao Cao go to Chenliu and wait for the emperor to come?"

Lu Zhi said, "Cao Cao is suspicious by nature, so this method might not be a safe one. I heard Guan Yu ask about something. He said he once saw you near Cao Cao. Is this true?"

Wei Xiaobao quickly said, "Yes, it happened. It was Situ Wang who asked me to go to Cao Cao and ask him about the assassination of Dong Zhuo. Situ Wang was worried that Dong Zhuo would ask about the Seven Star Sword, so we had no choice but to take precautions in advance."

Lu Zhi nodded and said, "Although Situ Wang is no longer with us, you still have to address him as father-in-law. Since you know Cao Cao, you must do this. Only if you personally inform Cao Cao will he not become suspicious, and only then can the crisis in Xuzhou be resolved."

Wei Xiaobao groaned inwardly, "Then I won't be able to go to Shouchun. Forget it. If Liu Bei is killed by Cao Cao in Xuzhou, then Xiao Xuanzi will definitely not be able to become emperor. Then there's no point in me going back."

Wei Xiaobao said, "As long as it can help to relieve the crisis in Xuzhou, I am willing to go."

Lu Zhi touched his head and said, "It's a pity that you have to part with Diao Chan just after getting married. But after you meet Cao Cao, go with him to Chenliu to welcome the emperor, and you and your wife will be reunited."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "Anyway, I promised Diao Chan that I wouldn't spend the wedding night with her, so I might as well go early."

Wei Xiaobao said, "Foster father, there is no time to lose. I will set off immediately."

Lu Zhi was very pleased. He went to Liu Xie to report his plan, and after obtaining Liu Xie's consent, he wrote a letter to Wei Xiaobao and asked him to rush to Xuzhou overnight.

(End of this chapter)