Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 114 Overpowering Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, Liu Bei Forcefully Enters Luoyang (Seeking updates and monthly votes)
what's the situation?
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao exchanged a glance, both filled with doubt.

They said they came to demonstrate, how did it turn into a fight to the death?
"Captain He, have you gone to provoke Liu Bei?" Cao Cao rode up to He Xian and asked with a frown.

After the Western Garden Army sided with He Jin, Cao Cao became very close to He Xian and often visited He Xian's residence.

"Commander Cao, I really didn't know!" He Xian was on the verge of tears, and said indignantly, "This Ma Chao from Fufeng, who claims to be a disciple of the Governor of Yongzhou, suddenly ran to the front lines and said he wanted to fight to the death! I ignored him, but he kept challenging me to a duel. Was he doing it on purpose?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao sighed: "Colonel He guessed correctly; the other side did it on purpose. We set up our troops here to demonstrate our strength, and Liu Bei sent someone to challenge us to battle. If we send someone to accept the challenge, that would be a declaration of war, and the consequences would be unpredictable; if we do not accept the challenge, today's demonstration will only bring shame upon ourselves."

Yuan Shao rode up and sighed, "It's a pity my retainers Yan Liang and Wen Chou haven't arrived. If either of them were here, they certainly wouldn't let Ma Chao show off. Does Colonel He have any brave warriors under his command who can capture Ma Chao alive?"

Cao Cao was speechless: "They've already shown their defiance, and you're still stirring things up, Yuan Shao?"

Knowing Yuan Shao's consistent character, Cao Cao wisely refrained from speaking further.

The demonstration was He Jin's idea. Although Cao Cao had a good relationship with He Xian, he wouldn't ruin Yuan Shao's plans for He Xian's sake.

However, Yuan Shao overestimated He Xian's courage.

It was already He Xian's limit to come out and demonstrate; how could he possibly have the guts to send someone to fight Ma Chao?

“There’s already a misunderstanding. We can’t let Liu Yongzhou misunderstand any further.” He Xian shook his head and then summoned Pan Yin to discuss the matter.

Before they could reach a decision, another rider appeared from behind Ma Chao, shouting, "Liu Yongzhou has a message for you: we were once comrades in the Western Garden Army, and he does not wish to fight you. If you do not retreat within a quarter of an hour, it will be considered a provocation against Liu Yongzhou. Swords and spears have no eyes; life and death are in the hands of fate!"

It was Fazheng who arrived.

The two riders stood before the four thousand soldiers of the Western Garden Army, undaunted and fearless.

On the other hand, He Xian was now in a difficult situation.

Yuan Shao, however, was still indignant: "Liu Bei is too arrogant! This is intolerable! Colonel He, please order these two to be captured, lest the Great General lose face!"

擒？
proceed if you can!
He Xian was irritated and shouted, "Liu Yongzhou was summoned by the General, how can he be so disrespectful? Get out of here immediately."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade He Xian, Yuan Shao felt contempt and silently withdrew.

Cao Cao glanced at He Xian and then followed Yuan Shao to retreat.

"Benchu, what is your intention in encouraging He Xian like this?" Cao Cao asked in a low voice.

Yuan Shao scoffed, "He just wanted to test whether the General's son had any guts. After seeing him today, he truly lives up to his reputation as a butcher's family. A dog father and a dog son, utterly lacking in courage."

You make it sound like you actually dared to do it, Benchu.

Before he could finish speaking, Cao Cao praised him further, saying, "Benchu ​​is a master strategist. It's a pity that He Xian is too cowardly; otherwise, with the chaos of the army, he could have helped the General eliminate Liu Bei today. At that time, Benchu ​​would have made a great contribution."

Yuan Shao's lips curled slightly: "It's alright. If one plan fails, we can try another. Today, we have nothing to do with each other; let's just watch the show."

After discussing it with Pan Yin, He Xian decided to send someone to explain the misunderstanding first.

At this moment, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao had already retreated to the rear, and since Yuan Shao kept trying to stir up trouble, He Xian dared not send Yuan Shao.

He Xian finally chose Pan Yin, saying, "Commander Pan, no one else knows Liu Yongzhou, so I'll trouble you to make the trip."

Although Pan Yin was unwilling, he had no choice but to ride out of the battle and bow to Ma Chao and Fa Zheng: "I am Pan Yin, a military officer of the Western Garden Army. We are not here to obstruct you. Please allow me to see Liu Yongzhou and clear up the misunderstanding."

Ma Chao and Fa Zheng exchanged a glance, and then Fa Zheng returned.

A short while later, Fa Zheng called out, "The teacher wants you to come over."

Just as Pan Yin was about to spur his horse, Fa Zheng called out again, "Commander Pan, are you going to see my teacher? Do you intend to bring a weapon with you?"

Pan Yin clenched his fists, suppressed his anger, placed his long spear in the field, and then unfastened his sword and bow and arrows, saying, "Do you want me to remove my armor?"

Fa Zheng smiled and said, "No need to remove your armor. Please!"

If it weren't for the fear of causing Liu Bei to misunderstand, Pan Yin really wouldn't have been able to tolerate it.

Taking a deep breath, Pan Yin followed Fa Zheng and Ma Chao to see Liu Bei.

Seeing Liu Bei resting on the ground under his banner, Pan Yin felt a surge of anger rising within him for no apparent reason.

"Pan Yin, the military officer of the Western Garden Army, greets Liu Yongzhou." Pan Yin tried to keep his tone calm.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei slowly opened his eyes, looked Pan Yin up and down, and sneered: "A traitor who sells out his master for personal gain can actually become a military officer? Pan Yin, do you know shame?"

Pan Yin's expression changed drastically: "Liu Yongzhou, what makes you say such a thing?"

Liu Bei sneered and rebuked, "Jian Shuo wanted to kill the Grand General, and you, as Jian Shuo's Sima, betrayed him to the Grand General. Have you ever considered that if one day you help the Prince reclaim the throne, will you still have a chance to live?"
"Liu Yongzhou, are you going to break your promise to the General?" Pan Yin was both surprised and frightened, and took several steps back.

Liu Bei straightened up, placed his palms on his legs, and said slowly, "Since I have agreed to the General's promise, I will not break my word; but if the General breaks the promise first, why should I abide by it?"

"Misunderstanding! This is a misunderstanding!" Pan Yin hurriedly explained, "Today, I, along with Commandant He, Commandant Yuan, and Commandant Cao, have come to welcome Liu Yongzhou into Luoyang."

"You brought four battalions of soldiers to greet me? Do you even believe that yourself?" Liu Bei looked up at Pan Yin, his sharp gaze causing Pan Yin to take another half step back.

Then Liu Bei rose and slowly walked towards Pan Yin, his tone becoming even more murderous: "From the moment my disciple notified you, if you do not retreat within a quarter of an hour, it will be considered a provocation against me. Han Sui, who plagued Xiliang, was annihilated by me in a single battle. You can also try to see if these four battalions of soldiers can stop me today. I don't mind marching into Luoyang today and supporting the Crown Prince to ascend the throne."

Pan Yin was even more terrified: "Prefect Liu, please calm down. Today is truly a misunderstanding!"

"Get out!" Liu Bei roared, and his warriors on either side shouted in unison.

Pan Yin dared not linger any longer and fled in a panic, even having to climb onto his horse several times before he could get on.

"Your Excellency was quite imposing just now, aren't you worried that He Jin will be angered?" Xu You clapped his hands and laughed.

Liu Bei regained his usual gentle demeanor and smiled, saying, "It was He Jin who invited me to Luoyang, not me who begged to come. He Jin's subordinates are impolite, but does that mean He Jin himself is impolite?"

Xu You added, "I heard from Pan Yin that besides He Jin's son, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao also came today. If you want to avoid trouble in Luoyang, you'll have to intimidate them."

"Oh?" Liu Bei was slightly surprised: "Ziyuan is on good terms with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, why are you asking me to intimidate them?"

Xu You replied without hesitation: "My friendship with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao is a private matter; advising you to intimidate them is a public matter. Since I am working for you, I cannot let personal matters interfere with public affairs and allow Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to ruin your plans."

Liu Bei beckoned, and Chen Dao brought his green horse, Qingzhui, to him.

As he mounted his horse, Liu Bei smiled and said, "That makes sense. Now that I am the Governor of Yongzhou, it is only proper for me to reminisce with my former colleagues." As Liu Bei's banner moved, the Yongzhou army advanced toward the formation of the Western Garden Army.

Compared to the Xiyuan Army in Luoyang, which had almost no combat experience, Liu Bei's Yongzhou Army had seen bloodshed.

Furthermore, having been trained by Huangfu Song and Liu Bei respectively, their morale alone was far superior to that of the Xiyuan Army.

This is the difference between the border troops and the imperial guards!
Before the Yongzhou army even got close, the Xiyuan soldiers began to panic and move about, and some even deserted their ranks and fled!

"How could the discipline of the Western Garden Army have deteriorated so much in just a few months?"

Liu Bei, who had once commanded the Xiyuan Army, couldn't help but sigh when he saw how badly the Xiyuan Army had deteriorated in just a few months.

First, Pan Yin returned in a sorry state, and then Liu Bei led his troops to attack. He Xian was already in a panic.

He Xian disregarded his pride and spurred his horse into battle, shouting, "Prefect Liu, today's events are a misunderstanding!"

Liu Bei ignored He Xian and shouted, "Central Army Colonel Yuan Shao, Commandant of the Army Cao Cao, come out and see me at once!"

Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, who were watching from the back, both changed their expressions. They had been watching the show from the back, but they did not expect Liu Bei to shout it out in public.

"That scoundrel Liu Bei!" Yuan Shao's face instantly turned gloomy.

He didn't want to pay attention, but He Xian urgently summoned Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Whether they wanted to or not, they could no longer hide behind the enemy lines.

Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh inwardly: I told you not to provoke Liu Bei, but you insisted on doing so. Now look what's happened, Liu Bei is going to show off his power again.

Despite harboring resentment towards Yuan Shao, Cao Cao could only force a smile as he approached the front lines, greeting him warmly: "Xuande, it's been several months since we last met. How have you been?"

By addressing Liu Bei as Xuande instead of Liu Yongzhou, Cao Cao was implying that he wanted to discuss personal matters.

Yuan Shao, standing to the side, remained silent with a cold face, inwardly despising Cao Cao's shrewdness.

As a proud son of the Yuan family, a family that has produced three dukes for four generations, how could I possibly curry favor with a mere commoner?

Liu Bei laughed loudly: "Brother Mengde, it's been several months since we last met, and you haven't changed at all. Why are you still following Yuan Shao around, wagging your tail for food? A true man should be born between heaven and earth, wielding a three-foot sword to establish unparalleled fame. You are a hero of our time, how can you be content to be subservient to others? Why not join me and carve out your own path? Wouldn't that be even more unrestrained and carefree?"

Cao Cao's smile vanished abruptly.

On one hand, he cursed himself as a dog wagging its tail and begging for mercy in front of Yuan Shao; on the other hand, he boasted that he was a hero of the time; and in front of Yuan Shao, he used a divisive tactic.

I knew it would turn out like this; I shouldn't have provoked Liu Bei at this time!

Seeing that Cao Cao no longer responded, Liu Bei looked at Yuan Shao and mocked, "Oh, isn't this Yuan Shao? When I was at Pingguan, I asked you to come back, but you claimed to be ill and didn't return. Now that you're cured, do you catch a disease wherever I am? If your old illness relapses, you can come to me. I also know a little about medicine."

"Liu Bei!" Yuan Shao's face had turned a deep shade of liver with rage.

As a member of the Yuan family, apart from being humiliated by Yuan Shu, when had Yuan Shao ever suffered such humiliation?
Seeing that Yuan Shao was about to lose his composure, Cao Cao quickly reminded him, "Benchu, don't fall for Liu Bei's provocation."

Under Cao Cao's urgent persuasion, Yuan Shao suppressed his anger and forced a smile: "I appreciate Liu Yongzhou's kindness. If my old illness really relapses, I will definitely come to Liu Yongzhou for treatment."

Huh?
They actually held back?
Yuan Shen, facing adversity, is indeed a formidable opponent.

"Of course! Of course!" Liu Bei laughed heartily, then pointed to the Western Garden soldiers behind him: "Just now, Commandant He said that today's events were a misunderstanding. You are not here to stop me, but to welcome me. Is that not so?"

"Liu Yongzhou, this is indeed a misunderstanding." Yuan Shao suppressed his discomfort and smiled as before.

Liu Bei waved his hand: "In that case, let the Xiyuan troops lower their flags and drums and march in formation with the Yongzhou army to avoid being misunderstood. From here to Luoyang, the road is flat and open, and I don't want any banners other than those of the Yongzhou army to appear. Is this request reasonable?"

Whether it was Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, He Xian, or Pan Yin, their expressions all changed.

If the Xiyuan soldiers don't even carry their flags, then are they the Xiyuan soldiers or the Yongzhou soldiers going to Luoyang?
"Why don't I lead the Western Garden troops ahead?" He Xian suggested.

Liu Bei turned to He Xian with a gentle smile: "Colonel He, since you have come to welcome me, how could you lead the Western Garden troops ahead? Did the General summon me here not to show off to the Empress Dowager and the eunuchs in Luoyang?"

“Think about it carefully. I only have two thousand soldiers. This demonstration will definitely not be very effective. If you all lay low and follow me, we will have a total of six thousand soldiers. This will surely frighten the Empress Dowager and the eunuchs.”

"As long as you don't say anything and I don't say anything, with the truth and lies intertwined, how can the Empress Dowager and the eunuchs guess how many troops I brought?"

That scoundrel is truly treacherous!

Yuan Shao cursed under his breath again.

The entry of 6,000 Yongzhou troops into Luoyang, along with 2,000 Yongzhou troops, not only intimidated the Empress Dowager and the eunuchs, but also other figures who responded by entering the capital, such as Dong Zhuo, Wang Kuang, Qiao Mao, and Ding Yuan.

Even if someone told everyone that Liu Bei actually only had two thousand soldiers from Yongzhou, they would still have doubts.

Who knows if Liu Bei's two thousand troops were real or fake?
What if it's fake? Wouldn't it be asking for trouble if we just ran into it head-on?

"What if we are unwilling?" He Xian was still struggling.

Liu Bei's smile remained unchanged: "Captain He, I don't think your decision is valid. Why don't you go back and consult the General? If the General is unwilling to cease hostilities, I will absolutely not force you!"

Threat!

This is definitely a threat!

He Xian felt his blood and qi surging wildly again.

Without consulting He Jin, Liu Bei was a valiant warrior summoned to Luoyang; but if he did consult He Jin, Liu Bei's stance would be uncertain.

Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh again: "We've let a wolf into the house! Yuan Shao, you're too confident! Liu Bei isn't someone who would easily enter Luoyang. If he dares to come, he must have something to rely on!"

"I, the commander of the army camp, am willing to lower the flags and silence the drums to welcome Liu Yongzhou." Cao Cao decisively chose to back down. As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. There is no need to offend Liu Bei to death at this time.

Yuan Shao glanced at Cao Cao and also chose to back down: "The central army camp is willing to lower its flags and silence its drums to welcome Liu Yongzhou."

Seeing that both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao had given in, He Xian sighed helplessly: "Go to the military camp and lower the flags and silence the drums to welcome Liu Yongzhou."

Pan Yin glanced fearfully at Liu Bei, then bowed and yielded, saying, "We are willing to lower our flags and silence our drums to welcome Liu Yongzhou."

Seeing the four men yield, Liu Bei's smile widened: "It should have been done long ago. I came all the way from Chang'an to deter the villains for the General. How can we let them fight amongst themselves before the eunuchs are even eliminated?"

(End of this chapter)