My son, how could you be Lü Bu?!

Chapter 113 The Generals' Choices

Yunzhong County.

The few thousand Han soldiers who had barely survived set up camp near Yunzhong City.

The remaining thousands of laborers, after receiving their wages, hurriedly left, unwilling to stay longer among the Han army.

However... these laborers were, after all, villagers from the surrounding area. After receiving their wages, they had money in their hands and began to spend it lavishly.

In a short time.

The area around Cloud City is bustling with activity.

The soldiers, who were bound by their duties and had not yet been officially recognized for their military achievements, were all itching to join the army in Yunzhong County.

In their leisure time, they often wander around in groups near the clouds.

Ten days later.

The cavalry that had traveled to and from Luoyang finally returned, bringing back the rewards and honors bestowed upon the various military generals for their contributions in this great battle.

Tian Yan summoned his generals and publicly bestowed rewards and prizes upon them.

This day.

Lü Ping was leading Lü Bu through the market that had spontaneously formed outside the camp. The two wandered aimlessly, occasionally buying snacks and putting them in their mouths.

"Father."

Following behind Lü Ping, Lü Bu chewed on sticky candy, his face full of doubt.

"Why is it that their rewards have already been given, but ours and that Tanaka-ro-sho's have not yet been given?"

Lu Ping, however, was well aware of the situation and remained completely calm.

"The rest of us have to go to Luoyang."

"Having met the Emperor, you will naturally know."

Lu Bu was puzzled again.

"Father, if that's the case, shouldn't we head to Luoyang immediately? Why are we still lingering here?"

"You should know that the Lieutenant General announced the rewards and punishments two days ago."

"Gongsun Du, who took credit for my military achievements, has already returned home. I've heard that, relying on his father's connections, he has been appointed as the governor of Ji Province!"

As he spoke, Lü Bu let out another long sigh, his face full of envy.

"Father, tell me, how come Gongsun Du is so lucky?"

"He clearly comes from an ordinary background; his father was just a minor official, similar to me."

"But coincidentally, he shared the same name and surname as Gongsun Yu's son who died young, and they were about the same age. Gongsun Yu took a liking to him and adopted him as his son."

"Gongsun Du only rose to prominence after he became the adopted son of his godfather, eventually becoming the governor of Ji Province!"

Upon hearing this, Lü Ping raised an eyebrow, feigning anger, and glared at Lü Bu.

"What's wrong?"

"Does Fengxian despise his father's lowly birth and want to find a higher-ranking adoptive father who can help him after entering Luoyang?"

"Father is innocent!"

Lu Bu chuckled and quickly waved his hand.

"How dare you?!"

Seeing Lü Bu's expression, Lü Ping seemed to have thought of something, and his eyes flickered slightly.

"but..."

"If possible, you should find a godfather... Actually, it's not impossible."

This statement came out.

Lu Bu looked completely bewildered, not understanding what his father meant.

Lü Ping continued walking, wandering around the market.

They spotted some laborers ahead who had been given horses as a reward and were selling them in public.

Lu Ping suddenly remembered Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang, the horse merchants from Zhongshan who had previously wanted to stay by his side.

After the battle, he had specifically ordered people to collect a batch of Xianbei horses.

Thinking that Su and Zhang had followed him for so long, he felt he should give them some benefits.

It's just a pity.

Since the Han army camp was captured, Su and Zhang have disappeared without a trace.

even.

Even Liu Bei and Wei Xu didn't know where they were now.

After the battle, Lü Ping even sent people to search for the two men's bodies, but they were never found.

Look at these horse traders.

Lu Ping was stunned for a moment.

Lu Bu, meanwhile, followed closely behind Lu Ping, his eyes filled with thought.

Just as Lü Bu was pondering the meaning of his father's words.

As if he had seen something again, Lü Ping suddenly stopped.

He smiled and spoke softly.

"Fengxian, didn't you ask why we should have left long ago? Why are we still lingering in the clouds, not returning to Jiuyuan, not going to Luoyang?"

Look ahead.

"They're here."

Lu Ping suddenly stopped.

Lu Bu, who was following closely behind, couldn't stop and crashed into him.

The impact sent his father, who had just been injured, stumbling and falling several steps before he could barely regain his balance.

Lu Ping winced in pain, glaring and turning his head away.

Lu Bu quickly avoided his father's gaze and looked ahead.

All I can see is that...

Several soldiers stood in front, looking around. When they spotted the Lü family father and son, their faces lit up with joy, and they strode towards them.

He looked as if he had been searching for the Lü family father and son for a long time.

These soldiers were all acquaintances: Cheng Lian, Song Xian, Wei Yue, Han Dang, Cheng Pu, and Cao Xing.

The six soldiers walked briskly, while Cheng Lian, Han Dang, and Song Xian, who had been injured earlier, walked more slowly and needed help from others.

The six people drew closer and closer, their figures becoming clearer and clearer.

As they approached, Lü Bu noticed that the clothing worn by these six men was actually divided into two distinct groups:

One group, all smiles, dressed in plain clothes with swords at their waists, dressed as wandering knights as usual, while the other group, with slightly more serious expressions, dressed as officials, wearing official seals at their waists.

Seeing this scene.

Having already given some command, Lü Bu had a vague idea in his mind. He looked at his father with a look of astonishment.

"Father, this...this...this...what are they...?"

Lu Ping remained silent, simply observing the six generals under his command.

The six generals, each with a different expression, walked in front of Lü Ping. As Cheng Lian softly called out to them, they disregarded the many villagers around them and bowed directly to Lü Ping.

This aroused the curiosity of the surrounding villagers.

then.

Han Dang, Wei Yue, and Cao Xing stepped forward and stood behind Lü Ping. They were dressed as wandering knights, with nothing at their waists, no official seals, only a long sword.

The decision was made.

Han Dang, who had been promoted to the rank of Liubai Shi Qu Junhou under Lü Ping, breathed a sigh of relief. Wei Yue and Cao Xing, on the other hand, were used to being chivalrous and carefree, and didn't care at all.

Cheng Pu, Cheng Lian, and Song Xian, however, were all dressed in official robes, with either a yellow ribbon with a copper seal or a black ribbon with a copper seal at their waists, and stood in the same place.

The three men stood facing Lü Ping.

Cheng Lian, with bandages wrapped around his waist, couldn't straighten up due to his injury. He looked at Lü Ping with hesitant eyes, as if he wanted to say something but didn't. Cheng Pu touched the seal on his waist with a complicated expression. Song Xian, on the other hand, had no arm around his waist, but straightened his back with a calm expression.

Look at the expressions on the faces of the three people who chose to stay for various reasons, such as being injured and unable to withstand the turbulence, or not having the right fate (gratitude).

Especially Cheng Lian, who looked like he was about to be separated from his loved one by death.

Lu Ping took a step forward and stood in front of Cheng Lian, who was hanging his head and looking extremely dejected, with a slight smile on his face.

"What's wrong... Brother Lian, you're not happy now that you've become a Sima with a salary of 1,000 shi?"

"Your Uncle Lü is just going to Luoyang to report on his duties; it's not like he won't be coming back."

Cheng Lian's eyes immediately reddened, and he whispered something.

"I am naturally pleased to be appointed as a military commander with a salary of 1,000 shi (a unit of grain), but... I feel that it will be difficult for me to serve and follow by the side of Uncle Lü and my elder brother in the future..."

talking.

He suddenly looked up at Lü Ping and said through gritted teeth.

"Lu Bo!"

"Or...or...Lian Ye will resign his official post and go to Luoyang with you!"

Upon hearing Cheng Lian's somewhat emotional decision, Lü Ping, who had already made arrangements in his mind, paused for a moment, sighed softly, and slowly shook his head.

He didn't speak.

He simply reached out and gently patted Cheng Lian's shoulder.

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