Reborn Liu Bei: I'll lead this Three Kingdoms to victory!

When Sun Jian arrived at Suanzao, Liu Bei truly witnessed what a "fierce tiger" was.

It's not an adjective; it really does resemble a tiger.

Sun Jian was in his thirties, broad-shouldered and burly, with thick eyebrows and large eyes. He was clad in iron armor and walked with a powerful stride. Behind him were four generals—Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, and Zu Mao—each exuding a murderous aura.

"Brother Wentai!" Yuan Shao greeted him warmly, "You've finally arrived!"

Sun Jian cupped his hands in greeting: "Thank you for waiting so long, Lord Benchu. I was in Luyang reorganizing my troops, which caused the delay."

"It's good you've come, it's good you've come!" Yuan Shao pulled Sun Jian into the main tent. "Now that Hua Xiong is dead, Sishui Pass will fall soon. Wentai's arrival is just in time!"

The various lords stepped forward to exchange pleasantries.

Sun Jian returned the greetings one by one, but his expression carried a hint of arrogance—he was a general who had fought his way up in real battles, and he looked down on these warlords who only knew how to talk big.

When it was Liu Bei's turn, Sun Jian glanced at him a few more times.

"You're Liu Bei? Guan Yu, the one who slew Hua Xiong, is he your subordinate?"

"Indeed." Liu Bei smiled. "I have long heard of your great reputation in Jiangdong, and seeing you today, I can confirm that it is well-deserved."

Sun Jian waved his hand: "Just an empty reputation. Your brother is not bad. If you have the chance, let him spar with me."

This was said bluntly, but without malice; it was simply an expression of appreciation between military officers.

"I will definitely do so if I have the chance," Liu Bei said.

That evening, Yuan Shao hosted a banquet to welcome Sun Jian.

During the banquet, Sun Jian spoke frankly: "Lord Yuan, more than a month has passed since the alliance meeting at Suanzao. Apart from Liu Bei beheading Hua Xiong, have there been any other victories?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the various lords turned rather unpleasant.

Yuan Shao said awkwardly, "Well... Dong Zhuo is holding the pass, making it difficult to take it quickly..."

"No matter how dangerous the pass, we must fight it," Sun Jian said. "Tomorrow I will lead my army to attack Sishui Pass. However, I need you all to provide provisions, weapons, and... support."

"Support?" Yuan Shao asked.

"I will lead the main attack, while the other warlords will divide their forces to contain Dong Zhuo's reinforcements," Sun Jian said decisively. "Who is willing to join me in the vanguard?"

The feudal lords looked at each other, but no one uttered a sound.

To lead the charge? Or to commit suicide?

Liu Bei chuckled inwardly.

This group of people is indeed unreliable.

"I am willing to follow Brother Wentai into battle." Liu Bei stood up.

Everyone was stunned.

Is this kid really not afraid of death?

Sun Jian's eyes lit up: "Good! Liu Bei, I accept you as my brother!"

Seeing this, Yuan Shao had no choice but to say, "Then... Xuande will go with Wentai. The rest of you, divide your forces and provide support."

After the banquet, Cao Cao caught up with Liu Bei.

"Xuande, are you really going to go with Sun Jian to lead the charge?" Cao Cao said in a low voice. "Sun Jian is brave, but... too reckless. This trip will be dangerous."

"Don't worry, Commandant Cao," Liu Bei said with a smile. "I know what I'm doing."

"That's good." Cao Cao patted Liu Bei on the shoulder. "Take care."

Back in his tent, Guan Yu frowned: "Brother, are we really going to risk our lives?"

"Don't fight to the death." Liu Bei shook his head. "Sun Jian is the main force; we are just supporting attackers. Remember, the goal of this battle is not to break through the pass, but... to observe."

"Observe what?"

"Observe Sun Jian's fighting prowess, observe the strength and weakness of Dong Zhuo's army, and observe the reactions of the other warlords," Liu Bei said. "And incidentally, earn a good reputation for 'taking the lead bravely'."

Zhang Fei scratched his head: "What if Sun Jian orders us to charge?"

"Then let's charge," Liu Bei said with a sly smile. "But don't charge too aggressively. Just follow behind Sun Jian's army. Let Sun Jian's men wear them down first, and then we'll reap the benefits."

Everyone was convinced.

This lord is too shrewd.

The next day, Sun Jian led his 10,000 troops and Liu Bei led 8,000 troops to attack Sishui Pass.

The guard at the pass was Zhao Cen, a general under Dong Zhuo—temporarily transferred by Dong Zhuo after Hua Xiong's death.

When Zhao Cen heard that Sun Jian had arrived, his legs went weak.

"Sun...Sun Jian?" Zhao Cen's voice trembled. "Why is he here?"

"General, what should we do?" the lieutenant asked.

"Can...can we hold out?"

"There are only 5,000 garrison troops inside the pass, Sun Jian has 10,000, and Liu Bei has 8,000..." The deputy general smiled bitterly, "Moreover, Sun Jian is known as the 'Tiger of Jiangdong,' and he has never failed in attacking cities and capturing strongholds."

Zhao Cen's face turned deathly pale.

We can't possibly hold out.

Escape? According to Dong Zhuo's military law, anyone who deserts in the face of battle will be executed.

"General," an aide whispered, "why not... surrender?"

Zhao Cen was taken aback: "Surrender?"

"That's right," the advisor said. "Now the coalition of warlords from Guandong has hundreds of thousands of troops. Dong Zhuo is acting against the tide of history and will surely be defeated sooner or later. General, your surrender now is a sign of abandoning darkness for light."

Zhao Cen was tempted.

But then I worried: "My family is all in Luoyang..."

"Send someone to secretly bring him out," the advisor said. "Sun Jian is benevolent and righteous; he will surely treat him well."

After hesitating for a long time, Zhao Cen finally nodded: "Okay...we'll surrender."

So, as soon as Sun Jian and Liu Bei arrived at the pass, before the battle even began, the gates of Sishui Pass were opened.

Zhao Cen led his generals out of the city and surrendered.

"The guilty general Zhao Cen is willing to submit to the righteous army and join forces to punish the traitors of the country!" Zhao Cen knelt down and presented the seal.

Sun Jian was stunned.

The price has dropped already?

He's ready to make a big splash!

Liu Bei chuckled inwardly.

This is the morale of Dong Zhuo's army—their commander Hua Xiong was killed, and their morale has collapsed.

"General Zhao, please rise." Sun Jian helped Zhao Cen up. "General, your abandonment of darkness for light is a righteous act. When Dong Zhuo is defeated in the future, you will be credited with the greatest merit!"

"Thank you, General Sun!" Zhao Cen said, tears streaming down his face.

Thus, Sishui Pass fell without a fight.

When the news reached Suanzao, all the feudal lords were dumbfounded.

"It's...broken?"

"Sun Jian is really amazing!"

"I think it's Liu Bei's doing—he killed Hua Xiong, and the enemy army was terrified!"

There was a lot of discussion.

Yuan Shao felt a mix of emotions.

I am both happy and worried.

The good news is that Sishui Pass has been breached, allowing the allied forces to advance directly towards Hulao Pass.

The worry is... Sun Jian and Liu Bei have stolen the limelight.

"Send the order!" Yuan Shao commanded, "The entire army shall march and garrison Sishui Pass!"

After the fall of Sishui Pass, the allied forces advanced on Hulao Pass.

This is Luoyang's last line of defense.

Dong Zhuo finally couldn't sit still any longer.

He personally led an army of 100,000 to garrison Hulao Pass.

Accompanying him were Xiliang generals such as Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou.

And... Lü Bu.

"My son, Fengxian!" Dong Zhuo patted Lü Bu on the shoulder. "These rats from Guandong dare to invade my Hulao Pass. Go and teach them a lesson!"

Lu Bu was nine feet tall, with a face like jade. He wore a three-pronged purple-gold crown, a red brocade robe with a hundred flowers from Sichuan, a beast-faced chainmail armor, a lion-headed belt, and carried a halberd. He rode the Red Hare.

Majestic and imposing, exuding a murderous aura.

"Rest assured, Godfather," Lü Bu said coldly. "On my journey, I will ensure that these rats from Guandong never return!"

On that day, Lü Bu led 5,000 iron cavalry out of the pass to challenge.

The allied forces were somewhat nervous upon hearing that Lü Bu had arrived.

"Lü Bu?" Yuan Shao frowned. "This man is fierce and is known as the 'Flying General.' Gentlemen, who is willing to fight?"

The feudal lords looked at each other.

If Hua Xiong was so fierce, Lu Bu must be even more powerful.

Anyone who goes there is just asking to die.

"Holy crap!" a voice exclaimed.

Everyone looked and saw it was Fang Yue, a famous general from Hanoi.

"General Fang's courage is commendable!" Yuan Shao praised. "If you can slay Lü Bu, you will be credited with the greatest merit!"

Fang Yue picked up his spear, mounted his horse, and went into battle.

In less than three rounds, he was killed by Lü Bu with a single halberd thrust.

The feudal lords were greatly alarmed.

"Who else?!" Lu Bu shouted at the front of the battle.

"I'll go!" said Mu Shun, a subordinate of Zhang Yang, the governor of Shangdang.

One round, and he's dead.

"I'll go!" Wu Anguo, a general under Kong Rong, the governor of Beihai, stepped forward.

After ten rounds, his wrist was severed by Lü Bu, and he was defeated and forced to retreat.

After three consecutive defeats, the morale of the allied forces plummeted.

Lu Bu swaggered across the battlefield, shouting, "You cowardly rats from Guandong, is this all you've got?!"

Yuan Shao's face turned ashen.

"Who else dares to fight Lü Bu?"

The feudal lords remained completely silent.

On Liu Bei's side, Guan Yu gripped his Green Dragon Crescent Blade tightly.

"Big brother, let me go."

"No rush," Liu Bei said, pressing him down. "Let's take another look."

He knew that, according to the historical script, Zhang Fei would be next.

But... he wanted to change the script.

"Yide," Liu Bei said in a low voice, "Go, but don't really fight. Engage Lü Bu in a prolonged battle to wear him down. After thirty rounds, retreat."

"Thirty rounds?" Zhang Fei's eyes widened. "Brother, you're looking down on me!"

"It's not that I look down on you," Liu Bei said seriously. "Lu Bu is not someone one person can defeat. You should wear him down first, then Guan Yu will go in, and finally I will go in. The three of us brothers will take turns fighting him."

Zhang Fei understood: "A war of attrition? Good idea!"

Having said that, he picked up his spear and mounted his horse.

"You traitor! Zhang Yide of Yan is here! Do you dare to fight me?"

Lu Bu hated being called "the slave of three surnames" the most—he first recognized Ding Yuan as his adoptive father, then killed Ding Yuan and joined Dong Zhuo, thus changing fathers three times.

"You're courting death!" Lu Bu roared, urging his Red Hare to charge straight at Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei raised his spear to meet the attack.

The two fought.

Spears and halberds clashed, the battle raging fiercely and evenly.

The allied forces were dumbfounded.

"Zhang Fei... he actually managed to fight Lü Bu to a draw?"

"No, look, Zhang Fei is at a disadvantage..."

Indeed, although Zhang Fei was brave, he was still a notch below Lü Bu.

After twenty rounds, Zhang Fei gradually became exhausted.

"Second Brother!" Zhang Fei shouted, "Come quickly and help!"

Guan Yu, who had long been unable to contain himself, spurred his horse and rode out upon hearing this.

"Yun Chang has arrived!"

The Green Dragon Crescent Blade, accompanied by a whistling sound, slashed towards Lü Bu.

Lu Bu faced two opponents alone, showing no fear.

The halberd was wielded with such force that it was impenetrable, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were pinned down.

The allied forces were dumbfounded.

"This Lu Bu... he's too fierce!"

"Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are both warriors capable of defeating ten thousand men, yet they couldn't subdue him?"

Liu Bei watched the fierce battle unfold, pondering his next move.

almost.

He drew his double-edged sword and spurred his horse into battle.

"Second and third brothers, don't panic! Your eldest brother is here!"

The three fought together against Lü Bu.

This is the famous "Three Heroes Battle Lü Bu" in history.

But Liu Bei's story is different from history.

Historically, Liu Bei went to help, but his martial arts skills were mediocre, and he mainly relied on Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

But now, Liu Bei has traveled through time with modern fighting skills—although he can't compare to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, he's by no means mediocre.

More importantly, he understood Lü Bu's weaknesses.

"Attack his lower body!" Liu Bei shouted.

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei drew their swords and spears, targeting Lü Bu's legs.

Lu Bu hastily parried.

"Attack his left flank!" Liu Bei shouted again.

The three worked together seamlessly, targeting Lu Bu's weak points in defense.

Lu Bu grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed.

He wasn't afraid of any of these three people individually.

But when they're together, their teamwork is so seamless, and... they specifically target his weaknesses.

After fifty rounds, Lü Bu gradually became exhausted.

Although Red Hare was fast, it was surrounded by three people and could not use its full strength.

"Retreat!" Lü Bu feigned a strike with his halberd, then turned his horse and rode away.

"Chase!" Zhang Fei ordered the pursuit.

"Don't pursue a desperate enemy," Liu Bei called out. "Lu Bu is fierce; if we push him too far, he might retaliate, and we'll suffer the consequences."

The three retreated to their positions.

On the Allied side, cheers erupted.

"Three heroes battled Lü Bu! They won!"

"Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei are truly tiger generals of our time!"

Yuan Shao's expression was complicated.

This Liu Bei... is making too much of a splash.

But you have to put on a good show.

"Xuande! Yunchang! Yide!" Yuan Shao personally came out to greet them. "Your valiant deeds today will surely be known throughout the land! Men, prepare a celebratory feast!"

That evening, the Allied camp was filled with jubilation.

Liu Bei, however, was not so excited.

"My lord," Xun You said in a low voice, "Although we have won today, Yuan Shao is now even more wary of you."

"I know," Liu Bei nodded. "So, we need to find a way to escape."

"Escape?"

"That's right," Liu Bei said. "Hulao Pass can't be taken anytime soon. Dong Zhuo's 100,000 troops are holding the strategic pass, and the allied forces are not united. They'll fall apart sooner or later. We need to seize as many benefits as possible before they fall apart, and then... retreat."

"How do we retreat?"

"Find a reason," Liu Bei said, his eyes gleaming. "For example... go back to Youzhou to defend against the Wuhuan. Or, go and wipe out the Black Mountain bandits. In short, we can't waste time here."

Just then, a guard came to report: "My lord, Commandant Cao requests an audience."

When Cao Cao entered, his expression was grave.

"Xuande, today's battle has truly shaken the world," Cao Cao said bluntly.

"Commander Cao, you flatter me," Liu Bei said. "It's all thanks to the bravery of our soldiers."

"No need to be modest," Cao Cao waved his hand. "I've come to discuss something with you."

"Speaking."

"I see it now. The allied forces are not united and will fall apart sooner or later," Cao Cao said in a low voice. "Although Dong Zhuo suffered a defeat, his strength has not been greatly diminished. Hulao Pass is a natural fortress, and a direct assault would result in heavy losses. Yuan Shao and the others are all harboring their own agendas, and none of them are willing to fight to the death. This kind of stalemate cannot continue."

Liu Bei nodded: "Colonel Cao is absolutely right. Then, according to your opinion..."

"Divide the troops," Cao Cao said. "One force will continue to hold back Dong Zhuo's main force at Hulao Pass, while the other... will take a detour and launch a surprise attack on Luoyang."

Liu Bei's heart stirred.

Cao Cao certainly had some ideas.

"How do we get around it?"

"Cross the river at Mengjin, take Xiaopingjin, and head straight for Luoyang." Cao Cao pointed to the map. "Dong Zhuo's main force is at Hulao Pass, leaving Luoyang vulnerable. If we can take Luoyang in one fell swoop and rescue the Emperor, Dong Zhuo will collapse without a fight."

"A good plan," Liu Bei praised, "but... the risk is too great. Venturing deep into enemy territory alone, what if we get surrounded..."

"Therefore, we need elite troops and capable generals." Cao Cao looked at Liu Bei. "Xuande, your eight thousand soldiers, plus my five thousand, let's join forces. If we succeed, it will be the greatest achievement in restoring the Han Dynasty. If we fail... we will still have done our part for the Han Dynasty."

Liu Bei pondered deeply.

Historically, Cao Cao did indeed pursue Dong Zhuo alone, but was defeated by Xu Rong in Xingyang and nearly lost his life.

Now you're dragging yourself into it...

Is it because they think highly of themselves, or because they want to drag someone down with them?

"Commander Cao," Liu Bei said slowly, "this matter is of great importance. Please allow me one night to consider it."

"Very well." Cao Cao stood up. "Give me your answer tomorrow."

After seeing Cao Cao off, Xun You said, "My lord, this plan is too risky. Although Dong Zhuo's main force is at Hulao Pass, there must be someone left to defend Luoyang. Moreover... we are an isolated force deep in enemy territory, and our supplies are running low. Once surrounded, we will surely die."

"I know," Liu Bei nodded, "but...this is also an opportunity."

"Chance?"

"Yes." Liu Bei's eyes gleamed. "We won't really go to Luoyang, but we can... pretend to go."

"pretend?"

"That's right," Liu Bei laughed. "We agreed to Cao Cao's request to march together. But halfway there, we'll find a reason to separate—for example, I'll go and wipe out the bandits along the way to secure the supply lines. Let Cao Cao go looking for his own death."

Xun You was stunned: "This...isn't that a bit unfair?"

"In chaotic times, preserving our strength is the top priority," Liu Bei said calmly. "Cao Cao is ambitious and will surely be our opponent in the future. Weakening him now will be to our advantage."

"What about Yuan Shao's side..."

"Yuan Shao is more than happy to have someone take the risk," Liu Bei sneered. "He'd be delighted if we volunteered."

Sure enough, the next day, Liu Bei and Cao Cao went to see Yuan Shao and proposed a plan to divide their forces and launch a surprise attack on Luoyang.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao was overjoyed: "Excellent! Mengde and Xuande are commendable for their loyalty and bravery! If they succeed in this endeavor, it will surely be a great achievement in restoring the Han Dynasty!"

The application was immediately approved, and the two men were allocated provisions and weapons.

The other feudal lords reacted in various ways upon hearing this.

Some admired him, some mocked him, and some gloated.

Sun Jian approached Liu Bei: "Xuande, are you really going?"

"Brother Wentai, do you find this inappropriate?"

"Too dangerous." Sun Jian shook his head. "I've fought many battles and know that it's a major taboo for an army to venture deep into enemy territory alone. Dong Zhuo isn't stupid; Luoyang will definitely be prepared."

"Brother Wentai is right," Liu Bei nodded. "That's why we have a backup plan—if things can't be done, we will never force it."

Sun Jian patted Liu Bei on the shoulder: "Take care."

Three days later, Cao Cao led 5,000 soldiers and Liu Bei led 8,000 soldiers, leaving the Hulao Pass camp and heading north.

According to their plan, they were to cross the river at Mengjin and take a detour to launch a surprise attack on Luoyang.

But when they reached Xingyang, Liu Bei stopped.

"Mengde," Liu Bei said, "the scouts report that Dong Zhuo's army is active ahead. To be on the safe side, let's split our forces into two groups. You continue north, and I will go east to clear out the bandits along the way and secure the supply lines."

Cao Cao frowned: "Xuande, we agreed to go together..."

"That's precisely why we need to divide our forces," Liu Bei explained. "If the entire army marches in one direction, it's easy to be discovered. Dividing the troops into two groups, allowing them to support each other, is much safer."

Cao Cao thought about it and realized it made sense: "Then... Xuande, be careful."

"Take care, Mengde."

The two split up.

Cao Cao continued north, while Liu Bei turned east and entered the Xingyang Mountains.

"My lord," Guan Yu asked, puzzled, "are we really going to fight the bandits?"

"Why fight bandits?" Liu Bei laughed. "Let's find a place to camp and wait for news."

"What news are you waiting for?"

"Wait for news of Cao Cao's defeat," Liu Bei said calmly. "If I'm not mistaken, Dong Zhuo has left an ambush in Luoyang. Cao Cao's journey there is likely to end in disaster."

The crowd was skeptical.

Five days later, the news arrived.

Cao Cao was ambushed by Xu Rong, a general under Dong Zhuo, at the Bian River. He suffered a major defeat, with more than half of his soldiers killed or wounded. Cao Cao himself was also wounded by an arrow, but he escaped with his life thanks to Cao Hong giving up his horse.

"My lord's calculations are divine!" Jian Yong exclaimed in admiration.

"He's not a divine strategist, he just knows history," Liu Bei thought to himself.

Of course, this cannot be said.

"What do we do now?" Zhang Fei asked. "Go rescue Cao Cao?"

"Save them," Liu Bei nodded, "but not really. Send a cavalry unit to provide support, just to make a show of it. Remember, don't engage Dong Zhuo's army in a direct confrontation."

Zhao Yun accepted the order and led five hundred cavalrymen away.

Two hours later, Zhao Yun returned with a disheveled Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was shot in the shoulder, his face was pale, but his eyes remained sharp.

"Xuande..." Cao Cao smiled wryly, "I've made you laugh."

"Mengde, what are you saying?" Liu Bei personally bandaged Cao Cao's wounds. "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. Mengde's courage to venture deep into enemy territory with a small force is commendable."

Cao Cao looked at Liu Bei, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

This failure made him see many things clearly.

With each feudal lord harboring their own ulterior motives, the allied forces are unlikely to achieve anything significant.

To achieve great things, you have to rely on yourself.

"Xuande," Cao Cao suddenly asked, "what are your plans next?"

"Let's return to Youzhou," Liu Bei said bluntly. "We can't take Hulao Pass anytime soon, and the morale of the allied forces is low. Rather than wasting our time here, we should return to Youzhou to reorganize our army and wait for the opportune moment."

Cao Cao nodded: "Very well. Then... farewell. If fate allows, we shall fight side by side again in the future."

"must."

Cao Cao led his remaining troops away.

Liu Bei watched him leave, feeling a mix of emotions.

This is Cao Cao.

I failed, but I'm not discouraged.

Such people are the real opponents.

"My lord," Xun You said, "are we really going back to Youzhou?"

"Let's go back," Liu Bei nodded, "but not now."

"That..."

"Let's go to Luoyang." Liu Bei's eyes gleamed. "Dong Zhuo thinks we've been defeated, so he'll definitely be less vigilant. Let's take a detour and check the area around Luoyang. If we have a chance... we can rescue a few people and make some profit."

"Isn't that too dangerous?"

"Fortune favors the bold," Liu Bei laughed. "Besides, we won't enter the city; we'll operate outside it. If we can make a profit, we'll make a profit; if not, we'll run."

Everyone looked at each other.

This lord is incredibly audacious.

Another half month passed, and the battle at Hulao Pass remained deadlocked.

Seeing the overwhelming strength of the allied forces, Dong Zhuo decided to move the capital to Chang'an.

Before leaving, he did something utterly heinous—he set fire to Luoyang.

"We can't leave this to those rats from Guandong!" Dong Zhuo ordered. "Whatever can't be moved, burn it all! Palaces, ancestral temples, treasuries, residences... burn it all!"

The Xiliang army set fires everywhere, and Luoyang was engulfed in flames.

The people cried out and fled, a truly horrific scene.

When the news reached Liu Bei, he was stationed at Mangshan, north of Luoyang.

"Dong Zhuo... he really has the heart to do such a thing." Liu Bei's face was gloomy.

Although I knew the history beforehand, I still felt angry when I saw the flames shooting into the sky from the direction of Luoyang.

"My lord," Xun You said, "this is our chance."

"What opportunity?"

"Save them," Xun You said. "With the fire in Luoyang, many officials and gentry must have fled. Let's go and help them, saving as many as we can. These people will be our assets in the future."

Liu Bei's eyes lit up.

Yup!

Saving lives is the greatest political capital!

"Issue the order!" Liu Bei stood up. "Move the entire army towards Luoyang to rescue the fleeing civilians and officials! Remember, carry the banner of 'Youzhou Expeditionary Army'!"

Eight thousand troops quickly set off.

Upon arriving near Luoyang, what I saw was a scene of utter devastation.

Fires raged everywhere, corpses littered the ground, and the cries of the people filled the air.

"Splitter the troops!" Liu Bei ordered. "Yun Chang, you take two thousand men to maintain order and gather the refugees. Yi De, you take one thousand men to extinguish the fires along the way. Zi Long, you take five hundred cavalry to search for officials and gentry. The rest of you, follow me!"

The group accepted the order and left.

Liu Bei led the remaining men straight toward the Imperial Academy.

The Imperial Academy was the highest institution of learning in the Han Dynasty, containing a vast collection of books and numerous scholars.

Although most of it was definitely burned, what if...

Upon arriving at the Imperial Academy, I saw a group of scholars frantically carrying books out of the fire.

"Quick! Save as many as you can!" shouted an elderly man with white hair.

"Lord Zheng!" Liu Bei recognized the man—Zheng Xuan, a great Confucian scholar of the time!

"You are..." Zheng Xuan was stunned when he saw Liu Bei.

"Liu Bei, the General Who Subdues Rebels of Youzhou, has come to our aid!" Liu Bei dismounted. "Lord Zheng, hurry! It's dangerous here!"

"Books... these books..." Zheng Xuan looked at the fire, tears streaming down his face. "These are centuries of classic texts from the Han Dynasty..."

"Books are important, but people are more important!" Liu Bei said without allowing any further discussion, ordering his soldiers to forcibly remove Zheng Xuan and the other scholars. "Take all the books you can carry! As for the ones you can't... write down their titles so they can be reprinted in the future!"

Soldiers rushed into the fire to salvage the books.

Although only one-tenth of the artifacts were rescued, they are still a precious cultural treasure.

After rescuing Zheng Xuan and the others, Liu Bei continued the search.

They also rescued a number of officials and gentry, including... Cai Yong.

Cai Yong was a great Confucian scholar of his time and also the father of Cai Wenji.

Historically, he was forcibly summoned to the court by Dong Zhuo, and later killed by Wang Yun for lamenting Dong Zhuo's death.

"Cai Zhonglang!" Liu Bei dismounted and bowed.

"You are..." Cai Yong looked haggard.

"Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, has come to rescue Cai Zhonglang from the inferno."

Cai Yong was moved to tears: "General Liu's great kindness will never be forgotten!"

"You flatter me, Cai Zhonglang," Liu Bei said. "This place is not safe to stay any longer. Please come with me."

In this way, within a single day, Liu Bei rescued more than 300 officials, gentry, scholars, and more than 2,000 common people.

They also managed to salvage more than 5,000 volumes of books.

Although this is just a drop in the ocean compared to the losses suffered in Luoyang.

But its political significance is immense.

"My lord," Xun You said in a low voice, "these people are living advertisements. With them around, your reputation for 'benevolence and righteousness' will surely spread throughout the world."

Liu Bei nodded: "Send the order to withdraw to the Mangshan camp. Then... return to Youzhou."

"Back to Youzhou?"

"Yes." Liu Bei looked at the burning Luoyang. "The campaign against Dong Zhuo is over. Next, it will be a war among the warlords. We need to go back and rebuild our strength."

"And what about those people who were rescued..."

"Those who are willing to come with us, take them. Those who are not, send them to a safe place," Liu Bei said. "Remember, we won't force them, but the treatment must be adequate."

That evening, at the Mangshan camp.

Liu Bei summoned all the people he had rescued.

"Gentlemen," Liu Bei said, standing on high ground, "Luoyang has been destroyed, and Dong Zhuo has fled west. The world is about to descend into chaos. I, Liu Bei, am unworthy, and wish to return to Youzhou to protect the borders and the people, accumulate strength, and await the opportune moment. If any of you wish to travel with me, I will treat you with the utmost courtesy. If not, I will prepare travel expenses and escort you to a safe place."

The crowd was buzzing with discussion.

In the end, more than two hundred people were willing to follow Liu Bei, including great scholars such as Zheng Xuan and Cai Yong.

The rest chose to seek refuge with other feudal lords.

Liu Bei did not insist, but provided them with travel expenses and sent people to escort them.

Three days later, Liu Bei led his army north to return to Youzhou.

Before leaving, he took one last look at Luoyang.

The raging fire is still burning.

This ancient capital, with its centuries-old history, was destroyed just like that.

"A chaotic world..." Liu Bei murmured.

But a flame ignited in his heart.

Turbulent times produce heroes.

And he wants to be the greatest hero.

The road back to Youzhou is very long.

But Liu Bei knew that this was just the beginning.

The real battle for supremacy has only just begun.

He had already been dealt the best cards.

Reputation, talent, army, territory.

The next step is to play these cards to their maximum value.