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

On the second day of the fifth month of the seventh year of Jian'an, at the third quarter of Hai hour, at the west gate of Xuchang.

The city gates have been completely breached.

After Zhao Yun led his White Horse Cavalry into the city, he did not stop. He dispatched three hundred cavalry to control the city gate area, while he led the main force eastward along West Gate Street.

The sound of horses' hooves thundered, carrying far into the night.

People on the street closed their doors and windows. Those who were brave enough to peek out through the cracks in their doors saw only a white shadow flash by, like an avalanche.

Sun Fu leaned against the wall by the city gate, panting heavily.

He had lost his scissors somewhere, and his hands were covered in blood, some from others and some from himself. Just now, when he rushed through the door, an arrow grazed his shoulder, tearing the flesh open and causing him excruciating pain.

But he was still standing.

"Manager Sun!" A man ran over; it was Wang Wu.

He was also injured, with a cut on his face and blood covering half of it, but his eyes were frighteningly bright.

"Are you still alive?" Sun Fu asked.

Wang Wu grinned. "Alive. And you?"

Sun Fu glanced down at his shoulder. "I won't die."

Wang Wu took out a jade pendant from his pocket and handed it to Sun Fu.

"Here, take this."

Sun Fu was stunned for a moment.

"What?"

"A token," Wang Wu said. "In case I die, take this to Mr. Zhao. He knows who I am."

Sun Fu looked at the jade pendant but didn't take it. "Keep it for yourself," he said. "Go see him yourself after the fight is over."

Before Wang Wu could say anything more, shouts of battle suddenly came from afar.

The two of them turned their heads at the same time. It was in the direction of the east of the city.

The Prime Minister's Residence in Xudu.

Cao Cao, protected by his personal guards, had just retreated back to his residence. His face was ashen, but he remained relatively calm.

"Where is Xiahou Dun?" he asked.

"Reporting to the Prime Minister, General Xiahou is mobilizing the city's defense forces in preparation for a counterattack."

Cao Cao shook his head. "Counterattack? With what can we counterattack? The White Horse Cavalry has already entered the city; they're on horseback. Are our men going to chase after them on foot?"

No one dared to speak. Cao Cao walked to the map and looked at the layout of Xuchang.

With the west gate fallen, West Gate Street is now under control. Next, Zhao Yun will surely divide his forces into two groups: one heading straight for the palace, and the other towards the Prime Minister's residence.

He had to make a choice. "Master Zheng."

Manager Zheng stepped forward, his face deathly pale. "Here."

"Are the imperial guards in the palace still obedient?"

Manager Zheng was taken aback. "I should... I should listen."

"Should?" Cao Cao sneered. "Tell me—no, tell this Prime Minister, whose man is the Commander of the Imperial Guards?"

Master Zheng was speechless. The commander of the Imperial Guards was Xun Yu's man. Although Xun Yu was dead, his men remained.

"Prime Minister!" Xiahou Dun rushed in from outside, covered in sweat. "It's terrible! The White Horse Cavalry has reached the palace gates!"

Cao Cao's hand tightened slightly. "The Imperial Palace? They went to the Imperial Palace first?"

"Yes!" Xiahou Dun said, "Zhao Yun is personally leading the attack on the palace gates."

Cao Cao remained silent. He stared at the map for a long time.

Then he suddenly smiled. The smile was bitter, yet tinged with an indescribable sense of relief.

"Xiahou Dun".

"exist."

"Send the order to consolidate forces. Abandon the outer city and defend the inner city to the death."

Xiahou Dun was stunned. "Prime Minister, the inner city..."

"The inner city can still be defended," Cao Cao interrupted him, "but the outer city is gone. Don't go and die."

Xiahou Dun lowered his head. "Yes."

He turned to leave.

"besides."

Xiahou Dun stopped.

Cao Cao looked at him. "Tell the brothers—if you can break through before dawn, then do so."

Xiahou Dun's eyes reddened. "Prime Minister!"

"Go."

Xiahou Dun gritted his teeth, turned around, and rushed out. Cao Cao stood alone in the hall.

He looked at the map, at the location of Xuchang. Twenty years ago, he welcomed the emperor here, believing that a golden age could be ushered in.

Twenty years later, the emperor was still alive, but the city was gone.

Xu Du Imperial Palace.

Outside the palace gates, the White Horse Cavalry had already taken control of the situation. The Imperial Guards did not resist for long.

The commander was named Liu Cheng, a man whom Xun Yu had personally promoted. As soon as Zhao Yun reached the palace gate, Liu Cheng ordered it opened and knelt by the gate himself.

"General Zhao," he said, bowing his head, "this humble subject Liu Cheng respectfully welcomes the royal army."

Zhao Yun reined in his horse and looked at him. "Are you one of Lord Xun's men?"

Liu Cheng raised his head, his eyes red-rimmed. "This sinful subject...yes."

Zhao Yun didn't ask any more questions. He spurred his horse and charged into the palace gate.

The rest is up to the Emperor.

The main hall of the imperial palace.

Liu Xie sat motionless on his throne. The shouts of battle outside had ceased. He heard the sound of horses' hooves, the cry of "Royal Army!", and the sound of weeping.

He didn't know who to believe. Three years ago, Xun Yu died. A year ago, Cao Cao forced him to accept the Nine Bestowments.

He thought this was how his life would be, that he would stay in this cage and wait to die.

The palace doors were suddenly pushed open. A man walked in, dressed in a white robe, covered in dust, and holding a silver spear in his hand.

He stopped in the center of the hall and knelt on one knee. "Your subject Zhao Yun has come to protect Your Majesty on the orders of Lord Liu."

Liu Xie stood there, stunned. He stared at the kneeling man for a long time.

Then he spoke, his voice hoarse: "You...you're one of Liu Bei's men?"

"Yes."

"Liu Bei... does he still remember me?"

Zhao Yun raised his head. "Your Majesty, the lord has never forgotten."

Liu Xie's tears suddenly streamed down his face. He didn't wipe them away.

Let it flow.

In a private residence west of Xudu City.

Zhao Yan sat in the corner, listening to the sounds outside. He would retreat here after 9 PM. This was a safe house arranged by Xun Qu, a place where he could hide if things went wrong.

The plan did not fail.

He heard the sound of horses' hooves heading east, the shouts of battle fading into the distance, and someone in the street shouting, "The royal army is entering the city!"

He knew it was done. The door was pushed open. A person walked in, staggering.

Xun Qu. He was covered in blood, his face as white as paper, but his eyes were still bright.

"Mr. Xun!" Zhao Yan rushed over to support him.

Xun Qu waved his hand, walked to the wall, and slowly sat down.

"Zhao Yun has entered the palace," he said, his voice weak. "The Emperor... is alright now."

Zhao Yan looked at the blood on his body. "What happened to you...?"

Xun Qu looked down at his chest. There was a deep gash there, and blood was still seeping out.

"It's nothing," he said. "Just a minor injury."

Zhao Yan's eyes reddened. This was no small injury. He tore off a piece of his sleeve, intending to bandage Xun Qu.

Xun Qu pressed his hand down. "Don't bother," he said. "I know my own business."

Zhao Yan stood there, stunned. Xun Qu took something out of his pocket and stuffed it into Zhao Yan's hand.

That's the jade pendant. It's exactly the same as his.

"This... is for you," Xun Qu said. "From now on... you keep it for me."

Zhao Yan held the jade pendant, his hand trembling.

"Mr. Xun..."

Xun Qu leaned against the wall and slowly closed his eyes. "Twenty years," he murmured, "Finally... it's over."

Zhao Yan knelt before him, speechless. The shouts of battle outside the window gradually subsided.

It's almost dawn.

Xiapi Governor's Office.

Liu Bei stood in the courtyard, having not slept all night. Pang Tong stood beside him, a gourd of wine in his hand, but he hadn't drunk a drop.

The sky was beginning to lighten with the first light of dawn.

A fast horse galloped into the city, and the rider tumbled off the saddle and staggered in.

"My lord! Urgent report from Xuchang!"

Liu Bei received the secret report and unfolded it. It contained only one line: "Zhao Yun has entered the palace; the Emperor is unharmed. Cao Cao has retreated to the inner city. Xuchang is now largely pacified."

He stared at the words for a long time. Pang Tong leaned closer for a glance. Then he took a swig of wine. "My lord," he said.

Liu Bei didn't turn around. "Hmm?"

"It's time to get going."

Liu Bei nodded. "It's time to set off."

He turned around and looked at the rising sun in the east. Xudu.

The place he's going to.