The Three Kingdoms: Rise to Power Starting with Intercepting Liu Bei

"Ding! A mystery gift pack for new players is now available. Open it now?"

"Open, open it now! Isn't this the day I've been waiting for?" After vomiting, Qin Xuan wiped the grime from the corner of his mouth, but his face showed undisguised joy.

The next moment, a dazzling golden light flashed through Qin Xuan's mind, just like when opening a treasure chest in a game.

A moment later, six cards appeared out of thin air in Qin Xuan's hand. Just as he was wondering about this, the system began to explain the contents and functions of the cards:

"One Legion Card. Crushing it will randomly summon a powerful army of around 15,000 men!"

"One Guardian Card can randomly summon a guard force of approximately 500 men!"

"One general card, randomly providing the host with two loyal and capable generals."

"One strategist card can provide the host with a civil official with exceptional strategic skills."

"Two equipment cards, which can randomly provide the host with a BMW and armor/weapons!"

After listening to the system's explanation, Qin Xuan was overjoyed. This mysterious newbie gift pack was incredibly generous. He immediately crushed all the cards except for the Legion Card.

Now is not the time to activate the Legion Card. The sudden appearance of 15,000 people will definitely attract the attention of the surrounding counties.

He plans to use this when Cao Cao attacks Xuzhou, and then he will definitely catch the enemy off guard.

As Qin Xuan put away the Legion Card and crushed the remaining cards, the system's voice sounded:

"Ding! Congratulations, host, you have acquired five hundred Great Snow Dragon Riders, the fierce generals Xue Rengui and Li Jing, the strategist Liu Bowen, the divine steed White Hoof Crow, the black gold armor, and the Dragon-Slaying Halberd. They will arrive in a quarter of an hour!"

"Wow! That's a generous amount!"

Upon hearing the system's announcement, Qin Xuan was utterly astonished. This luck was just too incredible! If he couldn't unify the world, he might as well just kill himself.

After waiting for about fifteen minutes, five hundred Great Snow Dragon Riders, led by Xue Rengui and others, arrived at Qin Xuan's side.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Qin Xuan donned his armor, mounted his divine steed, and led Cao Song's two hundred-plus chests of treasure and his men into the nearby mountains under the cover of night to hide, awaiting Cao Cao's army's attack on Xuzhou to avenge his father.

In order for Cao Cao to attack Xuzhou, Qin Xuan took the corpses of Zhang Kai and others to the deep mountains to feed wolves during his retreat.

By the time news of Cao Song's death and the theft of over two hundred chests of treasure reached Tao Qian and Cao Cao, a day and a night had already passed.

········

Inside the governor's mansion in Tancheng.

Tao Qian sat in the main hall of his mansion, discussing with several advisors how to consolidate the situation in Xuzhou. Xuzhou had just experienced war, and its people were displaced. Tao Qian was working hard to appease the people and restore production.

Suddenly, a personal guard rushed in, kneeling on the ground with an anxious expression, and reported: "My lord, something terrible has happened!"

Seeing this, Tao Qian frowned and asked, "What's the matter that you're in such a panic?"

"My lord, news has come from Taishan County that the bodies of Old Master Cao and others have been found in a mountain forest. General Zhang Kai and his men have not been seen." The guard's voice trembled slightly.

Tao Qian's face turned deathly pale upon hearing this. He abruptly stood up, staring at his personal guard in disbelief: "What did you say? Cao Song was killed?"

The guard nodded hurriedly, his voice even lower as he reported, "According to those who investigated, it was likely General Zhang Kai who did it. The wounds on Old Master Cao's body were inflicted with a standard-issue knife, and Old Master Cao's body has already been transported to the governor's mansion!"

Tao Qian's vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground, looking utterly dejected. He knew Cao Cao's power well, and now that Cao Cao knew his father had been killed, he would surely seek revenge like a madman.

"My lord! My lord, you mustn't collapse! Please make a decision quickly!"

When the people in the hall saw Tao Qian's appearance, they hurriedly stepped forward and called out to him, trying to get him to make a decision.

They were stunned when they heard the news. Now, they absolutely could not let Tao Qian fall. The safety of all the people in Xuzhou now rested on his shoulders.

With the help of others, Tao Qian sat back down in the main seat, his body trembling uncontrollably. He looked at the crowd with a tearful voice and pleaded:

"Now that Cao Song is dead, Cao Cao will surely launch an attack. How should we respond?"

As soon as Tao Qian spoke, the hall fell silent. At this critical moment, no one could come up with a good idea.

Just as Tao Qian was in despair, Mi Zhu, the Prefectural Governor's Attendant, offered his suggestion, bowing and saying:

"My lord, we should prepare for two scenarios. First, the entire Xuzhou should wear mourning clothes for Cao Song and await Cao Cao's arrival. At the same time, we should issue arrest warrants for Zhang Kai and others!"

"But at the same time, we should also prepare for Cao Cao's invasion, have General Cao Bao prepare for war, and send people to Yuan Shao, Gongsun Zan, Liu Biao and others to ask for help."

"In case a war breaks out, reinforcements can come to the rescue of Xuzhou!"

Upon hearing this, Tao Qian grasped Mi Zhu's arm as if it were a lifeline and said to the crowd:

"We'll do as Zizhong says!"

"promise!"

Everyone readily agreed.

·············

On the other side, in Yanzhou, there is Puyang.

Cao Cao stood atop the high city tower, gazing at the distant mountains, his heart filled with anticipation for the future. He had just quelled the rebellion in Puyang and consolidated his rule over Yanzhou, and was preparing to regroup his troops and embark on another great undertaking.

However, a series of hurried footsteps broke the silence.

A trusted aide rushed in, his face filled with panic: "My lord, something terrible has happened!"

Cao Cao frowned, turned around, and asked, "What's the matter?"

"My lord, news has come from Xuzhou that Old Master Cao and his entourage have been killed by Tao Qian's soldiers within Xuzhou territory!" The confidant's voice trembled, and he dared not look Cao Cao in the eye.

Cao Cao's face instantly turned ashen, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.

"Impossible!" Cao Cao roared immediately, grabbing his confidant by the collar and staring at him with a murderous gaze: "Are you sure the information is true?"

The trusted aide, intimidated by Cao Cao's gaze, swallowed hard a few times and cautiously replied:

"Absolutely true, I have verified it from multiple sources."

"The old man and his party were killed by the Xuzhou army on their way to Xuzhou, and their family members and belongings were also robbed."

Cao Cao released his grip, and his trusted confidant immediately collapsed to the ground as if relieved of a great burden.

Cao Cao slowly turned around and looked towards Xuzhou in the distance, his eyes filled with tears.

He muttered coldly to himself, "Tao Qian, how dare you be so audacious!"

A moment later, he turned and returned to his residence, where he summoned all his subordinates.

Looking at the newly assembled crowd, Cao Cao's usual composure vanished, replaced by a chilling murderous aura. He coldly spoke:

"Gentlemen, I have just received some terrible news. My father, Cao Song, was killed by Tao Qian on his way to Yanzhou. This is an irreconcilable enmity! Issue the order that the entire army be dressed in white armor and prepare for battle. We will immediately attack Xuzhou!"

"My lord, what did you say?"

When the Cao family generals, led by Cao Ren, heard this news, they were incredulous, as if a bolt from the blue had struck them.

As a member of Cao Cao's clan, Cao Song was related to them by blood. When he heard that they had been killed by Tao Qian, his eyes widened in shock.

"Cao Ren, immediately muster your troops and attack Xuzhou to avenge Old Master Cao!"

Cao Cao suppressed his grief and repeated.

"promise!"

Cao Ren immediately cupped his hands in agreement and loudly agreed, leading the Cao family generals out of the hall.

Seeing Cao Cao's impulsiveness, Xun Yu shook his head inwardly. In his opinion, it was far too impulsive to send troops to attack Xuzhou before the truth of the matter was fully understood.

"Lord!"

Just as Xun Yu was about to offer his advice, someone tugged at his robe. Turning around, he saw Guo Jia shaking his head. Xun Yu was completely baffled, not understanding what the other man meant.