Chapter 6: Formation BreakerMy Father in Law is Lu Bu
Just as Lu Bu put away his bow, the general who stood next to him raised his hand and immediately a group of soldiers wearing armor and shields rushed forward shouting "Burst the formations, death to all enemies!"
"Formation Breaker?!" Liu Mang finally got to meet this so called most elite soldiers of the Three Kingdoms Period.
[TL: Gao Shun and his troops are collectively known as the Formation Breaker. They would break into enemy formations, get surrounded by enemies and destroy the formations.]
There exists many elite troops in the battlefields of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
Amongst the cavalries are the Heavy Cavalry of the Bing Province, Jiang Cavalry of the Liang Province, Penetrating White Horsemen of You Province and Ferocious Cavalry of Yan Province.
[TL: Wolf Cavalry of the Bing Province: 并州狼骑, I do not know if they actually ride wolves, highly doubt that. Chapter 6 mentioned 并州铁骑, which means Armored Cavalry of Bing Province, I think this is the correct one instead of the Wolf Cavalry. So I'm changing it to Heavy Cavalry.
Jiang Cavalry of the Liang Province: 凉州姜骑兵
Penetrating White Horsemen of You Province: 幽州白马义从
Ferocious Cavalry of Yan Province :兖州虎豹骑, lit. Tiger and Panther Riders of Yan Province]
Amongst the infantries are the Soldiers from Xu Province's Danyang County, Great Halberd Soldiers of the Ji Province, Skirmishers of the Ji Province, Qing Province Soldiers, and last but not least, Gao Shun's Formation Breaker.
[TL: not certain if the other troops have special names.. but I tried…
soldiers from Xu Province's Danyang county: 徐州丹阳兵,
Great Halberd (ji) Soldiers of the Ji Province: 冀州大戟士,
Skirmishers of the Ji Province: 冀州先登营,
Qing Province Soldiers: 青州兵,
Gao Shun's Formation Breaker: 高顺的陷阵营]
Although the Formation Breaker numbered only eight hundred, they rival army of thousands.
One of the reasons why Lu Bu was able to become a warlord in this era of heroes was precisely because of Heavy Cavalry of the Bing Province and the Formation Breakers.
Xiahou De getting dismounted and shot in the hand caused his troops to suddenly panic. Coupled with the reinforcements Lu Bu brought with him, Xiahou De's troops became lost.
"Sha!" Another general walked out leading the remaining Lu Bu army to attack the Cao troops.
The Cao troops' morale collapsed on the first encounter.
Having dispersed the Cao troops, Liu Mang was helped up. Lu Bu walked toward him. He saw the bloodied Liu Mang and frowned. "Brother Liu Mang, why are you still here?! Didn't I tell you to break out of Xiapi?!"
Before Liu Mang could answer, Cheng Yu who was on the side already helped him answer. "Reporting to General, Sire brought us to find General. We wish to assist General in protecting General's family!"
"Nonsense!" Although Lu Bu said this, he was moved.
"Sire?!" The general leading the Formation Breaker puzzled.
"Right, I forgot introductions. Brother Liu Mang, this is general Gao Shun. He leads the Formation Breaker - eight hundred strong but could rival an army." Lu Bu certainly did not hold his praise back. An army in ancient times numbered at least in the ten thousand. For eight hundred men to rival ten thousand, the Formation Breaker was certainly the elite of the elite.
"This is Liu Mang of the Han Dynasty royal family." Lu Bu did not mention that Liu Mang was the younger brother of Emperor Xian. He feared that he might hurt Liu Mang by mentioning that he was a bastard child. "For I to escape ascension to heaven,it was all because of brother Liu Mang" Lu Bu had a face full of gratitude. Had it not been for Liu Mang, perhaps he would've already been tied up before Cao Cao, enduring shame and insults.
"I, Gao Shun, thank sire for saving my Lord!" Gao Shun was indeed a person of few words. Without saying much, he immediately held his fist toward Liu Mang.
[TL: In case you forgot, held fist is a sign of respect toward another individual.]
"You're too kind. General Gao Shun, your Formation Breaker is very admirable!" Honest men of few words are the most worthy people to associate with.
Gao Shun did not speak. However, his facial expression was full of pride. He had accepted the compliment.
Lu Bu went toward the Province Governor's Mansion in the inner city. However, even if he was the God of War, trying to save his wives and daughter alone was near impossible. Luckily for him, Gao Shun and Zhang Liao brought with them the eight hundred strong Formation Breaker toward the inner city. They knew that once that Xiapi was lost when the White Gate Tower got broken through. After discussing, they gave up on West Gate and rushed directly toward the inner city and rescued Lu Bu's family and met up with Lu Bu enroute.
"Milord, the Cao troops have been repulsed!" Another general returned.
"You must be Zhang Liao, Zhang Wenyuan. I am, humbly, Liu Mang." Without Lu Bu's introduction, Liu Mang already knew who he was. In the battle of Xiapi, the only generals that didn't betray Lu Bu was these two.
[TL: Wenyuan is Zhan Liao's courtsey name.]
"This is?" Zhang Liao was confused. He did not know Liu Mang.
"He saved our lord!" Gao Shun said in a matter of fact manner.
"Thank you for saving my lord!" Like Gao Shun, Zhang Liao immediately showed his gratitude.
Only after the exchange of introductions did Liu Mang noticed that not only did Zhang Liao repulse the Cao troops, he also brought back a captive. Wasn't this the man that almost killed Liu Mang earlier?
His hand disabled, hair loose and a desolate expression. Compared to the man charging on the horse, there was not a single hint of the heroic appearance he had earlier.
"Zhang Liao, why bother bringing back this Cao general? Just kill him as an offering to our banner!" Lu Bu frowned. He held no goodwill toward Cao generals. Had Cao Cao not attacked him, he would've still be the General Who Pacifies the East, still be the Province Governor.
[TL: By Province Governor, author likely meant the Governor of the Xu Province. Lu Bu declared himself that. He was earlier the Governor of the Yan Province.]
"Yes!" Zhang Liao, following the orders, was about to execute Xiahou De. However, he was stopped by Liu Mang.
"Xiahou De? Xiahou De!" Liu Mang remembered. In the Romance of Three Kingdoms, there really was a person named Xiahou De. He appeared chapter 70 of the novel. Elder brother of Xiahou Shang. He dismissed Huang Zhong for seeking battle. Slain by Yan Yan at Tiandang mountain.
Although Liu Mang doesn't know much about Xiahou De, he knew who Xiahou Shang was. He's Xiahou Yuan's nephew. Being Xiahou Shang's brother, he should also be Xiahou Yuan's nephew. And now amongst the troops sieging the city was Xiahou Yuan. Perhaps something could come of this.
"What we need to do right now is to break out of the city. However, the surrounding Cao troops numbered tens of thousands. It is utterly impossible for us to break out with force! Thus, we could only use this trump card in front of us!" In the issue of breaking out of the city, Liu Mang was very concerned. After all, it was a matter of life and death to him.
"General Zhang Liao, is this Xiahou De's army banner here?" Liu Mang asked Zhang Liao.
"Yes!" Due to Xiahou De being demounted, his banner was dropped by his troops. Luckily, the banner was not damaged in the strife.
"Brother Liu Mang plans to…" Zhang Liao seemed to have thought of something.
"Correct, I am going to do this…" Liu Mang said laughing. "Boss Lu, may I borrow your troops again?"
"Brother Liu Mang needn't ask. Go ahead." Lu Bu was neither a good person nor a bad person. He was just a genuine vile person. Whoever was good to him, he too will be good to that person.
[TL: I am translating Xiaoren (small person) as vile person. Xiaoren basically refer to individuals who aren't necessarily bad per say but only seek immediate gains. As opposed to Junzi, which means lord's son, a gentleman. ]
"Good!" Liu Mang walked toward the front. "Is Gao Shun and Zhang Liao present?!"
"Present!" Zhang Liao and Gao Shun half kneeled on the ground.
"General Zhang Liao, lead your soldiers to remove our army's black gowns and change into Cao army's white gowns!"
"Yes!" Zhang Liao left following the orders.
"General Gao Shun, lead the Formation Breaker and conceal within General Zhan Liao's troops! Be on standby at all time!"
"Yes!" Gao Shun started preparing with the Formation Breaker.
"Cheng Yu!" Liu Mang called out to Cheng Yu. "You are to remove general Xiahou's armor and wear it onto yourself!"
"Ahhhh?!" Cheng Yu did not understand.
"Execute the orders!"
"Yes!" Cheng Yu also left following the orders.
"Boss Lu, as for you and I, we are to take off our armor and wait for the time of opportunity!" Yep, this was exactly what Liu Mang had in mind.
Xiapi had already been broken through. A steady stream of Cao troops was influxing the East Gate, West Gate, North Gate and the South Gate. To break out of the city was literally impossible. Even if the breakout was to be successful, high number of casualties would be needed.
Thus, a different method must be used - waving Xiahou De's banner. Cheng Yu had a similar physique to Xiahou De. After wearing his armor, no one should be able to tell who he was without being up close. Additionally, the sky was getting darker.
Coupled with the troops Zhang Liao brought over changing to Cao army's uniforms. As long as they do not encounter familiar people, they will not be found out.
While Gao Shun's eight hundred Formation Breaker hiding within the disguised Lu Bu troops, ready to respond to any situations.
Having Lu Bu and himself change their armor was because the armors they were wearing was too obvious. Liu Mang was wearing a Golden Cloth. Even if the sky was dark, the armor will still reflect light. Lu Bu's white armor, on the other hand, was already well known to the Cao army.
With Lu Bu, Gao Shun, Zhang Liao and the eight hundred elite soldiers of the Formation Breaker… they are like a spear going straight for the enemy's chest.
Soon Zhang Liao and Gao Shun returned. They had finished setting up.
"Brother Liu Mang, let's go!" Lu Bu had already brought over his family. The current him did not want to waste any more time staying here.
"Boss Lu, worry not!" Liu Mang shook his head. He took off his Golden Cloth and placed it inside one of Lu Bu family's cart and changed into an ordinary soldier's armor.
Only now did Liu Mang know the benefits of that Gold Cloth. Not only offering great protection, it was also lightweight from being constructed from aluminum alloy. The whole armor added up to only twenty some pounds. Opposing that, his current armor, which includes only the chest plate and the back plate, offering no protection elsewhere, was over fifty pounds with a helmet.
"Let the soldiers rest first. We will wait till night. Night is the time of our breakout!" Liu Mang found a place and laid down. He no longer minded the blood on the ground. It's fine as long as it's dry.
Chapter 7: Breakthrough
My Father in Law is Lu Bu
Gradually the night deepened. With a bright moon in the sky, the scenery was like a picturesque charm - one that was meant for moon watching with beauties and poetries.
But Xiapi, the once flourishing city of Xu Province, was still in bloody strife.
The city was engulfed in countless flames. Sounds of fighting could be heard everywhere.
Lu Bu was sitting next to Liu Mang. While Liu Mang could rest, he was not able to. The burning city, every sound of fighting, every scream, every newly lit fire meant that his subordinates, those determined men, are being buried in this ancient city.
"What time is it?" Liu Mang suddenly woke up. He was was tired. Having prepared the whole morning for the Cosplay Contest and then killing all afternoon after being sent to this time. He was dead tired. So tired that he wanted to just lay down and not move at all. However, he still had to move. He did not want to die! He wanted to survive!
"It's already the hour of Xu now." Lu Bu said calmly.
"Hour of Xu?!" The ancients used the the ten heavenly stems and the twelve earthly branches for their time into twelve two-hour periods. This hour of Xu is 7pm to 9pm. Liu Mang remembered that when he went to rest, the sun haven't set. Thus, it should be around 5pm. Now it's seven something, he had rested for about two hours.
"It's time for us to move into action!" The sky had darkened. Even with the huge fire in Xiapi, it was still hard to distinguish in the dark.
"Let's break out via the West Gate!" Lu Bu stood up to inform Gao Shun and Zhang Liao. However, he was stopped by Liu Mang.
"We cannot go through the West Gate!" Liu Mang said.
"Why?" Lu Bu was confused. The East Gate, which was the White Gate Tower, had been lost. The North Gate was guarded by Gao Shun. With Gao Shun currently being here, it meant that the North Gate was also lost. Following, the South Gate too was lost. There's only the West Gate being guarded by Chen Gong, it should still be standing.
"To go through the West Gate is seeking death itself!" Although Liu Mang does not understand the art of war, he knew of psychology. With three out of four gates of Xiapi being broken through, the last gate too is inevitably going to be lost. Thus, the last gate was no longer crucial to the siege of the city. Rather, it was a place for one to gain credits - the credit of breaking through the gate!
In this siege of Xiapi, Cao Cao brought with him generals Cao Ren, Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun. Below them was the generals Xu Huang, Lu Qian and Li Dian. Not to mention the three peach brothers! A gathering of all star generals. Alas, this Xiapi had but four gates - not at all dividable between all these generals. Thus, this last gate would be a scramble for credits.
"We will go toward the East Gate. We will break out through the East Gate!" Liu Mang made up his mind.
"East Gate? Are you out of your mind?!" Lu Bu shouted. "The East Gate was the White Gate Tower - the place we just lost. Because I was there, the East Gate was also the gate Cao Cao sent the most troops toward. How could we break through via the East Gate?! The East Gate is out of question. We are to break through via the West Gate!"
It was written that Lu Bu was a very stubborn person. Originally, Liu Mang did not believe that but now he does. Lu Bu rejected him without even giving him a chance to explain himself. No wonder Lu Bu still lose so thoroughly even with a first class military advisor Chen Gong, the first class troops Formation Breaker and the Heavy Cavalry of Bing Province, and himself, the pinnacle of super first class general.
But, Liu Mang had a way to deal with people like Lu Bu.
People like Lu Bu are like hedgehogs. If you stroke him following the spines, nothing would happen. If you stroke him against the spines, your hand will be pricked full of blood.
"Boss Lu, do you not want revenge?!" With just one sentence, Lu Bu's stubbornness was lifted.
"Revenge?!" Lu Bu's eyes shined. In this darkness, Lu Bu's eyes were terrifying.
"Yes. Revenge. Bullied so badly by taitor Cao and betrayed by Wei Xu, Song Xian and Hou Cheng. Are you just going to leave without doing anything? Did you not want to kill those three traitors and give traitor Cao a payback?!"
"What must I do?!" Lu Bu was very direct. Although he was known as a hero, he was also a vile person. One of the main characteristics of a vile person was their vindictiveness.
Cao Cao brought forth to him so much pain, how could he possibly not give Cao Cao a payback? There's the three traitors Wei Xu, Hou Cheng and Song Xian too. Everyone have such an characteristic - one's hatred for traitors are much stronger than one's hatred for enemies. E.g. the Chinese traitors in the Sino Japanese War. Cursing them so much, enough for at least three generations of ancestors and descendants.
[TL: No idea who author decided to add it. Guess it resonates with the chinese people. Many still aren't over what the Japanese did in WWII.]
"Breakthrough via the East Gate!" Liu Mang spoke his mind. "It is true that the Cao troops was most heavily stationed in the East Gate. However, that is to guard against the Lu Bu army!"
"What do you mean?!" Lu Bu inquired.
"Hehe. We are now Cao troops under General Xiahou Yuan's nephew. Say, would the Cao troops be stopping us now?!"
"That's right!" Lu Bu only now remembered that Liu Mang had Zhang Liao get all the soldiers to change into Cao army uniform. Under the dark sky, it would be hard to differentiate them from regular Cao soldiers.
"Cao army had broken through Xiapi. With the whole Xu Province in his fingertips, based on Cao Cao's personality, how would he possibly not express his heroics and enjoy the feeling of a victor? Thus, he would certainly be holding a celebratory banquet for his acquisition of Xu Province in the building that indicates Xiapi - the White Gate Tower!" In the Romance of Three Kingdoms, boss Lu was killed on the same White Gate Tower.
"The moment when one is most proud is also the moment when one is most neglectful. Say, how strong would his guard be at that moment?! The reason why I had general Zhang Liao lead the front and the eight hundred Formation Breaker following behind was to see if there was a chance to directly assault Cao Cao's tent. The three traitors are certainly going to be with Cao Cao. Perhaps, if we were lucky, we could get rid of Cao Cao, deciding Heaven and Earth in a single inning. Once Cao Cao is dead, both the Yan Province and the Xu Province will be sent into chaos. Boss Lu could take advantage of the situation and replace Cao Cao. Even if we can't kill him, we would still leave the city in quick succession, making a comeback at another date!"
[TL: 一局定乾坤: deciding Heaven and Earth in a single inning. Basically, one moved settled the game. Kill Cao Cao, win game.]
After hearing Liu Mang's explanation, two words was evoked into Lu Bu's mind - do it!
What the Lu Bu army was best at was their speed. Formation Breaker was the elite amongst elite and the rest of the Lu Bu army was those that had survived despite all odds; soldiers that had experienced hundreds of battles, their speed certainly not slow.
Holding the banners of Xiahou De, an army of "Cao soldiers" strut toward the White Gate Tower.
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On the White Gate Tower
Cao Cao was holding a banquet. He cannot withhold himself from showing off his strength and vigour! That Lu Bu, the same Lu Bu who once held the twelve warlords to naught was defeated by him. Not only had he defeated Lu Bu, he also obtained Lu Bu's estates. Perhaps later he will obtain his harem too - he had yearned for Diaochan for quite some time now.
"Congratulations Prime Minister! Xiapi had been conquered; as for Xu Province, it is within the grasps of sire's palms. With Xu Province in hand, sire could feed a hundred thousand troops!" A scholar kneeled to congratulate Cao Cao.
"Haha. Rise, rise!" Cao Cao was in a very good mood. As for the person kneeling on the ground, he's Chen Qun who had previously been serving Lu Bu. This Chen Qun was a very talented individual. Lu Bu didn't use him? Well, I, Cao Mende will certainly use him. Haha.
"Being able to conquer Xiapi and defeat Lu Bu today is all because of everyone present! I, Cao Mende, thank you all here!" Xiapi ah, Xu Province ah, oh this was a fertile region. Although being the battlefield of four battles, it could still feed an army of a hundred thousand.
[TL: Literal translation of fertile region: land of fish and rice.]
Cao Cao didn't set his sight on the Xu Province just once or twice. The first time he attacked Xu Province, he did it under the guise of his father Cao Song's death. The then owner of Xu Province was Tao Qian, the old and corrupt. Although Tao Qian was no master of the arts of war, he fought Cao Cao back just by using the wealth of Xu Province.
And now was the second time he attacked Xu Province. After much cultivation, Cao Cao finally fought all the way to Xiapi using his Qing Province soldiers. Hell, this was also because Lu Bu dug his own grave by refusing to listen to his advisor.
[TL: Lu Bu did not listen to his advisor Chen Gong's advice to attack Cao Cao when their troops were tired from a long march. Instead, he decided to stay in Xiapi and wait for Cao Cao to arrive.]
"Dare not, dare not!" Cao Cao's subordinates all lowered their heads, humbly refusing to accept Cao's thanks.
[TL: The reason why Cao Cao's subordinates are refusing to accept his thanks is because he is essentially their master, thus, he needn't thank them. It's a social thing, yo. They're trying to be humble.]
"Humph!" A cold humph was heard.
Cao Cao shifted his focus toward the originator of the humph - a tied up middle aged scholar. ...to even forget about him due to being too rejoiceful. Cao Cao, in a complacent manner, asked the scholar "perhaps Gongtai have some enlightenment?!"
This man, who was currently being tied up, was Lu Bu's number one military advisor, Chen Gong, Chen Gongtai.
[TL: Gongtai is the courtesy name of Chen Gong.]
"Despicable vile man, if not for the fact that Fengxian did not take my advise, how could you possibly conquered Xiapi! Humph!" Cheng Gong's prejudice against Cao Cao had never once subsided. Instead, it only deepened over the years.
"Gongtai oh Gongtai, why must you be so. Had you joined me back then, then a seat would be reserved for you in this grand celebration. You could even exhibit your aspirations and grand prospect. To not choose I, Cao Mende, I initially thought it was because Gongtai's sight was far reaching and had a better candidate. Alas, it appears that Gongtai's sight was only so!" What Cao Cao meant was: Chen Gongtai, you're so short sighted. Huge future prospects was presented in front of you and you refused it. Instead, you insist on relying on Lu Bu.
"Hehe, with you? You want me to join you to in your killing of innocents? What had Lu Boshe done to you? Not only did you kill his whole family, you wanted to kill him to? Cao Mende, you are a cruel and unscrupulous person!" The more Chen Gong said, the more excited his tone became.
[TL: Lu Boshe was an old acquaintance of Cao Cao, pretty much his uncle. Cao Cao killed his family when Cao stayed at Lu's place while on the flee after Cao's failed attempt at killing Dong Zhou. Cao heard the sharpening of knives and suspected that Lu's family were plotting to harm him so he killed them for preemptive purposes. Cao remarked "I'd rather do wrong to others than allow them to do wrong to me!"]
[TL: lit. translation for cruel and unscrupulous: heart of wolf and lungs of dog. To call an individual as possessing a heart of wolf and lungs of dog meant that he is an immoral and evil person!"]
All the scholars and generals present were silent. It was their first time hearing the incident regarding Lu Boshe. Although Cao Cao compromised morality, he was still their lord.
"Silence!" Cao Cao's facial expression changed.
"What, you, Cao Mende, too is afraid? You, Cao Mende, too seek reputation?! If you want my silence then I will continue speaking! I dare you to try killing me!" Chen Gong sneered.
"You really believe that I dared not kill thee?!" Cao Cao pulled out his sword. The sword was called Heaven, forged with highly refined iron and rated as a superior weapon.
"Kill me! For every day that you, Cao Mende, does not kill me, I will continue speaking that day!"
The atmosphere was frozen.
Cao Cao, after looking at Chen Gong for a long time, suddenly had a smile on his face. "Speak, continue speaking! Curse, continue cursing!" The sword came down and chopped off the ropes that was tying Chen Gong.
"Gongtai must be thirsty!" Cao Cao ordered servants to bring wine cup and filled them with fine liquor. Doing this, he was telling Chen Gongtai to continue his curses and when he gets thirsty from all of curses, he could drink the wine to quench his thirst before continue cursing.
Chen Gong picked up the wine cup in front of him, drank the wine in a single gulp, and said while shaking his head "Cao Mende oh Cao Mende, I really did not expect for you to be this thick skinned!"
"Ha ha!" Cao Cao laughed boldly and stood up. "Oh Gongtai, it is not I, Cao Cao, who is thick skinned. Instead, I had already thrown away my regards for all the utterly filthy and debased guiding principles and ethics of the world. Everyone calls me a villain but none could do anything to this villain. All you self proclaimed men of noble characteristics, alas, still lose to this villain. If the price of being a noble man is to be insulted, trampled, perish and even killed, then I would rather be a villain who could realize his ambitions. Since ancient times the most treacherous person appears the most guileless, the most disloyal person appears the most loyal, loyalty and righteous, craftiness and evil, neither one of them could be read from just the surface. You had previously viewed me wrongly and now you are viewing me wrongly again; but I am still me, I had never once been afraid of people viewing me wrongly. Brother Gongtai, objectively speaking, do you not agree?"
Chen Gong have nothing to say. As the saying goes, persons who walk different paths cannot make plans together. Perhaps Cao Cao was right and perhaps he was right. Only heaven knew! Regardless, Xiapi had been conquered and Chen Gong was prepared to die.
Seeing the speechless Chen Gong, Cao Cao smiled. Afterall, he was Cao Cao's first advisor. Back then, when Chen Gong discarded his official position for him was something that really moved Cao Cao.
Just as Cao Cao was thinking away in his mind, a messenger ran in. "Reporting to the Prime Minister, General Hou Chen is requesting a meeting!"
"Oh?" said Cao Cao. Hou Cheng had already surrendered himself. This time, he left to find Wei Xu and Song Xian and the Lu Bu that they captured. For Hou Cheng to come back, the captured Lu Bu must have also been brought back.
Cao Cao laughed in his mind, he said to Chen Gong that's drinking sorrow drowning wine "Gongtai oh Gongtai, your former master is soon to arrive!"
"Allow him to come in!"
"Yes!" The messenger left.
"Ai!" Chen Gong sighed with a desolate face.
Hou Cheng strode in rapidly. He came toward Cao Cao and kneeled down. "Surrendered general Hou Cheng, Prime Minister!"
"General Hou Cheng need not be over courteous. Please rise. To defeat Lu Bu today, the Lu Bu army will thus be removed from this world. Thus, General, you need not call yourself a surrendered general, instead, it should 'this general'! " Cao Cao was stroking his beard. He appeared to be considering of Hou Cheng.
[TL: 末將: this general; honorific used for generals to address themselves to their superiors.]
"Yes, this general will execute the order!" This traitor Hou Cheng really eats this shit, he got deeply touched.
"How come generals Wei Xu and Song Xian are not with you? This Prime Minister was going to reward the two generals for capturing Lu Bu and opening the gates!" Cao Cao always rewards his soldiers based on merits, causing his soldiers to willingly give their lives for him.
"Eh!" It was fine before Cao Cao asked. However once Cao Cao asked, Hou Cheng started sweating bullets. 'This general, this general!" stammering, Hou Cheng cannot speak.
"What happened?!" Cao Cao frowned.
"This general admits his mistake, please Prime Minister Cao forgive me! Lu Bu, Lu Bu broke free from his ropes and escaped!" Song Xian and Wei Xu had not told Hou Cheng about Liu Mang because if they did, then it would mean that they are idiots! To believe a man they met without good cause and in the end, to be betrayed by the same man, if this was not stupidity then what is?!
"Escaped?!" Before Cao Cao could speak, a black skinned general standing next to him had already spoke. "Did you not said that Song Xian and Wei Xu had already tied up that slave with three surnames?! To allow him to escape after throwing away his Sky Piercer, you really are a bunch of useless imbeciles!" His voice was extremely loud, his spittle had almost reached Hou Cheng's face. Although Hou Cheng was behaving with utmost respect in front of Cao Cao, but in front of this general, he didn't have to - his face already started getting pale.
"Third brother, don't be rude!" A large eared scholar walked out and pulled the black faced general away. That's right, these are the three peach brothers. You don't say, Liu Bei really has a decent appearance - kind brows, pleasant eyes - from head to toes, if he cries then he really does look like he's concerned for the whole world.
"Hahahaha, great escape, great escape!" The happiest person present was Chen Gong. If the wine from earlier was like water then it has now became bejeweled nectar.
"For the Water Dragon to return to the sea, to release the tiger back into the mountains! Mende, this Xu Province of yours is certainly not going to be stable!"
"En?!" With a gloomy face, Cao Cao did not speak. He too knew that Lu Bu was like a fierce tiger, once escaped, much less Xu Province, even Yan Province might no longer be calm and peaceful. Lu Bu originally had been one without foundation, at most he just returned to his roots.
But Cao Cao, he cannot afford to play that game. To be attacked by Lu Bu every now and then, he could give up on a smooth and steady route toward world domination. By then, much less world domination, just being able to secure his own territories would already be pretty good.
Cao Cao took a deep breath. Without any anger, instead he showed a smile and said "General Hou Cheng is of no guilt. This Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian, was a fierce tiger. To be able to open the gates, offer the Red Hare and the Sky Piercer is already great merit. General need not remorse!"
"Prime Minister!" Hou Cheng was moved to complete shambles. "Prime Minister, please rest assured. This manservant Lu Bu is known to be most concerned of his harem; generals Wei Xu and Song Xian was already en route toward the Province Governor's Mansion to bring them here. As long as we have them, Lu Bu would certainly surrender without a fight!"
"Oh?!" Cao Cao really did forget that Lu Bu was a family man. You don't say, Hou Cheng's scheme was certainly useful. Had Lu Bu been like a certain someone, regarding wives and children as clothes, more willing to change clothes than to eat a meal, then Cao Mende was certainly at a loss.
Cao Cao glanced at Liu Bei.
Chapter 8: Wrongly Kill Three Thousand
My Father in Law is Lu Bu
Cao Cao was indeed a formidable person, even when Lu Bu's escape reached his ears, he still kept a straight face and said laughing "Everyone drink, drink. Let's calmly wait for the good news from generals Song Xian and Wei Xu!"
When the boss was acting like this, then the subordinates could only be beaming with happiness. They thus began to indulge in the drinking and eating.
"Reporting!" Another messenger ran in. "Reporting to Prime Minister, General Xiahou Yuan is requesting for attendance!"
"Miaocai?" Cao Cao did not expect that. Wasn't Xiahou Yuan was responsible for the cleanup of the remnants of the Lu Bu soldiers in the city? Why would he come at this time?
[TL: Miaocai is Xiahou Yuan's courtesy name.]
Before Cao Cao could declare Xiahou Yuan's entrance, he already rushed in.
"Mende, Mende!" A worrisome Xiahou Yuan walked in hastily. In a panic, he called out to Cao Cao using his courtesy name.
[TL: as opposed to his title, the Prime Minister.]
"Miaocai, what happened?!" Rarely have Cao Cao seen Xiahou Yuan in such a panic. His composure was definite even when he helped Cao Cao shoulder the blame of his serious offence.
"Mende! Miaoren is gone!" Anxiety came rushing out of Xiahou Yuan's mouth.
"Miaoren?!" Cao Cao remembered. This Miaoren was the courtesy name of Xiahou Yuan's nephew, Xiahou De.
"What happened?!" Cao Cao inquired.
"Noon after Xiapi's East Gate got broken, my nephew Miaoren entered the city in hopes of exterminating the remnants of the Lu Bu soldiers before returning to the barracks at dusk. However, he is nowhere to be seen!"
"Eh!" Cao Cao understood. Xiahou Yuan was currently an over concerned elder. There exists neither day nor night in times of war. Once in the battlefield, one's thought will be on how to survive and kill more enemies, how would one possibly consider about time?!
Xiapi has been broken through, all those that remain are the remnant soldiers of Lu Bu's army - simply unable to counterattack. Xiahou De was, after all, a thousand men general and being able to enter the city meant that his contribution toward the siege wasn't simple.
[TL: I am translating 牙将 (lit. tooth/ivory general) as thousand men general because it mentioned that Xiahou De is a thousand men general; 牙将 is a position during the ancient time that basically denotes the person to be a lesser, lower rank, general/officer.]
"Miaocai, you're overthinking. Even Xiapi's largest tiger Lu Bu fled, say, do you still think we'll have a situation on our hand?! The Lu Bu army numbered seventy thousand. Situated on the four walls were no less than fifty thousand. Our months long siege have already forced these fifty thousand troops to desert the city. There are but some ten thousand remnant soldiers left in the city. With the Qing Province Soldiers that Miaoren has, nothing could possibly happen! Maybe he's trying to attain more accomplishments to impress you, Miaocai!" Cao Cao consoled Xiahou Yuan. This Miaocai, really, to be this overly concerned, he was treating his nephew even better than his children!
During the year of the great drought, in order to help his dead younger brother's daughter survive, he cut off his son's rations. And even now, his two sons are already adults! Xiahou Heng and Xiahou Ba are already of age to join the military. However, this Miaocai was just unwilling to bring his two sons with him. Instead, he brought his nephew under his wings.
"But Mende..!" Xiahou Yuan still wanted to say something. He felt that something is wrong. At this moment, a messenger came.
"Reporting to Prime Minister, thousand men general Xiahou De is requesting return to camp!"
"Ha ha. Miaocai, look at you worrying. Didn't he just arrive?!" Cao Cao patted Xiahou Yuan's shoulder. If not for these old brothers of his, Cao Cao wouldn't be where he is now.
"Well, I guess I was overly worried!" Hearing the notification from the messenger, Xiahou Yuan should have relaxed. However, he was still uncomfortable.
"Allow thousand men general Xiahou De to return to camp!"
"Come, Miaocai, let's go together to see how much accomplishment our Xiahou clan's tiger cub managed to attain!" The Xiahou clan and the Cao clan are of one family. Cao Cao's original name was Xiahou Cao. He was adopted to the Cao clan, thus declaring himself to be of the Xiahou clan was correct too.
[TL: Cao Cao's father was the adopted son of Cao Teng, one of the favorite eunuch of Emperor Huan. His original clan was the Xiahou clan. Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan was Cao Cao's cousins.]
"Come gentlemen, let's go together!" He grabbed Xiahou Miaocai as he said that and walked out of the White Gate Tower down toward the barracks.
"Come come come, let's have a look at Prime Minister's family's tiger club!" These Cao subordinates cannot not give Cao Cao face, they also wanted to get to know of this Xiahou clan's little general. Even Chen Gong who did not want to go was pulled forward by the crowd.
[TL: giving face in chinese meant respecting the person]
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Underneath Xiapi, a group of soldiers waving the banners of Xiahou De was solemnly looking at this ancient city.
"Brother Liu Mang, are you certain that this is going to work?!" A soldier wearing ordinary Cao army outfit and holding a spear whispered to another soldier.
Surrounding them from all sides was Cao army. If they mess up, they likely will be annihilated.
"Don't worry! Even if we can't get our revenge, can't kill the two traitors Wei Xu and Song Xian, but to break out from here is still feasible!" That's right, these two soldiers are Liu Mang and Lu Bu who have taken off their armor. In actuality, Liu Mang's palms were already covered in sweat.
With a height of ten meters and a thickness of seven meters, this was the city defense of Xiapi!
Back during the day it still belonged to Boss Lu, but now Boss Cao had taken over it.
If it wasn't for Guo Jia's tactics of redirecting the waters of Yi and Si rivers to flood Xiapi, perhaps Boss Lu really could defend against Boss Cao's siege.
Alas, there exists no such thing as 'if' in this world.
Currently what they are about to do is to break out of this thousand year old ancient city.
"Revenge!" Lu Bu held his head high looking at the tall building in front of him. It was the White Gate Tower, the building that indicates Xiapi, the place that almost cost him his life.
"By the order of the Prime Minister, general Xiahou De is permitted to return to camp!" A messenger with a loud voice shouted on the city gate.
"By the order of the Prime Minister, general Xiahou De is permitted to return to camp!" One by one, the orders quickly transmitted through the banners.
"kakakakaka!" The gates of Xiapi slowly opened.
The expressions of Liu Mang and Lu Bu gradually got more cheerful.
Right at this moment, bold laughters was heard from the walls. Immediately this voice cause Liu Mang and Lu Bu to tighten their hearts.
"Miaocai oh Miaocai, didn't I say you're overly concerned? Look at how valiant and formidable looking our Xiahou clan's tiger cub is!"
"Cao Cao, this is Cao Cao's voice!" Lu Bu had dealt with Cao Cao before - in Dongzhou's mansion back in Luoyang, in the Hulao Pass, and a couple months ago when Cao Cao asked him to surrender! Thus, Lu Bu was familiar with Cao Cao's voice.
"Prime Minister need not praise him too much. This kid is like an ox, refusing to move unless he was to be met with a couple more whips!" Seeing his nephew's banner and the standing army, Xiahou Yuan gradually calmed down. He even called Cao Cao by his title.
"An unpolished jade is precisely one that requires guidance, ha ha! Come come come, let's go look at Miaoren! Having cleaned up the Lu Bu army remnants, Miaoren certainly tried very hard!" The laughing Cao Cao brought with him Xiahou Yuan and the other scholars and generals and proceed to walk down the city gate tower and toward the camp.
"Boss Lu remain calm, calm!" Liu Mang placed his hand on Lu Bu's. Lu Bu was currently trembling. He was trembling with rage. In particular, he was in rage because of a general behind Cao Cao! Liu Mang had already met Wei Xu and Song Xian, thus the only other person who could make Lu Bu anger like so was Hou Cheng!
Liu Mang was very scared that Boss Lu would just rush out screaming 'Hou Cheng, prepare to die!' and then they all end up being doomed. Fortunately, boss Lu managed to restrain himself.
Lu Bu already had his hand on his spear. Once Boss Cao walked down the city gate tower, he'll immediately launch a surprise attack. This way, not only Cao Cao will be out of luck, many of his retainers could be killed too.
Cao Cao was soon to walk down the tower… the most ambitious man of the generation was soon to meet his end in the hands of the turtledove tiger.
[TL: turtledove is a bird that is noted for the apparent affection shown for its mate.]
Suddenly, a sound of notification was heard and a messenger ran over.
"Reporting! Reporting to Prime Minister, general Wei Xu and Song Xian rushed toward Lu Bu's mansion to capture his family. When they arrived, Lu Bu's mansion have already been deserted!"
"What?!" Cao Cao really got angry this time. Lu Bu escaping is one thing, but if his family was captured then there still existed a way to suppress that tiger; but now, that method too is lost. Not to mention that there was a beauty that Old Cao wanted for a long time amongst the escapees.
"What a bunch of useless imbeciles!" was something Old Cao did not say. He did want to hurt Hou Cheng and the other surrendered generals' feelings because of this.
"Where are Wei Xu and Song Xian?!" Cao Cao said dully. His hands was stroking the hilt of his sword attached to his waist. Those familiar with Cao Cao knew that it was the signs of Cao Cao's suspicion problem. Might Song Xian and Wei Xu be feigning their surrender? Are they giving up Xiapi in exchange for Lu Bu's escape?! After all, because of Guo Jia's tactics, Xiapi was already a dead city. To capture it was only a matter of time.
"Generals Wei Xu and Song Xian are currently still on the road rushing here!"
Old Cao's facial expression became increasingly volatile. He even forgot that he should be receiving Xiahou De and came to a complete stop on the tower stairs. In this moment of delay, another messenger ran over.
"Reporting! Reporting to Prime Minister, General Xiahou Dun reports intelligence from the sheltered defeated soldiers of thousand men general Xiahou De in the western part of the city that general Xiahou De is currently being held captive by the Lu Bu army. General Xiahou Dun wishes that Prime Minister would immediately send troops to rescue general Xiahou De!"
"What? Miaoren was captured?!" Xiahou Yuan was the first to rushed toward the front. He grabbed the messenger and shouted loudly. His voice so loud that even Liu Mang and Lu Bu heard it clearly.
If Xiahou De was to be captured, then who exactly are these Xiahou De soldiers down there?
"Not good!" Cao Cao was alarmed.
"Not good!" Liu Mang was also alarmed. There existed a major loophole in his strategy - the dispersed soldiers of Xiahou De. Although Xiapi was large, there still exists a chance of the soldiers running back to camp when they numbered a thousand.
Once they ran back, then Liu Mang's plan to use the banners of Xiahou De was certainly seeking death.
Fortunately Xiahou Yuan lost it and roared out, allowing Lu Bu and Liu Mang to hear it. If it wasn't for Xiahou Yuan's 'help' then boss Cao, having received the news at the perfect moment, could give praise on the outside while secretly covering the location with archers. If that was the case, then they could only get ganged up and killed by Cao's men!
"Do it!" With the roar from Liu Mang, the Lu Bu army rushed out directly toward the Cao army. The soldiers under Zhang Liao quickly dispersed toward the sides, revealing in the middle the soldiers of Formation Breaker wearing armor and wielding blades and shields.
"Burst the formations, death to all enemies, kill!" Cao Cao's army was caught unprepared. The guards protecting Cao Cao were immediately clashed away.
"Hurry!" Old Cao was prompt to decide, right away he started crawling up toward the city walls. The stairs of the city walls were narrow without railing, this one move from Old Cao caused multiple people to be forced aside. Fortunately for the generals, they could still stand steady using their well trained bodies. But for those civilian court officials, oh did they suffer.
The first unlucky person was Chen Gui, Chen Hanyu. This old man who calculated so hard for the death of Lu Bu, before he was able to witness Lu Bu's demise, was instead pushed aside by Cao Cao. This old and feeble man, how could he withstand Cao Cao's strength? Without much resistance, he was pushed down the city gate tower. When he finally noticed that it was Cao Cao who pushed him down, he was already en route toward the ground. This old man glared so hard. He sold out Liu Bei and then he sold out Lu Bu all so that his Chen clan could embrace Xu Province and become hegemons in Xu Province. Alas, he was no longer able to wait until the day when that happens.
"Curse you, Cao Mende!"
[TL: the old guy actually said: 'Cao Mende, your death will not be well.' Basically saying that he is to suffer before he dies. It's a common chinese curse thing.]
The old man uttered a curse and fell onto the ground, flattened into a meat patty.
Seeing the panicking Cao Cao, Lu Bu grabbed his spear and rushed upward. "Lu Bu is here, traitor Cao, prepare to die!" Although he's not in possession of the Sky Piercer nor that flowery-patterned battle robe, he was still Lu Bu, he was still that super general. No matter where he goes, no one could stand up to him.
"Miaocai, save me!" Xiahou Yuan came forward. He drew his belt sword and immediately thrust at Lu Bu. Xiahou Yuan was not someone of the same level as Lu Bu. Not to mention he's currently holding a sword. As the saying goes, the longer the stronger, the shorter the more dangerous. Soon many blood grooves appeared on Xiahou Miaocai's body. If it wasn't for his battle armor, he would've already been killed by Lu Bu. With a spear strike, Lu Bu swept Xiahou Yuan aside. Although Xiahou Yuan can't stand up against Lu Bu, it would still require some thirty bouts for Lu Bu to kill him. If he killed Xiahou Yuan then he could forget about Cao Cao. That dude's running fast as hell!
"Scram!" Lu Bu was blocked by Xiahou Yuan for only a moment but Cao Cao had advanced tens of meters. Soon, one of Cao Cao's guard was standing in front of him, blocking his path. Cao Cao immediately drew his Sword of Heaven without saying anything and killed that guard on the spot, opening his escape path.
"Slave of three surnames, don't you dare act so insolent with I, Zhang Yide of Yan, here!" shouted a black faced burly man. He was about to jump out to engage Lu Bu but was instead held back by the Big Eared person.
[TL: Yide is Zhang Fei's courtesy name. Yan (燕) was a state in ancient China.]
"Zhang Fei?!" Lu Bu frowned. The reason why his reputation was so bad was half Zhang Fei's fault. That phrase 'slave of three surnames' had deprived him for years.
If it was before, then Lu Bu would've already engaged Zhang Fei to a battle till the death. But now, his focus is on killing Cao Cao.
The Big Eared Liu who has been protected by his brothers the whole time maneuvering around, sometimes engaging and sometimes withdrawing. He was calmly watching this battle. This Xu Province and this Xiapi originally belonged to him. Alas, it was taken by two bandits. Now that these bandits are killing each other, he'll be happy regardless of who died.
He stopped Zhang Fei right when he was about to jump out to engage Lu Bu. Oh how he wishes that Cao Cao will die in the hands of Lu Bu!
Once Cao Cao's dead, it would've been the best opportunity for Liu Bei. Relying on the title of 'royal uncle,' he could've assimilate over half of Cao Cao's territory.
"Big brother, why are you stopping me?!" Zhang Fei was discontent. The person he hated the most was Lu Bu. Lu Bu was more handsome than him. Lu Bu's martial abilities were stronger than his. His wife was even the world's number one beauty! This kind of 'Mr. Perfect' was the natural enemy of an loser like Zhang Fei! jk, jk!
[TL: yep, author says jk jk. Author refers to Lu Bu as GaoFuShuai and Zhang Fei as DiaoSi. They are both internet slangs. GaoFuShuai meant that the person is tall, rich and handsome. Basically Mr. Perfect. Diaosi meant that the guy is of mediocre appearance, humble family, no car, no house and no connection. Basically a loser.]
Zhang Fei was a butcher before swearing brotherhood with Liu Bei and Guan Yu. What butchers hated the most were people who kick their benefactors in the teeth. It was pretty obvious that Lu Bu was such a person in the eyes of Zhang Fei.
[TL: Lu Bu because he betrayed his adopted father twice. But then again, Liu Bei betrays everyone.]
"Third brother, traitor Cao and traitor Lu are killing each other. There is no need for you to join the fray. Just wait and observe for changes!" Liu Bei eyes was flashing. In his heart, he was shouting 'kill, kill! Lu Bu, kill Cao Cao and then get killed by Cao Cao's army! Then this Xu Province; no, this Xu and Yan Provinces will be mine!'
Guan Yu did not speak. Instead, he only looked at his older brother. He found himself to increasingly not understand his older brother.
Being delayed by Zhang Fei's roar, Xiahou Yuan came rushing up again. Although bloodied, he still remains strong.
"Why must you?!" Lu Bu regretted a bit. A general like this would rather die to protect Cao Cao. Met with this kind of camaraderie, Lu Bu's heart saddened a bit. However, once again he thought of the trio of Hou Cheng, Wei Xu and Song Xian!
An obscure flame soon began to rage in his heart. Cao Cao, for which reasons are you able to attain such loyal men?! For which reasons!
The way he looked at Xiahou Yuan changed. He changed his mind. He will kill Xiahou Yuan to let Cao Cao understand the feelings of heart break!
Cao Cao too saw that Xiahou Yuan's heavily injured. Another general rushed toward him from behind, Cao Cao shouted "Hou Cheng-Hou Cheng, go help Miaocai kill Lu Bu!"
"Kill Lu Bu?!" Hou Cheng was about to cry! He was already scared as hell when he betrayed Lu Bu, fearing that Lu Bu would just come next to him and kill him. The longer he was under the commands of Lu Bu, the more aware he was of how frightening Lu Bu was - Lu Bu was simply inhuman, he's like a God.
Originally he could escape. But now, he was exposed by Cao Cao. And to kill Lu Bu?! Prime Minister Cao, was it your literature teacher that taught you math?!
A pinnacle of super first class general against a first class general and a second class general…
...and to kill this pinnacle of super first class general?! He would've already be fortunate if he didn't get chopped into meat paste.
Can Hou Cheng escape? He too wanted to escape but cannot. Even if Lu Bu's focus still did not land on him yet, he still cannot run away. He had betrayed Lu Bu, he couldn't possibly get back into the Lu Bu army. If he refused to listen to his new boss Cao Cao now, then in this wide world, perhaps there really isn't a place for Hou Cheng to go to.
"Fuck it!" Hou Cheng gritted his teeth, picked up his blade and rushed toward Lu Bu.
Although Hou Cheng's appearance surged the rage within Lu Bu, he still did not forget his original intention of killing Xiahou Yuan to have Cao Cao experience the pain of heart break.
As more bouts went by, Hou Cheng, contrary to expectations, was fine. Xiahou Yuan, on the other hand, received more wounds.
"Swoosh!" Lu Bu's spear suddenly came crushing down on Xiahou Yuan's helmet. The helmet was knocked flying out. Xiahou Yuan too was knocked unconscious by this strike.
"Oh no!" Hou Cheng's chest tightened. Unable to win even when they're two on one, and now one was done for, was this still even possible?! With ever changing expression, Hou Cheng wondered if he should get on his knee and beg for mercy and see if Lu Bu could forgive him.
Right at this moment, another sudden change happened. Four armies came rushing toward the White Gate Tower. Holding torches, their banners: Song, Wei, Yu, Xiahou!
"Reinforcement!" Hou Cheng had an expression of happiness. Currently there no longer exist many Lu Bu troops in Xiapi with a functioning organization. Most certainly these armies rushing here are the Cao troops.
Song was Song Xian, Wei was Wei Xu, Yu was Yu Jin and Xiahou was Xiahou Dun!
'Brother Song Xian and Wei Xu are there too!' Hou Cheng was grinning from ears to ears. His plans of getting on his knees and beg for mercy turned to standing in front of Xiahou Yuan, protecting him.
"Vile!" Lu Bu really wanted to kill Xiahou Yuan and Hou Cheng but he knew that even though Hou Cheng sucks, he was still a second rated general. Killing these two people was easy but he likely won't be able to escape one he killed them!
Regardless of which army, either one of these four have more troops than his own!
"Where is Prime Minister Cao! Yu Jin is here! Sha!"
"Mende, don't panic! Yuanrang have arrived! Men, follow me!" Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin rushed over after hearing noises of fighting atop the White Gate Tower. Wei Xu and Song Xian rushed over to report their failed mission of capturing Lu Bu's family. These four armies conincidentially happened to arrive at exactly the same time!
[TL: Xiahou Dun's courtesy name is Yuanrang.]
"Humph!" Lu Bu abandoned Hou Cheng and Xiahou Yuan and walked down the city walls.
"Fuck!" Liu Mang hacked a Cao soldier to death. Right when they were about to kill boss Cao, right when boss Lu was able to escape, who would've expected that four armies would show up!
Four armies! Each one of them having more soldiers than them! Even with the Formation Breakers, they cannot take on these armies! And there was even Wei Xu and Song Xian amongst these armies, if he was to be captured by these two, how would he possibly survive?! Perhaps even death would be a luxury ~!
"Fucking hell, if they could kill each other then it would've been perfect!" Lu Mang burst out in curses. Suddenly, he had an idea! Kill each other! Liu Mang laughed!
He put down his sword, held his fist up and shouted toward the sky "Generals Song Xian and Wei Xu, now is the best time to revolt!"
"What?!" Zhang Liao and Gao Shun was the first to be shocked. Wei Xu and Song Xian were pretending their surrender?! Impossible! If that was the case, they would not need to tie up the lord!
"What?!" Yu Jin and Xiahou Yuanrang too was shocked. Song Xian and Wei Xu are going to revolt?! They shouldn't be? The Lu Bu army was already defeated, what good is it for them to revolt?
"This is the enemy's tactic to drive a wedge between allies!" Yu Jin composed himself.
"What?!" The one who was most shocked was Cao Cao. He was already skeptical of others. And now, the level of skepticism increased by one. Adding on to that Xiahou Yuan's injury and his own previous speculation, Cao Cao immediately 'realized.'
"Good. Good. What profound stratagem these two traitors Wei Xu and Song Xian had! What profound stratagem! To deceive I, Cao Mende! To deceive the whole world!" Cao Cao's murderous aura got increasingly heavier. Totally, he was almost killed by Lu Bu. "To abandon few for larger gain! He he, using Xiapi to exchange for my life! What profound stratagem, What profound stratagem!"
"Prime Minister, that's wrong, that's wrong!" Hou Cheng panicked. What kind of end was this?! Who exactly is the rebel and who is a good man?!
"Hou Cheng?!" Cao Cao's eyes was flashing red, signifying that he was about to kill someone. "You, come over!' He waved Hou Cheng to come near him.
"Prime Minister, this general is willing to use his life as a guarantee that Generals Wei Xu and Song Xian would never betray the prime minister!" Hou Cheng kneeled. His face full of fear.
"Will not betray?" Cao Cao muttered. Suddenly he thrust the Sword of Heaven in his hand into Hou Cheng's chest.
"Poof!" A ray of blood sprayed all over like flowers. The whole Sword of Heaven was thrust into Hou Cheng's chest.
"Prime Minister...Prime Minister…You...You...!" Under the heavy pain, even his speech was no longer agile. "...why...why?!" His eyes full of doubt.
"Will not betray! Then why did you all betrayed Lu Bu? Since you said you're going to guarantee it with your life, then I shall give you what you want and take your life!" After kicking away Hou Cheng who died with remaining grievance, Cao Cao shouted. "Ordering the whole army! Annihilate Wei Xu, Song Xian and the Lu Bu army remnants right away!" At that moment, the temperament of the a ruthless villain was once again present!
Rather wrongly kill three thousand than to let one go, this was Cao Cao's life motto!
Chapter 9: Home?
My Father in Law is Lu Bu
"Prime Minister, Prime Minister! We have been accused wrongly!" Song Xian and Wei Xu turned pale with fright. The raging man on the city walls was indeed Cao Cao. They risked their life on capturing Lu Bu in hopes of attaining wealth and prosperity. And now? Their wealth and prosperity was gone and their new boss even ordered for their death!
Although Song Xian and Wei Xu cried of being wrongly accused, no one stood up for them because there were already Cao troops that have started executing the orders from Cao Cao. Maybe the sensible Yu Jin would try to constrain his men but Xiahou Yuanrang wasn't one who would do that! Like brothers, he grew up together with Cao Cao. For Cao Cao to be surrounded, he was already burning with anxiety. Adding onto that, he had received news of the injuries that his elder brother Xiahou Yuan suffered - causing Xiahou Dun to be burning with rage!
"Kill, Kill, Kill!" He could care less about some Song Xian or Wei Xu. All he cared was Mende's orders, to kill them!
"Yuanrang, Yuanrang!" Yu Jin tried to stop the berserk Xiahou Dun. But alas, he was too late. Xiahou Dun's army had already began killing Wei Xu and Song Xian's men. Although Wei Xu and Song Xian's men were all surrendered Lu Bu soldiers, they are not people who would just stand there and be attacked without fighting back.
You dare slash at me with your blade, then I shall return you a thrust of my sword - the four armies were immediately thrown into chaos! Before they could reach the Lu Bu remnants, they themselves were thrown into chaos - confronting, attacking and killing each other!
"Vile!" With his sword, Yu Jin killed a soldier from the Song Xian army that was about to bring him harm. There was nothing he could do. While he could keep his head cool and control his own army, he cannot control the other three armies!
"Attention Men! Kill them all!" Yu Jin cannot help but give out such an order. After all, as a general, he cannot just stay there and not fight back. If he did, then how would he be able to lead an army in the future?!
"Sha!" Under the White Gate Tower was a field of chaos. Xiahou Yuanrang's army was attacking Song Xian and Wei Xu's. Song Xian and Wei Xu fought back but also included Yu Jin's army in their retaliation, forcing him to join the fray. With the sky already being dark, now with this chaos, soldiers ended up not being able to tell allies from enemies apart and sometimes ended up fighting their own people.
"Men, onward! Generals Song Xian and Wei Xu are trying to right themselves. Our purpose here is to kill Cao Cao!" shouted Liu Mang as he saw the increasingly chaotic battle that he created.
"This, this!" Gao Shun led the Formation Breaker and began charging straight ahead. He was already prepared to fight till the death when he saw the four Cao armies' arrival. Even if the Formation Breaker was to be completely annihilated, he planned to protect his lord's escape. But with what had happened now, his Formation Breaker was instead able to take things leisurely. It was all because of that scholar (from Gao Shun's point of view, Liu Mang was a scholar because had neither facial hair not strength). With a single speech, he actually managed to cause the self destruction of the four armies.
What is the stratagem of sowing dissension? This was the stratagem of sowing dissension!
[TL: 反间计 is one of the Desperate Stratagems within the 36 Stratagems.
Undermine your enemy's ability to fight by secretly causing discord between him and his friends, allies, advisors, family, commanders, soldiers, and population. While he is preoccupied settling internal disputes, his ability to attack or defend is compromised.]
A few words came out of the the rarely spoken mouth of Gao Shun. "Teacher, what profound talent!" Teacher is what the ancients called the learned people. Gao Shun had recognized Liu Mang. Before Gao Shun could finish his praise, his eyes suddenly widened and he immediately shout "Teacher, careful!"
[TL: The word Gao Shun is calling Liu Mang is 先生, which means mister. It could also mean teacher. This is especially true for certain chinese dialects. Thus, I am putting it as teacher because mister makes no sense.]
"Fuck!" Liu Mang heard Gao Shun's shout, a spear was being thrust toward his face.
"Brat, prepare to die!" The man thrusting the spear at him was Song Xian. Song Xian was enraged at how he believed this man called Liu Mang. And now, not only did the Lu Bu army want to kill him, his new boss wanted to kill him too. In this extreme hatred, his luck seemed to have increased and actually found Liu Mang in this chaos. Even if Liu Mang took off his golden armor, Song Xian still recognize him. Hell, even if Liu Mang turned to ashes Song Xian would still recognize him. Afterall, his voice was already familiar to Song Xian.
"Bastard, not allowing me to live, then you might as well die for me!" Song Xian went crazy. Current Xiapi was filled with Cao troops. Song Xian and Wei Xu was currently stuck between Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin on one side and Lu Bu and the Formation Breaker on the other side. Thus, his death was pretty much guaranteed. Therefore, he went crazy.
All because of this brat! All of this happened because of this brat in front of him! Kill him! KILL HIM! Under such intense hatred, Song Xian actually managed to break through his limit, his abilities increased from that of a second rated general to that of a first rated general.
"Oh shit, I'm totally fucked this time!" Liu Mang felt very bitter. To be the target of two generals in a single day… while he had Lu Bu's rescue during his encounter with Xiahou De and also his Aries Gold Cloth helping him defend… but now? Boss Lu had yet to come back and he's wearing only an ordinary soldier's armor! His death was pretty much guaranteed!
"Teacher!" Gao Shun eye sockets were about to burst. He wanted to rush forward and rescue Liu Mang but he could not get there in time - he was tens of steps away from Liu Mang and there were soldiers blocking the path.
"Having Cao Cao fall for my scheme, I think my name should be going down in history!" Watching the approaching spear tip, Liu Mang no longer had any fear. Instead, he had a relaxing feeling.
From saving Lu Bu till the breakout of now, Liu Mang's concentration had been at the highest degree, never once slacking. In order to survive, he had risked his life and given his all. Now that the inescapable death was coming toward him, his tauted nerves could now ease up.
"Ding ding dang!" A series of sparks flashed. Song Xian's rapidly approaching spear was knocked flying away. It flew by the corner Liu Mang's mouth, cutting it.
Under the stinging pain of the wound, Liu Mang finally came to. He was saved by someone!
Better alive than dead. Liu Mang, without regard for appearance, immediately drop and rolled to the side. Survival was of utmost importance!
Only after having escaped the range of Song Xian's spears did Liu Mang had a chance to see who exactly it was that saved him.
Golden armor, huge horns, gorgeous patterns all over and some decorative gemstones - a great armor!
Wrong, wrong! Liu Mang shook his head strongly. Isn't this my fucking Aries Gold Cloth?!
Did the Cloth moved on its own to save the owner? Bullshit! This ain't some fantasy novel!
"Song Xian, my father has treated you well and you dared to betray him! Today, on behalf of my father, I shall clean house! Prepare to die!" A sharp and clear voice of a female resounded.
"A woman?!" The person wearing his armor was a woman?!
"Miss!" Song Xian put away his spear and nervously watched the female Saint standing in front of him. "It really wasn't that I, Song Xian, wanted to betray your father. Instead, it was because Marquis of Wen treated us like damnable livestock! What did Hou Cheng did wrong? He recovered the warhorses of the Armored Cavalry of Bing Province and should be rewarded for his accomplishments. But Marquis of Wen not only did not reward him, he almost executed him all because Hou Cheng drank a little wine! How exactly do you expect us to fight for him when he treats us so?!"
[TL: translating 大小姐 as Miss. 大小姐 literally means eldest ojou-sama. Yep, used japanese because I cannot think of a better way to describe it. Miss is the closest english counterpart.]
[TL: Saint… from Saint Seiya… because… well… she's wearing a Saint's Cloth so she's a Saint… 圣斗士 literally means Saint Warrior]
"Miss?!" Liu Mang remembered. Lu Bu did have a daughter borne to his wife Lady Yan. Originally planned to be married to Yuan Shu's son for an alliance but that was utterly canceled due to Chen Gui's prevention.
Is that her? Liu Mang cannot see her face. However, based on her back view and that sweet voice, he knew that she was a beauty that could damage the country and cause suffering to people.
[TL: Basically he said based on her back view and her voice, he knew she would be super beautiful and enough to cause wars and suffering cause people will be fighting over her due to her beauty.]
Afterall, with the handsome genes from Boss Lu, his daughter can't possibly be ugly.
A girl! A beauty! Unable to help himself, Liu Mang's facial appearance became like that of a pig. One cannot blame Liu Mang, anyone else would also be like this if they were a virgin of twenty some years!
"And thus you decided to betray, right?!" An tranquil and calm voice appeared.
"Eh? Boss Lu?!" Liu Mang wiped away the saliva on the corner of his mouth. He did not know when Lu Bu appeared behind him. Being in a battlefield, if it was an enemy instead of Lu Bu, he would've been killed.
Lu Bu set his sight on Liu Mang. Seeing the corner of his mouth, Lu Bu had an expression like a smile yet not like a smile. Seeing Lu Bu's expression, Liu Mang had a guilty conscience. He hoped that Lu Bu did not see through him checking out his daughter.
"Father!" The female Saint stood to the side for Lu Bu.
"Lo-lord!" Seeing the sudden appearance of Lu Bu, Song Xian's heart jumped. His speech started to tremble and he unknowingly called out 'Lord.'
"I am not your lord nor am I worthy of a subordinate like you!" Lu Bu's speech gradually got colder that even Liu Mang felt it.
Hearing Lu Bu's speech, Song Xian got even more scared. He looked behind and saw that his guards were still far away. If Lu Bu wanted to kill him, he really can't escape.
Seeing that he was going to die either way, Song Xian gritted his teeth and said "Lu Bu, didn't you want to know why we betrayed you? I'll tell you why! You're obstinate and self opinionated! Advisor Chen had planned for the setup of a garrison outside Xiapi to take the shape of a horn with the city! If you had listened, how would Xiapi possibly be flooded by the Cao army?! But you didn't! You were doting on your beautiful concubine the whole time, engrossed in gentle and soft pleasures the whole time! With a single word from her, you were like an entranced drunk! Xiapi was flooded? So let it flood! It's not like we have never fought against enemies on all sides! However, you should never ever ever have been suspicious of us, thinking that we are secretly planning to surrender to Cao Cao just because the Cao army shot a letter demanding for surrender into the city! Do you know why Hou Cheng was drinking? It's because the Cao army outside was approaching, causing us anxiety. We drink to strengthen up our morale so that we can fight to the death with you, Marquis of Wen! You really thought we would be celebrating just for some horses?!"
"Song Xian! You are being presumptuous!" Gao Shun had rushed here. Seeing Song Xian's dissing Lu Bu with every word from his mouth, Gao Shun was displeased.
"Let him speak!" From Lu Bu's eyes, there was signs of self blame, regret and various unclear emotions.
"You caught Hou Cheng and even wanted to execute him! It's Hou Cheng! We have followed you Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian, ever since Bing Province! And you wanted to kill us just like that! Hehe, if we really wanted to betray you just for wealth and position, would we be doing it now?! When you killed Ding Yuan and your reputation dropped to the lowest, we followed you. When you killed Dong Zhou and were forced to fled Chang'an by Guo Si, we still followed you! When you defected to Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao, living by relying on their charity, we still followed you! Even when you were driven out of Yan Province like a dog by Cao Cao, we still followed you! When Xiapi was surrounded, if we really wanted to surrender then we would've done that before he flooded Xiapi. However, we didn't! We didn't! We were still hoping. Hoping that you, Lu Bu, our eldest brother, our lord, will be able to lead us to either glory or death!" The more Song Xian says, the louder his voice gets.
Liu Mang noticed that the spear that Lu Bu was holding had been dented by Lu Bu's grip, leaving behind marks of his fingerprints. This was a freaking metal spear!
"It is not us who betrayed you but rather you who betrayed us!" Song Xian almost shouted.
"Enough!" Lu Bu shut his eyes, his murderous aura was leaking all over like a wild beast that could attack you at any moment.
"What, you were hurt by my speech? Ha ha Ha ha, Kill me! Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian! To die in your hands is something that, I, Song Xian would be proud of!" Song Xian laughed. He was not this happy even when he betrayed Lu Bu and obtained the rewards from Cao Cao. Instead, he was very happy now having said all that's in his mind.
"Leave!" said Lu Bu while choking back his murderous intent.
"What?!" Song Xian was stunned. He was already ready to receive his death but was instead brought to confusion by Lu Bu's word.
"Leave!" repeated Lu Bu. He turned his body around. "Before I regret it!"
"Lu Bu, this time you didn't kill me. You will certainly regret it!" Song Xian was not afraid that Lu Bu will be cruel to him nor was he afraid that Lu Bu will kill him. What he was afraid of was that Lu Bu will ignore him.
"Hehe, regret? I, Lu Bu, Lu Fengxian, have never been afraid of any threats!" Lu Bu was very confident.
"Humph!" Song Xian picked up the spear near his foot and humphed before leaving.
"Wait!" Lu Bu's voice came again.
"Hehe, did the Marquis of Wen regret? Well then, make haste and kill me!" Song Xian sneered.
Lu Bu shook his head, sighed and said. "Boli, good luck to you. Big brother was unable to give you riches and honor. If you are ever tried, the Bing Province Army will always be your home!" Boli was Song Xian's courtesy name. For years, Lu Bu have not referred Song Xian by that name. Ever since he started out his career, he have been calling himself as the lord. Bing Province Army was where the place these Lu Bu and his brothers started out from.
"Brother!" Song Xian heart softened and was about to kneel to the ground. He choked back his tears. "Marquis of Wen, I shall take my leave now!" After holding his fist to Lu Bu, Song Xian rode his horse away, leaving behind a trail of dust. That rear view of his was very lonely.
"Let's go!" Lu Bu said with a low voice. Liu Mang saw that above Lu Bu's temples, there was a little gray hair. Lu Bu had gotten old!
Chapter 10: Death
My Father in Law is Lu Bu
"Is Zhang Liao present?!" shouted Lu Bu. He began to give orders.
"This general is here!" Zhang Liao half kneeled on the ground.
"Zhang Liao, you are to be the vanguard. Your task is open up a path for our main army!"
"Yes!" Zhang Liao accepted the order.
"Is Gao Shun present?!"
"This general is here!" Gao Shun was also half kneeling on the ground. Being their lord, Lu Bu was like their master.
"Gao Shun, your Formation Breaker will be our rear guard. Your task is to provide cover and protection for our main army!"
"Yes!" Gao Shun knew that being the rear guard, his troops would most certainly be attacked by the Cao army when they try to withdraw from Xiapi. The casualty would certainly not be small. Nevertheless, he accepted the order without any hesitation.
"Brother Liu Mang!" Lu Bu gave the last order. "You are to lead your troops and follow in the middle of the army. Your task is to protect my family!" If it wasn't for Liu Mang, Lu Bu likely would've already died in Xiapi.
"Yes!" Liu Mang tried to do as the two generals did earlier and also half kneeled down. This surprised Lu Bu because for regular generals their method of accepting an order is only holding one's fist and only familial generals would half kneel down to accept an order.
"Congratulations Fengxian on receiving another great general!" A middle aged scholar said with a laugh while rubbing his beard. This person was the person that was captured by the Cao army earlier, Chen Gong, Chen Gongtai. Although Lu Bu was unable to kill Cao Cao, he managed to save Chen Gong - an unexpected delight.
Chen Gong too admired this young man called Liu Mang. Although he was young, he was able to rescue Lu Bu and even came up with such a stratagem. This raid of the Cao army barracks, if it wasn't for that messenger, Lu Bu might really be able to kill Cao Cao. If he did, then both the Yan Province and the Xu Province will be set to chaos, free for Lu Bu to take over!
"Hehe!" Lu Bu smiled bitterly and shook his head. He already felt that sometime was wrong with this kid named Liu Mang from the first time he met him. From his actions to his speech, everything was inharmonious with this world. Say, was he a country boy that know of nothing? To be able to analyze people to well and also put forward plans and ideas, how could he possibly be a country boy that knows nothing? But, for him to not know even the basic manners… it really was a miracle.
"Maybe!" Lu Bu also didn't know what Liu Mang was thinking. Even if he wanted to have Liu Mang be one of his familial generals, he still require Liu Mang to be willing to serve him.
"All army! We are to breakthrough!" Lu Bu climbed onto a maroon colored horse. With his order, the army soon began to break out of the enclosure.
Xiapi's East Gate was burst open. Leading in the front was Zhang Liao's troops of less than a thousand men. Following Zhang Liao's troops was Lu Bu and Liu Mang, they led a couple hundred troops protecting a couple horse carriages and Lu Bu's family. Finally, following behind and still on the other side of the East Gate was the Formation Breaker. They once numbered eight hundred but there was only seven hundred left. Majority of them are also wounded. Their task is to protect the frontal and middle army's escape. They may have to face enemies numbering tens or hundreds times more than themselves. They may even face complete annihilation. But even then, they did not have the slightest fear. For they are the Formation Breaker!
Seeing that the last of the middle army soldier have passed through the gate, Gao Shun was ready to shut the East Gate and block it with sandbags. While doing such could delay the enemies, it also meant that the Formation Breaker would be stuck inside too. These seven hundred men was ready to fight till the death!
"Brothers! Are you afraid?!" Gao Shun, who usually never speaks, spoke.
"We are not afraid! We are not afraid!" The soldiers of the Formation Breaker replied to Gao Shun with voices full of morale.
Contrary to expectations, Gao Shun was unhappy and he even scold at them. "Bullshit! You are afraid, I am afraid, there's nothing to be ashamed of! Within two hours, this gate will be completely blocked. Death? We're all afraid of death! You don't have to be ashamed of it! I, Gao Shun, am not an unreasonable man so If there is anyone who is afraid and regrets his decision, feel free to leave! I will not blame you for leaving!"
Not a single man uttered a sound. They were all looking at each other. On their face was expressions of struggle, reluctance and composure. They were not afraid of dying.
"Zhang Kui, step forward!" Gao Shun suddenly shouted a man's name.
"General, I am not afraid of death! Not afraid of death!" shouted the man who Gao Shun called for.
"Did I say you are? No need to get excited!" Gao Shun laughed.
"Zhang Kui, you have followed me and been a part of the Formation Breaker ever since Bing Province!" said Gao Shun.
Zhang Kui nodded as if remembering something.
"Zhang Kui. From Jinyang County of Bing Province, the only son in the family!" Gao Shun said while looking at Zhang Kui.
"Is your mother still of good health?!" Gao Shun dragged on.
"Mother, my mother have passed away!" Sadness filled Zhang Kui's eyes.
"Oh!" Gao Shun saw Zhang Kui's expression and decided to not continue asking.
"Zhang Kui, this general orders you to cross the gate, discard your supplies and catch up to our lord!" said Gao Shun.
With this speech, Zhang Kui was made anxious. "General! Zhang Kui is not afraid of death! Not afraid of death! General, please allow me to stay! Please don't abandon me!"
"You are the sole child of your family. If you died, then what will happen to your Zhang family?!" Suddenly, Gao Shun's voice got louder. "Your mother has deceased, ever since you joined my army, you have not done anything filial. If you then die, how would I possibly face your mother in the next world?! Must I tell her that it's because of I, Gao Shun, that your family will be without a hier? That it is I, Gao Shun, that caused the extinction of your Zhang family?! Are you trying to make me into an immoral man?!"
"General! This was not the intent of Zhang Kui, this was not the intent!" This man who kills people without even batting an eye on the battlefield was almost brought to tears.
"Scram!" Gao Shun said. "Telling you to leave is not me abandoning you, it is to let you catch up to the lord's army. This is to leave a seed for our Formation Breaker! Gao Shun may die. Zhang Kui may also die. But the Formation Breaker, our lord's Formation Breaker, cannot be extinguished!"
"General!" Zhang Kui knew that he cannot convince Gao Shun. He kneeled down onto the floor and started kowtowing at Gao Shun. Every kowtow of his hit the ground clearly and resounded. Soon, his head was bleeding.
Gao Shun did not pay attention to him and instead shouted loudly. "Lu Yi, Zhang Yao, Lu Jie, Cheng Yun, Hao Hao..... Zhao Kai, step forward!" He pointed out some twenty people. "You all are to go with Zhang Kui, discard your supplies and catch up to our lord!"
"General, what is your intent by this? Even if all of them are the sole child within their family, I, Cheng Yun isn't! I still have an older brother!" argued Cheng Yun.
Gao Shun looked at Cheng Yun and slowly muttered. "Right, right. You still have an older brother. You are not the sole child in your family. But where is your brother now?! He is in our hearts! He will always live in our hearts!" Cheng Yun's older brother was named Cheng Fun. He was once a part of the Formation Breaker but he have since passed away on the battlefield.
"Scram! Scram! For your brother, you are to live! Understand?!" Gao Shun was almost shouting.
"Yes!" Cheng Yun held back his tears and accepted the orders. These twenty some men stood in a row. "Brothers, discard your supplies! Let's go!" After saying that, a group of men left without even looking back. It wasn't that they were heartless but rather that they feared that if they were to turn around, they would not be able to get themselves to leave!
"Hehe. I, Gao Shun, may die! My brothers too may die. But our Lord's Formation Breaker cannot perish!" Gao Shun looked at these twenty some people that was leaving. He was gratified. With these men, certainly they will be able to set up a new Formation Breaker!
"A Formation Breaker without Gao Shun, would it still be the Formation Breaker?!"
"Who is it?!" The soldiers of the Formation Breaker found unknown individuals.
"General Wei?! General Song?!" Some of the soldiers recognized the two.
"Wei Xu, Song Xian, why did you come? Perhaps did you think that just because the lord refuse to kill you that I, Gao Shun, will also not kill you?!" Gao Shun did not held a hint of goodwill toward Song Xian and Wei Xu. Although they were brothers for years, his murderous intent was not a bit lacking.
"Yes yes yes! Both Song Xian and I deserve to die, we came here to apologize!" Song Xian said laughing.
"Apologize?!" Gao Shun frowned. He was ready to kill these two traitors.
"Old Gao, you can leave! Tell the lord that although the Bing Province army was our home, we are too ashamed to return!" Wei Xu said lightly. There was something strange in his eyes. This strange thing was something that Gao Shun knew of - a heart of certain death!
"What are you planning to do?!"
"Die for the lord in place of you!" All of a sudden, Wei Xu and Song Xian's troops surrounded the gate. Both sides began to aim at each other with their bows and arrows.
"Why should I believe you?!" If Song Xian and Wei Xu start a mutiny again, allowing the Cao army to catch up to the the Lu Bu army on this flat land. With his family, Lu Bu cannot possible be able to escape fast enough!
"Don't worry! Cao Cao had killed Hou Cheng and we had killed quite a lot of Cao troops. We can't possibly revolt again!"
After a long pause, Gao Shun said. "Have you really set up your minds?! Once this gate closes, you will no longer be able to get out!"
"Rest assured, Old Gao. In the Bing Province Army, it's not just you that isn't afraid of death!"
"Good!" Gao Shun took inhaled a deep breath. "Attention Formation Breaker! We are to withdraw from Xiapi and catch up to our Lord!"
"Yes!" The seven hundred Formation Breaker soldiers accepted the orders. In every one of their mind was a hint of joy from not having to die.
"Old Song, Old Wei, we shall meet again!" Gao Shun's speech was against his hearts. Once the gates closed, it's simply impassable. It'll become a place of certain death.
"Old Gao, don't forget to burn more paper money for Old Wei and I every year at this date. To not be able to attain riches and glory during this lifetime, in death, you should certainly compensate us!"
[TL: Chinese people burn paper money for the dead so that they have money to spend on the next lifetime. They also burn paper houses, clothes, cars and other goods for the dead. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_paper ]
"Take care!" Gao Shun nodded. With a wave of his hand, the Formation Breakers pulled away from the city.
"Go away, go away!" Wei Xu looked at the faraway army, shook his head and said. "Old Song, do you think we are stupid?!"
"You're not stupid! Why would you be stupid?! We are good brothers forever! Old Hou is already downstairs waiting for us. If we don't keep him accompany, he'll be lonely!"
"That's right! Old Hou, don't worry. We'll come find you soon!" Suddenly, Wei Xu's facial expression changed. He shouted. "Pass my orders! Seal the gate! For this battle, we cannot withdraw! As long as a single one of us live, we will not let a single Cao troop out of here!"
Lord oh Lord! Let's be brothers again in the next life! This time, I'll be the elder brother!