Chapter 70

Chapter 704: How Can One Fight Without Eating! (4)

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Lü Bu led the cavalry in a charge against the fleeing remnants of the enemy. Like a sandcastle being washed away by a massive wave, the scattered soldiers were swept and scattered.

Only when they were completely cornered did the remnants kneel and surrender.

However, some of the remnants managed to break through the Zhang Yi's formation and escape. Their number was no less than a dozen.

"Zhang Yide!"

While the battlefield was being cleared, Lü Bu received this report and called out to Zhang Fei. There was a hint of anger in Lü Bu's voice as he called Zhang Fei's name.

"General, I am ashamed. Please kill me!"

Zhang Fei quickly rushed to Lü Bu, untied his hair, and bowed his head. He never imagined that his long experience of walking on eggshells under Liu Bei would be so helpful.

Lü Bu was inwardly perplexed when he saw Zhang Fei untie his hair as if he had committed a capital offense.

'Has this guy eaten something he shouldn't have? Why is he doing this?'

Untying one's hair was a sign of offering one's head. With Zhang Fei prostrating himself before Lü Bu, there was no lack of sympathy from his fellow generals.

Even though no one spoke up for Zhang Fei, the atmosphere was palpable. Lü Bu, reading the atmosphere, pondered.

At that moment, Feng Ping, covered in blood, ran up and clung to Lü Bu's pants.

"General, please do not punish my uncle. It is all my fault. If you must punish someone, punish me."

"Why is it your fault?"

"I led the Feng family troops as the vanguard, but due to my lack of bravery and strategy, I let a dozen enemy soldiers escape. Therefore, all the blame lies with me."

Lü Bu waved his hand, signaling Feng Ping to step back.

"Your words won't change what has happened or what hasn't."

"I will only await General Lü's judgment."

At that, Wei Yue, who was standing nearby, burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! The escape of the enemy soldiers is the fault of the commander and the troops, not some uncommissioned volunteer. What do you think, Commander?"

Lü Bu and Guo Jia's cold gazes turned to Wei Yue. Wei Yue frantically waved his hands.

"T-That's not what I meant. I meant that I made Zhang Yide and Xun Wenruo eat their words."

Lü Bu and Guo Jia's gazes relaxed. Wei Yue, seemingly relieved, took a step back.

"General, please do not hold Zhang General and Mr. Wenruo accountable."

"If there is a fault, it is right to hold them accountable. Rewarding merit and punishing faults is the way to maintain military discipline."

"Your words are just. However, not considering circumstances when managing subordinates can lead to trouble in the future."

Guo Jia's words made Lü Bu nod. He gestured for Guo Jia to come closer.

"Mr. Guo, let's discuss this later."

"Very well. Then, someone must be assigned to pursue the fleeing enemy soldiers."

"That's right. Who would be suitable?"

Lü Bu said this and soon turned his gaze to Feng Ping.

"Would you like to try? I will give you a chance to make up for your mistake. Whether you capture them all or bring back their heads, if you succeed, this incident will be forgotten. What do you say?"

Lü Bu offered Feng Ping a chance. Feng Ping accepted Lü Bu's proposal without hesitation.

"Of course! If you entrust me with this, I will not fail again."

Lü Bu and Feng Ping were unaware, but the faces of the Feng family troops nearby darkened.

* * *

Lü Bu assigned Feng Ping the Feng family troops, as well as Ying Zhao and his archer corps.

The number of Ying Zhao's troops that could move immediately was only a dozen. However, to Feng Ping, they were a powerful force like a thousand soldiers.

Feng Ping's expression was bright, but the faces of the Feng family troops were not so cheerful. One of the Feng family troops cautiously spoke to Feng Ping.

"Ping."

Feng Ping's gaze followed the voice. It was his elder brother, Feng Yi.

"Brother, do you have something to say...?"

Feng Ping was the leader of the Feng family troops, but in terms of seniority, he was not the eldest. Although he was brave, he was still young and lacked experience.

On the other hand, Feng Yi, though not as brave as Feng Ping, was older and had the highest insight among the Feng family troops.

"Ping, this way, we will all die."

"What do you mean?"

"You are too hasty."

Even though Feng Yi did not delve into the details, Feng Ping understood what he was trying to say.

"Our Feng family troops have suffered great losses. I admit it."

"It's not just a matter of losses. Now, there are fewer than twenty Feng family troops left who can fight. Are you willing to let the Feng family lineage die out for the sake of glory?"

"Isn't it the Feng family men who can sacrifice their lives for the greater good?"

Feng Yi shook his head at Feng Ping's words.

"Who will remember the Feng family after we are all dead? Don't forget what happened to the Feng family after that incident."

The "incident" Feng Yi referred to was undoubtedly the one where Guan Yu exterminated a powerful clan in Hedu. The suffering the Feng family endured afterward was indescribable.

"At the time, no one came to our aid. But ultimately, that incident gave the Feng family another chance to rise to prominence."

"Once again, I say, what good is fame after death? You brought the Feng family men here to fight. Do you know what remains now?"

"..."

"The tears of widows and the sorrow of fatherless children. Don't you know this best?"

Indeed, the Feng family troops had suffered greatly. Compared to the number that followed Feng Ping initially, the current number was pitifully small.

This was because Feng Ping had volunteered for the vanguard role recklessly. There was no denying this. However, Feng Ping had his own justification.

"Without this, the Feng family cannot capitalize on the hard-won opportunity."

"Do you mean to say you will seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by sacrificing the blood and lives of the Feng family?"

Feng Yi was not an expert in military strategy, but he had enough insight to discuss the principles of the world.

He was tasked with conveying deep concerns on behalf of the Feng family troops. At the same time, he was trying to offer a solution to alleviate these concerns.

"Brother, I did not push my fellow blood brothers into danger for personal gain."

"I know. We all fought and shed blood together."

"Yes, I could have died. You could have died. But we didn't. The opportunity will go to the surviving brothers."

Feng Yi placed his hand on Feng Ping's shoulder.

"This is not a simple matter. Think that there is no one who can replace you. If you continue to lose the Feng family troops, you won't be able to step up when it truly matters."

"I understand what you mean, Brother. But it's frustrating that I can't gain General Lü's favor without risking my life and volunteering for dangerous tasks."

Feng Ping had completely misunderstood Lü Bu.

To put it simply, Lü Bu had no expectations of the Feng family troops. He didn't even have high expectations for Zhang Fei. Perhaps for Guan Yu, but not for Feng Ping.

"It's good to step forward to achieve merit. But remember, if you continue to lose the Feng family troops, you won't be able to stand by General Zhang in the next battle."

Feng Yi's advice was straightforward: preserve the Feng family troops as much as possible. Of course, following his advice was not difficult. There were no more opportunities to step forward.

The number of Feng family troops was too small to take the vanguard role. Even if their numbers were larger, they could only volunteer for the vanguard in Zhang Fei's army.

In Lü Bu's army, filled with fierce generals, there was no place for Feng Ping. He lacked the skills and experience, and most importantly, he lacked support.

For Feng Ping to rise to a higher position, he needed a supporter. And there was someone who could be his wings, someone who might even contribute to Lü Bu's great cause.

* * *

Although the Feng family troops and Ying Zhao's forces were absent, they did not significantly impact the overall strength of Lü Bu's army. In terms of numbers, their absence was negligible.

Additionally, the troops needed to handle the prisoners were missing.

Guo Jia had the defeated Jiang Yiduan troops strip off their clothes. Lü Bu did not know what he intended to do with the blood-stained and sweat-soaked clothes, but he assumed Guo Jia had a plan.

As Lü Bu's army headed towards Hangu Pass, in Hanguan.

Huang Baosong's army, which was attacking Hanguan, was facing two major obstacles.

"Exactly why! Why can't we take Hanguan yet!"

Huang Baosong threw the bamboo slips in frustration. It was understandable that he was angry after being stuck at Hanguan for nearly half a month.

The military advisor, who would usually calm Huang Baosong, was silent.

Even if he had ten mouths, there was nothing he could say.

How could he justify failing to take a fortress with such a large army?

"What is lacking? Do we have fewer troops than