Chapter 95

Chapter 729: Behind the Son of Heaven (2)

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Wei Yue's Xiahed Army began attacking the rear of the Hanshu Army.

Since Huang Boshong and Hanshu were at the rear, the Hanshu Army withdrew from the village like a receding tide to protect them.

Of course, the Gaozhu Army chased after them.

At first glance, it seemed as if a mere two thousand troops were driving back tens of thousands of enemy soldiers.

When Cheng Gongying and Yan Xing stood up, they saw the Hanshu Army fleeing in haste and the Gaozhu Army charging forward.

"Yan Gaya, this won't do. Let's retreat."

"Let's head to our lord."

They hastily fled, searching for Hanshu.

Perhaps they thought that if the army could regroup, they could still fight, given that the number of Lü Bu's troops was not large.

However, Lü Bu would not let them go so easily.

"You came here as you pleased, but to leave, you need the permission of I, Lü Fengxian! Leave your heads behind!"

Lü Bu roared and fiercely pursued them.

As Lü Bu quickly closed the distance, Yan Xing and Cheng Gongying, as if on cue, turned around and raised their spears and swords at him.

Taken aback by their sudden offensive, Lü Bu almost stumbled, lowering his body and thrusting his halberd forward horizontally.

With a loud thud, the shaft of the halberd struck their chests.

"Phew!"

The two were thrown far away. Yan Xing easily got up, but Cheng Gongying was seriously injured, spitting blood from Lü Bu's blow.

As Yan Xing tried to help him up, Lü Bu's figure soared through the air.

Like a phoenix, he flew up and then descended upon them.

His halberd's shaft swung vertically, like an axe cleaving wood. Seeing the moon-shaped blade about to strike, Cheng Gongying pushed Yan Xing away.

As Yan Xing took a few steps back, Cheng Gongying's body was struck by Lü Bu's halberd.

"Ah!"

The blade sliced through his shoulder and stopped only when the opposite side of the blade disappeared. However, Cheng Gongying was already mortally wounded.

Despite this, he grabbed the halberd's shaft with one hand and waved the other at Yan Xing.

"Cough! Yan Gaya! Go ahead!"

Perhaps because the moon-shaped blade had pierced his lungs, Cheng Gongying coughed up blood. However, he did not let go of the halberd's shaft.

Lü Bu gazed intently at Cheng Gongying's face.

'Even though I don't know your name, your bravery and determination are genuine. Genuine effort deserves a genuine response.'

Lü Bu decided to give him a full response to his resolve.

"There are indeed some fine men in Guanxi. Go well!"

Lü Bu grabbed Cheng Gongying by the collar with one hand and, with the other, sliced his body diagonally with the halberd.

With his heart split in two, Cheng Gongying immediately slumped to the ground.

* * *

The battle with the Hanshu Army did not last long.

The Hanshu Army fled into the mountains, and Lü Bu's army did not pursue them deeply.

With the combined forces of the Xiahed and Gaozhu Armies numbering less than five thousand, there was no reason to engage in a protracted battle with tens of thousands of enemy troops.

They had already lost many soldiers in the battle against the Red Silk Army. Not to mention the losses of the Xiahed Army.

The battle with the Guanxi Army had given Lü Bu control of Guanxi, but at the cost of a significant reduction in his forces.

Huang Boshong set up a camp in the mountains and did not move. Without supplies, he could not prevent desertions. The remaining soldiers survived by peeling and eating tree bark, unable to engage Lü Bu's army again.

Lü Bu read a letter from Guo Jia in the camp he had set up at the foot of the mountain where the Guanxi Army had hidden.

"Commander, what does the military advisor say?"

"He says there will be no more fighting. If we don't lift the siege, Huang Boshong won't be able to move."

"Now we just have to wait for him to surrender."

"I'd like to drive my army into the mountains and cut off their supply lines, but there's nothing we can do."

Wei Yue nodded at Lü Bu's words.

His Xiahed Army had fallen below three thousand, and none of them were uninjured.

The Xiahed Army had done all it could.

"Commander, it's a good thing. Our army's strength has been greatly reduced by fighting the Guanxi Army. People don't multiply like animals, and capable soldiers are rare."

"Wei Yue, you're right. Let's reorganize our ranks here until Huang Boshong surrenders. Send a letter to Guo Jia. Tell him to inform Brother Zhang Yang to reinforce our troops."

"We've lost many soldiers, so reinforcements are needed, but it won't be easy. Bingzhou doesn't have many people. Ah...!"

Wei Yue sighed, and Lü Bu asked,

"The lack of people in Bingzhou isn't a new issue, so that's not it. Is there something else worrying you?"

"Commander, I'm worried even if Huang Boshong surrenders."

"What's the problem?"

"Even if we defeat Huang Boshong, to be recognized as the ruler of Guanxi, we need to capture Chang'an and deal with the Qiang tribes. It would be good if Dong Zhuo could send us some Xiliang troops..."

Lü Bu shared Wei Yue's concerns but did not voice them.

'If I can pacify Guanxi, Dong Zhuo can do what he wants in Jing. If we're on the same page, he should send me some troops... Ah, what a pity.'

The joint attack by the Guandong and Guanxi armies had ended.

Moreover, defending Luoyang with Dong Zhuo's army against a single attack was not difficult.

Therefore, supporting Lü Bu with the remaining troops would not be unreasonable.

Furthermore, the Guandong Army had stopped attacking Sishu Pass. There were no forces in the Eight Passes of Luoyang that could threaten Dong Zhuo. After the execution of the Yuan family, court officials no longer maintained large private armies.

This suggested that Dong Zhuo had the resources to send troops to Lü Bu. However, apart from the 30,000 Xiliang troops sent with Duan Wei to defend Hangu Pass, no further reinforcements were sent.

However, Dong Zhuo had his own reasons.

* * *

Luoyang. Imperial Palace. Wende Hall.

The civil and military officials gathered for the morning court. Today, Cai Yong was to report his victory to the court.

All the officials were seated, and the emperor himself was on the dragon throne. However, Empress Dowager Xia was not present.

Empress Dowager Xia was regent for Emperor Xiaodi. If the regent did not attend the court, what was the point? Was she perhaps having an affair, or was she unwell?

None of these were the case.

She was not ill but was not leaving Zhangle Palace. She was meeting with Zhao Cao there.

"Today, Cai Nandailing will report the victory at court."

"Yes, Empress Dowager. Cai Nandailing, who was at Hangu Pass, will report to the court with the memorial from General Luo."

"General Luo has done a great job. It's impressive that he held off Huang Boshong's large army with just a few thousand troops. He is indeed a Northern Commandant."

Empress Dowager Xia glanced at Zhao Cao, but he did not add his opinion.

'Since he didn't mention Lü Bu's achievements and didn't react, it seems my suspicion was unfounded.'

Empress Dowager Xia had suspected Zhao Cao. She wondered if he was Lü Bu's man.

Zhao Cao had not done anything suspicious.

However, this made her even more suspicious. She had endured many hardships in the palace and held her current position. She knew the characteristics of eunuchs well.

The probability of Zhao Cao reaching the position of Chief Eunuch without a powerful backer was less than one in a hundred. He was not Dong Zhuo's man, nor did he have connections with other noble families.

If Zhao Cao had reached this position, it meant he had the support of another power.

If not from the noble families or Dong Zhuo, who could support Zhao Cao?

The options were limited.

Yuan Shao of Ji, Liu Biao of Xiang, Liu Yan of Yi, Sun Jian of Jiangdong, Tao Qian of Qing, and Lü Bu's forces were the main suspects. However, no one had been sent to contact him.

Therefore, the closest and most likely suspect was Lü Bu.

Without knowing who was in contact with him, Empress Dowager Xia had to use this method to uncover Zhao Cao's background. If he was Lü Bu's man, he would react to the omission of Lü Bu's achievements.

However, Zhao Cao did not mention Lü Bu.

'If Lü Bu's achievements were not mentioned, it wouldn't be difficult for a supporter of Lü Bu to add a word or two.'

Empress Dowager Xia dismissed her suspicions. Zhao Cao had seen through her intentions. More accurately, Zhao Chong was above her head.

'If Lord had not warned me that Empress