Chapter 16: In the Camp Gate, Lu Bu Shoots the Halberd; At River Yu, Cao Cao Suffers Defeat

Adviser Yang Dajiang proposed a plan to eliminate Liu Bei.

“What is your strategy?” Yuan Shu asked.

Yang Dajiang responded, “Although Liu Bei, stationed at Xiaopei, could easily be defeated, Lu Bu is positioned nearby and might intervene due to his resentment over your broken promises of gold, grain, and horses. First, send Lu Bu a gift to secure his favor and keep him neutral while you attack Liu Bei. Deal with Lu Bu afterward, and Xuzhou will be yours.”

Following this advice, Yuan Shu sent 200,000 carts of millet and a letter through Han Yin. Pleased, Lu Bu welcomed the messenger warmly. Confident that Lu Bu would stay out of his way, Yuan Shu dispatched 100,000 troops, led by Ji Ling with Lei Bo and Chen Lan as supporting generals, to attack Xiaopei.

Hearing of the threat, Liu Bei called a council. Zhang Fei advocated immediate battle, but Sun Qian advised, “Our resources are too limited. We should ask Lu Bu for help.” Despite Zhang Fei’s skepticism, Liu Bei wrote to Lu Bu, pleading for assistance.

Lu Bu consulted his advisor Chen Gong. “Yuan Shu sent gifts to dissuade me from helping Liu Bei, but if Yuan Shu defeats Liu Bei and allies with the Huashang leaders, he becomes a greater threat to me. Supporting Liu Bei secures my position,” Lu Bu reasoned.

Yuan Shu’s forces advanced, and Liu Bei led his 5,000 troops outside the city to prepare for battle. News of Lu Bu’s nearby camp relieved him. Ji Ling accused Lu Bu of betrayal, prompting Lu Bu to invite both Liu Bei and Ji Ling to a banquet to mediate.

Liu Bei’s brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, were wary but accompanied him to the meeting. At the banquet, Lu Bu reassured Liu Bei, “I have taken great risks to shield you from danger. Remember this when you rise to power.”

When Ji Ling arrived, he hesitated upon seeing Liu Bei in the seat of honor. Lu Bu personally brought him in, quelling his protests. Lu Bu declared, “I seek peace, not conflict. Let Heaven decide our course.” He proposed a test: shooting an arrow at the blade of his halberd, set 150 paces away. If he hit the mark, both sides would withdraw. If he missed, they could battle. Both generals agreed, doubting Lu Bu’s success.

Lu Bu’s arrow struck the halberd blade perfectly, drawing cheers from onlookers. “This is Heaven’s command for peace,” he proclaimed. Ji Ling reluctantly withdrew, and Liu Bei expressed his gratitude. Both armies retreated.

Upon hearing of the truce, Yuan Shu was furious. Ji Ling advised, “Lu Bu’s strength and alliance with Liu Bei make them formidable. Instead, propose a marriage between your son and Lu Bu’s daughter to secure his loyalty.”

Yuan Shu agreed and sent Han Yin with gifts to propose the alliance. Lu Bu consulted his wife, Lady Yan, who supported the idea, believing it would elevate their family. Lu Bu accepted and began preparations for the marriage.

However, Chen Gong, suspicious of Yuan Shu’s intentions, warned Lu Bu. “This alliance could be a trap. If Yuan Shu gains your daughter as a hostage, he could betray you.”

Chen Gui, another advisor, reinforced this warning. “Yuan Shu’s ambitions will bring ruin. Aligning with him would make you complicit in rebellion.” Alarmed, Lu Bu halted the wedding procession, recalled his daughter, and imprisoned Han Yin, sending Yuan Shu a message claiming the trousseau was incomplete.

Meanwhile, tensions rose between Lu Bu and Liu Bei when Zhang Fei, disguised as a bandit, stole horses Lu Bu had purchased. Enraged, Lu Bu attacked Xiaopei. Liu Bei’s forces retreated under cover of night, eventually seeking refuge with Cao Cao in Xuchang.

Cao Cao welcomed Liu Bei warmly, pledging support against Lu Bu. However, his advisors were divided. Xun Yu suggested eliminating Liu Bei, warning of his ambitions, but Guo Jia argued that killing Liu Bei would alienate virtuous men. Cao Cao chose to support Liu Bei, granting him troops and supplies to reclaim Xiaopei.

As Cao Cao prepared to confront Lu Bu, news arrived of Zhang Xiu’s rebellion in Wancheng. Redirecting his forces, Cao Cao defeated Zhang Xiu but suffered heavy losses, including his son Cao Ang and bodyguard Dian Wei, who died heroically defending the camp.

Back in Xuzhou, Lu Bu received an imperial title but alienated allies by executing Yuan Shu’s envoy after learning of Yuan Shu’s plan to declare himself emperor. Chen Deng, secretly allied with Cao Cao, further isolated Lu Bu, ensuring his eventual downfall.

The next day, Chen Gong visited Han Yin at his lodging. Once the servants were dismissed, Chen Gong asked, “Who devised this marriage alliance between Yuan Shu and Lu Bu to eliminate Liu Bei?”

Terrified, Han Yin replied, “I beg you to keep this secret.”

“I will,” said Chen Gong, “but delaying might expose the plan and cause its failure. What should be done?”

Han Yin suggested sending Lu Bu’s daughter immediately to conclude the marriage. Chen Gong agreed and sought Lu Bu’s approval.

“Your daughter’s marriage is excellent news,” Chen Gong said, “but when will it happen?”

Lu Bu replied, “That is yet to be decided.”

Chen Gong warned, “Delaying could lead to trouble. Rivals might ambush the wedding party. It’s better to send her immediately to Shouchun and finalize details later.”

Convinced, Lu Bu instructed his wife to prepare their daughter’s departure. A wedding procession, led by Han Yin and generals Song Xian and Wei Xu, set out amidst music.

Chen Gui, father of Chen Deng, overheard the celebration and suspected foul play. He visited Lu Bu, saying, “You’ve been deceived. Yuan Shu’s alliance is a ploy. He’ll use your daughter as leverage to destroy Xiaopei and turn on you. Worse, he aims to declare himself emperor, dragging you into rebellion.”

Alarmed, Lu Bu recalled the wedding party and imprisoned Han Yin. He sent Yuan Shu a message claiming the trousseau was incomplete.

Meanwhile, Lu Bu’s officers reported that Zhang Fei had stolen horses under the guise of bandits. Enraged, Lu Bu prepared to attack Xiaopei. Liu Bei rode out to meet him, asking, “Brother, why do you attack me?”

Lu Bu accused him of theft. Zhang Fei admitted, “Yes, I took your horses. What of it?”

A fierce duel ensued between Zhang Fei and Lu Bu, lasting 100 bouts without a winner. Fearing for his brother’s safety, Liu Bei signaled a retreat and fortified the city. Lu Bu laid siege but rejected Liu Bei’s offer to return the horses, influenced by Chen Gong’s insistence on eliminating him.

With supplies dwindling, Liu Bei’s advisor Sun Qian suggested fleeing to Cao Cao for aid. Under cover of night, Zhang Fei led the vanguard, Guan Yu guarded the rear, and Liu Bei escorted the non-combatants. Despite opposition, they broke through and reached safety. Lu Bu seized the city but seemed indifferent to their escape, appointing Gao Shun as governor and stabilizing the area.

Liu Bei camped outside Xuchang and sent Sun Qian to Cao Cao to explain his presence. Cao Cao welcomed him warmly, calling Liu Bei his brother, and invited him into the city. Leaving his brothers behind, Liu Bei went with Sun Qian and Mi Zhu to meet Cao Cao, who treated him with great respect. They discussed Lu Bu’s betrayal, and Cao Cao vowed to attack him together with Liu Bei.

A banquet followed, and when Liu Bei returned to camp late, Xun Yu warned Cao Cao to beware of Liu Bei, fearing he would grow too powerful. Cao Cao, however, valued Liu Bei’s honor and chose not to kill him. Instead, he sent Liu Bei to Yuzhou with 3,000 soldiers and supplies, instructing him to attack Lu Bu.

Liu Bei sent word of his arrival in Yuzhou, prompting Cao Cao to prepare an army. However, news came that Zhang Ji had died, and his nephew Zhang Xiu had allied with Liu Biao to threaten the capital. Cao Cao was torn between dealing with Zhang Xiu or Lu Bu. Xun Yu advised promoting Lu Bu to pacify him, which Cao Cao did by sending an Imperial Legate with a peace offer.

Cao Cao then marched with 150,000 troops to confront Zhang Xiu. Jia Xu persuaded Zhang Xiu to surrender, and Cao Cao welcomed him, offering lavish hospitality. Meanwhile, Cao Cao became infatuated with the beautiful wife of Zhang Ji, leading to tension with Zhang Xiu, who grew angry when he learned of the affair.

Zhang Xiu plotted to take revenge and, with Jia Xu’s help, managed to steal Dian Wei’s halberds, leading to an ambush. Despite his bravery, Dian Wei was fatally wounded. Cao Cao, who had fled, was wounded during his escape, and his son Cao Ang was killed in the process.

As Cao Cao regrouped, Zhang Xiu was defeated and fled to Liu Biao. Meanwhile, Cao Cao punished the Qingzhou soldiers for plundering the people. Yu Jin, who had acted decisively during the crisis, was praised for his quick thinking.

Back in Xuzhou, Lu Bu received an imperial decree that confirmed his new title, but his growing cruelty led to further trouble. Chen Deng, who had been sent by Cao Cao to deal with Lu Bu, advised him to break off an alliance with Yuan Shu, leading to more tension with Lu Bu. Despite their differences, Cao Cao knew Lu Bu’s time would come.

The situation grew more dire when news came of Yuan Shu’s advance on Xuzhou, unsettling Lu Bu further.