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Cao Bao was pressed to the ground by two soldiers, his forehead pressed against the cold stone slab, fear etched across his face. He struggled continuously, but his limbs were firmly held down, unable to move. Zhang Fei stood nearby, his drunken eyes aflame with anger. He thrust his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear into the ground with a heavy thud, the metallic clash sending chills through everyone present.
"Strike!" Zhang Fei bellowed, his voice like thunder, silencing the surroundings. The two soldiers raised their whips, and just as the shadows of the whips were about to descend, Cao Bao could no longer contain himself and shouted, "General Yide! I beg you to spare me for my son-in-law's sake; please let me go!"
At this, Zhang Fei's anger eased slightly as he raised an eyebrow and fixed his gaze on Cao Bao. "Oh? You have a son-in-law? Tell me about him; what kind of person is he that warrants this general's mercy?"
Cao Bao trembled all over, stammering as he replied, "My son-in-law is Lü Bu... Lu Fengxian!" By the end of his statement, he nearly shouted it out, his voice laced with a final glimmer of hope.
However, upon hearing this, Zhang Fei's expression darkened instantly, and the fire of rage rekindled between his brows. He let out a cold laugh and leaned down to look at Cao Bao with a tone as sharp as a blade. "You mean... Lü Bu? That Slave to Three Masters? You dare use his name to threaten me, Zhang Yide?"
As he spoke, he slammed the serpent spear into the ground again with a deafening sound.
Cao Bao quickly explained, "General, I meant no offense; I only hoped you would show mercy due to our kinship!"
Zhang Fei's fury surged once more as he waved his hand and shouted, "Spare you? I was merely going to teach you a lesson! How dare you invoke Lü Bu to intimidate me? Today not only will I strike you, but I will also let you know that I am doing it for Lü Bu's sake! Bring on heavier punishment!"
The soldiers exchanged glances but dared not disobey. They raised their whips high and brought them down forcefully onto Cao Bao's back. The sound of the whip cracking echoed through the hall, accompanied by Cao Bao's agonized screams. Zhang Fei stood by with unyielding anger, gritting his teeth as he said, "What is Lü Bu compared to? Today I will make you understand that no one can bully others in front of me, Zhang Yide!"
Seeing that Cao Bao had been beaten to a pulp and blood was everywhere, the officials could not bear to watch any longer and hurriedly stepped forward to plead for him. "General, Cao Bao's crimes do not warrant this; please show mercy and spare him!"
Zhang Fei strode forward, his gaze piercing as he surveyed the crowd. In a cold voice, he declared, "Whoever dares to plead for him will be punished alongside him!" His tone was icy; upon hearing this, everyone fell silent in fear and dared not speak further.
After fifty lashes had been delivered and Cao Bao was barely clinging to consciousness, the officials knelt once more in desperate pleas. Reluctantly, Zhang Fei waved his hand and said, "Enough for today! If this happens again, it won't be too much if I kill him!" With that, he shouldered his serpent spear and strode away, leaving behind a silent hall filled only with Cao Bao's faint groans echoing in the air.
After the banquet dispersed, Cao Bao was helped back to his quarters by others. His back was covered in bloody welts that caused sharp pain even with each breath. However, the hatred in his heart burned hotter than the physical pain. Clenching his teeth tightly, resentment filled his eyes as he muttered to himself, "Zhang Fei, you have humiliated me so; if I do not avenge this grudge, then I am not worthy of being called a man!"
In the stillness of the night, Cao Bao, enduring pain, wrote a secret letter under the dim candlelight. The letter detailed the events of the banquet that day, filled with resentment towards Zhang Fei. He suggested to Lü Bu, "Liu Bei is currently absent from Xuzhou, and Zhang Fei, being fond of wine and revelry, has let his guard down. If we take advantage of his drunken state tonight and launch a surprise attack, Xuzhou will surely be within our grasp!"
After finishing the letter and ensuring it was correct, Cao Bao sealed it in a tube and handed it to a trusted soldier. He whispered urgently, "Hurry to Xiao Pei and deliver this letter personally to Lu Fengxian. This matter must not go awry!" The soldier cupped his hands in acknowledgment and swiftly vanished into the night.
---
In Xiao Pei, Lü Bu's tent was brightly lit. Dressed in battle armor with his long hair cascading down, he sat wearily at his desk. Holding the recently received secret letter, his brow furrowed as his expression shifted from confusion to excitement, finally settling into a cruel smile.
"Come here!" Lü Bu shouted, waving his hand. A personal guard rushed in and clasped his fists in greeting, asking, "What are your orders, my Lord?"
"Go fetch Chen Gong; I have important matters to discuss!" Lü Bu's deep voice carried an undeniable authority.
Before long, strategist Chen Gong entered the tent. He appeared calm and slightly bowed in greeting. "My Lord summoned me at this late hour; what is the matter?"
Lü Bu handed the letter to Chen Gong, excitement flickering in his eyes. "Cao Bao has sent a report saying Liu Bei has gone to Huainan while Zhang Fei is drunk and careless. He suggests we take advantage of this tonight and attack Xuzhou. What do you think, sir?"
Chen Gong took the letter and read it carefully before nodding slightly. A glint of insight flashed in his eyes. "Cao Bao's words may not be false. Xiao Pei is merely a temporary location and not a place for long-term residence. If we miss this opportunity, it may be difficult to seize Xuzhou again in the future."
Upon hearing this, Lü Bu's face showed a smug expression as he slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "You are absolutely right! Quickly order the troops to prepare; we will break camp immediately! Tonight, Zhang Fei and his people in Xuzhou will pay the price!"
Chen Gong smiled slightly and added, "However, my Lord must not be careless. Although the main force is absent from Xuzhou City, the people are loyal to Liu Bei, and Zhang Fei is a skilled warrior. We should feign an attack on their front while using our main force for a surprise assault from the side to ensure success."
Lü Bu nodded, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Good! Tonight let Xuzhou know who the true overlord is!"
The night was as clear as washed silk, with the bright moonlight casting a silvery sheen over the fields surrounding Xuzhou City. Lü Bu, fully armored, sat astride Red Hare, which glowed faintly red in the moonlight, resembling a burning flame. He raised his Fangtian Halberd and spoke softly to the five hundred elite cavalry behind him, "We must strike swiftly and decisively, without alarming the troops within the city. Follow me!" His voice was low yet carried an undeniable authority.
Xuzhou was only about forty to fifty miles from Xiao Pei, and traveling at night did not take long. Lü Bu's cavalry soon arrived outside the city. It was now the fourth watch of the night; the moonlight was cold, and the guards on the city wall were sparse and weary, showing no signs of alertness. Lü Bu halted his horse outside the city gate and called out loudly, "Listen from above! I come on Liu Shijun's orders to deliver a confidential message. Open the gates quickly!"
The soldiers on the wall became alert upon hearing his call. However, when they heard Lü Bu mention Liu Bei's name and saw his bright armor and imposing presence in the moonlight, they couldn't help but believe him to some extent. The soldiers hurried off to report to Cao Bao, "Someone claims to come on Liu Shijun's orders with an urgent message for the city! Please make a decision, General!"
Cao Bao had just been injured not long ago and was still feeling pain as he rested on his couch. Hearing the soldier's report, he sat up abruptly. Though puzzled at first, he quickly reasoned, "At this time, who would dare impersonate someone from Liu Shijun? Moreover, Lü Bu has already agreed to my plan; it must be him." With that thought in mind, he no longer hesitated and hurriedly donned his outer garments to go check.
Standing on the city wall, Cao Bao peered out into the moonlight and indeed saw a well-organized cavalry unit. The leader stood tall and imposing, looking directly at him. He lowered his voice and asked, "Who are you? What orders does Liu Shijun have?"
Lü Bu smiled slightly and replied steadily, "I am a trusted confidant of Liu Shijun, here with confidential military orders. There are many dangers outside; open the gates quickly! Those who delay military matters will face severe punishment!"
Cao Bao felt a tightening in his chest and dared not doubt him. He immediately turned to the soldiers beside him and commanded, "Quickly open the gates! Welcome the envoy into the city!"
The city gates slowly creaked open with a deep rumble. Seeing this, Lü Bu's lips curled into a cold smile as he gently raised his Fangtian Halberd and whispered, "Prepare to attack!" As soon as he finished speaking, a signal rang out through the night sky.
"Kill!" Lü Bu's five hundred cavalry surged into the city like a tidal wave, their battle cries echoing loudly. Red Hare dashed forward like a streak of red lightning with Lü Bu leading the charge; wherever his Fangtian Halberd struck, guards were thrown into disarray. Cao Bao stood on the wall in shock, pale-faced and trembling lips unable to organize any counterattack.
Chaos erupted within the city as soldiers scrambled to respond; however, Lü Bu's army descended like fierce tigers from the mountain—unstoppable—while their shouts of slaughter reverberated throughout Xuzhou's night sky.
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