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As dawn broke, the earth was still shrouded in a thin mist when the war drums thundered, shattering the tranquility of the morning. Liu Bei rode at the forefront of his troops, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei commanding the ambushes on either flank, already hidden deep within the mountains. The main force of five thousand slowly advanced, banners fluttering, weapons glinting like a forest of blades, and the rumbling footsteps echoed like thunder.
Liu Bei, clad in simple battle armor and gripping a longsword, surveyed his soldiers with piercing eyes. He turned to them and said in a deep voice, "Today’s battle will determine the peace of Qingzhou if we win, or our total annihilation if we lose. Remember this: when I sound the signal, the ambushes on both flanks will strike together, and fate will be decided!"
The soldiers clasped their fists in acknowledgment, their eyes reflecting a mix of tension and determination.
The Yellow Turban Army had already formed ranks at the foot of the mountain. Their soldiers had disheveled hair and wore yellow headscarves, swarming like locusts across the valley. Upon seeing Liu Bei's army appear at the mountain pass, they erupted in cheers, the clash of swords ringing out into the sky. Among them, a Yellow Turban General rode forth brandishing a massive sword and shouted at Liu Bei's troops, "A mere remnant dares to seek death! Brothers, kill them!"
Liu Bei raised his whip and shouted sternly, "Retreat!" His troops turned and fled in disarray, seemingly intimidated by the Yellow Turban Army's momentum. The Yellow Turban Army rejoiced at this sight; their commander waved his Dadao and yelled, "Pursue! The entire army follows to eliminate these rats!"
The Yellow Turban forces surged into the mountain path like a raging river. They laughed heartily as they watched Liu Bei's troops retreating in panic, some even stumbling and falling behind. However, as they crossed over the ridge into a narrow valley, a long and piercing sound of a signal horn suddenly rang out.
"Now!" Liu Bei suddenly reined in his horse, drew his longsword, and turned to roar, "Charge back!"
On both sides of the mountain path, the ambushed troops revealed themselves simultaneously. Guan Yu led the left flank into action with his Green Dragon Crescent Blade shimmering coldly; its edge struck down like thunder as he bellowed, "Yellow Turban Rebels, come meet your end!" With each swing of his blade, enemy soldiers fell like wheat before a scythe. On the right flank, Zhang Fei roared like thunder himself, wielding his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear like an enraged lion. His thrusts were unstoppable; he shattered their formation into chaos.
The three-pronged assault struck like lightning, plunging the Yellow Turban Army into confusion. They had thought they were pursuing fleeing remnants but instead fell into a meticulously laid trap. Liu Bei's central forces surged forth to reform their ranks; their spears stood dense as a forest while swords clashed like waves. The Yellow Turban Army found themselves caught between two forces; panic spread among their ranks as some dropped their weapons to kneel in surrender while others scattered in flight.
The battlefield ran red with blood; crimson streams flowed down the mountain path while corpses lay strewn about amidst unending cries of anguish. Guan Yu cleaved through an enemy general with his blade; droplets of blood fell from its edge as his expression remained impassive, his gaze as cold as steel. Behind him, the left flank advanced relentlessly; the enemy had no chance to organize any resistance.
Zhang Fei was like a wild beast unleashed; he pierced through a Yellow Turban Colonel’s chest with his Eighteen-Feet Serpent Spear before flinging him aside—blood arcing through the air in a vivid crimson line. His roar was deafening: "Yellow Turban Rebels, why don’t you die already!"
Liu Bei raised his banner high in command as he urged his soldiers forward into enemy lines. His longsword gleamed with lethal intent; each strike claimed an enemy soldier’s life. He knew that only by utterly defeating these foes could he truly lift the siege on Qingzhou. His horse's hooves trampled through pools of blood as he fixed his gaze on fleeing Yellow Turban soldiers without a hint of relent.
When Liu Bei's forces reached the foot of Qingzhou City, the city gates swung open with a thunderous crash, and the Governor Gong Jing led the militia out to engage. Their arrival was like the final straw that broke the back of the Yellow Turban Army; the enemy's formation fell into chaos, and they fled in disarray, crying out in panic. As Gong Jing personally wielded his sword and joined Liu Bei, his face was smeared with blood, and he excitedly grasped Liu Bei's hand, saying, "Mr. Xuan De, thanks to your timely assistance, the people of Qingzhou have been spared!"
The battlefield around them remained tumultuous, with remnants of the Yellow Turban Army scattering in all directions. Yet Liu Bei merely nodded lightly, lifting his gaze to the crimson sky, his eyes deep as the ocean.
With the siege of Qingzhou just resolved, Gong Jing hosted a banquet in the city to reward his soldiers. The hall was brightly lit, filled with abundant food and wine, and cheers from the soldiers echoed throughout, creating a lively atmosphere. However, at the main table, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei appeared particularly subdued. Liu Bei held his wine cup with a pensive expression; Guan Yu lowered his head to tend to his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, his brow slightly furrowed; Zhang Fei clutched a large piece of beef, chewing heartily but occasionally glancing at Liu Bei, clearly sensing something was amiss.
Finally, Zhang Fei set down his meat and boldly asked, " Brother Xuan De, we've secured victory and achieved great success. Why do you still look so glum? Are you worried about something?"
Hearing this, Liu Bei raised his head and set down his cup with a sigh. "Yi De, it's not that I'm unhappy; it's just that I've recently heard that General of the Household Lu Zhi is engaged in battle with Zhang Jiao in Guangzong. The situation is dire. I once learned from Mr. Lu and owe him a debt of gratitude; if I do not go to assist him now, it would be a betrayal of our teacher-student bond."
Upon hearing this, Guan Yu slowly lifted his head and said solemnly, "If Brother Xuan De feels this way, Yun Chung will certainly follow you. Mr. Lu is a renowned general of the court; if we can provide assistance, we will surely defeat the bandits and bring peace to the land."
Zhang Fei waved his hand with bravado and laughed heartily. "What’s there to hesitate about? Since you both say we should go, how could I Zhang Fei possibly sit this one out! Let’s finish this drink and set off immediately!"
Seeing his brothers respond without hesitation warmed Liu Bei's heart. He raised his cup with determination in his eyes. "Thank you both for your support! On this journey, we must relieve Mr. Lu's burdens and do our utmost for the common people!"
That night, the three men took five hundred troops to bid farewell to Zou Jing and Gong Jing before heading towards Guangzong. The night was thick with darkness as a cool breeze swept by; banners rustled against horsebacks. Liu Bei sat atop his horse, silently gazing ahead. He thought of Lu Zhi while also keeping a wary eye on Zhang Jiao's growing power. The threat of the Yellow Turban Army still loomed large; he understood that this war was far from over.
Days later, upon arriving at Guangzong, they could see flashes of weapons between the valleys from afar and hear shouts echoing through the air. On the battlefield, Lu Zhi's banner flew high above them; however, the Yellow Turban Army surrounded them like an impenetrable swarm. Liu Bei reined in his horse and said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei beside him: "Mr. Lu is in a difficult position; we must quickly enter the camp to inform him of our intentions and devise a strategy."
At Lu Zhi's camp entrance, guards initially stood ready with their weapons drawn until they learned that Liu Bei was a disciple of Lu Zhi; then they led them into the central tent. Inside, Lu Zhi stood before a sand table clad in armor. Though weary-looking with a thick beard, his imposing presence remained undiminished. Upon seeing Liu Bei and the others enter, Lu Zhi was momentarily taken aback before bursting into laughter: "Xuan De! Is it really you? I've long heard of your efforts against bandits; you truly live up to my expectations from years ago!"
Liu Bei quickly stepped forward to kneel respectfully and said, "Disciple Liu Bei has come upon hearing that my master is fighting here; I have brought troops to assist you in defeating these bandits!"
Lu Zhi helped Liu Bei to his feet, a look of satisfaction on his face as he said, "It is indeed a blessing for my army that you are willing to assist me! These two must be your sworn brothers?" He glanced over at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, giving them a brief appraisal before praising, "What a pair of fierce generals! Truly dragons and tigers among men!"
Guan Yu clasped his hands and spoke softly, "Yun Chung pays his respects to Mr. Lu and is willing to follow Brother Xuan De to serve the public with all his might." Zhang Fei, on the other hand, boomed, "I, Zhang Fei, am not only a fierce general but also our top weapon against the bandits! Mr. Lu, just give your orders, and I will follow them without hesitation!"
Lu Zhi was amused by Zhang Fei's straightforwardness and laughed heartily. He turned back to the sand table and pointed out, "Zhang Jiao relies on his superior numbers and holds a strong position; his rebellious intentions are clear as day. Although our troops are brave, we are short on supplies, and our soldiers are weary. It is truly difficult to sustain a prolonged siege." He then looked at Liu Bei and said, "Xuan De, the five hundred Elite Troops you have brought may be just what we need for our turning point. Will you follow my command and help me take Zhang Jiao's head?"
Liu Bei clasped his fists and replied, "I am willing to heed my mentor's orders!" Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also clasped their hands in agreement, their eyes shining with determination. Lu Zhi's expression grew serious as he nodded and said, "Good! With your assistance, this campaign will surely succeed!"
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