Three Kingdoms: Madam, I am a decent person

Chapter 745 General Lü Qian
As Xiahou Yuan listened to the commotion, his gaze fell on a middle-aged man.

Lü Qian, a native of Rencheng, was recruited by Cao Cao before the Yellow Turban Rebellion and was known for his bravery and skill in battle.

During the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Yanzhou, Lü Qian led his troops to kill over a thousand Yellow Turban rebels.

Although the Yellow Turban rebels were mostly a rabble, their ability to kill so many enemies demonstrates their formidable military strength.

Previously, Lü Qian served as a military commander in Mount Tai.

Because the powerful Yang family of Mount Tai colluded with Zhang Sui and successfully persuaded the prefect, Lü Qian, the Commandant of Mount Tai, was attacked at night and almost died on Mount Tai.

However, Cao Cao did not blame Lü Qian, but instead appointed him as Xiahou Yuan's deputy general.

Previously, Lü Qian followed Xiahou Yuan in the campaign against Ma Chao, and also killed dozens of Ma Chao's soldiers.

Cao Cao even praised Lü Qian as a fierce general of the country.

Upon hearing Lü Qian's words, Xiahou Yuan immediately became interested and asked, "Vice General Lü, are you serious?"

"This Zhao Yun is the governor of Yangzhou."

“We have fought the General several times, but we have never killed an official like the Governor.”

"Moreover, this person was a loyal minister who followed the general into power."

"If you have the ability to kill him, I will immediately report to my brother that you have achieved the greatest merit and be allowed to lead an army on your own!"

The generals all looked at Lü Qian with curiosity and envy.

Several generals even wanted to step forward.

Xiahou Yuan was not just a commander of an army; he was also a general who was a relative of Cao Cao.

Moreover, they are relatives within the same clan.

Among Cao Cao's many relatives and generals, Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun were the most valued by Cao Cao and were known as the "Twins of Xiahou".

The two of them also held absolute power of speech.

Xiahou Dun could even break into Cao Cao's house without reporting to Cao Cao's personal guards and drag Cao Cao out of bed.

Although Xiahou Yuan was slightly inferior, Cao Cao often chatted and laughed with him.

Even Xiahou Dun addressed Cao Cao as "Lord".

Xiahou Yuan was the only one who directly addressed Cao Cao as his elder brother.

Of course, Cao Cao treated Xiahou Yuan so well, and Xiahou Yuan was also extremely loyal to Cao Cao.

In his early years, Dong Zhuo caused chaos, and thirteen warlords besieged him. Cao Cao led an army of 10,000, but was almost wiped out by Xu Rong, a general under Dong Zhuo.

In order to help Cao Cao rebuild his strength, Xiahou Yuan donated all the assets of his hometown, which led to him becoming so impoverished that his youngest son starved to death.

Xiahou Yuan's own brothers were also forced by him to donate their property.

Even Xiahou Yuan's own niece, a well-bred young lady with fair skin and delicate features, who had never done any rough work before, was forced to personally go to the fields to pick mulberry leaves and weave cloth.

This incident reportedly made Cao Cao weep uncontrollably, as he declared that as long as Cao Cao was alive, Xiahou Yuan would enjoy wealth and honor.

If we could truly obtain Xiahou Yuan's promise at this moment, the future of the Xudu court would be bright!
When Lü Qian heard Xiahou Yuan say this, he was overjoyed.

While pushing back the several generals who had stepped forward, Lü Qian said excitedly, "General, if that scoundrel Zhao Yun dares to come, watch how I, Lü Qian, will slay generals and seize flags for you!"

Xiahou Yuan patted Lü Qian on the shoulder and laughed, "Alright, then I'll give you a chance."

"However, you'd better be careful."

"The fact that Zhao Yun was able to become the governor of Yangzhou and even kill his way to my brother's side shows how brave he is."

"Especially that young general, I've witnessed his bravery."

"He's no weaker than that Lu Bu."

"To become one of his loyal ministers, one must have some real skills."

Lu Qian raised his head, looking confident, and said, "General, rest assured."

"The general is really nothing special."

"In his early years, he was able to intimidate our lord at Hangu Pass not because of his bravery, but because he relied on Yuan Shao, whose family had held high office for four generations. Our lord had no choice but to give Yuan Shao face."

"Now, he has taken full control of Hebei, and Yuan Shao's Hebei army is at his disposal."

"And the soldiers of Hebei, it must be said, are truly strong."

"So, he looks strong."

"If we were to really fight, I wouldn't be weaker than him." "When the Yellow Turban Rebellion was quelled in Yanzhou, I also led my troops, moving freely among hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban rebels, capturing generals and flags, and killing thousands!"

"Tongguan, General, haven't you seen my performance yet?"

“Even when facing Ma Chao, this little Lu Bu, I still managed to slaughter his entire army.”

"Unfortunately, our lord is cautious and will not allow us to meet Ma Chao in person."

"Otherwise, I will surely kill Ma Chao."

Speaking of Ma Chao, Lü Qian sighed, "Our lord is getting old and no longer has the courage he once possessed."

"Now he is suspicious again."

"Hopefully, this conquest of Hebei will reignite our lord's ambition."

Xiahou Yuan nodded.

To be honest, he was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Cao Cao's actions.

When fighting Ma Chao, aside from the initial defeat, wasn't it a complete rout afterwards?
Now, when attacking Hebei, Cao Cao directly adopted a defensive strategy.

Before the war even started, he ordered himself and Xiahou Dun to each lead 10,000 troops to defend Muzhong and Changshe, preventing Hebei from directly pushing towards Xudu.

It's really a big joke in the world.

That kid is indeed impressive.

However, we are not to be trifled with either.

Why are you so cowardly?

Thinking of this, Xiahou Yuan said to Lü Qian, "Perform well and surprise your elder brother."

"Every man under my command, Xiahou Yuan, is a hero."

Lu Qian clasped his hands in a fist salute and declared loudly, "I will never tarnish the general's reputation!"

Xiahou Yuan smiled, pointed at Lü Qian, and said to the generals, "Learn from him!"

“We are generals, not those pedantic scholars.”

"Once we're on the battlefield, we need to have absolute confidence."

"If you don't have the courage to take down the enemy's general, then hurry back to your beds and play with your women!"

The generals all responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"

Xiahou Yuan led Lü Qian and others to continue their patrol.

Just as they were about to descend the city wall, a soldier pointed north and said, "They've really come, General!"

Xiahou Yuan led all the generals to look up at the horizon.

Sure enough, a dense array of dark shadows appeared.

The shadowy figure was moving very fast.

Before long, they transformed into countless figures covering the mountains and fields.

Amidst these figures, a banner fluttered in the wind.

Under the general's banner, Zhao Yun and Xi Zhicai discussed their battle strategy while riding their horses.

Xi Zhicai said, "Governor of Yangzhou, this time our lord has ordered us and Zhang He's vanguard to attack Muzhong and Changshe respectively, and has only given us 15,000 troops."

"Our lord also said that we must sacrifice some of our soldiers this time to make the enemy think that we are eager to break through the city and start to advance recklessly."

"Compassion does not control armies."

“I heard my lord say before that the Governor of Yangzhou desires peace throughout the land and favors benevolent rulers.”

"But this is a battlefield, and necessary sacrifices are unavoidable."

"To achieve great results with limited resources is the fundamental combat capability of a general."

Zhao Yun glanced around at the spirited soldiers, his expression turning somewhat somber.

Many of the soldiers he brought were recruited from Zhongshan County.

They were all young and energetic lads.

Now, these soldiers have no idea that they have come to their deaths!
Zhao Yun dared not imagine what he would do when he returned to Zhongshan County and saw the eyes of the elderly, weak, women and children.

(End of this chapter)