Tiger Guards

Chapter 573 Resolute Determination to Retreat

Xudu was also shrouded in a light drizzle.

The Great General's Office, West Pavilion.

Lü Bu leaned against the window of the west pavilion, holding a bowl of warm, salty milk tea in his hand, sipping it slowly.

Yang Jun was an impatient person, and he stepped on the stairs very quickly when climbing the attic.

Upon reaching the third floor, Yang Jun bowed to Lü Bu's retreating figure, saying, "My lord, General Gao has arrived."

"Ji Cai, what do you think of Liu Bei's talent and abilities?"

Lu Bu didn't turn around, but simply turned slightly to the left, pointing with his left arm to the teapot that had been brewing, indicating to Yang Jun that he should do as he pleased.

Yang Jun could only step forward and pour himself half a bowl of milk tea, holding it with both hands and blowing on it before saying, "Lord Xuande is upright and virtuous. In terms of virtue alone, only the Grand Marshal can be ranked alongside Lord Xuande in this world."

As Yang Jun spoke, he saw Lu Bu pat the prayer mat on the side, so he could only step forward and kneel down, holding the milk tea in his hands and taking a small sip.

As the chief secretary of the Shogun's office, he handled far too many confidential documents.

Although I haven't met Zhao Ji many times, I can understand what kind of person he is through these documents.

Zhao Ji never took the initiative to kill or punish his servants for amusement outside of military camps or battlefields, nor did he have the perverse pleasure of abducting women.

Even if someone committed a capital crime under Zhao Ji's rule, Zhao Ji would not sentence them to death, but instead send them to work in the mines.

Although Zhao Ji launched one war after another, he always stopped short of victory and never fought a protracted war that exhausted the people's strength.

Not only did they cherish the people's strength, but they also made as many tools as possible and distributed them to the people in various ways.

Apart from the gold thread decoration on his banner and the gilding on his armor, this Grand Marshal had no other gold or jade ornaments on his body, inside or out... Such simplicity was both rare and terrifying.

Even the benevolent Liu Bei liked to wear nice clothes and travel in luxurious carriages... Compared to the dull-witted Grand Marshal, Liu Bei understood art and enjoyment better.

Lu Bu, who was somewhere between Grand Marshal and Liu Bei, did not particularly like luxurious gold and jade, but he was powerless against wine and women, and lacked enthusiasm for the restoration and development of the people's strength.

The Grand Marshal treated the soldiers, civilians, and slaves under his rule as his own herd, developed medical techniques, and facilitated the circulation of production tools at a lower cost, fearing any significant loss to these people.

As for General Lü Bu, he naturally wouldn't care too much about the Han people... Just don't rebel, and you'll be fine as long as you serve in the army and pay taxes.

Lu Bu gazed at the rain curtain, his eyes glancing sideways at the distant northern horizon, where it was obscured by dark clouds and rain.

After a moment of silence, Lü Bu said, "Yuan Si has already done for me the thing I wanted to do most in my life. Even if I were to govern the court, I wouldn't know how to reward Yuan Si. Ji Cai, what does this mean?"

"I don't know."

"You're not unaware, you're just afraid to say it."

Lu Bu got up, turned around and brought the teapot over, then sat down again, filled his empty bowl with milk tea, and filled Yang Jun's bowl as well.

Placing the teapot near his right, Lü Bu took a sip of tea, savored it carefully in his mouth, and swallowed before saying, "I had some hopes before, but now I have nothing left. My retreat is nothing short of earth-shattering. However, Liu Bei is a benevolent man, and we can still retreat to Luozhong to observe the changes in the world. It's just a pity that Ji Cai's talent for governing the world has been wasted by me."

If he were to truly step down from his position of power, it's hard to say how many of the five battalions under the Grand General's command could take with him, and the Eagle Flying New Army would undergo even more dramatic changes.

As someone who came from a border army background, Lü Bu understood the habits of the army all too well.

At this moment, all we can do is hope that Liu Bei reacts slowly and seizes an opportunity to lead his troops back to Luozhong.

Anyway, Lü Bu really didn't want to play anymore. Zhao Ji had done everything he wanted to do, things he dared not even think about but still wanted to do, but now he was facing this embarrassing situation of being unacceptable to the Han people. This was really too distressing for Lü Bu.

The worst off was himself. He could have been the first to lift the restrictions and bestow a reasonable but irregular reward upon Zhao Ji. Zhao Ji was the other ruler, so how could he possibly refuse?
But even Lü Bu himself was unwilling to do it. In other words, Lü Bu didn't dare to reasonably reward another person for making him "stronger," which made him extremely upset.

I feel like I'm still trapped and bound, and I've never been free.

Sipping his milk tea, Lü Bu turned to look at Yang Jun's not-so-handsome profile: "Once I've finished these matters, I will personally recommend Ji Cai to Lord Yuanming."

Yang Jun was deeply moved and couldn't help but shed tears: "My lord, why must you do this? If you step down, the position of Grand Marshal will also be abolished. The world was about to be at peace, but it will fall into turmoil again... I feel guilty and cannot find peace." "Why must Ji Cai deceive himself like this?"

Lu Bu swirled his teacup, glancing down at the ground pepper at the bottom of the bowl. He continued, “Yuan Si’s words during the remonstrance in Anyi were very reasonable. Those who disrupt the Han dynasty are the unscrupulous ministers. This empire cannot be stabilized by my alliance with Yuan Si. Although the emperor is wise, he lacks responsibility, and I feel quite powerless.”

Turning his head to look at Yang Jun's profile, Lü Bu smiled: "He clearly offered Yuan Si a royal title, and Yuan Si was satisfied. I don't need to make things so difficult for him. He's unwilling to break the oath of Emperor Gaozu on the white horse, so do you expect me to become a villain for all time?"

"Yes, I understand."

Yang Jun held the teacup with both hands, tilted his head back and gulped it down, and the pent-up frustration in his heart dissipated.

As the ruler of the court, Lü Bu's reward to Zhao Ji would have two possible outcomes: a reasonable reward would break the oath of the White Horse and make him appear as a treacherous minister colluding with Zhao Ji; an unreasonable reward would cause Zhao Ji and the entire army to vent their anger on Lü Bu, and might even implicate Lü Bu's daughter.

Lü Bu didn't actually care about the hatred between Zhao Ji and Zhao's officials and soldiers, and he didn't even care about his daughter.

But he was disheartened. He clearly had a better choice. If he had just given Zhao Ji a push, given Zhao Ji's moral character, he could have ensured that the Lü family and the Zhao family would share wealth and honor!

The emperor's self-preservation left Lü Bu feeling helpless and disheartened. This persistent dishearteningness eventually froze his heart, it was that simple.

He decided not to push Zhao Ji aside or bear the infamy, and instead brought in the ambitious Liu Bei. Whether or not to break the oath of Emperor Gaozu on the white horse was up to the Liu family to decide. Anyway, he, surnamed Lü, didn't want to get involved.

Not only did he want to bring Liu Bei into the picture, but Lü Bu also wanted to retreat himself and go to Luoyang, the strategic hub of the realm, to observe the situation.

If they retreat, they can hold off the offensive of the various armies in Guandong; if they advance, they can cooperate with Zhao Ji to sweep through Guandong and Hebei.

Whether war breaks out in the future is irrelevant to him, a man who is retired in Luoyang. The initiative lies with Liu Bei's court, or perhaps with Zhao Ji, but certainly not with Lü Bu.

The various barbarian tribes were so easily defeated, and the heroes within the Great Wall... Lü Bu didn't even take them seriously, treating them like dirt.

Yang Jun finished his bowl of milk tea, silently stood up and took a few steps back: "My lord, I will go and escort General Gao."

"it is good."

Lu Bu responded and continued to gaze at the rain outside the window, longing for the vast wilderness of his hometown.

No matter how rich the Central Plains are, or how many beautiful women there are, it is ultimately not one's own homeland.

After news of Zhao Ji's decisive victory over the Xianbei ruler Kui Tou arrived, Lü Bu began to plan to join forces with Zhao Ji to eliminate and conquer the various Hu tribes.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ji was ruthless and relentless, not knowing when to stop. He pressed on despite the winter snow, defeating the Xianbei people and ultimately sweeping them away, making a name for himself in his time and for all time!
Who among the people of the border region with even a modicum of conscience would dare not remember Zhao Ji's kindness?

Given the current situation, Lü Bu is truly exhausted; he has lost all will to fight.

No matter how hard you try, can you outmaneuver Zhao Ji?

The footsteps of Gao Shun and Yang Jun dispelled Lü Bu's homesickness, and Yang Jun wisely withdrew.

Lu Bu picked up the teapot and personally poured milk tea for Gao Shun. Gao Shun was somewhat flattered and asked directly, "Does Your Excellency have something on your mind?"

“Yes, I do not know how to handle the matter of bestowing titles upon Yuan Si. I am related to him by marriage, and no matter how he is rewarded, it will not be acceptable to the people. Rather than that, it would be better to return the public power to the state and let a virtuous person handle it.”

Gao Shun was shocked upon hearing this. He looked up to observe Lü Bu and saw that he did not seem to be joking.

After calming himself down, Gao Shun held up the teacup with both hands and solemnly declared, "I am willing to go through fire and water for you, my lord!"

"Good, very good!"

Lu Bu knelt on one knee in front of Gao Shun, with a low table between them. Lu Bu reached out and patted Gao Shun's shoulder: "You have not betrayed me, and I have not betrayed you."

"Don't dare."

Gao Shun finished his milk tea, quickly put down the teacup, and without getting up, moved backward to perform a deep bow: "Your Excellency has shown me great kindness, and I will repay you with my life."

(End of this chapter)