Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 90 Chen Lan is here! I have long admired your virtue, Your Excellency!
When Liu Bei heard that Yuan Shu's army had arrived, he led his troops to test the waters, sending Guan Yu as the vanguard to challenge the enemy at the city walls.

Zhang Fei, who was waiting anxiously, said, "Brother! With such a good thing happening, why did you only let Second Brother go into battle? It's only right that I, your younger brother, be the vanguard as well."

"Third brother, don't be anxious."

Liu Bei gazed at the city walls of Chen County, stroked his beard, and sighed.

"I heard from my second brother that Ji Ling, a general under Yuan Gonglu, is a first-class expert in concealed weapons. You have never fought him, and you are reckless, so it is inevitable that you will be caught off guard and take advantage of him."

Therefore, I'll have my second brother test the waters first. Once you've clearly seen his hidden weapon techniques, then it won't be too late for a proper fight."

Zhang Fei, having heard that his second brother Guan Yu had been caught off guard and taken advantage of by Ji Ling's hidden weapon, resulting in his defeat in three rounds, became even more vigilant.

"What you say is very true, elder brother. I have also heard my second brother say that Ji Ling's martial arts are only so-so, but he has a unique skill in hidden weapons."

That's fine. Once I've figured out his methods, I'll choose this person for you, brother.

But what about my second brother this time?

"Third brother, don't worry. Hidden weapons are just a minor skill!"
My second brother suffered a defeat that day, and after much reflection, he racked his brains for a way to defeat the enemy. Now he is ready.

For some time now, he has been challenging Ji Ling to a duel, hoping to regain his dignity.

Unexpectedly, Ji Ling avoided battle for days, which allowed him to live a few more days by sheer luck.

Now that Yuan Gonglu is facing us head-on, I don't believe Ji Ling will dare to avoid a fight. My second brother will surely avenge his previous humiliation.

As the two were talking, a rider came out of the city to fight; it was Lei Bu.

Lei Bu's courage in accepting the order to fight Guan Yu was not entirely unprepared.

He has been here for several days, how come he has not heard the soldiers singing the praises of Ji Ling defeating Guan Yu in three rounds?

After inquiring about the details, he knew that Guan Yu had a fatal weakness: hidden weapons!
Therefore, he was well prepared this time, thinking that since Ji Ling could do it, so could he.

Upon reaching the front lines, a shout was heard from the opposite side!
"State your name! I, Guan, do not kill nameless nobodies!"

"This is Lei Bu, the peerless general under Lord Yuan!"

"Are you Guan Yu?"

As Lei Bu spoke, he glanced at the people in front of him and felt a chill run down his spine.

What do you think?

The man on the opposite side was fully armored and exuded an imposing aura.

Beneath their helmets, all were masked, with only a pair of narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes flashing with chilling killing intent.

His black armor was perfectly fitted, reflecting a faint, cold light.

Even his warhorse was clad in armor, resembling a ferocious monster.

They were armored cavalry!

It would be impossible for Liu Bei to have assembled such a cavalry force, but Zhu Yuanzhang certainly had the resources to create a special set for Guan Yu.

Guan Yu was also feeling humiliated by his previous defeat at the hands of Ji Ling, having been lost in just three rounds. So he spent the night reading the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, and was astonished to find a record of the "Battle of An" in the *Zuo Zhuan*, Duke Cheng, Year 2:

The Duke of Qi said, "I will annihilate them before breakfast." He charged without armoring his horse and suffered a great defeat.

(Duke Qing of Qi said, "I will eliminate these enemies first, and then have breakfast!" So he did not armor his warhorses and spurred them on to charge at the Jin army, which led to a great defeat.)

Yes, just like the Marquis of Qi, I suffered a great defeat because I did not armor my warhorse!

By learning from history, we can understand our gains and losses. Guan Yu deeply agreed with the lessons learned from Qi Hou's defeat.

Therefore, after much painful reflection, he spared no expense in asking Mi Zhu to spend his family fortune in order to regain his dignity.

Since you, Ji Ling, are shameless and frequently use hidden weapons, then it's no wonder that I, Guan, have donned my armor and come to fight you again.

However, Lei Bu was so shocked by Ji Ling's thorough preparations that he froze on the spot. The hidden weapon he had carefully prepared felt too cold to the touch, and the coldness chilled him to the bone.

Looking at the man dressed like this in front of him, he still couldn't believe it. "You...you really are Guan Yu, Guan Yunchang?" "What a joke! Who else could it be but Guan Yu?"

Guan Yu slightly opened his phoenix eyes, his gaze filled with murderous intent.

"You peerless general, you do indeed deserve to be a ghost under my blade!"

"General Guan, please wait, I have something else to say. Actually, I have something to say to Yuan Gonglu."

However, when two armies clash, there's no time for idle talk. Once they've spurred their horses into battle, the duel has already begun.

The iron horses charged forward, and a bright, white blade flashed, slicing through the sky and clouds, like a green dragon crescent!
A fine head fell to the ground, blood spurting like rain from the neck.

Guan Yu paused his horse and turned back, his brows furrowed with arrogance and disdain.

"What kind of scoundrel dares to call himself an unparalleled general these days?"

In the Chen County government building.

"Report! Lei Bu has been killed by Guan Yu in less than a single exchange!"

The entire Yuan army was in uproar!
"That's impossible! General Lei is an unparalleled general!"

"It is said that Guan Yu was uncivilized. General Lei was about to speak with him when Guan Yu launched a sneak attack. General Lei was caught off guard and died in one move."

"This is absolutely outrageous! What should we do now?"

"quiet."

Seeing the chaos and the hint of fear in the crowd, Yuan Shu calmly tapped the table.

"No problem! I still have the unparalleled general Chen Lan, known as Chen the Three-Knife. Within three strikes, he will surely take Guan Yu's head!"

Chen Lan: "???"

"My lord, it is I..."

Chen Lan tried to refuse, but Yuan Shu's gaze had already turned coldly to him.

"Guan Yu killed my beloved general; this is an irreconcilable feud!"

"What, Chen Lan? You and Lei Bu were once close friends, like brothers. Now that you've lost your sworn brother, don't you want to avenge him?"

Chen Lan: "."

Revenge? I'd have to be able to beat them first!
However, upon seeing the crowd and hearing his name, the fear and apprehension of the people present vanished, replaced by expectant gazes directed at him.

It seems that Lei Bu was killed by a sneak attack due to carelessness, while this other unparalleled general, as long as he is prepared and not ambushed, will surely behead Guan Yu.

Chen Lan sighed deeply. "Do you really have so much faith in me? I don't even have that much faith in myself, okay?"
Now that things had come to this, he knew there was no turning back. Everyone knew that he and Lei Bu were inseparable, like brothers.

If he is unwilling to avenge Lei Bu, how can he possibly stand in Yuan's camp?

He simply bowed and accepted the order, saying, "Yes, sir! I will certainly bring Guan Yu's head to my lord to vent my hatred!"

Yuan Shu was overjoyed. He touched the cup in his hand and said, "The honey water is still warm. General Chen, you should go and return quickly."

Chen Lan glanced back at Yuan Ying one last time before turning and leaving.

When he rode out of the city to the front lines, he was not entirely unprepared.

In fact, once Lei Bu died, he knew he was no match for Guan Yu. If hidden weapons had worked, Lei Bu wouldn't have died. Now, his only chance of survival was a slim one.

Upon seeing Guan Yu standing before the enemy ranks, fully armored and cavalry, he remained calm despite his surprise. Learning from the previous experience with Lei Bo, he spurred his horse forward and shouted loudly.

"Is the visitor Guan Yu, Guan Yunchang?"

My name is Chen Lan! General Guan may have heard of my reputation.

"I have long admired your virtue, Lord Guan, and have come to serve you. I only wish to repay Liu Bei and contribute to the restoration of the Han Dynasty. General Guan, please have no doubts!"

Guan Yu: ? ? ?
(End of this chapter)