The Three Kingdoms: The Oath of the Peach Garden, the Rise of the Han Dynasty

Just as the imperial court in Luoyang was in an uproar.

Bingzhou, however, ushered in an unprecedented golden age of development.

Nobody's bothering us, that's perfect!

Then they were the de facto governors of Bingzhou!

Li Chang wished the court would never stop arguing.

While you fight for power and profit in Luoyang, I quietly develop and grow stronger in Bingzhou!

Besides spring plowing, Liu Bei and Ding Yuan contacted and communicated many times, and even Lü Bu used the phrases "walking arm in arm" and "sleeping foot to foot" to describe their interactions!

It moved the two of them to tears!

Although there was no official title, Liu Bei directly put Ding Yuan in charge of all the government affairs in Taiyuan! He became the de facto governor of Taiyuan and was tasked with implementing Li Chang's new policies!

Ding Yuan trusted him deeply and worked for him every day without sleeping!

Lu Bu, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei also respected each other.

Outside Taiyuan City, at the drill ground.

Ding Yuan has been sleeping only two hours a day lately, and his dark circles are comparable to those of Xun Chen and others who spent months grinding at Yanmen!

He's been in his thirties for so long to gain such power, and he doesn't want to give it up at all!

The powerful clans of Taiyuan had suffered a major setback, and the remaining collateral branches and commoners, seeing which way the wind was blowing, all pledged their loyalty to Ding Yuan. Ding Yuan didn't hold back, simply adopting Li Chang's new policies and suppressing any opposition from the powerful clans!

But Ding Yuan didn't have time to look at official documents today. Liu Bei had invited him to the drill ground outside the city.

Soldiers surrounded the drill ground.

In the center, Lü Bu held his halberd upside down with one hand, the tip of the halberd pointing diagonally at the ground. The sunlight shone on the halberd blade, so bright that it was hard to open one's eyes.

Zhang Fei, standing before him, had already held his eighteen-foot spear horizontally in front of him, his leopard eyes wide open.

"Brother Fengxian! It's a deal, whoever loses has to buy the other a drink!"

"I'm definitely going to drink the wine that Yide is offering!" Lü Bu said proudly.

The two mounted their horses.

Zhang Fei's eyes widened, and his eighteen-foot spear pierced through the air with a whoosh.

The spearhead was already at Lü Bu's chest.

Lu Bu spurred his horse forward, and with a flick of his halberd, the blade struck the spear shaft, sending sparks flying.

Zhang Fei felt a jolt in his hand, and the spear almost slipped from his grasp.

This was the first time he had ever seen someone surpass him in strength!

"What strength!" he shouted, advancing instead of retreating, sweeping his spear across Lü Bu's lower body.

With a flick of his wrist, Lü Bu sent his halberd arcing through the air, slashing toward Zhang Fei's face.

Zhang Fei quickly dodged to the side.

Lu Bu pressed his advantage, delivering another powerful blow that sent Zhang Fei and his horse staggering back several steps!

The two exchanged blows, and in the blink of an eye, they had fought more than sixty rounds.

Zhang Fei's spear technique was fierce and domineering, and his strength showed no signs of waning.

Lu Bu's halberd technique was wide and sweeping, yet controlled with ease. It not only possessed great strength but also unparalleled skill.

After eighty rounds, Zhang Fei spurred his horse out of the circle, slammed his spear into the ground, and laughed heartily, panting heavily.

"That was exhilarating! Damn, that was exhilarating! Brother Fengxian, your halberd skills are truly impressive!"

Lu Bu also put away his halberd, though his forehead was slightly damp, his breathing remained perfectly steady.

The commentator remarked, "Yide's spear technique is the most powerful I've ever seen, but his skill is slightly lacking and still needs refinement."

At this time, he had not yet entered the corrupting influence of Luoyang, and he already retained the wildness and purity of a border warrior!

"Second Brother!" Zhang Fei nodded and shouted at the edge of the field, "Don't just stand there! Come up and spar with Brother Fengxian!"

Guan Yu stood on the sidelines, his Green Dragon Crescent Blade held upright beside him, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed.

He had been watching for almost half an hour, and every move and stance of Lü Bu had gone through in his mind.

Hearing Zhang Fei call him, he stroked his long beard and walked into the arena.

"Guan has learned his lesson."

Lu Bu remained proud and confident, cupping his hands in greeting and saying, "Yun Chang, please!"

Guan Yu spurred his horse forward, his Green Dragon Crescent Blade dragging along the ground, leaving a thin trail on the yellow earth.

His long beard fluttered in the wind as he used the momentum of the horse to continuously gather strength!

When he was ten paces away from Lü Bu, he accelerated again, and the Green Dragon Crescent Blade rose from below, the wind from the blade making a humming sound in the air.

block!!

A loud bang!

Even Lü Bu had to raise his halberd with both hands to block this strike.

The moment the swords clashed, a crack appeared in the yellow earth beneath the horses' hooves.

He felt a chill run down his spine: This Yun Chang's strength was even greater than that of Yi De.

Then Guan Yu struck again with two or three more blows!

Block! Block!

Lu Bu blocked again!

Each strike was heavier than the last!

The angle was tricky, hitting the spot where he wouldn't be able to exert force in his next move!

For the first time, he felt his life was threatened! Had he met his match? Was he going to lose this time?

Thinking this way, he became even more excited!

He had dominated Bingzhou for many years and was almost invincible. This time, however, he had finally encountered a few opponents!

Lu Bu seized the opportunity and launched a counterattack with his halberd!

However, after Guan Yu used up his three strikes, his strength was greatly depleted. He hurriedly blocked one of the attacks and began to fall into a disadvantageous position.

The two exchanged blows for over eighty rounds. At the height of their fight, Guan Yu withdrew his attack and took two steps back.

"Brother Fengxian, your halberd skills are superb! It seems we all need to ask you for help!"

"Few in the world can withstand Yun Chang's first three strikes! But when you encounter someone of similar strength, you need to be careful!" Lü Bu sincerely praised, still offering his comments.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves rang out from the sidelines.

Everyone turned around and saw Zhao Yun galloping towards them on a white horse.

He dismounted, flicked his spear tip, and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Lü Bu:

"Zhao Yun of Changshan, please enlighten me, my esteemed elder brother."

He clearly sensed that Lü Bu's skills were no less than his own!

Even his master couldn't wield a halberd like that!

Lu Bu's eyes lit up; he didn't see anything wrong with this strategy of attrition warfare.

"please!"

The two sides clashed, their spears and halberds producing a crisp clang.

With a spear and a halberd, they moved swiftly and gracefully across the field.

Zhao Yun's spear technique was characterized by agility, speed, and quick changes of tactics.

Lu Bu's halberd technique combines physical strength and skill.

After fifty rounds, the two stopped fighting at the same time, looked at each other and smiled.

"Zilong's spear technique is indeed as good as its reputation, but his strength is slightly inferior." Lü Bu sheathed his halberd.

"General Lü's halberd skills are truly admirable." Zhao Yun sheathed his spear.

After another hour of rest.

Then another middle-aged general came up, carrying a bow and a sword.

Huang Zhong slammed his long sword on the ground, and without any formalities, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Huang Zhong of Nanyang, Huang Hansheng, would like to learn from Fengxian's superior skills."

Lu Bu looked at his graying temples without any sign of disrespect.

The two clashed with their swords and halberds, and fought for more than fifty rounds. Although Huang Zhong was more than ten years older, his physical strength was still not bad!

Moreover, his swordsmanship was skillful and experienced, and he calmly thwarted Lu Bu's several changes of tactics.

After the fight, everyone had gained something.

Huang Zhong stroked his beard and laughed, "Young man, you've got some skills. I'll have to treat you to a drink."

Lu Bu cupped his hands in greeting: "General Huang's archery skills are something I will certainly like to learn from in the future."

Huang Zhong laughed heartily: "I'm ready anytime."

Lu Bu's gaze swept across the sidelines and suddenly stopped on one person.

That was a boy of seventeen or eighteen, who seemed to have a special connection with him!

"Are you Zhang Liao?" Lü Bu asked.

Zhang Liao paused for a moment, then strode into the arena, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Zhang Liao, Wen Yuan of Yanmen!"

Lu Bu looked him up and down, then nodded: "Good physique. How's your riding skill?"

"It's acceptable."

"Mount up." Lü Bu pointed to the horse post beside him.

He got into a good mood and personally instructed Zhang Liao on horsemanship and tactics for a full hour.

Afterwards, Zhang Liao felt his martial prowess had increased considerably, and immediately knelt down:

"Thank you for your guidance, Brother Fengxian!"

Lu Bu patted him on the shoulder: "Don't kneel. You have a real talent for cavalry charges. If you weren't under Guan Yu and the others, I would definitely have taken you in!"

As the sun gradually set, a layer of golden light spread across the training ground.

Several military officers sat around a rough wooden table on the side of the field. Zhang Fei had two large jars of newly brewed sorghum wine from Yanmen brought in, and he personally carried the jars to pour wine for everyone.

The wine overflowed from the rim of the bowl and dripped onto the table, releasing a wonderful aroma.

Lu Bu took the bowl and first offered it to Zhang Fei:

"Yide, today's battle was truly exhilarating. In all these years I've lived in Bingzhou, I've never had such a satisfying fight, whether on the battlefield or in friendly sparring!"

"Of course!" Zhang Fei clinked his bowl against his and downed it in one gulp. "Fengxian, I heard you were a clerk under Ding Yuan, and I thought you were just a minor official. I never imagined you were this!"

He gave a thumbs up, "Come to Yanmen more often! Let's have a few more matches!"

"Definitely." Lü Bu also downed the wine in his bowl in one gulp and put the bowl down.

After finishing his drink, he felt a little dejected. These people who were weaker than him all held higher official positions than him! Even Liu Bei, who was a few years younger than him, was still his adoptive father Ding Yuan's superior!

Guan Yu stroked his beard, a rare smile appearing on his face: "Fengxian's halberd skills are superb; I, Guan, have also learned a great deal."

The two drank a bowl of wine across the table.

Lu Bu temporarily suppressed his dejection.

Zhao Yun sat beside Lü Bu and talked about his experience with cavalry formations. The two discussed everything from the formation of the Yanmen cavalry to the flanking maneuvers of the Xianbei.

They talked about the horsemanship and archery of the Liangzhou Qiang people and the temperament of the warhorses of the Southern Xiongnu. The more they talked, the more they clicked, and they didn't touch the wine in their bowls. They were so engrossed in the conversation that they forgot to drink.

While intrigue and infighting raged in the Luoyang court, several of the most formidable generals in Bingzhou drank and chatted, exchanging wits and strategies—a scene both pure and genuine.

Li Chang and Jia Xu were also on the earthen slope beside the drill ground.

Li Chang leaned against the slope, swirling a homemade wine glass in his hand, his lips stained as if with blood.

Looking at the lively scene, he suddenly smiled and said, "Mr. Wenhe, what do you think of Lü Bu?"

Jia Xu, holding his teacup, gazed at Lü Bu, who was speaking with Zhang Liao, and remained silent for a moment.

"A talent fit for a flying general."

Li Chang hummed in agreement, waiting for the rest of his sentence.

"Indeed," Jia Xu said, blowing away the tea foam, "not the kind of person a general should be."

Li Chang did not respond.

In the distance, Lü Bu put his arm around Zhang Liao's shoulder and said something. Zhang Liao looked up and laughed, the sound carried far away by the wind.