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

"Xuande has just arrived at the camp, and military affairs are numerous and complex; he is unfamiliar with many things." Cao Cao stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"Leave the camp setup, grain and fodder allocation, and weapon supply to me, so that my soldiers can rest as soon as possible."

Huangfu Song's face lit up with joy: "With Mengde taking care of things for me, I can rest easy."

Liu Bei immediately bowed and thanked him, saying, "I'm so grateful for Commander Cao's trouble in making these arrangements."

Cao Cao acted swiftly and efficiently, setting up camps for Liu Bei's troops in just one hour and sending them half a month's worth of provisions.

Liu Bei's army suffered great losses of food and supplies during their long march south. With the timely replenishment, the soldiers were able to eat their fill and rest, and their morale was instantly boosted.

That night, Cao Cao held a private banquet in his own tent, inviting only Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Li Chang.

Since alcohol was forbidden in the army, they substituted tea for it.

After several rounds of tea, the atmosphere at the table gradually became lively. Cao Cao raised his cup and looked at Liu Bei:

"I have heard that when Xuande started his rebellion in Zhuojun, he was a commoner with no official position. He relied entirely on Yide to sell his property and raise troops to start the uprising."

In just a few months, he fought across Youji, quelled the chaos, and killed the local leaders. Such skill is truly admirable.

Liu Bei put down his teacup and said humbly:

"I have only been dutifully a member of the Han imperial family. If it weren't for my three brothers risking their lives to protect me, and my soldiers fighting desperately, I would never have been able to achieve these feats."

"Xuande is too modest." Cao Cao shook his head, his gaze sweeping over Guan Yu and Zhang Fei before settling on Li Chang.

The envy in their eyes was practically overflowing!

"Everyone knows that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are brave enough to defeat ten thousand men, but few people know that Xuande also has a young strategist like Li Junmou by his side."

In the Battle of Quyang, the stratagem of luring the enemy out of the city, ambushing them in the barbican, and intercepting Zhang Bao halfway was intricately linked. Such wisdom and strategy would be something even seasoned strategists might not have been able to devise.

Li Chang rose and cupped his hands in greeting: "Commander Cao is too kind. It's just some shallow calculation, not worth mentioning."

Cao Cao laughed loudly: "If these were all crude calculations, how could they have annihilated Zhang Bao's tens of thousands of troops?"

The more he looked at Liu Bei and his group, the more envious he became, especially since the way he looked at Guan Yu was different every now and then!

It seems he has a connection with Guan Yu!

Although he had a group of fierce generals from his clan, including Xiahou Yuan, Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong, he still lacked a top-notch strategist who could plan and strategize effectively.

And even less so is a peerless warrior like Guan Yu, whose loyalty and righteousness are unparalleled. If only we could recruit these men into our ranks…

hiss! !

Unable to contain his temper, Zhang Fei slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Commander Cao, I've heard that you have a multitude of fierce generals under your command. Why don't we go to the training ground tomorrow and test our skills, so that we can broaden our horizons!"

Cao Cao had always intended to spar, so he immediately agreed:

"Excellent! Tomorrow I will have Yuanrang, Miaocai, and Zixiao step forward to spar with Yunchang and Yide and test their martial arts skills against each other."

"Okay!" Xiahou Dun, who now had both eyes, was the first to agree!

Beside him, Xiahou Yuan and Cao Ren were also very confident in their martial arts skills!

The next morning, the training ground was already surrounded by soldiers watching the battle.

Xiahou Dun was the first to step forward with his spear, challenging Guan Yu to a duel.

Staring intently at his opponent, he confidently declared, "Brother Yun, are you willing to fight me?"

After thirty rounds of fighting, Xiahou Dun gradually lost ground and was forced back by Guan Yu's blade, finally conceding defeat.

"Brother Yun's swordsmanship is superb; even Xiahou Dun is ashamed of his inferiority."

Then Xiahou Yuan went into battle against Zhang Fei, and he was more cautious:

"Brother Yide, please enlighten me!"

The two horses circled and fought for more than thirty rounds before Xiahou Yuan, exhausted, reined in his horse and retreated.

Cao Ren then stepped forward to fight Zhao Yun, and seeing that neither of the two Xiahou brothers were a match for him, he probably had a guess about what was going on.

But shouldn't this young Zhao Yun be able to redeem his sworn brother Mengde?

"Zilong, please!"

"please!"

Zzzzz!

Controlled by Zhao Yun's ever-changing moves with his gleaming silver spear, in less than thirty rounds, the spear tip was already pressed against his throat, leaving him no choice but to retreat in defeat.

Cao Ren glanced at Cao Cao sheepishly: "Brother, I'm sorry, I lost too!"

In the three martial arts competitions, Liu Bei's three generals all had the upper hand.

Cao Cao stood on the platform, completely unfazed by his embarrassment.

It was so moving, I was filled with envy!

They clapped and exclaimed in admiration.

"They are all formidable generals of our time! Guan Yu's swordsmanship, Zhang Fei's spearmanship, and Zhao Yun's spear technique are all exquisite and unparalleled! With these three assisting Xuande, the pacification of the Yellow Turbans is just around the corner!"

He looked at Guan Yu with exceptional fervor, and a desire to recruit him arose in his heart.

He glanced at Li Chang, who was silently watching the battle from the side, and sighed inwardly, wondering when he would be able to get such civil and military assistance under his command!

Just as the soldiers were getting along well through martial arts competitions and the atmosphere in the military camp was becoming more harmonious, a prison cart drove into Luoyang, and Lu Zhi was imprisoned.

At the same time, a request for commendation was also sent to Luoyang.

In Luoyang, deep within the imperial palace, in the Lingkun Garden.

Liu Hong lay slumped on the couch, with several palace maids kneeling behind him, massaging his shoulders.

Ahead, there's lively music playing, several women are frolicking and playing, their clothes are disheveled and torn, and double seams are interfering with the stitching.

There were also rows of beauties in open-crotch pants, waiting for Liu Hong to enter.

Several rolls of military reports from the front lines were piled on the table. He glanced at them and pushed them aside, yawning. He was already feeling quite weak.

Zhang Rang, holding a newly arrived roll of victory report, bowed and strode forward, his face bearing the standard smile he had cultivated for decades:

"Your Majesty, another victory has arrived."

"Read it." Liu Hong didn't even lift his eyelids.

"Liu Bei, the Colonel of the Vanquishing Army, recaptured Quyang and beheaded Zhang Bao! This Zhang Bao was none other than the younger brother of Zhang Jiao, the leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion!"

"Liu Bei?" Liu Hong's eyelids twitched, and he sat up slightly. "Why do I keep hearing that name? We fought in Youzhou last time, and then in Quyang?"

"Your Majesty has a good memory. It is indeed Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, a descendant of the Prince of Zhongshan." Zhang Rang presented the report of victory with both hands, adding:

"This time, after Lu Zhi made a mistake in personnel selection, it was thanks to him that the tide was turned and Quyang was recaptured. His generals even personally beheaded Zhang Bao!"

Liu Hong received the good news, but instead of opening it immediately, he stared at Zhang Rang and asked, "What was Liu Bei's reaction to Lu Zhi's matter the other day?"

The question came out of nowhere. Zhang Rang's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained expressionless.

When Lu Zhi was escorted back to Luoyang, someone had already reported to the palace that Liu Bei had led cavalry to block the prisoner's cart.

Although Zuo Feng covered it up after receiving the money, Zhang Rang, as the head of the Central Attendants, naturally had his own information channels.

However, Liu Hong asked "what was the reaction" instead of "did they stop the prison van," indicating that Zuo Feng's story had not been leaked.

Their professional ethics are pretty good!

Zhang Rang considered it for a moment.

Lu Zhi was Liu Bei's teacher. If Liu Hong were to point out that the two were too close, he would inevitably become suspicious; if he were to completely distance himself, it would seem hypocritical.

He chose the safest explanation:

"Your Majesty, Liu Bei and Lu Zhi do indeed have a past teacher-student relationship, but he moved his troops to Yanzhou before the imperial edict arrived and did not join forces with Lu Zhi at Guangzong. This great victory at Quyang was also achieved by him alone before being placed under the command of Huangfu Song."

"Oh?" Liu Hong's interest was piqued. "Zhang Bao killed himself?"

"That's right." Zhang Rang opened the detailed memorial tucked inside the victory report. "It was Guan Yu, a separate commander under his command, who killed Zhang Bao in battle, and it was he who personally led the troops to capture the south gate of Quyang. Throughout the entire process, Lu Zhi did not rely on a single soldier."

Liu Hong was silent for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands and laughed loudly: "Good! Good!"

He stood up and walked half a circle around the hall, becoming more and more energetic with each step.

"I was troubled by Lu Zhi's affair some time ago. But now it's all right, Lu Zhi is gone, and Liu Bei has taken over. It's all about fighting; a different person can win better battles! Who says my imperial clan has no capable members?"