New Three Kingdoms Tales: Starting as the expressionless Liu Bei

Before Liu Bei could think further, a soldier from the White Horse Cavalry strode over, clasped his hands in greeting to Gongsun Zan, and said, "General, General Cao is outside and says he wishes to see General Liu."

General Cao? Gongsun Zan narrowed his eyes, countless fragments of memories flashing through his mind.

Cao Cao, the valiant cavalry captain!

What is he doing here? Gongsun Zan was a little confused. He hadn't figured out which part of the story he was in, but he had watched the new Three Kingdoms and knew that Cao Cao was a very treacherous person.

I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me!

After killing Lü Boshe, that guy even gave a twisted laugh. Therefore, Gongsun Zan instinctively felt a chill run down his spine at the mere mention of Cao Cao's name.

Liu Bei overheard the entire conversation from a short distance away. He knew perfectly well the purpose of Cao Cao's visit.

The battle between the three heroes and Lü Bu is about to begin.

Without saying anything more to Gongsun Zan, he quickly returned to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's side and bowed to Gongsun Zan from afar.

"General Gongsun, this is Yuan Shu's general's residence. We each have our own matters to attend to, so we'll discuss this another time." With that, he turned and left.

He hadn't taken two steps when he suddenly remembered something, turned back, and added a sentence to Gongsun Zan, who was still in a daze.

"Oh, one more thing. General Gongsun, once you've finished cleaning up, remember to pay the compensation." He glanced at the corpses scattered on the ground and the collapsed houses, a barely perceptible sly smile appearing on his lips. "Otherwise, Vice Alliance Leader Yuan will make things difficult for you."

After saying that, he turned and strode away without lingering.

Zhang Fei snorted coldly, his face full of displeasure as he shouldered his eighteen-foot spear and led the remaining soldiers after them. Only Gongsun Zan was left standing alone in the chaotic courtyard, bewildered in the wind.

Zhao Yun glanced at Gongsun Zan, then at Liu Bei's departing figure. The contrast between his lord's inhuman state and Liu Bei's composure, as if even Mount Tai were collapsing before him, made him uneasy.

For some reason, I'm starting to think about switching lords...

Under the watchful eyes of the White Horse Cavalry, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei led their remaining troops to Cao Cao.

At this moment, Cao Cao, along with the curious Cao Ren, was waiting by the roadside, whispering to the White Horse Cavalry.

Enemies meeting are bound to be filled with hatred, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's faces immediately darkened upon seeing Cao Ren. Zhang Fei even let out a heavy snort, his eyes filled with a desire to devour Cao Ren alive.

Cao Ren felt uneasy under their gazes, so he shrank back, lowered his head, and dared not utter a sound.

The infighting among the subordinates had just subsided when the clash between their lords began.

Liu Bei spoke first, his face still expressionless as ever. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Cao Cao and said, "What business does Lord Cao have with me? My second and third brothers and I are preparing to leave the city. We are in a hurry and have not had time to say goodbye in person. Please forgive us."

Cao Cao was slightly taken aback, but fortunately he had come prepared, and quickly replied, "Why does Xuande want to leave? Do you think Yuan Shao is unworthy to be the leader of the alliance, or does Brother Xuande have no interest in fame and fortune?"

Liu Bei shook his head and sighed, "Since our alliance, my two brothers and I have suffered humiliation and been in dire straits every day. Cao Cao probably knows better than anyone where this suffering comes from."

He abruptly changed the subject, his tone turning somber, "Although there are fire and water involved, my three brothers and I are here to punish the traitors and support the Han dynasty, so this humiliation is bearable."

"But Lord Cao, what I cannot tolerate is that while General Sun Jian is fighting valiantly on the front lines, my two brothers and I are slaying traitors and enemies at the city gates, what about the other lords? They are drinking and making merry in the city. It is called a meeting of nineteen lords, but how many of them are truly dedicated to eliminating the traitors and supporting the Han?"

After listening, Cao Cao remained silent for a moment. Three breaths later, he solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute to Liu Bei: "Xuande is absolutely right. I also have something to say that has been on my mind for a long time."

Liu Bei nodded slightly and gestured for Cao Cao to proceed: "Please give your instructions, Lord Cao."

"I, Cao, can feel your three brothers' patriotic aspirations and unwavering loyalty even from a hundred miles away. I humbly invite you three to temporarily reside in my camp, so that we may work together to build a great enterprise. What do you say?"

After speaking, Cao Cao looked past Liu Bei and landed his gaze on Guan Yu and Zhang Fei behind him, throwing out the most tempting bait, "The three heroes only need to go into battle and kill the enemy, and you don't need to worry about anything else. I guarantee that you will be well-fed and clothed, with plenty of fine wine and meat every day, as much as you want."

Upon hearing the word "wine," Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's previously dull and cloudy eyes lit up simultaneously, and smiles involuntarily appeared on their faces.

If they weren't afraid to speak up for Liu Bei, these two drunkards would probably have rushed over and joined Cao Cao long ago.

Liu Bei sneered inwardly. Cao Cao's scheme was about to backfire spectacularly.

Who was Cao Cao? A rare and ruthless villain, capricious and unpredictable, the most severely mentally ill leader in the new Three Kingdoms.

If Liu Bei were to enter Cao Cao's camp, he would certainly remain silent. Why would he remain silent? Because by then he would already be a dead man.

He did not immediately refuse, but deliberately pretended to be thinking seriously, making Cao Cao think that there was a chance.

After a moment, he sighed softly and shook his head slowly, plunging Cao Cao's heart, which had just begun to rise, back down to the bottom.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mengde, but my two brothers are both reckless and impetuous. If they join Cao Cao's camp, they will probably cause you trouble at every turn."

Cao Cao subconsciously shifted his gaze to Zhang Fei and paused.

Liu Bei was right, but not entirely right.

He truly admired Guan Yu and Liu Bei. As for Zhang Fei, that reckless fool was so stupid it was a headache; bringing him into Cao Cao's camp would only cause him trouble every day.

However, it is absolutely impossible to only have Guan Yu and Liu Bei and abandon Zhang Fei.

What he valued was Guan Yu's martial arts skills and loyalty. The three of them made a solemn vow in the Peach Garden: they did not seek to be born on the same day, month, and year, but they sought to die on the same day, month, and year.

If he abandons Zhang Fei, Guan Yu and Liu Bei will certainly not serve him sincerely.

Even if Guan Yu and Liu Bei truly abandoned Zhang Fei to serve him, given Cao Cao's unusual temperament, he would likely look down on them.

He sighed softly, knowing he couldn't keep Liu Bei with him today. But he remained calm, for he had one last trump card up his sleeve.

"Alright, Xuande. But at this moment, you can't leave the city either."

Liu Bei remained expressionless. He had anticipated Cao Cao's response, so he cooperatively asked, "Why?"

"Because Lü Bu, the greatest warrior of our time, is challenging us at the pass. If you leave the city now, you will surely run into him."

Cao Cao paused, his tone turning serious, "Have you ever heard the saying, 'Among men, Lü Bu; among horses, Red Hare'? The eighteen warlords sent three generals to besiege him, yet they failed to kill him. I advise you to avoid him for now."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei's dark face immediately broke into a look of surprise and delight. He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "That kid really came? Hahaha, perfect! I'll definitely let him taste my newly awakened martial arts skill!"

Cao Cao raised an eyebrow and immediately asked, "Oh? May I ask, Brother Yide, what martial skill has been awakened?"

Liu Bei cursed Zhang Fei inwardly for being brainless; how could he reveal such a trump card to outsiders?

Before he could speak to stop him, Zhang Fei blurted out without hesitation, patting his chest with a smug look on his face: "The Roar of Changban!"

Liu Bei was speechless for a moment. After defeating Lü Bu, he would definitely ban Zhang Fei from drinking for three days to teach him the meaning of "be careful with your words and actions".

However, it's not a big problem. We won't attack Cao Cao for now, so even if we tell him, it won't matter.

Liu Bei maintained his expressionless face, turned to Cao Cao, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:

"Lord Cao, when my three brothers and I formed an alliance, we presented our allies with a great gift by beheading Hua Xiong. Today, as we depart, we wish to offer our allies another great gift."

Cao Cao became interested and stared at Liu Bei, asking, "What is the courtesy?"

Liu Bei slowly drew the double-edged sword from his waist.

Guan Yu closed his eyes slightly and calmly stroked his long beard.

Zhang Fei grinned foolishly to the side.

"Slay Lü Bu."