Chapter 16: Liu Bei Dares to Mock Me? Lü Bu's Face Swells Slightly!

Xia Pi City, the provincial capital.

Another banquet was underway.

The new lord of Xuzhou was now beaming with joy, cheerfully raising his cup with his generals.

Since Lü Bu seized Xia Pi, this was the countless feast he had thrown to celebrate his reversal of fortune—reclaiming his status as a regional warlord.

“Father-in-law, today’s success in taking this seat is all thanks to you,” Lü Bu said warmly.

“Your Excellency, without your strategy, I could not have executed the surprise attack on Xia Pi so smoothly,” replied the official.

“You two have rendered great service. This cup is to your honor,” Lü Bu raised his glass, lavishing praise on them.

Cao Bao laughed heartily and drained his cup.

Chen Gong, however, did not move his glass; no smile touched his face, only a heavy burden clouding his thoughts.

Lü Bu frowned, swallowing his displeasure.

“Counselor, though we lost Yanzhou, we have now gained Xuzhou. Why the long face?”

Chen Gong paused, knitting his brows, then set down his cup.

“Right now, Lord Wen controls only the two commanderies of Pengcheng and Xia Pi. It is far too early to claim control over Xuzhou.”

“Yuan Gonglu has already swallowed Guangling, and with his ambition, he will not be content with merely allying with Lord Wen to control Xuzhou.”

“The alliance between Lord Wen and Yuan Shu is extremely fragile. Yuan Shu may tear it up and seize Xuzhou by force at any moment.”

“Moreover, although Liu Bei has suffered two crushing defeats, he still lives. He has retreated to Haixi and gained the support of the Mi family; his strength is sure to recover.”

“To the west, Cao Cao is Lord Wen’s mortal enemy and covets Xuzhou fiercely. How could he tolerate Lord Wen’s dominance here?”

“With such internal and external threats, it is not the time for Lord Wen to indulge in lavish feasts and pleasure,” Chen Gong said with the air of a wise man, analyzing the situation and earnestly warning Lü Bu.

A cold smile curved Lü Bu’s lips, tinged with irony, as if mocking Chen Gong’s needless worries.

“Counselor, do you truly believe I feast because I am lax and careless?”

“The matters you worry about, I have long since devised responses for!”

Playing with his wine cup, Lü Bu’s sharp face bore a confident smirk.

Chen Gong blinked, gazing at Lü Bu in confusion.

“The saying goes, ‘If the lips are gone, the teeth will feel the cold.’ If Liu Bei dies, I will face Yuan Shu and the Cao thief alone.”

“Therefore, I will not force Liu Bei’s death. I have sent Cao Xing to Haixi to persuade Liu Bei to surrender.”

“Given Liu Bei’s dire straits, learning I spare him a path to live will surely fill him with gratitude and joy, compelling him to submit.”

“Once he surrenders, I intend to emulate his previous actions and settle him in Xiao Pei.”

“In this way, what fear should I have from Cao Cao and Yuan Shu?”

Lü Bu smiled arrogantly, revealing his plan.

Chen Gong suddenly realized why Cao Xing was absent—the truth was, Lü Bu had secretly sent his trusted subordinate to Haixi to recruit Liu Bei.

Xiao Pei lay northwest of Xia Pi, guarding against a Cao Cao attack from the west.

To the south, it formed a pincer with Xia Pi, preventing Yuan Shu from flanking Xia Pi.

Thus, this maneuver both eliminated the internal threat of Liu Bei and guarded against the external dangers posed by Cao Cao and Yuan Shu.

“Unexpectedly, Lord Wen has such a subtle strategy in secret. This plan is truly a triple victory—brilliant, brilliant!” Chen Gong’s expression brightened, showing newfound respect.

Pride flared in Lü Bu’s eyes as he sneered coldly:

“The world thinks I am just a brave but foolish warrior, but they greatly underestimate me!”

Cao Bao and other commanders from Danyang, along with Wei Xu and other officers, eagerly chimed in with congratulations.

Lü Bu laughed heartily and raised his cup again:

“Counselor, cease your worries and drink with me heartily.”

“After this banquet, perhaps the letter of Liu Bei’s surrender will already be in Cao Xing’s hands—”

Before he could finish, hurried footsteps interrupted. A general burst into the hall, his expression urgent.

“I pay respects to Lord Wen!”

Half-kneeling was Cao Xing himself.

“You have returned just as I predicted,” Lü Bu said with growing delight, extending his hand.

“You’ve worked hard. Where is Liu Bei’s surrender letter? Present it at once.”

Cao Xing looked embarrassed but cupped his hands respectfully.

“My lord, I regret to report that I found nothing in Haixi. Liu Bei is gone!”

Lü Bu’s smile vanished instantly.

Chen Gong set down his cup, eyes sharp with suspicion as he stared at Cao Xing.

“What do you mean Liu Bei is gone?”

Lü Bu sat upright, voice stern.

“When I arrived at Haixi, the city was empty, with no soldiers in sight.”

“Upon investigation, I learned Liu Bei had taken his troops and sailed down the south of the sea several days ago. The Mi family also moved all their supplies and wealth to follow him!”

A commotion erupted in the hall.

Lü Bu was stunned, his face a mask of shock and disbelief, frozen in place.

Just moments ago, he had been brimming with confidence, certain Liu Bei would submit.

And now, Liu Bei had fled?

Lü Bu felt mocked.

“That big-eared thief refuses to surrender and escapes south of the sea?”

“What is his intention? Where does he plan to go?”

Furious, Lü Bu slammed the table.

Cao Xing wiped sweat from his brow, unable to answer.

Chen Gong leapt up and rushed to the map, eyes darting over it in surprise.

After a moment, his astonishment deepened.

“Guangling is occupied by Yuan Shu, and Jiangdong is under Sun Ce’s control. Liu Bei cannot have gone to either place.”

“I suspect Liu Bei intends to follow the Huai River westward, then continue along the Guo River toward Runan.”

“Both Cao Cao and Yuan Shu have weak control over Runan. Liu Bei surely aims to seize Runan as his foothold!”

Chen Gong tapped the map, piecing together the ruse.

His eyes gleamed with admiration as he murmured:

“This move by Liu Bei, a masterful escape, is truly a desperate yet brilliant stratagem.”

“But his subordinates like Sun Qian and Jian Yong are mediocre. Who could have devised such a clever plan for him?”

As Chen Gong pondered, Lü Bu approached the map, his mind racing. After a long moment, comprehension dawned.

“You cunning big-eared thief! I offered you a way out, yet you are so ungrateful you try to slip away!”

“Do you think you can escape my grasp?”

Lü Bu spun around with fury, waving his hand.

“Order the troops to muster three thousand men at once. I will personally lead the pursuit of Liu Bei!”

At these words, Chen Gong’s face changed. He quickly advised:

“Lord Wen, calm your anger. Xia Pi has just been secured. How can you rashly lead the army far afield?”

“Liu Bei has likely already passed Xutai. Even if you pursue, you will not catch him!”

Lü Bu’s blazing temper was mostly extinguished by Chen Gong’s counsel. He settled into calm.

“Chen Gong is right. If I lead the army away, what if Yuan Shu imitates me and attacks Xia Pi by surprise?”

“But I can’t swallow the bitter pill of letting that big-eared thief slip away—”

Lü Bu clenched his fist, weighing the risks.

At that moment, Cao Bao stepped forward, resolute.

“My lord, I know the terrain of Xia Pi like the back of my hand. I volunteer to lead my Danyang troops to chase the big-eared thief!”

Having betrayed Liu Bei, Cao Bao naturally feared Liu Bei’s possible resurgence in Runan.

If one day Liu Bei returned to Xuzhou to settle old scores, what would become of him?

Seizing the chance while Liu Bei was weak and unwilling to submit to Lü Bu, wiping him out completely was the best choice.

Lü Bu’s spirits lifted at this and he smiled broadly.

“Very well, father-in-law, lead your troops west at once to pursue. Be sure to cut down that big-eared thief for me!”

“As you command!”

Cao Bao accepted the order and hurriedly left.

Lü Bu personally saw him out, his gaze fixed toward the Huai River, a cold gleam in his eyes.

“Big-eared thief, if you cannot be put to use, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

...

Huai River, Xutai region.

At dusk, the fleet of Liu Bei’s army, disguised as merchant ships, arrived here.

Liu Bei stood shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Fang, both staring toward the northern shore.

The city that had once been his was now flying the banner of “Yuan.”

At the ferry dock, dozens of grain ships were moored, with Yuan’s soldiers unloading supplies in an unending stream.

“Yuan Shu...” Liu Bei clenched his fist slightly, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes.

He was once the governor of this province, now a wanderer in exile, and Yuan Shu bore much of the blame.

Though Liu Bei was temperate, he could not help but harbor some hatred for Yuan Shu.

Xiao Fang looked toward the direction of Xuyi, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

“My lord, let us take Xutai by force, seize Yuan Shu’s grain supplies, and at least leave some bitterness for Yuan Shu before we depart.”