Chapter 8: Did I Just Destroy A Dou with a Single Move?

Looking at the three grateful and tearful figures before him, Xiao Fang suddenly began to understand. Old Liu’s late arrival of a son—only after he had passed forty—was largely due to years of hardship and constant flight in his earlier life, always either fleeing or on the road to escape. Take this instance, for example: if Lady Su had not been fortunate enough to encounter him, she might have been left behind, resulting in the loss of two lives. An unborn son of Old Liu would have been lost just like that.

Now that Lady Su had been saved, it wouldn’t be long before she might bear a son for Old Liu. Could this mean that the matter of A Dou was no longer relevant? By that logic, it was not without its blessings.

For a dynasty to thrive and sustain its fortune for two centuries, its first and second rulers must surely be capable and wise. Although A Dou could hardly be called an incompetent ruler, he was still worlds away from being a great sovereign.

Replacing A Dou now was, for the future, undoubtedly a good thing.

“It was but a small favor. Please, rise quickly,” Xiao Fang said, returning his thoughts to the present as he helped the three to their feet.

Jian Yong then informed Sun Mi and the others that Xiao Fang intended to travel to Haixi. Conveniently, they too planned to escort Lady Su there for temporary refuge.

Upon hearing that Xiao Fang would also head to his family’s stronghold in Haixi, Mi Fang’s eyes lit up. He immediately extended a warm invitation for Xiao Fang and his group to stay at the Mi family fortress, eager to extend his hospitality and express his gratitude.

“Since Brother Mi is so kind, I shall trouble you, then,” Xiao Fang replied. He was already intending to wait for Old Liu in Haixi, and with the Mi family offering food and lodging, he naturally accepted.

Thus, the two groups joined forces and sailed northward along the waterways toward Haixi. Having evaded pursuit by Lü’s army, their journey was smooth, and two days later they arrived near Haixi.

After disembarking, Mi Fang led Xiao Fang and the others directly to the Mi family fortress on the outskirts of Haixi city.

In the afternoon, a fortress facing the sea came into view.

“This Mi family fortress is as large as a small city. I’ve never seen a fortress this grand before,” someone remarked.

“The Mi family is the richest in Xuzhou, truly living up to its reputation,” Zhuge Liang murmured in awe.

Though a fellow native of Xuzhou, even Zhuge Liang was taken aback by the sheer might of the Mi family’s wealth.

Xiao Fang, however, was not surprised in the slightest. The Mi family’s wealth rivaling a nation was no boast. When Old Liu was destitute and sought refuge, Mi Zhu had generously bestowed thousands of household servants, instantly revitalizing Old Liu’s strength.

It was precisely because of this that Lü Bu feared Old Liu’s remaining power, choosing not to press him too hard but instead making peace and settling him in Xiaopei.

As host, Mi Fang proudly led Xiao Fang and the others toward the fortress, detailing the family’s vast properties: how much farmland they owned in Haixi, the number of salt fields along the coast, and the extent of their tenant farmers within a hundred-mile radius.

“Brother Mi, something seems amiss at your residence!” Xiao Fang suddenly reined in his horse, his keen gaze fixed on the fortress ahead.

Mi Fang was startled and halted the group. A faint sound of shouting and killing could be heard, and shadows of arrows occasionally flickered in the sky by the sea-facing side of the fortress.

“Someone is attacking the Mi family. Could it be Lü Bu’s men?” Mi Fang’s expression changed abruptly, alarmed.

Everyone tensed.

Xiao Fang, however, remained calm, saying lightly, “Lü Bu has just taken Xiapi; his reach can’t extend this far. It must be someone else.”

“The enemy isn’t attacking from all sides but only from the east, probably arriving by sea.”

“Let’s go and see what’s really happening.”

Though some doubted Xiao Fang’s analysis, Mi Fang dared not hesitate and led the group into the fortress.

At the east wall, a battle was underway. Outside the walls, arrows flew intermittently, and over a hundred of the Mi family’s private soldiers fought tenaciously atop the battlements.

From a distance, a young maiden of striking beauty stood before the fortress gate, hands clasped behind her back, commanding the troops.

“Archers, don’t stop! The Mi family has plenty of arrows—no stinginess!”

“The enemy’s ladder is approaching from the east again! Spearmen, push it down!”

“Bring me ten more baskets of stones, quickly!”

“Keep up your spirits! Repel the invaders and each will be rewarded a thousand coins!”

The young lady was composed and methodical, her clear voice carrying authority.

Xiao Fang studied her with renewed interest.

“That is my younger sister, Mi Zhen. When my brother and I are away, she oversees everything in the Mi household,” Mi Fang explained briefly before striding forward and demanding, “Little sister, what’s going on here? Who dares to violate our Mi family?”

Mi Zhen turned, surprised but pleased to see her brother return.

“Second brother, why have you come back?”

“I’ll explain later. Tell me first, what’s happening?”

Pointing to the battle outside, Mi Fang asked urgently.

Mi Zhen recounted the story.

It was Xu Sheng, a local hero from Langya, who had led several hundred fellow clansmen by sea to head south toward Jiangdong and join the young warlord Sun Ce.

Passing through Haixi, believing the Mi family’s wealth to be vast, he landed and requested three thousand hu of provisions.

“Xu Sheng claimed it was a loan but actually intended extortion!”

“Three thousand hu is nothing to the Mi family, but we cannot tolerate threats or extortion. I refused outright.”

“Angered, Xu Sheng led his men to attack, intending to seize what he wanted by force!”

Mi Zhen spoke with indignation mixed with pride.

Everyone turned to Xiao Fang.

“Lord Xiao truly is formidable. Your prediction was correct; it’s not Lü Bu’s troops but attackers arriving by sea!”

Mi Fang clicked his tongue in admiration, his face full of respect.

Mi Zhen’s bright eyes now fixed on Xiao Fang with deep curiosity.

She wondered who this handsome young lord was, as her brother clearly held him in high esteem.

“Brother-in-law, I’ve heard of Xu Sheng,” Zhuge Liang interjected.

“He is from Juxian in Langya, renowned for his martial skills and courage, considered a local tyrant!”

Xiao Fang, of course, knew Xu Sheng well. This one of the Twelve Tiger Generals of Jiangdong was not just brave and skilled—he was a commander of great talent.

Historically, Sun Quan had stationed him at Chaisang, where with only five hundred men, he repelled an attack ten times his force by Huang Zu.

His prowess was unquestionable.

More importantly, Xu Sheng was among the few in Jiangdong known for his integrity and sense of honor.

When Sun Quan attacked Jingzhou, killing Guan Yu and provoking Old Liu to mount a nationwide campaign for revenge, Sun Quan was so frightened that he sought to declare himself emperor under Cao Pi.

When the Wei envoy Xing Zhen came to Jiangdong, arrogantly treating its officials as worthless, many Jiangdong heroes dared not speak out.

Only Xu Sheng openly condemned Sun Quan’s submission to Cao Pi as a grave disgrace.

“A general both brave and wise, with a sense of honor—surely he would appeal to Old Liu,” Xiao Fang thought confidently.

At that moment, Wei Yan stepped forward with a blank expression.

“Lord Jinglüe, shall I cut through and take Xu Sheng’s head?”

Everyone was shocked, thinking he was overly bold.

Jian Yong cleared his throat to advise, “Brother Wenchang, we’ve all seen your martial skills, but Xu Sheng is no ordinary fighter like Xu Dan.”

“There are at least four to five hundred enemy troops outside, arranged in formation and attacking the fortress with discipline.”

“Even if you break through, it won’t be like catching Xu Dan off guard.”

Mi Fang nodded earnestly, cautious in tone.

“Xianhe speaks with reason. I think we should combine our forces and hold the walls firmly.”

“We have about two hundred men in total. Holding the walls should be no problem.”

It was clear they still regarded Xu Sheng with some trepidation.

Wei Yan ignored the others, fixing his gaze on Xiao Fang, awaiting his command.

Xiao Fang twirled his finger thoughtfully on his chin, his eyes flickering before a faint smile curved his lips.

“In that case, let’s capture this Xu Sheng alive.”