Chapter Fourteen: The Hobby of Patricide

Jiang Wen glanced at Tao’er. “If you feel sleepy, go rest for a while. There will be a great battle soon, and you may not sleep well afterwards.”

Tao’er nodded and went to the bed, falling into a deep sleep. Lü Meng asked, “Changsu, will there be a big battle soon?”

“Dong Zhuo commands two hundred thousand troops, controls the court, has deposed the Emperor, and wields immense power. How prideful he must be. General Sun caused him to suffer a great defeat, so he cannot sit still. In a day or two, news from the front will surely arrive.” Jiang Wen frowned and asked, “Where is the allied army now?”

“A hundred li to the rear.”

Jiang Wen marveled, “Three hundred li, and they’ve spent eight days yet still haven’t arrived? Truly, a sightseeing army.”

“Whatever kind of army they are, as long as they don’t affect us!” Lü Meng replied carelessly. “Let’s talk about something real. Your household servant has such skill—can you really bear to marry them off?”

Jiang Wen simply smiled and said nothing, sipping a cup of hot water.

Five days later, Jiang Wen and Sun Ce followed behind Sun Jian, receiving the various allied armies gathered at Hulao Pass and preparing a banquet there.

Standing behind Sun Jian, the two roughly surveyed the assembled lords. Jiang Wen narrowed his eyes, observing a man whose demeanor was inscrutable, like a hidden dragon lurking in the depths.

This man’s features were remarkable, his cunning and depth concealed. Among those present, only the hesitant and honest-looking Liu Bei beside him could compare.

Cao Cao.

Cao Cao raised his cup and proclaimed loudly, “This time, Governor Sun Jian has defeated fifty thousand of Dong Zhuo’s troops and taken Hua Xiong’s head—a true hero! I, Cao Cao, have always admired genuine heroes, and this cup is offered in sincere respect. I ask Governor Sun to honor me and drink with me!”

“He’s here to strike at the heart…” Jiang Wen thought, watching the distant expression on Yuan Shao’s face, but he did not speak, merely stood quietly behind Sun Jian, watching as Sun Jian laughed heartily and, feeling proud, drank together with Cao Cao.

Though Yuan Shao remained silent, his expression was exceedingly grim, as were those of the other lords.

“May I offer the general a cup?” Jiang Wen bowed respectfully to Sun Jian.

Sun Jian nodded. “If you wish to drink, help yourself.”

Jiang Wen took the wine, bowed again, and stepped to the center of the hall. The surrounding lords paused in surprise—who was this young man?

Sun Jian was also puzzled; it was just a matter of drinking, so why had he gone to the center? He glanced at his son, and Bo Fu immediately shook his head.

“Who is this nameless youth?”

“I heard Governor Sun has two sons, Sun Ce and Sun Quan. Could this be Sun Quan?”

“Does he intend to toast us?”

Sun Jian chose silence, knowing Jiang Wen’s wisdom and strategy.

Cao Cao appeared casual but scrutinized Jiang Wen carefully. Liu Bei lifted his eyelids, studied Jiang Wen for a moment, then closed his eyes again, feigning sleep and focusing his mind.

Jiang Wen swept his gaze over the lords, pausing briefly at Liu Bei. Behind Liu Bei stood two generals: one with leopard-head and round eyes, a face full of bristling beard—this was the fierce warrior Zhang Fei. The other, a handsome bearded man, was Guan Yu. These would become his rivals in the future…

Jiang Wen raised an eyebrow, his expression suddenly shifting, his eyes bright and full of spirit. Standing in the middle of the hall, his countenance was solemn and filled with respect. He lifted his wine cup high, bowing to each lord in turn.

After finishing his greetings, Jiang Wen spoke, “Commander Cao’s words just now are praise for my general, but the reason he could win is due to the valor of all the heroes here, and also to the renown of Lord Yuan, whose reputation intimidated Dong Zhuo!”

“If not for Lord Yuan, would the lords have gathered to campaign against Dong Zhuo? If the lords had not come, how could my general have defeated Hua Xiong?”

He drank the wine in one gulp, finding it unpleasant; he rarely drank, but fortunately it was a weak wine. “This cup is offered to all the generals. Though I am of humble birth, seeing such heroic spirit among you, my admiration is overflowing!”

Cao Cao withdrew his gaze, regarding Jiang Wen with apparent indifference, though only he knew in his heart that his wariness toward Jiang Wen had grown.

On the side, Liu Bei’s eyes nearly fell upon Jiang Wen, and he sighed to Sun Jian, “This youth is quick-witted indeed.”

Jiang Wen returned to Sun Jian’s side. Sun Ce asked, “Changsu, why did you do that?”

Sun Jian ate silently, though he was also curious.

Jiang Wen answered, “A guest should not overshadow the host. Right now, the alliance leader is Yuan Shao. The general commands thirty thousand troops and seven thousand warhorses, which already causes resentment among the other lords. At this moment, Cao Cao praises only the general as a hero, ignoring the others, in order to make the general more enemies… They are envious.”

“Report! Dong Zhuo is leading one hundred and fifty thousand troops toward Hulao Pass!”

“What? One hundred and fifty thousand!” The lords’ faces changed, a hint of fear in their hearts. Their thoughts of profiting or curbing Dong Zhuo’s power vanished in an instant.

Sun Jian smiled calmly. “Minister, even if Cao Mengde’s praise is meant to set me up, look at these grand lords—none are truly worthy. Not one is reliable.”

“Report! Lü Bu alone is now challenging us at the front of Hulao Pass!”

“This traitor Dong Zhuo really doesn’t take us seriously!” Yuan Shao stood up. “Generals, follow me to the city gate!”

In the distance, the massive army surged toward Hulao Pass like a tide, a sea of men and horses, imposing and heavy, their armor gleaming, weapons flashing cold, weighing down the hearts of all. Outside Hulao Pass, they were encamped like a crouching tiger.

One hundred and fifty thousand troops—who wouldn’t tremble at the sight? The lords stood atop Hulao Pass, overlooking the lone figure below.

He wore a purple-gold crown adorned with red phoenix plumes, a splendid robe embroidered with a hundred flowers, dragon-scale golden armor, a lion-belt at his waist, and wielded a two-zhang-three halberd. His steed was a head taller than ordinary warhorses, its limbs strong and slender, its body fiery red like burning charcoal. When it neighed, it was as if a dragon crossed the sea, stirring up a thousand li of dust.

Among men, Lü Bu.

“So imposing.” Lü Ziming and Sun Ce were filled with admiration. As warriors, the type they wished to become and respected most were those who possessed the courage to break through ten thousand men!

Jiang Wen whispered, “Imposing, yes, but he does love to kill his own father.”

“Cough, cough!” Sun Jian, who had admired Lü Bu, was taken aback by Jiang Wen’s sudden remark.

“I am Grand General Lü Fengxian, appointed by the Grand Tutor himself! You traitors, if you open the gates and bind yourselves before me, kneeling to beg for mercy, I may spare your lives!”