Three Kingdoms New Lü Bu

  Hao Meng, Duan Zhi and three fellow villagers arrived at the military camp, Lü Bu was already waiting with his attendants in the main tent.

  Lü Bu saw a middle-aged scholar standing beside Dian Wei and asked: "Who is this?"

  Duan Yu said: "This is Jia Yuanchun and Jia Baoyu, now both are scholars under my account."

  Lü Bu was startled when he heard it was Jia Xu, and his heart secretly trembled. He had some impression of this person himself, who was a formidable character, and he must be brought over to his side. So he said to Duan Zhi: "Originally, Wen Shi, my account is still lacking a historian, I don't know if the general can spare him, and assign this man to my account?"

  Duan Yu saw that Lü Bu wanted Jia Xu, and thought: "Lü Bu wants Jia Xu? If I refuse, won't it be a complete falling out with Lü Bu? It's better to take this opportunity to improve my relationship with Lü Bu. It seems that calling Jia Xu over was the right thing to do after all. Originally, Jia Xu came to rely on me not because of any great connection, but just because we were from the same hometown. Now I'm only short a strategist and it won't matter, so I also smiled and said: "Since you like him, then go ahead."

  Lü Bu originally called Er Douwei to the military camp to discuss a matter of robbery, but unexpectedly found Jia Xu, and was secretly delighted. He also didn't feel as repulsed by Duan Chui as before, so he beckoned the two over. He then called Jia Xu to his side. Jia Xu had not expected Lü Bu to summon him like this. He didn't know much about Lü Bu either, but since Duan Chui said so, he could only stand respectfully by Lü Bu's side.

  Lü Bu summoned the generals and had them gather around a table, pointing to a sheepskin map as he said to Hao Meng and Duan Gui: "Both of you are Northern Territory Commanders, so you must have a good understanding of the situation in the North. Point out all the barbarian slave tribes within the borders of the North."

  Hao Meng had been deeply admiring Lü Bu since he saw him, and now that he had the opportunity to show it, he didn't ask for a reason and pointed at the map saying: "This place is thirty miles away from Ma Ling, there is a Qiang Hu tribe with only over a hundred people. This place is seventy miles away from Ma Ling, there is a Liu Bao affiliated department, with one or two hundred people..."

  Hao Meng spoke with a dry mouth, and Duan Wei continued to speak, clearly explaining all the barbarian tribes within the northern border. Lü Bu looked at the map as if he was looking at grain or money, slightly tilting his head, with a faint smile on his face, an evil expression, and occasionally scratching his chin with his right index and middle fingers. After they both finished speaking, Lü Bu turned to look at Gao Shun and asked: "Big Brother Gao thinks which tribe should be taken first?"

  Gao Shun pointed to a small Xiongnu tribe in the south and said: "In my opinion, since the Qiang barbarians have not followed the Left Virtuous King to invade the northern territories, our army should also avoid disturbing them, so as not to create too many enemies and be disadvantageous to the northern territories. We can start with this tribe, the Left Virtuous King and Liu Biao invaded the northern territories, now that Liu Biao is dead, Che Nuo must have the intention of annexing. The remnants of Liu Biao's forces are still in a state of panic, our army can disguise itself lightly, and after the event, we will shift the blame to Che Nuo."

  Lü Bu laughed and said: "Haha... This plan is excellent."

  Hao Meng had not yet understood Lü Bu's meaning and just stared foolishly. Duan Yu, feeling uneasy, asked: "What does the governor want to do?"

  Lü Bu said: "Since we are going out of the city to hunt, now the northern land has little money and grain in stock, it's better to hunt some game to get through the winter."

  Jia Xu watched from the side, having already understood Lü Bu's meaning. He thought to himself: "This man is not to be underestimated." Duan Gao was shocked and said: "The governor wants to plunder the Xiongnu tribes?"

  Lü Bu gave him a cold glance and said with disdain, "Why make such a fuss? The spoils of war are for everyone to share. If Duan Zhi is not brave enough to do this, he will not get any wealth when the time comes. Don't blame Lü Bu for not giving Duan Zhi an opportunity."

  Duan Chou and Hao Meng had never done anything like robbing a house before, but when Lü Bu said so, it seemed as if they were old hands. Thinking that there was wealth to be divided, although their hearts were somewhat startled, they still felt eager to try. So Lü Bu then recruited Hao Meng into his personal guard and first went to plunder a Southern Xiongnu tribe, leaving Duan Chou to defend the city, with plans to alternate with Hao Meng later on.

  As soon as the matter was decided, Lü Bu gave an order and Gao Shun and Cheng Lian immediately went to transmit Lü Bu's military orders, calling on the Imperial Guard to prepare. Hao Meng, who was plundering for the first time, had many things he didn't know about and was somewhat flustered as he led his own men to prepare.

  It was night. Lü Bu brought a package wrapped in cloth to Jia Xu's residence to look for Jia Xu.

  Jia Xu saw that the visitor was Lü Bu, and hastily summoned his attendants to serve tea and pour water. He personally greeted Lü Bu with courtesy, saying: "I didn't know you were coming, I'm afraid I've been remiss in my duties. Please don't take offense, General Lü."

  Lü Bu put the gift on the table, didn't stand on ceremony, and knelt down beside the table, saying: "Sir, don't be polite, I came to visit tonight, there's something I want to talk to you about."

  Jia Xu saw Lü Bu call himself "master" and felt relieved in his heart. He stood aside and said, "I don't know what instructions Lord Lü has?"

  Lü Bu said: "Sir is a wise man, I want to know who Sir thinks is the most intelligent person?"

  Jia Xu did not expect Lü Bu to ask this question. After a moment's thought, he replied: "The wise man's first choice is to serve a brilliant lord."

  Lü Bu laughed and said, "Oh? Is that what you really think, sir? I've heard that Wen He was once a Filial and Incorrupt official who became an official due to his reputation. However, he fell ill and resigned from office to return home. On the way, he encountered some evil men who captured him along with several dozen others who were traveling with him. Wen He told the evil men, 'I am the grandson of Governor Xiang, so you should bury me separately. My family will definitely ransom me heavily.' Later, the evil men indeed released Wen He and let him go, but the rest did not survive. Is this story true or not?"

  Jia Yu heard this and replied: "This was something from those early years of yours, indeed there was such a thing."

  Lü Bu laughed and said: "Wenhe is a wise man. If that's the case, then self-preservation is the first choice for a wise man like you?"

  Jia Yan said: "The wise choose a bright lord in order to preserve themselves."

  Lü Bu smiled and said, "Hehe. You are indeed a gentleman. Both of us are gentlemen with reason." After drinking a sip of tea served by Jia Xu's attendant, Lü Bu continued, "Do you know why I regard you as such?"

  Jia Yu was curious and asked: "I wonder how you view me, sir?"

  Lü Bu narrowed his eyes and said, "A precious sword is a sharp instrument. As I travel through the military world, soldiers regard their precious swords as their own lives, always treasuring and protecting them, constantly wiping them clean. A hero with a precious sword is like a tiger with wings added. As I travel through the military world, having a sharp instrument allows me to overcome difficulties on my journey, so if I were to obtain your services, it would be like a fish getting water."

  Jia Xu felt more at ease upon hearing Lü Bu's praise and politely replied, "Thank you, sir, for your kind appreciation."

  Lü Bu smiled slyly and said, "Sir, you still don't know that I have another strange habit."

  Jia Yu heard this and frowned, saying: "Everyone has their own quirks, it's just human nature."

  "I have a habit that is different from others. Although I regard my sword as my life, there are two kinds of precious swords. One is the one I use myself, and I naturally regard it as my life. The other... is the precious sword not used by me. At this time, although the sword is sharp, it is in someone else's hand, so I will see this precious sword as a thorn in my throat, and I must get rid of it to feel at ease. Therefore, even if it is a genius, I will definitely kill without hesitation." After Lü Bu finished speaking, his eyes were slightly filled with murderous intent.

  Jia Xu was shocked upon hearing this, sensing Lu Bu's murderous aura, and a feeling of fear emerged from his heart, causing cold sweat to flow down his back. He thought to himself that this man was no ordinary person, far surpassing Duan Zhi in terms of ability. Thus, he once again spoke with caution: "General, your mighty power I have fully understood; having met a wise lord, I should devote my life to serving you."

  Lü Bu slightly sensed Jia Xu's sincerity, so he stood up and smiled: "I'm a straightforward person, I couldn't hide anything in my heart. If I have offended you, sir, I hope you can forgive me." After finishing speaking, he pointed to a package of gold on the table and said: "These golden objects are given to you now, also as a gift for our meeting."

  Jia Xu saw Lv Bu's generosity and added a few more points of goodwill in his heart, thinking: Today is not peaceful, disaster is not far away, Lv Bu is extraordinary, and he has met a wise lord. They will first make an effort, and then make plans later. So he didn't decline the wealth that Lv Bu gave him, but accepted it instead.

  Seeking gold medals, seeking collection, seeking likes, seeking comments, seeking red envelopes, seeking gifts, all kinds of seeking, whatever you want, just throw it over!