Three Kingdoms New Lü Bu

  Hao Meng followed Lü Bu, not daring to be careless. Firstly, he saw Lü Bu killing the Xiongnu like slaughtering sheep, and this momentum intimidated Hao Meng. Secondly, Hao Meng did not dare to look directly at Lü Bu's eyes. Lü Bu's eyes were extremely sharp and cold, making Hao Meng's heart tremble with fear after just one glance. Therefore, when Lü Bu instructed Hao Meng on matters, Hao Meng carried them out one by one without delay. Finding a doctor to treat the wounded, arranging for Lü Bu's cavalry to rest, and other tasks became much more convenient for Lü Bu.

  After nightfall, Fu Xian sent another young civil officer to comfort the army. Lü Bu saw that this official was tall and had a dignified appearance, so he liked him and chatted with him for several sentences. Only then did he learn that the man beheaded by Lü Bu in the afternoon was Liu Bao, the first brave warrior of the Southern Xiongnu.

  The newcomer was Fu Xie, also known as Fu Nanrong. He was the son of Longshi Fu Xian and currently served as the Gong Cao of Beidi. He was a straightforward and upright man with strong justice.

  Fu Xie and Lü Bu chatted casually, and the conversation turned to the matter of Lü Bu's ten riders defeating the Xianbei camp. Fu Xie had something unclear, so he asked: "General Hou's great victory over the Xianbei is a meritorious deed, and as the officer in charge of merits, I should report this matter to the imperial court. However, I haven't seen General Hou submit his merit record to the provincial government. Is there some reason for this?"

  Lü Bu said: "If Nangong Jue regards me as a friend, then let us address each other by our courtesy names."

  Fu Xiu smiled and said: "It's actually I who was rude. What is the reason for this? Please tell me, Fu Qian."

  Lü Bu laughed and said, "Last year, the Xianbei bandits invaded Youzhou. When Wang Zhi, the county magistrate, entered the pass, all the civil officials followed him into the pass. There were no officials in Youzhou, and in the army, there were only soldiers, where did the merit officers come from? The Xianbei bandits invaded the border, we, the people of Youzhou, only thought about preserving our lives, who had time to think about merits? After the Xianbei left, Youzhou was busy cleaning up the battlefield and repairing the city walls. This spring, when Wang Zhi returned, although there were civil officials following him, it was already the spring plowing season. We in Youzhou didn't have much stored grain, so we didn't dare delay the spring plowing. The soldiers and civilians were all busy with farming and opening up new land, and had actually forgotten about this matter. If not for Nan Gong bringing it up, I would have forgotten too. Hehehe..."

  Fu Xi heard and was deeply moved. Before long, someone came to find Fu Xi and said that the chief historian asked Fu Xi how he had been rewarding the army for so long and wanted him to return to report. Fu Xi then bid farewell to Lü Bu and followed the man back to report.

  Fu Xuan deliberately kept Lü Bu in Beidi, so he first sent Fu Shuo to comfort the army, and then summoned officials to discuss how to keep Lü Bu. Seeing that Fu Shuo had been gone for a long time, he sent someone to summon him back.

  Fu Xi returned to the county government office, and Fu Xian immediately gathered all the officials and generals to discuss.

  Lü Bu is powerful and fierce, but he can be taken in within the province.

  Fu Xian also had the intention of keeping him. He said, "I too have thought so. If Lü Bu stays in the north, the north will no longer worry about the Xiongnu and Xianbei."

  Fu Xi and Lü Bu had a long conversation, and Fu Xi gained some understanding of Lü Bu's temperament. He hastily stopped him: "It's not possible. I observe that although Lü Bu's words are polite, his demeanor is arrogant. Although his actions are courteous, his eyes are sharp and piercingly cold. This reveals that this person has an arrogant bone and is also overbearing. Although he is humble as a military marquis, he is arrogant and not humble. I see that he is full of evil energy. How can we persuade him to stay? We are only local officials, if we invite him, it would be self-deprecating. If we order him, what if Lü Bu doesn't obey? What can we do then? It would be counterproductive and damage the prestige of our local officials. The situation wouldn't work out, and instead, we would incur resentment. Isn't it better to let Lü Bu return to his fief in Jiuyuan, and treat him with generous benefits? In the future, if there is trouble in the north, it won't be difficult to summon him."

  Fu Xian also thought that his son was right, and for a moment he was at a loss. In fact, Fu Shuo's words were also reasonable. Please, where is the superior officer who goes to invite the lower-ranking general? If it gets out, people will laugh to death. If an order is issued, what if Lü Bu doesn't obey? This order will become empty words, and it will be embarrassing at that time. If things go wrong and Lü Bu turns against us, it will be a disaster. But if we don't recruit Lü Bu to the north, it would be a pity to waste such a talented general. Fu Xian was having trouble making a decision, and as for Hao Meng, there's no need to mention him - a county military marquis seeing a prefectural governor was like seeing his master, following behind him and fawning on him, asking him was useless. So he looked at Duan Zhuo instead.

  Duan Yu also wanted to recruit Lü Bu under his command, with such a fierce general by his side, what was there to fear about the Southern Xiongnu rebelling? However, Duan Yu was also afraid that Lü Bu would not submit to his orders. He was also worried that if things went wrong, it would lead to chaos, so Duan Yu looked at the scholar beside him, hoping he could say something he wanted to hear, and asked: "What does Wenhe think?"

  Wen Shi Dao said: "What Nan Rong said is quite right."

  As soon as he heard this, he became displeased in his heart. He had kindly taken in this fellow countryman, but the latter did not speak of his intentions. If he were to yield before his subordinate, would he not be looked down upon afterwards? Originally, he was worried that Lü Bu would not obey, but now he has become even more stubborn and wants Lü Bu to stay in Beidi all the more. Therefore, he said: "No. Lü Bu is a marquis of a county army, and we summon him to enter the provincial capital to reward him. How can he not follow? I think he can be summoned."

  Fu Xian also wanted to keep Lü Bu, and upon hearing Duan Zhi's words, he said: "Why not hold a banquet tomorrow to entertain Lü Bu, and then we'll see what opportunities arise?"

  Chang Shi said so, and everyone else didn't have much to say either, let's see again tomorrow.

  On the second day, Fu Xuan sent Fu Shou to invite Lü Bu to a banquet. Lü Bu brought Gao Shun and Cheng Lian along, leaving Wei Xu to guard the camp. During the banquet, Lü Bu went back and forth with Fu Xuan, Fu Shou, Duan Zhi, and Hao Meng, offering them wine. When Fu Xuan saw that Lü Bu was drunk, he gave a signal to Duan Zhi with his eyes.

  Duan Yuexi said to Lü Bu, "General Lü's bravery is unmatched in the three armies. Now, being stationed in this desolate and barren land of Shuofang is truly a waste of your talent. If General Lü is willing, our provincial government will make arrangements for you. What do you think?"

  Lü Bu understood Duan Jiong's intention, but he couldn't put down his guard against him now. After all, there were still several hundred civilians following him to open up and cultivate the land in Shuofang. Moreover, Lü Bu thought that Duan Jiong was not a good person either. When Shuofang was raided by the Xianbei, why didn't he see any reinforcements from Beidi? Now he wanted to transfer himself to Beidi? He would rather be the local emperor in Shuofang. So Lü Bu refused: "Bu thanks the commander for his kindness, but now that it's early spring, I've just taken in some homeless civilians to open up and cultivate the land. If I were to leave Shuofang now, it would be like abandoning them, and I'm afraid it would chill the hearts of the people of Shuofang. I really have no intention of leaving."

  He saw Lü Bu in front of several northern officials, and he refused himself. For a moment, his face was not coming down, and he was angry in his heart. He coldly said: "Hmph. Just a general of the Northern Territory, I brought you to the North to reward your merits for repelling the Xiongnu, if you refuse, it is disobedience and disrespect."

  Lü Bu listened to Duan Zhi's tone, seemingly wanting to be ruthless. He coldly sneered in his heart: You think you can be ruthless with me? His tone even colder, he said: "How can Lü Bu abandon the brothers who have shared life and death together in Jiuyuan, how can I abandon the three thousand people of Jiuyuan who fought against the Xianbei together? Forgive me, Lü Bu cannot follow your orders." When it came to this point, Lü Bu felt that sitting down was meaningless. He stood up and gave Fu Xun a fierce salute: "The three thousand people of Jiuyuan are still waiting for Lü Bu's return, I bid you farewell." As he spoke, he walked towards the main gate. Gao Shun and Cheng Lian immediately stood up to follow him.

  Lü Bu and others did not want to turn against him, but his momentum was frightening. They were scared and didn't know how to persuade him to stay. Lü Bu had already walked to the door, thinking to himself: "I came with good intentions to rescue them, but now it's turned out like this. The families of those thirty-seven brothers who died are still waiting for their return." He couldn't just go back empty-handed. These people were ungrateful, he needed to get something in return. So he stopped and said: "My cavalry lost thirty-seven soldiers, all of whom had families. I ask the Grand Historian to take care of the compensation." As he spoke, he turned to leave, but felt that he hadn't intimidated them enough. He added: "Don't forget, gentlemen. After Liu Bei's death, his troops will surely remember this grudge. I, Lü Bu, have killed many people and don't mind a few more seeking revenge. However... if Liu Bei's remaining troops come to the north to seek revenge, then... you gentlemen should take care of yourselves."

  Others may not be intimidated by Duan Zhi and the like, but Lü Bu's last words about Liu Biao's remaining troops seeking revenge are true. This has even scared Fu Xian. Fu Xian hastily got up to pull Lü Bu back, advising him in a gentle tone: "General Lü, why be so impatient? Let's talk things over."

  Lü Bu said, "I originally came to rescue the North with good intentions due to our kinship. But now, Governor Dong is using his official power against me. Last year when Shao was attacked by the Xianbei bandits, did you see anyone from the North come to its aid? There's no need for further talk, as autumn is approaching and the Xianbei may make another move. I've stayed too long already, so I bid farewell."

  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!