Chapter 45: Attacking Shangyong, Liu Dai Leads the Troops

  Finally have time to type, it's been a long time since I typed, and I'm quite rusty. This chapter actually took more than two hours. Everyone had a good New Year's holiday, and I'll take the opportunity here to wish everyone a happy new year!

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  However, this was enough to make Ding Yuan overjoyed, because the protective flame that Lü Bu could cast, although it couldn't be used several times, but at least four times, which meant that he could easily defeat the four generals, and with just Lü Bu alone, the hope of taking down Changyang City was extremely great.

  "Good!"

  Ding Yuan was overjoyed and stood up, praising loudly. Then his expression turned solemn as he said: "General Lü Bu, listen to my orders!"

  "The end is near!"

  Lü Bu heard Ding Yuan's words, and immediately got up to stand in front of him, kneeling on one knee and clasping his fists. His voice was filled with excitement, and after a long period of silence, his heart was also filled with a desire for battle. The ten generals were just pawns to be used by him, and judging from Ding Yuan's expression, it was likely that he would directly entrust the task of attacking the capital to him. Even Lü Bu's proud heart was racing wildly, unable to calm down.

  As expected, only to hear Ding Yuan say: "Let General Lü Bu be the vanguard general and attack Xiangyang. Also, when the city of Xiangyang is about to fall, leave Xiangyang and station on the road north of Xiangyang!"

  "Finally, I've received the order!"

  Lü Bu did not hesitate in the slightest, although he didn't know why Ding Yuan wouldn't let him capture Xiangyang City. Since his lord had given an order, he would follow it; besides, as long as he could fight to his heart's content, that was enough for Lü Bu.

  At this time, all the generals will hand over their troops to Lü Bu. Now Lü Bu is a second-class general and can command 200 soldiers. The generals' troops cannot be fully replenished, but fortunately, Xin Ye is a small but main city, so after the internal affairs are settled, there is also money to recruit soldiers.

  Lü Bu occasionally gathered two hundred soldiers in the school field, trained them into archers and cavalry, raised his general flag and rushed to Yongcheng to kill.

  At the same time, in Xiangyang City, Governor Liu Dai looked towards the east in the direction of XinYe with a worried heart.

  "My distress message has been sent out, but I don't know when the general will send troops? Alas, if not for my illness, how could Ding Yuan of Xin Ye originally defend against this siege of Changsha?"

  Liu Dai let out a faint sigh.

  The Yellow Turban Rebellion left the Han dynasty in name only, with General-in-Chief He Jin holding absolute power. Countless warlords took advantage of the situation to rise up, and the entire country was on the verge of fragmentation. However, General-in-Chief He Jin was merely a butcher by birth and lacked great talent or vision. The mastermind behind the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Zhang Jue, not only failed to be eradicated but instead grew stronger, his influence spreading far and wide. Countless warlords also took advantage of the situation to attack cities and expand their territories, leaving the Han dynasty on shaky ground.

  "However, I must keep Xiangyang safe at all costs. If Ding Yuan gets his hands on it, he will be able to march south and plot against the Han dynasty's southern territories along the Yangtze River!"

  Liu Dai worried, but looking at his face, it was clear that he also had no confidence. Although Ding Yuan was still very weak at this moment, the situation had already been set in motion. It would be extremely difficult to keep the city of Shangyong safe if He Jin did not send reinforcements!

  Before long, it was already February. Lü Bu led his troops alone, with a heroic spirit in his heart, vowing to defeat all the mediocre generals. Although he didn't understand Lord Ding Yuan's intention at that time, but later on the way, he had thought through Lord Ding Yuan's intention!

  There are only two roads leading out of Xiangyang City, one to the north towards Hanzhong City and one to the west towards Caiyangguan City. At this moment, Caiyangguan City is already under Ding Yuan's control. Therefore, after Liu Dai's defeat, he can only bring his family generals and four small generals who escaped from Caiyang City, as well as Xiang Yu's family generals, to head north towards Hanzhong. He has been ambushing in the north, just to cut off Liu Dai's escape route. This way, not only can they capture all ten generals of Xiangyang, but it is also possible for Ding Yuan to be promoted to a second-level general!

  Ding Yuan became a second-class general, and he could summon himself in reality. Lü Bu originally had some resentment left, but now it has completely dissipated.

  Lü Bu's determination to win the battle grew even stronger, and if he succeeded in this endeavor, it would be a great achievement that would make his name known throughout the land.

  One man fought against ten generals, although nine of the ten generals were minor characters in the Three Kingdoms, and even the famous Liu Dai was not a great general. However, these ten generals had complete troops and horses, and it's not easy to deal with them. If Lü Bu could fight alone against the ten generals, this achievement would be truly unmatched!

  What was feared came true. Just as Liu Dai was worried that Xin Ye Ding had indeed committed a crime, scouts suddenly discovered the approaching army's silhouette.

  In the Taishou city, inside the grand hall of the governor, Liu Dai exchanged with He Jin again, and at this moment, he was extremely disappointed. He Jin still did not believe that Ding Yuan could capture Taishou. In He Jin's view, Taishou city was much stronger than XinYe, Ding Yuan had eleven generals, including himself, twelve generals in total, but it was impossible to send all the generals to attack Taishou, so Taishou city would never fall.

  Liu Dai was furious, and He Jin was indeed a mediocre man who couldn't see the situation clearly. Ding Yuan's power had just begun to take shape, and if he were suppressed now, it would still be effective. Otherwise, once he occupied Xiangyang, the entire southern region would be wide open for him. Liu Dai had been in Shangyong for some time and knew that there were countless hidden generals in the south. If Ding Yuan could recruit these generals, he could directly march north, which would put the Han dynasty in danger!

  With a sorrowful heart, Liu Dai turned to look at the kneeling captain of the scouting team.

  Suppressing the anger in his heart, Liu Dai's expression turned calm as he asked: "How many troops did Ding Yuan send this time? Who is the commander-in-chief and who is the military advisor? How many generals are there?"

  "Reporting back to Your Excellency, the enemy approaching from the west has approximately 200 troops and horses, led by Nalubulu Fuxian, who is also the military strategist, with no one else present!"

  The leader of the vanguard team said respectfully.

  "Oh!"

  Liu Dai's eyes lit up, although Lü Bu was strong in martial arts, but he alone, Liu Dai was confident that if he responded properly, he also had a chance to resist, so hope ignited in his heart.

  "I also hope that General can understand the gap and send troops to rescue!"

  Liu Dai had already made up his mind.

  "Pass on the order, let the Liu family come forth!"

  Liu Dai then ordered the leader of the vanguard.

  …………

  In a moment, there were four generals wearing armor, who came to the main hall of the Taishou City Governor.

  The four of them saw Liu Dai and Qi Qizhen kneeled down and said: "Your subordinate greets the Governor General!"

  "Please rise, all four of you!"

  Liu Dai sat on the main seat of the hall.

  These four are named Liu Jin, Liu Mu, Liu Huo and Liu Tu. They are the top-notch generals among the imperial relatives of Liu Dai's branch, whose strength is not inferior to some well-known third-rate martial arts generals, and are the most relied on by Liu Dai.

  When the commander of the vanguard summoned these four generals, Liu Dai had already thought out a plan. So now he slowly said: "You four generals are my trusted advisors. Now Ding Yuan of Xin Ye has sent General Lü Bu to attack our city of Shang Yong, so I have decided to send you four to resist Lü Bu's army. You must obey orders!"

  "The end is near!"

  Liu's four generals knelt down on one knee again and shouted loudly.

  "You four, with Liu Jin as the main general and Liu Mu as the military strategist, can lead the troops out of the city to battle against Lü Bu. Remember that Lü Bu is a fierce general, you cannot match him in strength. Your role is to consume his forces to the greatest extent possible and inflict as much damage on him as you can."

  The four of them heard this and hesitated for a moment, somewhat hesitant. They were outnumbered four to one, and although they knew Lü Bu was brave, they also felt some doubt in their hearts as their commander looked down on them so lightly.

  "What's wrong, can't you understand?"

  Liu Dai said in a low and angry tone.

  "I will obey your orders!"

  The four of them spoke in a frightened tone.

  These four men were Liu Dai's generals, and he held the power to kill them at will. If he killed all four of them, no one would dare say anything. Therefore, when they heard Liu Dai get angry, the four men did not have a single dissenting opinion!