Chapter 24: Strategizing How to Deal with the Opponents

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Hua Xiong asked with a look of disdain. "I'm perfectly fine."

"Zichuan ordered me to take you alive; you are truly lucky. Your loyalty afterwards moved me, otherwise you would have been dead long ago," Guan Yu said, sparing a glance at Hua Xiong with an indifferent tone.

"Stop, both of you, calm down. We should be thinking about how to deal with Lu Bu. If we can't defeat him, the coalition has no hope left. Lu Bu alone is enough to crush the morale of the entire army to zero," Chen Xi said, quickly intervening. He knew that if he let Guan Yu and Hua Xiong start fighting again, it would be endless—especially since Hua Xiong was the type who refused to admit defeat even when grounded, insisting on holding his ground to the death. It was incredibly frustrating to deal with.

At the mention of Lu Bu, everyone fell silent. He was simply beyond their capabilities; that man was practically not human.

"How about a tag-team battle?" Chen Xi proposed.

"That's a terrible idea," Hua Xiong objected immediately.

"You have no say in this. Second Brother, what do you think of this proposal?" Chen Xi glared at Hua Xiong before turning to Guan Yu.

"It won't work. Lu Bu is not someone who can be worn down by just one or two people." Guan Yu was no fool; he understood when to be arrogant and when to show restraint. Against a master like Lu Bu, one had to be humble, or else face certain death.

"A gang-up, then?" Chen Xi continued to prod.

"I won't do it!" Zhang Fei glared at Chen Xi.

"Fine, Yide will take the lead tomorrow. It's settled," Chen Xi said, casting a sidelong glance at Zhang Fei.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei wilted instantly, but then he puffed out his chest and shouted, "Taking the lead is fine! Just make sure Second Brother covers me!"

Chen Xi rolled his eyes. Despite Zhang Fei's rash appearance, he had plenty of cunning tricks up his sleeve. "I never said the Second Brother wouldn't cover you. We will all go together to cover you tomorrow. Hua Xiong, are you coming?"

All four of them stared at Hua Xiong—three super-warriors and one devious schemer. Hua Xiong immediately broke into a cold sweat, especially with Zhang Fei's bull-like eyes fixed on him.

*[You already said we’re all going. If I don't go, how will the Bearded One look at me later? I despise you!]* Hua Xiong thought, shooting an unhappy look at Chen Xi.

"I'm in!" Hua Xiong hardened his resolve. "But get me a change of clothes and a few short spears. It's understood: I am absolutely not going to face Lu Bu directly. If my cover is blown, all my concubines and songstresses back home are finished."

"That's more like a brother! Come, let's drink!" Zhang Fei grabbed a wine jar from the side and filled everyone's bowls. He downed one and wiped the wine from his beard. "Tomorrow, watch how old Zhang takes down Lu Bu for you!"

Chen Xi smiled but didn't respond. From what he had gathered, the gap between Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Lu Bu in this world was far greater than in his memories. If in his memories the combined forces of Guan and Zhang could slightly edge out Lu Bu, in this world, even their combined efforts wouldn't be enough to defeat him. The same level of amplification only made the strongest even stronger.

As he held his wine, Chen Xi pondered. He seemed to have grown accustomed to this life. Although there were no computers, no internet, no forums, no celebrities, he felt a strange sense of ease.

*[Liu Xuande is indeed a good choice, but Cao Cao has the most potential. It’s a pity they can't coexist. Oh well, forget it. If one day I really had to face these guys who drink with me and carry me back when I'm drunk, could I even bring myself to strike?]*

Chen Xi thought helplessly. Using his mental energy to suppress his emotions, he realized one thing: he had unknowingly begun to view problems from the perspective of the Liu Bei faction.

*[Sigh, so be it. It doesn't matter. I'll stick with Liu Bei. He has fame and reputation now. As long as we defeat Lu Bu next, we will certainly catch Dong Zhuo's eye, and then there will be plenty of opportunities to maneuver. Heh heh, I might not be a genius strategist, but I have the foresight!]*

Chen Xi slowly closed his eyes and continued his thoughts. Perhaps Liu Bei wasn't the best choice, but having entered the Liu Bei faction at this point, Chen Xi understood it was the most suitable choice for him.

*[I have a chance to recruit some great generals... Huang Zhong, Gan Ning, Taishi Ci, Wei Yan, Chen Dao... they are all formidable men. Let me think about where they are, and then I can build a dream team.]* As he thought, Chen Xi's mind drifted further and further away.

While Liu Bei was having a carefree time, Lu Bu had already arrived at Hulao Pass even more carefree. Inside the pass, Li Ru was already waiting for him at the residence.

"Greetings to the Prime Minister and the Strategist." Lu Bu and his men bowed to Dong Zhuo, who sat at the head of the table, and then to Li Ru.

"How did it go?" Li Ru asked calmly.

"At least fifty thousand soldiers became deserters after tonight. As for casualties, they couldn't have been too severe." Lu Bu gestured to Zhang Liao, who stepped forward to explain. Lu Bu was not skilled at such detailed reports.

"Bring out the wine and feast! Fengxian, did you make any kills?" Dong Zhuo waved his hand, and a prepared feast was quickly set up. After Lu Bu had left, Li Ru had ordered the banquet to be prepared. Regardless of success or failure, it was necessary to win Lu Bu over. Even if Dong Zhuo had become muddled, Li Ru had not.

Lu Bu felt a bit awkward, but he did not lie. "None. Although I saw Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, Yuan Shao had two men guarding him to the death, and I didn't bother killing him as I was just itching for a fight. As for Cao Cao, he only arrived after the enemy general who killed General Hua appeared."

"Oh? So there is someone who can block Fengxian?" Dong Zhuo was full of curiosity.

Li Ru pulled a scroll of white silk from his sleeve and handed it to Dong Zhuo. It contained all the intelligence on Liu Bei and his men from the past few days.

"A pity. It was those three. We once had a brief meeting, and they even 'saved' me once. Wenyou, can this person be recruited?" Dong Zhuo wondered what he was thinking. Originally a brute, he felt his interest reignited after seeing the intelligence. The ambition to make friends with heroes across the world, which had been extinguished since he entered Luoyang and acquired Lu Bu, surfaced once again. He displayed the aura of the hero who had once roamed Xiliang.

Li Ru was stunned, then inwardly overjoyed. He feared most that Dong Zhuo would lose his ambition. He never expected that without him needing to give Dong Zhuo a wake-up call, the man would regain his former spirit after seeing this report.

*[Good, very good. It was just a temporary lapse. As long as he has ambition, it’s fine. As long as he has ambition.]* Li Ru instantly gained confidence. As long as his leader had ambition, he could suppress the heroes of the world.

"This will not be easy. It is unlikely that this person will fully commit to our side, but dividing them is as easy as turning over one's hand. The eighteen lords are, after all, eighteen separate entities. But now is not the time. Let them understand our strength first, and naturally, people will defect to us." A sharp glint flashed in Li Ru's eyes. The decadent, gloomy air of the Luoyang period was swept away, and he felt revitalized.