Waiting for Chance

Previously, every time I read about the Three Kingdoms, I admired Lu Bu's unparalleled martial prowess. However, I discovered that his martial skills were often exploited, being used successively by Ding Yuan, Dong Zhuo, Wang Yun, and Yuan Shao as a mere pawn. Despite his countless sacrifices for them, he gained nothing in return.

This time, Lu Bu refuses to be anyone's pawn. He intends to use his extraordinary martial strength to subdue more generals for his own use.

Every time I read the Records of the Three Kingdoms or the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I greatly admire the talents and martial prowess displayed by Zhang Liao, who dominates the Xiehe Ferry, and the military might of Gao Shun, who leads the Vanguard Camp. I also appreciate Chen Gong's numerous close calls in defeating Cao Cao's strategies. However, it saddens me that Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and Chen Gong are not valued by Lu Bu.

This time, Lu Bu will not miss the opportunity to recruit talents. He not only values Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and Chen Gong but also aims to enlist heroes from all over the world to serve him. By combining the wisdom and strength of all, he aspires to achieve a grand vision comparable to that of Qin Shi Huang and Han Wu.

In the past readings of the Three Kingdoms, Lu Bu's unparalleled martial prowess and limited literary talents were evident. He lacked administrative ability, and under his rule, the people suffered from famine and devastation. Compared to Cao Cao, who developed farmland and pacified the region, Lu Bu did not qualify as a wise ruler.

This time, Lu Bu aims to strengthen his power by supporting the state and caring for the people. He wants to be a true benevolent ruler, cherishing and loving the people, protecting the Han ethnic group from the chaos of warlords and the scourge of disasters and epidemics. He hopes to render the non-Han forces powerless and prevent the Han ethnic group from experiencing the painful process of ethnic integration again.

However, all of this can only be achieved after getting rid of the two individuals in front of him. Lu Bu knows it is not the right opportunity yet. He cannot afford to become the historical figure who eliminated Ding Yuan openly. He needs to wait for a good opportunity to shift the blame onto someone else.

When Ding Yuan and Hao Meng leave the tent, Lu Bu slowly opens his eyes, surveying everything in the tent.

Inside the dark blue coarse fabric tent stands a black wooden frame with something piled on top.

Upon closer inspection, Lu Bu realizes they are bamboo slips, inscribed with the Art of War by Sun Tzu.

Didn't Cai Lun invent paper? Why are they still using bamboo slips to inscribe books?

After a brief recollection of his memory, Lu Bu remembers that the paper produced in the Eastern Han period was quite crude, inferior to the later grass paper. Writing on it was unclear, and it was very expensive. People still primarily used bamboo slips and silk fabrics for writing. It seems that he needs to improve papermaking sooner; bamboo slips hinder the spread of culture and education.

Hanging on the wooden frame is another object, resembling a miniature swing, with two cloth ropes tied to a wooden block in the middle. Surprisingly, it is a stirrup, but only a single-sided stirrup, and it's made of wood.

It seems that the double-sided iron stirrups, high-arched saddles, and horseshoes that cavalry in the future relies on have not yet appeared. During this period, there is also no sign of high-arched saddles and horseshoes. Single-sided stirrups are only used to assist in mounting and dismounting. During riding, it still relies on tightly gripping the reins and squeezing the horse's belly to prevent falling while the horse is galloping. Prolonged riding can cause fatigue, and it's challenging to effectively use bows and arrows on a galloping horse. In melee combat, it's also difficult to wield swords and spears freely. Only a few exceptional generals can skillfully control their warhorses to achieve victory.

Although Lu Bu would like to instantly create double-sided stirrups, high-arched saddles, and horseshoes, he understands that it would be futile to produce these items without having tens of thousands of cavalry. Doing so would only benefit the Xianbei and Xiongnu in the north. Therefore, for now, he must rely on single-sided stirrups for combat. Lu Bu, known as the "Flying General," not only possesses unparalleled martial skills but also excels in horsemanship. The Red Hare is not a horse that just any general can tame. Since he currently has overwhelming strength, there's no need to immediately upgrade the equipment for the cavalry.

By the bedside lies a halberd, measuring one zhang and two chi (approximately 3.6 meters) in length, made entirely of dark iron. The halberd head has a sharp spear tip with two crescent-shaped blades on each side, connected to the spearhead by two small branches. A halberd with a single crescent blade is called a Green Dragon Halberd, while one with two crescent blades is called the Sky Piercer Halberd. The Sky Piercer Halberd is further decorated with engravings, earning it the name Sky Piercer Engraved Halberd. This weapon combines the functions of both heavy and light weapons, capable of competing in strength with heavy weapons such as maces, hammers, and war tridents, as well as showcasing skill and technique against lighter weapons like spears, pikes, and swords.

Lu Bu reaches out to touch the Sky Piercer Engraved Halberd, feeling the cold killing intent it exudes. He suddenly has a reassuring feeling in his heart. They say that with the Sky Piercer Engraved Halberd in hand, Lu Bu is invincible in the late Han period. As long as he has his halberd, what does he, Lu Bu, have to fear? The only thing missing now is the Red Hare. Lu Bu knows that Dong Zhuo has already captured the sweat-blooded horse, so he eagerly awaits the arrival of Li Su.

However, he wonders whether He Jin has been rashly killed by the eunuchs in the palace. If He Jin survives, Dong Zhuo won't dare to enter the capital recklessly, and Lu Bu won't be able to take advantage of the chaos.

While Lu Bu is lost in thought, a deep and solemn voice is heard from inside the tent, "Qin Yi, has General Lu awakened?" Even though Lu Bu is currently just a chief clerk, not even a captain, everyone calls him a general because of his unmatched bravery and authority in Bingzhou. Perhaps everyone already sees him as a future general.

Lu Bu's personal guard, Qin Yi, hastily replies, "General Gao, Lord Ding and Captain Hao just checked. They said General Lu has not awakened yet."

Gao Shun sighs deeply, his tone melancholic, "If something happens to General Lu, I wonder what will become of our Bingzhou army. Qin Yi, you must take good care of him and not let anyone disturb General Lu."

Lu Bu knows that the person outside is Gao Shun, someone who has always been loyal to him. Although Gao Shun eventually betrayed him in history, Lu Bu was already on the brink of collapse, facing mutiny and betrayal from all sides. Gao Shun's choices were somewhat understandable. At this time, Gao Shun is undoubtedly loyal to Lu Bu, and Lu Bu trusts him. Lu Bu often assigns Gao Shun to command troops from the Yexu, recognizing Gao Shun's loyalty. In the future, Lu Bu will restrict Gao Shun's use, but he will still employ him, as there are currently no outstanding generals besides Gao Shun and Zhang Liao.

This way, in addition to Zhang Liao and Zhang Yang, who are currently recruiting soldiers in Bingzhou, other generals such as Cheng Lian, Song Xian, Xue Lan, and Li Feng come to visit one after another. Lu Bu continues to feign unconsciousness.

Lu Bu vaguely remembers that Hou Cheng from the Eight Riders is currently under the command of Chenliu's Prefect Zhang Miao, and the guerrilla warfare expert Zang Ba from the Eight Riders is still serving under Xu Province's Inspector Tao Qian. He wonders if there will be a chance to recruit these two in the future.