"I implore Duke Yuan to issue his decree, what is the outcome of this military exercise?" Lu Bu knelt on one knee and asked slowly.
"Hahahaha, this time naturally it is Feng Xian who has achieved a great victory!" Yuan Shao helped Lu Bu up, taking his hand and slowly ascending the high platform. "This is a general among the lords, who has never been defeated. I, acting on behalf of Heaven's mandate, confer upon Lu Bu the title of General of Might!"
The Yuan family, having experienced four generations of three dukes, indeed possessed a deep foundation. This authority to act on behalf of Heaven's mandate was a favor granted by the Emperor, though it could only be used thrice. Now, its use on Lu Bu indicated Yuan Shao's high regard for him!
Lu Bu cautiously felt the disappearance of several hidden arrows behind him, only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. To want to remove Yuan Shao with his own hands? That was a pipe dream in broad daylight!
Yuan Shao's move also held deep significance. In the Three Kingdoms, a period teeming with talented individuals, Lu Bu receiving a legitimate noble title was akin to a mountain of gold falling from the sky. Among the lords, Lu Bu could only rely on Yuan Shao, and from then on, their bond grew ever stronger.
"Such a profound scheme!" Cao Cao clenched his fists, gritting his teeth in anger. "If not for me, how could Yuan Shao have acquired such a formidable general!"
Xiahou Dun, having seen everything clearly, nudged Cao Cao. Cao Cao quickly cupped his fists and congratulated Lu Bu. "Now that you have received your conferment, General, you are naturally extraordinary. If you take Liangzhou, it can serve as your fiefdom. What are your thoughts, General?"
"Nothing could be better!" Lu Bu, facing everyone, arrogantly declared, "Liangzhou naturally belongs to me, General. If anyone has an objection, why not come out and spar with me? I will naturally concede!"
Seeing Lu Bu's beast-like demeanor, who dared to act? They all took a few steps back dejectedly. "Indeed, you all dare not confront Lu Bu directly. If you play tricks behind my back, do not blame Lu Bu for showing no mercy!"
Lu Bu casually threw his Fangtian Hua Ji. Just as Chen Gong arrived from outside the camp, he saw the halberd flying towards him and hurriedly shouted, "I am Duke Yuan's man, how dare you attack me, Lu Bu!"
Ultimately, the Fangtian Hua Ji did not harm Chen Gong. Instead, it flew towards a large cauldron, piercing it with a large hole. Lu Bu grinned, approaching Chen Gong with a smile, and said softly, "Be careful, General, or next time the halberd will pierce your head!"
Chen Gong clenched his fists tightly, but ultimately had no recourse. After all, he was no match for Lu Bu. He hurriedly knelt before Yuan Shao. "Your subordinate is incompetent, having been defeated. I beg Duke Yuan for punishment!"
Yuan Shao shook his head and sighed. "This is not due to your incompetence, but because Lu Bu is simply too valiant. Even if we were to advance together, I fear we would not be his match!"
Yuan Shao's bitter smile blew through Chen Gong's heart like a gentle breeze, filling him with a chill. Chen Gong hurriedly said, "Does Duke Yuan truly believe Lu Bu? I fear endless troubles lie ahead!"
"What if I believe him? What if I don't? Lu Bu, we are no match for him!" Yuan Shao spread his hands powerlessly. "In the future, you will all indulge him a bit, otherwise, if something happens, I fear I cannot help you!"
"Are we to let Lu Bu run rampant!" a burly general cursed. "I refuse to believe it. Duke Yuan, please rest assured. This matter is on my shoulders, and I will surely make Lu Bu vanish into thin air!"
Yuan Shao hurriedly intervened. The generals, full of righteous indignation and indignation, pulled and tugged each other out of the camp, leaving only Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun, and Yuan Shao in the tent!
"Mengde, how have I treated you in the past?" Yuan Shao tapped his fingers on the table, propping his head with one hand. "If not for me, I fear your current situation would be quite different!"
"Duke Yuan's recognition and kindness, Cao Cao will never forget. I beg Duke Yuan to command, and Cao Cao will surely obey with his life!" Cao Cao hurriedly expressed his stance, then hastily gave Xiahou Dun a look.
Xiahou Dun immediately understood and said hurriedly, "Duke Yuan's great kindness, we brothers cannot repay it in this life. We will aid Duke Yuan in the next."
"General Cao is indeed enlightened..." Yuan Shao, starting from when they first met, talked with great interest until the present. Only then did he notice the visibly trembling Cao Cao and pat his head as if he had forgotten. "How could I forget you, General? Please, rise quickly!"
"It's nothing, nothing!" Cao Cao wiped away the tears he had forced out. "I never knew our bond with Duke Yuan was so deep and true that I am overcome with emotion!"
Yuan Shao stood frozen. He had merely been probing Cao Cao, how had it escalated to this point? He forced himself to say, "Whenever I recall, I always feel that Duke of Zhou was perhaps like this!"
"Duke Yuan is wise and capable, how can Duke of Zhou compare!" Cao Cao flattered him hurriedly. Seeing Yuan Shao nod repeatedly with a smile, he knew his gamble had paid off!
"Mengde, how did that Lu Bu escape from Liangzhou, and how did you two meet? I would like to hear about it. Mengde, can you explain clearly..." Yuan Shao finally composed himself and revealed his true intentions. In short, a person like Lu Bu could never be trusted easily!
Cao Cao was startled, then understood Yuan Shao's intentions. He spoke without hesitation, even if much of it was fabricated, he made Yuan Shao believe a great deal.
"I believe Mengde would not lie. After all, Mengde was so sincere when we first met!"
Seeing Yuan Shao about to play the emotional card again, Cao Cao hurriedly swore to the heavens, "If I speak a single falsehood, may lightning strike me, may heaven and earth..."
"Stop," Yuan Shao's eyes reddened. "I wish Mengde a long life, why would you curse yourself like this."
"It's all your fault for forcing me!" Cao Cao thought to himself. As for who would be struck by lightning, what did it have to do with him, Cao Cao!
"Mengde, go down and rest. I will be launching an attack soon," Yuan Shao frowned, "I wonder who will serve as the vanguard at that time!"
"If Duke Yuan trusts me, Mengde has one person to recommend!" Cao Cao cupped his fists, his gaze firm. "I have long heard that Lu Bu is familiar with the deployment of the Third Army. He is the best candidate..."
"But what if he leads his men to defect to Ye Feng?" Yuan Shao stood up, turning his head with worry. "I fear the situation will become difficult!"
"What are you afraid of, Duke Yuan? When the army presses forward, Lu Bu will be at the forefront. If he wins, this person can be used. If he loses, hidden arrows are hard to guard against!" Cao Cao's face showed ferocity. "How Lu Bu dies is ultimately up to Duke Yuan. Moreover, who among you today has any affection for Lu Bu!"
"That is true. Let me ponder this..." Yuan Shao was speechless for a moment, his eyes half-closed as if trying to see through Cao Cao!
"Good lad, you dare to stop me? Do you know who I am?" A commotion arose outside. Before Cao Cao and Yuan Shao could react, that voice sounded again.
"I am a general personally appointed by Duke Yuan. Who do you think you are, to dare to block my path? I will surely kill you!"