Chapter 51 - Lu Bu Starts To Change (1) (1/2)
Chapter 51 - Lu Bu Starts To Change (1) (MTL, not proofread or edited yet)
Translated by Bloodfalcon, Edited by Kyrato
“Is the commander below Marquis of Wen, Lu Bu, Lu Feng Xian?!” An arrogant voice yelling out from Bagongshan peak.
“Oh, Chen Lan and Lei Bo also knew Bu? I did not expect this at all!” Said Lu Bu with a disdain expression.
“Ha, how can we brothers possibly not know about Marquis of Wen, Lu Bu’s prowess” Said Chen Lan at the peak, while laughing boldly as if concealing something.
”While I was serving under Wen Hou, I was a guide that led these two bandits to top the subjugation of the Xuzhou area!” The messenger was awkwardly stating the orders Yuan Shu-man. “Marquis of Wen, when my lord withdrew from Xu Province, he also brought this two lowlifes with him, so, they also know about Marquis of Wen’s prowess!” The guide said awkwardly. How stupid was he? Instead of saying, “when Yuan Shu withdraw from Xu Province”, he should have said “When Yuan Shu a.s.saulted Xu Province”.
“Wenyuan, go forward and call out to them!” Said Lu Bu toward Zhang Liao.
Zhang Liao nodded and went directly to the foot of the mountain. After arriving there, he exclaimed loudly “Chen Lan, Lei Bo, my lord has been entrusted by Yuan Gonglu to eliminate you both and your unit. If you know what is best for you, surrender immediately. Otherwise when we reach the foot of the mountain, you will surely peris.h.!.+”
“That old fart Yuan Shu, he is the culprit behind this siege!” Lei Bo angrily punched a nearby log.
After listening to Zhang Liao’s words, not only he did not become shocked and afraid, instead he sneered and answered “When did Marquis of Wen become Yuan Shu’s lapdog? Was the t.i.tle Marquis of Wen which was given by the Emperor not enough? Has the Marquis of Wen, Lu Bu, become so greedy that you threw away our Han?! Do you also do not fear the 100,000 troops of Cao's Army?!”
The words that Chen Lan spat out was very demeaning. Saying Lu Bu has become Yuan Shu’s lapdog, saying Lu Bu has become too greedy that he thought the Emperor’s reward is not enough and he threw away his loyalty for the Han Empire.
Everyone knows that Yuan Gonglu committed a mistake when he proclaimed himself as an emperor, as he is not a legitimate emperor.
But by doing that, the people of this nation, who initially respected Yuan Shu, began to distance themselves from him, for fear that Old Cao under the pretext of regent was going to attack those who are in contact with Yuan Shu, as Old Cao himself has called Yuan Shu an illegitimate usurper. And now Lu Bu who attacked Chen Lan on behalf of Yuan Shu, Chen Lan predicted what could happen.
Unfortunately, Chen Lan made an error by saying those words. Other warlords may fear Cao Mengde, but Lu Bu did not really care nor fear Cao Mengde. His confidence did not come because he knew Old Cao’s strength, but it came from being acquainted with him G.o.d knows how long.
From the time when Lu Bu attack Old Cao's Yan Province to when Old Cao attack Lu Bu’s province, both know each other well enough.
“Try to frighten me with Cao Mengde? You got the wrong person to threat!” Lu Bu coldly responded “Other warlord may fear Cao Mengde, but I, Lu Bu, did not really care at all!”
The results of the battle of Xu Province, although it resulted with Lu Bu’s loss and being expelled from Xu Province, during the breakout, Bing Province Cavalry really hurt Cao Cao’s prized Ferocious Cavalry and made a name for themselves as the strongest cavalry in this nation. So, it can be concluded that Old Cao is the one who feared Lu Bu, not vice-versa.
“Chen Lan, Lei Bo. Your previous lord, Yuan Gonglu never treated you badly and never let you starve. Even when both of you left him after he proclaimed himself as emperor, he never blamed you one bit.
But not only did both of you did not repay his kindness, both of you also attacked his supply troops. Though this transgression is not unforgivable, if you surrender now, you still can live!” Lu Bu stressed every words clearly.
It seems words cannot reach these two, as Lei Bo already began to curse “You sc.u.mbag, slave of three surnames. Please don’t be a hypocrite. Did you think you can force us to die with our previous lord?
When Yuan Shu proclaimed himself as an emperor, he was deserted by his friends and allies, leaving us stranded here in Bagongshan. Yuan Shu did not even send any supplies to us, leaving us brothers, several thousands of people, to the hand of fate. So, out of needs, we robbed his supply line for us to use. He abandoned us like that, so why can't we do the same to him?”
“Not good!” Chen Lan wanted to prevent Lei Bo from putting his foot in his his mouth, but it is too late already.
“Stupid men, insulting our lord like that, you have thrown the hope that our lord has given you to swine!” All of Lu Bu’s army personnel were thinking the same thing.
“Slave of three surnames?!” Lu Bu then remembers the worst memory he has. This G.o.d of war’s eyes then flashed with extreme killing intent. He looked at both of them who was standing at the peak “You two are really seeking for death!”
Having completely offended Lu Bu, Chen Lan's face began to pale, but he tried to not panic, for he is the commander of this mountain army and previously he is also a general in Yuan Shu’s army. He just coldly responded “In that case, us two brothers will wait for Marquis of Wen at the peak!”
Bagongshan. Once again we look at the topography of this area. This area only has one road, and if one guards the pa.s.s, then none shall pa.s.s that road. A real strategic location, difficult to attack, easy to defend.
If Chen Lan and Lei Bo’s hideout was in the flat land, even if they have 100,000 troops, Lu Bu could order an all-out attack. Why? Because he is Lu Bu and Bing Province Cavalry fear nothing.
However, due to difficult terrain, which is the mountains, cavalry are of no help here. Not having cavalry soldiers to attack, also adds to the value of Chen Lan and Lei Bo's natural defenses.
“Milord, are you thinking of a direct mountain attack?!” Zhang Liao asked with hesitation. In the past, usually Lu Bu just told his troops to attack directly, because his basic principle is just to attack straight for the enemy, which he considered is the best course of action, no matter how many casualties fell.