What had Lu Bu seen to make him fly into such a rage? It was none other than his wife and child.
There, before the army behind Qin Tian, stood Lu Bu's wife and child, helpless and alone.
To explain how things had come to this, one had to go back to when Qin Tian led his army north. In mid-December, after losing Lu Bu's trail, Qin Tian shifted his objective to seizing control of Xuzhou.
Thus, while ordering Zhao Yun and the others north to take the cities, he led his troops steadily north along the road.
Upon arriving in Xiapi, he finally met Chen Gui, Xu Xuan, Chen Jiao, and the others.
As everyone came forth to greet him, he personally dismounted and returned their courtesies. After hearing the details of how Xiapi had been taken, he praised Chen Gui, saying:
"Xuzhou has long suffered from chaos and calamity. I thought its worthy and wise men had all withered away, but only today have I seen Lord Chen's strategy!"
This was not his first meeting with Chen Gui. The last time they had met, he had still been concealing his identity at Liu Bei's side.
Yet when they met again this time, he was already leading troops to install Old Liu as master of Xuzhou. Their stations were now as far apart as heaven and earth.
Hearing this and recalling their previous encounter, Chen Gui could not help feeling deeply moved. He repeatedly said that he dared not accept such praise.
After the two had exchanged such modest courtesies, Qin Tian entered the city and met Lu Bu's family.
In truth, Qin Tian had wanted to see whether Diaochan might be among them. Yet after examining them closely, he could not help feeling greatly disappointed.
Lu Bu's household