Qin Song's defection was nothing less than adding frost to snow for Lu Bu.
Though Qin Song had been taken captive into his service, he had served him for some time after all.
During that time, Qin Song could not be said to have bowed himself to exhaustion, but he had at least done his utmost.
Yet such a strategist had left him precisely when he was at his most desperate.
Even Lu Bu, mercenary as he was, could not help feeling a stab of grief.
But alongside that grief came a fit of helpless rage. Had Qin Song's family been inside the city, he would certainly have killed them to vent his fury.
But now that they had simply left, there was little he could do.
Seized by anger, Lu Bu felt a suffocating tightness in his chest. He could only remain silent and withdraw from the walls.
Meanwhile, Qin Tian's camp was far livelier.
Upon hearing that Qin Song had come to surrender, Qin Tian personally went out to receive him. Grasping Qin Song's hand, he said, "I have awaited you for a long time, sir. Why have you come so late?"
Qin Song's defection had not truly surprised him.
After all, Qin Song was not really Lu Bu's subject. At most, he was a captive.
He had once submitted to Lu Bu because circumstances forced him to, but now there was no need to follow Lu Bu down a black road to the bitter end.
When faced with his campaign of conciliation, such people were often the first to yield.
Treated so warmly by Qin Tian, Qin Song was naturally filled with shame. "You are an honored man, while I am but a commoner. Why did you need to come welcome me in person?"
Yet Qin Tian