In the eleventh month of the twelfth year of the Jian'an Era, in order to pacify war-ravaged Hebei, Liu Bei personally led an expedition once more after several years of silence.
Perhaps sensing that this was the final battle to pacify the realm, Taishi Ci, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, Huang Zhong, Xu Sheng, and other generals all volunteered for battle.
Cao Cao's former subordinates likewise wished to earn some merit in this battle, so that once the realm was united, their families could rise into the upper ranks.
Thus, throughout Guanzhong and Sanfu, all were eager for battle. Seeing this, Liu Bei was naturally delighted, thinking that the army's spirit was sound.
Yet precisely because this was likely the final battle, he could not harbor any pride. He had to ensure a complete victory.
Thus, Liu Bei brought along Qin Tian once more after a long absence—the strategist who had accompanied him the longest, and also the foremost minister beneath him.
Besides Qin Tian, he appointed Dong Zhao, Lou Gui, Zhang Hong, Qin Song, and a host of old and new strategists as military advisers, while Zhao Yun and Lu Bu commanded the cavalry.
That was right. This time, besides Zhao Yun, the cavalry commanders beneath Liu Bei also included Lu Bu, who had not taken the field for many years.
Over the past few years, Lu Bu had remained at home as a wealthy gentleman and had never been given an opportunity to go to war.
This was both Liu Bei's examination of Lu Bu and a test of Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and the other former subordinates of Lu Bu. The result was that Lu Bu's conduct left Liu Bei very satisfied.
Indeed, it was so unbelievable that Liu Bei could scarcely believe it: Lu Bu, a warlord