Lu Bu Shoots the Fan at the Chariot Gate, I, Lu Bu, Do Not Seek Conflict

After the arrival of Lu Bu's forces, both Liu Bei and Ji Ling were filled with trepidation, fearing that this fickle turncoat might side with the other. Thus, even during the ceasefire, they maintained a state of high alert.

The next morning, Lu Bu sent men to Xiaopei and the camp of Ji Ling, respectively, inviting both parties to his own camp to discuss matters.

By this time, the follow-up force of ten thousand men under Zhang Liao had arrived, a strength fully capable of swaying the outcome of this conflict.

Upon hearing Lu Bu's invitation, both sides mistakenly assumed that this man would favor them, so they arrived at Lu Bu's camp filled with anticipation.

Since the distance from Liu Bei's Xiaopei was shorter, he arrived first, accompanied by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

Lu Bu personally welcomed the three into his tent. Once they were seated, he said mysteriously, "I have invited you here today specifically to lift the siege of Xiaopei. Do not forget this favor when you achieve your ambitions in the future."

Liu Bei was slightly taken aback, then cupped his hands in an awkward gesture of thanks, thinking to himself, You backstabbed me to seize my Xuzhou, and now you come here feigning benevolence and righteousness?

I thank you for nothing.

Shortly after, Ji Ling also entered the main tent, only to find that Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were already there.

Seeing this scene, Ji Ling was instantly panicked. He turned to bolt out the door, but his path was blocked by Lu Bu.

"General Lu, do you intend to kill me?" Ji Ling asked cautiously, looking around at Lu Bu.

Lu Bu smiled faintly. "Not at all."

"Then do you intend to kill Liu Bei?" Ji Ling asked again.

At this, Zhang Fei's eyes widened in fury, and he shouted, "Ji Ling, are you looking for a beating?"

This man had fought dozens of rounds against Zhang Fei just days prior. Seeing a mortal enemy, their eyes burned with hatred, and the two immediately began a verbal spar. However, as Ji Ling was alone and the others had Liu Bei and Guan Yu at their sides, he soon ran out of steam.

With the atmosphere tense, Lu Bu said nonchalantly, "Gentlemen."

No sooner had Lu Bu finished speaking than Liu Bei grabbed Zhang Fei's hand, and Ji Ling took the opportunity to step down and sit aside, wanting to see what this man was actually planning.

"Please, gentlemen, sit at ease and hear what I have to say. I have come today specifically to reconcile your two houses," Lu Bu said.

Ji Ling asked helplessly, "May I ask how the General intends to resolve this?"

Lu Bu said with a solemn expression, "I, Lu Bu, have never liked fighting; I only like to resolve conflicts. Yet the world believes I am obsessed with violence—this is a great misconception. What I have set up today is no trap; it is a feast of goodwill. For the sake of my face, I ask that you both cease your hostilities. That way, the houses of Liu and Yuan need not suffer any further damage to their relations. How about it?"

Liu Bei and Ji Ling felt their hearts drumming after hearing this. What harmony was left between the houses of Liu and Yuan?

Initially, when Liu Bei served as Governor of Xuzhou, Cao Cao, having no time to look toward the east, had granted him titles and promises, ordering him in the name of the imperial court to campaign against Huainan.

At that time, Liu Bei had just taken charge of Xuzhou and was still in a state of instability, lacking sufficient troops and provisions. Yet, he still obeyed the order to lead his army south, only to be defeated by Yuan Shu in Huainan.

Yuan Shu was a man who repaid every grievance and bullied the weak while fearing the strong. He believed he could not defeat Cao Cao or Yuan Shao, but dealing with a Liu Bei who lacked a firm foundation was more than enough.

After defeating Liu Bei in Huainan, he pursued him all the way to Guangling. It was only when Liu Bei was at his wit's end that he begged for surrender to Lu Bu.

Now that Lu Bu had stepped in to mediate, the situation was favorable to Liu Bei's side, so he sat firmly on his perch.

Ji Ling, however, was anxious. As a mere general under Yuan Shu, he dared not make decisions for his lord, so he said, "My lord ordered me to lead an army of thirty thousand specifically to Xiaopei to capture Liu Bei."

Seeing this, the Third Master Zhang interjected angrily, "You have a lot of nerve! What of your thirty thousand troops? I would slaughter you lot as if it were child's play!"

As soon as Zhang Fei finished speaking, he reached for his sword. Guan Yu advised from the side, "Third Brother, hold back. Let us see how General Lu intends to resolve this. If it does not work, it will not be too late to return to camp and fight."

Ji Ling shook his head and snorted coldly, "Resolve the conflict? That is easier said than done."

"Ji Ling, do not be arrogant," Zhang Fei shouted.

"Do you think I fear you?"

"Come, come, let us go outside and fight three hundred rounds."

"Fight, then!" A nameless fire ignited in Ji Ling, and he rolled up his sleeves and stood up.

Seeing this, Lu Bu slammed his hand onto the table, stood up, glared at everyone, and finally walked to the entrance of the tent. "Bring me my halberd."

Liu Bei and Ji Ling were both startled, wondering what this man intended to do.

"I advise both your houses not to fight. It would be better to follow the will of Heaven," Lu Bu said.

"What is the will of Heaven?" Liu Bei was not in a hurry, but Ji Ling was, so he immediately pressed for an answer.

Lu Bu had his men place his Halberd of Heavenly Might at the gate of the camp, then said to those in the tent, "The camp gate is one hundred and fifty paces from the main tent. I intend to shoot an arrow at the small branch of the halberd. If I hit it, both your houses shall cease hostilities. If I miss, you may each return to your camps and prepare for battle. Whoever does not obey me, I shall gather the troops under my command to assist the other side."

Although Lu Bu's words carried the weight of a threat, Ji Ling felt much more at ease after hearing them, for in his understanding, it was impossible to hit the target from such a distance. Thus, he asked, "General, what are you shooting at?"

"The small branch of the halberd," Lu Bu repeated.

Ji Ling calculated that it was impossible for Lu Bu to hit it, and at this moment, he could not afford to defy him, so he readily agreed. "We shall follow the General's plan. Please, General, do not go back on your word."

Liu Bei watched the show from the sidelines. Even if Lu Bu succeeded in lifting the siege for him, he would not feel any gratitude; after all, if it weren't for the fact that Lu Bu had seized his Xuzhou, such a situation would never have come to pass today.

Lu Bu then called for a bow and arrow. He nocked the arrow and drew the bow in one fluid motion. Once the arrow left the string, it flew straight through the hole in the small branch of the halberd.

This display of effortless skill left Ji Ling dumbfounded. He had no idea that a general from the borderlands like Lu Bu possessed such mastery of archery and horsemanship, far exceeding his imagination.

The two sides drank a toast of reconciliation. Fearing that Yuan Shu would not believe it, Lu Bu personally wrote a letter for Ji Ling to take back, and the siege of Xiaopei was lifted instantly.

After this incident, Gan Qian admired her sworn younger brother even more.

She bought some wine and meat in the city and returned to Gan Family Village, preparing to reward Lan Tian.

Upon arriving home, Gan Qian found the house empty. Finally, she found Gan Ji and Lan Tian by a small grove of trees a few dozen meters behind the house, both of them buried in their work, digging a pit.

"Father, Little Brother, what are you doing? Are you digging a cellar?" Gan Qian asked.

Gan Ji wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "You could say that. Your brother said it needed to be dug wide and deep; I have no idea why he needs a cellar this large."

"I bought some wine and meat from the city. Little Brother, you have to take charge of the cooking today," Gan Qian said with a smile.

"Sure thing. Father, you head back first; I'll work a little longer," Lan Tian said.

Gan Qian and Gan Ji returned home first, starting by washing the meat they had bought and the greens picked from the fields.

While waiting, Gan Ji poured himself a small cup to sip on. These incredibly comfortable days were far more carefree than their time in Xiapi.

By evening, Lan Tian returned from his work. While he went to wash his hands and change his clothes, Gan Qian took the opportunity to light the fire in the stove.

Once Lan Tian arrived in the kitchen, he went straight to stir-frying the dishes, while Gan Qian stayed by his side to tend the fire and secretly learn his techniques.

"Little Brother, you really are amazing. Is this what they call 'devising strategies within a command tent to ensure victory a thousand miles away'?"

Lan Tian was in the middle of tasting the seasoning of the dish when he was nearly scalded by Gan Qian's flattery. In truth, what schemes did he have? It was nothing more than following the flow of history. Even if he hadn't sent grapes to Gao Shun, the Chen Family of Xiapi would have incited Lu Bu to send troops to relieve Xiaopei for the sake of their own interests anyway.

"Cough, cough. I don't have any schemes. Elder Sister, please don't flatter me," Lan Tian said modestly.

"Excessive modesty is just pride. You don't need to put on an act in front of me, Little Brother. I know your intelligence better than anyone else." Seeing him nearly burn his mouth, Gan Qian covered her nose and mouth, smiling amusedly.