When Will We Meet Again?

After Gan Ji took the medicine, he slept through the night. By the next day, his temperature had gradually returned to normal, but he was still so weak that he couldn't get out of bed. Lan Tian had to keep adjusting the blankets throughout the night, so he barely slept.

Early the next morning, the two physicians, worried about their wives and children, wanted to return to the city, so Lan Tian let them go.

The previous night, Gao Yuan had brought back plenty of medicinal herbs from the apothecary. The two physicians had already portioned them out according to the required doses, so no more herbs would be needed for the time being.

Li Yang came to Lan Tian's house that morning and brought some cooked food with him. Worried that Gan Ji might have no appetite, Lan Tian lit a fire again and planned to cook some millet porridge.

In his old world, Lan Tian had lost his father when he was young, and his mother had raised him alone. That was why, after coming to this world, he cherished the long-lost feeling of having a father. So whenever there was work to be done, he never complained.

Seeing this, Li Yang said, "Young Manor Master, let me do it. You look exhausted. Go get some rest. You can leave things to me."

Lan Tian really was tired, so he didn't refuse Li Yang's offer. As he passed through the main hall, he happened to glance outside and saw someone coming toward his house.

He walked out of the courtyard and saw soldiers filling the main road beyond the manor.

When had this happened? Lan Tian wondered. How had he not heard a thing?

As they drew closer, he saw that Gao Shun had brought Gan Qian back.

"Little brother, how is Father?" Gan Qian asked, hurrying over.

"Don't worry, Sister. Father's a little better after taking his medicine. Little Li is making porridge for him now." Lan Tian caught hold of Gan Qian's arm.

"That's good. I'll go see Father first. You see to General Gao," Gan Qian said.

"Of course."

At that moment, Gao Shun approached alone. Gao Yuan and several of his personal guards waited beneath a large tree outside the courtyard.

Pointing at the marching soldiers, Lan Tian asked, "Didn't you say you were going to rest for two days, General? What's all this?"

"There are still a great many military affairs in Xiapi. It would be better for me to return as soon as possible. I brought Lady Gan along since we were headed the same way."

What military affairs were there in Xiapi? The truth was, Lan Tian's words the previous night had been so shocking that Gao Shun couldn't get them out of his mind. Lan Tian's predictions had always been uncannily accurate, and Gao Shun was worried about Lu Bu's safety. He wanted to get back as soon as possible.

"I see. Thank you for looking after my sister," Lan Tian said, cupping his hands in gratitude.

"It was nothing. Besides, Young Lady asked me to look after her before we set out," Gao Shun replied.

Lan Tian nodded. He didn't know how yesterday's attempt to persuade him had gone. His only hope now was Gao Shun, standing right before him.

At that moment, he felt utterly powerless. What good was a graduate degree? What good was knowing the history of every age, past and present? A person was so insignificant in the torrent of history, so easily swept away.

"General, if you're not in a hurry, would you come inside and have a bowl of hot water?" Lan Tian invited him, hoping to make one more attempt to persuade him.

Gao Shun first shook his head, thinking that the army still had a long journey ahead. Then he spotted Gao Yuan beneath the tree and remembered how eagerly the fellow had recounted his visit that morning. So he said, "I've heard that Master Ziyu has a hidden little shelter. Since we're passing by today, would it be convenient for me to take a look?"

"Of course. Come with me." Lan Tian led Gao Shun around to the back of the house.

After a brief tour, Gao Shun praised him. "Master Ziyu, you're quick-witted. This Sanctuary could be used not only to escape danger, but also in war. You truly are a rare genius of this age."

"Please, General, don't praise me any more. As General Liu said, no matter how well this Sanctuary is made, it still can't stop every blade in the world." Lan Tian sighed.

Gao Shun nodded in agreement. "You have a point. It's not easy to find safety in troubled times. Take care, sir. I still have a journey ahead of me."

When Lan Tian saw Gao Shun was about to leave, he hurriedly took a bamboo slip from inside his robe and offered it to him. "General, who knows when we'll meet again? You've protected me several times, and I have no way to repay you. I can only offer you these few words. I hope you'll keep them in mind."

Gao Shun accepted the bamboo slip and read the words inscribed on it: "A feather-light death; a Mount Tai-heavy life."

Lan Tian was warning him again. Could it mean his lord's peril was near?

Gao Shun tucked the bamboo slip close to his body, clasped his hands in farewell, and hurried away.

When Lan Tian returned to the courtyard entrance, he saw Gan Qian gazing into the distance as well.

"What are you thinking about, Sister?"

"I'm wondering when Xuande will return. Xiaopei fell this time, and his army was nearly wiped out. If General Gao hadn't looked after him several times, who knows what might have happened?" Gan Qian sighed.

Lan Tian smiled and reassured her. "Don't worry, Sister. General Liu will be back soon—very soon."

Seeing how certain he sounded, Gan Qian asked, "What makes you say that?"

"How could Cao Cao feel at ease with Yuan Shu and Lu Bu allied? After his defeat, General Liu will surely flee to Xudu. When Cao Cao hears the news, he'll certainly send troops to attack Xu Province. We'll know soon enough," Lan Tian said.

Lan Tian sounded so certain that Gan Qian couldn't help feeling worried. The name Cao Cao was terrifying in Xu Province. How many more innocent lives would be laid waste?

Gao Shun had been back in Xiapi for only a little over ten days when Cao Cao personally led a great army to attack Xu Province.

On hearing the news, Chen Gong promptly offered a plan. "Cao Cao has come a long way, so his troops must be tired. General, you should lead your forces to block him at Pengcheng, then hold your ground and fight steadily, making use of the terrain. As the saying goes, the first drumbeat lifts their spirits, the second drains them, and the third leaves them spent. If we can drag this out until winter, Cao's army will surely withdraw."

When Lu Bu had fought Yuan Shu, Chen Gong had held back. But now that they were facing Cao Cao, he was more eager than anyone to act.

Lu Bu gave Chen Gong a suspicious look, then said, "I understand your plan, Gongtai. Let me discuss it with Boping and Wenyuan first."

"Very well. General, remember: any delay could bring a change in fortune," Chen Gong urged.

Lu Bu did not seek out Gao Shun or Zhang Liao to discuss the matter. Instead, he went to the Chen Family in Xiapi to consult Chen Gui.

Chen Gui advised Lu Bu to wait in Xiapi, rested and ready, then surge out in a single furious attack when Cao's army arrived and drive the Cao soldiers into the Si River.

Chen Gui also said he would go to Guangling and ask his son, Chen Deng, to bring troops, provisions, and money to aid them.

Lu Bu was delighted by the advice and decided not to follow Chen Gong's plan to meet the enemy at Pengcheng.

In the tenth month of Jian'an Year 3, Cao Cao's forces arrived at Pengcheng and slaughtered every man, woman, old person, and child.

Chen Deng, the Administrator of Guangling, had originally intended to lead troops to aid Lu Bu. But when he heard that Pengcheng had been massacred, fear took hold of him. He changed sides and led the commandery's troops ahead of Cao Cao's army, clearing the way for them.

When Cao's army reached the outskirts of Xiapi, Lu Bu personally led a great army to meet them. After several failed attacks, he withdrew his forces to Xiapi and prepared to defend the city to the death.

Cao Cao had a letter shot onto the city wall. It accused Lu Bu of letting the bandits Han Xian and Yang Feng ravage Xu and Yang, and of conspiring with the traitorous rebel Yuan Shu. It warned that once the city was breached, not even the chickens and dogs would be spared.

Lu Bu had already been defeated, and now he had received Cao Cao's threat. Fear took hold of him, and he began to consider surrendering.

When Chen Gong heard, he was alarmed and urged him, "Cao Cao has come from afar and cannot keep this up for long. General, if you station your troops outside the city while I and the other generals defend it from within, we can support each other from both sides.

"If Cao the Rebel attacks you, I'll lead troops to strike his rear. If he dares attack the city, you can strike him from behind as well. After ten days or a month, Cao's army will run out of provisions. Then we can join forces to attack, and surely defeat him."

By then Chen Deng had switched sides, and Chen Gui was no longer in the city. With no one else to advise him, Lu Bu had no choice but to follow Chen Gong's plan.

He intended to leave Chen Gong and Gao Shun to defend the city while he led troops outside to cut off Cao's supply route.

Knowing how dangerous this battle would be, Lu Bu went to the rear hall to fetch his armor and bid farewell to his wife and children. At that moment, Lady Yan looked as if she wanted to speak, but hesitated.

"If you have something to say, Madam, don't hesitate."