But the look he gave Zhuge Liang had turned somewhat hostile.
If, after making him wait all this time, this fellow failed to offer a proper explanation, he would no longer mince his words.
"I already have a plan to break the formation."
As Zhuge Liang spoke, he turned to Lü Bu and asked, "Duke Wen, in your previous charges, did you always attack head-on?"
Lü Bu frowned. "A charge is a charge. Of course you attack head-on. What else would you do, circle around?"
Cavalry needed a long stretch to build up speed before their charge could strike with greater force. If they did not rush straight in from the front, how could it be called a charge?
"That explains it."
Zhuge Liang smiled. "The Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation is divided into eight gates: Rest, Birth, Injury, Obstruction, Scenery, Death, Alarm, and Opening."
"The front you charged each time, Duke Wen, was the Death Gate-the most dangerous part of the entire Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation. An ordinary general who charged inside would face ten deaths with no hope of survival."
"Had your martial prowess not been unrivaled in this age, Duke Wen, I fear you too would have been unable to escape that calamity."
Lü Bu was easily swayed by flattering words. Hearing Zhuge Liang praise his prowess, his expression immediately softened somewhat. Raising his chin slightly, he declared proudly, "Naturally. Had they not sent seven men against me alone, I would have broken through this formation long ago."
"Tell me, then. How do we break it?"
He thought this fellow was rather pleasant to listen to. Recognizing his prowess showed discernment, so there was no harm in hearing his advice.
"Very simple." Zhuge Liang smiled faintly. "We need only send one thousand warriors in through the