Ever since they had set out, Yan Liang and Wen Chou had kept a close watch on Liu Bei's movements.
Today was the final deadline stipulated in his military pledge, yet Pei County still had not fallen. They had therefore brought their troops over to prevent Liu Bei and his brothers from escaping.
"General Yan, what is the meaning of this?"
Liu Bei glanced at the soldiers surrounding them, then turned his gaze to the two generals at their head, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, and asked without a change in expression.
Wen Chou snorted. "We should be asking you that, Governor. Today is the deadline for taking Pei County. Surely you haven't forgotten your military pledge?"
"If Pei County does not fall today, military law demands your execution!"
At those words, the surrounding soldiers all took a step forward.
Zhang Fei flew into a rage, his eyes bulging as he roared, "Execute your granny's leg! Let's see which of you bastards has a death wish and dares lay a hand on my eldest brother!"
Guan Yu also said coldly, "If you want to execute my elder brother, you'll have to step over my corpse first!"
Both men were tall and imposing, far beyond the ordinary.
The fearless, death-defying aura they now unleashed intimidated the surrounding soldiers, leaving none daring to advance first.
Yan Liang and Wen Chou were thoroughly annoyed by the sight.
Yan Liang snorted. "So you intend to defy military orders! Then don't blame me for showing no mercy! Archers and crossbowmen, ready!"
At his command, the archers and crossbowmen immediately stepped forward.
Their crossbows were cocked, their bolts ready to fly!
In the age of cold steel, crossbow bolts were even more terrifying than arrows. Crossbows were accurate, powerful, and usable even by ordinary people.
At short and medium range, crossbow bolts were all but invincible.
Without heavy armor, there was virtually no way to withstand them!
Liu, Guan, and Zhang were all dressed in plain cloth, without armor. But even if they had worn armor, it could not have stopped the terrifying penetration of crossbow bolts at this distance!
"Eldest brother, watch out!"
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's expressions changed dramatically, and they stepped forward to shield Liu Bei behind them.
But Liu Bei said, "Second brother, third brother, stand aside. I have something to say to the two generals."
Wen Chou laughed at that. "Governor, military orders stand firm as mountains. Begging me for mercy will do you no good. Besides, you made that military pledge yourself. No one forced you."
He assumed Liu Bei was about to beg him for mercy.
But Liu Bei merely said, "Generals, today is indeed the final day stipulated in the military pledge. But it isn't even evening yet, and the sun has not set. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"The three of us are right here. If Pei County still has not fallen when the sun sets, it won't be too late for you to execute us then."
Yan Liang narrowed his eyes slightly, then smiled. "Very well. We'll wait until sunset. Don't say I didn't give you extra time!"
"But you must remain in this tent. You are not to go anywhere else!"
His expression unchanged, Liu Bei turned and walked back into the tent without hesitation.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei followed him inside.
Watching the three enter the tent, Wen Chou frowned at Yan Liang and asked, "Gong Ji, why not act now? Liu Bei is clearly stalling for time."
"Even if we gave him fifty thousand troops right now, he couldn't take Pei County before nightfall. Why waste words on him?"
Yan Liang smiled. "He's merely clinging to life a little longer. What harm is there in giving him a few more hours? Don't worry, Shu E. We need only keep a close eye on them."
Then he ordered the surrounding soldiers, "Surround the tent and assign more men to patrol. No one is allowed out!"
"Yes, General!"
Inside the tent, Liu Bei also heard Yan Liang's orders outside.
Yan Liang had made no effort to lower his voice, clearly intending for him to hear.
"Those two spineless scoundrels!"
Zhang Fei ground his teeth in fury. If he could fight Yan Liang and Wen Chou man to man, he could easily run both of them through!
But faced with so many soldiers and crossbowmen, he could do nothing.
Truly, a tiger stranded on the plains was being bullied by dogs!
Liu Bei sighed. "I've dragged you both down with me. Now... there truly is no escape. The mountains and rivers have come to an end."
Things had reached this point, and he genuinely had no way out.
Just as Yan Liang had said, he was merely stalling for time. He would still die in a few hours.
"How can you say that, eldest brother!"
Guan Yu said solemnly, "We swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden, vowing to live and die together. To meet our deaths together now would fulfill our Peach Garden Oath!"
Zhang Fei nodded emphatically. "Same goes for me!"
Tears filled Liu Bei's eyes. Clasping his brothers' hands, he choked out between sobs, "With you two as my brothers in this life, I can die without regret!"
"Eldest brother!"
The three brothers held one another in a tight embrace.
Time passed little by little. The sun gradually sank westward, hanging above the mountaintop as it cast its final rays upon the world.
Crimson clouds filled the sky, red as blood.
Liu Bei and his brothers walked out of the tent together. They no longer intended to resist. Even if they had to die, they would die with dignity.
At the sight, Yan Liang sneered inwardly and waved his hand. "Prepare to carry out the execution!"
The nearby soldiers stepped forward and bound the three tightly. Then the executioner approached, ready to put them to death.
"Report!"
Just as the executioner was about to act, a voice suddenly rang out.
A scout hurried over and addressed Yan Liang and Wen Chou. "Reporting to both generals! The situation in Pei County has changed!"
"For some unknown reason, the entire defending garrison has withdrawn through the southwestern gate and abandoned the city! All of Pei County's gates now stand wide open!"
At this news, Liu, Guan, and Zhang abruptly raised their heads, their faces full of shock.
Yan Liang and Wen Chou were equally stunned!
"What nonsense are you spouting! How could they possibly abandon the city and flee?"
Wen Chou seized the scout by the collar and roared.
The scout's face flushed red, and he said fearfully, "But General, it's true. If you don't believe me, you can go and see for yourself."
Hearing this, Yan Liang knew the report was true. But he had no intention of sparing Liu Bei because of it, and said coldly, "It must be a trick to lure us in. Ignore it!"
"Executioner, prepare to act!"
"Wait!"
Liu Bei stood up, his eyes bright as he stared straight at Yan Liang.
"I wrote to Lü Bu and asked him to return Pei County to me. Now that he has withdrawn his troops, Pei County is as good as taken by me!"
"Take Pei County within ten days-the military order has been fulfilled as promised!"
At that very moment, the sun finally disappeared completely behind the western mountaintop.
Wen Chou ground his teeth. "Utter nonsense! Stop deceiving yourself and everyone else! Do you really think I'm so easily fooled? Where is the executioner? Carry out military justice at once!"
"Shu E! Stop!"
Yan Liang shouted Wen Chou down, then ordered grimly, "Untie them!"
"Gong Ji!"
Wen Chou was frantic. This was such a perfect opportunity to kill Liu Bei and his brothers!
Annoyed, Yan Liang snapped at him, "Do you want to stain our lord's reputation?"
Those words immediately silenced Wen Chou.
He cast a hateful glance at Liu, Guan, and Zhang, then stormed off.
Chapter 55: Liu Xie: Fengxian Is an Honest, Good-hearted Man!
In the end, Liu Bei had taken Pei County after all.
Whatever method he had used, as long as the result met the requirement, Yan Liang and Wen Chou had no grounds to kill him.
Those were the military orders. Openly violating them would tarnish Yuan Shao's reputation, and they would be punished upon their return.
So no matter how unwilling they were, they could only give up.
After Yan Liang and Wen Chou left the Mountain Battalion with their soldiers, Liu Bei, having escaped death, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, still badly shaken.
"Eldest brother, are you all right?"
Guan Yu helped Liu Bei to his feet and asked with concern.
Liu Bei panted softly without speaking, still trying to steady himself.
He had come so close, so very close.
He had nearly gone to meet the departed emperors of the Great Han.
This was the closest he had ever come to death!
"I never thought that scoundrel Lü Bu would actually agree to return Pei County. Seems he does have a little sense of honor. Next time I see him, I'll poke a few fewer holes in him."
For once, Zhang Fei had something good to say about Lü Bu.
After all, if Lü Bu had not withdrawn his troops and returned Pei County, they truly would have died here.
Liu Bei also sighed. "Lü Bu is loyal to His Majesty after all. Though his temperament is fickle, he can still be counted a loyal subject."
He had really been taking a gamble this time. Judging by the outcome, however, his gamble had paid off. In his heart, Lü Bu remained loyal to the Son of Heaven.
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