"Yuan Shao?" Lü Bu recognized Yuan Shao at a glance, his expression somewhat surprised.
Yuan Shao had once drawn his sword in public at the Imperial Court to confront Dong Zhuo, and Lü Bu had been present.
Later, while defending Hulao Guan, he had further incurred Yuan Shao's enmity.
After Dong Zhuo's death, he had intended to seek refuge with Yuan Shao, only for the man to look down on him and say some very ugly things.
Yuan Shao, who had waited outside the city for some time with a ceremonial procession and his trusted followers, walked straight up to Lü Bu and said with a hearty smile, "Marquis of Wen, you have captured the usurping rebel and brought the Imperial Seal to present to the Son of Heaven. I have specially prepared this procession and led the officials here to welcome you!"
Yuan Shao had truly spared no effort to win Lü Bu over.
Not only had he personally led his trusted followers outside the city to welcome him, but he had also rallied some of the city's common people.
He had even prepared a ceremonial procession numbering several hundred, with gongs and drums, water sprinkled to cleanse the road, and flowers strewn along the way. The spectacle could hardly have been grander.
Behind Lü Bu, Zhang Fei said indignantly to Liu Bei, "Eldest Brother, you were clearly the one who contributed most to capturing Yuan Shu. Why does that bastard Yuan Shao mention only Lü Bu and say nothing of your achievements?"
"Third Brother, be patient," Liu Bei said, deeply worried. "With such a grand display, Yuan Shao clearly intends to win Lü Bu over."
It was easy to see what Yuan Shao had in mind.
Liu Bei was somewhat worried that Lü Bu would be dazzled by