Chapter 74: Don't Panic, It's Not the First Time My Wife and Concubine Have Gone Missing!

On the other side,

Yuzhou, within the borders of Xiaopei.

At this moment, several hundred battered soldiers followed Liu Bei. Beside him, Zhang Fei’s armor was stained with blood, and he cursed loudly as he hefted his serpent spear, “That scoundrel Lü Bu actually ambushed us!”

“Big Brother, if you ask me, we should charge back in and let me have it out with Lü Bu again!” The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and Zhang Fei shouted furiously.

“Third Brother,” Liu Bei rebuked.

Realizing his tone was too harsh, he softened it and said, “Third Brother, for now, we must consider the bigger picture. Guan Yu is still in Xiaopei—we must hurry there and safeguard our foundation.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Mi Zhu called out, “My lord, look—it’s General Guan coming to meet us!”

Liu Bei raised his brows and looked. As Guan Yu drew near, Liu Bei saw his battered armor and that only a hundred or so men remained with him. He hurried forward, “Second Brother, you—”

“Big Brother, Lü Bu was treacherous. He lured you out of the city, and then his subordinates Gao Shun and Zhang Liao attacked. There were traitors within as well, and Xiaopei has fallen!” Guan Yu’s crimson face burned with shame. Liu Bei had entrusted him with the city, and now it was lost.

Liu Bei staggered back two steps, unable to accept the reality.

Over a year of effort, painstakingly gathering a following of tens of thousands, all destroyed by Lü Bu in an instant. Now, he had nowhere to stand.

Zhang Fei muttered that they might as well have fought Lü Bu to the death.

Then he glanced back and asked suspiciously, “Second Brother, where are our two sisters-in-law?”

Guan Yu’s face was flushed with shame. “Xiaopei fell too quickly. I—I failed to protect the two sisters-in-law.”

At these words, he looked at Liu Bei, utterly mortified. He immediately drew his sword and declared, “Big Brother, your second brother failed to protect them. In the next life—”

Before he could finish, Liu Bei snatched the sword from him in anger and scolded, “Second Brother, brothers are as hands and feet, women are but clothing.”

“If clothing is torn, it can be mended; but if hands and feet are lost, how can they be restored?”

Hearing this, Guan Yu felt a warmth rise in his heart. He swallowed his frustration and swore to himself that he would rescue the sisters-in-law one day, and then help his brother restore the Han dynasty.

Mi Zhu: “???”

Mi Fang: “???”

The two brothers exchanged glances, their mouths twitching uncontrollably. Was that even something a person could say? Last time, you married my sister because you lost your wife; now, not long after, you’ve lost her again?

Are you just collecting wives to give away? This is inhuman!

Frankly, Mi Zhu had a bad feeling. Given Liu Bei’s current predicament, losing his sister might just be the beginning.

But now that he’d entrusted all his family wealth to Liu Bei, there was no turning back—he could only follow this road to the bitter end.

Liu Bei now noticed the expressions on the Mi brothers’ faces and hurried to reassure them, “Zizhong, Zifang, don’t worry. Though Lü Bu is treacherous, he won’t harm women or children. I’ll send someone to bring them back.”

Mi Zhu: “!!!!”

Just listen to that—does he even hear himself? He’s gotten so used to letting Lü Bu look after his wives that he’s convinced Lü Bu won’t harm them? Truly a talent.

“My lord, you need not be concerned. Focus on the greater cause!” Mi Zhu said solemnly, though inwardly he was deeply anxious. True, Liu Bei had married Mi Zhen as his principal wife, but Lady Gan was deeply favored and often involved in household affairs.

All of Mi’s family fortune was invested in Liu Bei, hoping he would achieve greatness, and that Mi Zhen would bear a child and gain status through motherhood.

But if Lady Gan became pregnant, Mi Zhen might be set aside and replaced!

“My lord, our army is weary. I’ve long heard that Cao Cao eagerly seeks talent—why not seek refuge with him for now and plan a comeback?” Jian Yong suggested.

“So be it. We’ll join Cao Cao for now!”

———

Meanwhile, inside Xiaopei.

Lü Bu rode Red Hare, his halberd in hand, grinning broadly. Xiaopei was his once more, and he’d heard Liu Bei had stockpiled considerable resources here.

At that moment, Gao Shun approached, sword in hand.

He was seven and a half feet tall, square-faced, stern and dignified.

He sheathed his bloodied sword and saluted Lü Bu. “My lord, all traitors within the city have been quelled. The main culprit, Guan Yu, has fled. Liu Bei’s wives remain in the residence.”

“Boping, you have rendered great service in this victory. When we return to Xiapi, you shall be properly rewarded,” Lü Bu said with a hearty laugh.

Gao Shun nodded, his expression grave.

But nearby, Chen Gong frowned slightly and whispered in Lü Bu’s ear, “My lord, when a subordinate’s merit overshadows the ruler, the men will know only Gao Shun as their leader, not you. Is that what you want?”

Lü Bu pondered this. Though he knew Gao Shun was loyal, the man’s reputation in the army was indeed too great. Previously, he’d tried letting Wei Xu command the Vanguard, with Gao Shun leading only in battle. Now, after defeating Guan Yu, Gao Shun’s prestige was even higher—it could not be allowed to grow unchecked.

He spoke at once, “Wei Xu, Xuzhou is now vulnerable. Take the Vanguard and garrison Xuzhou to deter evildoers from taking advantage of the situation.”

“I obey!” Wei Xu nodded.

Gao Shun’s sword-like brows furrowed, his fist clenched. He had warned Lü Bu not to heed the words of petty schemers, and yet here he was, being guarded against himself.

“Boping, go with Wei Xu to Xuzhou. A batch of new recruits has just been gathered there—take charge of their training,” Lü Bu said in a gentler tone.

“Yes!” Gao Shun saluted, suppressing his discontent, his back straight, sword at his side as he departed. Duty above all else—this was his creed.

Beside them, Zhang Liao wanted to intervene, but knowing Lü Bu’s character, he could only sigh and shake his head. Lü Bu was a suspicious man, shortsighted and fickle, lacking in judgment.

———

Before long, at the Liu Residence.

Gao Shun gave strict orders that no one was to disturb the Liu family.

Soon, Lü Bu arrived. The few remaining servants and maids knelt on the ground, trembling.

Inside the main hall, Mi Zhen’s body was shaking with fear.

Gan Qian, a few years older, put aside her reservations and embraced Mi Zhen, comforting her. “Don’t worry, sister. Though the Marquis of Wen is capricious, he will not threaten women for leverage.”

Mi Zhen glanced at Gan Qian, moved. She’s so knowledgeable—clearly, she’s been through this before.

Lü Bu strode in, beaming, but Chen Gong reminded him, “My lord, Liu Bei is famed for his virtue. Now that you have driven him off, you must not harm his wives and children. Treat them well.”

Lü Bu was notorious for his fondness for women, and Chen Gong feared he would disgrace Liu Bei’s wives.

“Fine, fine, I know!” Lü Bu replied.

He entered the main hall and, seeing Gan Qian, couldn’t help but purse his lips. This woman was as beautiful as ever—her skin like white jade, even surpassing Diao Chan. Years under Liu Bei’s care had only enhanced her charm.

He looked next to Mi Zhen—she lacked some of Gan Qian’s allure, but was still strikingly pretty. Her figure was full where it should be, slender where it should be—a fine woman.

“Ladies, as my dear friend Xuande must reside elsewhere for now, allow me to invite you both to stay in Xiapi for a while,” Lü Bu said amiably.

“We await your instruction, Marquis of Wen,” Gan Qian replied calmly.

Mi Zhen, though flustered, managed to maintain her composure.

With that, Lü Bu strode out, instructing his officers to secure the Liu residence and the Xiaopei treasury, and to notify the counties to maintain order.

PS: Next chapter will come later!