Chapter 90: Stealthily Arriving in Hanzhong

Emperor Liu Xie smiled faintly and said, "Lord Gong, what do you think about the success rate of this endeavor and the failure rate?"

Chen Gong fell into thought for a moment. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the success rate is very high, while the failure rate is relatively small. Because right now, both Yizhou and Hanzhong are focused on this matter. They will not think about us taking action from another direction." Chen Gong was quite aware of this, yet he still appeared somewhat concerned. "But if our plan is exposed, Your Majesty, then the consequences would be..." he said once more.

Liu Xie took a deep breath and shook his head. "Lord Gong, do you think if I take Lu Bu with me? Do you believe that even if our plan is revealed, what can they do?" His words silenced Chen Gong. After a long while, Chen Gong slowly nodded. "Correct, yes, Your Majesty. Now, almost all the soldiers and horses from Yizhou and Hanzhong are gathered here. And our main army has completely pinned them down. In this case, even if they discover something, it would be unlikely for them to withdraw troops, because they cannot spare any. If Lu Bu is accompanying us, then even if a large army comes to reinforce, we need not worry at all."

"Oh, right, does this mean that by sending Lu Bu out to challenge, you are preparing for these matters?" At this point, he gradually understood the emperor's intention. Liu Xie nodded with a smile. Yes, that was precisely the meaning. The reason for having Lu Bu go out to challenge was to make the enemy aware that Lu Bu was here. Even after Lu Bu left, they would still feel as if he were still present. In a word, it was merely to have Lu Bu appear outside. After that, they would proceed with the subsequent matters.

"If we first conquer Yizhou and then attack Hanzhong, then Hanzhong would definitely be heavily fortified, possibly even requesting the aid of the Western Liang army. At that time, the difficulties we face would be somewhat greater. Now, our advantage is still very considerable. We can completely have the ability to split off part of the troops. After securing Yizhou, also secure Hanzhong. Double the success!"

The emperor narrated his plan to Chen Gong. Chen Gong nodded repeatedly, admiration gradually filling his expression for the emperor. "Truly unexpected. That Your Majesty possesses such great ability. I am impressed." His words caused the emperor to smile faintly. The emperor could understand his meaning. Once, his reputation as a useless emperor had spread far and wide. Everyone believed Liu Xie to be a useless person, a puppet of Dong Zhuo. Who could have imagined that Liu Xie could bring about such a change today?

"Enough. Lord Gong, after I and Lu Bu depart, the situation here must be left to you. Whatever you choose to do, decide accordingly." Liu Xie took a deep breath and instructed. Hearing these words, Chen Gong became somewhat apprehensive. He immediately knelt quickly. "Chen Gong thanks Your Majesty for your trust. Please be at ease, Your Majesty. After Your Majesty departs, I will certainly do my utmost to provide cover. As long as Your Majesty shows any movement in Hanzhong, I will launch a full-scale assault. Try not to let even one soldier from Hanzhong return."

The great trust bestowed by the emperor filled Chen Gong with a sense of being honored and flattered. To know, he had only been at the emperor's side for about a month. Now, just after one month, the emperor was about to hand over 250,000 troops to him. Such trust could be said to be something Chen Gong had never experienced before. And precisely because of this, Chen Gong was slowly acknowledging this emperor in his heart, step by step. "Lord Gong overstates it. I trust that you will handle all matters well."

"Alright, once Lu Bu returns, in the following days, have Lu Bu challenge the enemy camp once more. When the time is appropriate, we will set out." The matter was thus happily discussed. In the following several days, Lu Bu went out to challenge the enemy camp daily. After the previous exchanges, no one in the enemy camp now dared to engage in battle. After several consecutive days of fighting, the other side had already learned that Lu Bu had left. After some time, the ones coming out to challenge were no longer Lu Bu, but rather Zhang Liao, Huang Zhong, Wei Yan, Wen Pin, and other former Jingzhou generals.

"Listen, people of the camp! You truly are a bunch of cowards! Our General Lu has grown too lazy to come out and fight with you anymore. How about it, dare you come out and try with us?" Zhang Liao stood with his large blade at the entrance of the enemy camp, loudly shouting. Seeing that there were still people there, commotion began in the enemy camp. Many people started to stir again. In previous days, they had been blocked by Lu Bu and could not leave. Now, with new people, their fighting spirit rose once more. "I'll go and try!" At this moment, someone charged out from inside. Once again, they had that so-called momentum. "Good, then let's try."

As he spoke, Zhang Liao had already mounted his horse and charged towards the rushing enemy general. This time, Zhang Liao was not as relaxed as Lu Bu was. After all, Zhang Liao was not Lu Bu. He did not have such a fierce physique. But even so, after battling for more than ten rounds, the enemy general still fell into defeat, almost being cut down by Zhang Liao. Fortunately, he dodged in time and escaped back. "Haha, I knew you were of such strength. Then our General Lu wouldn't have needed to come out and waste his effort. I see, in the future you should first defeat us. Then consider our General Lu." Zhang Liao said loudly with wild laughter. Many in the enemy camp had faces as black as iron. They sighed in their hearts at the current emperor's formidable strength. Leaving aside the generals, these generals under the emperor were many that they could not compare to. As for the troops, they also matched them evenly.

Just as they were entangled with the enemy here, on the other side the emperor and Lu Bu led fifty thousand cavalry away from the main army. Of course, those who left with the emperor also included Gao Shun and the Wolf Shadow Guards under him, all acting as the emperor's personal guards. After leaving the main army, they almost circled a full large circle, heading towards the Hanzhong direction. "Your Majesty, originally you were going to take us to attack Hanzhong, right? It seems we are about to engage in another great battle." Along the way, Lu Bu appeared very excited. For him, as long as there was a fight, it was good. The emperor smiled faintly. "Yes, this time, General Lu, you are the main force. Remember, we are this time a secret operation. When we arrive at Hanzhong, we must take it at the fastest speed. Then, General Lu, it will depend on you."

The emperor said with a smile. "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely take Hanzhong with a thunderous force." Lu Bu assured with great certainty. The emperor nodded. He still believed in this. In this way, to prevent being discovered, the emperor brought Lu Bu and fifty thousand troops, almost circling a large circle and all marching through deep mountains and old forests. After walking for nearly a month and a half, they finally arrived at a place less than dozens of miles from the Hanzhong border. The emperor raised his hand to signal everyone to stop. "Your Majesty, why did we stop?" Lu Bu asked softly.

The emperor looked towards the distance and took a deep breath. "We are not far from Hanzhong. Further ahead is the border of Hanzhong. If we reach the Hanzhong border, we will definitely be discovered. But from here to Hanzhong is our destination. Still a long way to go. In this case, if we are discovered, we would not be able to achieve the effect of a surprise attack." Correct. If they continued forward, Zhang Lu's forces under him would definitely discover them. If discovered, Zhang Lu would definitely prepare city defenses and wait for them. Even would transfer the large army from Yizhou back. But their current position is at least seventy to eighty miles from their destination. This distance, to not be discovered is difficult. You see, there are many checkpoints and city passes along the way. These are all things that can slow their speed.

For a moment, this matter made the emperor seem troubled. Even Lu Bu beside him did not speak. "Your Majesty, what should we do? In this way, we really cannot achieve the effect of surprise attack." Lu Bu also saw the situation. The emperor rode on the horse and hesitated for a long time. "We fifty thousand people, this number is not small. If we continue to stay here, Zhang Lu's side will also discover us." No way. "Now the only way is to engage in fast-paced fighting." The emperor's attitude gradually became firm. "Fast-paced fighting? I wonder what the so-called fast-paced by Your Majesty means." Lu Bu asked curiously.

The emperor took a deep breath, turned and seriously looked at him. "The so-called fast-paced, that is one word, fast. General Lu, seventy miles of distance, if you run at full speed, how long would it take you to reach?" The emperor asked. Hearing this, Lu Bu hesitated slightly. "Reporting to Your Majesty, seventy miles of distance. I can lead the troops to arrive in at most two hours. But now, between us and Hanzhong, there are many obstacles." Lu Bu said softly. The emperor took a deep breath, gradually making up his mind. "Since that's the case, then we will use four hours to reach Hanzhong. And give up attacking Hanzhong. Four hours, I think they still won't be able to fully react."

"Four, four hours?" This time, even Lu Bu found it extremely unbelievable. Even felt somewhat surprised. "Yes, how is it, General Lu. Do you think these four hours are not enough?" The emperor asked softly.