Chapter 48: The Eight Warriors Plan to Rebel

“If this really is a plot by Cao Cao, if this is truly a scheme to sow discord, then why would they have burned the letter completely? Clearly, they have something to hide!”

Lu Bu had already drawn his coiling dragon halberd, intent on killing those whose names had appeared in the letter.

“Stop!”

At that moment, Zhang Liao stepped forward to intervene.

Lu Bu pressed the halberd across Zhang Liao’s throat and shouted harshly, “I have yet to hold you accountable for deceiving me, and now you dare beg for their lives? Do you think I won’t kill you?”

“Even if you kill me, I will not give way. If you slay them now, it will be as though you have severed your own arm.”

This time, Zhang Liao did not retreat. He was a man of iron resolve, and in such matters of right and wrong, nothing could make him yield.

“Fengxian, what are you doing? The Cao army has already surrounded us, and yet you would turn your blade on your own men? Would you rather pain your friends and delight your enemies?”

Chen Gong now stood before Lu Bu, unwilling to let him slaughter these men, for then all hope would truly be lost.

Their intervention finally made Lu Bu waver. He said, “Fine. Since you both plead for them, I will spare them the death penalty, but they cannot go unpunished. Give them each a hundred strokes of the army rod!”

“We are about to fight a battle. If you beat the soldiers with a hundred strokes each, how will they mount their horses?” Chen Gong continued to plead.

But this time Lu Bu would not relent. “No more pleading! Intercede again and you will be beaten with them!”

Suddenly, Lu Bu thought of something and pointed at Zang Ba. “And this one, who violated military law by drinking—he will be beaten as well!”

Thus, all those whose names had appeared in the letter received their punishment.

Among the Eight Champions, aside from Zhang Liao and Hao Meng, the rest—Zang Ba, Cao Xing, Cheng Lian, Wei Xu, Song Xian, and Hou Cheng—all received the rod.

Their resentment toward Lu Bu was now at its peak.

“He has no sense of justice, beating us so savagely. It’s intolerable!” Cao Xing’s eyes blazed with hatred.

“The Cao army will soon break through the city. I’d like to see how arrogant he’ll be then!” Zang Ba sneered.

Hou Cheng said, “Brother Zang, you’re the most capable among us. Why don’t you make a plan?”

“What kind of plan are you asking me for?” Zang Ba retorted.

Song Xian’s voice was cold. “A true warrior would rather die than be humiliated. After such disgrace, can you really bear this insult?”

“I see what you mean—are you suggesting we rebel against him?”

Zang Ba was not the least surprised. When he had once commanded his own troops, he had always been a domineering man.

“Such an unforgivable humiliation—I will not endure it!” Cao Xing growled in a low voice.

The others echoed him, unable to bear the shame.

Zang Ba nodded. “I know what’s in your hearts. But we must not act rashly. For now, return to your duties. I will decide what to do.”

Though they did not know what he planned, they knew Zang Ba was a man of decisive action, so they nodded and dispersed.

Zang Ba’s plan was to seek out Hao Meng. Earlier, Hao Meng had invited him to drink, something that now seemed deeply suspicious.

“Brother Zang, perhaps the Marquis was simply angry today. Don’t take it too much to heart. Maybe when he reflects on his actions, he’ll apologize to you all,” Hao Meng put on an innocent face, even attempting to defend Lu Bu.

Zang Ba sneered. “Enough with your empty words. Do you think I can’t see through today’s events? You’re the spy Cao Cao planted here!”

At these words, Hao Meng’s expression changed dramatically.

He stammered, “Brother Zang, what are you talking about?”

Zang Ba spat on the ground and declared bluntly, “I am not one for intrigue. If you’re Cao Cao’s man, then tell him I’m willing to defect along with the others. If you’re not, then you’ll die here!”

“Ai, you’re still as hot-tempered as ever. When I sought you out before, you were evasive,” Hao Meng replied, realizing Zang Ba was determined to turn traitor, and instantly dropped his pretense.

“Tell me, what do we do? We’ll follow your lead,” Zang Ba demanded.

Hao Meng smiled faintly. “You need do nothing. Simply return to your posts and keep your men in hand. When Lord Cao’s army storms the city, rise up together.”

After seeing off Zang Ba, Hao Meng immediately sought out the man in black with whom he communicated.

Hearing Hao Meng’s report, the black-clad man realized the gravity of the situation and hurried out of the city to deliver the news to Cao Peng.

Gazing at Xiapi, its defenses formidable and its capture daunting, Cao Peng knew the final battle was at hand.