After Huaxiong's fall, Dong Zhuo quickly assembled an army of two hundred thousand. He sent Li Jue and Guo Si to lead a part of the troops to guard the Sishui Pass, while he himself led another part to station at the Hulao Pass. Dong Zhuo's adopted son, Lu Bu, led thirty thousand elite soldiers and stationed in the camp in front of the Hulao Pass.
Upon learning of the movements of the Xiliang Army, Yuan Shao also quickly dispatched an army to challenge at the Hulao Pass. Originally, this army consisted of Gongsun Zan and seven other feudal lords. However, due to the influence of Lin Yu, Cao Cao's army had been strengthened. Coupled with the fact that Dian Wei had previously slain Huaxiong, Yuan Shao ordered Cao Cao to lead eight feudal lords including Wang Kuang, Qiao Mao, and Bao Xin to attack the Hulao Pass.
When the allied forces arrived at the Hulao Pass, they saw an army already lined up in formation below the pass. A military general, clad in magnificent armor and wielding a Fangtian Hua Ji (a type of halberd), looked imposing on his Red Hare Horse. It was none other than the world-renowned Lu Bu.
Seeing the allied forces, Lu Bu spurred his horse forward and shouted loudly, "I am Lu Bu! Who dares to fight me?" His voice was like thunder, striking fear into the hearts of the soldiers of the allied forces.
"Lu Bu, don't be so arrogant! Here comes Fang Yue to fight you!" Fang Yue, a famous general from Henei, rode out to challenge Lu Bu. However, the gap in strength between Fang Yue and Lu Bu was too great, and he was quickly defeated by Lu Bu.
Lu Bu's bravery shocked the allied forces. He took the opportunity to lead the Xiliang Army in a charge. Although the allied forces had the advantage in terms of numbers, their morale plummeted in the face of Lu Bu's fierceness. The allied forces were routed under Lu Bu's assault and fled backward.
After retreating to a place thirty li away from the Hulao Pass, Cao Cao and the others regrouped their troops and discussed countermeasures.
"Lu Bu's bravery is truly unexpected!" Kong Rong said with lingering fear. Just now, Lu Bu had almost rushed to him. If it weren't for Wu Anguo's desperate protection, he might have lost his life.
"What should we do in the face of such a brave Lu Bu?"
"Why don't we go back to Yuan Shao and discuss countermeasures together?" suggested the other feudal lords.
Cao Cao remained silent, his brows furrowed. He had just led the troops and suffered a defeat, so he naturally felt不甘 in his heart. Xiahou Dun saw through Cao Cao's thoughts and suggested in a low voice, "My lord, why don't you go and ask Lin Yu if he has any strategies?"
Cao Cao's eyes lit up. Right! He still had Lin Yu, this mastermind.
"Wait a moment, everyone. I'll be back soon!" After saying that, Cao Cao hurried towards the direction of the baggage camp, leaving Kong Rong and the others looking confused.
Lin Yu had long anticipated that the allied forces would be no match for Lu Bu, so he had made preparations in advance. When the allied forces were routed, he had Dian Wei and Zhao Yun retreat quickly. Now that things had settled down, Lin Yu let out a sigh of relief and leaned against the wagon to rest.
Lu Bu was truly a hero among men, and the Red Hare Horse was the king of horses. The Fangtian Hua Ji was unrivaled. Lu Bu alone had sent the allied forces scattering in all directions.
At this moment, Cao Cao found Lin Yu. Seeing his figure, Cao Cao immediately felt delighted. "Sir!"
Seeing Cao Cao, Lin Yu knew that he had come to seek a plan to deal with Lu Bu.
"Lord Cao, please have a seat." Lin Yu moved the sacks filled with grain to make room for Cao Cao. Cao Cao wasn't picky and sat down directly.
Before Cao Cao could speak, Lin Yu said with a smile, "Although Lu Bu is brave, he is not invincible. I have a plan to defeat him!"
Cao Cao quickly asked, "What is your brilliant plan, sir?"
Lin Yu gestured towards Dian Wei beside him.
Cao Cao was taken aback and then said with a wry smile, "Sir, although Dian Wei is brave, I'm afraid he is no match for Lu Bu either."
"That's right. But what if we add my third brother Zhao Yun?" Lin Yu said with a smile as he beckoned to Zhao Yun.
Zhao Yun stepped forward and saluted Cao Cao. "Zhao Yun pays his respects to Lord Cao."
Cao Cao already knew Zhao Yun's origin when he drank with Gongsun Zan before. He just didn't expect that Zhao Yun had now become Lin Yu's sworn brother. Looking at Zhao Yun's refined and elegant face, Cao Cao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He patiently said, "Sir, Lu Bu's bravery is not something that can be overcome simply by having more people."
"Don't worry. The martial arts skills of my third brother Zhao Yun are no less than those of my second brother Dian Wei! The two of them joining forces to fight against Lu Bu will surely not let him get arrogant!" Lin Yu said with full confidence. "When Lu Bu is defeated, Lord Cao can take the opportunity to launch an attack!"
Despite what Lin Yu said, Cao Cao was still skeptical. But at the moment, there was no other way. After pondering for a moment, he could only sigh and say, "Then let's follow your plan, sir!"
Cao Cao returned to Kong Rong and the others and repeated Lin Yu's plan, but it was met with opposition.
"Although Dian Wei has slain Huaxiong, Lu Bu is no ordinary person!"
"Yes, he is extremely brave. How could he be defeated just because there are more people?" Everyone shook their heads.
"I've already made up my mind. All of you just need to follow me!" Cao Cao insisted.
Reluctantly, everyone had to obey the order.
After the allied forces were reorganized, they set out again towards the Hulao Pass under Cao Cao's leadership.
Inside the Hulao Pass
Dong Zhuo, with a big belly, sat in the main hall and laughed loudly. "My son Lu Bu is truly invincible. These allied forces are simply worthless in front of you!"
Lu Bu smiled smugly in the hall and said modestly, "Father, you flatter me. I owe everything to your great reputation, Father."
Hearing this, Dong Zhuo was even more overjoyed. "My son Lu Bu, Father will not treat you unfairly. You will surely be rewarded handsomely later!"
Lu Bu was even more elated upon hearing this.
The hall was filled with an atmosphere of deep father-son affection and harmony.
However, just then, a messenger rushed in nervously and said, "Prime Minister, something bad has happened! The allied forces have come back to attack again!"
"What are you panicking about?" Lu Bu scolded and sneered. "These defeated foes dare to come back. They're really asking for death! Father, I'll go and take care of them right away!"
"Alright, I'll leave this matter to you." Dong Zhuo nodded heavily.
Everyone in the Xiliang Army, including Dong Zhuo, looked very relaxed and didn't take the allied forces seriously at all. After all, Lu Bu had just defeated the allied forces.
Below the Hulao Pass
The gate slowly opened, and Lu Bu led a troop of soldiers and rushed out. Looking at the allied forces not far away, he couldn't help but laugh loudly. "You defeated foes, it's okay that you escaped by luck. But you're so bold as to come back to seek death!"