The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, bathing the battlefield in hues of gray and gold. Lü Bu stood at the edge of the camp, his gaze fixed on the wooden walls of the enemy stronghold. Despite its weathered appearance, the fortress loomed like a stubborn obstacle, defiant against the forces arrayed before it.
Behind him, his army stirred to life. Soldiers tightened their armor straps, checked their weapons, and whispered prayers to their ancestors. The tension was palpable, a storm waiting to break.
"Zhang Liao," Lü Bu called, his voice steady.
The tall general stepped forward, saluting briskly. "My lord."
"What's the status of the enemy?"
Zhang Liao's expression hardened. "The messenger you sent returned late last night. The warlord refuses to surrender. He called you a 'mongrel with delusions of grandeur.'"
Lü Bu's jaw tightened, his grip on his halberd flexing slightly. "So, he's chosen death."
"It appears so," Zhang Liao said. "His defenses are weak, but the stronghold's position gives him an advantage. The terrain is narrow, forcing us to approach head-on. They'll use the bottleneck to slow our assault."
Lü Bu nodded, his mind racing through possibilities. In his previous life, he had often studied ancient battles and marveled at how commanders turned geography to their advantage. Now, he had the chance to test that knowledge firsthand.
"Chen Gong," he called.
The strategist appeared moments later, his robes immaculate despite the dust and grime of the march. He bowed slightly before speaking. "My lord, I assume we're preparing for an assault?"
"Yes," Lü Bu said. "But not recklessly. I need options."
Chen Gong studied the fortress thoughtfully. "A direct attack will cost us dearly, but it could be over quickly if we break their morale. Alternatively, we could use a more patient approach—cut off their supplies and starve them out. It may take days, but it will minimize our losses."
"Days we don't have," Lü Bu said firmly. "If word spreads that we're stalled here, other factions will take advantage of our delay. We need a victory today."
Chen Gong nodded. "Then we must exploit their weakness: the state of their defenses. The walls are wooden and brittle, likely to collapse under sustained pressure. If we focus our attack on a single section, we can breach it and overwhelm their forces."
Lü Bu considered the plan. It was sound, but it would require precision and coordination—two things his forces had yet to prove they possessed.
"Zhang Liao," he said, turning to the general. "You'll lead the main assault. Take the strongest men and focus on breaching the western wall. Chen Gong, you'll coordinate the archers to provide cover. I'll join the front line once the wall is breached."
Zhang Liao frowned. "My lord, leading from the front is risky. If something happens to you—"
"Then the men will see that I fight alongside them," Lü Bu interrupted. "This isn't just about tactics. It's about showing them what we stand for."
Zhang Liao hesitated, then nodded. "Understood."
"Good," Lü Bu said, his tone final. "Prepare the men. We move within the hour."
---
The battlefield erupted into chaos as the assault began.
Lü Bu's forces surged toward the western wall, a tide of steel and determination. Archers loosed volleys of arrows, their sharp tips whistling through the air and embedding themselves in the wooden ramparts. Enemy defenders retaliated with their own arrows and a hail of stones, but the advancing soldiers pressed on, shields raised to deflect the worst of the onslaught.
Zhang Liao led the charge, his massive blade cleaving through the first line of defenders who dared to meet them. Behind him, the battering ram rolled forward, carried by a dozen burly men straining against its weight.
"Hold the line!" Zhang Liao roared, cutting down another enemy. "Protect the ram!"
The men rallied around him, their formation tightening as they pushed closer to the wall.
From the rear, Chen Gong barked orders, directing the archers to target key positions. "Aim for the watchtowers! Take out their vantage points!"
Arrows rained down with deadly precision, silencing enemy archers and creating openings for the infantry to advance.
Lü Bu watched it all from a slight rise, his halberd gleaming in the morning light. He felt the familiar surge of adrenaline, the primal thrill of battle coursing through his veins. This was what he was made for.
But this wasn't just about brute force. It was about strategy, timing, and using every advantage at his disposal.
"System," he muttered under his breath. "What's my current objective?"
The mechanical voice responded instantly.
"Objective update: Lead by Example.
Primary Task: Ensure the wall is breached and the enemy forces routed.
Secondary Task: Demonstrate leadership by personally eliminating key enemy combatants.
Bonus Reward: Tactical Insight Boost – Level 2."
A grim smile crossed his lips. "Lead by example, huh? Fine. Let's show them what that means."
Gripping his halberd tightly, he charged into the fray.
---
The first wave of enemies fell before him like wheat before the scythe.
Lü Bu's halberd moved with a deadly grace, slicing through armor and bone with ease. He was a whirlwind of steel, his every movement precise and devastating.
"Hold the line!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Push forward! The wall is within reach!"
The soldiers around him rallied, their morale bolstered by his presence. They surged forward, their shields clashing against the defenders as they closed the gap to the wall.
Above them, enemy archers struggled to hold their ground. Many were cut down by Chen Gong's well-placed volleys, while others fled, abandoning their posts in the face of the relentless assault.
The battering ram struck the wall with a resounding crash, sending splinters flying. The men cheered, their shouts mingling with the deafening impact.
"Again!" Zhang Liao roared, his sword carving a path through the defenders. "Break it down!"
The ram struck again and again, each blow weakening the structure. Finally, with a thunderous crack, the wall gave way, collapsing in a shower of debris.
"For the Flying General!" one of the soldiers shouted, charging through the breach.
Lü Bu was right behind him, his halberd cutting through the defenders who scrambled to block the opening. The narrow breach funneled the enemy into a bottleneck, their disorganized resistance no match for the disciplined assault.
By the time the dust settled, the stronghold was theirs.
---
The aftermath of the battle was a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
The remaining defenders had surrendered, their weapons discarded and their heads bowed in defeat. Lü Bu's men moved quickly to secure the stronghold, gathering supplies and tending to the wounded.
Zhang Liao approached, his armor streaked with blood but his expression calm. "The stronghold is ours, my lord. Casualties were minimal, and the enemy's resources are more substantial than we anticipated."
"Good," Lü Bu said, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield. "Ensure the men get their share of the spoils. They've earned it."
Zhang Liao saluted and moved to carry out the orders.
Chen Gong appeared moments later, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. "A decisive victory, my lord. This will send a message to anyone who doubts our strength."
"It's not just about strength," Lü Bu replied. "It's about showing what happens when you stand with us—or against us."
Chen Gong nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You're beginning to sound like a true leader, my lord."
Lü Bu didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze to the horizon, where the sun was beginning to set, casting the sky in hues of red and gold.
This was just the beginning. The stronghold was a small victory, a single step on the long path to unifying the land. But it was a step in the right direction.
"System," he said quietly. "Progress report."
"Sub-objective: Establish Loyalty. Progress: 70% completion. Remaining tasks: Expand territory and solidify alliances."
Lü Bu smirked. "Good. Then let's keep moving."
He tightened his grip on his halberd and turned back toward the camp, ready to face whatever came next.