Chapter 6: Persuade Lu Bu
Minjun was at a loss after writing this far. How could he get Lu Bu to join Liu Bei's camp? Historically, Lu Bu was Liu Bei's enemy.
That night, this time, his grandfather and grandmother appeared in his dream together.
"Minjun, your process of persuading Lu Bu will be the highlight of this novel," said his grandfather.
"They say Lu Bu is strong, but lonely at heart. What he needs is an older brother who truly understands and accepts him," his grandmother added.
Minjun nodded, inspired.
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Scene from the Novel
Liu Bei's camp now possessed a formidable force. The military might of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, and the wisdom of Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong. But it was still not enough. They were woefully inadequate in terms of troops to defeat the combined forces of Cao Cao and Dong Zhuo.
"Lu Bu, I have a proposition."
Zhuge Liang spoke.
"We must bring Lu Bu to our side."
"Lu Bu?"
Liu Bei was astonished. Lu Bu possessed unparalleled martial prowess, but he was known as the embodiment of betrayal.
"Impossible. Lu Bu has already betrayed three lords. How can we trust him?"
Zhang Fei objected.
But Pang Tong spoke up.
"That makes it more likely. Lu Bu is lonely now. No one trusts him, and he trusts no one. But if we truly embrace him, he will be loyal to us for life."
Liu Bei pondered deeply. Then he made a decision.
"Very well. I will go and persuade Lu Bu."
"Lu Bu, I will go first."
Guan Yu stepped forward.
Liu Bei nodded. "Yunzhang, be careful. Lu Bu's military power is unrivaled."
Guan Yu, holding the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade, headed toward Lu Bu's camp.
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Guan Yu and Lu Bu's first meeting ended in failure.
"Liu Bei? Serve that hypocrite? Don't be ridiculous!"
Kim Dae-hyun, reincarnated as Lu Bu, sneered at Guan Yu.
"I am Lu Bu! The greatest warrior in the world! Why should I serve someone else?"
Guan Yu patiently explained.
"General Lu Bu, I acknowledge your bravery. But you cannot conquer the world alone. Our Lord Zhou sincerely desires you."
"Sincerity? Where in the world is such a thing? Everyone is only concerned with their own interests!"
Guan Yu returned with a sigh.
"Lu Bu, you have failed. Lu Bu has completely closed his heart."
Liu Bei was not disappointed.
"It's okay. Let's try again." This time, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun went together.
Three famous generals stood before Lu Bu.
"General Lu Bu, will you fight us? If you defeat us, we will serve you. But if you lose, you will serve our Lord."
Bijang issued a challenge.
Lu Bu's eyes lit up.
"Good! I accept!"
The four warriors began their duel on the parade ground. Lu Bu's Fangqianhuajie swung like flames, countered by Guan Yu's Azure Dragon Crescent Blade, Zhang Fei's Long Eight Tridents, and Zhao Yun's spear.
The battle continued for over three hundred rounds. Lu Bu was truly formidable. He held his own against three great generals.
But eventually, his stamina reached its limit. Lu Bu knelt.
"I...have lost..."
Guan Yu approached and helped Lu Bu to his feet.
"General Lu Bu, you are truly strong. But we have not come here to defeat you. We have come to welcome you as our comrade."
"Comrade...?" It was a new experience for Lu Bu. Until now, he had only had a lord and subordinates, no allies.
"Yes. We fight like brothers and share victory like brothers. Please become our brother."
Zhao Zilong extended his hand.
Lu Bu hesitated, but ultimately shook his head.
"No... I have already betrayed too many people. I am an untrustworthy man..."
The three returned disappointed.
"Lu Bu, Lord Zhou, does not trust himself. The wounds in his heart seem too deep."
Zhao Zilong reported.
Liu Bei made up his mind.
"Then this time, we will all go together. Kongming, Shi Yan, Yunzhang, Yi De, Zi Long, all of you, let's go together."
Chapter 7: Lu Bu's Tears
Liu Bei and his six companions arrived at Lu Bu's camp. Lu Bu greeted them warily.
"What is it this time? Are you here to kill me?"
Liu Bei slowly approached Lu Bu. Then, suddenly, he knelt. "General Lu Bu, I implore you. Please join us."
Lu Bu was taken aback.
"What...what are you doing? Get up!"
But Liu Bei didn't rise. And the other five knelt down.
"General Lu Bu, whatever you did in the past, we don't care. What we see is you now, and you will be."
Zhuge Liang said.
"You were lonely. No one treated you with sincerity, and you couldn't trust anyone. But now, things can change."
Pang Tong added.
Lu Bu felt something burst from within. Tears flowed down his face.
"I...I am a monster...People call me a traitor..."
Guan Yu stood up and placed a hand on Lu Bu's shoulder.
"We accept you as our brother. You will never be lonely again."
Zhang Zhang Fei also stood up and embraced Lu Bu.
"Brother! Let's be brothers!"
Zhao Yun also took Lu Bu's hand. "Let's conquer the world together."
Lu Bu couldn't hold it in any longer. He collapsed to the floor and wept loudly. It was the first time in his life that he had truly wept.
"Thank you... thank you so much... for... accepting me..."
Liu Bei lifted Lu Bu up and said,
"From now on, we are eight brothers. Brothers who share life and death together."
Lu Bu joined Liu Bei's camp. This was the moment when the most powerful army in history was born.
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Minjun wept as he wrote this scene. His laptop screen was also blurred with tears.
"It really is... a beautiful scene..."
That night, his grandfather and grandmother appeared in Minjun's dream, encouraging him.
"Well done, Minjun. Now we must write the most important battle scene: the confrontation between the combined forces of Cao Cao and Dong Zhuo." "How should I use it? We're vastly outnumbered..."
"So, we need to use the inspiration you've received. Deception Tactics of The Mongol Empire Genghis Khan, GoGuRyeo(Past Nation of Korea) General Eulji Mundeok's Great Battle Strategy at the Salsu River, Naval Battle Strategy using JoSeon(Past Nation of Korea) Admiral Yi Sun-Shin's Crane Wing Formation and turtle ships. We need to combine all of these."
Minjun nodded and took notes.
Chapter 8: The Alliance of Cao Cao and Dong Zhuo
Cao Cao and Dong Zhuo originally hated each other. However, as Liu Bei's power grew, they joined forces to fight their common enemy.
"Liu Bei has even captured Lu Bu? This is unusual."
Cao Cao said with a serious expression.
"Then shouldn't we join forces?"
Dong Zhuo suggested.
Cao Cao hesitated for a moment, but eventually agreed.
"Very well. Let's eliminate Liu Bei first, and then we can resolve our own issues."
Thus, the greatest coalition in history was formed. Cao Cao's 300,000-strong army and Dong Zhuo's 200,000-strong army, a total of 500,000 troops, began advancing on Liu Bei.
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Liu Bei's forces were only 50,000. They were outnumbered by more than ten to one.
"Lord Zhou, this is extremely dangerous. A direct confrontation is impossible."
Zhuge Liang said anxiously.
"Then what should we do?"
Pang Tong unfolded the map and said,
"Let's use Deception Tactics of The Mongol Empire Genghis Khan: deliberately retreat and lure the enemy."
Zhuge Liang nodded.
"Good idea. Then, after luring them to the narrowest point of the Yellow River, we will employ GoGuRyeo(Past Nation of Korea) General Eulji Mundeok's Great Battle Strategy at the Salsu River."
"A water attack, then?"
"Exactly. But that alone won't be enough. Cao Cao will know our intentions."
"So, I have prepared something."
Pang Tong smiled and took out the blueprint. "This is Admiral Yi Sun-Shin's turtle ship and crane-wing formation."
Everyone was amazed at the blueprint.
"This is... amazing. A fortress on water."
"Yes. We will fight our final battle on the Yellow River."