Chapter 38: go to war

Fang Yue, a brave general under Wang Kuang's command, quickly entered the tent and knelt before Wang Kuang.

"General, I am here."

Wang Kuang didn't waste any time. He had to face Lu Bu, the notorious warrior, head-on, and he needed his best generals by his side.

"Fang Yue, Lu Bu is out of the city to face us. We cannot let this opportunity slip away. We will go out and meet him in battle. I need your courage and skill in this fight. Do not let me down," Wang Kuang said with determination.

Fang Yue nodded firmly. "General, you can count on me. I will give my all to defeat Lu Bu and bring glory to Hanoi."

With their spirits high, Wang Kuang and Fang Yue quickly gathered their troops and rode out of their makeshift camp. As they approached the battlefield, they saw Lu Bu's forces and Hua Xiong's cavalry lined up in a disciplined formation.

Wang Kuang, riding at the front of his troops, raised his spear and shouted, "Soldiers of Hanoi, today we face Lu Bu and his fierce warriors. But remember, we fight for justice, for the people of this land who suffer under Dong Zhuo's tyranny. We will not be intimidated! Charge with all your might!"

The soldiers of Hanoi, inspired by their leader's words, let out a resounding battle cry and charged towards Lu Bu's forces.

Seeing the enemy approaching, Gao Shun, who was commanding the Northern Army, shouted, "Prepare for battle!"

The Northern Army quickly formed a defensive line, their spears pointed outward, ready to receive the charge. Hua Xiong and his cavalry were stationed on the flanks, prepared to launch a counterattack if needed.

As the two forces closed in on each other, the ground trembled from the thunderous sound of hooves and war cries. The clash between Wang Kuang's Hanoi forces and Lu Bu's Northern Army was imminent.

Fang Yue, at the forefront of the Hanoi forces, held his spear tightly and felt the adrenaline surging through his veins. He was ready to prove himself in battle and make his general proud.

The collision was fierce, with soldiers on both sides locking shields and engaging in close combat. The battle was intense, and the outcome was far from certain.

Lu Bu, on his mighty red rabbit horse, led his troops with exceptional skill. His halberd cleaved through the enemy ranks like a tornado, striking fear into the hearts of those who faced him. Hua Xiong, too, showed his prowess as he led cavalry charges on the flanks, disrupting the enemy formation.

Fang Yue, determined to make a name for himself, found himself face-to-face with Lu Bu in the heat of battle. The duel between the two generals was intense and drew the attention of both armies. Fang Yue fought valiantly, but he soon realized that Lu Bu's martial skills were on another level.

In a fierce exchange of blows, Lu Bu's halberd found an opening, and with a swift and powerful strike, he disarmed Fang Yue and sent him tumbling from his horse. The Hanoi forces witnessed their general's defeat and began to waver.

Wang Kuang, seeing his general in danger, called out to his troops, "Stand firm! Do not falter! We fight for justice and the people of this land! Charge!"

The Hanoi forces, though shaken by the loss of their general, gathered their resolve and continued to fight. The battle raged on, with neither side willing to yield.

As the dust settled on the battlefield, the outcome remained uncertain, and the fate of Hanoi hung in the balance. The clash between these determined forces would shape the course of history in this turbulent time.

The battle outside Hulao Pass had escalated into a fierce clash between Lu Bu's Northern Army and Wang Kuang's Hanoi forces. Amidst the chaos of clashing swords and spears, the battlefield was filled with the thunderous roars of combat.

As Lu Bu continued to demonstrate his unparalleled martial prowess, his swift and precise strikes with Fang Tianhua's halberd were unstoppable. The Hanoi forces found themselves on the defensive, struggling to counter Lu Bu's relentless assault.

Wang Kuang, who had narrowly avoided Lu Bu's arrow earlier, watched as his general, Fang Yue, was overwhelmed by Lu Bu's ferocity. He felt a mixture of anger, frustration, and helplessness. The Hanoi forces, despite their greater numbers, were unable to gain the upper hand in the battle.

In the midst of the chaos, Wang Kuang rallied his troops and shouted words of encouragement. "Hold the line! Do not falter! Our cause is just, and we fight for the people! We must stand firm!"

Despite the dire situation, the soldiers of Hanoi fought valiantly, trying to withstand Lu Bu's relentless attacks. But it was clear that they were outmatched by Lu Bu's extraordinary martial skill.

As the battle raged on, it became increasingly evident that Lu Bu was a force to be reckoned with. His prowess on the battlefield was unparalleled, and his mastery of the halberd was awe-inspiring. He single-handedly cut a path through the Hanoi forces, striking down any who stood in his way.

Wang Kuang realized that they were facing a formidable opponent, and their chances of victory were growing slimmer by the moment. He gritted his teeth and made a difficult decision.

"Fang Yue is a loyal and brave general, but he's no match for Lu Bu. I must retreat and gather our forces. We can't afford to lose our entire army here," Wang Kuang thought to himself.

With a heavy heart, Wang Kuang ordered a retreat, calling on his remaining forces to fall back from the battlefield. The Hanoi forces, while disappointed, obeyed their general's command and began to withdraw.

Seeing the Hanoi forces retreating, Lu Bu didn't pursue them. He was satisfied with the outcome of the battle, having displayed his martial prowess and pushed back the enemy. He raised his halberd high and let out a triumphant roar.

Wang Kuang and his troops retreated back towards their camp, nursing their wounds and reflecting on their encounter with Lu Bu. While they had not achieved victory, they had fought valiantly for their cause.

Back in their camp, Wang Kuang addressed his officers and soldiers. "We may not have defeated Lu Bu today, but we have shown our determination and courage. Our fight for justice continues, and we will not be deterred by this setback. Rest, heal your wounds, and prepare for the battles to come. Our struggle against Dong Zhuo's tyranny continues!"

The soldiers of Hanoi nodded in agreement, their spirits undaunted by their recent defeat. They knew that the fight for justice would be a long and challenging one, but they were determined to see it through to the end.

As the Hanoi forces regrouped and prepared for future battles, the other lords of the coalition were on their way to Hulao Pass, unaware of the fierce clash that had taken place and the formidable adversary they would soon face.