Chapter 49: solicit

In the early morning, Lu Bu awoke to the sound of approaching footsteps. Instinctively, he reached for the Fang Tianhua halberd beside him. Upon looking up, he saw Hua Xiong approaching. Along the riverbank, soldiers were gathered, and some lay on the ground, never to rise again. Gao Shun's estimate from yesterday now seemed insufficient.

"General, I've found it. Ten miles to the east is Junyi, and forty miles to the west is Zhongmu," Hua Xiong signaled on the ground.

Junyi? Lu Bu recognized Zhongmu but was unfamiliar with Junyi.

"Is Junyi fortified?" Lu Bu inquired.

Not all cities maintained garrisons; generally, only strategic locations did. Cities like Gongxian and Pingxian, for example, weren't garrisoned even in wartime. At most, they had county guards responsible for maintaining public order.

Such cities were easier to attack, but they also had limited military supplies.

"How far is it from Hulao?" Lu Bu stood up, securing Fang Tian Hua Ji to his horse's back while the Zhang Ba Snake Spear was placed on another warhorse.

"More than two hundred miles," Hua Xiong replied with a bow.

"Two hundred miles!?" Lu Bu looked at Gao Shun incredulously. Having fought and retreated all day yesterday, Lu Bu had lost track of the distance. Yet, even he, who had ridden on horseback, felt quite exhausted. More than 300 soldiers of the Northern Army had marched on foot, and they had covered quite a distance.

"That's correct," Gao Shun confirmed, puzzled by Lu Bu's reaction.

"At this hour, I should return to Hulao Pass. Hu Zhen may not wait for me to open the gates," Lu Bu contemplated. "But this small town of Junyi probably won't have much food and supplies left, Hua Xiong."

"At your service, General!" Hua Xiong saluted.

"Take your cavalry and see if you can break into the town directly. Once inside, split your forces to block the four gates. We'll spend a day here in Junyi," Lu Bu decided.

For a small town, direct assault might be preferable to a siege. The troops were fatigued, and even Lu Bu, who was exceptionally robust, awoke feeling sore all over. The previous day's intense battle and a night spent in this rugged terrain had taken their toll. This morning, several soldiers were unable to rise, and they were quietly buried in the forest.

"Understood," Hua Xiong acknowledged and went to mobilize his troops.

"Remember, once you control the town, have the soldiers seek out wealthy households for provisions. If they refuse, take what you need. The common folk won't mind," Lu Bu called after Hua Xiong. He believed it was better to target affluent households from the outset, sparing the common people who struggled to make ends meet.

Hua Xiong agreed and departed with his men.

Lu Bu wasted no time, instructing Gao Shun to organize the troops and horses. He was now confident that the Northern Army comprised elite soldiers. Though it might not have been apparent before, the fierce battle they'd endured the previous day had solidified their status as an elite force. Lu Bu had no intention of relinquishing this formidable unit, especially after the Hu Zhen incident. He was determined to secure what was rightfully his.

Following this victorious battle, he felt he'd earned the right to establish a government office alongside Dong Yue and Niu Fu. With another promotion, he could request Dong Zhuo to grant him some troops as his personal force. While Hua Xiong might follow someone else due to his achievements, Lu Bu had his eye on Gao Shun as the leader of the Northern Army.

"Zi Xiu." After completing their preparations, Lu Bu rose to his feet but didn't immediately leave the forest. Instead, he called Gao Shun to his side.

"What are your orders, General?" Gao Shun approached Lu Bu and saluted.

"It's not so much an order as a proposition," Lu Bu began as they walked. "If you make it back safely from this journey, there will be rewards. I will request orders from the imperial court and have you placed under my command. Would you be interested?"

While Gao Shun was a stern individual, he was no fool. Lu Bu's offer wasn't akin to being given troops and horses directly; it implied that Gao Shun would become Lu Bu's man. If he agreed, Gao Shun would become Lu Bu's subordinate, just as Hua Xiong did in the past. Although they might nominally have equal status, Hu Zhen had the upper hand over Hua Xiong due to his jealousy. This time, although they held equal rank, Hu Zhen still had some control over Hua Xiong's troops.

Lu Bu was similar, and even if there were transfers in the future, Gao Shun would first follow Lu Bu, then the court. In essence, it meant a slight reduction in rank. However, the advantage was that with Lu Bu as his patron, Gao Shun wouldn't suffer from hunger or neglect, and he wouldn't be treated as invisible in the midst of power struggles.

In fact, there wasn't much to contemplate. After this incident, even Hua Xiong would likely bear Lu Bu's mark. Therefore, Gao Shun thought for a moment and then bowed to Lu Bu, saying, "The humble general is willing to follow you, General!"

Lu Bu chuckled. This was the first time he had proactively recruited someone. In the past, he had never made it explicit. Hou Cheng, Song Xian, Wei Xu, Cheng Lian, Cheng Fang, Wei Yue, and even Zhang Liao – all of them were brought in gradually, growing closer during battles. Even when Lu Bu later became a commandant, he felt a bit awkward. These people had followed him in the beginning, and despite his seemingly lackluster performance, he had gradually shaped their abilities, and now the Northern Army was synonymous with Gao Shun's troops.

In this intense battle, Gao Shun and the Northern Army had demonstrated their capabilities. This was an elite force, and even with just over 300 remaining, they could form a foundation for building an even stronger future army. The Northern Army would only grow stronger!

Regarding the commander of this army, aside from Gao Shun, Lu Bu couldn't think of anyone who could take over. Even if circumstances changed, Lu Bu couldn't envision his own replacement.

Their objectives were achieved. Although danger still loomed, Lu Bu was in high spirits as he rode into the morning light, taking in the vastly different scenery of the south. He felt the urge to let out a triumphant cry.

"Ow~woo~"

But as he was about to express his elation, a tiger's roar reverberated through the forest, interrupting Lu Bu's moment of triumph.