Zhao Yun’s Battle at Qu’a

Zhang He loosed two arrows, while Taishi Ci loosed three.

Two arrows met two, and the shafts fell together to the ground. Yet one wolf-fanged arrow still sped toward Zhang He.

Zhang He truly had something of a great general about him. Though defeat was at hand, he did not lose his composure.

Because he remained calm in the face of danger, he found a way when that arrow came.

He flung the iron-core bow in his hand like a hidden weapon.

Clang!

With a thunderous crash, the wolf-fanged arrow struck the iron-core bow.

But the arrow had been loosed by bowstring, while the bow itself had merely been thrown.

A thrown bow could never compare in force with an arrow shot at full power.

So the arrow was only deflected slightly, not knocked down.

Ah!

Zhang He cried out in pain. Looking down, he saw that the wolf-fanged arrow had lodged in his thigh.

Originally, Taishi Ci’s arrow had been aimed at Zhang He’s forehead.

Thanks to Zhang He’s quick thinking and his throw of the iron-core bow to block it, the arrow’s path was altered, and it struck his thigh instead.

Thus Zhang He was fortunate enough to escape with his life.

Yuan Shao, watching from the rear, saw Zhang He struck in the thigh by Taishi Ci’s arrow. His heart ached, and he was furious.

He was furious because Zhang He had sworn before going into battle that victory was certain, yet his very first engagement had ended in defeat.

He was heartbroken because, after Yan Liang and Wen Chou had died, the only generals under his banner worth mentioning were Zhang He, Gao Lan, and Ju Yi.

And now this great general had been wounded as well.

Liu Bei had two talents: one was recognizing men of worth, and the other was winning people’s hearts.

Though Zhang He had been defeated, Liu Bei could still see that he was a commander of great valor and skill.

So Liu Bei hurriedly advised, "Brother Benchu, quickly withdraw General Junyi!"

Only then did Yuan Shao accept Liu Bei’s suggestion and order the retreat gong sounded.

On the battlefield, drums signaled advance, and gongs signaled withdrawal.

Once the gong sounded, it meant to pull back.

Clang!

Zhang He, his thigh wounded and wondering how he might continue the fight with Taishi Ci, heard the clear ring of the retreat gong.

The moment he heard it, he did not hesitate. He gathered the reins and turned his warhorse back toward his own lines.

Seeing Zhang He flee, Taishi Ci wheeled his horse and moved to pursue.

Seeing Taishi Ci give chase, Liu Bei immediately ordered Zhao Yun, "Fourth Brother, go and cover General Junyi."

First Liu Bei had urged Yuan Shao to recall the wounded Zhang He, and now he sent Zhao Yun to meet him. He was trying to do Zhang He a favor and make himself known to him.

In this way, one day he might even be able to win Zhang He over.

Zhao Yun took the order and urged his White Dragon Steed forward to intercept Zhang He.

When Qu A saw Zhao Yun charge onto the battlefield, fierce battle spirit rose within him. He stepped forward and requested to fight, saying, "My lord, let me help my senior brother."

At first, Su Ming had intended to face Zhao Yun himself.

Unexpectedly, after seeing Zhao Yun, Qu A volunteered and wanted to fight him.

Su Ming did not know whether Qu A or Zhao Yun was stronger, but Qu A and Taishi Ci often sparred against each other.

Qu A was far stronger than his senior brother Taishi Ci. Whether in mounted combat or on foot, whether with long weapons or short weapons, Qu A could defeat Taishi Ci within a hundred exchanges.

Su Ming felt that even if Qu A was no match for Zhao Yun, he would not lose too badly.

Since Qu A had volunteered, let him test himself against Zhao Yun.

With Su Ming nearby to back him up, he could support him at any time.

"Very well."

"Be careful," Su Ming agreed, and reminded Qu A.

Zhao Yun wore white robes, silver armor, and rode a white horse; Qu A was the same, white robes, silver armor, and a white horse.

Zhao Yun was a young man in his twenties, and Qu A was also in his twenties.

Seen from afar, the two truly did resemble each other somewhat.

The only difference was that Zhao Yun wielded a silver spear, while Qu A used the unusual weapon known as the hook staff.

As Zhao Yun and Qu A faced one another, they matched each other in appearance and in presence.

Su Ming opened the system and checked Zhao Yun’s and Qu A’s data, wanting to compare them and see which of the two had the better chance of victory.

Name: Zhao Yun.

Courtesy name: Zilong.

Martial strength: 99.

Command: 90.

Intellect: 90.

Politics: 88.

Primary weapon: Dragon Gallant Bright Silver Spear.

Mount: White Dragon Steed.

The highest point of martial might in the Three Kingdoms was Lu Bu, whose martial strength was 100.

Among the native generals of the era, Zhao Yun’s martial strength could be said to rank just below Lu Bu’s.

So Zhao Yun’s martial strength being 99 was entirely reasonable.

After looking over Zhao Yun’s attributes, Su Ming turned to Qu A’s.

Name: Qu A.

Courtesy name: none.

Martial strength: 99.

Command: 60.

Intellect: 60.

Politics: 60.

Primary weapon: Tiger-Winged Cloud-Leaping Hook.

Mount: Jade Tiger Steed.

As a child, Qu A had grown up among tigers, so his command, politics, and intellect were all low.

Later, under the guidance of his master and his senior brother Taishi Ci, he had only reached an average level.

But in a duel before the armies, none of that mattered.

On the battlefield, only martial strength counted.

Of course, martial strength was not the only thing that mattered.

It was true that martial strength was the best measure of a warrior’s power, but who won and who lost still depended on performance in the moment.

When the difference in strength was not great, a warrior’s on-the-spot performance often decided the outcome.

Especially now, when both Zhao Yun and Qu A had a combat rating of 99, the result depended even more on who would rise to the occasion.

"I am Zhao Zilong of Changshan. Who are you?" Zhao Yun called out first.

These past days, Zhao Yun had won battle after battle, defeating the four fierce generals Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, Xiahou Yuan, and Xiahou Dun in succession.

Now, whenever the name Zhao Zilong of Changshan was heard, the generals of Cao’s camp grew uneasy.

Everyone was wondering whether this young general could really match Zhao Zilong.

Feeling the fierce battle spirit radiating from Zhao Yun, Qu A answered, "Qu A."

Qu A disliked speaking. He was sparing with words and simply gave his name.

On the battlefield, giving one’s name without a courtesy name was perfectly normal.

After all, not everyone had one.

A given name was bestowed at birth, while a courtesy name was usually conferred upon reaching adulthood.

In wealthy families, or even in families of modest means, children would undergo a coming-of-age ceremony, and at that ceremony they would receive a courtesy name.

Children from poor families could not afford such a ceremony and naturally had no courtesy name.

Of course, a courtesy name was not essential.

Having none did not mean one was lesser.

A courtesy name served little practical purpose beyond sounding a bit more imposing when announcing oneself in battle.

After exchanging names, Qu A and Zhao Yun spurred their horses forward and charged at one another.

At that moment, both sides were surging with fighting spirit so intense it seemed almost to pierce the clouds.