098 Cao Cao: Between My Son and Fengxian, Who Is Braver?

Previously, Zhao Yun had fought Qu A, and their battle ended in a draw.

Exhausted, Zhao Yun was resting at the front lines when suddenly he heard Su Ming calling his name.

One Guan Yu and one Zhang Fei together still weren’t a match for this Su Ming.

Su Ming specifically called out Zhao Zilong by name, challenging him to join the fight. With such a direct summons, the illustrious Zhao Zilong of Changshan simply couldn’t back down like a coward.

Zhao Yun thought to himself, “He called my name; I can’t be a turtle hiding in its shell! But three against one? Even if I win, it won’t be honorable.”

Though three against one wasn’t a fair fight, losing without honor was worse.

Seeing that even Guan Yu and Zhang Fei together couldn’t overcome Su Ming, the only way to win was for Zhao Yun to join the battle.

Liu Bei understood this well. He looked at Zhao Yun, knowing his upright character and fearing he might refuse to fight alongside the others.

So, Liu Bei employed his secret weapon to persuade Zhao Yun.

What was Liu Bei’s secret weapon?

Tears.

His eyes glistened with moisture, almost shedding tears.

“You, my fourth brother, must rise to the occasion!” Liu Bei’s voice trembled, caught between crying and holding back.

How could Zhao Yun resist such a plea?

Zhao Yun thought, “My lord, amidst a cavalry charge, please don’t shed tears!”

With that, he wasted no time. He tapped his gleaming silver spear against the flank of his steed, the White Dragon Horse, which surged forward like a gust of wind toward Su Ming.

“As you wish, Zhao Zilong of Changshan comes to face you!” Zhao Yun shouted, charging into the fray.

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun exchanged blows with Su Ming in a fierce three-on-one battle.

This was truly a monumental clash.

Long ago, during the coalition of eighteen warlords against Dong Zhuo, a legendary duel unfolded at Hulao Pass—three heroes battling Lü Bu.

Back then, those three heroes were Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and Zhang Fei.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei’s martial prowess was undisputed; Liu Bei was merely a second-rate warrior.

In truth, Liu Bei was just there to make up the numbers.

With or without Liu Bei, the battle against Lü Bu remained largely unchanged.

But today’s three-hero battle against Su Ming was entirely different.

Now, the three heroes were Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun.

Each was fiercer and more formidable than the next.

All three were elite warriors, each capable of holding off ten men, each possessing unparalleled courage.

The three-hero battle against Lü Bu was more a matter of legend than reality.

Today’s three-hero battle against Su Ming was the true test of valor.

Originally, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei alone could barely pressure Su Ming.

But with Zhao Zilong joining, Su Ming immediately felt the strain.

Guan Yu was fierce, Zhang Fei relentless, and Zhao Yun swift.

Together, they were fierce, fast, and enduring.

Only when all three attacked in unison could they truly suppress Su Ming.

Though Su Ming was on the back foot, he still held his ground.

Watching Su Ming falter, Cao Cao grew anxious.

His worry wasn’t about Su Ming losing.

Regardless of the outcome, this battle would bring great prestige to Cao Cao.

One man fighting Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun together—if even Lü Bu himself were resurrected, he'd shake his head in disbelief.

Cao Cao’s anxiety stemmed from fearing Su Ming would get injured.

“My son is reckless!”

“Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun each possess bravery rivaling Lü Bu’s. How can he face all three alone?”

“If he’s hurt, what will become of him?” Cao Cao fretted.

If Lü Bu heard this from the afterlife, he would surely say, “Oh, right, right! After I died, everyone has courage no less than mine. But when I was alive, none of you said that!”

Hearing Cao Cao’s words, Xu Chu quickly volunteered, “My lord, let me assist the young master.”

With Xu Chu’s offer, Qu A and Tai Shi Ci also wished to join the fray.

Xu Chu, Qu A, and Tai Shi Ci thought, three against one was no great feat; if a fight was to happen, they would do it together.

Just as Cao Cao was about to send them to aid Su Ming, his strategist Guo Jia immediately stopped them.

“My lord, absolutely not!”

“Just now, the young master himself challenged Zhao Zilong. This must be part of his plan. If you generals intervene, you won’t help but may instead disrupt his strategy.”

“In my view, the young master certainly has his own intentions; it’s best we do not interfere,” Guo Jia said calmly.

After Guo Jia’s words, Zhang Liao, known as Zhang Wenyuan, chimed in, “The strategist speaks wisely. I believe the young master is honing his martial skills.”

“At the young master’s level, advancing further is a formidable challenge. This is his way of using Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun as stepping stones to greater skill.”

With Guo Jia and Zhang Liao’s words, Cao Cao recalled that Su Ming had indeed initiated the challenge earlier. His worries eased.

“My son is brave!”

“My son is brave!” Cao Cao stroked his short beard, beaming proudly as he asked Zhang Liao, “Wenyuan, who is braver, my son or Lü Bu?”

Zhang Liao had once been Lü Bu’s subordinate and knew his martial prowess better than anyone.

So, Cao Cao asked him, who was stronger—Lü Bu or Su Ming?

Zhang Liao fixed his gaze on the battlefield and slowly replied, “I fear the young master surpasses him.”

Zhang Liao’s words were not mere flattery but an honest assessment.

When the three heroes battled Lü Bu, Zhang Liao was on the front lines too.

Back then, Lü Bu had only managed a stalemate against the three heroes; victory was nearly impossible.

But now, the trio facing Su Ming was not the same as before.

Zhao Zilong of Changshan was far superior to the token presence of Liu Bei.

Had Lü Bu faced Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Zilong together, he might well have been defeated at Hulao Pass.

“Haha!” Hearing Zhang Liao’s answer, Cao Cao laughed heartily, “My son Su Ming has the air of an invincible warrior!”

After his laughter, Cao Cao ordered his attendants, “Bring the drum! I shall personally beat the drum to rally my son’s spirits.”

Upon his command, several soldiers carried a large drum forward and handed the drumsticks to Cao Cao.

Dismounting his horse, Cao Cao approached the drum and began striking it vigorously.

Boom.

Boom, boom.

Boom, boom, boom.

The camp resounded with thunderous drumbeats, lifting the morale of Cao’s troops.

From afar, Liu Bei noticed that Cao Cao himself was beating the drum.

He thought to himself, “Is Cao Mengde the only one who knows how to drum?”

With that in mind, Liu Bei immediately ordered, “Bring me the drum! I too shall beat the drum to support my three brothers.”

(End of chapter)