Chapter 87: The Battle at the Realm Bridge (Part One) — White Horse, Silver Spear
“Halt! Scoundrel, taste my spear!”
Within the ranks of our army, how could we allow such insolence? Four stalwart warriors under Gongsun Zan glared furiously, spurred their horses, and charged to confront Wen Chou.
Clang!
Wen Chou spun his spear, scattering three gun shafts aside with dazzling agility, then followed up with a sudden thrust, transforming defense into offense. His spear pierced straight through the enemy’s guard, plunging into a rival general’s chest.
Seeing Wen Chou dispatch a comrade in a single exchange, the remaining three were struck with terror, retreating in panic as they spurred their mounts away. Wen Chou did not pursue them for their lives, instead galloping after Gongsun Zan himself, a lone rider unchallenged amidst thousands.
Gongsun Zan fled from the front lines, then from the heart of his formation, then out beyond his troops, with Wen Chou in relentless pursuit. Were it not for the chaos among his soldiers preventing him from loosing an arrow, and the white steed beneath him outpacing Wen Chou’s mount, his life and ambitions would have already been reduced to ashes.
Never had the General of the White Horse suffered such disgrace.
After escaping the ranks, a mountain valley stretched before him. No time to ponder the cause of today’s disastrous rout; only two thoughts filled Gongsun Zan’s mind:
Run.
And survive.
He would return one day to avenge this humiliation!
His horse raced like lightning, the famed White Horse General’s steed never losing pace. Gongsun Zan sped toward the valley, Wen Chou still hot on his heels.
He knew well: Gongsun Zan was now the greatest threat to his lord Yuan Shao. If he could capture or even slay him here, all of Hebei would be in Yuan’s grasp.
With this in mind, Wen Chou suddenly reined in his horse and shouted, “Gongsun the traitor, dismount and surrender at once!”
Gongsun Zan, frantically fleeing, was already at his limit. The furious shout struck him like a bolt of lightning, causing him to sway dangerously and nearly topple from his horse.
At the critical moment, years of experience saved him; he managed to drag himself back onto his saddle, though his bow, arrows, helmet, and even his mighty spear all fell away, leaving him utterly exposed.
The chase continued. Gongsun Zan, hair disheveled, galloped up a hillside, while Wen Chou easily dispatched the handful of scattered soldiers nearby.
Suddenly, calamity struck.
Just as Gongsun Zan urged his horse up a steep slope, he found an abrupt cliff ahead. His mount stumbled and collapsed, and he tumbled down the embankment.
“Is this how my life ends, here and now?” Gongsun Zan thought in despair.
Wen Chou laughed wildly, deliberately slowing his horse.
“To die by my hand is the greatest honor you’ll ever know!”
His spear leveled, its deadly tip gleaming, making Gongsun Zan’s heart freeze. Death was but three spear-lengths away.
“Prepare to die!”
“Villain, how dare you!”
“Hm?!”
A sudden shout startled Wen Chou. Before he could turn, a silver spear shot toward his face.
Clang!
Wen Chou hastily parried, shocked by the speed and force of the blow. This newcomer’s skill was every bit as formidable as his own.
---
“General, retreat quickly!”
The newcomer called out to Gongsun Zan. Though exhausted, Gongsun Zan mustered his strength to scramble up a low hill and glanced back at his rescuer—
Clad in white robes, yet not one of his White Horse cavalry.
White horse, silver spear, thick brows and bold eyes—an undeniably handsome and elegant figure!
Though young, his spearwork was astonishing, each move as if summoning a phoenix’s cry, the storm-like barrage pressing Wen Chou to his limits.
“Damn you, who are you?” Wen Chou demanded.
“Enough talk. Dismount and surrender!”
“Surrender? Ha ha ha!” Wen Chou’s fury boiled over into laughter. “You are the first to dare demand Wen Chou’s surrender!”
His black iron spear raged like a dragon, tearing the wind with savage force, hammering and thrusting at the young warrior, threatening to devour him.
But the silver phoenix was not so easily subdued. The white-robed youth countered with a single word: speed.
His defense was impenetrable, not even a raindrop could slip through, yet his spear flickered out like a serpent’s tongue, warning Wen Chou at every turn.
Gongsun Zan tried to reach for an arrow to threaten Wen Chou, only to realize his quiver was lost, leaving him shamed and frustrated.
Suddenly, the earth trembled, horses neighed, thunder rolled.
Cavalry—an endless tide of riders appeared across the hills.
“The White Horse Cavalry,” Wen Chou spat, then pushed aside the troublesome silver spear and turned his horse to retreat.
Halfway, he glared back at the white-robed youth. “White horse and silver spear—I shall remember you, Wen Chou will not forget!”
When Wen Chou had fled far, Gongsun Zan descended the slope, smiling with admiration.
“Today I owe you much. May I ask your name?”
“I am Zhao Yun, styled Zilong, from Changshan and Zhending, come to serve you, General.”
“Zhao Zilong… Who in the world does not know your name?”
---
Jizhou, Pingyuan.
“Congratulations, my lord! Now you may invoke the Emperor’s name to subdue the rebellious and restore the Han. The grand enterprise is within reach!” Tian Feng spoke bluntly, a man whose stubbornness invited scorn, yet beyond disputes, he was amiable and undeniably talented—his counsel was to be heeded.
Unfortunately, he seldom avoided conflict—and now was no exception.
Liu Bei, hardened by years of adversity, was rarely as joyful as today.
“My nephew surpasses me by far!” Liu Bei laughed, instructing his attendants to bring forth fine wine—none other than the Jade Emperor’s Intoxication, gifted by Zhang Yu.
Though the gathering of ministers was small, their quality compensated well.
In civil affairs, Tian Feng and Tian Yuanhao; in military, the sworn brothers Guan and Zhang. Such talent in both fields was unrivaled.
Especially Tian Feng, whose arrival had greatly aided Liu Bei, now savoring the benefits of having a strategist and holding him in deep respect.
Though Guan and Zhang harbored some resentment, Tian Yuanhao’s bold schemes and policies won their grudging admiration.
Liu Bei now held nearly the entire realm of Pingyuan, his power multiplied many times over the past.
---
“I’ve always said Jade Boy is a great talent! Big brother, don’t be modest; even the learned master can’t match him!” Zhang Fei praised Zhang Yu, then slyly jabbed at Tian Feng.
But though Tian Feng was stubborn, he was never narrow-minded. He saw through Zhang Fei’s petty mood, responded with his habitual cold snort, then quickly replaced it with a smile.
“Of course! His poetry outshines the scholars, he seeks to revive seven-character verse, and even introduced this new form ‘lyrics.’ Even Cai Zhonglang praised him as a genius. I am ashamed to compare myself.
How many in the world have not heard of Zhang Yu, Jade Boy’s fame?
All I can do is marvel—Jade Boy is truly worthy of being my lord’s nephew! Before, the world only knew you had two sworn brothers; now, everyone knows you have this nephew.”
‘Only knew,’ ‘everyone knows’—one word’s difference, a world apart.
“Are you implying we two are insignificant?” Guan Yu said coldly.
“Not at all. It’s just that Young Master Zhang has recently made a great name, while you two generals have been quiet of late.”
“Hmph!” Guan Yu would not argue, but was clearly displeased.
“Jade Boy is clever, but young and frail. He can only excel in literary arts. But I, Zhang Fei, am unmatched on the battlefield—a skill where I surpass him.”
“Excellent! My lord, give the order!”
“Ha ha, very well!” Liu Bei responded to Tian Feng, then declared in a solemn voice, “Jade Boy has done me, Liu Bei, a great service.
When the imperial edict arrived, he led eighteen riders into Chang’an, rising from nothing to become the Emperor’s brother, and secured for me the title of Imperial Uncle. What talent!
He is barely of age, yet made his name in the halls of Cai Zhonglang. His achievements humble me, yet fill me with pride!
We must not fail him, nor allow him to feel shame because of us!
Jian Yong, Sun Qian!”
“My lord!”
“Oversee provisions, armaments.”
“Yes!”
“Tian Feng!”
“My lord!”
“You will serve as chief strategist.”
“Yes!”
“Second and third brothers!”
“Big brother!”
“Take five thousand elite soldiers, and accompany me at once to Jieqiao to aid our brother!”
“Yes!”