Chapter 3, Zhang Liao gains fame

With confidence in his heart, Kang Peng felt emboldened and shouted in a voice as rough as a broken gong: "All generals, heed my command, let us all exit the pass and annihilate that rabble..." At this point, Kang Peng suddenly stopped, for he noticed that the generals were looking at him as if he were an alien. Kang Peng inwardly cursed himself, realizing that he had misspoken again.

Kang Peng shook his head vigorously and said softly, "Sir, ever since I had that encounter with that young lady today... since then, I have been feeling a bit dizzy, somewhat dazed, and I cannot remember many things clearly. I hope you can guide me later to avoid any embarrassment on my part."

Li Ru cautiously approached and whispered, "Prime Minister, wasn't it agreed that the Bingzhou army would take the lead in battle, using the chaos created by the bandits... um, has the Prime Minister changed his mind?" Kang Peng suddenly realized, thinking to himself that Dong Laoda truly was a despicable person, intending to use the hands of the eighteen warlords to eliminate Ding Yuan's old Bingzhou army, even plotting against his own people; he was truly worse than a beast

Kang Peng was taken aback, thinking to himself that it was no surprise that he was under the command of Boss Dong, as they were quick to resort to violence. Kang Peng hurriedly said, "No need, she is quite good." Li Ru understood and bowed his head to withdraw. Kang Peng had always been puzzled about whether that girl was someone he had pursued himself or if she was a novelty for Boss Dong, because while Kang Peng was sleeping in class, he had dreamt of being with a beautiful woman, only to wake up and find himself transformed into Dong Zhuo. Perhaps the beauty he had dreamt of was indeed that girl. Moreover, Kang Peng noticed that the girl was indeed beautiful, even more so than his favorite star, Shen Dianxia (sweat!). Kang Peng had always been puzzled about whether that girl was someone he had pursued himself or if she was a novelty for Boss Dong, because while Kang Peng was sleeping in class, he had dreamt of being with a beautiful woman, only to wake up and find himself transformed into Dong Zhuo. Perhaps the beauty he had dreamt of was indeed that girl. Furthermore, Kang Peng discovered that the girl was indeed beautiful, even more so than his favorite star, Shen Dianxia (sweat!)

Gazing far and wide, after a laborious climb up the city wall, Kang Peng's mouth nearly twisted into a smile. The reason was that although the eighteen routes outside Hulao Pass appeared to be a dark mass, the condition of the soldiers was not much different from that of Dong's cannon fodder soldiers, and in some aspects, they were even inferior. Of course, there were some elite troops, but their numbers were clearly not comparable to those of Dong's side. As for the ancient cavalry, known for their formidable combat power, Dong's side was at least three times stronger than the enemy. Kang Peng thought to himself, no wonder the Records of the Three Kingdoms states that despite the presence of eighteen warlords against Dong, they couldn't even touch a hair on Dong's head; they were simply not on the same level of opponent.

Lü Bu, filled with rage, addressed Kang Peng with respect, saying: "Father, allow me to go and behead this villain, and present the head to you."

Kang Pengxin said, no wonder you cannot achieve greatness, you actually pay attention to someone's background. Is your background really that good? Moreover, regardless of whether their background is good or bad, as long as they are loyal and capable, they are better than you. Thus, Kang Peng ignored Lü Bu and directly ordered: "Summon Zhang Liao."

Kang Peng felt a tightness in his heart as the fierce general Zhang Fei approached. If Zhang Liao were to engage him in battle, who would emerge victorious

Kang Peng was not mistaken; although Boss Dong's reputation is poor, he is deeply trusted and loved by the military, especially by the direct lineage of the Xiliang army. They are well-equipped and well-supplied, with fierce soldiers who possess extremely strong combat capabilities, and they are all loyal to Boss Dong. After Boss Dong's death, it was they who avenged him by forcing Wang Yun, who had plotted against Boss Dong, to his demise. But who among these Xiliang soldiers knows that the Boss Dong before them is no longer the same Boss Dong, but rather a delinquent student from the twenty-first century.

This is my army? In the heavily guarded Tiger Lock Pass, surrounded by a large group of armored warriors, Kang Peng asked himself for the seventh time: But what I see is a group of the old, weak, sick, and disabled

The unfortunate Mu Shun, unaware that his death was imminent, was still hoarsely greeting Dong Laoda's mother. Suddenly, the door swung open, and a group of cavalry charged out. Upon closer inspection, Mu Shun's nose nearly crumpled in disbelief; there were only about ten cavalrymen, and the leader appeared to be merely a cavalry squad leader. Infuriated, Mu Shun shouted at the door, "Dong Zhuo the old thief, how dare you insult me with just a cavalryman? Quickly summon Lü Bu to face death!" While Mu Shun was shouting, Zhang Liao had already galloped up to him. Mu Shun arrogantly thrust his spear, fully expecting to impale this nameless soldier beneath his horse. To his surprise, the opponent easily dodged by leaning down from his horse. Mu Shun was furious and continued to curse at the door, "Dong Zhuo the old thief, how dare you insult me with just a cavalryman? Quickly summon Lü Bu to face death!" While Mu Shun was shouting, Zhang Liao had already charged up to him. Mu Shun arrogantly thrust his spear, fully expecting to impale this nameless soldier beneath his horse, but the opponent easily dodged by leaning down from his horse. Just as Mu Shun was startled and about to change his tactics, he felt as if he had flown into the sky, only to come crashing down. What came into view was a headless corpse falling from the horse, and Mu Shun's last thought in life was, "That corpse looks like mine."

I am from the Kingdom of Wu'an in Beihai, and traitors shall face death!" Another fool charged out wielding dual hammers, heading straight for Zhang Liao. This time, perhaps due to the lesson learned from Mu Shun earlier, he fought cautiously. However, after only about twenty exchanges, he had half of his thigh severed by Zhang Liao's blade and fled back to his formation, wailing.

I am Zhang Liao, also known as Zhang Wenyuan, under the command of Prime Minister Dong. Gongsun Zan, surrender quickly. Gongsun Zan did not respond, instead he swung his spear and charged at Zhang Liao. After a short battle, Gongsun Zan could not withstand Zhang Liao and retreated in defeat. Zhang Liao was unwilling to let go of this significant opportunity for his promotion, so he spurred his horse to pursue. Just as he was about to catch up, a thunderous voice rang out, and a general with an eight-foot-long spear burst forth from the allied forces, declaring, "Zhang Liao, do not flee, for the man from Yan, Zhang Fei, has arrived!" Zhang Liao was unwilling to let go of this significant opportunity for his promotion, so he spurred his horse to pursue. Just as he was about to catch up, a thunderous voice rang out, and a general with an eight-foot-long spear burst forth from the allied forces, declaring, "Zhang Liao, do not flee, for the man from Yan, Zhang Fei, has arrived!"

Jia Xu, as a fan of the Three Kingdoms, left a very deep impression on Kang Peng. He is one of the top strategists of the Three Kingdoms, known for devising malicious schemes and specifically assisting villains. He is a character with sores on his head and pus on his feet. He provided advice and strategies to Dong Zhuo, truly exemplifying the saying that a mule is matched with a saddle.

The walls of Hulao Pass are constructed of blue stones mixed with rammed earth, standing approximately four zhang high. They are filled with archers and shield bearers, and piles of logs and large stones are stacked like mountains. At intervals, bonfires are lit, with hot oil boiling on them to defend against the enemy's use of ladders. The supplies are quite ample, and these soldiers, both in physique and morale, are clearly much better than the elderly and child soldiers below, with almost all of them equipped with hardened leather armor. Kang Peng's mood has finally improved; it turns out that the real Dong Laoda has mobilized the elite troops to guard the walls.

Riding on a tall horse, Kang Peng observed very clearly that the soldiers guarding the Hulao Pass were all elderly veterans with white hair, dressed in tattered coarse cloth garments, which he estimated were as old as they were. There were also small children, less than five feet tall, holding rough wooden spears that were taller than they were—essentially just sharpened sticks. They were draped in two pieces of ragged cloth, which was only slightly better than being naked. Upon witnessing this scene, Kang Peng, who was already anxious, felt even more despondent about his bleak prospects in the Three Kingdoms. How could these soldiers possibly defeat the fierce and formidable eighteen warlords? They were nothing more than cannon fodder. It would be better for him to find a rope and hang himself than to be subjected to the slow slicing of the eighteen warlords.

I am from Shanyang ... ... '' This one is even worse, they didn't even report their name before heading directly to the Yama's Hall to register.

I am Gongsun Zan, the governor of Beiping, and the enemy general is known by name. The allied forces have finally produced someone of some renown. Kang Peng also noticed this unfortunate Gongsun Zan, who has been repeatedly betrayed and undermined by the big-eared thief, just as the legends say. Gongsun Zan rides a white horse and wields a long spear, but he is too far away to see his appearance clearly

Lü Bu was taken aback, "Father, that Zhang Liao is merely a cavalry squad leader, of lowly origin and without any official position. If he is sent into battle and suffers defeat, it could bring shame to your reputation and invite ridicule."

Zhang Liao beheaded Mu Shun, who was unaware of his fate, causing an uproar of cheers at Hulao Pass, while the morale of the allied forces naturally plummeted. Zhang Liao did not withdraw his troops and asked, "Who else is willing to die?"

Kang Peng was dawdling at the gate, and the lords outside could no longer wait. Thus, a foolish martial general from the lords' army rushed out to seek death, saying, "Hey! I am Mu Shun, a subordinate of the governor of Shangdang. Dong Zhuo, you old scoundrel, come and meet your death!"

Li Ru was overjoyed, while Dong the Great was rude to others, only treating the unwilling official Jia Xu with some courtesy. He never expected that there would come a day when Dong the Great would also refer to him as 'Sir.' Am I dreaming? "The subordinate understands," Li Ru said, blinking his triangular eyes. "Chancellor, that woman might be some kind of demon, using sorcery to secretly harm the Chancellor. Otherwise, should I arrange for someone to execute her right away?"

Seeing that Kang Peng was silent, Li Ru softly said: "This is the strategy that Mr. Jia Xu presented at the time of his departure. The Prime Minister has even praised Mr. Jia Xu. Has the Prime Minister perhaps forgotten?"

Kang Peng rolled his eyes and thought to himself that it would be easy for you to go and fight him, but the three major ruffians are about to surround you. Then I would be forced to retreat, move the capital to Chang'an, and be killed by you again. No, I must not allow the three major ruffians to engage in battle with Lü Bu. I must win the direct battle at Hulao Pass, just like the protagonist in a fantasy novel, to change the course of history, as that would give me a chance to save my life. But if not Lü Bu, then who should I send? Damn it, how could I forget him? I must win the direct battle at Hulao Pass, just like the protagonist in a fantasy novel, to change the course of history, as that would give me a chance to save my life. But if not Lü Bu, then who should I send? Damn it, how could I forget him?

"My son, Fengxian, why should you trouble yourself with such a petty character? It would only tarnish your Fangtian Huaji." Kang Peng first flattered this capricious little man, and upon seeing Lü Bu's smug expression, he seized the opportunity to add, "I have long heard that my son Fengxian has a fierce general under his command, surnamed Zhang, given the name Liao and the courtesy name Wenyuan. Why not let him go and deal with this rat?"

Zhang Liao achieved consecutive victories, and the people at Hulao Pass praised Kang Peng for his discernment in recognizing talent. However, the coalition forces remained silent, intimidated by this suddenly emerging unknown figure. From that moment on, Zhang Liao's name spread far and wide, and he naturally felt immense gratitude towards Dong Lao Da for giving him the opportunity. Lü Bu, on the other hand, was filled with jealousy and resentment, deeply dissatisfied with Zhang Liao for stealing his thunder.

Zhang Liao presented himself before the Chancellor. Zhang Liao indeed had a dignified appearance, with a square face and a heavy brow, his eyes as large as copper bells, and two mustaches shaped like the character "八" above his lips. Although he was merely dressed in ordinary cavalry armor, it could not conceal his fierce spirit. Kang Peng was overjoyed, thinking that he must first win over this highly loyal individual from the Three Kingdoms to serve as his personal bodyguard, as this would provide him with a means of self-preservation. "Zhang Liao, I have heard of your great reputation. Today, I wish to promote you to the position of a subordinate general, but you must first bring me the head of the bandit who has been shouting outside the gates. Are you willing to go?" Zhang Liao said nothing, mounted his horse, and took up his blade, leading ten men from his unit out of the gates.