Chapter 2, Rescuing Xu's Mother

After expressing his astonishment, Zhang Fei felt a tumult of emotions within his heart

Thank you for your concern, Uncle San. Liu Feng nodded, a glimmer of determination flashing in his eyes, as he rode past Zhang Fei. The hooves of the horses stirred up a cloud of dust in their wake

"Nephew, if you do not protect your elder brother's safety, where do you intend to go?" Zhang Fei glared with wide eyes and questioned the approaching soldier.

Zhang Fei of the Yan people, also known as Zhang Yide, opened his round eyes wide, wielding an eight-foot-long serpent spear, anxiously standing at the bridgehead, scanning the surroundings.

It is indeed not easy for cattle to find even a bit of tender grass. If it were not for Liu Feng, Jian Yong would probably have considered escaping by climbing onto the back of this cow after dark

The arrogant shouts of Cao Jun's soldiers occasionally echoed, while Liu Feng cautiously avoided the large contingent of elite cavalry from the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, searching for a small path to advance.

It is already autumn.

Liu Feng's well-intentioned lie was nearly exposed by Xu's mother, causing him to feel a surge of anxiety; amidst the chaos of battle, where could a carriage possibly come from

Brothers of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, come with me!

Although Liu Feng had never been to Xu Shu's residence, he could faintly see some resemblance between the old woman and Xu Shu from her brows and eyes

"Dear nephew, be cautious. If you find yourself unable to cope, you should return quickly." Zhang Fei's eyes revealed a sense of approval as he held his eight-foot-long serpent spear at an angle, clearing one side of the bridge for passage.

In a moment of urgency, someone in the crowd of refugees called out: "Up ahead is General Liu, I am an officer under the command of General Zuo, Jian Yong and Jian Xian are with me, I have a cow here, which can carry the old lady Xu."

"Is that the esteemed Mrs. Xu from Yingchuan?" Liu Feng, feeling a stir in his heart, reined in his warhorse and asked the somewhat familiar elderly woman.

Jian Yong was not particularly skilled in martial arts, but he was quite eloquent. He often represented Liu Bei in diplomatic missions to various lords, making him a valuable talent.

Liu Feng bowed respectfully and stepped forward to support Xu's mother, saying: "This young man is Liu Feng, the adopted son of General Zuo. I have received much guidance from Mr. Xu during my time in Xinye. This time, I have come at Mr. Xu's behest to escort the old lady."

Upon hearing Liu Feng's words, Xu Mu displayed a look of relief on her face. Her son had finally remembered that his mother was trapped among the chaotic troops, and he had even sent the adopted son of the Left General to provide assistance. What does this signify? It indicates that Xu Shu holds an extraordinary position in Liu Bei's heart

The elderly woman before me, though not dressed extravagantly, is neat and capable, clearly a woman of considerable knowledge and a distinguished background

Zhang Fei was filled with confusion in his heart

Jian Yong smiled broadly and pointed to the crouching grass, saying: "There is a river marsh over there, where a water buffalo is grazing, and I have tied its head to a tree."

... ...

Xu Shu's mother followed Liu Bei's army as they retreated south

The Zhang Fei across the way stands at a height of 7 feet 7 inches, clad in a full set of black armor. He has prominent eyes and a straight nose, with a beard that extends down from his jawline, and his facial features are distinctly rugged.

This time, upon hearing someone shout, I turned to look and saw a valiant young general dismounting and approaching me. Judging by his attire, he must be an officer under Liu Bei's command

Liu Feng ran to the place pointed out by Jian Yong, pushed aside the grass, and saw that the water buffalo mentioned by Jian Yong was covered with a scholar's robe over its head, still chewing on the dry yellow grass roots that Jian Yong had gathered.

With the assistance of Xu's mother, Liu Feng managed to get Jian Yong lying on the ox cart. As the cart swayed and jolted, Jian Yong's rear end also moved up and down, leaving one at a loss for words

After searching for a while, Liu Feng saw a group of fleeing commoners hidden among the thickets ahead. Among them, there was also an ox cart covered with a blue cloth abandoned by the edge of the forest. The ox that had been pulling the cart had struggled free from its reins and escaped, leaving only the yoke behind. A kindly-looking elderly woman in her sixties was lying on the cart, lamenting and at a loss for what to do.

In recent years, he has followed his elder brother Liu Bei in battles across various regions, retreating from Xuzhou to Runan, and then fleeing from Runan to Xinye. Now that Xinye has also been lost, it is truly uncertain when victory will arrive

Kill the big-eared thief

If it were really Liu Bei or Xu Shu sending someone to receive, how could it be that only Liu Feng rides alone? At the very least, there should be a group of soldiers accompanying the carriage to provide support.

Zhang Fei turned his head and saw a tall and handsome young general approaching him. One hand held a standard long-handled broadsword of the Han army behind him, while the other hand urged the reins as he rode forward.

"The old woman is indeed Mrs. Xu. May I ask who the general is?" Mrs. Xu asked with a nervous expression

As Jian Yong emerged fully, Liu Feng finally noticed that a stray arrow shot by the Cao army was lodged at an angle in Jian Yong's buttocks, striking him squarely in the rear

During the Battle of Changbanpo, Liu Bei was caught off guard by Cao Cao, and the people of Xinye and Fancheng were scattered by Cao's cavalry. Many abandoned the main road and fled to the countryside and villages. What Liu Feng needed to do was to find Madam Mi, Mother Xu, and others among the fleeing populace.

If it were not for the tough skin and thick flesh of this location, Jian Yong would have lost his life.

"Uncle Jian, where is the car you mentioned?" Liu Feng asked anxiously after confirming that Jian Yong was safe.

Jian Yong

Liu Feng turned his gaze in the direction of the sound and saw a middle-aged scholar with a large mouth, baring his teeth in pain, awkwardly rolling out from the bushes in the forest.

At the beginning, there were soldiers guarding the families of these generals and strategists. After Liu Bei fought to the death and suffered a great defeat, Zhao Yun and several hundred supply troops were also scattered.

"Oh dear, Uncle Jian, is that you? Have you been hurt?" Liu Feng hurriedly dismounted and helped Jian Yong out of the bushes

On Changban Bridge

There are oxen pulling carts, and the means of transportation are now available

Xu's mother, an elderly woman in her declining years, found it difficult to walk. Without any means of transportation, she could only lie in the carriage and await her fate

Upon hearing this, the young general realized that the old woman was frail and weak, unable to ride a horse, and that the carriage was also unusable. How could it be easy to leave this place? Xu's mother, with her strong and resilient character, immediately sensed the inaccuracies in Liu Feng's words after her initial joy.

On this day, where is the dwelling place of the Three Brothers of Peach Garden

Suddenly, a rapid sound of hooves striking the ground was heard.

Xu's mother, along with a group of commoners from Xinye, took a desperate route, abandoning the main road to flee. However, the ox pulling the cart was startled and ran away. Seeing the situation was dire, the cart driver, in a fit of panic, abandoned the cart and fled.

Liu Bei's army suffered another great defeat, and Zhang Fei was ordered to lead twenty cavalry to cover the rear and assist the scattered soldiers and their families who had not yet arrived. Among them, the Xiahous who were "forcibly seized" from Qiao County were also unable to escape north of the bridge, which left Zhang Fei feeling quite anxious.

"I report to Uncle San that my mother is caught in the midst of the chaotic army. I, the young nephew, am following my father's orders to search for her, and I hope Uncle San will allow me to pass," said Liu Feng, with a heroic expression and raised eyebrows.

In this dire situation, Liu Feng chose to travel north alone in search of Lady Mi. This action endeared him to Zhang Fei, who recognized that Liu Feng, the adopted son of Lord Liu Bei, possessed a pure and noble character, making him a person of great potential.

This name is quite familiar. Liu Feng took a look and recognized it as Jian Yong, the strategist who had been a childhood friend of Liu Bei, following him all the way from Zhuo County to Jingzhou.

Zhang Fei stood on the bridge, his expression complex as he watched Liu Feng gradually disappear into the distance on horseback.

Whoever captures Liu Bei, the Great Ear, shall be granted the title of Marquis and rewarded with one hundred gold pieces