Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator.

Instantly, Lu Bu's brow furrowed deeply, unconsciously.

Dong Zhuo's command encompassed three major military forces: the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, and the Sili Elite Troops. Their diverse origins naturally led to constant conflicts.

Without a doubt, in any conflict between the Xiliang Iron Cavalry and the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, the outcome invariably favored the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.

Because of this, Lu Bu was well aware of the considerable resentment harbored by the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry.

Previously, Lu Bu had viewed this as merely a part of the integration process and hadn't paid it much attention.

But now, Chen Gong's words made Lu Bu increasingly aware of Dong Zhuo's bias and favoritism towards the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.

However, on the surface, Lu Bu remained nonchalant, saying:

"So what if that's the case?"

"So what? It seems Marquis Wen still hasn't realized the problem."

Chen Gong continued expressionlessly, "Does Marquis Wen think the threat facing the Sanfu region is greater, or the threat facing Luoyang?"

Still somewhat puzzled, Lu Bu subconsciously replied, "Naturally, it's Hulao Pass."

Although the Sanfu region faced the simultaneous threat of Liu Yan, Liu Biao, and Ma Teng, it was undeniably far less significant than the twenty-odd thousand troops of the Thirty-Six Route Princes.

"Thus, the answer is self-evident."

Chen Gong said slowly.

"Dong Zhuo dispatched the eighty thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry, whom he regards as his direct lineage, to guard the Sanfu region. He then left Niu Fu in command of ten thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry to garrison Luoyang. Therefore, those heading to Hulao Pass to resist the Allied forces are all Sili Elite Troops and Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry."

"The purpose? It's simply to use Hulao Pass, this impregnable strategic location, to deplete the Allied forces' strength, as well as the numbers of the Sili Elite Troops and Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry."

"Therefore, whether Marquis Wen wins or loses at Hulao Pass, the outcome is, in fact, predetermined for Marquis Wen."

"If you win, Marquis Wen will meet a fate of being discarded after serving his purpose. If you lose, the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry and Sili Elite Troops will be completely buried at Hulao Pass, and the Allied forces will no longer have the strength to advance westward."

Amidst Chen Gong's calm tone, a thick sense of anger surfaced on Lu Bu's rugged and heroic face, almost visibly.

At least, at the moment Lu Bu recognized Dong Zhuo as his adoptive father, he was sincere.

However, through Chen Gong's analysis, Lu Bu had undoubtedly foreseen his own future.

Only after a long silence did Lu Bu gradually calm down and say, "These are merely your one-sided words. Do you think you can bewitch me?"

"Whether it is so or not, Marquis Wen will know in due course."

Having said that, Chen Gong did not continue to persuade him.

Lu Bu narrowed his eyes and pondered for a while, then stared at Chen Gong for a long time before suddenly speaking, "Gongtai, would you mind accompanying me to Hulao Pass?"

"Marquis Wen's command is not to be disobeyed."

Chen Gong smiled and cupped his fist in acknowledgement.

In the end, Chen Gong had said so much for a long time, partly to remind Lu Bu, and undoubtedly also to attract Lu Bu's attention, so that Lu Bu would take Chen Gong to Hulao Pass.

'Mengde, I will repay that push of yours with a spring of gratitude.'

Chen Gong thought secretly, pressing his hand on the wound left in his abdomen, a clear hatred appearing on his face.

......

As for Lu Bu bringing an extra scholar-looking follower, Dong Zhuo paid no attention at all. Li Ru, on the other hand, glanced at Chen Gong a few more times.

However, Chen Gong was previously just a small county magistrate, with no prominent reputation, and certainly not a member of any prominent family.

Therefore, Li Ru did not specifically inquire about Lu Bu.

Apart from leaving Niu Fu and ten thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry in Luoyang, Dong Zhuo went to Hulao Pass this time with virtually all of his forces.

Over forty thousand Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, over forty thousand Sili Elite Troops, plus ten thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry.

Dong Zhuo claimed to have an army of 300,000, but in reality, there were a full 100,000 elite troops heading towards Hulao Pass, and he brought all of his brave and skilled generals, claiming that this trip was to quell the rebellion for the imperial court.

When the Allied forces learned of this news, Dong Zhuo had already led his army into Hulao Pass.

Therefore, after Yuan Shao gathered all the lords to discuss the matter, and understood that Hulao Pass would be a bloody battle, he was no longer in a hurry.

On one hand, they were resting their soldiers in Sishui Pass, relieving the fatigue from the long march from Suanzao;

On the other hand, they were fully stocking up on grain in Sishui Pass, intending to use Sishui Pass as a rear granary to avoid the difficulty of resupply due to the long supply lines.

Of course, Dong Zhuo's side was not idle either. While Yuan Shao led more than 200,000 Allied troops slowly towards Hulao Pass, the entire Hulao Pass had been renovated again and a large number of defensive preparations had been made.

Looking from afar at Hulao Pass, which was almost armed to the teeth, Li Ji felt a bit of a headache.

"Zikun, how to break this pass?"

Liu Bei looked expectantly at Li Ji and asked.

How to break it?

This made Li Ji almost subconsciously think of a sentence: Why doesn't the lord communicate with Emperor Guangwu in a dream, to see if he can summon an extraterrestrial meteorite again to directly flatten Hulao Pass.

Hulao Pass, a formidable pass, is connected to Mount Song in the south and borders the Yellow River in the north. The pass is also extremely high and steep. It is said that one man can hold the pass against ten thousand, and there are 100,000 elite troops stationed there.

A strong attack would be useless. Not to mention the Allied forces' more than 200,000 uneven soldiers, even a solid army of 500,000 may not be able to take it by force.

"A strong attack is useless, we can only try to outwit them."

Feeling quite helpless, Li Ji could only say a nonsense sentence, but Liu Bei nodded in deep agreement, and then continued to look expectantly at Li Ji.

Li Ji, on the other hand, had a look of contemplation, his gaze scanning the majestic pass that he had only heard of in the past, feeling that even with all kinds of wisdom, it would be difficult to overcome the majestic pass.

In history, even Zhuge Liang, who led tens of thousands of troops, had no way to deal with Hao Zhao, who occupied the strategic pass with only a little over a thousand men.

At this moment, Li Ji hoped that Liu Bei could be a little sensible and not ask himself first...

However, Yuan Shao obviously had his own ideas and planned to send a detachment to try to attack the city first to test the reality of Hulao Pass.

Among them, Wang Kuang, a small warlord with only 3,000 soldiers, took the initiative to request to fight, intending to show his face in front of the heroes of the world.

After all, the first to attack Hulao Pass will not be criticized even if they do not win. On the contrary, they will be considered by the world to be keen on justice and support the Han Dynasty.

Yuan Shao would naturally not refuse this, so he nodded and allowed Wang Kuang to lead his troops to try to attack the city and test the reality of Hulao Pass.

Wang Kuang was very excited, knowing that this was undoubtedly a great opportunity for progress.

Immediately, Wang Kuang mobilized all his soldiers, counted 3,000 men, and appointed Fang Yue as general, slowly heading towards Hulao Pass.

This time, Wang Kuang's thoughts were all about seeking fame. As long as he could touch the walls of Hulao Pass and lose about 300 men, Wang Kuang was ready to retreat.

In the future, when Wang Kuang went out, he could call himself: the first person to lead troops to attack Hulao Pass.

As for Wang Kuang's actions, Dong Zhuo, Li Ru, Lu Bu and others standing on Hulao Pass at this moment could see it clearly.

Li Ru twirled his beard and sneered.

"Prime Minister, it seems that these Guandong rats really think the offensive is in their hands, and even a small Wang Kuang dares to lead 3,000 soldiers to provoke us. Why not strike them with thunderous force? It will just dampen the morale of the Guandong rats."

"Wenyou's words are exactly what I want..."

Dong Zhuo also stared angrily at Wang Kuang below, and then said in the direction of Wang Kuang. "Fengxian, I want Wang Kuang's head to be made into a wine cup for drinking."

"Your son will definitely bring a wine cup for Father!"

Lu Bu responded loudly, then flicked the red brocade hundred-flower robe behind him and walked towards the bottom of the city tower.

Just as the 3,000 soldiers led by Wang Kuang approached a certain distance from Hulao Pass, about to enter the range of the Hulao Pass defenders' arrows.

Wang Kuang's face condensed slightly. Just as he was about to let his confidant general lead the army to charge and attack the city.

"Squeak squeak squeak..."

Completely beyond Wang Kuang's expectations, the gate of Hulao Pass slowly opened first.

A figure that looked much taller and more majestic than ordinary cavalry from afar was revealed behind the gate of Hulao Pass.

The next moment...

Wang Kuang's face turned pale!

Marquis Wen Lu Bu?!

As the governor of Henei, Wang Kuang had seen Lu Bu and knew how amazing Lu Bu's courage was.

However, before Wang Kuang could urgently order a retreat, Lu Bu, riding the Red Hare horse, leaped out of the city gate, and then the Red Hare horse burst out with incredible speed, as if a ball of crimson flame was rushing towards Wang Kuang's direction.

For a time, looking from a distance, it did not look like an ant was launching a fearless charge towards 3,000 people, but rather like Lu Bu was surrounding these 3,000 people by himself.

Even though Lu Bu was alone and Wang Kuang had 3,000 soldiers protecting him on his left and right, Wang Kuang suddenly felt a sense of crisis rushing towards him.

After Lu Bu, a large number of Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry poured out of the gate of Hulao Pass, chasing after Lu Bu's figure and charging towards Wang Kuang's direction.

Wang Kuang almost instinctively turned around and fled while patting his horse, and shouted urgently at his beloved general Fang Yue.

"Block him! Block Lu Bu!!!"

Fang Yue was also a famous general of Henei, who had been taught spearmanship by famous families since he was a child. At this moment, although he was frightened by the power revealed by Lu Bu, in order to protect his lord, his face sank and he took the initiative to pat his horse and meet Lu Bu.

"Fang Yue of Henei is here, please give me your guidance, Marquis Wen!"

Seeing this, Lu Bu greeted Fang Yue, and Fang Tian's painted halberd was a powerful and heavy chop.

Moreover, it was clear that when Lu Bu had just raised his hand, there was still a distance from Fang Yue, but at the moment Lu Bu made his move, the Red Hare horse once again increased its speed as if it was telepathic.

For a time, Fang Yue, who was still waiting for the opportunity to make a move, suddenly realized that his head was about to be sent under Lu Bu's halberd.

In that critical moment, Fang Yue instinctively tilted his head to the side, trying his best to avoid a fatal blow, while the spear in his hand, like a swimming dragon, fiercely thrust towards Lu Bu's chest.

Although Fang Yue's original intention was to stab Lu Bu's vital throat, due to the difference in their sizes and the height of their warhorses, Fang Yue actually found that the tip of his spear could not reach Lu Bu's throat at all, and he could only settle for attacking his chest.

To this, Lu Bu contemptuously commented, saying.

"The spirit is not bad, but that's all there is to it..." (End of this chapter)