Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Wang Yun, a strategist with a long and arduous career in political intrigue, was now anxiously recommending Lü Bu's prowess to Liu Fan. His gaze was eager, his words earnest, and he hoped Liu Fan would take Lü Bu's formidable strength to heart. Wang Yun knew that if Liu Fan valued Lü Bu, his relationship with him would surely earn him preferential treatment and respect, thereby securing a higher position in this treacherous situation.

As a descendant of the Han imperial family, Liu Fan's status was undoubtedly noble. He was not only well-read and erudite, possessing exceptional talent in literary strategy, but also a master in martial arts, skilled in horseback riding, archery, and charging into battle. However, precisely because of this, he undoubtedly harbored a deep sense of pride. Faced with Wang Yun's enthusiastic praise for Lü Bu, Liu Fan merely frowned, lost in thought.

Liu Dan ran excitedly to Liu Fan and shouted, "Brother, I heard there's a girl named Diao Chan who's as beautiful as a fairy. I must meet her!"

Liu Fan scolded, "Second brother, don't act recklessly! The situation is complicated right now, and we can't lose our composure over a woman."

Liu Dan, however, was unconcerned. He widened his eyes and said, "Brother, I, Liu Dan, have braved life and death on the battlefield and made great contributions for you. Now I just want to see a woman. Why are you stopping me?"

Liu Fan looked helpless and sighed, "Second brother, I'm not trying to stop you, but Diao Chan's status is special. Now Lü Bu is actually challenging him for a woman, which is enough to prove how important Diao Chan is to Lü Bu. Why would we start a fight for a woman?"

Liu Dan refused to listen and shook off Liu Fan's hand, shouting, "I don't care, I must see her!" After that, he led his personal guards straight to the officials' families.

Liu Dan searched the crowd. When he saw Diao Chan, his eyes widened and he couldn't help muttering to himself, "This girl is only in heaven. How many times can we see her in the world? Such beauty must be mine!"

Diao Chan felt uncomfortable under his rude gaze and turned to leave. Liu Dan, however, stepped forward and grabbed Diao Chan's arm tightly. Diao Chan was terrified and struggled desperately, crying out, "Sir, please let me go! I am just a weak woman."

Liu Dan didn't care about all this. He laughed and said, "Little beauty, follow me and I guarantee you will be rich and prosperous!" He forcibly dragged Diao Chan to the top of the city wall.

At this time, Lu Bu was leading his troops at the foot of the city, waiting for Liu Fan's reply. Suddenly, he saw this scene on the top of the city. His eyes widened with anger and his heart was burning with anger.

Seeing that Lü Bu looked unhappy, Liu Fan stepped forward and said, "General Lü, this is a misunderstanding. My brother was reckless. I hope you won't be angry."

Lü Bu shouted angrily, "Liu Fan, you allowed your brothers to forcibly seize Diao Chan. This is too much of an insult to me!"

Liu Fan looked embarrassed and was speechless for a moment. He could only say, "General Lu, calm down. I will definitely teach my brother a lesson."

On the top of the city wall, Liu Dan became more and more arrogant and shouted at Lu Bu: "Lu Bu, you are just a military man, what qualifications do you have to shout here? This beauty, Liu Dan, is determined to get her! What can you do to me?" After that, he reached out to touch Diao Chan's face.

Diao Chan was so frightened that her face turned pale and she screamed and backed away. Seeing this, Lü Bu was furious and roared, "Liu Dan, you shameless man, I will kill you today!"

Immediately, Lu Bu summoned his troops and launched a fierce attack.

Suddenly, war drums thundered, and cries of slaughter shook the heavens. Lü Bu's Bingzhou army, like a tiger descending from a mountain, surged toward the city walls. The defenders, under the command of Liu Fan, put up a fierce resistance. Arrows rained down, and rolling stones and logs pelted the attackers. Undaunted, Lü Bu's soldiers pressed forward, stepping over the bodies of their comrades as they desperately climbed the ladders.

Lü Bu led the charge, brandishing his Fang Tian Hua Ji and roaring, "Liu Fan, Liu Dan, you two evil thieves, today is the day you die!"

While directing the defense, Liu Fan shouted at Liu Dan, "Brother, you've caused great trouble! Apologize to General Lu!"

Liu Dan replied, "Brother, what are you afraid of? Our city defenses are strong. Lü Bu won't be able to attack us!"

The battlefield was filled with smoke and blood, and the soldiers' screams and cries of killing were intertwined, making people shudder.

Liu Fan, anxious as he watched the soldiers continue to fall, shouted to Liu Dan, "Brother, it's all your absurd behavior that has put us in this desperate situation!"

Liu Dan still said arrogantly: "Brother, after we defeat Lu Bu, Diao Chan will still be mine!"

Diao Chan cried and begged Liu Dan to let her go, but Liu Dan ignored her and continued to be rude to her.

The walls were piled with corpses and blood flowed down them. Although Lü Bu's army was brave, they were unable to reach the top of the city.

Fa Zheng had been trying to appease the officials early that morning on Liu Fan's behalf. After all, such a significant victory over Dong Zhuo would surely require the officials to bear witness and praise Liu Fan. His reassurances gradually calmed the initially frightened officials. However, the sounds of distant battle shattered this brief moment of peace. Fa Zheng's heart tightened, and he hurried towards the sound of the fighting.

When he arrived, he found the battle already underway. Soldiers were engaged in a fierce battle atop the city walls, their cries of blood and blood deafening. Fa Zheng knew Liu Dan's character well, and after some questioning, he quickly understood the entire situation.

He quickly advised Liu Fan, "General, this is a golden opportunity. We can use this woman to pacify the Bingzhou army. We have long heard of Lü Bu's bravery. How could a mere woman cause such deep hatred?"

Liu Fan, looking at the chaotic battlefield, felt a headache. He scolded Liu Dan, "We are already isolated and Dong Zhuo is still camped far away. This is the time to make achievements. Don't bother with this woman anymore. Our battle is ridiculous. We could have been a helping hand, but now it has become like this. You can't change your lustful nature."

Liu Dan, however, said indifferently, "Brother, this woman is so beautiful, how can I let her go? Lü Bu is just a warrior, what's there to be afraid of?"

Liu Fan shook his head helplessly and said, "Second brother, do you know how powerful Lü Bu is? His martial arts are unmatched in the world. If we become his enemy, it would be like hitting a rock with an egg."

Liu Dan said nonchalantly, "Brother, you are too cautious. With the spear in my hand, why should I be afraid of Lü Bu? Besides, I have a large army at my disposal. Why should I be afraid of Lü Bu?"

At this moment, Diao Chan struggled desperately in Liu Dan's grasp, her eyes filled with fear and despair. Liu Dan, looking at Diao Chan's beauty, grew even more proud, completely oblivious to her pain. He shouted at Lü Bu, "Lü Bu, you wretch, how dare you become my enemy? If you don't surrender, I will kill this woman!"

After hearing Liu Dan's words, Lü Bu's fury erupted like a volcano. He roared, "Liu Dan, you shameless wretch! How dare you threaten me with Diao Chan? I will tear you to pieces today!"

With that, Lü Bu led the Bingzhou army in another, even more fierce, attack. Soldiers from both sides engaged in a fierce battle on the city walls, with swords flashing and sabers clashing, shouts of killing, and screams echoing. The battle was so brutal that blood poured down the walls, staining them red.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Liu Fan felt a surge of remorse. He realized his mistake in condoning Liu Dan's actions, which had led to this pointless war. He tried to stop Liu Dan, but Liu Dan, blinded by his own desires, ignored his advice.

Fa Zheng knew that the situation could not be allowed to deteriorate further, so he led a group of soldiers to rush towards Liu Dan, trying to rescue Diao Chan. Seeing this, Liu Dan's eyes turned red, and he drew his sword and killed even his own people.

Although Fa Zheng possessed considerable strategic and martial prowess, he was ultimately a scholar. Liu Dan, on the other hand, was no ordinary warrior. He possessed exceptional martial arts skills, and after a few rounds, he easily chopped down Fa Zheng's men and even drew his sword to attack Fa Zheng.

At this critical moment, Liu Fan drew his sword and knocked away Liu Dan's sword, angrily scolding Liu Dan for his nonsense.

While they were distracted, Lü Bu seized the opportunity, drew his bow, and shot an arrow at Liu Dan. Liu Dan was unable to dodge and was hit in the shoulder. He screamed and fell to the ground.

Lü Bu was overjoyed. He ordered the Bingzhou army to attack with all their might. Lü Bu's offensive was like a surging tide, wave after wave, and the soldiers' shouts of killing were deafening. Liu Fan's expression was solemn, his eyes fixed on the ferocious enemy troops below the city, beads of sweat oozing from his forehead.

He knew very well that the situation was critical at the moment and did not dare to be distracted at all. He turned his head and shouted to Fa Zheng beside him: "Fa Zheng, follow me to command the battle!" Fa Zheng responded, and the two of them quickly engaged in the intense command.

Liu Fan shouted loudly, adjusting the soldiers' defensive formation, while Fa Zheng delivered various instructions in an orderly manner. Their voices echoed in the noisy battlefield, inspiring the soldiers to hold on to the city walls.

The enemy climbed the ladders like ants, and Liu Fan personally wielded his sword to cut down the charging enemy soldiers. Fa Zheng directed the archers' accurate fire, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.

The battle lasted for a long time and both sides were extremely exhausted, but Liu Fan and Fa Zheng always stayed at the front line to boost morale.

Finally, under their stubborn resistance, Lü Bu's army began to tire, and their offensive was no longer as fierce as before. Liu Fan seized the opportunity and ordered a counterattack. The soldiers fought back vigorously and finally repelled Lü Bu with great difficulty.

The city walls were in shambles, soldiers lying sprawled on the ground. Liu Fan and Fa Zheng were exhausted and panting. Lü Bu gazed at the towering walls, his eyes filled with resentment and anger. Liu Fan, perched atop the walls, was also filled with anxiety and conflict. He knew that today's events had forged a deep hatred between him and Lü Bu, and the future would be even more unpredictable.