Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

Vertical sun.

The boundary bridge where Julu County and Qinghe Kingdom meet.

A large and imposing army is advancing in a mighty manner from the direction of Qinghe Kingdom towards Julu County.

The army was large, roughly estimated to number around a thousand.

These thousand soldiers were all mounted on tall and mighty Liangzhou horses.

The warhorses moved with agile strides, their hooves thundering.

From a distance, the entire procession looked like a giant black dragon, winding and twisting across the vast land.

The black banners fluttering in the air above the cavalry added to the solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Every flag fluttered in the wind, rustling and exuding a chilling aura that seemed to soar into the sky.

Upon closer inspection, each black flag has a large "段" (duan) character embroidered in the center with bright red silk thread. The strokes are vigorous and powerful, seemingly containing endless strength and majesty, inspiring awe in all who see it.

The vanguard was led by Lü Bu, who rode a jade dragon.

He wore beast-face armor and held a halberd.

At this time, Lü Bu was noticeably stronger than when he met Duan Yu in Bingzhou the previous year.

After witnessing Duan Yu's earth-shattering attack in the Xiongnu, Lü Bu understood a principle.

There are people outside people, and there are days outside the sky.

Of course, this statement was only made when facing Duan Yu.

So far, apart from Duan Yu, Lü Bu still doesn't submit to anyone.

After returning from the Xiongnu and arriving in Liangzhou, Lü Bu trained with Duan Yu every morning.

Although they can't lift boulders weighing thousands of kilograms, they can lift boulders weighing several hundred kilograms.

He practiced wielding the halberd with Duan Yu every day.

Although there were no special techniques involved, over time, Lü Bu discovered that it still had some effect.

In addition, Liangzhou was a place where food and drink were plentiful, and he no longer had to worry about making a living. As a result, Lü Bu's body became stronger and stronger over the course of the year.

If he were to ride a different red warhorse, he would be a smaller version of Duan Yu.

As for Hou Cheng, Wei Xu, and the other generals who were originally by Lü Bu's side, they have all been left in Jiuyuan.

Now, only Cheng Lian remains of Lü Bu's former subordinates.

"General, it seems you haven't achieved any notable accomplishments in this campaign against Yingchuan."

Cheng Lian, holding a long spear, rode alongside Lü Bu and said, "General, look, General Gao and General Qu have both made contributions. Last time in Dongjun, you didn't manage to win a battle."

Lu Bu nodded with a hint of melancholy.

Yes, this opportunity to strike back at the thieves is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

When Duan Yu was in Liangzhou, he was surrounded by many fierce generals.

This time, the bandits were only accompanied by four generals.

This is a golden opportunity to capture the thief and gain merit.

"I also want to make a name for myself," Lu Bu said wistfully. "Perhaps only after I have made a great contribution will you be able to teach me your invincible halberd technique."

Cheng Lian shook his head and said, "General, that's secondary. There's something more important than that."

"What?" Lu Bu looked at Cheng Lian in confusion.

"General, didn't you even realize it?"

Lu Bu shook his head blankly. What did he see?

Should he have figured something out?

"General, now among the Lord's troops, only you are alone in one place. Haven't you noticed?"

Cheng Lian sighed and said, "Now, under your command, there are two factions: Bingzhou and Liangzhou."

"The Bingzhou lineage is further divided into the Yanmen lineage and the Taiyuan lineage."

“In Yanmen County, there are two brothers, Zhang Xun and Zhang Liao. Although they have not followed you the longest, they are still veterans. Now they are guarding Liangzhou and have become generals leading their own troops.”

"As for the Taiyuan faction, they are all the direct descendants of the Marquis: Gao Shun, Chen Qing'an, Tie Shitou, and Wang Hunu. Among them, Chen Qing'an married Zhang Xun and Zhang Liao's sister, so they have actually formed a faction. Moreover, there is the Marquis's wife, Diao Chan, in Bingzhou."

"These people all banded together in Bingzhou, forming a faction around Lord Junhou's wife, Diaochan, for mutual support."

Cheng Lian analyzed carefully: "Let's talk about the Liangzhou faction next."

"Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Xiu, Wang Fang, Li Meng and others under your command are all from the Liangzhou faction, and their families later became Qu Yi."

“These people are all generals from Liangzhou, and one of them is the eldest son born to Lady Dong.”

"This is the Liangzhou lineage."

Lü Bu seemed to understand something.

“Then… I should also be considered part of Bingzhou,” Lü Bu said, looking at Cheng Lian.

Cheng Lian gave a wry smile.

"Although the general is from Bingzhou... he can't be considered part of the Bingzhou faction."

"Why?" Lu Bu asked, frowning.

“General,” Cheng Lian said speechlessly, “Although you are from Bingzhou, you have no connection with the many generals under your command.”

"Zhang Liao and Zhang Xun are related to Chen Qing'an by marriage. Chen Qing'an is General Gao's disciple and also has a brother-sister relationship with Lady Diao Chan, which forms a connection. But what about the General?"

Cheng Lian's way of putting it was already quite tactful.

To put it simply...

Lü Bu is still an unofficial member.

They couldn't even get into Duan Yu's core.

As for ability, Cheng Lian believed that Lü Bu had no shortage of skills.

However, Lü Bu was utterly lacking in social skills and the ability to cultivate relationships.

If we continue like this, the drawbacks will only become greater as time goes on.

"Huh?" Lu Bu looked at Cheng Lian with a blank expression: "This... I really didn't expect that if you hadn't told me."

Cheng Lian twitched the corner of his mouth, thinking to himself, "General, it would be strange if you could have thought of that."

"Then... what should I do?" Lu Bu asked anxiously.

It's no longer so simple to reconcile the two factions.

“General, it’s difficult to integrate now,” Cheng Lian said, shaking his head. “But you are capable.”

"With the halberd on your horse, General, as long as you seize the opportunity and make a great contribution, you can gain the Lord's attention."

Upon hearing this, Lü Bu nodded vigorously.

“That’s right, you’re right!” Lu Bu gripped his halberd tightly and said, “Although I have no connections, I have the ability.”

"With my horse and halberd, I will surely achieve great merit, and then you will definitely look at me differently."

Lu Bu gave himself a determined look and encouraged himself.

Cheng Lian nodded in agreement and said, "After the pacification of Ji Province, this rebellion should be over soon. General, you should seize the opportunity to make a name for yourself."

"Ah."

As Lü Bu and Cheng Lian were talking, a fast horse suddenly galloped towards them from the front.

"Report~"

"Reporting to the general, we have encountered some defeated troops ahead, who claim to be the defeated troops under the command of the Eastern General." The cavalry scout rode up to Lü Bu and bowed.

General of the Eastern Central Army?

Lu Bu was taken aback.

Cheng Lian, on the other hand, reacted very quickly.

"The General of the Eastern Central Army is the Lord's father-in-law!" Cheng Lian exclaimed in surprise. "The General of the Eastern Central Army's army should be besieging the Yellow Turban rebels in Ji Province at this time, together with the General of the Northern Central Army's army."

Lu Bu asked curiously, "Then how could there be a routed army?"

"Could it be..."

Cheng Lian immediately realized something and said urgently, "General, quick, quickly have someone bring those defeated soldiers here. If it really is the Marquis's father-in-law in trouble, then the general will truly make a great contribution this time!"

Lu Bu understood immediately upon hearing this.

So he immediately ordered the scouts to bring back the routed troops they had intercepted!