Although Lü Bu couldn't hear Xu Gong's words clearly, they warmed his heart. After a few cups of watered wine, Xu Gong began to talk.
"Feng Xian, in my opinion, your lord is not a wise ruler. This matter, which could have been big or small, has led to your dismissal from your general's position. Why not let this be the end of it!" Xu Gong earnestly advised.
"Xu Gong, shut your damned mouth. He is Lü Bu's lord. Even if he asked Feng Xian to die, Feng Xian would do so willingly!" Lü Bu said, his eyes red as he clutched the wine jar.
"If you utter another word of nonsense, don't blame me for forgetting our past friendship!" Lü Bu cursed angrily, but with a clear hint of reluctance.
Seeing an opportunity, Xu Gong naturally wouldn't give up easily and quickly persuaded him again.
"Feng Xian, how do you think I've treated you?"
"Of course, I have no complaints. But to ask me, Lü Bu, to betray my lord? Impossible. *Hic*~" Lü Bu said hastily.
"How is this betrayal? It's clearly about giving you, Lü Bu, a better life," Xu Gong said honestly and continued to persuade, "A good bird chooses its tree to nest in. It's even more so for you, Lü Bu. With a good lord, why worry about not becoming famous throughout the land!"
"Famous?" Lü Bu chuckled contemptuously, waved his hand, and turned over. "I, Lü Bu, am not interested."
"Feng Xian, Feng Xian!" Xu Gong grabbed Lü Bu's hand and shook it two or three times. "As long as you follow me, I guarantee you a life of luxury. Why stay here and be humiliated!"
Lü Bu suddenly stood up and stared intently at Xu Gong, saying coldly, "Xu Gong, if you say one more word, don't blame me, Lü Bu, for killing you."
Lü Bu held his Fangtian Hua Ji and stared menacingly at Xu Gong. Xu Gong knew Lü Bu was a rash man who would do anything, and instinctively took a few steps back.
"Lü Bu, Lü Bu, what do you intend to do? I am Xu Gong, your childhood friend!"
"You good-for-nothing Xu Gong! If you betray my lord, let alone a childhood friend, even your own father, I, Lü Bu, would dare to act!" Lü Bu cursed fiercely, then turned and said softly, "Even if I, Lü Bu, wanted to defect, who would give me this position!"
Xu Gong heard it clearly. It turned out Lü Bu wasn't unwilling to defect, but he was afraid of not having a wise lord after leaving. This was exactly within Xu Gong's area of expertise.
"Lü Bu, do you want to become a king, like Ye Feng!" Xu Gong said urgently. "If you are willing, I can lend you a hand!"
Hearing this, Lü Bu was half sobered. Everyone wanted to be a king, but only Ye Feng succeeded in the end. Why was that? Because under Emperor Ling, it was difficult to gain recognition from others!
"Xu Gong, if you mention this again, I will kill you." Lü Bu pointed his Fangtian Hua Ji at Xu Gong without hesitation. Xu Gong smiled coldly.
"Feng Xian, I, Xu Gong, know your attitude perfectly well. Why don't you raise your arms and shout? We, the two of us, can lead the army to Liang Province to protect His Majesty, and then becoming a king will be within reach!" Xu Gong said hastily.
Although Emperor Ling appeared weak, he possessed the Imperial Seal. This alone was enough for no one to dare to underestimate him. It was undoubtedly difficult for Lü Bu to see Emperor Ling, yet Xu Gong spoke so directly.
"Xu Gong, damn it, don't bring me into your bragging." Lü Bu cursed angrily.
Xu Gong straightened his back and decided to stop pretending. He laid his cards on the table and said with a smile, "Feng Xian, I naturally wouldn't speak without reason. I will definitely arrange for you to meet Emperor Ling, how about that?"
Lü Bu's heart sank. He quickly asked, "How can you guarantee that, Xu Gong? Are you trying to trick me!"
In his haste, Xu Gong couldn't afford to worry about anything else. "Feng Xian, when have I ever tricked you? Moreover, I've clearly seen everything that has happened to you these past few days. Rest assured, I will certainly ensure you are promoted and honored."
"I know what capabilities you, Xu Gong, have!" Lü Bu scoffed and said coldly, "Pack your things. We leave for Liang Province tomorrow. If you, Xu Gong, have any ulterior motives, don't blame me for disregarding our old friendship!"
Seeing that Lü Bu was unyielding, Xu Gong sighed heavily. He couldn't afford to worry anymore and, holding a dagger, cursed at Lü Bu!
"Lü Bu, are you going or not?"
"You good lad, you've improved a lot, now holding a knife to me!" Lü Bu said with a wry smile. "Come on, let me see what you've learned all these years?"
"Not at all!" Xu Gong smiled chillingly, and with the dagger, he cut open his robes, revealing a letter in the middle. "This is the letter, and it's your and my stepping stone. Add to this the one in my sash, and rest assured, neither you nor I will be in trouble!"
Lü Bu's heart stirred. "Good, I agree. Let's drink heartily!"
After several jars of watered wine, Xu Gong passed out on the table, snoring. Lü Bu stood by the window, lost in thought.
"My lord, has our master-servant bond come to an end? If there is an afterlife..."
Before he could finish, a hand reached in from outside and directly dragged Lü Bu out. As Lü Bu tried to struggle, he realized it was Ye Feng. Startled, he blurted out, "My lord!"
Ye Feng was in a hurry to cover Lü Bu's mouth, but Lü Bu spoke softly, "My lord, you don't need to send Lü Bu on his final journey. Lü Bu will leave on his own. We will go our separate ways, and may my lord take care."
Before he finished speaking, Lü Bu received a hard slap on the head. "What nonsense are you talking about? Have you forgotten our bond?"
Lü Bu understood that Ye Feng was referring to their former bond as overlord and subordinate. He was even more bewildered, muttering, "My lord, you didn't want Feng Xian anymore, so I..."
"Slap!" Lü Bu received another hard slap on the head.
"What nonsense are you spouting? How could I possibly not want you!" Ye Feng said with feigned anger.
"Then just now you..." Lü Bu started to scheme, realizing how fortunate it was that he had been faking it. These two slaps felt truly satisfying!
"If I didn't say harsh words, how could you gain his trust? How could you make him reveal those things!" Ye Feng said righteously.
Lü Bu, being so straightforward, couldn't pretend any longer. This was the only way to make the cunning Xu Gong reveal his true colors!
As for using Lü Bu, Ye Feng felt no burden in his heart. After all, Xu Gong could plot against the master he had served for so many years, so what else was he incapable of doing?
Lü Bu went with Xu Gong. If their fundamental interests were ever threatened, would Xu Gong spare Lü Bu?
After explaining the intricate details of the situation clearly, Lü Bu didn't seem to take it too much to heart.
He directly asked, "My lord, do you need me to steal the letter and leave him with no other options!"
"No, I want you to memorize the content of the letter. Go with him, and after you see Sun Jian, give him my letter. I believe he will make appropriate arrangements, and there will be further plans for you!" Ye Feng carefully instructed him on everything.
As for the current Xu Gong, he was sleeping like a log. Lü Bu effortlessly stole the letter. After Ye Feng read it, he carefully put it back in its place.
When Xu Gong woke up, Lü Bu had already fetched water and said solemnly, "Gong, Feng Xian has carefully considered what you said last night. You speak with reason, and we will depart today!"
As soon as Lü Bu finished speaking, beads of sweat fell from his head. At this moment, he also understood Ye Feng's good intentions.
However, after last night's events, Xu Gong didn't have many doubts and quickly said, "Excellent, excellent! With Feng Xian, great things can be accomplished. We will surely be like a tiger with wings!"
Before noon, the two left Ye City, one after the other. Ye Feng and Diao Chan stood on the city wall, watching Lü Bu's departing back. Diao Chan asked, "Others could have gone as well. Why did the King insist on having Lü Bu return? Is it just because Lü Bu has a personal relationship with Xu Gong?"
"That is natural," Ye Feng said with a smile. Of course, he wouldn't tell Diao Chan that Lü Bu, at this very moment, had died at Cao Cao's hands due to Liu Bei's inaction in the past.
"Does the King believe Lü Bu has a good chance this time?" Diao Chan asked with a charming smile.
"My beauty has so many questions today. What if I don't want to tell you, my beauty?" Ye Feng said playfully, teasing her. Diao Chan's expression suddenly changed.
"If the King is unwilling to say, then don't. I am old and my beauty is fading. How can I compare to those other sisters? The King should go and accompany them!" Diao Chan snorted and took a step back, turning her back to Ye Feng.
"How could that be? If my beauty is old and fading, then there are no beauties in this world!" Ye Feng laughed heartily and pulled Diao Chan into his arms. "Lü Bu, you must complete what this King has entrusted you with!"
Ye Feng and Diao Chan descended the city wall, talking and laughing. A hundred li away from Ye City, Xu Gong was suffering greatly.
The flesh between his legs had festered from the constant bouncing. Every jolt made Xu Gong gasp in pain. Xu Gong couldn't help but shout.
"Feng Xian, wait! It's still early. Why don't we travel slowly? Why the hurry!"
Lü Bu turned his horse around and pretended to be ignorant. "If we don't reach Liang Province, how can we meet His Majesty? How can we know you're not deceiving me, Feng Xian!"
"That's impossible, naturally. Slow down!" Xu Gong panted, pulling hard on the reins and remaining still. Lü Bu circled around from behind his horse and slapped its hindquarters. Instantly, Xu Gong's horse bolted forward like a mad beast.
Lü Bu, following behind, shouted several times, "Brother, slow down! Wait for me!"
Xu Gong's teeth itched with anger, but he remembered that Lü Bu was someone he had tricked into serving Emperor Ling, so he could only swallow his resentment.
After a few days like this, the two finally arrived in Liang Province. Lü Bu followed Xu Gong at a leisurely pace.
"Feng Xian, this Liang Province is vastly different from when I last came. It even has a hint of Luoyang's grandeur. This must be His Majesty's achievement!"
Nonsense, this is all the credit of my western development!
Lü Bu nodded continuously on the surface. "His Majesty is truly a blessing to the Han Dynasty."
As they spoke, they arrived at an inconspicuous small wine shop. A waiter rushed to greet them, but his demeanor caught Lü Bu's eye.
"What would you two guests like to eat? We have everything here!"
"A bowl of clear Jiangdong lake water, welcoming guests from all directions!"
"The Han Dynasty wine shop offers fine wine, enjoyed by people from all over!"
The waiter looked around, and as no one seemed to notice, he quickly said, "Please, guests, come upstairs!"