Three days later, Lü Bu, Dian Wei, Dong Zhuo, and others led a large army to Quanling County in Lingling Commandery.

Two days later, a scout reported that the barbarian troops had entered Lingling territory and were only fifty li away from Quanling.

These barbarian soldiers came from the Wuxi barbarians, and their leader was named Qin Lin.

The so-called "barbarians" should actually be called the Sanmiao people. They lived in these mountains as early as the Tang and Yu periods.

During the Xia and Shang dynasties, these barbarians repeatedly invaded the border but were repelled. Later, when the Zhou emperor enfeoffed various lords, these barbarians submitted to the State of Chu and lived in harmony with the Chu people, intermarrying with each other.

This is why, during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the states of the Central Plains referred to the State of Chu as the "Chu barbarians."

Later, it returned to the Han Dynasty. Over the years, although there were rebellions, the two sides were generally at peace, and the people lived in harmony.

The main reason for choosing to rebel this time was the scarcity of food in the mountains, coupled with Huangfu Gui cutting off the food supply, while Sun Sheng was merely a trigger.

A cool breeze blew by, and the barbarian chieftain Qin Lin patted his mount and looked solemnly toward Quanling.

Behind Qin Lin were 30,000 barbarian soldiers and 8,000 rebels, who lined up in long columns of five and marched through the mountain roads.

These soldiers, carrying their weapons and banners, walked slowly. They looked hungry, and their steps were somewhat unsteady.

Judging from his appearance, he seemed to be starving.

Qin Lin turned his head to look at the soldiers behind him, a hint of anger on his face.

"That damned Huangfu Gui not only cut off the grain transport, but also relocated all the people. He is utterly despicable!"

Originally, Qin Lin planned to lead the warriors of his tribe down the mountain to seize some food and then retreat back into the mountains. However, Huangfu Gui had already ordered all counties to implement a scorched-earth policy in advance and relocate the people to the rear.

These barbarian soldiers left nothing behind in the villages and towns they passed through, not even a single seed, let alone people or food.

They have been starving for five or six days since they set out. If they wait another two days, they will starve to death, let alone fight.

Suddenly, a scout on horseback galloped toward the barbarian troops. A minor leader in charge of the outpost went up to ask a few questions, then turned back to Qin Lin.

"Your Majesty, according to my men's inquiries, all the people in the surrounding area have entered Quanling County. Five days ago, a large Han army also entered Quanling."

Sun Sheng, who was standing nearby, quickly asked, "Who is the general leading the Han army?"

The foreman said, "I don't know their names, but on several large flags on the city wall, they are written the characters Lü, Dian, Dong, and Gao!"

"Lü, Dian, Dong, Gao?"

After a moment's thought, Sun Sheng couldn't help but recall the two figures who were comparable to Xiang Yu, mentioned by the messenger when he sought help.

"What? Does the King of Yue know the garrison commander?"

Seeing Sun Sheng frowning and deep in thought, Qin Lin couldn't help but ask.

Sun Sheng shook his head: "I don't know them, but I've heard that Lü Bu and Dian Wei are exceptionally brave, peerless warriors comparable to Xiang Yu!"

"Comparable to Xiang Yu?"

Qin Lin was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then laughed loudly: "Haha~, I say, King Yue, have you been driven mad by the Han army? What kind of person is Xiang Yu? Can any water man in the world compare to him?"

In my opinion, it was your men who were terrified and tried to cover it up, wasn't it?

"I......"

Faced with Qin Lin's mockery, Sun Sheng felt extremely aggrieved, but he dared not speak out against him and could only swallow his resentment.

"Hmph, who cares who's in the city? Now that our warriors and people are starving, I'll make them pay..."

After laughing, Qin Lin snorted coldly and then urged the group to continue their journey.

Half a day later, Qin Lin led these barbarian soldiers to the city of Lingling.

Qin Lin spurred his horse forward, stopped by the moat, looked up at the guards on the city walls, and shouted:

"You cowardly rats in the city, come out and face your deaths!!"

"Ha! This barbarian has quite the big mouth!"

When Dong Zhuo on the city wall saw that the other party had actually come to challenge him, he couldn't help but sneer.

"I will go and behead him!"

Lu Bu casually tossed out a remark, then grabbed his halberd and headed down the city wall.

"Hey, hey, hey~, Fengxian, wait a minute!"

Upon seeing this, Dong Zhuo hurriedly stepped forward and stopped Lü Bu.

Lu Bu frowned: "What is Zhong Ying doing?"

"Hehe~, Fengxian, you and Lao Dian have been quite the stars before. How about you let me have this barbarian this time?"

Dong Zhuo chuckled and looked at Lü Bu with a fawning expression.

Dong Zhuo, once known as the greatest warrior of Xiliang, believed that this title would stay with him for life.

He then encountered Lü Bu, and later in Luoyang, he met Sun Jian, Dian Wei, Huang Zhong, and others, which greatly discouraged him.

In this suppression of the rebellion, Dong Zhuo killed quite a few people, but he was still overshadowed by the prowess of Lü Bu and Dian Wei. One can only imagine how frustrated he must have felt.

Therefore, Dong Zhuo thought of using this barbarian to rebuild his prestige and let everyone see the might of the Xiliang warriors.

Lu Bu looked Dong Zhuo up and down, and for the first time, he sensed a hint of melancholy in this rough and bold man.

"good!"

Meeting Dong Zhuo's expectant gaze, Lü Bu nodded, giving him the opportunity to fight.

"Haha~, Fengxian is indeed my good brother!"

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