Three Kingdoms: The Peerless Strategist of Wei

Chapter 46 Taking in Zilong

The silver-robed general wielded his spear with the speed of the wind. Xu Chu's blade flashed like lightning.

In the blink of an eye, the two exchanged more than ten blows, neither able to gain the upper hand. This scene made Gu Cheng's eyes light up.

"Liheng, there aren't many people in the world who can fight Old Xu to a draw. That kid is extraordinary." Zhou Tai also saw through his abilities.

"This person is indeed skilled in martial arts; he shouldn't be a bandit or brigand." Gu Cheng nodded slightly, then suddenly squinted and said, "Youping, don't you think that person looks familiar?" "Familiar?" Zhou Tai stared intently, then couldn't help but say, "It seems like I've seen him somewhere before, but I can't quite place it." As the two were talking, Mi Huan also got off the carriage to come and watch the excitement.

She frowned and scrutinized him for a moment, then her face suddenly paled, and she exclaimed, "Zilong! He's General Zilong!" "Zilong?" Gu Cheng abruptly turned to look at her. "The Zilong you're talking about, is it Chang Zhao Zilong, Zhao Yun?" "That's right, it's him." Mi Huan nodded emphatically, then asked, "Back in Xuchang, I visited you with General Zilong, young master. Don't you remember?"

Gu Cheng recalled carefully that the man who accompanied Mi Huan that day was indeed eloquent and had the air of a hero. He never expected that it would be Zhao Yun.

He looked more closely at the silver-robed general before him, and after wiping away the bloodstains on his face, he vaguely recognized him as someone who had appeared that day. "Zhongkang, Zhao Zilong, stop!" Gu Cheng cracked his whip and shouted sharply.

Hearing someone call his name, Zhao Yun was startled. He forced Xu Chu to retreat from the battle with a few thrusts of his spear. Xu Chu, hearing Gu Cheng's order, also reined in his horse and drew his sword, ceasing his attack. "Who is it that recognizes me, Zhao Yun?" Zhao Yun asked, standing with his spear at the ready, looking in their direction.

At the front of the group, two familiar figures finally came into view. "Gu Liheng, Miss Mi?" Zhao Yun's expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in surprise.

His response further confirmed to Gu Cheng that he was indeed Zhao Zilong of Changshan.

After the fall of Xiaopei, Zhao Yun's whereabouts became unknown. Gu Chengyuan had speculated that Zhao Yun might have died in the chaos of battle, which was a great pity. However, to his surprise, Zhao Yun was still alive.

Not only did he survive, but he also unexpectedly bumped into him on this desolate road.

Gu Cheng suppressed his emotions and said loudly, "Zhao Zilong, since we are old friends, why fight and kill each other? Why not sit down, have a drink, and reminisce?"

Having said that, Gu Cheng dismounted and sat down beside a large rock by the roadside. Zhou Tai and Xu Chu quickly followed and stood beside Gu Cheng. Mi Huan also stood behind Gu Cheng and advised, "General Zilong, Young Master Gu is not your enemy. Come and talk to him." Zhao Yun stared at Mi Huan, but his eyes were filled with suspicion.

This Miss Mi, the eldest daughter of the Mi family and the fiancée of her lord Liu Bei, was clearly abducted by Gu Cheng; she should harbor resentment. Yet, Mi Huan before him not only shows no hostility towards Gu Cheng, but seems extremely respectful, treating him like a maid. "What exactly did Gu Cheng do to make Miss Mi act this way?"

Zhao Yun pondered the question, but could not find an answer. After a moment's thought, he dismounted, went to the roadside, and sat down opposite Gu Cheng.

"General Zilong, Xiaopei has fallen, Guan Yu has been beheaded, and Liu Bei's power is waning. Since you have been lucky enough to escape, why go and seek refuge with Liu Bei again?"

Gu Cheng casually pointed out Zhao Yun's intentions. Zhao Yun's expression changed slightly, and he asked in surprise, "How did you know I was going to seek refuge with our lord?"

"Liu Bei went north to Qingzhou to seek reinforcements from Yuan Tan. Instead of fleeing south, you went north. Where else could you go but to find Liu Bei?"

Gu Cheng spoke casually, tossing the wine flask to Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun caught it, hesitated for a moment, then tilted his head back and chugged it down several times.

Zhao Yun tossed the wine flask back to Gu Cheng and said, "That's right, I'm on my way to Qingzhou to join my lord. What, since Young Master Gu has recognized me, are you planning to stop me?"

"Where you, Zhao Zilong, go is none of my business," Gu Cheng shook his head, but then said, "However, we do have some friendship, and for the sake of that friendship, I really can't bear to see General Zilong make one mistake after another. I must say a few words to General Zilong."

"Friendship?" Zhao Yun said sarcastically, "Young Master Gu stole my lord's fiancée and repeatedly plotted against him, making fun of my lord. And you still dare to talk to me about friendship?"

"If Liu Bei hadn't been so unreasonable and closed my salt shop first, why would I have bothered to teach him a lesson? As the ancients said, 'Repay kindness with kindness, and justice with justice.' Do you, General Zilong, truly think what I did was wrong?" Gu Cheng coldly retorted. Zhao Yun was speechless. After a moment of silence, he couldn't help but sigh, "I also advised our lord on this matter, but unfortunately, he wouldn't listen. In terms of right and wrong, it was indeed our lord who offended the young master first."

Zhao Yun didn't dwell on saving face or resort to sophistry, readily admitting that Liu Bei had offended him first. Gu Cheng nodded slightly, his eyes showing even more admiration. "Zhao Zilong of Changshan, truly upright and honorable, possessing heroic spirit!" Gu Cheng first praised him, then said with regret, "It's a pity that such a fine young man like you chose to serve a lord like Liu Bei, wasting your loyalty and courage. What a pity, a truly regrettable loss!"

Upon hearing Gu Cheng "slander" Liu Bei, Zhao Yun couldn't help but frown.

He immediately replied, "My lord is a benevolent and righteous ruler. It is my honor to follow him. How can you say that I have followed the wrong lord?"

"A benevolent ruler?" A disdainful sneer flashed across Gu Cheng's handsome face as he looked at Mi Huan beside him.

Mi Huan then said indignantly, "Back then, Liu Bei was merely the magistrate of Pingyuan County. How my Mi family wholeheartedly supported him and helped him ascend to the position of Governor of Xu Province—you saw it all with your own eyes, Zilong. But how did he treat my Mi family in return?"

Zhao Yun was slightly startled when he heard Mi Huan address Liu Bei by his name so directly, and with such resentment. "My elder brother, Mi Zhu, was detained in Xuchang as the Minister of the Imperial Household, his life and death in Cao Cao's hands. Yet Liu Bei disregarded my brother's life and death, forcing my Mi family to risk offending Cao Cao and causing the price of salt to skyrocket, all to earn military funds for him."

"My Mi family, for his great cause, almost exhausted everything, depleting the wealth accumulated over generations." "But what did he do? Seeing that my Mi family was no longer useful, he indulged Guan Yu, targeting my second brother in every way!" "If it weren't for that, how could my second brother have been forced to surrender to Cao Cao, and how could he have been killed by Guan Yu?" Mi Huan poured out all his grievances in front of Zhao Yun. The displeasure on Zhao Yun's face gradually disappeared, and he fell silent. "You witnessed firsthand how Liu Bei treated my Mi family." "Do you, Zilong, really still believe that Liu Bei is some kind of benevolent ruler?" Mi Huan questioned sharply. "My lord—" Zhao Yun wanted to defend Liu Bei, but suddenly found that there was no way to defend him.

"Such a hypocrite, General Zilong, are you really going to remain blindly loyal to him to the very end?" Mi Huan asked finally.

Zhao Yun's body stiffened, and he fell into deep thought.

"Zilong, if I remember correctly, you were originally Gongsun Zan's subordinate, right?" After Mi Huan, it was Gu Cheng's turn to speak.

Zhao Yun nodded and said, "That's right. Back then, I was indeed a subordinate of General Gongsun. I was ordered by General Gongsun to go with Lord Xuande to rescue Kong Rong of Beihai, and that's how I came under Lord Xuande's command."

His address to Liu Bei had subconsciously changed from "Lord" to "Lord Xuande." The change in his heart had unconsciously surfaced.

"Oh, so strictly speaking, Liu Bei can't really be considered your lord anymore," Gu Cheng said, his words carrying a hidden meaning. Zhao Yun's expression hardened.

A strange look crossed Gu Cheng's face again. He asked in confusion, "I'm wondering, Liu Bei was also a subordinate of Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan only ordered him to rescue Kong Rong of Beihai. How come after he rescued him, he took you and ran off to Xuzhou? Does this count as betraying Gongsun Zan?"

Zhao Yun's heart skipped a beat, his brows furrowed, and he was at a loss for words. "Then can I understand it this way?" "Back then, Gongsun Zan had just suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Jieqiao, and his strength was greatly diminished. He was already at a disadvantage in the war against Yuan Shao." "Seeing that Gongsun Zan's situation was unfavorable, Liu Bei used the pretext of rescuing Kong Rong in Beihai to take the opportunity to break away from Gongsun Zan, and also took Zilong, you, Gongsun Zan's fierce general, with him."

"Zilong, do you think what I said is correct?" Gu Cheng's face showed a cold smile, the sarcasm couldn't be clearer. "Lord Xuande, he, he..." Zhao Yun's face was troubled, wanting to defend Liu Bei, but he had no words to say. After an awkward silence, Zhao Yun sighed: "In this matter, Lord Xuande has indeed failed General Gongsun. He shouldn't have abandoned him when he was in trouble."

"It seems that this time, Zilong, you agree with what I said and didn't accuse me of slandering that big-eared thief." Gu Cheng's cold laugh faded, and he said in a deep voice, "Tell me, what makes such a person call himself a benevolent ruler? Is it just self-praise with his mouth?"

Zhao Yun's body jolted, as if struck by a thunderbolt, a look of sudden enlightenment flashing in his eyes. It was as if Gu Cheng had finally awakened him from his slumber. After a long sigh, Zhao Yun shook his head and gave a bitter smile.

"It turns out that I have been deceived all along, mistakenly regarding him as a benevolent and righteous ruler. Now it seems that he is so despicable."

"Zhao Yun, oh Zhao Yun, you are truly blind, utterly blind!" His silver spear slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground. He muttered self-deprecatingly, his face filled with sorrow and regret. Gu Cheng smiled. Zhao Yun was indeed Zhao Yun; he possessed wisdom, unlike Guan Yu who was blindly loyal. He had finally been awakened by his own words.

"It's not too late to realize your mistake now. Congratulations, Zilong, on seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!" Gu Cheng took a big gulp of the wine and tossed the wine flask to Gu Cheng.

With gratitude on his face, Zhao Yun raised the wine flask and said, "Thank you, Young Master Gu, for enlightening me and making me realize my mistakes. This wine should be offered to Young Master Gu."

With that, Zhao Yun tilted his head back and downed the wine in his bag.

After they had talked things out and drunk some wine, the two men completely forgave each other and burst into laughter. Mi Huan, seeing this, was also pleased that Zhao Yun had come to his senses and was no longer blindly loyal to Liu Bei. "General Zilong, what are your plans now?" Mi Huan couldn't help but ask. "What plans..." Zhao Yun's eyes were blank as he sighed, "I definitely won't go to Qingzhou. To be honest, I don't know where I should go." "That Cao Sikong is always eager to recruit talent. Why don't you go to Xiaopei and join him, Zilong?" Gu Cheng himself was too lazy to serve, but that didn't stop him from recommending Zhao Yun to join Cao Cao. "Surrender to Cao?"

Zhao Yun looked troubled, but shook his head and said, "Lord Cao is indeed a hero, but I just fought a bloody battle with Cao's army in Xiaopei City, and countless comrades-in-arms sacrificed their lives. Now, asking me to surrender to Cao is something I simply cannot overcome in my heart."

Gu Cheng understood.

Zhao Yun wasn't unwilling to surrender to Cao Cao, but he still harbored resentment and couldn't let go of his grudges for the time being.

"Since you, Zilong, are unwilling to surrender to Cao Cao and have nowhere else to go, why not stay with my Gu family for the time being? You can leave after you've figured out where you want to go."

Gu Cheng then suggested, "This..."

Zhao Yun, however, had some reservations.

Gu Cheng laughed heartily: "If Zilong considers me a friend, then staying at a friend's house for a few days is nothing to worry about."

"Yes, General Zilong, you should come with us."

Mi Huan also offered his advice.

Zhao Yun, relieved that the clouds had dispersed, gladly bowed and said, "In that case, thank you for taking me in, Young Master Gu. I'm sorry to have troubled you." Gu Cheng then took Zhao Yun in, and the group set off again for Xiaopei. Meanwhile, news of the fall of Xiaopei and the death of Guan Yu quickly spread throughout the land.

Qingzhou.

The capital of the Beihai Kingdom was Ju County.

Inside the main hall, Yuan Tan was hosting a banquet, warmly entertaining Liu Bei. Liu Bei was already renowned throughout the land, and now, in his destitution, he had come to seek refuge with the Yuan family, undoubtedly serving as an example for heroes across the land. Following Yuan Shao's instructions, Yuan Tan treated Liu Bei with the utmost respect, treating him with the highest honors.

"Young Master, the situation in Xiaopei is dire. Yun Chang can only hold out for two more months. When does the Young Master plan to send troops south to rescue them?"

Liu Bei, however, was thinking of Xiaopei and asked about it again during the banquet.

Yuan Tan coughed a few times, looking troubled. "Actually, I also want to go and rescue Xiaopei, but Father is currently engaged in a decisive battle with Gongsun Zan at Yijing. He has instructed all the provinces not to act rashly. Without Father's permission, I cannot act on my own and risk conflict with Cao Cao." "If Cao Cao captures Xiaopei, his next step will surely be to destroy Lü Bu. The eldest son clearly commands tens of thousands of troops; are you just going to leave them idle and watch Cao Cao devour the entire Xu Province?"

Liu Bei was slightly agitated and questioned him sternly. Yuan Tan could only continue coughing.

Liu Bei then added, "Once Cao Cao swallows up Xuzhou, he will have no more worries about his rear and can focus all his efforts on fighting Yuan Shao. Does Yuan Shao really not care?"

Yuan Tan was somewhat displeased by the questioning, so he said, "What Xuande said is certainly reasonable, but my father is a man of great martial prowess and strategic vision. Naturally, he would prioritize the long-term interests in his actions and military campaigns. There must be a deeper meaning behind his actions."

Liu Bei frowned, still angry, and wanted to argue further.

Sun Qian quickly gave him a wink, signaling him to control his temper and not offend Yuan Tan. Liu Bei had no choice but to swallow his anger, and after a moment's thought, he had another idea.

"Since you, my lord, are in such a predicament, I wonder if you could lend me a few thousand troops so that I can relieve the siege of Xiaopei myself? In that case, it wouldn't be considered that Lord Yuan is at odds with Cao Cao. What do you think, my lord?"

Liu Bei wanted to borrow troops!

"If I help Liu Bei, and Liu Bei manages to reclaim Xuzhou in the future, he will owe me a great favor, naturally becoming a powerful ally and adding an extra boost to my struggle for power with Yuan Shang..."

After weighing the pros and cons, Yuan Tan came up with a plan.

He readily agreed, saying, "That's a perfect solution. Very well, I'll lend you four thousand elite soldiers, all of whom will be branded under your banner, and head south to rescue Xiaopei!"

Liu Bei was overjoyed and quickly cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you very much, young master. I will surely repay this great favor in the future!"

A hint of smugness flashed across Yuan Tan's lips, but he raised his cup and said with a smile, "Xuande, you are too kind. Then I wish you great success and a crushing defeat of Cao Cao!"

Liu Bei laughed heartily and immediately raised his cup. Just then...

The guard rushed in, cupped his hands, and said, "Reporting to the eldest young master, an urgent report has come from the spies in Xuzhou: Cao Cao has captured Xiaopei, taken Guan Yu alive, and then beheaded him!"

Yuan Tan's expression changed instantly. "Clang!"

Liu Bei dropped his wine cup, which fell to the ground.