Chapter 3

In the old government office of Pingyuan County, Liu Bei's subordinates stood in two rows, separated by civil and military officials.

Liu Bei sat in the main seat, looking down at the few people below.

The civil officials were led by a mild‑looked thirty‑year‑old scholar, while the military officers were led by Guan Yu, standing on either side.

This! Besides my second and third brothers, I don't know anyone else.

"Host, the system can help you discern people's relationships, and with 100 as the maximum level, it will list each person's five attributes—martial strength, intellect, governance, leadership, and health—one by one."

It seemed to sense Liu Bei's awkward situation, and Xiao Luban's voice appeared just in time in Liu Bei's mind.

Liu Bei silently opened the system's talent attribute panel in his mind.

"System, quickly help me analyze the attributes of the people below."

As Liu Bei slowly gazed at the crowd, each person's attributes gradually appeared in his mind.

"Guan Yu, martial strength 98, intellect 83, governance 70, leadership 92, health 95, intimacy with host 100."

"Zhang Fei, martial strength 98, intellect 80, governance 68, leadership 88, health 97, intimacy with host 100."

"Jian Yong, martial strength 30, intellect 85, governance 87, leadership 40, health 88, loyalty to host 98."

……

Apart from these three, the other subordinates' martial strength, intellect, governance, etc., are all below 60, though their health and loyalty to him are still decent.

Immediately, Liu Bei looked at himself.

"Host himself, martial strength 88, intellect 80, governance 89, leadership 85, health 97. Here the system reminds the host that personal attributes are not fixed; later they may rise or fall with age."

After scanning the room, Liu Bei felt somewhat torn between laughter and tears.

I still lack talent among my subordinates!

Although I now have the two peerless warriors Guan and Zhang, aside from them I am practically penniless.

But thinking about it, I feel relieved, after all I have only just raised my army; there will still be plenty of opportunities to recruit talent later.

After Liu Bei scanned the room, seeing his bewildered yet slightly enlightened gaze, everyone felt uneasy.

"Could it be that the lord (elder brother) left some aftereffects?"

Liu Bei then came to his senses, seeing everyone's expressions, he coughed heavily a few times, and everyone's thoughts were brought back.

Liu Bei slammed the table before him heavily and shouted loudly.

"Everyone, now Cao's bandits are invading Xuzhou; Tao Gong is isolated and helpless. I, Liu Bei, cannot stand by and watch this righteous lord and loyal Han minister be bullied by Cao's forces."

"But for now my forces in Pingyuan County are few and weak, so I will borrow troops from my elder brother Public Sun Zan; all grain and troop mobilization within the county will be handled by Jian Yong. Second brother, third brother, follow me to Public Sun Zan's to borrow troops."

"Yes!"

……

Recently, Public Sun Zan has also been constantly clashing with Yuan Shao; when Liu Bei arrived at Public Sun Zan's main camp with Guan and Zhang, Public Sun Zan was likewise harried.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei entered Public Sun Zan's camp and found his troops orderly and well‑disciplined, with personnel constantly being moved back and forth, and wounded soldiers occasionally being helped in.

After being announced, the three entered Public Sun Zan's great tent; Liu Bei lifted his eyes to the main seat where Public Sun Zan sat. He saw a man of imposing appearance, his jade‑like face bearing three whiskers, making him look like an elegant scholar.

Liu Bei opened the character attribute panel.

"Public Sun Zan, martial strength 90, intellect 73, governance 72, leadership 88, health 97, intimacy with host 83."

After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Bei expressed his intention to borrow troops.

Public Sun Zan pondered briefly.

"Younger brother, it's not that I don't want to lend troops, nor that I'm unwilling to help a gentleman like Tao Gong. It's just that I am currently fighting Yuan Shao's offspring and can hardly spare any troops for you. Don't laugh, younger brother; I actually wanted you to come assist me earlier."

After a moment's thought, Liu Bei said to Public Sun Zan.

"Now that you too are in a difficult position, I will not ask for more troops; I only beg you to lend me one person."

"Oh? Which person do you wish to borrow, younger brother?"

"Zhao Yun of Changshan; I wonder if he is currently under your command?"

"Zhao Yun?"

Public Sun Zan pondered a moment, then beckoned a nearby clerk, who answered and withdrew.

"Since you wish to borrow this person, I will simply let him, together with the over a thousand Changshan warriors he brings, follow you. He has only recently joined my forces, and I hear his martial skills are quite good."

Zhao Yun had only recently joined Public Sun Zan; at this moment Public Sun Zan still did not know how capable Zhao Yun was, otherwise Liu Bei would hardly be able to take him away so easily.

In fact, Liu Bei himself had already met Zhao Yun in Public Sun Zan's camp earlier; although the original Liu Bei lacked such a system's cheat, he could be said to have recognized a hero with keen eyes. Moreover, Zhao Yun, in their conversation, greatly admired Liu Bei as a righteous lord, and they both felt they had met too late.

"Then, thank you, elder brother."

While they were speaking, the clerk who had just left re‑entered the tent, now followed by a white‑robed, silver‑armored heroic general.

"The subordinate greets the lord."

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei all looked at the newcomer, each thinking something different.

Liu Bei opened Zhao Yun's attribute panel.

"Zhao Yun, martial strength 98, intellect 83, governance 72, leadership 90, health 98, intimacy with host 80."

Liu Bei secretly sighed; indeed he is one of the Three Kingdoms' divine generals, and these attributes are not inferior to those of the second brother.

Public Sun Zan set down the document in his hand and gave a slight nod.

"Zi Long, now Cao Cao is attacking Tao Qian in Xuzhou; Xuan De wishes to send troops to help, but I am also stretched thin. I know your martial skills are quite good, so take your Changshan warriors and follow Xuan De to rescue Tao Qian—consider it my goodwill toward Tao Qian and Xuan De."

Zhao Yun paused, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. At Public Sun Zan's, there is truly no one who can match him; given his martial ability, he could have achieved far more.

But Public Sun Zan only trusts people like Yan Gang and Dan Jing, and refuses to employ him!

Even that world‑shaking Lü Bu, Zhao Zi Long is confident he could cross swords with!

However, Zhao Yun then reflected that Liu Bei is famed for his benevolence and righteousness, and he cherishes the people's strength greatly. Their previous encounter in the camp left a deep impression on both, and Zhao Yun well knows Liu Bei harbors great ambitions.

Following Liu Bei might be the better choice!

But Liu Bei now thought, having lured away such a fierce general as Zhao Yun, perhaps he should still compensate his elder brother a little!

No, that's not right!

I borrowed this on my own merit—do I still have to return it?

At worst, I could come back later and help senior brother beat that Yuan family's bastard!

Yes! I will definitely return it!

It's just a different method, that's all!

Remembering this, Liu Bei gave Gongsun Zan a deep bow.

"Thank you, senior brother. Tao Gong will surely be grateful for your assistance. The military matters are urgent, so Liu Bei will set out with them now!"

……

After Gongsun Zan sent Liu Bei out through the carriage gate, he recalled Liu Bei's suppressedly excited face and always felt something was off, but couldn't put it into words.

Since I can't figure it out, I might as well not think about it!