Chapter 4

When Liu, Guan, and Zhang set out, there were three of them; by the time they returned, they had already brought along Zhao Yun and over a thousand Everlasting Mountain stalwart warriors.

Guan and Zhang had also previously exchanged martial arts with Zhao Yun in private; both greatly admired Zhao Yun's superb spear technique and extraordinary martial prowess.

Being able to fight side by side with a hero like Zhao Yun also made them very happy!

Thus, Guan and Zhang chatted with Zhao Yun off and on in the not-so-speedy marching column, which gave Zhao Yun's somewhat forlorn heart a bit of comfort.

Liu Bei, however, noticed the loneliness in Zhao Yun's eyes, and then reined in his horse.

"Second brother, third brother, you take the brothers and head to Plain County first. Zi Long, stay behind and accompany me to a place."

"Yes!"

Zhang Fei, upon hearing this, was a bit displeased.

"Oh dear, big brother, what are you taking Zi Long to do?! It's unsafe with too few people; why not bring old Zhang along too!"

Guan Yu, however, saw through Liu Bei's intention; just moments ago in their conversation he had noticed Zhao Yun's lack of enthusiasm. He immediately grabbed Zhang Fei's horse reins.

"Third brother, you'd better come with me; isn't your black steed fast? When we get back to Plain County, I want to have a good match with you."

"Second brother, I'm not bragging! My black steed is hardly inferior to that three-surname slave's Red Hare…… Big brother, let Zi Long go with you; I want to go back and compete with the second brother."

Liu Bei and Zhao Yun reined in their horses and stopped, watching the noisy Zhang Fei and the smiling, beard-stroking second elder lead the troops slowly away.

"Zi Long, come with me to a place."

Having said that, Liu Bei clamped his legs around the horse's belly, raised his whip, and lashed out a loud crack in the air. The startled horse bolted forward, and Zhao Yun, seeing this, hurriedly urged his horse to follow.

The clip-clop of hooves on the official road was especially clear, and dust kicked up at the roadside. Although Liu Bei's horse was a fine steed, the white horse Zhao Yun rode was no ordinary beast. This fine mount of Zhao Yun's was a gift from his master upon completing his training and descending the mountain; its name is Illuminating Jade Night Lion.

At this moment, under Zhao Yun's urging, the jade lion nearly nine chi tall quickly caught up to Liu Bei; with a light exertion it could easily surpass him. But Zhao Yun, by nature cautious, did not wish to get ahead of Liu Bei, so the two horses galloped at great speed along the dirt road.

The horses' hooves kicked up roadside dirt and grass, just as iron hooves destroy tranquil life in chaotic times.

The wind blowing lifted their cloaks, this exhilarating feeling giving Zhao Yun's gloomy mood a bit of relief. Soon Liu Bei brought Zhao Yun to a ruined village. Liu Bei tightened the reins and halted, and Zhao Yun, bewildered, followed suit and stopped.

"What is this?"

Zhao Yun was puzzled as to what Liu Bei intended to show him by bringing him here.

"Come on, Zi Long, let me take you around here."

Liu Bei took a deep breath, dismounted, and led the horse by hand.

The few villagers seeing armed men enter the village grew a little tense, each avoiding them somewhat.

Two or three ragged children by the roadside looked fearful, and the old man weaving a bamboo basket hurriedly hid inside his house.

Liu Bei walked and explained to Zhao Yun.

"This place was originally a village under my jurisdiction in Plain County, but due to incessant warfare, virtually all the able-bodied villagers have been conscripted, so the populace naturally fears soldiers. Troops previously stationed nearby have also come up with various pretexts. Even the grain requisition officers have caused loss of life here before; all of this truly happened before I arrived."

Zhao Yun felt somewhat shocked; having studied the arts in the mountains since childhood, he had never heard of such a situation in his homeland.

"Why don't they report to the authorities…"

"Report to the officials? It is precisely the corrupt bureaucracy that brings about this chaotic age! The root of this turmoil lies in evil human hearts; the Yellow Turban Rebellion caused the common folk to suffer greatly. Now feudal lords wage war against each other, and it is these ordinary people who suffer. For the people to have good days, someone must put an end to this strife-ridden chaos!"

Liu Bei's eyes were firm, and Zhao Yun was deeply shaken.

"Exactly! No one has ever told me why the world has become this way. What are we actually fighting for?!"

"Huh? Isn't that Lord Liu?"

An old woman carrying a bundle of firewood came over.

"Granny, hello! Is there anything you're lacking at home?"

Liu Bei smiled and greeted the old woman.

"No shortage, no shortage. If you hadn't arrived so fast last time, my thirteen‑year‑old little Shanzi would have been taken away by those soldiers. Lord, you must come to my house today! Everyone, come quickly, the guest is Lord Liu!"

The old woman clutched Liu Bei's sleeve and shouted loudly, fearing that Liu Bei would slip away.

The old man who was weaving baskets timidly stuck his head out and rubbed his dry eyes.

"So it's Lord Liu; this old man really has poor eyesight, seeing someone in armor and thinking it's another man coming to conscript laborers."

"Old man, this is under my jurisdiction; you need not be afraid. At most, just like before, I'll send people to drive them away."

"Indeed. By the way, where are your big‑bearded man and the red‑faced one? If they were here, I'd recognize you at a glance!"

…

Liu Bei and Zhao Yun were surrounded by a group of enthusiastic villagers, and after Liu Bei repeatedly declined, the two left the village carrying a pile of flatbreads and the like.

The two walked to a cliff outside the village, looked at the drifting clouds above and the peasants farming in the distance, and Liu Bei stopped and sighed.

"Zi Long, these are the simple, honest Han folk. If you treat them well, they will naturally repay you manifold. What we ought to do is end this chaotic era! In the future we shall allocate land and grain to them, so that all the people of the world can live good lives!"

Zhao Yun understood clearly in his heart, feeling a deep shock.

Let me follow General Liu to end this chaotic world, so that all the people under heaven can live more easily!

Thinking of this, Zhao Yun knelt on one knee before Liu Bei, clasping his fists.

"Lord, I am willing to follow you, swearing to stay by your side to death, hoping to restore the Han dynasty and save the people of the world from fire and water!"

Liu Bei was overjoyed; in his heart, even before his transmigration he had always admired Zhao Yun, for Zhao Yun was loyal, righteous, and a master of martial arts, arguably the most perfect general in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

And now, this fierce general had finally pledged himself to his command!

Liu Bei hurriedly helped Zhao Yun to his feet, grasping Zhao Yun's arm with a beaming smile.

"Having Zi Long is like a fierce tiger gaining wings! Let us work together with one heart to create a great undertaking!"

After lifting Zhao Yun, Liu Bei thought for a moment, walked behind the horse, and pretended to draw his sword from the saddle.

Because of a blind spot, Zhao Yun did not notice Liu Bei retrieving a long sword from the void. Liu Bei drew the treasured sword and turned toward Zhao Yun.

"Zi Long, draw your sword!"

Liu Bei shouted, and Zhao Yun, bewildered, also drew his own sword.

"Ding!"

Liu Bei swung his chromium‑steel treasured sword with great force, striking Zhao Yun's sword; Zhao Yun's blade had its tip neatly sheared off.

Zhao Yun looked in astonishment at the broken sword in his hand, then at Liu Bei's treasure sword, which had not a single nick, truly a case of cutting iron like mud.

Liu Bei handed the treasure sword to Zhao Yun, smiling silently as he watched his contemplative expression.

"Zi Long, this sword was gifted by a master; I am already accustomed to using a twin-blade sword, keeping it would be of little use, so I might as well give this sword to Zi Long—consider it a treasure sword presented to a hero."

Zhao Yun was about to refuse when Liu Bei grabbed his arm and slowly shook his head.

"Zi Long, do not refuse; this sword is perfectly suited for you!"

It was clear that Zhao Yun truly liked this treasure sword, his grip on it tight; seeing Liu Bei insist on giving it, he therefore accepted it with great joy.

Zhao Yun loved playing with it, unable to put it down; after a moment he hurriedly thanked Liu Bei.

"Zhao Yun thanks the lord for his great kindness; from now on he will surely break through enemy lines and repay the lord's favor!"

Liu Bei laughed heartily, helped Zhao Yun to his feet, and said.

"Zi Long, no need for courtesy; we should hurry back to Flat Plain County."

Once again letting Xiao Luban open the system interface, he discovered that Zhao Yun's attribute panel had changed.

"Zhao Yun: martial 98, intellect 87, governance 72, leadership 90, health 98, and intimacy with the host 100."

Liu Bei smiled slightly; once intimacy or loyalty reached 100, aside from the mortal hatred of killing his family, one would generally not betray.

At that moment the system's dull voice sounded again.

"The system now issues a mission: the host must enter Xuzhou territory to help Tao Gongzu lift the siege; there are two options:"

"1. Defeat Cao's army, help Tao Qian lift the siege, and be rewarded with a complete set of iron-smithing techniques and a detailed map of Xuzhou;"

"2. Let me go, just go—wouldn't that be utterly shameless?! The host need not heed the mission; the entire system will shut down on its own!"

What else is there to consider?

Of course choose option one!

Since Zhao Yun has pledged his loyalty, then Cao Aman, Xuzhou!

I, Liu Bei, have arrived!