Chapter 329: Heroes Rise Together

Youzhou.

After receiving generous funding from Zhongshan wealthy merchant Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang, and solving the urgent shortage of military funds, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei finally assembled a respectable force, equipped with horses and weapons.

After careful consideration, Liu Bei did not choose to act independently; instead he quickly found a patron, leading his troops to submit to Youzhou Colonel Zou Jing.

Zou Jing was a subordinate of Youzhou Governor Liu Yan (historically, the Youzhou official at this time should have been Liu Yu), who was also a member of the Han Clan Kin.

Liu Bei, who arrived with his own provisions and troops to fight bandits and who is also a Han Clan Kin general, naturally received an audience with Zou Jing, who regarded him with considerable respect.

In any case, sharing the same lineage as one's direct superior, a better attitude is certainly justified.

At this moment, the three—Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei—were sitting inside the camp tent assigned to them, eating a simple lunch.

Liu Bei held a military intelligence briefing of unknown origin, his brows slightly furrowed, and murmured, "... Northern Middle Colonel Lu Zhi, ordered to lead troops to Jizhou to suppress Zhang Jiao's main force..."

"Lu Zhi?" Zhang Fei said, immediately setting down the half‑gnawed flatbread in his hand, his eyes wide like a leopard's, exclaiming with delight, "Brother, isn't this Middle Colonel Lu the very master you studied under years ago? The bond between teacher and student is no ordinary thing, is it?"

"How about we go to him right now?" he said, getting more excited, "It would also let us swing by Julu to look for that fourth brother of ours!"

"I've heard about it. A few days ago, a county town near Julu was plagued by an epidemic, which was dispelled by an unknown Immortal Master, saving the townsfolk! I reckon, nine times out of ten, it was the work of that fourth brother!"

Liu Bei heard this, but slowly shook his head and waved his hand, "Third brother, that's unsuitable, unsuitable."

He set the briefing aside, his expression serious, "Since we have already entered Colonel Zou's command and received his hospitality, we should stay put, await orders, and build our achievements."

"If we were just newly valued, then abandon him and turn elsewhere, letting others know, wouldn't that make us look fickle, changing our minds at the first sign? Such conduct is not befitting a gentleman, and would also chill Colonel Zou's heart."

Although Zhang Fei was quick‑tempered, he was not oblivious to reason; hearing Liu Bei's sensible words, he sulked back into his seat, grabbed the flatbread and bit down hard, muttering, "Brother, you're right... but if we stay here forever, when will we ever be able to go find the fourth brother?"

He let out a heavy sigh, his face full of worry, "I'm only afraid of him... his abilities are so great; if he truly falls under Zhang Jiao's spell, gets swayed, and joins the Yellow Turban Army, then... when we meet on the battlefield as brothers..."

That very worry was also on Liu Bei's and Guan Yu's minds.

Guan Yu stroked his beard in silence, a hint of solemnity flashing in his crimson‑phoenix eyes.

They had all witnessed Yu Lin's unfathomable tactics; if they truly met in the enemy camp, they had no doubt that their side would likely be taken by that fourth brother... and hung for a beating! Just the thought of that scene made their scalp tingle.

The atmosphere inside the tent grew somewhat oppressive for a moment.

At that moment, a steady yet hurried footstep sounded from outside the tent.

The curtain was drawn back, and Colonel Zou Jing entered personally, his face solemn, his gaze sweeping over the three, his deep voice breaking the tent's silence:

"Just received an urgent report! The Yellow Turban Bandits under Cheng Yuan Zhi have grown strong, and have besieged Qingzhou Prefect Gong Jing inside the city; the situation is extremely dire! Prefect Gong has sent someone risking death to break out for aid!"

His eyes blazing, he looked at Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, and ordered:

"You all quickly ready your troops and horses, and follow me at once to rush to Qingzhou!"

Eastern Han capital, Luoyang.

The heart of the empire still maintained its outward splendor and bustle.

On the wide streets, carriages and horses glittered, crowds wove like fabric, shop banners fluttered, and the cries of vendors never ceased.

Yet beneath this glamorous façade, an invisible tension and oppression loomed over the city like dark clouds.

The air seemed to exude a scorching aura, the former composure replaced by a pressing urgency that waits for no one.

On the streets, messenger soldiers bearing command flags rode swift horses, their expressions stern as they whistled past; the hooves striking stone slabs produced sharp, rapid clacks, prompting pedestrians to hurriedly step aside, adding a touch of impending mountain‑rain solemnity.

The gate inspections were evidently stricter than before, and the guards' eyes were full of vigilance.

Yu Lin stepped aside, again dodging a messenger sprinting by, his gaze scanning the intertwining splendor and unrest, then headed toward a fairly grand tavern not far away.

He went straight up to the second floor, chose an elegant window seat, casually ordered a few small dishes and a pot of clear wine.

His eyes turned to the window, overlooking the main thoroughfare of Luoyang City.

At that moment, a measured yet unusually steady sound of horse hooves arrived.

A man on a magnificent black high‑head steed rode slowly from the far end of the long street.

He appeared to be around thirty, not towering in stature but upright, with a sharp, handsome face, eyes keen as a hawk, and an air of distinction in his every glance.

He wore no official robes, only a dark, sturdy outfit with a long sword at his waist; amid the bustling crowd, he stood out like a crane among chickens, drawing attention.

Just then, a waiter carrying dishes approached, seeing Yu Lin gazing at the man outside, he smiled while setting the food down and said, "Young master, do you happen to know that Lord Cao over there?"

Yu Lin withdrew his gaze, lifted his cup for a light sip, and, feigning ignorance, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Lord Cao? Could it be... Cao Mengde, Cao Cao?"

"Indeed, indeed!" the waiter, seeing Yu Lin engage, grew more animated, lowering his voice, "It's exactly that Cao Mengde, Lord Cao! I heard Lord Cao was just appointed by the court as Cavalry Commandant, quite a notable post!"

"Soon, in a few days, we'll muster troops and horses to suppress those lawless Yellow Turban Bandits! Truly a prodigy!"

The waiter's tone carried a hint of admiration and reverence.

Yu Lin nodded slightly at the words, his eyes again turning outward.

On the street, Cao's figure had already faded away, leaving only a vague silhouette that merged into Luoyang's restless crowd.