"well!"

Liu Bei's mother put down her work and looked at her son with satisfaction. "My son has been intelligent since childhood and is more sensible than his peers. I believe that my son will definitely make a name for himself and comfort your father's spirit in heaven!"

In the middle of the night, Liu Bei woke up and found that the light was still on in his mother's room. When he got closer, he found that his mother was still mending his clothes.

Without disturbing his mother, he quietly returned to his room, lay down on his bed, and two tears silently slid down his cheeks.

next day

Liu Bei carried the luggage his mother had prepared for him and followed Liu Zijing to Zhuo County to participate in the assessment.

In the north of Zhuojun City, on an open space, about a hundred teenagers gathered.

In the open space, besides ten archery targets, there were also ten arenas for competition.

Looking at these young men, who were about the same age as the emperor, each with a resolute expression, Huang Zhong nodded in satisfaction.

"I have come here by order of the Emperor to examine you and select the best to be assigned to the Imperial Guard!"

Huang Zhong looked around at everyone and said, “You are all very good, but there are only five spots available. I hope you will give it your all and fight for your spots. Only the most outstanding people can join the Imperial Guard and become the Emperor’s personal guard!”

Liu Bei, standing in the crowd, stared intently at Huang Zhong. He believed that he would one day stand in the same position, full of vigor and ambition, and even surpass the man before him.

As if sensing something, Huang Zhong glanced at Liu Bei indifferently, admiring the ambition in the young man's eyes.

Huang Zhong continued, "In the first round, we will test your martial arts skills. The winners will stay and the losers will be eliminated. In the end, twenty winners will be selected to enter the second round."

After the competition rules were announced, the group of teenagers began to draw lots to choose their opponents.

Liu Bei looked at the bamboo slip in his hand, on which was written the character "空" (empty). He was puzzled and then found an official in charge of the assessment.

"You're really lucky! Out of more than a hundred lots, there were only two 'empty' slots, and you managed to draw one of them. You can skip the competition and proceed to the second round."

The official explained with a smile.

Liu Bei was somewhat surprised. Was this even possible?