“I remember now. Last June, I fled from Hedong after killing someone to Zhuojun. On the way, I encountered bandits committing evil deeds and rescued a group of twenty people.”
"One of them claimed to be Liu Wei, the Marquis of Yinshan, and tried to recruit me!"
"But as soon as I heard it was him, I immediately refused."
As soon as Zhang Fei finished speaking, a handsome man with a ruddy face next to him frowned slightly and then said something.
He was nine feet tall, with a two-foot-long beard; his face was like a red date, his lips like painted rouge; he had phoenix eyes and silkworm eyebrows.
This man is truly Liu Bei's invincible second brother!
Guan Yu, Guan Yunchang!
Liu Bei was startled; this was the first time he had heard Guan Yu mention this matter.
If Liu Wei, as a prince, were to actually recruit Guan Yu, where would Liu Bei find such a mighty and valiant second brother?
"Yun Chang, what was the reason back then?"
Liu Bei needs to figure this out.
Now Liu Wei is leading his army across the plains, and it looks like it's getting late; they'll definitely be heading into the city soon.
Even if he didn't enter the city, Liu Bei, as the county magistrate, would naturally have to pay him a visit, after all, the man was a prince and the General Who Guards the North.
His ancestor, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, was someone from countless generations ago.
“I despise unfilial people! Liu Wei abandoned his adoptive parents in Zhuojun and went to the capital to enjoy wealth and luxury alone.”
"As a result, his adoptive parents, along with hundreds of other households in the village, were wiped out."
"He is now a powerful figure in the region, commanding a large army, yet he harbors a deep-seated hatred and does not seek revenge; he is no great man."
Guan Yu's face showed a hint of disdain, his eyes full of arrogance.
He held scholars in high esteem, but looked down on those from impoverished backgrounds; this personality trait influenced his entire life.
I see!
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei was relieved.
However, he remembered that more than ten years ago in Zhuojun, he had collected the body of a woman and erected a tombstone for her burial.
As time passed and his youthful impetuosity got the better of him, he forgot the woman's true identity.
“Yun Chang, the King of Yunzhong is still a prince. How can we ignore him when he passes through our county?”
"You stay in the county town with Yide, while Xianhe and I will go to the army of King Yunzhong to offer our condolences."
After thinking for a moment, Liu Bei immediately decided, "Let's not wait for him to call us out of the city, or we'll lose our manners."
"I heard that this King of the Clouds was recently engaged in a fierce battle with He Jin at Mengjin, and he managed to escape unscathed despite being surrounded by He Jin. He must have some skill!"
"I, Zhang Fei, admire those with ability the most. Brother, may I also go and meet them?"
Zhang Fei shouted from the side.
"Third brother, even if Liu Wei is capable, his character is flawed. Don't be fooled by him!" Guan Yu advised.
"Second brother, whether he's capable or not, I'll find out once I go and meet him!"
Zhang Fei waved his hand and said, "Brother, don't you agree?"
"Besides, I'll be with my older brother, so I can look after him!"
"Would he really make things difficult for my elder brother?" Guan Yu asked curiously.
"Has Second Brother forgotten the Inspector of Anxi County?"
Hearing Zhang Fei say this, Guan Yu stopped talking. Zhang Fei looked at Liu Bei expectantly and said, "Brother, it's too weak for you and Mr. Jian to go out of the city alone. With me, Old Zhang, it'll look more like it."
Liu Bei nodded: "Alright, Yun Chang, you stay in the city. Xianhe and Yide, you two come out of the city with me to meet this prince!"
After saying this, Liu Bei ordered Fu Shiren to prepare the horses!
Before long, Liu Bei and his two companions rode out of the city and headed towards Liu Wei's army.
They hadn't gone far when they saw more than twenty riders galloping towards them, with a young general leading the way, his face fair and his spirits high.
The two stopped ten paces apart, and before they could even exchange a word, they began to sized each other up!
Liu Bei was secretly surprised. Such a young general, yet so imposing and dignified, clearly no ordinary person.
Could this person be Liu Wei, the King of Clouds?
But then I thought it was impossible; Liu Wei was leading two thousand troops, so he should be in the middle of the ranks.
Besides, he was a prince, so of course he was waiting for the local magistrate to come and pay him a visit, rather than him taking the initiative to do so.
Liu Bei almost bowed to the young general on horseback, but luckily he reacted quickly and didn't lose his composure.
Zhang Fei narrowed his eyes. As a fierce man with explosive martial prowess, how could he not see that the young general approaching him was quite capable?
If you were to fight him, it would take dozens of rounds.
"I am Zhang Liao, a Lieutenant General under Prince Wei, the Prince of Yunzhong and General Who Guards the North. Are you people from Pingyuan County?"
After Zhang Liao reined in his horse, he spoke first.
He was a Lieutenant General, a higher rank than a Colonel, while the other party was at most a County Magistrate—a difference of several ranks!
I was already showing them respect by speaking so politely.
"Hiss! General Lieutenant!"
Liu Bei was taken aback, and a pang of sadness welled up in his heart.
This young general named Zhang Liao looks to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, yet he is already a Lieutenant General.
I'm almost thirty and still just a minor county magistrate.
It's true what they say, comparisons are the thief of joy!
Zhang Fei snorted. They both had the same surname, Zhang, but he was just a bowman. Why was there such a big difference?
However, Liu Bei suppressed his envy and bowed, saying, "I am Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande, magistrate of Pingyuan County, from Zhongshan..."
Before Liu Bei could even mention his lineage as a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, Zhang Liao interrupted him:
"My lord has been ordered to go to Youzhou to quell the rebellion. He is passing through this area and needs to enter the city to replenish supplies. Please cooperate."
"The King of Clouds is entering the city, that's great!"
Liu Bei immediately replied, then paused, "General Zhang, you don't mean to say that all two thousand soldiers are going into the city!"
“That’s right, that’s what our lord instructed. Is there a problem?” Zhang Liao said coldly.
"This isn't quite right. So many troops entering the city at once... Pingyuan County is a small county; I'm afraid it can't handle it!" Liu Bei said with a troubled expression. "How about we ask the King of Yunzhong to move north to Anping?"
"That is where the capital of Anping Kingdom is located."
"Magistrate Liu, what do you mean by this? Are you suggesting that our lord march to Anping overnight?"
"Anping is seventy or eighty li away from here, how can you even say that?"
Zhang Liao was furious when he learned that Liu Bei not only refused to let Liu Wei enter the city, but also wanted Liu Wei to spend the night in Anping Kingdom.
"Hey kid, what gives you the right to yell at my older brother like that?"
Hearing the young Zhang Liao loudly rebuking Liu Bei, Zhang Fei could no longer remain still. Despite Jian Yong's attempts to dissuade him, he began to shout loudly.
"You charcoal-faced wretch, do you even have the right to speak here?"
When Zhang Liao saw a dark-skinned fellow rudely approaching to speak, he, being young and hot-blooded, could not hold back.
"You dare call me 'Black Charcoal Head'? You're asking for a beating!"
Zhang Fei flew into a rage, pointing at Zhang Liaobao with wide eyes, "Believe it or not, I'll stab you three hundred times with bloody holes."
It's okay to say he's ugly, but you can't say he's dark-skinned.
"Magistrate Liu, keep a close eye on your men!"
Faced with Zhang Fei's intimidation, Zhang Liao remained unfazed and said calmly, "What I just told you wasn't a discussion, but an announcement!"
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