The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 86 Zhuge Liang's prediction came true again; could the visitor be Zhao Yun? (1st update)
North bank of the Yellow River.

A battalion of cavalry marched eastward along the Yellow River, their banners bearing the character "Liu" fluttering in the wind, indicating the identity of their commander.

The blazing sun shone down, illuminating Liu Bei's face, which, though weathered by time, remained exceptionally resolute.

"Shut up!"

Liu Bei reined in his horse and stopped to survey the terrain ahead. He then issued a military order to station his troops and set up camp.

As the weather gradually warmed up, and the distance from the north bank of Yanjin along the Yellow River to Gaotang was more than 600 li, Liu Bei mainly chose to march during cooler times, and would find a place to camp when it got hot.

The soldiers, having received their orders, busily set up camp in shady spots.

Liu Bei looked at Xin Zhe, who looked exhausted and had cracked lips, and apologized: "Because of me, Commandant Xin has suffered."

Xin Zhe gulped down a few mouthfuls of water, shook his head and said, "It is I who have slowed down General Zuo's march."

Before becoming the Commandant of the Cavalry, Xin Zhe was merely a clerk under Yuan Shao.

Although he could ride horses, he had little military experience. This long journey of more than 600 li from the north bank of Yanjin to Gaotang was a first for Xin Zhe.

To accommodate Xin Zhe, Liu Bei reduced the daily travel distance.

Even so, the days of traveling and the irregular schedule took a toll on Xin Zhe.

Actually, Xin Zhe didn't have to come with Liu Bei when he was appointed governor of Zhuojun.

Xin Ping even arranged a warehouse post for Xin Zhe as a training opportunity, as not just anyone could be a warehouse post commander for 100,000 infantry and cavalry.

As a result, Xin Zhe insisted on staying in the cavalry camp, arguing that "a true man should serve the public, be a scholar or a general." This left Xin Ping both angry and helpless, and he could only reluctantly accept Xin Zhe's decision.

Xin Ping couldn't directly tell Xin Zhe: "Son, the reason I made you the Cavalry Commandant was to prevent Liu Bei from abducting the General's cavalry. Now that the mission is complete, you no longer need to follow Liu Bei."

After hearing Xin Zhe's reasons for insisting on staying in the cavalry camp, Liu Bei valued Xin Zhe even more, showing him great care and meticulously instructing him on military common sense during the march.

Xin Zhe was quite remarkable; even though he was tormented, he did not complain or feel tired. Instead, he followed Liu Bei's example and shared weal and woe with his soldiers.

It is quite rare for a scion of a wealthy aristocratic family to be able to endure such hardship.

During the narration.

A scout rode up and reported to the general: "We suspect that mountain bandits are spying on our camp."

Xin Zhe exclaimed in surprise, "How come there are bandits spying on our camp again? When did there become so many bandits in Ji Province?"

They traveled east for several days.

Every day, bandits would spy on the camp. Sometimes it was one group, sometimes several groups. The most they encountered in a single day was six groups of bandits spying on the camp!

Xin Zhe, lacking experience, did not understand the reason.

Liu Bei understood that the so-called mountain bandits were actually just groups of people hiding in the mountains to avoid taxes and corvée labor. Yuan Tan of Qingzhou had even sent troops to search for and capture these people hiding in the mountains, just like hunting birds and beasts.

It is said that Jizhou is rich, but the richness of Jizhou usually refers to the wealth of the gentry and powerful families, rather than the fact that the common people under its jurisdiction all have enough to eat and wear.

Yuan Shao had just defeated Gongsun Zan when he conscripted 100,000 infantry and cavalry, and more than 200,000 laborers.

Yuan Shao had indeed gained military might, but the common people suffered the most. Instead of rising up in rebellion like the Yellow Turbans, the people under his rule simply hid in the mountains and became bandits. It was all thanks to Yuan Shao's good fortune.

"Yuanzhi, distribute some military rations out, but be careful not to hurt anyone." Liu Bei sighed, his mood becoming heavy.

Xu Shu didn't say much. He led a group of soldiers to skillfully carry military rations and pile them outside the camp. He then shouted to the mountain bandits who were spying on the camp, saying, "General Zuo is distributing rations."

Clearly, this wasn't the first time Xu Shu had carried out such a military order. Just when Xu Shu thought the bandits would take the military rations and shout "General Zuo is benevolent" as before, he saw that the bandits neither came to take the rations nor left, but instead stayed in place and spied on the camp.

"strangeness!"

Xu Shu sensed something was wrong and secretly ordered his soldiers to be on guard.

Not long after.

Then several riders appeared behind the bandits, all carrying guns and bows, and wearing armor and helmets.

"There are cavalry?"

Xu Shu's pupils contracted, realizing that the bandits he encountered today were completely different from those he had encountered in the past few days. He quickly ordered his soldiers to sound the alarm.

Liu Bei was chatting with his soldiers in the camp when he suddenly heard the alarm sound. He was surprised: "Yuanzhi is just going to distribute military rations, why would he sound the alarm?"

Sensing something was amiss, Liu Bei ordered his soldiers to prepare for battle while leading Huang Zhong and Chen Dao to the front of the camp.

"Yuanzhi, what's going on?"

Liu Bei glanced at the bandits outside the camp and the conspicuous few cavalrymen, and frowned.

"I distributed the military rations as usual, but today the bandits neither came to collect the rations nor left. Soon after, several riders arrived." Xu Shu's expression was solemn: "Perhaps Cao Cao's spies are hiding here. General, you must not be careless."

Just as Liu Bei was wondering what was going on, he saw the other party leading a horse and actually spurred his horse forward a few steps.

"General, be careful!"

Generals Huang Zhong and Chen Dao advanced simultaneously, forming a protective shield for Liu Bei like the wings of a goose.

"This man is incredibly strong!"

Liu Bei looked at the approaching man and saw that he was extremely strong and imposing, and immediately realized that the man was extraordinary.

Upon seeing the other party again, riding a white horse and wearing a silver helmet, carrying a bow and holding a spear, Liu Bei couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity.

To verify his suspicions, Liu Bei spurred his horse forward a few more steps, and the other party seemed to have the same idea as Liu Bei, and also took a few steps forward at the same time.

Huang Zhong and Chen Dao did not understand Liu Bei's thoughts. Seeing that the other party had taken a few more steps closer, they once again stood in front of Liu Bei to protect him.

"General, we must not advance any further!"

Huang Zhong had already taken down his bow, and Chen Dao had already raised his shield; at this distance, arrows could already injure people.

Liu Bei pushed aside Huang Zhong and Chen Dao, looked at the increasingly familiar and imposing figure in front of him, and tentatively called out, "Is the one who comes not Zilong?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the newcomer was first taken aback, then overjoyed, and finally exclaimed with delight, "My lord!"

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Liu Bei was overjoyed: "It really is Zilong!"

Huang Zhong and Chen Dao did not recognize that the "Zilong" Liu Bei mentioned was Zhao Yun, whom Liu Bei had been thinking about for many years. Seeing Liu Bei ride forward again, the two dared not be careless and followed on the left and right, while keeping a close eye on Zhao Yun, fearing that Zhao Yun might suddenly cause trouble and harm Liu Bei.

Immediately afterwards, Huang Zhong and Chen Dao were surprised to find that Zhao Yun reined in his horse, dismounted, knelt down, and bowed to greet Liu Bei.

Liu Bei jumped off his horse and quickly stepped forward to support Zhao Yun, completely unprepared for his presence.

Huang Zhong and Chen Dao were both startled and hurriedly stepped forward to protect Liu Bei on either side. Huang Zhong was so frightened that he even nocked an arrow!
Seeing how nervous the two were, Liu Bei quickly introduced them, saying, "Hansheng, Shuzhi, don't be nervous. This is Zhao Yun of Changshan, Zhao Zilong, my close friend and old acquaintance. He would never harm me!"

"Zilong, this is Huang Zhong, Huang Hansheng, the General of Jingzhou, and this is my personal guard, Chen Dao, Chen Shuzhi. They are worried that something might happen to me, hence their nervousness. Please don't be offended, Zilong."

(End of this chapter)