Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Suddenly, a burst of clattering noises could be heard from the harem, a chaotic cacophony that was particularly jarring in the quiet of the palace. At this moment, Liu Xie, who had been named King of Luoyang by the Emperor, was hurriedly emerging from the palace and heading towards the harem guards.

The harem in Chang'an City today wasn't luxurious; to be more precise, it was merely a larger mansion. Therefore, Zhao Yun was quick to detect the clamor the moment it arose. Coupled with the previous incident where Miss Gongsun had angrily left with the maids, her furious expression and heavy footsteps, Zhao Yun had already begun to suspect something. He frowned slightly, wondering what had transpired in the harem.

Liu Xie rushed to the guard post and saw the tall and straight Zhao Yun. He rushed forward as if he had found a life-saving straw and without saying anything, he pulled Zhao Yun into the harem. Zhao Yun's heart shuddered, and he instinctively struggled for a moment, then said solemnly: "Prince of Luoyang, Prince of Luoyang, this is the forbidden area of ​​the harem, how can I enter easily." Liu Xie's face was full of panic, his eyes full of anxiety, and he said anxiously: "General Zilong, the matter is urgent. Just now, Concubine Gongsun and my brother had a fierce dispute in the palace. Concubine Gongsun's words were sharp and aggressive, and my brother was speechless. Concubine Gongsun angrily accused my brother of being unfair to her, accusing him of not making her the queen and completely disregarding her feelings. My brother was furious for a moment, but he had no way to refute it. He could only blush and glare. Concubine Gongsun was relentless and continued to list all the faults of my brother. Her words were like sharp arrows. "I'm afraid that if you continue like this, and if you hurt anyone in the palace, it will be too late to regret it. I also ask General Zilong to go there quickly and don't let you hurt anyone." When Zhao Yun heard that the matter was so urgent, he was worried, and without any doubt, he quickly followed Liu Xie, the King of Luoyang, to Liu Bian's palace.

Zhao Yun took two steps at a time and rushed to the palace like lightning. Looking up, he saw Liu Bian's hair disheveled, flying in the wind, a look of utter despair. His feet were bare, dusty, as if he had just experienced a fierce struggle. He swung his sword wildly, its shadows flashing and slicing through the air in sharp arcs. The sword seemed to have lost control in Liu Bian's hand, wielding it recklessly with a sense of desperation and madness.

The palace servants knelt in a corner, trembling and afraid to move. Their heads hung low, their faces pale, their eyes filled with fear. Their bodies huddled tightly together, as if struggling for a glimmer of security. The emperor's face was still stained with tears, and those tears, like winding streams, spoke of the emperor's inner pain and helplessness.

Zhao Yun was horrified, his eyes revealing deep worry and shock. He quickly stepped forward to offer advice, "Your Majesty, how can you do this? Please put down your weapons for now and refrain from harming others, or it will be too late to regret." Zhao Yun's voice was filled with urgency and sincerity, hoping the emperor would calm down and not act rashly.

Liu Bian, by this point, looked mad, his eyes red and filled with rage and despair. He pointed his sword directly at Zhao Yun and shouted, "General Zhao, what's the matter? Were you also sent by Empress Gongsun to force me?" As he spoke, tears began to flow uncontrollably. Like a flood bursting through a dam, they surged down, soaking Liu Bian's face. His voice trembled, filled with grief, indignation, and helplessness.

Zhao Yun was about to argue when Emperor Liu Bian burst out laughing again. He declared, "General Zilong, I see you're exceptionally brave and resourceful, and I was about to promote you. I never imagined you were following Gongsun Zan's orders and forcing me to do this." Without giving Zhao Yun a chance to explain, Liu Bian chuckled again, seemingly maniacally. "Hahahahahahahaha, I should have known from the beginning that you were Gongsun Zan's eyes stationed beside me. My every move was under General Zilong's watch. I've always respected you, but I never imagined the Han Dynasty, after four hundred years, would end up like this in my hands. How can I face my ancestors?" His emotions grew increasingly agitated, his body trembling violently as if he would collapse at any moment. He raised his sword, intending to bring it down on his neck.

Seeing the dire situation, Zhao Yun unhesitatingly snatched the emperor's sword, then knelt and kowtowed. His forehead thudded against the ground with a dull thud. As he was about to explain, the emperor, seemingly overcome with rage, exclaimed, "Zhao Zilong, how dare you do this..." Before he could finish his words, he fainted, as if overcome by rage. Liu Xie hurried to support him. The emperor lay limp on the ground, like a lifeless doll. Zhao Yun knelt on the ground, kowtowed repeatedly, muttering, "No, no." His voice was filled with urgency and helplessness, as if he were defending his innocence, yet also with concern for the emperor's predicament. A deathly silence fell within the palace, the only sound echoing through the empty space. The atmosphere was so suffocating. Every movement and expression was imbued with reality, making one feel as if they were there, experiencing the emperor's despair and Zhao Yun's helplessness. The scene was so convincing that it was difficult to distinguish between reality and fiction.

Liu Xie hurriedly pulled Liu Bian into his arms, his movements gentle yet urgent. He slowly loosened Liu Bian's shirt, fanning him to promote air circulation while carefully pinching his philtrum. Liu Xie's eyes were filled with worry and anxiety, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. About an incense stick later, Liu Bian slowly awoke. His eyelids fluttered slightly, as if awakening from a long nightmare.

Zhao Yun didn't care that his forehead had turned blue from kowtows. He knelt on the ground, walked to the emperor's side, and said with concern: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, how do you feel? Your Majesty." His voice was full of anxiety and worry, as if the emperor's safety was more important than his own life.

As if waking from a hangover, Liu Bian slowly held his forehead, a look of pain on his face. He said, "Oh, my head hurts. What happened?" His eyes were hazy and confused, as if he had lost a memory. Then, looking at Zhao Yun, he said with concern, "General Zilong, what's wrong with your forehead? Someone, quickly send for the imperial physician to examine General Zilong. General Zilong is a beloved general whom I rely on. He must not allow any mishaps." The emperor's sincere concern filled Zhao Yun with both joy and shame. Unable to express his feelings, he hurriedly stopped the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I am fine. As long as Your Majesty is alright, that's all." Zhao Yun's voice was filled with determination and loyalty, and his eyes glistened with tears.

Then, Zhao Yun spoke to the emperor Liu Bian with true feelings: "I am a minister of the Han Dynasty and I should be loyal to the emperor and serve my country. The emperor treats me so well, I dare not have any second thoughts. Since I followed Your Majesty, I have never had the slightest disloyalty. I hope Your Majesty will understand." Zhao Yun's words were full of sincerity and passion, and his expression was solemn and serious.

Liu Bian quickly grasped Zhao Yun's arm and said, "General Zhao's injury is serious. I know your loyalty is unwavering, so how could I have doubted you? General, please stop talking and quickly call the imperial physician to treat your wounds." Liu Bian's eyes were filled with trust and concern, his tone firm yet gentle. Zhao Yun was deeply moved. A warmth welled up in his heart, tears welled up in his eyes, and his respect and loyalty to the emperor became even stronger. The entire palace was filled with a deep warmth and emotion, as if time had stood still at this moment.

Zhao Yun was deeply moved by the words of Emperor Liu Bian. His eyes reddened as he knelt solemnly once more, clasping his hands together. He spoke in a resounding, resolute voice, "Your Majesty has placed such trust in me that I will repay your kindness with my life. I swear to be loyal to you alone, forever and ever. If I disobey, I will be punished by heaven and earth. No matter how difficult the road ahead, no matter how volatile the situation, I will take your Majesty's safety as my own responsibility and protect the Han Dynasty as my mission. Your Majesty, if you command me, I will not hesitate, even at the cost of my life."

Zhao Yun's words echoed through the palace, each word brimming with loyalty and determination. Emperor Liu Bian gazed at Zhao Yun, his eyes filled with relief and emotion. He nodded slightly, reached out and helped Zhao Yun to his feet, and said, "The Han Dynasty is fortunate to have General Zilong. I will always remember your loyalty. From now on, we, as ruler and subject, will work together to create a prosperous Han Dynasty."

At this time, the atmosphere in the palace was solemn and dignified. Zhao Yun's loyalty to the emperor was like a raging fire, burning endlessly, illuminating the future of the Han Dynasty that was full of hope and challenges.

This farce, played out by the emperor himself, slowly came to a close amidst the mutual understanding and touching feelings between the ruler and his subject. From then on, the emperor had successfully won Zhao Yun's heart. Now, no matter what the emperor asked of Zhao Yun, he would refuse without a word, without even the slightest resistance. In Zhao Yun's heart, the emperor's kindness was as heavy as Mount Tai, and he desired nothing more than to be torn to pieces in order to repay the emperor's kindness.

Liu Bian's mastery of human nature is undeniable. Knowing Zhao Yun's loyalty, integrity, bravery, and righteousness, he employed this seemingly risky yet incredibly effective tactic to secure Zhao Yun's loyalty and steadfastness. Zhao Yun's loyalty and bravery would prove to be a powerful weapon for Liu Bian in this treacherous power struggle. Liu Bian's wisdom and strategic strategy also provided a platform for Zhao Yun to showcase his talents and realize his ambitions. Their relationship as ruler and subject was further strengthened and enhanced in this farce.