Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

However, Liu Bei said with a hint of doubt: "What do you mean, Zilong? Aren't we all serving the emperor and serving as ministers in the same court?" Liu Bei frowned slightly, his eyes full of confusion.

However, Zhao Yun said seriously: "General Liu, please listen to me. Although we have all contributed to the country before, I am, after all, a general under General Gongsun Zan. But now I no longer consider myself a general under General Gongsun. I wholeheartedly serve the emperor and work for the Han Dynasty. I am no longer a general under General Gongsun." Zhao Yun's expression was firm and his tone was sonorous and powerful.

Liu Bei said with a puzzled look on his face: "Why did Zilong make such a decision? But Brother Bogui treated you badly?" Liu Bei stared at Zhao Yun, waiting for his answer.

Zhao Yun said, "It's not that General Gongsun has shown any disdain for me, but rather that the Emperor treats me with sincerity. The Emperor is supreme and deeply concerned about Zhao Yun. A true man born in this world should serve his country and relieve the Emperor's worries. General Gongsun and I have no rift at all, but ever since Your Majesty married the Imperial Concubine Gongsun, she has been domineering and willful, causing the Emperor to shed tears. The Emperor had no choice but to compromise for the sake of the greater good, but General Gongsun did not discipline the Imperial Concubine and allowed her to do so. General Gongsun has little reverence for the Emperor. "Though my position is low and my influence insignificant, I, Zhao Yun, know the way to the Emperor and am loyal to him. I must help Your Majesty resolve his worries and difficulties and fight for the safety of the people. That's why I've been acting distant from you today, because you have a close relationship with General Gongsun. If I were to act too close to you, I'm afraid the Emperor would feel even more uneasy, which is why I'm acting this way. Please don't be offended, brothers. Please be magnanimous and understanding." Zhao Yun spoke earnestly, his eyes full of sincerity.

Before Liu Bei could speak, Guan Yu frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "The imperial concubine is indeed extremely domineering." Zhao Yun nodded and said, "Brother Yunchang, this is the truth. The imperial concubine has repeatedly made noises, ordering the emperor around, constantly claiming that the emperor's kingdom was won by the Gongsun family, and she has no respect for the emperor. I don't mean to drive a wedge between my three brothers and General Gongsun. I believe General Gongsun must have expressed contempt for the emperor in his words, which has led to the imperial concubine's dominance. And is General Gongsun completely unaware of the imperial concubine's dominance? Yet he has done nothing to discipline her? The emperor has only just returned to Chang'an, and the world has only just begun to settle. The grievances the emperor has endured are beyond the reach of ordinary people, yet he continues to compromise. That is why Zhao Yun is so resolute." A mixture of helplessness and determination crossed Zhao Yun's face. He knew his choice might cause some controversy, but for the sake of the emperor and the stability of the Han Dynasty, he had no hesitation. Liu Bei listened quietly and fell into deep thought, while Zhang Fei widened his eyes and looked angry, as if he was ready to go find Gongsun Zan and the imperial concubine to argue at any time.

Liu Bei knew Zhao Yun well, a man of integrity and loyalty. At this point, he resolutely cast aside his doubts. He mused to himself, "I really don't want the emperor to say what he said. He and Gongsun Zan had studied together and had a deep friendship. But now, Gongsun Zan had developed such a character. While he hadn't yet committed any acts of rebellion, his current behavior clearly demonstrated his arrogance and complete disregard for the emperor." This stirred a complex emotion within Liu Bei, a mixture of nostalgia for their past friendship and concern for the current situation.

Liu Bei calmed himself down, his face serious, and said solemnly: "Zilong, there is no need to alienate you brothers. Although you brothers and I have a close relationship with Bogui, we are relatives of the Han Dynasty and have heavy responsibilities. How can we neglect national affairs because of personal friendship? My three brothers are also loyal to the emperor. As long as there is anything that endangers the country, my three brothers will definitely go through fire and water and die without hesitation. Zilong, let's join hands to restore the Han Dynasty to a bright and clear world, so that the people will no longer suffer from war. How about it?" Liu Bei's eyes flashed with determination, and he looked at Zhao Yun with expectation.

Zhao Yun was overcome with emotion, the joy of being understood by his friends, the exhilaration of a shared goal, his heart overflowing with emotion. He nodded earnestly and said, "Yes! General Liu, I am willing to serve the Han Dynasty alongside my three brothers, devoting all my energy to the peace of the people and the stability of the nation." Their spirits soared, as if they had found direction and strength to move forward. They drank deeply, expressing their lofty aspirations. In the fervent atmosphere, they gradually lost themselves in intoxication, until they were completely drunk. Yet, even in their trance, they seemed to envision a bright future: a Han Dynasty free of war and where the people lived and worked in peace and contentment. That was their shared dream, the goal they strived for.

The next day, sunlight streamed through the palace windows. Emperor Liu Bian casually summoned Zhao Yun to his presence. Seemingly casual, they chatted about the events of the previous day's campaign against Dong Zhuo. As the conversation progressed, the emperor inquired about the three brothers, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. Zhao Yun, a man of integrity, responded without hesitation, "Your Majesty, last night the three brothers were drinking and conversing together. I heard they all pledged their unwavering loyalty to the Han Dynasty." Liu Bian remained calm and composed, but inwardly, he was beaming with joy. He knew his plan had succeeded. Immediately, Liu Bian summoned the three brothers to the palace for another feast. At the banquet, Liu Bian warmed to the three, his words filled with care and hope, as if he considered them crucial to the revival of the Han Dynasty.

In recent days, whenever the emperor finished his numerous and complex affairs, he would immediately summon Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and others to the palace. Sometimes he would discuss state affairs with Liu Bei, and sometimes he would also call Zhao Yun along, watching with great interest as Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun displayed their extraordinary martial arts. The emperor's affection for these men grew stronger, and whenever he saw a brilliant performance, he could not help but cheer loudly for their superb skills.

One day, the emperor once again arrived at the parade grounds to witness a spectacular duel between Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun. Zhang Fei wielded his Zhangba Snake Spear, while Zhao Yun gripped his long spear. Both were masters of martial arts. Zhang Fei's attacks were like thunder, their force and power unleashing the power to split mountains and shatter rocks. With eyes wide open, he shouted, "Zilong, behold the power of my Snake Spear!" Zhao Yun, on the other hand, appeared remarkably steady. His moves were not only fierce but also gracefully executed. His posture was sturdy, and he responded calmly, "General Zhang, do not be impatient. Let me see how I can defeat you." The two exchanged blows, each acrimonious and agonizing blow. For hundreds of rounds, the battle remained undecided.

Upon seeing this, the Emperor quickly stopped the two and ordered them to the banquet. Afterward, the Emperor personally poured wine for them and said with heartfelt admiration, "General Zhang Fei and General Zilong are both capable of defeating ten thousand men. Their martial arts are so extraordinary that no one in the world can rival them." Zhang Fei laughed heartily at the Emperor's praise and clasped his fists, saying, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. Zilong and I have only demonstrated our skills." Zhao Yun humbly said, "Your Majesty, I am too kind. My martial arts are still far from perfect, and I do not deserve such praise."

Although Guan Yu was aloof by nature, he had no desire to compete with Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun. He just stroked his long beard, smiled with satisfaction, and said slowly: "Yide and Zilong's martial arts are indeed extraordinary. We all serve Your Majesty, and we should be loyal and brave." At this time, Liu Bei bowed to the emperor and said: "Your Majesty, if we talk about the most powerful martial artists in the world, although Yide and Zilong are outstanding in martial arts, they dare not claim to be the best." The emperor was immediately interested when he heard this, raised his eyebrows slightly and asked: "Oh? The two of them just had such a wonderful fight, can't they be called unparalleled in the world?" Liu Bei replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, the world is so big, and there are many heroes. We dare not assert that no one can surpass Yide and Zilong. Moreover, martial arts is not the only criterion. Only those who are both virtuous and talented are true heroes." The emperor nodded slightly, as if thinking about something.

The emperor frowned slightly, lost in thought for a moment, then slowly spoke, "That being said, wartime does require skilled and capable generals. Let's put aside strategy for now and simply discuss martial arts. General Zhang Fei and General Zilong are already considered the best in the world by me, but how many others can truly rival them?"

Liu Bei bowed his head slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, there must be several others who can rival him." Liu Xie, standing beside him, also piqued his interest and said eagerly, "Uncle, please speak quickly so that my brother and I can witness the true heroes of the land." Liu Bei's eyes seemed to drift to the distant past, as if recalling that earth-shattering battle. He spoke slowly, "Your Majesty, my three brothers and I fought Lü Bu that day. Despite a bitter battle, we were unable to subdue him. This proves that Lü Bu's martial arts are truly exceptional. Let's not talk about my three brothers, just Yunchang and Yide alone. They are both men of unparalleled courage, yet even with their combined strength, they still couldn't defeat Lü Bu. This truly demonstrates Lü Bu's extraordinary abilities."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor sighed inwardly, saying, "Yes, Marquis Wen Lü Bu. Back then, this man, single-handedly, suppressed Dong Zhuo and his Western Liang army. Yet, he possessed a rebellious streak, betraying General Ding Yuan and joining the scoundrel Dong Zhuo. If it weren't for Lü Bu, the world wouldn't have fallen into chaos so quickly. Without Lü Bu's allegiance, how could Dong Zhuo have dared to act so arrogantly and do whatever he pleased? General Ding Yuan treated Lü Bu well, yet Lü Bu betrayed his master for selfish gain. Truly a cause for regret. Such a fickle individual, despite his peerless martial arts skills, will never achieve greatness and will be condemned by the world."