Three Kingdoms: Mistakenly Becoming Liu Bei's Adoptive Father at the Start

When news of the inspector's murder reached the Zhongshan Prefecture, the prefect was greatly alarmed and hurriedly reported it to Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou.

Liu Yu already harbored resentment towards Liu Bei for refusing to recruit him, and now, upon hearing that Liu Bei had killed the inspector without authorization, he was even more enraged, with old grudges and new hatreds surging into his heart.

"Liu Bei truly harbors treacherous intentions and has become so arrogant!" Liu Yu resorted to his old tricks again, once again sending a document to Youbeiping, strictly ordering Gongsun Zan to send troops to suppress the "rebel".

Gongsun Zan frowned upon receiving the order.

His inaction last time already suggested he was making excuses.

This time, Liu Bei did indeed kill the imperial inspector, and the evidence was conclusive. If he did not send troops, it would be difficult to explain himself.

But he was unwilling to devote all his energy to fighting Liu Bei to the death.

After much deliberation, Gongsun Zan mustered three thousand soldiers and ordered his valiant general Zhao Yun to lead them alone to Anxi to "suppress the rebellion," instructing him to "handle the matter appropriately and simply demonstrate military might," clearly leaving room for maneuver.

Zhao Yun led his troops to Anxi County.

He was well aware of the inspector's bad reputation, and he felt no ill will towards Liu Bei's killing of the official; on the contrary, he felt a sense of satisfaction.

But I had to come because of military orders.

The two armies faced off.

When Zhang Fei saw a young, unfamiliar general arrive, he brandished his spear and rode out to challenge him.

Zhao Yun didn't say much, and charged forward with his spear.

Both were top-tier warriors of their time, and this encounter was truly a battle of equals.

They fought with spears and lances, battling for over fifty rounds without a clear victor.

Zhang Fei grew increasingly excited as the fight progressed, shouting, "That's exhilarating! It's been so long since I've encountered an opponent like this!"

Zhao Yun was also secretly alarmed. This dark-skinned man was strong and powerful, and incredibly brave. If he hadn't been a skilled horseman who could use the stirrups and the high saddle to fully utilize the power of his waist and horse, he probably wouldn't have been able to withstand him.

After another thirty-odd rounds, Zhao Yun spotted an opening and suddenly intensified his spear techniques, which were like pear blossoms falling in the snow, forcing Zhang Fei to slow down his attacks and gaining a slight advantage.

Zhang Fei, caught up in the excitement, wasn't discouraged. Instead, he shouted, "Good lad! You've got some skill! Let's go again!"

Zhao Yun feigned an attack, then turned his horse and returned to his own lines, shouting, "Zhang Yide is indeed valiant! Let's call it a day, we'll fight again another day!"

He was unwilling to fight to the death, and seeing that he had demonstrated his military might and tested the enemy's strength, he took the opportunity to retreat, set up camp, and confront Liu Bei's army, but no longer took the initiative to attack.

Back at camp, Zhang Fei muttered to Guan Yu, "That pretty boy's spear skills are truly superb, and he rides his horse so steadily! If it weren't for those strange stirrups he uses for leverage, I, Old Zhang, might not have let him gain the upper hand!"

Liu Liang happened to overhear these words.

A thought struck him: he remembered Zhao Yun's praise when he tried riding a double-stirred horse, and seeing the two armies facing each other now, it was the perfect opportunity.

The next day,

Liu Liang, alone on horseback, arrived at an open area in front of the two armies and asked Zhao Yun to meet him.

Out of respect for his "sworn brother," Zhao Yun also went into battle alone.

"Brother Zilong, how have you been?" Liu Liang said, bowing.

"Brother," Zhao Yun returned the greeting, his expression complex, "I never expected to meet you here today."

Liu Liang said bluntly, "I watched the battle yesterday, and you, my brother, have made great progress in horsemanship. The double stirrups played a crucial role in that. Yide also praised you when he returned, saying that if it weren't for your skill, he would have been able to win."

Zhao Yun sighed, "The gift you gave me, brother, is truly a divine skill. I have benefited greatly from it."

Liu Liang nodded, then suddenly asked, "Brother, General Gongsun ordered you to come. Do you truly intend to fight to the death?"

Zhao Yun was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "The inspector deserves to die. I came here on orders, I had no choice."

"In that case," Liu Liang took out a roll of blueprints from his robes, "this is a complete set of diagrams for making double stirrups and high saddle bridges, as well as some cavalry tactics I've devised. I'll give it to you today, my worthy brother, so that it may help you achieve even greater success under General Gongsun. I only hope that you will not use this to attack the people and soldiers of Anxi."

Zhao Yun was taken aback. He took the blueprints, unfolded them, and glanced at them. He immediately realized that their value far exceeded the horse tack he had received earlier. This was a complete set of secret techniques to enhance the combat effectiveness of cavalry!

He was moved, and knew that Liu Liang's actions also reflected his desire for peace and to maintain their friendship.

Zhao Yun solemnly put away the blueprints, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I will remember your kindness, brother. This time... I will know what I'm doing."

The two returned to their respective camps.

As soon as Liu Liang entered the city, before he even dismounted, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei rushed over upon hearing the news.

Zhang Fei, with his impatient nature, immediately shouted, "Sir! You just went out of the city alone to see Zhao Yun and gave him some things? What... what's the reason for this? Could it be that you have a past relationship with him?"

Although Guan Yu did not ask directly, his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, clearly showing his doubt.

Although Liu Bei trusted Liu Liang, this matter concerned a general of the enemy army, and it was a sensitive moment when the two armies were facing off, so he could not hide his doubts and worries.

Knowing that this matter needed a satisfactory explanation, Liu Liang calmly dismounted and said, "Xuande, Yunchang, Yide, I did indeed go to see Zhao Yun just now, and I did indeed give him something."

"What is it?" Zhang Fei asked hurriedly.

"These are improved blueprints for double stirrups and high saddle bridges, along with some cavalry tactics I envisioned," Liu Liang said frankly.

"What?!" Zhang Fei jumped up immediately upon hearing this. "Sir! That's a crucial weapon for our army! How can you give it to Zhao Yun? He's Gongsun Zan's man! What if he uses it against our cavalry..."

Guan Yu also said in a deep voice, "Sir, this action... I also find it perplexing. To provide the enemy with weapons is something a wise man would not do."

Although Liu Bei did not speak, his brows were furrowed, clearly indicating that he was equally perplexed.

Liu Liang was prepared and calmly analyzed: "Please rest assured. My gift of the map to Zhao Yun is not to aid the enemy, but rather a strategy to kill several birds with one stone."

A strategy that kills several birds with one stone?

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei exchanged glances, all staring at Liu Liang, awaiting his answer.

Liu Liang held up two fingers: "Firstly, it's a delaying tactic. After Zhao Yun gained a slight advantage on the battlefield, he voluntarily retreated, which dampened the morale of his troops. Liu Yu will then suspect that he wasn't fully committed. If I present him with generous gifts at this time, showing goodwill, Zhao Yun will be even more reluctant to fight to the death with our army. Gongsun Zan didn't want to attack us with all his might to begin with. Now that he sees Zhao Yun having some private dealings with our army, which is a calculated move, his suspicions will only increase. He will then order Zhao Yun to act cautiously and might even recall him. In this way, the siege of Anxi can be lifted at least halfway without a fight. This is the best strategy to win hearts and minds."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, carefully considering its meaning.