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

Liu Liang then turned to Zhang Fei and asked, "Yide, you've fought Zhao Zilong before. What do you think of him as a person?"

Without hesitation, Zhang Fei replied, "His martial arts skills are undeniable; he's a true hero! He fights with gusto, unlike a cunning villain."

"Indeed," Liu Liang nodded. "That's the second point, it's about forging a bond. I see Zhao Yun as a man of exceptional martial skill, loyal and reserved, not one to remain subservient to others for long, nor one willing to collude with Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu. Today I treat him with sincerity and present him with generous gifts. If Gongsun Zan doesn't tolerate him in the future, or if the world changes, wouldn't such a hero have something to say about it? What I've given him today is a token of goodwill that could potentially become a powerful ally in the future. Even if he continues to serve Gongsun Zan, once he receives my complete set of techniques, his cavalry's fighting strength will increase. Who will be the first to be threatened? The northern barbarians, or Liu Yu, who is only superficially allied with him? Surely he won't immediately use all his strength against us, his 'friends who gave him these techniques'?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's brows relaxed, and he seemed to be deep in thought.

Guan Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Sir, is your intention to use this to sow discord within Gongsun Zan's ranks, to control Zhao Yun, and to divert the trouble north or west? However... there are risks involved. What if Zhao Yun accepts Gongsun Zan's demands for compensation, and then uses the proceeds to attack us?"

Liu Liang laughed and said, "Yun Chang's concerns are absolutely correct. The reason I dared to take this risky move is because I had accurately predicted Liu Yu's inevitable reaction!"

Next, Liu Liang speculated on Liu Yu's suspicion of Gongsun Zan and his overreaction to the possibility that Zhao Yun might "colluded with the enemy."

"If Liu Yu learns of this, he will certainly not let go of this opportunity to strike at Gongsun Zan and control Zhao Yun. At that time, the pressure will shift to Gongsun Zan and Zhao Yun, not us. We can then sit back and watch the situation unfold, and may even... have the opportunity to reap the benefits."

This analysis progresses step by step, from delaying the enemy's advance to forging a long-term alliance, and then to exploiting the enemy's internal contradictions. It interprets what appears to be an act of aiding the enemy as a well-thought-out strategic plan.

Zhang Fei's mouth dropped open as he scratched his head, saying, "So... there are so many twists and turns? I, Old Zhang, thought you were confused, sir!"

Liu Bei breathed a long sigh of relief, his doubts vanishing. He said, "Father, your wisdom and foresight are truly profound! It was I, Liu Bei, who was foolish and failed to grasp your brilliant plan. In that case, this gift of the map is not only not an aid to the enemy, but rather a brilliant move to relieve my current predicament and lay the foundation for the future! I am truly impressed!"

Guan Yu nodded slightly, clasped his hands, and said, "Sir, you understand people's hearts and have calculated every advantage and disadvantage. I admire you. But... how should I behave when I meet Zhao Yun on the battlefield in the future?"

Liu Liang said, "Everything is as usual. We will fight when it is time to fight, and we will make peace when it is time to make peace. Private gifts are personal matters, while battles on the battlefield are official business. Zhao Yun is a sensible man; he will know how to handle things."

the other side,

Zhao Yun acquired the complete set of horse harness techniques and had no intention of forcing Liu Bei.

In the following days, Zhao Yun indeed only engaged in routine standoffs with Liu Bei's army, with occasional small-scale skirmishes that were never truly resolved.

Everything went exactly as Liu Liang had predicted.

Although Liu Liang's solo meeting with Zhao Yun and gifting him the blueprints took place in an open area in front of the battle lines, countless eyes were watching as the two armies faced off.

The news was quickly discovered by Liu Yu's spies planted in the army, who rushed to report it to Jicheng.

Upon receiving the report, Liu Yu was furious.

He was already deeply dissatisfied with Gongsun Zan's double-dealing and repeated disobedience, and he hated Liu Bei even more.

Now that they've seized this opportunity, they're making a big fuss about it.

"What a Zhao Yun! He secretly exchanged favors with the traitor on the battlefield, and after receiving the benefits, he hesitated to advance, thus delaying the operation! This is clearly a case of treason!"

Liu Yu publicly rebuked Zhao Yun in the state capital, and then issued a stern order in the name of the governor of Youzhou: Zhao Yun was ordered to suppress the rebellion, but he secretly colluded with the rebel leader Liu Liang, and was suspected of colluding with him. According to the law, he should be arrested and interrogated. He ordered Gongsun Zan to immediately arrest Zhao Yun and send him to Jicheng to await trial!

This order, ostensibly aimed at Zhao Yun, was in reality a pretext to also accuse Gongsun Zan of "lax management of his subordinates and condoning his generals' collusion with the enemy," thereby weakening Gongsun Zan's prestige and power.

The order was relayed to Gongsun Zan's army.

Gongsun Zan's face was gloomy.

He already harbored suspicions because Zhao Yun had received horse tack from Liu Liang last time, and this time he had reminisced with Liu Liang on the battlefield.

Liu Liang presented the map to him on the battlefield, in full view of everyone; he could not pretend not to know.

Liu Yu's order put him in an even more precarious position.

If he were to do everything in his power to protect Zhao Yun, it would be tantamount to openly defying Liu Yu, confirming his crime of "condoning his subordinates' treason," and giving Liu Yu a pretext to further suppress him.

If it cannot be saved...

Zhao Yun was indeed a rare and brave general under his command. This time, he had not actually committed any act of treason; he simply had some old friendship with Liu Liang, and as for the blueprints…

Gongsun Zan was actually curious as well.

Weighing the pros and cons, especially considering Liu Yu's aggressive attitude and his intention to weaken him, Gongsun Zan's suspicion and concern for his own power ultimately outweighed his appreciation for Zhao Yun's talent.

He summoned Zhao Yun, showed him Liu Yu's order, and said, "Zilong, it's not that I don't trust you. It's just that Governor Liu has issued a strict order here, in full view of everyone. Your meeting with Liu Liang on the battlefield and the private exchange of items has indeed given others a handle against you. Now... I'm in a difficult position."

As Zhao Yun listened to Gongsun Zan's words, which were almost absolving him of any responsibility and implied blame, he felt a chill run down his spine.

Since joining the army, he had served diligently under Gongsun Zan, charging into battle with unwavering loyalty.

Meeting Liu Liang on the battlefield was out of old friendship and courtesy. As for presenting the map, he felt that he was completely at peace with himself. His decision to stop at a point with Liu Bei's army was also in accordance with Gongsun Zan's instructions to preserve his strength.

However, Shangguan, without investigating the facts or listening to explanations, wanted to punish him based solely on conjecture and pressure from political enemies.

The general to whom he served not only failed to defend himself at this critical juncture, but also spoke with resentment and displayed an ambiguous attitude.

A wave of disappointment and sorrow washed over me.

These are the court officials and generals he served.

The honest are punished, the corrupt run rampant, suspicion and infighting chill the heart.

Zhao Yun remained silent for a long time, then clasped his hands and said, "I understand your meaning, General. I have a clear conscience and do not wish to put you in a difficult position."

Having said that, Zhao Yun said no more and turned to leave the tent.

Back in their own camp

Zhao Yun recalled the day his sworn brother Liu Liang gave him the stirrups, and the two of them swore brotherhood outside Zhuojun City.

Liu Liang, who was nine years older, said, "Brother, if you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, you may come to me."

That night, Zhao Yun summoned several dozen of his most trusted veteran soldiers from Youzhou and frankly explained his situation: "My superiors suspect me, Liu Bei of Youzhou wants to punish me, and even General Gongsun cannot protect me. I wish to leave and seek refuge with my sworn brother. Are you all willing to follow me?"

These veterans, who had followed Zhao Yun for many years and knew his character well, were already indignant. Upon hearing this, they all said in unison, "We are willing to follow the general!"

Before leaving, Zhao Yun left a letter on Gongsun Zan's desk, stating that he was innocent, but did not want to put his lord in a dilemma, so he left, and from then on, their grudges were settled.