Three Kingdoms: Rebirth of Liu Bei, the Zhaolie

Guan Yu was startled!

Just as the two horses were about to collide, he quickly mustered his strength and used the back of his eighteen-foot spear to block the spear that Liu Bei was thrusting under his arm.

He managed to deflect it to the left side of his body.

Liu Bei's eighteen-foot spear swept across Guan Yu's left arm.

At the same time, the two horses passed each other at high speed, each galloping away behind the other.

Just as Guan Yu was congratulating himself on dodging Liu Bei's spear-wielding charge, he suddenly felt a stab to the back of his heart.

It turned out that after the two horses passed each other, Liu Bei quickly flipped the eighteen-foot-long spear that he had been hiding under his arm over his head, and began to hold it with both hands. He then swiftly launched a counterattack, thrusting it towards Guan Yu's back.

Of course, he didn't use any force.

Click till.

From the perspective of Geng Yong, Qian Zhao, Dongye Ban, Xinyuan Jian, Zuo Zi, Zhang Ba, and others who were watching from the sidelines, the cavalry battle between Liu Bei and Guan Yu was particularly thrilling, exciting, and captivating.

The two horses collided rapidly, passing each other. During the collision, their two eighteen-foot-long spears clashed, and then Liu Bei used a backhand spear to pierce Guan Yu's back.

It was absolutely brilliant.

They couldn't help but cheer in unison.

"Xuande's horse control is even more skillful. I think he has achieved a state of perfect harmony between man, horse, and spear," Qian Zhao praised.

Left Beard nodded and said:

"Indeed, Xuande, his horse, and his eighteen-foot spear have become an inseparable whole. I see no separation whatsoever. Has he already reached such a profound level at only fifteen years old?"

His words indicated that he was somewhat hesitant to believe it.

Geng Yong calmly replied:

"Historically, many generals began leading troops into battle at the age of fifteen. Horse riding also depends on talent. For example, I practiced for a long time, but I still couldn't free both hands to hold a weapon and control the horse using only my legs."

Qian Zhao said:

"It took me a long time to practice before I could control the horse with my legs while wielding the long spear with both hands. This requires a high level of skill in using and controlling the strength of one's two legs and feet. To achieve true unity between man and horse, one must reach a state of perfect harmony with the warhorse beneath one's feet."

Upon hearing this, Higashino Ban and Aragaki Ken couldn't help but cast envious glances at Qian Zhao.

They all knew that Qian Zhao came from the Qian family of Anping and had the opportunity to ride horses and shoot arrows from a young age. With practice, he naturally became skilled.

The two of them, one a pig butcher and the other a vegetable seller, came from poor families and had never even ridden a horse before, let alone controlled one with just their legs.

They had just witnessed Liu Bei and Guan Yu riding high on their Western Region horses, wielding eighteen-foot spears, looking majestic and imposing, exuding a murderous aura, just like two generals on the battlefield. They had already developed a sense of admiration for them.

At this moment, Liu Bei rode up to the crowd, reined in his horse, stood there, and looked at Guan Yu not far away.

Guan Yu spurred his horse back and galloped all the way. When he was still a few dozen steps away from the others, he suddenly gently pulled on the reins.

Then the horse, as if guided by a spirit, began to trot slowly and lightly.

It gradually approached the crowd and stopped.

Guan Yu threw his eighteen-foot-long spear toward Dongye Ban.

Higashino quickly caught it.

Guan Yu then clasped his hands in a salute to Liu Bei from his horse:

"I lost."

His facial muscles were somewhat tense, and his eyes revealed a look of disappointment and embarrassment.

But fortunately, he can afford to lose.

A loss is a loss.

If you lose, admit it bravely.

Liu Bei immediately cupped his hands and said:

"You flatter me. Archery, horsemanship, and cavalry fighting are merely rudimentary skills. Military strategy and tactics are the true keys to victory on the battlefield."

Upon hearing this, a strange look flashed in Guan Yu's eyes:

"Judging from your words, it seems you have ulterior motives..."

Liu Bei listened and smiled without saying a word.

He dismounted and handed the eighteen-foot spear to Dongye Ban.

Guan Yu also jumped off his horse.

Zhang Ba led two Hu horses to the corner of the Cuju field and tied them up.

At this moment, Guan Yu was filled with interest in the young Liu Bei, and couldn't help but say:

"No matter how powerful the military strategies are, they still rely on the soldiers on the front lines to fight their way through, sword by sword. So don't underestimate these archery, horsemanship, and cavalry combat techniques."

"certainly."

Liu Bei nodded and added, "However, one is strategy, and the other is tactics. Although there is a primary and secondary aspect, neither should be neglected."

Upon hearing Liu Bei say such a thing, Guan Yu couldn't help but look at him with new respect:

"Judging from your age, you're only about my age, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, but what you're saying is really not something someone your age should say."

Upon hearing this, Higashino's team burst into laughter:

"Xuande is a remarkable man from Zhuo County. He is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and possesses extraordinary insight. Otherwise, how could he have become the leader of the White Feather Society here?"

"Xuande..."

Guan Yu pondered, "I seem to have heard your name before... Could you be Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, who slew the bandits of Baishi Mountain outside the east gate of Zhuo County?"

Before Liu Bei could speak, Dongye Ban shouted:

"It is indeed Liu Bei, Liu Xuande!"

Guan Yu immediately bowed to Liu Bei again:

"A pleasure to meet you. I've long admired your reputation. No wonder your martial arts are so superb; you are indeed a young hero."

At this time, Liu Bei was already well-known in the prefectures and counties.

Everyone in Zhuojun knew of Liu Bei, a fifteen-year-old hero.

As the reputation spread, the rumors became increasingly exaggerated, especially in more distant places.

Especially during the chaotic period at the end of the Han Dynasty, many people risked their lives for fame.

When Cao Cao served as the Northern Commandant of Luoyang, he dared to beat the uncle of Jian Shuo, a powerful eunuch who was a favorite of Emperor Ling of Han, to death with a five-colored rod. Wasn't this a great risk he took in order to pursue a good reputation among the literati?

At the same time, reputation is a double-edged sword. It can bring various benefits, but it can also constrain oneself, become one's own shackles, and in turn oppress oneself.

After all, a great reputation is hard to live up to.

In order to live up to one's reputation, one has to force oneself to do many things one does not want to do.

Liu Bei was well aware of the advantages and disadvantages of reputation, but if he wanted to win over more people on a larger scale, he had to establish a good reputation for chivalry and benevolence.

In order to secure a place for himself in this chaotic world, Liu Bei was determined to win over even the hearts of bandits and outlaws.

The future top general Guan Yu standing before him was someone Liu Bei absolutely had to win over.

"I am truly unworthy of the title of hero. I merely did what was within my duty."

Faced with Guan Yu's praise, Liu Bei couldn't help but respond with humility.

Having been defeated twice by Liu Bei, Guan Yu was already quite impressed by his superb martial arts skills, but he still didn't know much about Liu Bei's character. So, he continued:

"The Zuo Zhuan (Commentary of Zuo) on the Spring and Autumn Annals, in the eleventh year of Duke Xiang, says, 'Think of danger in times of peace; if you think of danger, you will be prepared; if you are prepared, you will have no worries.' Could this be the origin of your name?"

Liu Bei was overjoyed upon hearing this:

"Although you are young, you are quite knowledgeable in the classics. When my father was alive, he named me based on this sentence from the Zuo Zhuan. He also constantly reminded me that I should be patient and humble in order to perfect my morality."

Guan Yu pondered for a moment and then said:

"The given name is used to define one's character, while the courtesy name is used to express one's virtue. The Tao Te Ching says, 'To give birth without possessing, to act without relying on one's own power, to nurture without dominating—this is called profound virtue.' This may be the origin of your courtesy name. The given name and courtesy name together embody the meaning of 'perfect virtue.'"

"It seems you also come from a family with a strong scholarly tradition. You recognized my name and courtesy name at a glance."

Liu Bei nodded repeatedly: "Zhangba also said that your surname is Guan, your given name is Yu, and your courtesy name is Changsheng. Yu means to spread your wings and fly high, achieving extraordinary things. The famous general Xiang Yu also took Yu as his name, and ultimately achieved hegemony. Unfortunately, he did not live long and ultimately committed a heroic suicide. However, Yu's bravery is unparalleled throughout the ages. His good name will be passed down through the ages. You can say that you died without regret."

Guan Yu nodded silently and said:

"My father named me Yu, hoping that I would become like Xiang Yu. He wanted me to achieve the same fame as Xiang Yu, and he also wanted me to live a long and healthy life. So, he gave me the courtesy name 'Chang Sheng' (meaning 'long life')."

Liu Bei spoke frankly:

"This word is somewhat lacking in meaning. It's too mundane."

Guan Yu was not angry; instead, he said in a deep voice:

"I have long intended to change my courtesy name. A true man desires a life of great achievement, a name that will be remembered in history. Not a life of petty scheming and groveling. My mind is made up. From this day forward, I will change my courtesy name to 'Yun Chang'."

……

Without preparation, even a large army cannot be relied upon. Without preparation and foresight, one cannot lead an army.

—Zuo Zhuan, Year 1 of Duke Zhao