Chapter 12: Zhao Zilong and Zhou Cang

  "Zi Long, brother! It's been a long time!" Li Zhe rushed forward several steps, enthusiastically grasping Zhao Yun's large hand and shaking it vigorously, looking more affectionate than a close relative who had been separated for many years.

  Zhao Yun calmed down and took a look, wasn't this the short-haired thief who stole his horse? Dammit!

  It's just that! To call someone a thief is not very nice, they said it was only borrowed temporarily, but as a general, to have one's own horse stolen in broad daylight is an unbearable shame. Although Zhao Yun never spoke out loud, the wound in his heart was very deep.

  Although Li Zhe was extremely resentful in his heart, he appeared enthusiastic on the surface. Zhao Yun was a thick-skinned person and couldn't say anything to slap him in the face, so he just stood there with a stiff expression, looking quite embarrassed.

  Tong Lai's servant was a clever person, and he saw that the relationship between the two men was strange. He approached them with interest and said, "So Master and General Zhao are old acquaintances."

  Li Zhe performed for half a day, just waiting for this sentence. He immediately picked up the cue: "Old acquaintance! Old acquaintance! Very old acquaintance! I was in danger that day and was rescued by General Zhao. Later, we met again like old times and traveled together for a long time. After that, I had something important to attend to and General Zhao generously lent me his horse. This feeling... it's really..." Just as he was about to utter those few words casually, he suddenly reacted and turned around in an emergency, "It's truly the warmth of the ancient road!"

  This remark was full of errors, and Zhao Yun naturally looked down on it with disdain. However, the reaction of the bystanders was different.

  It turned out that the envoy of this mission was actually Zuo Ci, and our Zhao Dada is just a useful bodyguard. The two were sent by Liu Bei, who was stationed in Pingyu City, Nanyang County, to form an alliance with the forces at Sanli Pu.

  Liu Bei, who has now escaped from Yuan Shao in Ji Province, is like a dragon entering the ocean and a fierce tiger entering the mountains. After gathering his two brothers and some old subordinates in Runan, he suddenly annexed the remnants of the local Yellow Turbans in Runan Prefecture, including Liu Pi and Gong Du's forces, rapidly expanding his power from nothing to something. Now, he occupies nearly half of Runan Prefecture and is preparing to take action against Cao Cao.

  This time I came to Sanli Pu just to take a look at the situation of this group of refugees, and try to see if I can use Liu Dada's own aura to recruit them.

  Throughout Liu Bei's life, he was good at making use of others' strengths and can be said to be the best among all the heroes of the Three Kingdoms at winning people over.

  He is not capable, losing nine out of ten battles, and he is not good at managing, every time after getting a territory, either he abandons it or others drive him away. Moreover, he really has no background, coming from a humble origin, in the Three Kingdoms era, he is actually very stifled.

  But what can't be helped is that this guy really knows how to deceive people, no matter where he goes, whether it's a person or a territory, he always manages to swindle some benefits. First was Gongsun Zan, then Kong Rong and Tao Qian, later Yuan Shao and Liu Biao, all these heroes were deceived by him, losing not a small amount of land and talent.

  It's strange that there are still many people who think they are the masters, and those who go to surrender to them will not change their loyalty even if they die. It really makes one speechless.

  Perhaps, in the eyes of some elite groups among my ethnic group, it is precisely this ability to bluff that is the essence of our Chinese history passed down for thousands of years, and being genuine and hardworking is not worth mentioning.

  This Zhang Fei is a typical example of someone who was deceived by Liu Bei. Not only did he marry off his lovely younger sister, but also almost bankrupted himself for the sake of Liu Bei's cause. Even his own brothers had to work tirelessly under this big brother-in-law like an old ox.

  He was Liu Bei's top manager, most skilled in business matters. This time he came into contact with the rumors among the refugees that there were high-ranking officials and alchemists selling "divine fire" in this group of refugees who had occupied Dingyuan. This news was immediately captured by him with a merchant's keen intuition, recognizing its value, which is why he personally came to make contact.

  He was originally worried about being unfamiliar with everyone and not knowing what to say, but now that he heard Zhao Yun and Li Zhe were old friends, he was overjoyed.

  "Ah ha! So that's how it is, General Zi Long is a heroic and chivalrous person who is good at helping others with their troubles. I didn't expect that you, young master, would have such a connection with him, this is really great!"

  "That's natural! I've been thinking about Brother Zilong's kindness for a long time. Last time we parted too hastily, this time I must have a thorough conversation with Zilong and not return until drunk!" Li Zhe immediately borrowed the donkey to climb the slope.

  These two people got along famously.

  However, Zhao Dada still had some misgivings in his heart. He was deeply hurt by Li Zhe's previous behavior, and the image of laziness had already taken root in Zhao Yun's mind. In fact, he didn't want to get close to Li Zhe, but with Meng Zong drumming up support on the side, he also remembered Lord Cao's instructions when he came, so he could only muster up his spirits to deal with Li Zhe.

  Li Zhe is also an otaku, and his mouth is actually powerless. He's similar to Zhao Dada in this regard. If it were just these two drinking together, it would definitely be extremely boring. But among the three of them, there's a wild card named Meng Zhizhong, which makes the situation completely different.

  Mi Zong is a prominent merchant in Xuzhou, and also one of the most notable figures in the business circle at the end of the Three Kingdoms period. Not only is he good at doing business, but he also has an excellent reputation, being elegant and refined, erudite and talented, with a good reputation among scholars as well. Moreover, he is skilled at self-promotion and has exceptional eloquence, making him a truly remarkable talent in the late Three Kingdoms period.

  With his arrival, this little party has become somewhat interesting.

  A few people sit together, chatting and laughing, pointing at the mountains and rivers, also enjoying themselves.

  After all, everyone is a person in troubled times. The topic of the three people started not long ago and naturally turned to today's war situation.

  "Li Gongzi is indeed a talented person! But I don't know what his views are on the current situation." Zou Yun asked Li Zhe.

  "What's the current situation?" Li Zhe glanced at Mo Zhu, a smile on his face. "Isn't the Emperor already in Xudu today? With the wise Emperor on the throne, it's only natural that evil will be eradicated. It won't take long before the Emperor sends out virtuous officials and capable generals to purge the world of evil, bringing peace to our people. At that time, people like us can retreat to a quiet life in the countryside, enjoying family happiness."

  This guy is also somewhat disdainful of Li Zhe, this good-for-nothing, how can't he utter a single true word from his mouth. Retiring to a life of farming and study, looking at you like this, you don't seem like the kind of person who would retire to a life of farming and study.

  However, Zou Ji still tried to steer the conversation in his desired direction: "Your words are wrong, sir. Although the Emperor is on the throne, he has been deceived by treacherous officials. The rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of every individual, and we men of ambition must also respond to the call of the Emperor and join with other gentlemen to eliminate the treacherous officials for him."

  "Debauchery?!" Li Zhe feigned surprise: "Where is the debauchery?"

  This made Zang Ba look unwell, as a person of the Eastern Han period, he had never seen anyone like Li Zhe who was so good at pretending to be deaf and dumb. He finally knew why Zhao Yun was not enthusiastic about Li Zhe. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and pointed it at Cao Pi's throat: "Cao Pi! You are the greatest traitor in the court!"

  "Chancellor Cao!" Li Zhe's eyes widened in shock, and he exclaimed, "How is this possible? Didn't the Chancellor himself rescue the Emperor from Chang'an City?"

  "But, young master! Haven't you heard of the phrase 'using the Son of Heaven to control the vassals'? Cao Pi is manipulating the Emperor and bullying the high officials. The capital city of Xuchang has become a place of bloodshed and stench. Even the Emperor himself is being bullied by him. This is something that all the heroes in the world know about. Otherwise, why would Yuan Shao's cavalry be so angry as to launch an attack, with millions of troops marching south?"

  Li Zhe also stood up, pacing back and forth, taking a few steps before turning around and saying helplessly: "The Son of Heaven is being bullied, it's only natural that people's hearts are in pain and disorder, but what can we common folk do about it?"

  "Young master, your words are quite off the mark! The rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of every individual. Nowadays, the imperial court is filled with treacherous and evil people, which is exactly when righteous gentlemen like us should stand up! Moreover, my master is the current emperor's uncle, who has received a secret edict from the emperor to command all heroes in the land to attack Xuchang and overthrow the treacherous Prime Minister Cao Cao. You can see that he is a man of great talent and concern for the world, isn't he exactly the left and right arm that my master thinks about day and night?"

  Haha! Li Zhe heard these grandiose words, but in his heart, he was secretly coldly laughing. As expected, it's still that thing - the legendary pocket edict. Liu Dajie is here to deceive people again.

  Hehe! Seeing the impressions left by all of you readers, I'm really pleased! It's as if it has rejuvenated me, making me feel refreshed and energized. So, are you guys daring to give a bit more power? If today's recommendation votes exceed 160, who knows, maybe the author will get overexcited and accidentally release an extra chapter!