Chapter 24: The Cunning Zhao Yun

  It is a new starting point for Liu Bei, and also for Li Zhe.

  After much effort and several adventures, he finally got the imperial edict in his hands. Li Zhe immediately lost interest in continuing to entangle with San Ying. He immediately expressed to Liu Bei that he wanted to return to make various preparations, just waiting for Liu Bei to lead the army northward, and then rise up together with Liu Bei.

  But how can things be so simple?

  "Good nephew! I see that you are frail in body, unskilled in archery and horsemanship, and unfamiliar with military strategy. This business of leading troops into battle is fraught with danger, and the slightest mistake can cost you your life. Why not listen to my advice and let someone else help you with this?"

  Li Zhe was stunned, looking at Liu Bei in confusion, but saw a deep and bottomless fog. Looking around again, Zhang Fei's big eyes were staring fiercely, while Guan Yu's small eyes had narrowed into a slit, exceptionally sharp. As for Zhou Cang, Pei Yuan Shao and others, they looked ferocious and menacing, as if they would pounce at any moment. Suddenly, he came to his senses, could it be... is this the end?

  The one next to him also came forward and advised:

  "The young master is indeed talented, well-versed in the art of war and commerce. Even I must admit my inferiority to him. If he were to personally lead the troops into battle, it would be a waste of his great talent! Under your command, there are many brave generals, why not dispatch one of them to assist Young Master Li with military affairs?"

  Li Zhe's heart sank, it seemed that these people had been prepared in advance. He glanced around and saw that everyone's face was a matter of course, except for Zhao Yun, who quietly lowered his eyes.

  A strange emotion suddenly rose, Li Zhe's anger quickly surged up, is this going to be the end?! Just one visit and he was calculated like this! Liu Da'er, you really live up to your reputation as a selfish and ruthless person.

  At that time, after Xu Zhou's Taokui and Taogong died, the two sons who were left under his knees, Tao Ying and Tao Shang, also never made a sound again!

  You old fellow! Doing such things is indeed skillful! Liu Qi of Jingzhou, Ma Chao of Liangzhou, and Liu Zhang and Liu Ji of Yizhou - aren't they all examples of useless people who disappeared from history in this way? Such tactics are truly like flipping through a book, the true color of a heroic villain! Don't you really think that everything is under your control?

  If it were the old Li Zhe, that would be fine. A generation of losers like Li Zhe usually just nodded and agreed, never having any spirit to resist injustice. But now, with the time-space system and the hardships he's faced on this journey, Li Zhe has grown into a real man! Do you still think everything in this world will go as you wish?

  Li Zhe's eyes began to change, becoming like a sharp sword. The flattering expression he had previously shown to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei gradually disappeared, replaced by an almost invincible sharpness that seemed to pierce through the air, making people see blood in their eyes!

  In the hall, it seemed like a spark would set off an explosion at any moment. Zhang Fei and Guan Yu were on the verge of taking action.

  Zhao Yun Zhao Zilong, suddenly stood out!

  "Li Gongzi!" The loud voice immediately silenced the crowd in the hall, who turned to look at him. "Didn't you always say that you wanted to dedicate your troops and horses to the lord? During the Dingying era, weren't you always troubled by the miscellaneous affairs of the refugees, feeling anxious and frustrated, with a single-minded desire to sell your family's heirloom, divine object, to bring glory to your ancestors?"

  Li Zhe was momentarily bewildered and looked around, only to see Zhao Yun behind everyone's back, desperately winking at him.

  "You said to me that day, if the master agrees to hand over all the affairs of the territory to you, you will definitely entrust the heavy burden of tens of thousands of refugees in Dingying to my master. Why didn't you say this earlier!"

  Li Zhe suddenly realized Zhao Yun's kindness, and this Zhao Yun was actually risking his life to clear Li Zhe's name in front of everyone! He didn't know when it started, but somehow he had developed a bond with Zhao Yun. Although puzzled, he knew that at this moment, Zhao Yun was his only lifeline. Li Zhe quickly followed along with Zhao Yun and said:

  "Not bad, I have long had a high regard for the three heroes and once said that if Lord Guan would entrust me with all the financial matters within his territory, I would be willing to yield the foundation of Dingyuan County."

  Everyone heard this and the tense atmosphere just began to ease, it turned out that this delicate and tender young master was actually a profiteer with a stench of copper. At once everyone's mood became somewhat strange, they all looked at Zou Jing with slanted eyes, as it turned out that the business transactions under Liu Bei had always been monopolized by the Zou family.

  Liu Bei shifted his gaze to Zuo Ci, and the two men's eyes changed countless times in an instant. Finally, Liu Bei nodded almost imperceptibly.

  His face turned pale and defeated at once.

  "Good! Since that's the case, why didn't you say so earlier, nephew? Zizhong has been shouldering the burden of our army's supplies alone for a long time. If you're willing to come and take charge, I'd welcome it with open arms! Zizhong, what do you think?" The last word was spoken with a heavy nasal tone.

  Miao Zhu could only nod helplessly.

  "What you said is absolutely right! I also hope that you can help me out!"

  Li Zhe was willing to make concessions and hastily agreed.

  "If so, I am willing to hand over all the troops under my command to General Zhang Fei!"

  Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze changed once again, and they looked at Zhao Yun with suspicion.

  Liu Bei turned to Zhao Yun, looked at him with a profound gaze, and then nodded.

  "This is excellent! General Zi Long is also the most outstanding general in our army. Hand over your troops to him, and we won't have to worry anymore!"

  Li Zhe replied.

  The scene had unknowingly become one of harmony and joy.

  When he returned to his room to rest, Li Zhe only then realized that his legs were trembling so much that he couldn't stand.

  ……

  Why did Zhao Yun take a great risk to help Li Zhe at this critical moment?

  Perhaps only Zhao Yun himself can understand the reason behind it!

  In Zhao Yun's mind, he began to recall the infinite vitality he saw in the Sanlihe refugee camp.

  In the small town, all the houses were filled with people, crowded but full of harmony. The young men from different villages had eaten their fill and were competing in a digging contest in the open fields. After digging, they planted blocks of grain that Zhao Yun had never seen before, covering them with soil filled with hope. It was said that this was a divine object brought back by "Gongzi" from the immortal mountain, and next year's harvest would yield over 1,000 kilograms of divine grain per mu! With these, all the refugees in the world would no longer have to worry about not having enough food!

  There are also tents standing on the empty land outside the town, which are also crowded with refugees. Without using wood or stone, they can build houses, although they can only barely block the wind and rain, but it is already making all the refugees who live inside feel infinitely grateful. And those magical inflatable mattresses, warm sleeping bags, are not making the refugees overjoyed.

  Li Zhe rushed back and forth among the refugees to rescue them, waving small medicine pills to save lives and heal wounds!

  Under the governance of "Gongzi", Sanli Puzhen did not have a single person die from hunger or epidemic!

  This is in stark contrast to the miserable living conditions of the refugees under Liu Bei's rule! Here, even if Liu Bei accepted the refugees, he would have to supply most of the grain and supplies to the army, and the refugees could only live outside the city, waiting for the occasional charity from the benevolent Liu Xian.

  Outside the city, groups of refugees die from cold and hunger every day, but all they get in return is a few hypocritical tears shed by Liu Bei and others.

  Between the two, one is talking and the other is doing. As for which is better or worse, it seems that Zhao Yun's heart already has an answer. The numerous people in the refugee camp who carefully protected the divine plaque day and night are clear evidence!

  However, Zhao Yun had a hard time convincing himself. After all, he only stayed in Sanli Village for tens of days.

  Moreover, judging from appearance, compared to Liu Xuande who has experienced the vicissitudes of life and is worldly-wise, Li Zhe, with his 21st-century temperament, does not look like a wise ruler in any way!

  Zhao Yun is a stubborn person, everything has its own judgment, otherwise he would not have defected from Yuan Shao's camp to Gongsun Zan in the first place, and then traveled thousands of miles south, alone to join Liu Xuan De. Zhao Yun's ideal in his heart, although never spoken, is greater than many people in this era.

  It was at this most critical moment that his intuition, hidden deep within his heart, helped Zhao Yun make the decision!

  PS: Update delivered, enjoy!