Chapter 1: The Crown Prince

  Liu Feng hesitated for a moment, then said: "Now the Han dynasty is declining, and there are more and more people with different minds. Although I am the crown prince, my safety is still worrying. It makes one think of the Great Wind Song of our ancestors."

  "The strong wind rises, clouds fly high, mighty power extends over the seas, returning to our hometown. Where can we find brave warriors to guard the four corners?"

  Liu Feng then began to hum a famous song called "Great Wind" written by Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang.

  After finishing his poem, Liu Feng said to Zhao Yun: "The Grand Ancestor pacified the world with military might, and his prestige covered the entire country. However, there were still those who harbored second thoughts, such as Ying Bu and others who successively rebelled. Even the Grand Ancestor Emperor lamented that there were no brave warriors to bring peace to the four corners of the land. Not to mention now, when the Han dynasty is on the decline, I don't even know how long my life will last. My heart is filled with sorrow, and just then I heard about Zi Long's reputation in Hebei, his loyalty and bravery unmatched. Therefore, I sent a family order to search for Zi Long in Hebei, to guard me closely."

  Liu Feng's words were very sincere, because Liu Feng knew that Zhao Yun, such a loyal and brave warrior, would repay the kindness of a meal. But he would never bend his waist for five pecks of rice.

  Wealth and honor to him are like floating clouds.

  Liu Feng's only advantage now is that he is the crown prince and the orthodox Han house. However, it may not be enough to make Zi Long surrender, so he can only be sincere and move him with emotions.

  Liu Feng was moved by his emotions, but he didn't know that in fact, he himself had a greater impact on Zhao Yun.

  That's right, Jia Ling Fu Dian went to find Zhao Yun, and Zhao Yun agreed without hesitation. He thought that the Son of Heaven had a mission, even if it was a humble citizen, Zhao Yun also felt that he should do his best.

  So I came.

  He never thought that the one who truly needed him was the crown prince. The crown prince was only eight years old. His age was right there, so Zhao Yun didn't have such consideration at all.

  Now seeing Liu Feng, not only is his speech clear and concise, but he also speaks with great orderliness, more importantly, he looks up to him.

  It's laughable, really.

  But in this era, it is very important for one person to look up to another. For example, a nobleman looks up to a commoner and is willing to befriend him.

  If that rustic fellow were a loyal and righteous person, most likely he would be deeply devoted.

  Like the former governor of Wu County, Xu Gong, he was able to do so because of the loyalty of his retainers. After Sun Ce killed Xu Gong, they counterattacked and beheaded Sun Ce.

  Such a person, an insignificant figure. Yet he changed the course of history. If Sun Ce had not died, there might have been no Cao Cao unifying the north, and Liu Bei would not have occupied Jingzhou.

  This is an example of a disparity in status. There are also cases where gentlemen's relationships are as thin as water, but both parties can see each other, and after one party is killed by someone, the other party avenges fiercely.

  There are countless examples of this kind in this era.

  So, if someone wants to be friends with another person, looking up to the other person is the minimum. Now, Liu Feng looks up to Zhao Yun.

  At least in Zhao Yun's view, he was just a commoner, but he could make the crown prince look up to him and even hire him as his bodyguard. Liu Feng thought highly of him.

  What's more important is that the eight-year-old crown prince can say such words. It's even more worrying about the world, it's really a gift from heaven. He will definitely be able to turn chaos into order and bring peace to the world.

  "I wish to be before and behind Your Highness, eliminating the treacherous and restoring the Han dynasty." Zhao Yun's eyes were filled with shock, but he immediately took a deep breath and bowed down.

  Very sincere.

  A gentleman's word is worth a thousand pieces of gold. A loyal and righteous man like Zhao Yun, once he makes a promise, will never betray it unless his head is severed from his body.

  At this moment, Liu Feng's heart was filled with joy.

  Zhaoyun. He is Liu Feng's first goal, as long as he has a protective god like Zhaoyun, his life safety will be guaranteed, even if the plan leaks out in the future and Cao Cao wants to kill him.

  Zhaoyun has a certain probability of going out alone on horseback with him.

  This sense of security. The sense of security brought by Zhao Yun can be said to be the first time Liu Feng has felt since he was born. It can block the wind and rain, and cover up the oppressive atmosphere brought by Cao Cao.

  That prickly feeling on your back.

  In addition, Zhao Yun also has the ability to command troops. With such a great general around, Liu Feng is not afraid of any problems arising in the army. It can be said that at this moment, a sense of "what more could one ask for" arose in Liu Feng's heart.

  With a heart full of joy and gratitude, Liu Feng couldn't help but stand up, untie the sword at his waist, walk to Zhao Yun's side, and hand it over to him.

  "I often feel uneasy, at the age of six, I asked my father for a precious sword, sharp beyond compare. But even with this good sword, I still couldn't feel safe. Now that I have Zi Long, I can finally feel at ease. This sword is excellent, but it also needs a brave warrior to wield it effectively, so I will give it to Zi Long."

  Liu Feng said in a low voice.

  This thing is true. Liu Feng was very restless in his early years and often slept with this precious sword in his arms. However, it didn't work out. As he grew older, he got used to it.

  But Liu Feng believes that now with Zhao Yun guarding him on both sides, he will definitely sleep soundly tonight.

  "Your Highness, rest assured that unless the last drop of blood is drained from this humble subject's body, those treacherous officials will not be allowed to harm you in the slightest." Zhao Yun caught the sword and felt its weight, but also spoke in a low voice.

  Given the current situation of the Han dynasty, Zhao Yun should have felt a bleak future ahead. However, looking at the wise and virtuous Crown Prince, Zhao Yun felt that there was definitely hope for the future.

  He will also keep his promise and shed the last drop of blood for Liu Feng.

  "Good."

  Liu Feng smiled and nodded.

  Liu Feng then had Zhao Yun hang up his precious sword and said to him: "I will take Zilong to see the Emperor, to clarify my name."

  "Agreed."

  Zhao Yun responded with a murmur of assent.

  Liu Feng nodded and walked out with Zhao Yun. Outside the Crown Prince's palace, the carriage had already been prepared.

  Originally, Liu Feng intended to have Zhao Yun ride with him, so they could be close and also protect each other. However, riding in the same carriage as the crown prince was too conspicuous.

  Then Liu Bei ordered Dong Xi to select a high-quality imperial horse from the palace and let Zhao Yun ride it, guarding left and right.

  The horse is dark brown in color, tall and sturdy. It was originally a fine horse from Pingzhou, but after training, it became an imperial horse for the royal family. However, Liu Xie and his crown prince were both busy with state affairs or other reasons.

  For these imperial horses, almost no one has ridden them before, poor good horses are left unused. But now it finally welcomed an owner, Zhao Yun, this thousand-year-old acclaimed fierce general.

  Zhou Yu, sitting on his horse, also looked quite delighted. Although he had some status when he was under Gongsun Zan's command, and Gongsun Zan's Liao Xi was also famous for producing fine warhorses.

  But compared to riding a horse, it's much better. Now being able to ride such a good steed is naturally delightful.

  Does the military general love his horse?

  "Zi Long likes it." Liu Feng smiled at Zhao Yun upon seeing this.

  Then he shouted: "Go, go and pay respects to the Emperor."

  "Dong Xi responded with a 'yes' and immediately shouted sharply: 'The Crown Prince's sedan chair has not yet entered the palace.'"

  At a shout of command, the charioteer whipped up the horses and they proceeded at a slow pace towards Weiyang Palace.