Chapter 1 The Crown Prince

  "Oh?"

  Cao Cao's eyes flashed, and he asked.

  Liu Feng was sometimes clever and sometimes greedy and muddle-headed, making it impossible for people to see through him. As a result, Cao Cao gradually became more cautious in his treatment of him, not daring to relax his guard.

  "It is said that the Minister of Works has a horse named Lightning. It was previously owned by General Yue Jiu after the death of his famous horse, Shadow. A good horse is the lifeblood of a military general. Now that Cao Chen is honored as the Minister of Works and commander-in-chief of the three armies, he goes out with a large entourage and enters with guards in attendance. To give such a fine horse to the Minister of Works would be a mismatch. Therefore, I suggest that the Minister of Works bring out Lightning as one of the rewards for this occasion. If during this hunt, we can find a brave warrior and ennoble him as a marquis, he can ride Lightning when going out on expeditions, wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?"

  Liu Feng stared straight at Cao Cao and said.

  Cao Cao's expression remained unchanged, and he immediately raised his fist, saying: "The prince is right." Then, Cao Cao turned his body to face the civil and military officials in the court, saying: "Everyone has heard that this time, the best hunter will be granted the title of Marquis and a thousand-li fine steed named Flash. Everyone should strive together."

  "Agreed."

  The officials all nodded in agreement.

  "Can't even show a hint of emotions anymore? Don't take me for a child?" Liu Feng saw Cao Cao's expression becoming unchanging, and sneered in his heart.

  "This child doesn't know whether he is clever or stupid?" Cao Cao also thought so in his heart.

  As for the Thunder being borrowed by Liu Feng and then misappropriated, Cao Cao didn't mind that much either. There are many good horses anyway, why be heartbroken over one Thunder?

  "Alright, let's begin."

  Liu Xie saw that Liu Feng and Hu were making enough trouble, so he gave an order.

  "Yes." The personal eunuch Chen Guang beside Liu Xie immediately responded and gave the order. A moment later, everything was ready.

  Attendants released many white rabbits from cages.

  Liu Xie personally mounted the imperial horse, drew his bow and shot. After killing one of the white rabbits, he loudly ordered: "Today's hunt will not distinguish between high and low, noble or humble, only skill will be considered. The best will be rewarded with 500 households of marquis, a thousand-li fine horse named Flash Lightning, and the second and third places will be awarded as inner pass marquises."

  "The Son of Heaven has a decree: today's hunt will not distinguish between high and low, noble and humble, only skills will be considered. The best one will be rewarded with 500 households and the title of Marquis, as well as a fine horse called Flashing Lightning. The second and third places will be awarded with the title of Marquis within the Pass."

  "The Son of Heaven has a decree: today's hunt will not distinguish between high and low, noble and humble, only skills will be considered. The best one will be rewarded with 500 households and the title of Marquis, as well as a fine horse named Lightning that can run a thousand miles. The second and third places will be awarded with the title of Inner Pass Marquis."

  Under the herald's loud cry, Liu Xie's order was spread out. Many of the lower-ranking officers present began to stir restlessly.

  Five hundred households of marquises, and also comes with a fine steed that can run a thousand miles.

  "Brother, let's go too." Zhang Fei beside Liu Bei advised.

  "You go." Liu Bei shook his head and said, he wasn't very interested, just a marquis of 500 households, not any real power.

  "I know Big Brother's temperament. Currently stuck in Xudu, he is quite frustrated and it would be better to vent his anger through hunting." Zhang Fei continued to persuade him.

  Yide is right. Let's go together, brother. We can also invite Zilong to come along.

  Guan Yu nodded and gave Zhao Yun a deep look before speaking to Liu Bei.

  "Zi Long?"

  Liu Bei's eyes lit up and he immediately changed his attention, nodding: "Good. I'll go invite Zhang Fei to come along."

  Liu Bei immediately got up and came to the side of Crown Prince Liu Feng. At this time, Emperor Xie had already returned. Seeing Liu Bei approaching, he asked involuntarily: "Uncle Emperor, aren't you going to have a good time?"

  "Such a grand occasion, how could I not attend? I just wanted to invite Zi Long along." Liu Bei said with his fist raised, extremely respectful and courteous. The Han dynasty was no longer what it used to be, and officials as respectful as Liu Bei were rare. Adding to that the identity of the Liu family clan, it's no wonder that Emperor Xian had a good impression of him.

  Even after Liu Fu had persuaded Emperor Xian of Han that Liu Bei was a mere water buffalo hiding in the weeds, Emperor Xian still held onto a glimmer of hope.

  "Huh?" Liu Xie was slightly startled, and he let out a sound of surprise, then immediately looked towards Liu Feng beside him, as well as Zhao Yun.

  Zhao Yun's face showed a hint of emotion, his friendship with Liu Bei was indeed not bad, and they could talk quite well. Moreover, Liu Bei's identity as a member of the Han imperial clan.

  For Zhao Yun, who already considered himself a loyal and righteous warrior under Liu Bei's command, it was also relatively close.

  Liu Bei's face, Liu Feng knew best. Under the name of hunting, he wanted to take away his general Zi Long. With only Zhao Yun by his side, and being remembered by others, how could Liu Feng be happy?

  Although Liu Feng was indeed quite thick and dark, he also remembered the two great generals beside Liu Bei.

  But poaching and being poached are two different feelings. One is cool, the other is not cool. Cool things don't matter, uncool things, Liu Feng will remember for a lifetime.

  This damn big-eared thief.

  Liu Feng's face was smiling, but in his heart he cursed.

  "What does Zilong mean?" Liu Feng smiled and nodded at Liu Bei, then turned his head to ask Zhao Yun.

  "I wish to bring honor to Your Highness." Zhao Yun stepped forward with a smile.

  "Alas, this is not good. This proposal of 500 households and marquis was mine, but if Zi Long were to take the lead, wouldn't it be for my own private gain? It's best to just stay neutral and stable." Liu Feng said with a smile.

  As soon as this sentence came out, Liu Bei and Liu Xie were shocked. Liu Xie was sweating for Liu Feng, is this what a superior should say? Stop your own general from competing for merit.

  Liu Bei secretly smiled, this prince doesn't even know what he's doing. Is there a way to stop one's own subordinates from competing for merit? At the same time, Liu Bei's confidence in winning over Zhao Yun also grew stronger.

  It's strange that you can stay under such a prince for so long.

  At this time, Cao Cao was also sitting below, because he was close by and heard it too. In his heart, he really shook his head, sometimes foolish, sometimes clever.

  It may be a beautiful jade, but it has been carved into something useless. Born with talent, but became foolish later in life.

  Zhoa Yun didn't have any thoughts, because he saw a profound gaze from Liu Feng, and immediately knew that Liu Feng had an ulterior motive. He nodded and said: "Your subordinate obeys the order."

  Zhao Yun stood up and said: "General, please."

  "Yes." Liu Bei nodded and said.

  The two of them then bowed to Emperor Xian of Han and Liu Feng, father and son, and walked out with their heads held high.

  "Your Imperial Highness, this is not the way to govern." Liu Xie said in a low voice that was barely audible after the two men left.

  "If he is a loyal and righteous man, scolding him a couple of times will not lead to any trouble. If he is a treacherous person, even if you try your best to win him over, it would be useless. Zilong is a loyal and wise man, Your Majesty does not need to worry." Liu Feng also said in a low voice.

  To outsiders, this father and son seemed to be whispering about something in hushed tones.

  What happened today was really too strange, and Fu Wan's heart was full of doubts. Fu Wan really wanted to rush up and ask the father and son what they were doing.

  But in the end, he endured it. As his identity, it was not suitable for him to discuss these things with the Son of Heaven under the eyes of the audience in the hall.