020 Zi Long (3)

  The city of Yangcheng was brightly lit, the Han army's large flag on the city tower fluttering in the gentle night breeze. The valiant government soldiers were patrolling the city walls without a break. When the guards saw Gao Fei leading back a group of Han cavalry from the darkness, they immediately opened the city gate wide and Liu Bei walked out of the gate to welcome Gao Fei into the city.

  "I will see you later, sir!" Liu Bei bowed his head and said.

  Gao Fei flipped over and dismounted his horse, waving his hand: "No need for formalities, what's the situation inside the city?"

  "The city has already been brought under control, and most of the Yellow Turbans have surrendered. With the help of people like Liao Hua, there was no resistance." Liu Bei glanced at Zhao Yun standing behind Gao Fei and asked, "Sir, who is this brave warrior?"

  Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Yun took a step forward and bowed his fist, saying: "I am Changshan Zhao Zilong, at your service, sir!"

  "But isn't he a good fellow who can't be defeated by my third brother Zhang Yide?" Liu Bei asked immediately.

  Zhao Yun slightly bowed his head and slowly replied: "It is I!"

  In the darkness, Liu Bei heard Zhao Yun's response and a strange glint flashed in his eyes, disappearing instantly. He then clasped his fists and said: "I am Liu Bei of Zhuo County, courtesy name Xuande!"

  Zhao Yun exclaimed, "Oh!" and said with joy: "So you are Liu Xuande! On the road, I heard Yide brother mention your Oath of the Peach Garden. Today, seeing you in person, indeed a hero is not ordinary, forgive me for my disrespect!"

  Liu Bei immediately said: "I dare not claim to be a hero, I am just a martial man..."

  Gao Fei saw Liu Bei and Zhao Yun chatting like this, feeling very displeased in his heart. He immediately interrupted Liu Bei's words and asked loudly: "This is not a place for conversation. Today we have defeated the Yellow Turbans, it's a day worth celebrating. Everyone has gathered together again, should celebrate properly! Zilong, you are my honored guest today, please follow me into the city!"

  "Then I'd rather obey than show respect!"

  Gao Fei grasped Zhao Yun's hand and joyfully led him into the city, not caring how others looked at them, swaggering past everyone.

  Zhao Yun was first startled, but then his expression calmed down, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He gazed at the neatly lined up government soldiers on both sides, thinking to himself: "I didn't expect Lord Cao to attach such importance to me..."

  Liu Bei turned his head and gazed at the gradually disappearing figures of Gao Fei and Zhao Yun, softly sighing and saying nothing.

  Gao Fei looked at Xiahou Lan and asked: "Are you still a Wu Chang?"

  Xiahou Lan replied: "Yes, sir!"

  "Xiahou Lan, Zhao Yun is right in front of you, I suppose you're not unfamiliar with each other. He has now become one of my subordinates, and it's also thanks to your contribution that this happened. Now is the time for me to use people, so how about you transfer to my personal guard camp and take on the role of captain of my personal guard?"

  Xiahou Lan happily said: "Thank you, sir, for promoting me! I won't forget your kindness even when I lose all my teeth!"

  Gao Feng smiled and turned to Zhao Yun, saying: "Zilong, although you have just arrived, you have made a great contribution by beheading Zhang Bao. Why don't you temporarily become a marquis for the time being?"

  Zhao Yun humbly declined, "I appreciate your kind intention, but the merit of killing Zhang Bao does not belong to me. It was the result of Zhang Fei's relentless pursuit. As a newcomer, if I were to take on the role of General from the start, I fear it would invite criticism. I am willing to start as an ordinary horseman under your command, and as long as I can follow you closely, I will be content."

  Gao Fei shook his head and said, "No, no, with your skills, being a foot soldier would be a waste. Although Zhang Fei chased Zhang Bao for over a hundred miles, it was you who killed him. I won't hide this achievement... However, what you said does make some sense. How about this: for now, you'll work together with Xia Houlan as the captain of my personal guard? What do you think?"

  Zhao Yun stammered: "This... uh..."

  Xiahou Lan immediately interrupted Zhao Yun's words and shouted loudly: "Zhao Zilong, don't you hurry to thank the lord for his promotion?"

  Zhao Yun glanced at Xiahou Lan, saw him giving himself a wink, and Gao Fei also looked expectant. He immediately cupped his hands and said: "Since the lord is so fond of me, then Zilong will humbly obey!"

  Gao Fei burst out laughing and swept Zhao Yun into his arms, looking very excited.

  The hall was filled with laughter and conversation, while outside the hall, wine and meat were also fragrant. The soldiers brought up wine and meat, and set up tables and chairs on the empty ground in front of the hall. Before long, all the military officials from the Han army arrived, along with Liao Hua, Pei Yuanshao, and Bian Xi, who had surrendered earlier, and they all came to the county government office together.

  Two hundred village heads and several military marquises, led by Lu Heng, bowed to Gao Fei together: "See the adult!"

  Gao Ying was overjoyed, standing under the eaves of the main hall, with Zhao Yun and Xiahou Lan standing behind him. He bowed to the crowd with great joy, saying: "Now that the Yellow Turbans in Hebei have been pacified, everyone's achievements are undeniable. Today is a day of great joy, and I have also obtained the talents of Zhao Yun and Xiahou Lan, adding joy to joy. Let us all enter the banquet hall together and drink freely!"

  "Promise!"

  Gao Fei held one hand of Zhao Yun and the other hand of Xiahou Lan, sitting in front of a table. Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhou Cang, Lu Xiang, Guan Yu, Liao Hua, Bian Xi, Pei Yuan Shao, and Fei An sat around him. After his toast, everyone raised their cups and drank heartily.

  A cup of wine down, Liu Bei looked at Zhao Yun sitting diagonally across from him, his heart filled with sadness, but his face still showed a hint of joy. He thought to himself slowly: "The Yellow Turbans in Hebei have been pacified, the three Zhang brothers have all died in battle, and the Yellow Turban army's momentum has gone. The court will surely issue a commendation, and when that time comes, it will also be time for me to take Cloud Long and Winged Tiger and leave to make my own way. Zhao Yun, what a good helper is lost! What a pity, what a pity!"

  That night, the whole city of Xicheng was filled with joy, whether it was the government army or the people who had just returned to the Han Dynasty's embrace. Everyone's heart was filled with a joyful feeling. At the celebration banquet, Gao Fei got drunk with Zhao Yun, a top-notch general, and was overjoyed, drinking large mouthfuls of wine, only to realize that his bowl was empty and asked someone to refill it, as for how much he drank, he seemed to have forgotten, until finally, he felt dizzy and closed his eyes, knowing nothing.

  When he opened his eyes again, it was already noon on the second day. He was lying on a large bed, with nothing on him. He turned his head to look outside and saw that the sun was shining brightly, with bright light coming in through the closed window. He moved his head slightly and felt a slight headache, so he didn't move anymore but continued to lie in bed, muttering to himself: "Ah, I absolutely can't drink like this again!"