The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 145 This is not a Feast at Hongmen, but Guan Yu bullying Yan Liang (5th update)
Outside Liu Bei's camp gate.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou hesitated slightly.

After the failed assassination attempt on Liu Bei, Yan Liang and Wen Chou were assigned by Yuan Shao to serve as bodyguards for Yuan Shang.

We had just found some free time today and made plans to drink together, but suddenly we received an order from Yuan Shao to serve as Liu Bei's deputy generals and train new recruits.

This order shocked Yan Liang and Wen Chou: to be Liu Bei's deputy general? Is this really the General's order?
Yan Liang and Wen Chou subconsciously thought that Guo Tu was stirring up trouble again, so they hurriedly asked to see Yuan Shao. However, after meeting Yuan Shao, they were told to obey Liu Bei's orders and to train the troops diligently.

Although they knew they could take over command of the army from Liu Bei after several months of training, the thought of serving under Liu Bei for several months filled them with dread. After returning home, they received another invitation from Liu Bei, and with no other choice, they had to bite the bullet and go to the banquet together.

As the appointed time drew near, Yan Liang stamped his foot and said angrily, "So what if I have to endure him for a few months? A true man can bend and stretch, what is there to fear!"

Wen Chou gritted his teeth and echoed, "Just bear with him!"

Suppressing their frustration, the two stepped through the camp gate and, guided by the soldiers, entered the large tent where Liu Bei had set up a banquet.

"General Yan and General Wen have arrived! Please take your seats!" Liu Bei greeted them warmly with a beaming smile.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou looked around and saw that Yuan Xi was also at the table. They secretly breathed a sigh of relief: Young Master Xi always followed Young Master Shang's lead. With Young Master Xi present, they figured Liu Bei wouldn't dare to make things too difficult for him.

"Greetings, General Zuo! Greetings, Young Master Xi."

The two bowed respectfully, glanced around, and seeing that there were still two empty seats on the right, they went straight to sit down.

The banquet layout at this moment is as follows:
Liu Bei and Yuan Xi sat side by side in the central main seats. To their left were Zhuge Liang, Jiao Chu, and Zhang Nan, and to their right were Guan Yu, Yan Liang, and Wen Chou.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou did not recognize Guan Yu, nor had they ever met Zhuge Liang, Jiao Chu, or Zhang Nan. Judging from their seating arrangement, they guessed that Guan Yu must be a general under Yuan Xi. The two then clasped their hands in greeting to Guan Yu, who silently returned the greeting.

Subsequently.

Liu Bei raised his cup and rose, his tone warm: "General Yan, General Wen! Today's banquet is not for old grudges, but for the great cause of uniting to resist Cao Cao. Since the General has ordered us to train new soldiers together, I am willing to put aside our past grievances with you two. After drinking this cup, the old grievances of Yanjin will be like fleeting clouds!"

Yan Liang and Wen Chou exchanged a glance and reluctantly raised their cups.

Wen Chou said loudly, "General Zuo is magnanimous, and we will do our best to assist him."

Yan Liang replied in a low voice, "I will act according to the General's orders."

Despite the music and dance performance, Yan Liang and Wen Chou remained stiff and uneasy.

Seeing this, Zhuge Liang gave Jiao Chu a wink.

Jiao Chu understood, slammed his hand on the table, and stood up: "I have long admired the illustrious names of Generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou under the command of the Great General. It is my great honor to meet them today! I, Jiao Chu, am unworthy, but I would like to join General Zhang Nan in a sword dance to entertain them!"

Zhang Nan immediately drew his sword in response: "That suits me perfectly!"

The two swordsmen performed the dance with practiced ease. However, this sudden "entertainment" surprised both Yuan Xi and Liu Bei.

Liu Bei looked up and asked Zhuge Liang, only to see the latter lightly waving his feather fan and replying with a smile that said, "Let's wait and see."

Helpless, Liu Bei could only instruct, "Since this is for entertainment, please do not be impolite."

However, these words sounded like a warning bell to Yan Liang and Wen Chou!
What does it mean to "not be impolite"?
Could this really be a trap?
Sure enough, when Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan's swords fiercely approached Yan Liang, Yan Liang could no longer restrain himself. He drew his sword backhand and sneered, "How can the entertainment be complete without me, Yan Liang? Watch me perform a sword dance for you all!" Before he finished speaking, he had already left his seat with his sword.

However, Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan saw Yan Liang stand up and moved with lightning speed, instantly sheathing their swords and returning to their seats, leaving Yan Liang alone and awkwardly standing in the middle of the field.

Two scoundrels!
Yan Liang's fingers trembled with anger. How could this Feast at Hongmen be so illogical?
What angered Yan Liang even more was that Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan deliberately raised their cups and shouted, "General Yan, please perform a sword dance!"

He had intended to use the two generals to his advantage and show off his martial prowess, but now he found himself performing alone, offering his skills for others to judge.

That feeling of being subservient to others surged into Yan Liang's heart once again.

Liu Bei frowned and glared at Zhuge Liang, but seeing that Zhuge Liang had a "reassuring" expression, he felt helpless.

Seeing Yan Liang in an awkward situation, Wen Chou was about to get up to help him out, but Guan Yu's big hand firmly pressed down on his shoulder. The force was as heavy as a mountain, and Wen Chou was unable to move for a moment!
Wen Chou was shocked: What incredible arm strength! Is this Young Master Xi's subordinate?
Immediately afterwards, Wen Chou saw that Guan Yu had already drawn his sword and left his seat. He then cupped his hands to Yan Liang and said, "A sword dance is only truly spectacular when performed with a partner! I am Guan Yu, a subordinate general under the Left General. Would General Yan be willing to join me in the dance?"

Not a subordinate of Prince Xi?
Yan Liang and Wen Chou were both startled.

Yan Liang finally understood: This was not a trap at all! Jiao Chu and Zhang Nanfang had deliberately lured him and Wen Chou into a trap, so as to create an opportunity for Guan Yu to engage in a sword fight!
After realizing this, Yan Liang's anger burned even brighter: I had been underestimated!

Although he had been defeated by Liu Bei, Yan Liang thought to himself that he had been ambushed by the old general surnamed Huang, and that he might not have lost in a one-on-one fight.

Yan Liang was already impetuous and narrow-minded, and now that he had been tricked into a duel with Guan Yu, his anger was even more intense.

"Since General Guan is in such a good mood, how could Yan Liang dare not accompany him? Please!" Yan Liang spoke arrogantly, completely disregarding the rumors of Guan Yu's slaying of Tadun.

In Yan Liang's view, Tadun was nothing more than a nobody among the Wuhuan, and Guan Yu's military achievements were suspected of being exaggerated.

Seeing Guan Yu and Yan Liang locked in a fierce confrontation, Liu Bei sighed and urged them urgently, "Yun Chang, don't be impolite."

However, Liu Bei's words only added fuel to the fire in Yan Liang's heart: Did Liu Bei think I was inferior to Guan Yu?! How could I be so underestimated!

Enraged, Yan Liang unleashed a powerful strike, aiming straight for Guan Yu's face!

Guan Yu stood as still as a mountain, and only when the sword was about a foot away did he suddenly turn to the side, flick his wrist, and his long sword accurately slashed upwards!

"Qiang——!"

Amidst the deafening clang of metal against metal, Yan Liang felt an irresistible force emanating from the sword, causing him excruciating pain in his hand, and the sword flew out of his grasp!

Before anyone could even see the movement clearly, Guan Yu's sword tip had already stopped firmly three inches in front of Yan Liang's throat!

Wen Chou was startled and jumped up, staring in astonishment at Guan Yu's cold expression: How could this be?! Even if his swordsmanship was not Yan Liang's strongest, with Yan Liang's immense strength, an ordinary person would not be able to withstand Yan Liang's full-force slash. Yet, Yan Liang's slash was not only easily blocked, but also instantly countered, and he could not even hold his sword? This person has such strength?

"General Yan, you flatter me."

Guan Yu sheathed his sword, turned around and returned to his seat, casually poured a cup of wine and handed it to Yan Liang.

"Sword dance is merely a pastime; if there was any offense just now, I, Guan, will accompany you with wine and wish to put aside our past grievances with General Yan."

To Yan Liang and Wen Chou's surprise, Guan Yu's face showed no mockery, but only gentleness and humility. Yan Liang and Wen Chou were stunned!
　Chapter 5 is here! Please vote with your monthly tickets. Early to bed and early to rise, more tomorrow!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)