My Three Kingdoms is not right

"The suffering of the people lies in the decline of the Han Dynasty and the loss of order in the world."

Seeing Zhao Yun deep in thought, Liu Xun continued, "The laws and regulations have collapsed, powerful clans have seized military power, the countryside is undefended, and agriculture and commerce have both fallen into disarray. The root of the chaos lies in 'disorder'."

"Zilong possesses unparalleled martial arts skills, capable of saving a person, a family, or even an entire village or hamlet. But in such a vast world, can Zilong possibly save everyone?"

Zhao Yun remained silent.

"Therefore," Liu Xun's voice calmed down, "if we truly want to practice benevolence and righteousness and save the people, we must rebuild order. That is why countless people of virtue and ambition want to restore the Han Dynasty."

Zhao Yun nodded: "Your Highness is right. I also realized this, which is why I accepted the imperial court's summons and came to Xuchang."

At this point, she smiled bitterly and said, "But Yun's thoughts are about fighting for the country and punishing disloyal and unjust traitors, not about being a guard in the palace."

Liu Xun shook his head. "Suppressing the disloyal is certainly important. But protecting the emperor and safeguarding the court is even more urgent."

"Although the various warlords are currently fighting each other, they are still nominally Han subjects. Yuan Shao is the Grand General, Cao Cao is the Minister of Works, Liu Biao is the General Who Guards the South, Yuan Shu is the General of the Left..."

"Although the Han dynasty has declined, the legal system accumulated over four hundred years still exists. The people's hearts still recognize this banner."

"But if one day the imperial court can't even preserve its last shred of dignity, then there will truly be no order in the world."

"The various warlords will tear off their last veil of pretense, openly vying for territory and engaging in annexation and slaughter. The people will suffer a hundred times more than they do now!"

Zhao Yun's expression shifted slightly: "But the Emperor is now in Xuchang, unlike when he was in Chang'an or Luoyang. With the court's soldiers protecting him, no one would dare to do anything to him, would they?"

Liu Xun smiled wryly: "Does Zilong think that the only ones wreaking havoc on the world are the bandits and brigands outside the city?"

"Have you not seen what happened to Dong Zhuo back then?"

Zhao Yun's pupils contracted slightly.

Liu Xun then changed the subject: "Zilong, have you heard that Zhao Yan, the Imperial Secretary, was beheaded yesterday?"

"I've heard about it." Zhao Yun nodded. "It's said to be because he 'tried to spy on the emperor's intentions and made presumptuous comments about state affairs.'"

"Then do you know what political matters Zhao Yan discussed?"

Zhao Yun shook his head.

Liu Xun looked into her eyes and said softly, "He submitted a memorial impeaching Cao Sikong for being arrogant and domineering."

The air in the courtyard seemed to freeze.

Zhao Yun was not a dullard. She understood the meaning behind Liu Xun's words.

"Your Highness means... that the court, though seemingly stable, still faces threats?"

Liu Xun did not answer directly.

"I could have stayed peacefully in the palace, enjoying wealth and honor. The reason I have to show my face in public, wield swords and spears, and devote all my energy to maintaining this imperial guard is to uphold the dignity of the court."

This statement is not entirely true, but it is not entirely false either.

"With the Imperial Guards present, the Emperor still has confidence, and the banner of the court has not fallen."

"The more difficult the situation, the greater the role of the Imperial Guards. If Zilong truly wants to serve the country and its people, shouldn't he stay and help me?"

Zhao Yun looked at the young man before him.

Despite being of royal lineage and possessing unparalleled beauty, he shouldered heavy responsibilities for his family and country despite being a man.

His eyes were very bright, as if they were burning with fire.

"Your Highness..."

Zhao Yun opened his mouth, but couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Her heart wavered.

"Your Highness, please allow me... to think about it some more."

Liu Xun looked at her lowered eyelashes and his heart stirred.

There is a play!

But he didn't urge him; instead, he sighed softly.

"That's enough."

His voice suddenly became somewhat low:

"Sometimes when I'm alone at night, I doubt myself and wonder how much I can actually do, or if I'm overestimating myself."

His shoulders trembled slightly.

"But every time I think of my elder sister, the soldiers who followed me from Chang'an to where I am now, and the millions of people in the world who are still suffering, no matter how difficult it is, I have to persevere."

"But in the end, Xun is still just a man..."

He let a tear slide down his cheek: "If Zilong insists on leaving, perhaps it's a good thing. So that...so that he won't be dragged down by Xun."

As Zhao Yun watched the tear fall to the ground, he felt as if his heart had been struck hard by something.

"Your Highness."

Zhao Yun took a deep breath.

"I've made up my mind."

She clasped her hands in a solemn salute: "I am willing to join the Imperial Guard to protect Your Highness and help you realize your ideal of restoring the Han Dynasty!"

Liu Xun was overjoyed.

Sure enough, all he did was cry! Liu Bei's tactic really worked!

Seeing the undisguised joy on his face, Zhao Yun's lips unconsciously curled up slightly.

Blushing, she whispered, "Your Highness, can...can you let go now?"

-----------------

Dust billowed across the Imperial Guards' drill ground.

The martial arts exercises between the Tiger Warriors and the Imperial Guards are in full swing.

Zhao Yun stood at the front of the formation, her silver armor gleaming in the sunlight. Holding a long spear, she stood tall and straight like a pine tree, directing the Tiger Warriors to change formations.

Under her command, hundreds of infantrymen advanced and retreated in an orderly manner, maintaining a disciplined formation.

"good!"

On the platform, Emperor Liu Xie's eyes were filled with surprise.

Once they had retreated, Xu Huang led his Imperial Guard cavalry in a galloping procession.

Three hundred cavalrymen were divided into several groups, sometimes gathering like arrows, sometimes scattering like flowing water, the sound of their hooves making the ground tremble slightly. Xu Huang, holding a large axe, rode ahead, his wheat-colored skin glowing healthily in the sunlight, and his usually cold face now showing a bit more pride.

"Great!!" Liu Xie's cheeks flushed with excitement. "Ah Xun has actually trained such a powerful army!"

Liu Xun's smile was full of smugness.

He devoted countless efforts to this imperial guard, witnessing this remnant force of less than a hundred men transform into the powerful army it is today, as if watching his own child gradually grow up.

"Your Majesty, please look. The Tiger Warriors are primarily infantry, while the Imperial Guards are primarily cavalry. The two armies are now coordinating their operations and have begun to take shape."

The martial arts exercise entered its climax – infantry and cavalry confrontation.

Zhao Yun led the elite Tiger Warriors in a defensive formation, while Xu Huang led his cavalry in a feint attack from the flank. The two sides exchanged blows, the sounds of battle deafening. Although it was a drill, it subtly revealed the chilling atmosphere of actual combat.

Liu Xie watched intently, feeling his blood boil.

Finally, with the sound of a bugle call, both sides withdrew their troops and lined up to pay homage to the emperor in the direction of the general's platform.

The emperor sized up Zhao Yun and Xu Huang, the two generals summoned to the general's platform by Liu Xun.

Zhao Yun stood tall and straight like a bamboo shoot, with a handsome face and a heroic air between his brows; Xu Huang was tall and strong, with a calm and capable expression on his well-defined face.

She became more and more satisfied with what she saw, and naturally offered further encouragement and rewards.

After the military exercise ended, the siblings strolled around the camp.

The sun is shining brightly today, and there's not much chill in the wind.

Liu Xun turned his head to look at the young emperor beside him: "Why did you suddenly decide to watch the martial arts demonstration in the camp, elder sister?"

Liu Xie let out a long sigh.

"Ah Xun, I somewhat regret coming to Xudu."