I, Zhou Cang, am the number one tank in the Three Kingdoms.

"Indeed, it is Yun Chang!"

Sun Qian, accompanied by Zhou Cang and Liao Hua, saw Guan Yu's procession approaching from afar, quickly saddled their horses, and galloped towards Guan Yu.

As the three approached, they saw Guan Yu carrying the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, riding the Red Hare, leading the procession, followed by Jian Yong and his retinue.

Sun Qian immediately noticed something was wrong. The procession behind Guan Yu was not quite the same as in the old days, but he couldn't quite put his finger on the difference.

Upon meeting, both dismounted.

"Yun Chang! Xian He!" Sun Qian excitedly bowed to Guan Yu and Jian Yong, then looked behind him and asked, "Are the two ladies of our lord in the carriage?"

Guan Yu nodded and said, "Exactly!"

Sun Qian whispered, "This procession..."

Jian Yong laughed and said, "This is the Prime Minister's entourage!"

Sun Qian asked in confusion, "Why is that...?"

Jian Yong said, "Gongyou, do not doubt. Although Cao Cao allowed Yun Chang to leave, people like Cheng Yu around him had some complaints. I fear there might be trouble on the way. Cao Cao's wife, Lady Bian, specially gave him the carriages and regalia of the Prime Minister's residence to ensure his safety."

Sun Qian was quite surprised and said with his hands clasped, "I never imagined that Cao Cao was such a treacherous person, yet Lady Bian was so kind."

Guan Yu nodded.

Zhou Cang then picked up the conversation and asked, "My lord, what about the matter between Qin Qi and Cai Yang...?"

Guan Yu laughed and said, "These two brought this trouble upon themselves. When I entered the city, Cao Cao already knew everything, but he did not blame me."

Zhou Cang breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good."

Guan Yu smiled, then suddenly noticed a dashing young man standing behind Sun Qian and Zhou Cang. He pointed at Liao Hua and asked Sun Qian, "Who is this?"

Upon hearing this, Liao Hua took two steps forward and knelt down, saying, "General, my name is Liao Hua, courtesy name Yuanjian. Due to the decline of my family, I wandered the world and later mistakenly joined the Yellow Turbans, becoming an outlaw in the mountains."

"I have just encountered General Zhou and Mr. Sun in the north of the city. I have long admired the illustrious reputations of Liu Bei and the General, and have long wished to join their ranks. I humbly request that Your Excellency accept them!"

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu frowned slightly, quickly sized up Liao Hua, and couldn't help but hesitate.

Seeing that Guan Yu seemed about to refuse, Zhou Cang quickly stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "My lord, I have taken the liberty of offering my life as guarantor for Liao Hua!"

Although I can't really find a specific reason, it would be a shame to miss it, so I have to hold on to it!

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu, Sun Qian, and Liao Hua were all somewhat surprised.

When Sun Qian saw that Zhou Cang was willing to risk his life as collateral, he decided to do him a favor and bowed to Guan Yu, saying, "Yun Chang, I also find Liao Hua to be an extraordinary figure. Observing his actions, he seems quite responsible and not a frivolous person. I hope you will take note."

Seeing that Guan Yu was still somewhat doubtful, Sun Qian briefly explained how Liao Hua had given away all the wealth in the mountains to his men and come to join him alone.

When Guan Yu heard that Sun Qian had cleared up his doubts, he also felt that Liao Hua was a man with a loyal and righteous heart.

Unexpectedly, this trip yielded unexpected gains, so he agreed, saying, "Since Yuanfu and you have made the introduction, I will certainly help my elder brother recruit talented individuals. Please rise, sir."

Liao Hua hurriedly kowtowed, "Thank you, Your Excellency!"

Guan Yu then said to Zhou Cang and Liao Hua, "The etiquette between ruler and subject must not be neglected. After I have reported this, you two can come and pay your respects to the two ladies."

After saying this, he turned and walked towards the carriage, reporting to the Second Madam through the curtain.

Upon hearing this, Madam Mi readily agreed from inside the carriage, saying, "Uncle and Mr. Sun Qian will make the decision."

Guan Yu beckoned, and Zhou Cang and Liao Hua quickly stepped forward, saying, "Greetings, ladies!" They knelt before the carriage in the manner of a subject to a ruler.

Lady Mi and Lady Gan, from their respective carriages, said in unison, "Generals, there's no need for such formalities."

Since they were still outside Xuchang, Guan Yu was still a little worried and said, "The journey to Runan is still long, everyone should set off quickly."

Thus, Guan Yu led the way, followed by Sun Qian and Jian Yong, with Zhou Cang and Liao Hua on either side of the procession, and the group set off for Runan.

On the night that Liu Bei and Zhao Yun saw through Man Chong's feint, they took advantage of the darkness and headed west out of the south gate, heading straight for Jingzhou City.

Finally, a few days later, at dawn, they arrived at the city of Jingzhou.

The city gate was bustling with activity. Ox-carts and horse-drawn carriages, laden with silk, lacquerware, and grain, waited in an orderly fashion to enter the city, while merchants and farmers from the north and south came and went in an endless stream.

Looking around, one could see many scholars and refugees who had been displaced by the war in the north registering in another place, all with joy on their faces.

Liu Bei had not seen such a peaceful world for a long time. He couldn't help but sigh as he wandered among the various forces in the north for the past few years, still without a decent foundation, and seeing that the people could not live in peace and prosperity. He couldn't help but shed tears.

When Zhao Yun saw that his lord had suddenly become inexplicably sad, he wanted to say something to comfort him, but he immediately guessed what his lord was thinking and remained silent.

"Let's go!" Liu Bei quickly recovered from his grief, approached the city gate, and sent someone in to announce his arrival.

When the servants of the state government brought Liu Bei and his companion to the governor's mansion, a scholar had been waiting outside the gate for a long time.

"I have long admired the name of the Imperial Uncle!" As soon as the scholar saw Liu Bei, he came forward from afar and bowed deeply.

Upon receiving such a grand gesture, Liu Bei and his companion hurriedly dismounted to return the greeting.

Before Liu Bei could speak, the scholar introduced himself: "I am Kuai Yue, courtesy name Yidu, and I have come here to respectfully await the arrival of the Imperial Uncle."

Liu Bei suddenly realized what was happening and bowed again, saying, "I have long admired your great name, sir, and I never expected to meet you here. How fortunate I am!"

Zhao Yun, who was standing to the side, also bowed respectfully.

Kuai Yue waved his hand: "Uncle, you flatter me. It's just an empty reputation."

Liu Bei then said, "When I was trapped in Yangwu before, if it weren't for your help, I would have been in trouble long ago. Thank you very much." He then bowed again.

Kuai Yue laughed and said, "Uncle Yuan has many who are vying for power and jealous of each other. I'm afraid he won't tolerate you. It's nothing more than a small favor for me. Uncle, please!"

"Please, sir!"

Kuai Yue led Liu Bei to a side hall to sit down, while Zhao Yun stood beside Liu Bei.

Liu Bei asked, "Sir, where is your lord?"

Kuai Yue sighed, "Uncle's arrival is rather unfortunate."

Liu Bei asked in confusion, "Oh?"

Kuai Yue slowly said, "Uncle, you may not know this, but Zhang Xian, the Prefect of Changsha, has been rebelling for a long time, instigated by Cao Cao."

"We just heard that Zhang Xian is dead, and his son Zhang Yi, with his troops, is still putting up a stubborn resistance. Our lord just led troops to attack him the day before yesterday."

Slightly disappointed, Liu Bei asked again, "Sir, do you know when you will return?"

Kuai Yue shook his head and said, "The rebels have been causing trouble for a long time. It may take ten days or a month for you to get there, my lord. It is hard to say."

Liu Bei and Zhao Yun exchanged a glance, then Liu Bei stood up and said, "I am currently stationed in Runan, and Cao Cao's army is constantly disturbing us, so it is not convenient for me to stay here for long."

"When your master returns, please inform him on his behalf."

Kuai Yue also stood up and said, "Uncle, please rest assured, I will certainly inform the lord in detail!"

After exchanging greetings, Kuai Yue led Liu Bei away. As they passed through the garden, Liu Bei heard faint chanting and asked Kuai Yue about it.

Kuai Yue laughed and said, "Since my lord took control of Jingzhou, he has established schools and sought out scholars. Therefore, scholars often gather here in the mansion."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's eyes lit up, and he asked, "I wish to go and see it; is that convenient?"

Kuai Yue pointed to the garden and said with a smile, "Uncle, please make yourself at home." Then he left on his own.

Liu Bei and Zhao Yun strolled into the garden, where they saw seven or eight scholars in the pavilion. Some were drinking wine and composing poems, while others were burning incense and playing the zither, engaging in refined and elegant pursuits.

Only one person stood out from the crowd, dressed in simple clothes and a scholar's cap, lying on his side beside an artificial hill, eyes closed, singing in a low voice: "Heaven and earth are in turmoil, the fire is about to die out; the great building is about to collapse, a single tree cannot support it. There is a wise man in the valley who wishes to serve a wise ruler; the wise ruler seeks wise men, but does not know me."

Liu Bei listened quietly and took a deep breath.