Emperor Zhaolie of the late Han Dynasty: Rising to power in Liaoxi

These words, when they reached Liu Bei's ears, were like a pebble thrown into a calm pond, causing his heart to skip a beat.

Changshan Prefecture, Zhending County—for over sixty years, a person emerged from there in my dreams.

That man was incredibly brave; he charged in and out of Changban Slope seven times, intercepted the river to rescue Liu Bei's son, Liu Shan, and forced Cao Cao's army to retreat from the empty camp on the Han River.

That person had followed him for nearly thirty years, from Pingyuan to Xuzhou, from Jingzhou to Yizhou, and never wavered in his loyalty.

Liu Bei's fingers tightened slightly in his sleeve, but his expression remained unchanged.

His gaze swept over the hundred Changshan youths as casually as if he were inspecting soldiers, but his heart was already churning.

Is that person among these people right now?

Liu Bei said in his usual tone, "Changshan produces brave men. I admire your foresight, Lord Liu!"

"My lord, I have something to say: Liaoxi is located on the frontier, and the Xianbei and Wuhuan people often raid the border."

"The safety of the Prefect rests on the shoulders of the entire prefecture. These hundred personal guards are not enough horses, and I am truly uneasy."

"If the governor trusts him, the horses for the personal guards will be provided by the Commandant's Office, with each guard having two horses, one for riding and one as a spare."

Zhao Bao raised an eyebrow slightly. Each person would have two horses, so one hundred people would have two hundred horses.

Having spent many years navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom, he knew the weight of this "kindness" well. After a moment's hesitation, he cupped his hands and said, "Commander Liu's hospitality is too kind to refuse."

He withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at Zhao Bao, and the group escorted Zhao Bao towards Yangle City.

There were no major incidents at the welcoming banquet. As Liu Bei had instructed beforehand, everyone showed a friendly attitude.

After the banquet, Zhao Bao checked into the prefect's residence.

Liu Bei took his leave, mounted his horse, but instead of returning to the Commandant's Office, he led Jian Yong, Hou Cheng, and several guards straight to the horse farm in the east of the city.

At the horse farm, Liu Bei had two hundred top-quality horses selected, all of them fine horses from Liaodong, with high shoulders, long legs, and glossy coats.

Jian Yong followed behind him, somewhat puzzled: "Why is Xuande so concerned about this matter today?"

Hou Cheng, standing to the side, was also puzzled upon hearing this and asked doubtfully, "Does our lord perhaps wish to curry favor with Prefect Zhao?"

Jian Yong rolled his eyes, stood on tiptoe, patted Hou Cheng's shoulder, and sighed, "It's a waste of Xuande's talent to keep you by his side. I think you should be a vanguard general!"

Upon hearing this, Hou Cheng scratched his head sheepishly, but his eyes were full of anticipation.

Ignoring their playful banter, Liu Bei suddenly said, "I will personally deliver the horses tomorrow."

Hou Cheng was slightly taken aback, then replied, "Yes."

Jian Yong seemed to be deep in thought, and began to carefully recall the people around Zhao Bao in his mind, but found them to be ordinary and without any outstanding individuals.

The next morning, Liu Bei, accompanied by Jian Yong and Hou Cheng, arrived at the governor's mansion again with two hundred horses.

Zhao Bao was in the courtyard when he saw Liu Bei personally bringing the horse. He was taken aback at first, but then quickly went to greet him.

"Commander Liu, how can this be?"

"It's fine to have someone deliver it; how could I trouble you to do it yourself..."

Liu Bei laughed and said, "Your Excellency is the local official in Liaoxi, and your personal guards are the face of Liaoxi."

"Only when the horses are delivered to each person can one feel at ease."

Zhao Bao had no suspicions and summoned one hundred personal guards at the rear training ground.

Liu Bei personally led the first horse and walked towards the guards who were lined up waiting.

Jian Yong's eyes flashed, and he understood immediately. It seemed that Xuande's target was among these hundred people!

Liu Bei would personally hand over the reins to each soldier he met.

Sometimes they ask, "What's your name?", sometimes, "How old are you?", and sometimes, they compliment you, "You're in great shape."

His tone was casual and natural, like a general inspecting new recruits or a host entertaining guests from afar.

The guards and soldiers were a mix of nervousness, excitement, trepidation, and awe.

But every soldier who took the horse felt a greater sense of affection and respect for this young captain.

Zhao Bao stood under the eaves watching, unaware of this change, but his attitude towards Liu Bei grew increasingly comfortable.

He had a good impression of Liu Bei yesterday, and seeing how seriously this man was taking things today, he felt even more strongly that the words in Guo Xun's letter were probably partisan opinions and not to be trusted. It was Qiao Gong who had the foresight.

Liu Bei walked over to each soldier one by one, handing them the reins. The soldiers accepted them with both hands, some with grateful expressions, some with reserved demeanor, and some loudly expressing their thanks.

Liu Bei would nod, smile, or pat the other person on the shoulder.

His gaze swept across each face without making a sound.

After more than fifty people had passed by, his anxiety subsided.

He continued walking forward, seventy people, eighty people, ninety people.

Then he stopped. At the end of the line stood a boy, over seven feet tall, with a majestic appearance.

He wore a worn-out leather armor, with a knife at his waist, the scabbard showing signs of wear and tear, and a bright silver spear on his back.

The morning light shone down from above the courtyard wall, falling on the young boy's face.

His face still carried the youthful innocence unique to teenagers; his brow bones had not yet fully developed, and the lines of his jaw had not yet become sharp.

But those eyes were like a deep pool of water, calm on the surface, yet bottomless.

Liu Bei looked at him, and for just a moment, his heart skipped a beat, but then returned to normal.

It was these eyes; he had seen these eyes countless times in those long dreams.

Amidst the chaos of the battle at Changban Slope, those eyes remained calm and composed.

On the gunwale of the ship that intercepted Liu Bei's son, A Dou, those eyes were resolute.

These eyes were fearless before the gate of the empty camp on the Han River.

Every time he was in dire straits, those eyes would appear beside him, silently telling him—My lord, Yun is here!

Now, those eyes belong to a boy.

Wearing worn leather armor, with a tattered scabbard, and holding a familiar spear, he stood at the end of the Changshan disciples' formation, the morning light shining on his face, quietly waiting.

Liu Bei handed over the reins.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Zhao Yun, courtesy name Zilong!"

The boy took the reins with both hands, his voice low but steady as a mountain.

How old are you?

"fifteen!"

Liu Bei nodded. He didn't say anything more, but looked into Zhao Yun's eyes and paused for a moment.

The pause was so brief that Hou Cheng, standing beside him, didn't notice anything amiss, and Zhao Bao, standing in the corridor, simply assumed he was observing an ordinary soldier.

But Zhao Yun noticed that the young man raised his eyes and met Liu Bei's gaze.

The touch was so brief that no one else noticed it.

But in that brief eye contact, Zhao Yun saw something. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, but he felt that this person recognized him.

Jian Yong, who was far away, also noticed it. He understood Liu Bei and remembered what Liu Bei had said to Cheng Yu!

Perhaps Cheng Yu only saw it as a dream like his own, but Jian Yong knew it wasn't.

He knew this from the moment Liu Bei left Mount Goushi alone, from the moment Liu Bei learned how to treat the epidemic, and from the moment Liu Bei became a skilled warrior!

Liu Bei is different now!

From the moment they met, he knew for sure that Xuande was still the same Xuande, only it was as if he had skipped over his childhood.

So, here comes Zhao Yun!

Liu Bei loosened the reins and walked to the next soldier, delivering the two hundred horses one by one.

Liu Bei returned to the corridor and exchanged a few more words with Zhao Bao before saying, "My lord, I have another request!"