Chapter 9: First Meeting with Liu Bei

  The mountains rose and fell in a continuous line, one peak after another, stretching for fifty or sixty miles. Liu Bei carried Zhao Yun on his back and walked for nearly two hours, covering over twenty miles, leaving the pursuing troops far behind, already out of sight.

  At this time, Liu Jue was also exhausted, and as the dawn broke on the horizon, he found a place with intertwined tree roots and slowly put down Zhao Yun.

  There was medicine and water, Zhao Yun's injury did not deteriorate, he even slept for a while, his complexion improved a lot, although his face was still very pale, but the faint dark blue color had faded.

  "Xuan Gongzi, you should rest too!"

  Zhao Yun smiled and said: "I feel a bit stronger now, maybe after a while I can walk by myself."

  The two men, having gone through the ordeal of escaping for their lives that night, had formed a bond of friendship in adversity. Liu Jiao also took a sip of water and handed the flask to Zhao Yun, who refilled it with fresh water from a clear spring he found halfway.

  He gazed at the sunrise rising bit by bit on the horizon, with a million rays of light dyeing the sky and earth in unparalleled beauty, the forest was dyed red, although the landscape was like a painting, but Liu Xuan seemed to have some heavy thoughts.

  Wu Zhi is dead, can he still go to Jingzhou? Although the skin bag is still on him, without Wu Zhi's introduction, Liu Biao may or may not believe him. Everything is unknown. If he doesn't go to Jingzhou, where else can he go?

  "Let's go to Jingzhou!"

  Zhao Yun smiled slightly and said, "You are Liu Bei's nephew, whether Wu Xiu is here or not, it can't change this fact."

  Zhao Yun sighed again, "Young Master Jing's trip to Jingzhou is not to rely on Liu Biao's support, but to find opportunities to develop his own talents. After this night, I, Zhao Yun, saw a man of integrity, loyalty, gratitude and faithfulness, which makes me respect him deeply. I also hope you can have a good ending."

  Zhao Yun's words had also dyed Liu Xuan's heart red with the dawn, he gazed at the surging dawn, a heroic spirit of a great man standing between heaven and earth rose in his chest.

  Yes! Perhaps there will be some risk, but what can be done without risk? The greater the risk, the greater the gain. Jin Pingting Hou, Liu Biao's nephew and the Marquis of Jingzhou, compared to the gains that can be obtained here, a little risk is really not worth worrying about.

  If he can't even bear this little risk, what else can he do? Isn't it better to go to Jingzhou? He can go and take over Liu Biao's family business, establish his own achievements, and not waste his trip to the Three Kingdoms.

  Thinking of this, Liu Jiao turned back to Zhao Yun and smiled: "If one day, Brother Zi Long also gets the chance to show off his talents, can he seize the opportunity to make a name for himself?"

  Zhoa Yun smiled slightly, he knew Liu Xuan's deep meaning, he was not foolish, the words Wu Xu said before his death made him understand everything.

  After a long while, he said faintly: "I will not betray my master, just as the young master did not abandon me, I will also not abandon him. My master is now suffering double setbacks and it's the most difficult time for him, how can I abandon him?"

  Zhao Yun's answer made Liu Xuan somewhat disappointed, but after thinking about it again, he felt relieved. If Zhao Yun really betrayed Liu Bei, then he wouldn't be the Zhao Zilong of Changshan.

  More importantly, he is thinking too far ahead now is not the time for his grand ambitions but rather to find a way to get Liu Biao to acknowledge him first and then establish himself in Jingzhou.

  Liu Xuan's emotions gradually calmed down, and he regained his composure. He smiled and said, "Actually, my greatest wish is to cultivate martial arts like Brother Zi Long, but unfortunately, I don't have this opportunity."

  Zhao Yun fell silent, and after a moment, he gazed at Liu Xuan and said faintly, "You will definitely have."

  Liu Jue just said casually, at this time, he thought of another thing and said: "I also want to go to Xiangyang, maybe I can meet Liu Xuande. If I really meet him, I will look at the loyalty of Brother Zi Long and be willing to make an effort to help him stay in Jingzhou."

  Zhao Yun was overjoyed. If Liu Qi could persuade Liu Biao to keep the lord, then the lord would not be at a dead end and there would be a new turning point.

  "Thank you, Master Jing, for your righteousness."

  Liu Jiong nodded, seeing that Zhao Yun's tone was no longer as weak as it had been the night before, and he had obviously taken a turn for the better. He smiled and said: "That scoundrel's privately stored wound medicine isn't bad, unfortunately there isn't any left, I wonder if there are any herbal medicines around here?"

  He stood up and looked around, at this time, he saw a Taoist priest with a bamboo basket on his back walking towards him from afar. Liu Xuan was overjoyed in his heart, as he had been worried about not being able to find the way!

  He immediately stepped forward, bowed his body and said, "Master Dao, please stay!"

  The young Taoist priest was about 14 or 15 years old, of medium build, with thick lips and a flat nose, looking honest and simple-minded, holding a medicinal hoe in his hand.

  In the desolate mountains and wild ridges, he suddenly met two soldiers, who were startled, hastily joined his palms together in a salute, "Boundless Heavenly Respect! Where do the two donors come from?"

  "We are under Liu's command, scattered by Cao's army, and have been fleeing over mountains and rivers. Our companion is seriously injured, I don't know if you can help us."

  He and Zhao Yun both wore Cao's army armor, unable to conceal themselves, could only gamble, since Liu Bei's reputation for benevolence had spread throughout the land, it depended on whether this little Taoist would understand.

  The little Taoist heard that they were under Liu Xuan's command, and immediately became solemn and respectful. He bowed his head and saluted, "So you are under Liu Xuan's command, I will naturally do my best to help. Please follow me back to the Taoist temple at the foot of the mountain, where my master can treat your injuries."

  Liu Jiong cursed inwardly, 'Liu Dae's reputation isn't bad after all, no wonder he's welcome everywhere.'

  He and Xiaodao supported Zhao Yun and slowly walked towards the foot of the mountain.

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  At the foot of the mountain, there is a Taoist temple called Tianxuan Temple, with more than 20 Taoist priests. Normally, people pick herbs and farm, self-sufficient, living a peaceful and worry-free life, unaffected by the turmoil at the end of the Han Dynasty.

  The host was an old Taoist, known as the True Man of Mangshan. He was originally a famous doctor, but although he could cure others, he couldn't cure himself. After his wife and children died from typhoid fever, he became a monk and wandered around the country, eventually settling in Mangshan. Normally, he would provide free medical treatment and medicine to the local villagers, enjoying extremely high prestige.

  Zhang Fei had long heard that Liu Bei was a man of benevolence and righteousness. When he learned that one of Liu Bei's subordinates was in trouble, he immediately ordered his men to prepare a quiet room for the treatment. He personally treated Zhao Yun's wound. Although the arrow poison was quite violent, fortunately, the arrowhead did not hurt the tendons and bones. With Liu Zhang's timely rescue and treatment, the toxicity was stabilized, and Zhao Yun's condition was not serious. As long as he rested quietly for a month, he would recover.

  But Zhao Yun was worried about Liu Bei, this time the army was defeated, all the foundation was gone, and it was unknown whether the lord could withstand this blow.

  He begged Liu Jing to send a letter to the lord, in fact he hoped that Liu Jing could help Liu Bei stay in Jingzhou. Since Liu Jing had already promised, how could he refuse? After resting for one night, on the second day, Liu Jing set off to hurry to Jingzhou.

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  From the west of Mangshan, there is an arc-shaped official road, winding and turning for more than 300 miles, which can enter the territory of Jingzhou, reaching Bishui. Bishui is also a tributary of the Han River. Along the Bishui River to the south for over 100 miles, you can reach Xiangyang.

  But Liu Xuan took a shortcut, which was half the distance of taking the official road. He strode forward, speeding westward in the low and gentle hills, constantly comparing with the map drawn by Mu Shan Zhen Ren, and by noon the next day, he felt that he was already close to Bi Shui.

  Liu Jing was on a large stone, carefully searching for his location on the map. According to the map, he should be beside the river, but... why couldn't he see the big river?

  Liu Xuan stood up and looked around, only to see a small hill about 100 paces away. On the hill was a straight and tall tree, about 40-50 feet high. He immediately sprinted towards the hill.

  Before long, Liu Xuan climbed up the big tree, set up a hand screen to look westward, and the view suddenly became broad. He saw that several miles away, a river like a jade belt was flowing quietly on the vast wilderness. He also saw the official road, at the end of the official road, there seemed to be dozens of small black dots, like camps, stationed by the river.

  "Found it!"

  Liu Xuan let out a loud whoop and slid down the tree, running down the hillside towards the official road in the distance.

  Half a time later, Liu Xuan finally arrived at the camp of Liu Bei's army, still a hundred steps away from the camp, two cavalrymen rushed to intercept him.

  "Front military camp, no entry!"

  Liu Jue slightly cupped his hands, "Please inform Liu Xuanzhi, General Zhao Yun has entrusted me to deliver a letter."

  "Please wait a moment, sir!"

  The cavalry turned their horses' heads and went back. Before long, a scholar came forward, bowed his head and saluted Liu Xuan with a long bow, "Does this young master know the situation of General Zhao?"

  Liu Jue saw that this scholar was over thirty years old, with a long beard under his chin, clear eyes, and elegant manners. He smiled and said: "I was rescued by General Zhao, escaped from the battlefield, but General Zhao was unfortunately injured. We fled along the way to escape Cao's army pursuit. Now General Zhao is recuperating in the Tianxuan Temple on Mount Mang, and he entrusted me to report his safety to Liu Xiong."

  "I see, young master, please follow me."

  Wenshi led Liu Xuan towards the camp, and Liu Xuan couldn't help but ask out of curiosity: "May I ask your honorable surname, sir?"

  Wen Shi smiled slightly and said, "I am Sun Qian, courtesy name Gongyou, from Beihai Commandery."

  Liu Xuan nodded secretly in his heart, 'So he is Sun Gan!'

  Sun Gan then remembered that he had forgotten to ask Liu Xuan's name, and hastily asked with a smile: "It is truly impolite, I forgot to ask for your esteemed surname and great name."

  "In Liu Xuan's later years, Liu Jingzhou's nephew, while passing through Ru'nan, was rescued by General Zhao Yun."

  Sun Qian heard he was Liu Biao's nephew and couldn't help but feel a surge of respect, "So you're Master Jing, I've been rude to you."

  Two men walked into the camp, and from a distance saw a group of people gathered by the river. Sun Gan said with a hint of embarrassment: "Please wait for a moment, my master is chatting with everyone, he will see you soon."

  "It doesn't matter, sir, you go ahead and attend to your business first!"

  Sun Qian reported one sentence of crime and hastily left.

  About a hundred paces away from the crowd, Liu Jiao leaned on the grain cart with his hands clasped in front of his chest and gazed calmly at Liu Bei and his men who were having a meeting. He was somewhat curious in his heart, wondering if it would be like what he had imagined - Liu Bei would first express his despair and sadness, then everyone would pledge their loyalty one after another.

  However, from the usual point of view, it should be like this. Liu Bei would have to give his former subordinates a choice, he wanted to go to Jingzhou, and couldn't force others to follow him, right? At the same time, he could also test the loyalty of his subordinates, killing two birds with one stone.

  At this time, he heard someone angrily shouting: "Big brother, what are you saying? After fighting in the south and north for more than a decade, when have we ever been dissatisfied with big brother? If big brother says this again, I, Zhang Yide, will immediately jump into the river and die!"

  That's Zhang Fei, Liu Xuan smiled sincerely, sounding straightforward and outspoken, but what kind of temperament does he have?

  Right after that, a calm voice came: "Brother, have you forgotten the affairs of our ancestors? Repeatedly defeated by Xiang Yu, only to win at Gaixia, brother, having experienced hardships and difficulties, still managed to stand up unscathed. What about Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao who had their own foundations? Brother, now it's just a small setback, getting back up is all that's needed. Since we are already in Jingzhou, we can temporarily rely on Liu Biao to plan our comeback!"

  This must be Guan Yu, looking at his back, he really looks majestic.

  Liu Xuan also let out a faint sigh in his heart. Although Liu Bei had suffered many setbacks, his perseverance was indeed admirable, and he knew how to treat people well. He had already escaped, yet he still sent Zhao Yun to rescue Liu Pi, refusing to give up easily. This kind of integrity was no wonder why so many people were willing to follow him.

  "Prince Jing!"

  Sun Gan walked up again, smiling and bowing slightly: "My master invites you over for a moment, would you be so kind as to come?"