Choose Liu Bei at the start, I am the only one who knows the plot of the Three Kingdoms.

Gu Rubing only brought Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao with him this time, along with five hundred reorganized Iron Cavalry.

On the way, Zhang Liao voiced the question that had been on his mind.

"My lord, since it is Sun Jian who wants to form an alliance with us, we can just wait in Yizhou. Why go to find Sun Jian? Besides, Liu Zhang is already discussing an alliance with Cao Cao. They will definitely be faster than us. What if they attack Linjiang City?"

Zhang Liao himself did not approve of the idea of ​​going to find Sun Jian.

Moreover, Zhang Liao had always wanted to take back Jiangzhou City.

This was a great opportunity, and it just slipped away.

Upon hearing Zhang Liao's words, Gu Rubing burst out laughing.

“Wen Yuan, we need to broaden our horizons. Linjiang City is nothing, and even Ba County is nothing to us. What we really need to care about is the benefits we can gain. Sun Jian is a fence-sitter. If we bring him to Yizhou, an alliance can be formed in no time, but what will happen after that?”

"after……"

Gu Rubing's words left Zhang Liao speechless, unsure of what would happen next.

Gu Rubing has always been fighting alone, and has never relied on any so-called allies.

This gave Zhang Liao the feeling that allies were just for show, and that only his own strength was truly useful.

“Wen Yuan, our alliance with Sun Jian is essentially the same as our alliance with Cao Cao. We don’t gain anything from it. The only difference is that we can get some benefits from our alliance with Sun Jian. Although the benefits are not many, they can help us to some extent. Cao Cao will not give us anything. Sun Jian is cunning and treacherous. If he comes to Yizhou, he will not bring anything. He will also delay giving us the benefits he promised. In the end, we will have to go and ask for them ourselves. Since we have to go anyway, we might as well go directly.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao nodded, finally understanding Gu Rubing's meaning.

The group did not encounter any danger along the way.

After all, bandits on the road would be terrified at the sight of the fully armed Ironclad Cavalry.

No one dared to lay a hand on them.

When Gu Rubing arrived in Liangzhou, Sun Jian, along with Zhou Yu, Sun Ce, and Gan Ning, were already waiting at the border.

Gu Rubing burst out laughing when he saw that there were only four people.

"King of Wu, you have invaded my border with only four men. Are you planning to steal someone?"

Sun Jian knew Gu Rubing was joking, so he immediately stepped forward and took Gu Rubing's hand with a smile.

"Yes, we've come to steal from King Lie. I knew he was coming here, but I've been waiting for him for a long time."

Gu Rubing genuinely believed Sun Jian's statement, because there were several campfires nearby, indicating that they had been there for at least ten days.

"Then I must thank the King of Wu for his welcome."

Soon the group began their journey towards Constantinople.

On the way, Zhou Yu came to Gu Rubing's side.

"King Lie, you have some clever tricks up your sleeve. The alliance with Liu Zhang was hard-won, but you've shattered it with just one move."

Hearing Zhou Yu's sarcasm, Gu Rubing didn't care at all. Instead, he said calmly, "Gongjin, do you know? Back in Jiaozhou, I once ambushed Liu Zhang."

Zhou Yu had also heard Liu Zhang mention this matter; it was precisely because of Cao Cao's inaction that Liu Zhang approached Sun Jian.

However, Zhou Yu did not answer Gu Rubing's question. Instead, he looked at Gu Rubing, feeling that what Gu Rubing was about to say was dangerous.

"We were almost there when someone appeared who told me that Liu Zhang couldn't die now, at least not now. That person was very strong, and even the legendary generals under my command were no match for him."

Zhou Yu had not heard of this matter, which was clearly something Liu Zhang had deliberately concealed.

However, Zhou Yu was somewhat interested in what the man in black was saying.

Liu Zhang cannot die, at least not now? Then who can die?
"What does Prince Lie mean by this? I don't quite understand."

"Zhou Yu, you pride yourself on your intelligence. You think that among the four great warlords of today, I am one of them, then Cao Cao, your lord Sun Jian, and then Liu Zhang. You say that Liu Zhang cannot die, but now I am standing right in front of you. Who do you think that man in black is referring to as someone who can die?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu's expression changed drastically.

It is obvious that this must be either Cao Cao or Sun Jian.

The other party may be targeting the bloodline of the Han Dynasty. Although Cao Cao did not have the bloodline of the Han Dynasty, he was still a member of the Han Dynasty. Now that Sun Jian has long since broken away from the Han Dynasty, wouldn't they be the next target?
As Liu Bei just said, none of the five men under his command were a match for the enemy. So how could these people from the Anluo Empire possibly be a match for them?

Thinking of this, Zhou Yu immediately caught up with Sun Jian ahead.

He told Sun Jian everything that Gu Rubing had told him.

However, Sun Jian didn't quite believe this.

After all, Sun Jian had never met that person, and there was no evidence to prove that the person in question was himself.

"Gongjin, don't think too much, everything should be alright."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu did not relax at all. He kept thinking about Gu Rubing's words and trying to figure out what the man in black meant.

In the end, Zhou Yu decided that the alliance with Gu Rubing had to be reached. If the other party was really after the so-called bloodline of the Han Dynasty, then their alliance with Liu Bei would be somewhat related to the bloodline of the Han Dynasty, and at least they wouldn't be the next victim.

However, Zhou Yu's idea was also based on wishful thinking.

Soon, the group arrived in Constantinople.

Sun Jian warmly invited Gu Rubing and the others to the palace.

Every time Gu Rubing looked at this palace, he felt something was different. Every time, Gu Rubing marveled at how luxurious this palace was, almost rivaling the imperial palace of Xudu.

This proves just how comfortable Sun Jian's life was here.

Moreover, this palace is still under expansion.

"The King of Wu's palace is truly magnificent. I wonder when I will be able to live in such a palace?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Jian gave an awkward smile.

"If Your Highness wishes, you are welcome to bring my daughter back for a few days. I will have someone reserve rooms for you."

"Haha, let's talk about that later."

The group chatted and laughed, appearing as close as friends who hadn't seen each other for years.

Before long, Sun Jian finally revealed the purpose of his visit.

“King Lie, you should know that Liu Zhang has allied with Cao Cao, and I also know that your alliance with Cao Cao is just for show. Why don’t you reconsider us? Only we can form an alliance with you now.”

Why is an alliance necessary?

Gu Rubing looked at Sun Jian with a puzzled expression.

"This……"

Sun Jian didn't know how to respond to Gu Rubing's words. Forming an alliance with him would indeed bring Gu Rubing no benefit.

“King Lie, forming an alliance with us will at least reduce your worries. Moreover, I have already discussed this with my lord. As long as we remain in the alliance, we can contract all the grain and fodder for your army in Yizhou.”

"Ok?"

Upon hearing Zhou Yu's words, Gu Rubing immediately became interested.

After all, Yizhou is one of the main battlefields, so it would be a good thing if someone could provide him with supplies.

As for Sun Jian, he looked at Zhou Yu with some dissatisfaction.

Who knows how many troops Gu Rubing plans to deploy to Yizhou? If he arranges 500,000 troops, the annual grain supply will be astronomical. However, Zhou Yu completely ignored Sun Jian's dissatisfaction; his only goal was to form an alliance with Gu Rubing.

"Is that what the King of Wu also meant?"

"Ah, this..."

Seeing Zhou Yu's determined gaze, Sun Jian could only nod with an awkward smile.

"Alright, it's settled then. Prepare enough provisions for 150,000 troops for a month, and send them over now."

"No problem, I'll arrange it right away."

Soon after, Zhou Yu and Sun Jian discussed the matter with Gu Rubing again, and then Gu Rubing left the palace.

After Gu Rubing left, Sun Jian's smile vanished instantly, and he looked at Zhou Yu with a hint of anger.

"Gongjin, explain yourself! What exactly are you trying to do? Do you know how much food the Yizhou army needs for a year? Don't you know why we're hiding here?"

"Lord, calm down!"

Zhou Yu immediately knelt before Sun Jian.

"My lord, I had no choice but to do this. Our purpose in hiding here is to accumulate strength and find an opportunity to break into the Han Dynasty. I will never forget that. But please think about what the person I told you about before said."

"What are you saying? Whether that person even exists is still a question, so how can you guarantee that Liu Bei isn't just talking nonsense?"

"My lord, it doesn't seem like it to me. Moreover, this alliance is dispensable to Liu Bei. There is no reason for Liu Bei to lie to us."

Upon hearing this, Sun Jian hesitated for a moment.

It was only at this point that Sun Jian realized what was happening.

Yes, why would Liu Bei need to deceive himself? It's himself, not Liu Bei, who needs to form an alliance with Liu Bei.

Seeing that Sun Jian had calmed down, Zhou Yu immediately stepped forward.

"My lord, although we have sacrificed some supplies, for us, as long as we can establish a relationship with Liu Bei, it will definitely be a good thing."

Sun Jian sighed. No matter how you look at it, that was an astronomical amount of grain. Giving it away like that would be painful for anyone.

Gu Rubing led Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao down the street.

It was completely dark by then, and there were no passersby around.

"Wen Yuan, has the Iron Pagoda been arranged yet?"

"Rest assured, my lord, the Iron Pagoda is stationed not far outside the city. If we are in any danger, we only need to give a signal, and they can attack the city within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!"

Although Zhang Liao said that, he also knew that if they were really in danger, what use would five hundred iron cavalry be in attacking the city?

Gu Rubing smiled and nodded.

However, Zhao Yun, who was standing to the side, was a little worried.

"My lord, isn't this alliance a little too smooth? It's true that Sun Jian is eager to form an alliance with us, but isn't the price they paid a bit too high? Sun Jian has never been so generous before."

When things were going too smoothly, Zhao Yun always felt that something was wrong.

Gu Rubing shook his head with a smile.

"Didn't you realize that Zhou Yu was completely in control of this negotiation?"

Zhao Yun nodded upon hearing this.

"Obviously this was not Sun Jian's original intention. He intended to form an alliance, but the benefits he would bring us would certainly not be that much. It was all Zhou Yu's idea on the spur of the moment. It seems that my words at the time made Zhou Yu a little scared."

"talk?"

Along the way, Gu Rubing spoke a lot to Zhou Yu. Although Zhao Yun heard everything, he didn't know which sentence could frighten Zhou Yu so much, and even make the proud Zhou Yu act as if he needed something from Gu Rubing.

"Of course, it's that man in black."

After Gu Rubing finished speaking, the smile on his face gradually disappeared.

The painting of the man in black is something that even Zhou Yu, let alone Zhou Yu, can't understand, and it even makes him feel a little scared.

If someone like that wanted to kill me, wouldn't it be a piece of cake?

Who exactly is this man in black? Why is he helping me?

All these questions kept swirling in Gu Rubing's mind.

Early the next morning.

Gu Rubing was awakened by a knock on the door.

"Come in."

As Gu Rubing finished speaking, Zhao Yun walked in.

"My lord, Zhou Yu has arrived. He says the provisions are ready and wants us to go check them out."

"Ready? So fast? When did Sun Jian become so efficient?"

Gu Rubing went outside and saw Zhou Yu standing right outside the door. Clearly, Zhou Yu had heard everything he said.

However, this time Zhou Yu didn't seem angry at all.

"The provisions for King Lie have been prepared. Please inspect them, King Lie."

Gu Rubing smiled and nodded, then followed Zhou Yu outside the city.

After inspecting all the provisions and comparing the quantities, Gu Rubing smiled and patted Zhou Yu on the shoulder.

"You're making me a little scared. You didn't poison the food, did you?"

"Haha, King Lie, you are joking. How could we do such a thing?"

After Zhou Yu finished speaking, he waved to the convoy.

The convoy soon set off.

"Alright, now that the supplies have been sent, we should set off as well."

"Is the Prince of Lie leaving already?"

"Of course, the amount of grain is too large, and the internal situation of the Han Dynasty is not very stable. There are always some bandits who don't like us and want to make a move against us. We need to keep an eye on things from behind."

Gu Rubing's words were quite clear: he was worried that Zhou Yu would steal from him.

However, Zhou Yu didn't care. After introducing Gu Rubing to Sun Jian, he personally escorted Gu Rubing to the border of Liangzhou.

“Your Highness, if you see that person, please tell him that we are now your allies, not your enemies.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Rubing laughed, nodded, and turned to leave.

He knew that Zhou Yu was truly frightened.

Gu Rubing looked at the massive amount of grain not far ahead and a smile appeared on his lips.

Cao Cao, I am ready. Are you ready?
However, what Gu Rubing didn't know was that such a massive amount of grain, with hardly any escort, was practically a gold mine for the bandits along the way. (End of Chapter)