Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 4 Liu Bei, a hero in the hearts of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun.
Liu Bei did not immediately set off for Xuzhou, but instead turned southwest and arrived at Zhen Ding County in Changshan Commandery.

Three years ago, when Liu Bei first took office as the magistrate of Anxi County, he met Zhao Yun in Zhending County and they hit it off immediately. Liu Bei then pulled Zhao Yun into a sworn brotherhood and recognized him as his fourth brother.

Compared to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who were urged to join Liu Bei, Zhao Yun genuinely wanted to join Liu Bei. Even if he didn't go to Anxi County with Liu Bei, he would still diligently get up at dawn to practice martial arts, study literature and practice martial arts during the day, and go to sleep at dusk to conserve his energy.

During these three years, Zhao Yun often rode his horse to Anxi County to visit Liu Bei, and the two became quite close.

Compared to Liu Bei, Zhao Yun came from a wealthier family. In addition, Zhao Yun had an elder brother who was good at managing the household, so Zhao Yun had no worries about food and clothing and could devote most of his energy to studying literature and practicing martial arts.

Upon hearing of Liu Bei's arrival, Zhao Yun was overjoyed and personally went out of the manor to greet him.

"I was unaware of your arrival, Brother. I apologize for not welcoming you properly!" Zhao Yun said excitedly, his eyes filled with admiration and respect as he looked at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was quite pleased to hear Zhao Yun's concern. He looked Zhao Yun up and down and praised him, "It's been a long time since I last saw you. Fourth Brother has become even stronger. It seems you've been practicing a lot."

Praised by Liu Bei, Zhao Yun straightened his back and said, "I have never forgotten the schedule set by my elder brother. I am fortunate to have received your generous guidance, which has enabled me to follow it to this day."

Zhao Yun's self-discipline pleased Liu Bei even more. However, when he saw Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's nonchalant attitude, Liu Bei became angry again and scolded them, "Fourth Brother can persevere even without my supervision, but you two are always slacking off despite my supervision. You should learn from Fourth Brother in the future and stop making me worry."

Upon being reprimanded by Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei immediately straightened their posture, then chuckled and each took one of Zhao Yun's arms, secretly exerting their strength.

"Fourth brother, it's been so long, I've missed you terribly."

"Fourth brother, I've recently learned a new move. Let's spar later."

At this moment, Zhao Yun was like someone else's child; the more Liu Bei praised him, the more Guan Yu and Zhang Fei wanted to compete.

Liu Bei didn't point out Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's little tricks. They were all brothers, and sparring was a common occurrence. Liu Bei also wanted Zhao Yun to motivate Guan Yu and Zhang Fei so that they could be as diligent and tireless as Zhao Yun.

In this chaotic world, if people at the bottom of society did not want to be slaves, they could only kill others. Whether their opponent was Yuan Shao or Cao Cao, they had to use them as stepping stones to kill them one by one. Only after killing Yuan Shao and Cao Cao could Liu Bei take control of the world.

During the pleasantries, Zhao Yun learned that Liu Bei had angrily whipped the inspector and resigned his post. He was indignant: "Brother, you are an honest and upright man, yet you were dismissed by imperial decree. Such behavior is truly disheartening."

Zhang Fei chimed in, "That's what I think too. Brother was able to become a county magistrate because he fought bravely and killed enemies on the battlefield. When the court needs people, they call on Brother to kill bandits, but when they don't need people, they discard him like a used millstone. It's truly despicable."

Guan Yu was also indignant: "Since coming from Anxi, I have passed through several counties, and all those who have made military achievements and become officials have been eliminated. If this continues, who will still be willing to risk their lives for the court?"

Despite their resentment, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun were helpless. The world was cruel, and even the three of them, who were all capable of defeating ten thousand men, could not change it.

If they wanted to change the world, the only way was to follow the true heroes. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun all looked at Liu Bei. If they were to ask who the heroes of the world were, they would not acknowledge anyone other than Liu Bei.

Liu Bei did not participate in the discussion, but turned to Zhao Yun and asked, "Fourth brother, what are your plans for the future?" Zhao Yun hesitated for a moment and said, "Originally, I intended to serve as an official in Changshan, but my elder brother's experience has chilled my heart. I also do not know how to plan my future."

Seeing Zhao Yun hesitate, Liu Bei then invited him again, saying, "I heard that the General has sent Guanqiu Yi to Danyang to recruit soldiers. I am willing to help, but after this trip, I do not know when I will be able to return to Hebei. If you are unsure about the future, why don't you come with me?"

Liu Bei left Hebei to pursue important matters, and a fierce general like Zhao Yun, who could defeat ten thousand men, was an asset that Liu Bei urgently needed. When Liu Bei invited Zhao Yun to join him, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also tried to persuade him to join.

"My fourth brother is a master of martial arts. If he can only serve as a minor official in Changshan, wouldn't that be a waste of his talent?"

"I think so too. A true hero should be famous throughout the world, how can he remain unknown?"

Inspired and encouraged by Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun's hesitation dissipated: "Since my elder brother is going on a long journey to seek fame and fortune, how can I stay in Changshan alone? I will inform my elder brother and then go with him."

Seemingly afraid of missing the opportunity to travel with Liu Bei, Zhao Yun hurriedly went to his elder brother Zhao Feng to ask for permission.

In those turbulent years, many young men perished, and the Zhao family's fathers all died. It was only thanks to Zhao Feng's management of the family that they had achieved their current prosperity. To Zhao Yun, Zhao Feng was both an elder brother and a father figure. If Zhao Yun wanted to leave with Liu Bei, he would need to obtain Zhao Feng's consent.

Zhao Feng did not support Zhao Yun's decision and advised him, "With the reputation and status of Zhao Family Village today, it would be easy for Zilong to become an official in Changshan. Why go to such lengths? Military merit is ultimately a lowly path."

If Zhao Yun had served as an official in Changshan, he would surely have become a powerful figure in the region in due time. However, if he had followed Liu Bei, it was uncertain whether he could have achieved fame and success. As his elder brother, Zhao Feng naturally did not want to see Zhao Yun toil for half his life and still achieve nothing.

In this era that valued lineage, taking the military route was the most despised path. Even Lu Zhi, who was skilled in commanding troops, regarded military merit as a minor and unorthodox path. He was able to enter the court as a minister because of his reputation in Confucianism rather than his military achievements in suppressing bandits.

Despite this, Zhao Yun was determined to leave, and his tone became firm: "In these chaotic times, it is the time for heroes to rise. If I can only be a minor official in Changshan, I am truly unwilling. I have also heard that a great man should be born between heaven and earth and wield a three-foot sword to establish unparalleled fame. If I do not leave this time, I will find it difficult to live my mind."

Seeing Zhao Yun's determination, Zhao Feng also felt reluctant. His young brother longed to make a name for himself, and Zhao Feng did not want to see Zhao Yun depressed because he could not follow Liu Bei.

After a long silence, Zhao Fengsong sighed and said, "Fine! We'll do as Zilong wishes."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun was overjoyed: "Thank you for your kindness, brother!"

Before he finished speaking, Zhao Feng continued, "Settling down and building a career is a man's ambition. Before you leave, Zilong, you should choose a good family to marry. Returning home in glory will be a beautiful story. The Zhang family of Changshan is..."

Upon hearing about the marriage, Zhao Yun's face instantly sharpened, and before Zhao Feng could finish speaking, he loudly interrupted, "A true man only worries about not achieving fame and fortune, not about not having a wife. Besides, my ambitions lie elsewhere. If I were to marry a woman from a respectable family, wouldn't that be a waste of a good man's time?"

Judging from Zhao Yun's reaction, this was definitely not the first time he had been pressured to get married. Before Zhao Feng could speak again, Zhao Yun fled as if he were running away, shouting as he ran, "The journey south is urgent, so I will go first and will not say goodbye to my brother."

Seeing Zhao Yun fleeing for his life, Zhao Feng was speechless. "The respectable women I chose for Zilong are all from prominent families, each one gentle and refined. Why does Zilong always act like he's seen a ghost?"

(End of this chapter)