In the Three Kingdoms period, the opening scene features the killing of Huang Gai, shocking Zhou Yu!

Days flow like water.

With Sun Quan's money, it flowed out like water.

It wasn't until winter that things changed.

Fortunately, this is Jiangdong, where it doesn't snow.

It should be snowing in the north by now.

A roadside inn.

There's nothing particularly elegant or unrefined about it.

Only a tattered windproof felt cloth kept the outside world at bay.

Unable to tolerate Liu Bei's extravagance, Zhao Yun took Zhao Yu with him.

"drink."

Zhao Yu pushed the wine bowl over.

"Sun Quan is paying the bill, so why not drink it?"

Zhao Yun did not move.

The wine in front of Zhao Yun had long since gone cold.

His hand remained on the hilt of the sword.

Staring at the mutton bubbling in the pot,

"Stop touching it, or you'll rub the hilt until it's worn smooth."

Zhao Yun acted as if he hadn't heard anything.

"Zijing came again this morning."

"My lord is not here. He is listening to music and saying that 'Zijing' is not as beautiful as a dancing girl."

Zhao Yun abruptly closed his eyes, trying his best not to think about that scene.

"Isn't this great? Aren't you happy?"

"Good?"

Zhao Yun's eyes were practically spitting fire.

Before his departure, the strategist Zhuge Liang gave him three brocade pouches.

I was the first to look at it, because Zhao Yu was there at the time, but by some twist of fate, it wasn't used.

The remaining two, Liu Bei wouldn't even glance at, but now they're practically growing mold around Zhao Yun.

Liu Bei, however, only knew how to waste his days in a life of pleasure and indulgence.

I've gained ten pounds! Ten pounds!

How could people be so depraved?

The imperial uncle of yesteryear, who wove mats and sold shoes, also harbored lofty ambitions.

Now that they have the East Mansion and a hundred dancers, have their ambitions been wasted?

Isn't this a bit too much? What if Sun Quan decides he doesn't want to play anymore and just smashes the cup as a signal? What will our lord do then?

Zhao Yun was not afraid of death.

But he was afraid of Liu Bei's "dancing disco on the edge of a knife" approach.

I want to do that too.

Top-tier benefits including free meals and accommodation, and surrounded by beautiful women.

It's a pity Sun Quan didn't give me the chance, otherwise I wouldn't have to run to your lord's place every day.

"you……"

Zhao Yun was furious.

"You're one of Cao Cao's men, so naturally you'd love to watch the drama unfold."

"Wrong, wrong."

Zhao Yu pointed at Zhao Yun with his chopsticks.

"I'm a working person."

But I see you as someone destined to worry.

Your biggest problem isn't that you don't understand your lord, but that your acting is terrible.

Zhao Yun was taken aback:

"What do you mean?"

"Liu Bei is playing the role of a tyrant so convincingly that he even gains weight to match. That's called dedication."

"Even your own brother, your life-or-death protector, thinks he's gone too far. He's utterly disappointed in him and even wants to draw his sword and chop him awake..."

"How could Zhou Yu not believe it? He thinks Liu Bei is truly useless, and he thinks you are truly desperate."

The more anxious you are, the more Zhou Yu thinks Liu Bei is a vulgar man, someone who clings to his post even when he's exhausted, rather than someone who's pretending.

Zhao Yun was stunned.

The wine bowl in his hand stopped in mid-air.

I won't drink anymore.

"You mean... my anxiety actually became part of your acting, my lord?"

"That's right."

Zhao Yu put a plate of cabbage into the pot.

"Zhou Yu is a man with more cunning than lotus root. Even if Liu Bei pretends to be stupid, Zhou Yu will only believe him to a certain extent."

But with your "disappointed in me" face, Zhao Zilong, the performance becomes incredibly realistic.

"So, Zilong, you have to act too. Stop looking so gloomy all the time, eat and drink as usual."

After listening to Zhao Yu's words,

Zhao Yun remained silent for a long time.

I slowly took a sip of the wine.

"I think I understand."

"Is this the heart of you tacticians? It's so dirty that I've unknowingly become a part of it."

Damn,

I can't explain it.

"Don't put it so harshly, this is called 'mutual understanding between ruler and subject,' that's called a game of strategy."

"Come on, eat some cabbage. You can't rush things, and you can't act well either."

The food stirred up his sorrow, and it's unclear how much of what Zhao Yun heard was actually taken to heart.

For some reason, the topic...

He transitioned from being a boss to a craftsman.

A man's skill is nothing more than the gun in his hand.

"Zilong, ever since that time at Huarong Road, I've wanted to say it: your marksmanship is too 'gentlemanly'."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun raised an eyebrow slightly.

Since this involves his professional field, he needs to listen carefully.

"I would like to hear the details."

"Yun has practiced martial arts since childhood, receiving guidance from renowned masters and honing his skills on the battlefield for twenty years. Although we fought to a draw last time, I have no regrets about my spear strikes, which combined strength and gentleness. How can you say I'm too 'gentlemanly'?"

He accepted the other suggestions.

He disagreed with this.

The person in this world who can point fingers at his marksmanship is probably not even born yet.

"It's not that your skills are lacking, it's that you're too tired."

"During the Battle of Changban, you charged in and out seven times. Were you sore and numb, with your hands cracked and bleeding by the end?"

"That's natural."

"To fight to the death amidst a million soldiers is the fate of a military general."

"The fate of farts."

Zhao Yu laughed heartily.

"That's called showing off. You put all your strength into every shot, strive for perfection in every move, and act boldly and righteously."

It's undeniably beautiful, like a work of art. But when it comes to murder, sometimes art isn't necessary.

Zhao Yu walked behind Zhao Yun,

He grabbed the silver spear.

Slightly heavy to start with. Nice gun.

Zhao Yun did not stop him.

Just watching quietly,

He wanted to see what Zhao Yu could come up with.

Zhao Yu didn't strike any pose.

He just stood there loosely.

He's no different from a lazybones who just woke up.

"Zilong, watch closely. If you were facing a sneak attack from behind, what would you do?"

Zhao Yun didn't hesitate:

"Turning around and sweeping horizontally, with the power of this spear, I will shatter the enemy's courage."

"Aren't you tired?"

"If it were me, I would do the same."

Zhao Yu flicked his wrist, and the butt of the gun slid backward under his armpit.

Fast, insidious, and poisonous.

Moreover, it requires extremely little effort.

"Did you understand?"

"Can good manners put food on the table? You only have one life."

Zhao Yu performed a soft, graceful spear flourish and tossed the gun back to him.

"Also, don't keep aiming for the throat and heart. Those are tough bones, well-defended. You need to learn the lower body techniques."

"The lowest of the low?"

"The top of the foot, the knee, that spot."

A single, fatal blow, rendering the opponent incapable of fighting. As long as victory is assured, gouging eyes, locking throats, and stomping on toes are all effective methods.

This kind of fighting style is simply thuggish behavior.

Zhao Yun simulated it in his mind.

If it were at Changban Slope, instead of using that wide-ranging, sweeping spear technique, he would have used this underhanded tactic...

Cao Jun will likely suffer fewer deaths, but many more will be writhing on the ground clutching their groins.

Breakthrough efficiency will increase by at least three times.

Physical exertion is halved.

"Although... it sounds awful, and it looks awful too."

"But there's some truth to that. I've learned something."

Zhao Yun was a master of martial arts, and naturally possessed a broad and inclusive mind.

Although he disdained using such techniques, he was shocked by Zhao Yu's peculiar way of thinking, which "deconstructed martial arts into mathematics and efficiency."

"That's right."

"Your lord is now putting on an act, taking a subtle and cunning approach. As his bodyguard, it's not shameful for you to occasionally learn these underhanded tricks."

"That's what you call—"

Zhao Yu grinned.

"When the ruler and his ministers are of one mind, their strength can break even metal."

"Also, I didn't bring any money. I still need to go to your lord to listen to music. You can pay for it."