usatvline Chapter 104 Gongsun Zan's Opportunity
Chapter 104 Gongsun Zan's Opportunity
Jian Yong looked at Liu Bei, silently counting in his mind: forty-seven, forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty rounds!
Sure enough, Liu Bei's lips curled slightly, and he said, "Stop!"
The two stopped fighting. Xu Rong put away his spear, panting heavily. His hands trembled slightly from the continuous exertion, and sweat dripped down his short beard.
He looked at Zhao Yun opposite him. The young man was also drenched in sweat, the sweat on the spear shaft blending with the ash wood, giving it a dark sheen.
There is absolutely no sign of any leniency!
"I actually managed to fight him for fifty rounds?" Xu Rong murmured to himself.
Everyone in the corridor heard it. Yes! That's the problem in itself!
Hou Cheng went up, and they fought fifty rounds.
Han went up and fought fifty rounds.
Xu Rong went up and also fought fifty rounds.
Xu Rong's martial arts skills were inferior to Hou Cheng's, and Hou Cheng's skills were inferior to Han Dang's.
If Zhao Yun and Han Dang were truly evenly matched, then I wouldn't last more than twenty rounds against him.
But in those fifty rounds, he not only did not lose, but became stronger and stronger, and even used a variation he had never used before.
Everyone has realized what's going on!
"The best warriors achieve victory without ostentatious feats!"
Cheng Yu exclaimed in admiration, "The ancients were truly right!"
"Congratulations, my lord, on acquiring such a talented individual!" Cheng Yu turned around and bowed to Liu Bei to offer his congratulations.
"Congratulations, my lord, on acquiring such a talented individual!"
Tian Yu, Xu Rong, Cheng Pu, Hou Cheng and others also bowed to offer their congratulations. Han Dang, with mixed feelings, also joined in the congratulations.
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei burst into laughter.
He stepped forward, helped Zhao Yun up with both hands, turned around, and glanced at everyone in the courtyard.
"In ancient times, there were skilled horse judges who could stand in the market and, by observing the horse's muscles, bones, skin, and coat, recognize a steed capable of traveling a thousand miles."
"Qin had Bole, and Zhao had Wang Liang; both were masters of this art."
He paused, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
"Bei is not good at judging horses, but he is good at judging people!"
"It is precisely because of this that I was able to meet you all and recognize the unpolished gem that is Zilong!"
There was a moment of silence in the courtyard. This could be considered Liu Bei's explanation of the whole story, which was reasonable and logical!
Cheng Pu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Our lord has a discerning eye for talent; we are truly impressed!"
Everyone bowed in unison.
"From this day forward, Zhao Yun shall be appointed Military Commander of the Liaoxi Commandery, commanding 500 soldiers of the prefecture."
A chorus of congratulations erupted in the courtyard.
Hou Cheng was the first to step forward and patted Zhao Yun on the back forcefully: "Zilong, from now on we're comrades!"
Han Dang also walked over, nodded to Zhao Yun, and grinned, "Let's fight again another day!"
Zhao Yun, being a guest general, though grateful, only bowed and said, "Thank you for your trust, Commandant. I will certainly not fail in my mission!"
Subsequently, Liu Bei proceeded step by step.
While continuing to recruit refugees and develop land reclamation, they also selected the strongest and most capable men from among the local militia to gradually expand their ranks and train soldiers.
Spring goes and summer comes.
The border troops directly under the Commandant's Office were expanded from 1,000 cavalry to 2,000 cavalry, plus 500 infantrymen from the Trapped Camp, for a total of 2,500.
Hou Cheng and Zhao Yun each commanded 500 cavalry, while Gao Shun commanded 500 infantrymen.
The remaining thousand cavalry were each commanded by Yang Shuo, the former Sima of Liaoxi Commandery, and Wang Yan, who each commanded five hundred cavalry.
These two men were originally military officers under Yan Gang, the Commandant of Liaoxi. Their martial arts skills were not outstanding, but they were experienced and familiar with battle formations.
The troops under the command of Cheng Pu, Han Dang, Tian Yu, and Xu Rong gradually expanded from the original 650 cavalry to nearly 1,000 cavalry, and were stationed in key passes of various counties in western Liaoning.
At this point, Liu Bei could directly mobilize 6,000 troops within Liaoxi Commandery.
This doesn't include Yan Gang's troops in Liaodong, nor does it include Zou Dan's troops in Shanggu.
In early July, an invitation was sent to Yangle City.
It has a bright red silk cover with gold thread trim, and when unfolded, it emits a faint fragrance.
Liu Bei read it from beginning to end, his eyebrows slightly raised.
Gongsun Zan's wedding!
Subsequently, Liu Bei learned that all the prominent figures in Liaoxi, such as Prefect Zhao Bao, Cheng Pu, and Han Dang, had received invitations.
The Gongsun family is a prominent clan in the Liaoxi Lingzhi branch. Although Gongsun Zan is not from the direct line, he has gained fame in recent years, so the Gongsun family naturally wants to make a big fuss about this marriage.
Liu Bei went to consult Zhao Bao.
Zhao Bao readily agreed after reading the invitation: "The Gongsun family is a prominent clan in western Liaoning, and Gongsun Bogui has repeatedly distinguished himself in battle in Youbeiping. It is only right and proper for me to attend his wedding."
Liu Bei then selected Cheng Pu, Han Dang, Zhao Yun, and Hou Cheng to accompany him, leading two hundred elite cavalry, to Lingzhi together with Zhao Bao.
In the height of summer in July, the crops along the official road were already waist-high, and the green waves rolled when the wind blew.
Liu Bei and Zhao Bao rode side by side, followed by four generals and two hundred elite cavalry.
Zhao Bao was from Ganling. Before taking up his post in Liaoxi, he had served as a court official in Luoyang for many years. He attended the banquet partly to give face to the Gongsun family, and partly to take the opportunity to learn about the background of the powerful families in Liaoxi.
During their casual conversation on the road, Zhao Bao mentioned Gongsun Zan.
Zhao Bao said, "I had heard of Gongsun Bogui when I was in Luoyang."
"When Liu Qi took office as the Prefect of Youbeiping, he was different from the usual officials who maintained the status quo. After taking office, he vigorously strengthened the border defenses and recruited brave warriors."
"For some reason, they took a liking to Gongsun Zan and transferred him from Liaoxi."
"In this year, Gongsun Zan trained the 'White Horse Cavalry' in Youbeiping, and they fought against the Xianbei in the north, winning one battle after another."
"I've heard that this righteous retinue originated from your forces, Xuande?"
Liu Bei nodded and smiled, "This is a long story. Brother Bo Gui is exceptionally brave and skilled in martial arts, and I would have liked to keep him, but alas, everyone has their own ambitions!"
Liu Bei joked again, "Haha, luckily we didn't keep him, otherwise we would have missed his opportunity!"
Zhao Bao smiled thoughtfully, then continued.
"Liu Qi appreciated him more and more, and not long ago he submitted a memorial to the court, promoting him from county magistrate to prefectural chief secretary, and sharing command of troops with the Right Beiping Commandant."
"Xuande probably doesn't know yet! This time, he's marrying the daughter of Liu Qi, the Prefect of Youbeiping!"
"Now, Gongsun Bogui is truly showing the potential of a roc spreading its wings!"
Liu Bei listened, secretly clicking his tongue in amazement.
He originally thought that his management of Liaoxi had snatched away Gongsun Zan's opportunity and would change Gongsun Zan's trajectory.
Unexpectedly, when this man arrived in Youbeiping, he was valued by the prefect and married the prefect's daughter, and still managed to make a name for himself.
Gongsun Zan's opportunities are truly undiminished!
Han Dang, who was standing behind him, listened carefully to their conversation and felt uneasy.
He was also from Lingzhi, and was from the same hometown as Gongsun Zan. They had served in the Liaoxi Border Army for the past two years, and their positions were similar.
Gongsun Zan is now the Chief Clerk of Youbeiping and has married the daughter of the Prefect, while Han Dang is just a minor county magistrate.
The difference is undeniably striking.
But as Han Dang was thinking, he suddenly smiled.
"A minor county magistrate, a minor county magistrate," he couldn't help but chuckle to himself. "When did a county magistrate become a minor official?"
This minor county magistrate position was something he could never have obtained even if he begged for it before.
If it weren't for Liu Bei's appreciation, first appointing him as a military marquis, then making him a vanguard to lead the expedition, then recommending him as a filial and incorruptible official, and finally appointing him as a county magistrate.
He's still drifting aimlessly in China, accomplishing nothing!
A true man's fame and fortune can be achieved on horseback.
He believed in his own sword, and even more so in Liu Bei.
Han Dang stopped smiling and straightened his back even more.