EBE Chapter 16 Gongsun Zan relinquishes the right to use Zhao Yun? Cao Cao's No. 1 Fierce General
Chapter 16 Gongsun Zan relinquishes the right to use Zhao Yun? Cao Cao's No. 1 Fierce General
That afternoon
Cao Cao's Camp
At the age of eighteen, Zhao Yun, with a youthful face, respectfully bowed to Cao Cao and Su Yu.
"My name is Zhao Yun. I greet General Cao and Mr. Su."
Cao Cao quickly stepped forward to help him up and comforted him:
"Zilong, please don't be so polite."
"To be honest, the reason I invited you here today is not for the purpose of training soldiers."
Cao Cao's straightforward approach left Zhao Yun completely bewildered.
Seeing this, Su Yu laughed:
"Zilong, don't be suspicious."
"I have summoned you here not for the purpose of training soldiers, but for something more important that I would like to discuss with you."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun's doubts deepened.
However, his long-cultivated good manners still prompted him to cup his hands in a respectful gesture and say:
"I wonder what General Cao and Mr. Su are referring to...?"
Cao Cao and Su Yu exchanged a smile, and Su Yu spoke:
"I'm sure Zilong is also aware of the situation under General Gongsun's command."
Upon hearing this, a deep sense of helplessness flashed in Zhao Yun's eyes.
Yes, Zhao Yun somewhat regretted joining Gongsun Zan's forces.
The reason he led over a hundred volunteers from Zhen Ding County to join Gongsun Zan instead of Yuan Shao was primarily because of Gongsun Zan's reputation as the White Horse General.
What is the White Horse General?
Gongsun Zan earned his illustrious reputation through his victories against the Wuhuan!
At this moment, Zhao Yun was far from the peerless general who charged in and out of Changban Slope seven times in later generations.
As a young man, he, like many other young people, harbored the desire to make a name for himself and to fight on the battlefield!
But reality dealt Zhao Yun a heavy blow.
Although Gongsun Zan was a strong warrior, he was not kind to the people under his rule.
Youzhou was bitterly cold, but precisely because of this, Gongsun Zan not only did not reduce the taxes under his rule, but instead increased them considerably.
What is this concept?
It's like a vicious cycle!
The people of Youzhou, whose grain production was already meager, suffered even more after Gongsun Zan's actions.
Zhao Yun led the militia from Zhen Ding County, Changshan, to join Gongsun Zan last winter.
It was last winter that Zhao Yun witnessed the many people in Youzhou who had frozen to death.
But what was Gongsun Zan doing?
He is campaigning against the Wuhuan!
Gongsun Zan completely disregarded the lives and deaths of the common people.
It's not that Gongsun Zan didn't value this at all.
In Gongsun Zan's eyes, the importance of conquering the Wuhuan far outweighed the lives of the people under his rule.
This is another important reason why Gongsun Zan was later defeated by Yuan Shao.
Disregarding people's livelihoods and their lives may not result in immediate repercussions.
But given enough time, various forms of resistance will gradually emerge.
In the end, he became all alone!
What kind of person was Zhao Yun?
He was a disciple of the legendary gun master Tong Yuan, and was Tong Yuan's last disciple.
Zhao Yun was influenced by his master Tong Yuan from a young age to love and care for the people.
If you see injustice on the road, you should also draw your sword to help.
For Zhao Yun, Gongsun Zan's behavior was undoubtedly different from his beliefs.
He could accept serving under Gongsun Zan, but he would not regard Gongsun Zan as a wise ruler.
This is precisely why Zhao Yun originally followed Liu Bei in history.
Regardless of whether Liu Bei was hypocritical or benevolent, his actions were enough to make Zhao Yun follow him.
In Zhao Yun's eyes, whether his lord was rich or poor was not important.
The important thing is to always keep the people in mind.
Ironically, most of the warlords at the end of the Han Dynasty regarded the people as tools, as a kind of NPC called "productivity".
Amidst the various warlords vying for supremacy, Liu Bei's image of benevolence and righteousness, whether genuine or not, has certainly been established.
Therefore, Liu Bei gained Zhao Yun's loyalty.
And this pursuit lasted a lifetime.
Unfortunately, now that Su Yu is involved, Liu Bei has no chance to get Zhao Yun!
Looking at Zhao Yun's slightly immature face, Su Yu couldn't help but chuckle to himself:
"Sorry, Liu Da'er, I, Su Ziyi, will take Zhao Zilong from you!"
……
Liu Bei's camp not far away
Liu Bei suddenly sneezed.
"Ah!"
"Who on earth is cursing this general?"
Liu Bei was filled with doubt.
……
Cao Cao's Camp
Su Yu held Zhao Yun's hand and said:
"Zilong, General Gongsun is skilled in battle, but he does not pay attention to the people's livelihood."
"The people living in Youzhou are truly suffering immensely!"
Upon hearing this, the still young Zhao Yun couldn't help but nod.
His cunning is not deep at this moment.
Zhao Yun wholeheartedly agreed with what Su Yu said.
Little did he know that his nod only strengthened Su Yu's confidence in winning him over.
Su Yu stood with his hands behind his back and said slowly:
"Zilong, my lord wishes to invite you to fight for the people of the world!"
"Only when the world is unified can the people live a prosperous life."
"Every household can have enough food to eat, enough clothes to wear, and a place to live."
"This……"
Zhao Yun instantly fell into deep thought.
Gongsun Zan did not hear these words.
Given Gongsun Zan's personality, he wouldn't say that.
Ultimately, it's because of differing philosophies.
Gongsun Zan was definitely a good general.
But if he were to become the ruler, the people under his rule would suffer greatly.
however……
Regardless of what Gongsun Zan was like, he was now Zhao Yun's lord.
For Zhao Yun, loyalty to the emperor was an inherent virtue.
After thinking for about half a minute, Zhao Yun shook his head and said:
"I thank you for your kindness, sir."
"But Zilong is already under General Gongsun's command, so how can he betray General Gongsun and serve another master?"
Upon hearing this, a sly smile flashed across Su Yu's lips.
He knew Zhao Yun would say that.
But saying that would be falling into Su Yu's trap!
In other words.
It's just that Zhao Yun himself was unwilling to betray Gongsun Zan.
But what if... Gongsun Zan decides not to want him anymore?
"Zilong, please calm down."
"If General Gongsun were to personally order you to follow my lord, would you be willing to do so?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yun cupped his hands and said:
"If General Gongsun gives the order, I will certainly carry it out."
"it is good!"
"In that case, please wait for me for one more night, Zilong."
Su Yu smiled.
He then gave the time to Zhao Yun and Cao Cao.
For Cao Cao, acquiring a fierce general was far more valuable than acquiring a beautiful woman.
He wished he could drag Zhao Yun to sleep with him.
……
next morning
Su Yu left Cao Cao's camp and headed to Gongsun Zan's camp.
Before long, Yan Gang arrived at Cao Cao's camp with Gongsun Zan's orders.
He brought with him Gongsun Zan's instructions, ordering Zhao Yun to serve Cao Cao from this day forward.
why?
Very simple.
If Su Yu had directly asked for Zhao Yun yesterday, Gongsun Zan would have become suspicious and might have discovered that Zhao Yun was a rare talent!
But after Zhao Yun arrived at Cao Cao's camp, and Su Yu went to Gongsun Zan to ask for Zhao Yun again, the situation became completely different.
To Gongsun Zan, Zhao Yun was just an ordinary centurion, not even a trusted confidant.
One more or one less makes no difference; it's just a good opportunity to give Cao Cao face.
Of course, all of this is based on the premise that Gongsun Zan did not know that Zhao Yun was an unparalleled warrior!
……