Yuan Shao and Cao Cao had been close friends since childhood, with a deep bond. They once stole someone else's bride together, and from then on, Cao Cao developed a penchant for other men's wives.
As soon as Cao Cao finished speaking, Yuan Shao coldly looked at Liu Bei and his two brothers and ordered, "You three are extremely bold! Men, arrest them!" Immediately, the soldiers surrounded Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
"Who dares to touch my elder brother!" Guan Yu and Zhang Fei roared, drawing their weapons, and the atmosphere became tense.
Lin Yu sneered in his heart, thinking that Liu Bei had offended him and deserved this comeuppance.
"Lord Alliance, hold on!" A valiant and heroic general in military attire stepped forward. Yuan Shao frowned and asked, "What does Governor Gongsun want?" This person was none other than Gongsun Zan, the White Horse General who was renowned for his exploits on the frontier.
Gongsun Zan quickly explained, "Lord Alliance, this is Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, my fellow disciple, and the other two are his sworn brothers."
Yuan Shao was hesitant. On one side was Cao Cao's subordinate, and on the other side was Gongsun Zan's fellow disciple. He found it difficult to make a decision for a moment.
Seeing this, Gongsun Zan hurriedly apologized to Cao Cao with a smile, "Brother Mengde, surely this is a misunderstanding. Could you do me a favor? I will host a banquet to apologize to you, Lord Cao, and Mr. Lin."
Cao Cao hadn't expected that Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan had such a close relationship. If he were to stand up for Lin Yu, he would surely fall out with Gongsun Zan. The allied forces hadn't yet confronted Dong Zhuo, and it was not advisable to have internal unrest.
"What do you think, sir?" Cao Cao asked Lin Yu in a low voice.
Lin Yu thought that since Gongsun Zan had pleaded for mercy, it was impossible to deal with Liu Bei and his brothers anymore. It would be better to go with the flow and look for another opportunity later. So he said, "Since Governor Gongsun has stepped in, how could I not show him respect?" After saying that, he left with Dian Wei.
Cao Cao gestured to Yuan Shao and quickly followed Lin Yu. The other feudal lords also dispersed one after another, and the turmoil was thus quelled.
"Sir!" Cao Cao caught up with Lin Yu and asked with a smile, "What grudge do you have against Liu Bei that makes you so angry?"
Lin Yu angrily recounted his experience of going to seek refuge with Liu Bei: "Lord Cao, Liu Bei is a hypocrite! I was wholeheartedly loyal to him, but he treated me like this!"
After hearing this, Cao Cao understood Lin Yu's anger. He thought that talented people like Lin Yu were usually proud and arrogant. He had been enthusiastic about Liu Bei, but in return, he got beaten up by Zhang Fei and was treated unfairly by Liu Bei. No wonder he was so angry and lost his composure. He himself couldn't be like Liu Bei and hurt Lin Yu.
So Cao Cao comforted Lin Yu, "Sir, don't worry. This matter won't be left unsettled. I will ask Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei to give an explanation." After hearing this, Lin Yu felt a bit better and secretly marveled at Cao Cao's magnanimity, which was far beyond that of Liu Bei.
Back in the camp, soon someone reported that Gongsun Zan had sent someone to see Cao Cao.
"Let him in." Cao Cao agreed.
Very soon, a tall and mighty young man entered the camp, saluted Cao Cao, and said in a deep voice, "Lord Cao, my governor has ordered me to invite you and Mr. Lin to a banquet."
"Are you willing to go, sir? If you don't want to, I won't go either." Cao Cao asked Lin Yu.
Lin Yu didn't answer. Instead, he looked at the young man sent by Gongsun Zan. Seeing his extraordinary bearing, he asked tentatively, "May I ask your name, sir?"
"You're being too polite, sir." The young man replied respectfully, "I am Zhao Yun, styled Zilong, a member of the White Horse Valiant Guards under Governor Gongsun."
Lin Yu was shocked and exclaimed in his heart: It's actually the famous general Zhao Yun! According to history, Zhao Yun should be in Hebei at this time and hadn't yet joined Gongsun Zan. How could he be here? Could it be that his appearance had changed history?
Seeing Lin Yu in a daze, Cao Cao asked, "Is there anything wrong, sir?"
"No, nothing!" Lin Yu came to his senses.
"Then shall we go to the banquet?" Cao Cao asked again.
"Yes, of course!" Lin Yu immediately agreed, thinking that he must somehow recruit Zhao Yun. The banquet hosted by Gongsun Zan was an excellent opportunity.
In Gongsun Zan's Camp
"Xuande, Cao Mengde thinks very highly of Lin Yu. They will be arriving soon. You need to apologize to him to resolve this matter." Gongsun Zan reminded.
"Brother, I understand." Liu Bei nodded.
"That scoundrel Lin Yu! I should have speared him to death back then!" Zhang Fei said angrily.
"Third brother, shut up!" Liu Bei reprimanded. "When you see Lord Cao and Lin Yu, don't be rude, or else you'll go back!"
Although Zhang Fei was dissatisfied, he didn't dare to disobey Liu Bei and could only sulk.
Liu Bei sighed. In his heart, he thought that Lin Yu was a talent, but he didn't get along with Zhang Fei. In the end, he chose his sworn brothers. He hadn't expected that Lin Yu would be highly regarded by Cao Cao and there was also a brave man by his side. If he had known this earlier, he should have tried his best to retain Lin Yu.
Gongsun Zan prepared the wine banquet, and soon Cao Cao arrived with Lin Yu.
After both sides were seated, Gongsun Zan said with a smile, "Brother Mengde, my fellow disciple Liu Xuande and your subordinate Lin Yu had some misunderstandings before."
"But as the saying goes, it's better to resolve enmities than to hold grudges."
"Today I'll be the peacemaker, hoping that our two sides can bury the hatchet." Saying that, he raised his glass.
Cao Cao remained unmoved and said, "Bugui, I don't care much, but it depends on what Mr. Lin thinks."
Gongsun Zan turned to Lin Yu and asked, "What do you think, sir?"
"Zhang Fei has humiliated me several times. I'm sworn enemies with him! But since Governor Gongsun has pleaded for me, I can't not show him respect either."
Lin Yu's expression softened and he said, "To resolve this matter, it's also simple. I have only one request, and I hope Governor Gongsun can grant it."