A glint flashed in Gongsun Zan's eyes as he said with a smile, "As long as our two sides can be reconciled, don't mention one request. Even if there were ten, I'd be willing to satisfy you, sir."
Lin Yu couldn't help but chuckle to himself: If I really did make ten requests, you'd probably turn on me in an instant. But he just gave a faint smile and said, "I've long heard that the White Horse Valiant Guards under Governor Gongsun are all elite troops, invincible in battle. I'm bold enough to ask the governor to give me one person as an attendant. I wonder if the governor would be willing to part with him?"
Everyone was taken aback. They had originally thought that Lin Yu would either ask Liu Bei and his two brothers to apologize or demand some property as compensation. They hadn't expected him to come up with such an unexpected request.
Gongsun Zan thought for a moment and then nodded with a smile, "It's a trifle, not worth mentioning! Sir, just go ahead and pick whoever you like. Just let me know once you've made your choice." He had three thousand White Horse Valiant Guards under his command, and it wouldn't matter much to give one of them to Lin Yu. As long as the grudges between the two sides could be settled, that would be the best.
"I think that Zhao Yun whom Governor Gongsun sent just now is quite good. Could Governor Gongsun give him to me?" Lin Yu said casually on purpose.
"No problem!" Gongsun Zan readily agreed and called for Zhao Yun to come in.
"Zilong, starting from today, you'll follow this sir and obey his orders."
Zhao Yun looked astonished but could only clasp his hands helplessly and say, "I'll obey your orders!"
On Liu Bei's side, he couldn't help but frown slightly. This military general named Zhao Yun, although not holding a high position, had an imposing manner and was clearly no ordinary person. If possible, he would also like to take Zhao Yun under his wing. Unfortunately, he could only watch helplessly for now.
"Then many thanks to Governor Gongsun!" Lin Yu forcibly suppressed the excitement in his heart. The issue with Liu Bei could be dealt with slowly in the future. But if he missed this opportunity today, it would be difficult to recruit Zhao Yun again.
Who was Zhao Yun? He was one of the Five Tiger Generals of the Three Kingdoms, loyal and brave, highly skilled in martial arts, full of courage, and proficient in strategy. He had fought on the battlefield all his life and had never been defeated in numerous battles, and was known as the Ever-Victorious General. Among all the military generals in the Three Kingdoms, Lin Yu admired Zhao Yun the most.
After successfully taking Zhao Yun and poaching Liu Bei's potential subordinate, Lin Yu was in a great mood. Coupled with Gongsun Zan's warm hospitality, the atmosphere of the banquet that followed was extremely harmonious. Everyone was drinking and chatting, as if the previous unpleasantness had never happened. After having enough to eat and drink, Cao Cao and Lin Yu got up to take their leave.
On the way back to their own camp, Lin Yu couldn't conceal his joy and had a big smile on his face.
Cao Cao took a look at Zhao Yun following behind them and asked curiously, "Just for taking in a young general, why are you so excited, sir?"
Lin Yu thought to himself, This is where your shortsightedness shows. Fortunately, I've already taken Zhao Yun. Otherwise, when he makes those seven in-and-outs at Changban Slope in the future, let's see what you'll say then. But he just gave a mysterious smile and said, "Lord Cao, what do you think of my second brother Dian Wei?"
Cao Cao had witnessed the fierce battle between Dian Wei and Guan Yu with his own eyes today. Hearing Lin Yu mention Dian Wei, he couldn't help but nod and praise, "Your sworn brother is extremely mighty. Even generals like Yuan Rang and Miao Cai are not as good as him. He can be regarded as a first-class hero of this era!"
"To be honest, the abilities of this Zhao Zilong are no less than those of my second brother." Lin Yu said with a proud smile.
Hearing this, Cao Cao opened his mouth in astonishment and turned his head in disbelief. This young man with a youthful complexion and a somewhat shy look was actually a fierce general on a par with Dian Wei?
Lin Yu noticed the doubt in Cao Cao's eyes and just chuckled, "Lord Cao, let's just wait and see in the future!"
Before long, they returned to the Cao Army's camp. Lin Yu greeted Cao Cao and then took Zhao Yun back to his own tent.
"Brother, you're back." Dian Wei, who was inside the tent, heard the commotion and greeted Lin Yu with a smile. His eyes fell on Zhao Yun and he asked, "Who is this?"
"This is my sworn brother Dian Wei, and this is Zhao Yun, Brother Zilong!" Lin Yu introduced.
After everyone was seated, Lin Yu looked at Zhao Yun and gave a faint smile, "Brother Zilong, I can tell that you're a bit reluctant about following me."
Zhao Yun hesitated for a moment. Although he didn't say anything, he still nodded. In these chaotic times, Zhao Yun, with great ambitions, had gone to seek refuge with Gongsun Zan, hoping to quell the flames of war and achieve something great. However, he hadn't been reappointmentsd by Gongsun Zan and was instead assigned to the unknown Lin Yu. Naturally, he was extremely disappointed in his heart.
"Brother Zilong, actually, what happened today is Gongsun Zan's misfortune but your great fortune!" Lin Yu said in a mysterious and profound manner.
Hearing this, Zhao Yun's curiosity was aroused and he couldn't help but ask, "Sir, why do you say that?"
"It's simple. Gongsun Zan is as blind as a bat and didn't reuse a talent like you, Brother Zilong. If you continue to serve under him, it'll just be a waste of time." Lin Yu paused and then said sincerely, "I'm different from Gongsun Zan. I can tell at a glance that you, Brother Zilong, are a capable person! As long as you're willing to sincerely follow me, we can work together to create a great cause!"
It had to be said that Lin Yu's words were quite inspiring. After hearing them, Zhao Yun felt his blood boiling in his chest. Since going to seek refuge with Gongsun Zan, he had been frustrated and unfulfilled. He hadn't expected that Lin Yu would value him so highly. He was almost on the verge of crying with excitement.
He took a deep breath to suppress the excitement in his heart and clasped his hands solemnly, "Thanks to your kindness, sir. Zhao Yun is willing to follow you from now on, through thick and thin!"
Zhao Yun was a loyal person. Because of the kindness and recognition Liu Bei had shown him, he had followed Liu Bei all the way, no matter how bumpy and dangerous the road ahead was. Now that Zhao Yun had said these words, he was completely loyal to Lin Yu.
A huge stone in Lin Yu's heart finally fell to the ground. With Dian Wei and Zhao Yun to protect him, wouldn't he be able to strut around in these troubled times? Thinking of this, Lin Yu's smile became even brighter.
He held Zhao Yun's hand affectionately and said with a smile, "Brother Zilong, don't be polite. If you don't mind, let's become sworn brothers starting from today, okay?"
"Everything is up to you, sir!" Zhao Yun didn't hesitate at all and nodded vigorously.
Dian Wei scratched his head, looking confused. What was going on? How did he get another sworn brother in the blink of an eye?
Among the three of them, Lin Yu's position as the eldest brother was unshakable, and since Zhao Yun was the youngest, he was naturally the third brother!
"Brother! Second Brother!" Zhao Yun saluted Lin Yu and Dian Wei solemnly.
"Third Brother!" Dian Wei hurriedly returned the salute.
Looking at the valiant Dian Wei and Zhao Yun, Lin Yu laughed smugly. That big-eared rascal Liu Bei had Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as his sworn brothers, but his own two sworn brothers were no worse than Guan Yu and Zhang Fei!