Speaking of the shortage of talents, we have to mention Changshan Zhao Zilong. Historically, he originally defected to Gongsun Zan first, and had nothing to do with the big-eared thief Liu Bei.
The big-eared thief Liu Bei couldn't bear it, licking his face and flirting with Zhao Yun every day, but this is also because Gongsun Zan in history couldn't recognize people, so he left the fierce general Zhao Yun unused, and finally took advantage of Liu Bei.
But now that we know the direction of history, Gongsun Zan will never let go of Zhao Yun, a strong general who can rival Guan and Zhang. Don't blame me, Gongsun Zan, for not leaving some soup for Liu Bei.
Jie Jie Jie!
"I've been feeling cold and unwell these past few days. We met so late. I hope Brother Xuande will forgive me!" Gongsun Zan pretended to be coughing.
"What did you say? My brother is ill. I wish I couldn't come to visit him earlier. I just hope that I can take care of myself." Liu Bei said with shame.
"My brother's army is here. Is it possible that he is responding to Dong Xiwen and heading to the alliance?"
"I will tell you the truth, dear brother. This time I led the Youzhou disciples to join the alliance to fight against Dong. I deeply hate Dong Zhuo for bringing trouble to the imperial court, and everyone with knowledge in the world will kill him. My dear brother, are you willing to join me? Go and kill the Dong thief together!"
Gongsun Zan thought that even if he didn't say anything, the big-eared thief would definitely ask to join him, so why not take the initiative to invite him and sell the big-eared thief a favor.
Secondly, Gongsun Zan was worried that he had no strong generals who could take action. The addition of Liu, Guan, and Zhang was also a boost, and was the first step to realize the alliance of princes and become famous all over the world.
"I'm willing to go with my brother!" Liu Bei couldn't wait to reply.
...
On the way back to the tent, Zhang Fei said happily.
"Brother, Gongsun Zan has really good eyesight. He can tell at a glance that my second brother and I are extraordinary people!"
Guan Yu stroked his long beard with his hands and said nothing.
Liu Bei held Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's hands tightly with both hands.
"Brother Gongsun treated me very well when I was a classmate in the past. This time I invite three of us brothers to attack Dong Zhuo together. The second and third brothers must do our best."
Liu Bei thought back on the past twenty years. He had not accomplished anything yet and the years were wasted. He felt a fire in his heart ready to burst out. This meeting of the princes is a good opportunity for my three brothers to become famous in the world.
...
After Liu Bei and others left, Gongsun Zan thought that Liu Bei was not of the same mind as him after all, but just wanted to take this opportunity to participate in the alliance of princes. He had to rely on himself to become famous in the world. After thinking for a while, he decided to poach Zhao Yun first.
Then he called Gongsun Fan to discuss the matter.
"Lord, what are you calling me for?" Gongsun Fan asked.
"Zhong Jing, don't be so reserved, sit down!"
"Promise" Gongsun Fan should arrive.
Gongsun Zan and the other two sat down, and then slowly spoke.
"This summons is about important matters. You are my confidant and act responsibly. This matter can only be handled by you. It is difficult for others to take on this important responsibility!"
"Let my lord run away!" Gongsun Fan solemnly said.
"Gongsun Fan listens to the order, you immediately select fifty elite cavalry from the camp... go there quickly, without any mistakes!" Gongsun Zan whispered.
"I will obey your orders!" Gongsun Fan responded.
"Go!"
Gongsun Zan looked at Gongsun Fan's leaving figure and hoped that the trip would be a success.
In the following days, Gongsun Zan led the army and continued to march towards Jujube.
On the way to the march, Gongsun Zan wore armor every morning and honed his martial arts skills with a sixty-pound double-headed iron spear.
In troubled times, having martial arts at your side will give you a better chance of survival. Fortunately, Gongsun Zan was a veteran in his previous life, and his will and body were first-class, so it didn't take long for him to become familiar with Gongsun Zan's body.
Even if he is wearing heavy armor, he can still use the double-headed iron spear to make a powerful force, which is very domineering.
Gongsun Zan also often consulted with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to learn martial arts and improve his spear skills through actual combat.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are worthy of being the enemy of ten thousand people. Although Gongsun Zan is not inferior to them in terms of strength, his martial arts skills are still far behind. So far, he can only achieve 50 points in the hands of the two in single combat.
After each sparring session, Gongsun Zan would take the two of them to drink and chat, intentionally or unintentionally, but he could barely sleep like Liu Bei did.
Liu Bei initially thought that it was nothing for Gongsun Zan to ask his second and third brothers to compete in martial arts. It was just a normal competition between martial arts practitioners.
In the evening, when he was sleeping at the same table as Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, the two men inadvertently revealed their admiration for Gongsun Zan, which made Liu Bei feel in danger.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are Liu Bei's right-hand men who will conquer the world in the future. At this moment, they admire Gongsun Zan very much. They don't know whether it is right or wrong to defect to Gongsun Zan in order to participate in the alliance of princes. But at present, they are dependent on others and can only take one step at a time.
...
"Shurui, where are my troops?" Gongsun Zan asked Gongsun Yue on horseback.
"Reporting to my lord, we have now arrived at Dong'a County, East County, Yanzhou!"
Dongjun is a good place. Dongjun is located in today's northeastern Henan and western Shandong. The now famous Dong'e donkey-hide gelatin is produced here.
It turns out that in history, after the princes failed to challenge Dong, Cao Cao served as the governor of Dongjun, where he discovered many celebrities who would fight with him in the world.
Cheng Yu, one of the elders of Cao Wei, was a famous scholar in Dongjun before he became an official. Chen Gong, the counselor who abandoned Cao Cao for justice, should also have just returned to Dongwuyang County, his hometown in Dongjun.
Gongsun Zan was already planning how to capture these two great advisers and immediately gave the order.
"Shurui, it's getting late, so I'm going to tell the whole army to set up camp outside Dong'a County, bury pots and make rice, and don't disturb the people!"
"No" Gongsun Yue replied with his hand.
After a while, Gongsun Yue came back, looking like he was hesitant to speak and his face turned red.
Gongsun Zan couldn't help but ask after seeing it.
"Shrui, it's okay to tell me what you have to say."
"Lord, I shouldn't have asked, but I really can't bear it anymore. Zhong Jing disappeared along the way. Where did he go?" Gongsun Yue asked impatiently.
"Zhong Jing has his own arrangements with me, Shu Rui doesn't have to worry!"
"But..." Gongsun Yue wanted to ask more, but was stopped by Gongsun Zan's look.
"Shrui, put on your casual clothes immediately and follow me into the city." Gongsun Zan immediately ordered.
"Lord, why are we going to the city?" Gongsun Yue looked at Gongsun Zan in confusion.
"Go find someone..."
