Chapter 460: The Witness
There's a saying: speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives.
Although Cao Cao himself didn't appear, seeing Zhao Yun—who lived in the same era as Cao Cao—suddenly show up before him still stunned Qi Han.
He had just been thinking about the famous historical figure associated with Changshan, and in the very next moment, Zhao Zilong appeared before his eyes. The coincidence was almost absurd.
When it came to Zhao Yun, Qi Han's first impression was—
He has so many skins.
Of course, in actual history, this white-robed young general had accomplished no shortage of astonishing feats. After initially joining Gongsun Zan, his very first battle saw him fight the famed general Wen Chou to a standstill—truly a case of "peaking at debut." Later, in the Battle of Changban, he charged into enemy lines seven times in and out, rescuing Liu Bei's wife Lady Gan and saving Liu Bei's young son Liu Shan from encirclement, becoming famous in a single battle.
One could say that without him, there would have been no later "Battle Emperor" Liu Shan.
So when this legendary historical general appeared in the Food Realm, Qi Han was instantly fired up. Through Song Que's eyes, he carefully observed him.
At this time, Zhao Yun was still a sturdy, tiger-headed boy. When he smiled, there was a hint of slyness. He looked just over ten years old—quite adorable, with none of the bearing of a future great general. But one thing was certain—he could fight.
The few youths just now were all in their teens, clearly older than Zhao Yun, yet under his wooden staff they had fled wailing.
Seeing Song Que silent for so long, Zhao Yun assumed he was being looked down upon. He snorted lightly and immediately began shouting "Hah! Ha!" while performing a set of staff techniques in the open space. After finishing, he cast a proud glance at the dumbstruck Song Que.
"Impressive, right? I secretly learned this staff technique from the army. I can use a spear too. With a spearhead, one thrust makes a hole—it's even more powerful than the staff."
"Too bad I don't have a spear." Zhao Yun glanced at the blunt end of his staff and sighed. "A spearhead needs good iron to forge. I can't afford that. Once I get a real spear, I won't be afraid of anyone in this village!"
"So? Stick with me, you won't lose out!"
Seemingly very enthusiastic about recruiting followers, Zhao Yun leaned against a nearby mud wall with his staff after finishing his routine, striking the pose of a reclusive master. Who knew where he learned to act so smug?
Qi Han couldn't help but laugh inwardly. Song Que, who wasn't much older himself, had been completely awed by Zhao Yun's display. After staring blankly for a moment, he nodded vigorously.
"Okay!"
From that day on, despite being two years older than Zhao Yun, Song Que became Zhao Yun's loyal little follower.
Because of childhood malnutrition, Song Que was smaller than other children his age. Walking beside the sturdy Zhao Yun only made Zhao Yun appear older.
With Zhao Yun around, Song Que was never bullied again. After learning some basic fighting skills from him, his courage gradually grew, and the timidness of his earlier years faded away.
In the blink of an eye, ten years passed.
During those ten years, Zhao Yun continued recruiting more followers. Song Que, the earliest to follow him, naturally became the leader among the group.
After joining Zhao Yun in suppressing bandits in the surrounding areas several times, they gradually gained some reputation in nearby villages, becoming a militia force not to be underestimated.
In their spare time, everyone trained in martial arts under Zhao Yun. At other times, they tended to their respective family livelihoods.
After all, ten years had passed. They were no longer children. Though it was an era of chaos and they relied on one another for protection, they still had families to support.
Song Que chose to follow in his father's footsteps. Besides training in martial arts, he learned cooking from his father, who worked as a chef. Though his father's status was humble, his Xiang cuisine was exceptionally outstanding. It was precisely this skill that allowed him, as an outsider, to secure a firm position in his employer's household. Learning at his father's side, Song Que inherited the true essence of Xiang cuisine.
Whenever the militia gathered, Song Que would often personally cook various delicious dishes. Watching everyone eat with mouths glistening with oil and faces full of satisfaction—while gasping "Sss—ha! Sss—ha!" from the spiciness unique to Xiang cuisine—he would reveal a mischievous, triumphant smile.
Zhao Yun was particularly fond of Song Que's cooking. He often joked that if he ever became a general one day, the position of army cook would surely belong to Song Que.
Year after year, under Zhao Yun's leadership, this band of militia grew increasingly formidable.
On this particular day, after the militia assembled, Zhao Yun did not lead everyone in martial training as usual. Instead, he called them all forward.
In the ten years that had passed, the once tiger-headed boy had grown into a young man in his early twenties. Over the decade, his height had reached eight chi; his features were sharp and handsome, his build strong and imposing. Having studied many military texts, the naturally intelligent Zhao Yun had already grown into a capable young commander, both brave and resourceful.
Looking over his brothers-in-arms, Zhao Yun's gaze gradually fell upon Song Que, and he smiled faintly.
"In these chaotic times, the people suffer in poverty and misery. We've trained our whole lives in martial arts, yet can only occasionally deal with a few bandits in the village. That seems a bit of a waste."
"Zilong, you mean…" Song Que pondered for a moment and looked at Zhao Yun seriously.
Zilong was the courtesy name Zhao Yun adopted after turning twenty last year.
Song Que, being two years older than Zhao Yun, naturally had a courtesy name as well—Anzhi.
"Anzhi, a true man's ambition lies in all corners of the world. We should accomplish great deeds." Zhao Yun spoke loudly, his words firm and resonant. "I wish to join one of the great lords, to cleanse this chaotic age and allow the people to live good lives again. So today, I ask you—who among you is willing to go with me?"
"I am!" Without the slightest hesitation, Song Que stepped forward.
Among the militia, there were not a few who, like Song Que, stepped out without hesitation.
In the end, a full ninety percent of the militia were willing to follow Zhao Yun. Only about ten percent left after some deliberation.
Looking at those who remained, Zhao Yun's smile grew even brighter. The result was even better than he had expected.
After the militia members who chose not to go departed, Song Que frowned slightly and spoke.
"Zilong, who shall we pledge ourselves to? Currently, the Governor of Jizhou is Yuan Shao. In Jizhou, his power is the greatest. How about we join him?"
"No." Zhao Yun shook his head, brows furrowed. "Though the Yuan clan holds Jizhou, he has never governed with benevolence. Since becoming Governor, he has not taken a single measure truly beneficial to the common people. We are men born of humble origins, how could we forget where our roots lie? I am unwilling to serve such a man."
"Then…"
"A few days ago, through a fellow townsman's introduction, I met a far more virtuous general. General Gongsun—have you heard of him?"
"Of course." Song Que paused in surprise, then nodded. "Who doesn't know General Gongsun Zan? I hadn't thought of him, but as you say, he is indeed a better choice than Yuan Shao."
"What do the rest of you think?" After aligning opinions with Song Que, Zhao Yun turned to the others.
Song Que and Zhao Yun had always been the more strategic among them. Most of the others were brave but not particularly thoughtful, so they had little objection. Wherever Zhao Yun went, they would follow.
Soon, they reached a unanimous decision. That very day, they would set out to join Gongsun Zan's army.
Through Song Que's eyes, Qi Han watched deeply as the young commander rode his horse across the muddy ground.
He knew that Zhao Yun's legendary life was about to begin.
And Song Que—the creator of Zilong Sheds His Armor—would be its witness.
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