“Uncle!” Liu Qi shouted excitedly from his horse as he saw Liu Bei fall from his horse.
Cai Mao, witnessing the struggling horse in the river, had intended to send men along the river to pursue further, but upon seeing Liu Qi, he ordered the troops to stand down.
As everyone rode up close, Liu Qi stopped and asked, “General Cai, where is my uncle?”
Huang Zhong urgently replied, “Young Master, I think Lord Liu seems to be still on the horse.”
Liu Qi sternly demanded, “Why did you force my uncle to jump into the river?”
“Hmph, my actions are none of your concern!” Cai Mao coldly snorted, signaling his men to leave swiftly.
Liu Qi had initially wanted to stall for more time, but Cai Mao was in a hurry to return to the city. Without further words, he had no choice but to follow to the riverbank.
“Alas, there are no boats nearby. What should we do?” Liu Qi fretted, stamping his foot in distress.
Huang Zhong suggested, “For now, we can only send soldiers into the river to rescue him.”
Liu Qi turned back and asked, “Do we have anyone who can swim?”
As soon as the words fell, seven or eight people stripped off their clothes and leaped into the river, swimming with all their might.
Liu Qi was taken aback—was his acting really that good? Even his personal guards were anxious.
At this moment, Zhao Yun also arrived at the riverside, seeing Liu Qi directing soldiers to enter the water. His expression changed drastically upon hearing that Cai Mao had ordered arrows to be shot, forcing his lord to jump into the river. With a glare of anger at Cai Mao, Zhao Yun hurried to the rescue without a word.
Meeting Liu Qi, filled with righteous indignation, he said, “General Zhao, just now Cai Mao ordered arrows to be shot, forcing my uncle to jump into the river.”
“The treacherous scoundrel!” Zhao Yun’s brows furrowed, considering going after Cai Mao, but he was worried about Liu Bei’s safety.
There was no sign of Liu Bei. Zhao Yun was filled with regret, wishing he could jump into the river himself. “The lord and I both come from the north and are not skilled swimmers. What should we do?”
“General, stay calm. Those men will surely bring your uncle back,” Zhao Yun reassured.
While Liu Qi outwardly comforted, inwardly he felt a sense of joy. If Liu Bei had indeed been swept away by the river, it would mean certain death.
Soon, the guards returned carrying a person.
This guy just won’t die, huh? He can still be found in this state. How tough must Liu Bei be to survive this!
Several people worked together to rescue Liu Bei onto the shore. He was unconscious, with a rein tied around his waist that the soldiers couldn’t untie. Zhao Yun drew his sword and cut the reins.
“Lord, wake up…” Zhao Yun knelt in the muddy sand, calling out loudly.
Liu Bei’s face was pale, his belly swollen, and dark purple blood oozed from the corner of his mouth, his condition unknown.
“Oh no, the Lord has been hit by a poisoned arrow!” Huang Zhong exclaimed upon seeing the half-broken arrow in Liu Bei’s ribs.
“Quick, we need to find a way to save him!” Liu Qi anxiously urged from the side.
However, secretly, he admired Cai Mao’s cunning move. If Liu Bei didn’t escape and got hit by a poisoned arrow, would he still survive?
Based on his knowledge, artificial respiration should be administered at this point.
But this was the outcome he desired, more concerned with the failure of the plan than saving the person.
Several experienced soldiers pressed on his abdomen to expel the water, massaged his chest, and tried various methods in a flurry of activity.
After a moment, Liu Bei suddenly spewed out a mouthful of black blood and slowly regained consciousness.
“Lord… bear with it for now!” Zhao Yun hurriedly grabbed his hand. “I will take you back to the city for treatment!”
“Uncle?” Liu Qi exclaimed in shock, moving forward to grab Liu Bei’s other hand and checking his pulse.
Even after drowning and being poisoned, this person truly lives up to his reputation.
Could he really be the son of destiny, always able to survive great dangers?
Liu Bei’s breath was weak, black blood trickling from his mouth like oil. “Nephew, my time is short.”
Zhao Yun, in great distress, quickly used his sleeve to wipe Liu Bei’s face. The eight-foot tall man, a man of steel, wept silently.
Liu Qi felt Liu Bei’s pulse fluctuating, sometimes strong, sometimes weak, his own heart in turmoil.
“Uncle, hold on for a moment. I will immediately send someone to fetch a physician. Jingzhou cannot be without you!”
Although he secretly wished for Liu Bei to die quickly, in this act, he had to play it all out. He promptly ordered Huang Zhong to send people back to the city to summon all the physicians.
After a bout of coughing, Liu Bei’s breathing became slightly more regular. He sighed lightly, “Since I rose with arms from Zhuo County, I have been determined to restore the Han dynasty. However, my path has been fraught with obstacles, with no safe haven to shelter in. Fortunately, Brother took me in, but unexpectedly… I fell victim to treachery.
Zhao Yun clenched his fist and growled softly, “Lord, rest assured, I will surely slay Cai Mao to avenge this grievance.”
I have misled you all, disappointed my brothers, and am ashamed…”
In a mournful voice, Zhao Yun said, “Lord, there is no need for many words. I wish to accompany you.”
“Absolutely not!” Liu Bei grasped Zhao Yun’s hand tightly, urgently stating, “It is my fate. I am already in debt to you all, how could I further burden everyone because of myself?”
Tears streaming down his face, Zhao Yun said, “If I cannot protect you fully, how can I face your two elder brothers?”
Liu Bei pulled Liu Qi’s hand over, gasping for breath a few times before saying, “Nephew, my time is short. At the end, I have three things to entrust to you, I hope you will not refuse.”
Seeing Liu Bei’s resilience akin to a cockroach, Liu Qi cursed Cai Mao as useless, wondering why he didn’t go all out with a lethal blow since he used poisoned arrows.
Suddenly hearing Liu Bei’s call, Liu Qi gathered his focus, firmly gripping Liu Bei’s hand, “Uncle, command as you wish, and I will do my utmost.”
Liu Bei continued, “As members of the Han family, it is our duty to support the court. However, due to my limited wisdom and lack of foundation, I have drifted aimlessly. I had intended to join Brother Jing Sheng in defeating the traitors and supporting the Han dynasty, but was unfortunately betrayed by villains. Now, facing imminent death, I feel ashamed towards my comrades and must entrust them with important matters.”
Even at death’s door, Liu Bei did not forget his ties and obligations. Liu Qi wished he could squeeze Liu Bei’s pulse to end it sooner.
Feeling impatient in his heart but displaying a sorrowful expression on his face, shedding tears, Liu Bei said, “Uncle, why do you need to be like this? You will definitely encounter a kind-hearted person, and I will find the best physician to treat you. I still need your strong support for matters in Jingzhou.”
Liu Bei shook his head slightly and sighed, “Now, as we part ways unexpectedly, with no place for my two brothers and Zhao Yun to go, I hope that the young master will treat them well.”
What?
Upon hearing this, Liu Qi couldn’t contain his joy.
According to his initial plan, he was going to try to persuade Zhao Yun and the others after Liu Bei’s death. As for how to manipulate them, he hadn’t yet come up with a perfect method.
He had expected it to be a long process, but unexpectedly, holding out had its benefits. Liu Bei directly offered his assistance.
Liu Qi quickly expressed his sincerity, saying loudly, “Uncle, rest assured, I will treat the generals with the respect due to their father.”
Liu Bei continued, “I am grateful to my esteemed father for providing me with a place to stay. Just a month ago, I was fortunate to have a son. This continuation of the family line brings me comfort. I hope the young master will raise him to adulthood.”
Your son is like my own flesh and blood! As long as I have a breath left, I will personally care for him and his mother. Uncle, please do not worry.”
Liu Qi wiped his tears forcefully, his eyes even more swollen.
Liu Bei smiled with relief, exerted all his strength to draw out the paired swords, and handed one to Liu Qi, taking a few deep breaths before saying:
“Though you, my wise nephew, are weak and oppressed by the Cai family, you are still the legitimate heir. With the assistance of Zhao Yun and others, there is no need to fear Cai Mao. With control of Jingzhou, you are capable of resisting the traitors.
A man should prioritize the affairs of the state, revive the Han dynasty, and achieve feats with my brothers, living up to your abilities. Then, I can close my eyes in peace!”
Accepting the swords with both hands, Liu Qi solemnly vowed, “Liu Qi will remember Uncle’s words, inherit Uncle’s great ambitions, and together with the generals, we shall accomplish great deeds without wavering in this life! When the time comes to revive the Han dynasty, Uncle shall have a place of honor in the ancestral temple.”
Seizing this opportunity to swear an oath and make a commitment, the subsequent changes were only natural, setting a small goal for everyone.
“Very well… these words are resolute!” Liu Bei had fought all his life to clear his name, and this statement struck a chord deep within him.
Bringing Liu Qi’s and Zhao Yun’s hands together, he said, “Zhao Yun, meet the young master.”
“My lord…” Zhao Yun’s eyes brimmed with tears as he exchanged a glance with Liu Bei, then turned to Liu Qi with a respectful salute, “General Zhao pays his respects to the young master!”
“General Zhao, there is no need for such formality!” Liu Qi quickly returned the salute.
With this, Zhao Yun was won over, and Liu Qi was so excited that his palms were sweating.
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