The great hall of Gongsun Zan echoed with the muted clatter of feasting and the hum of conversation.A glint of amusement sparkled in Gongsun Zan's eyes as he smiled and said,"If it can bring about a reconciliation between our two sides,forget one request.Even if you had ten,I'd be more than willing to oblige you,sir."

Lin Yu couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.If I were to make ten requests,you'd probably turn hostile in a flash.However,he simply offered a faint smile and said,"I've long heard that the White Horse Valiant Guards under Governor Gongsun are an elite force,invincible on the battlefield.I'm bold enough to ask the governor to part with one of your men to serve as my attendant.I wonder if the governor would be so kind?"

Everyone present was taken aback.They had initially expected Lin Yu to either demand an apology from Liu Bei and his brothers or seek some form of property as compensation.This unexpected request caught them completely off-guard.

Gongsun Zan pondered for a moment,then nodded with a smile."It's a trifle,hardly worth mentioning.Sir,feel free to choose whomever you desire.Just inform me once you've made your decision."He commanded three thousand White Horse Valiant Guards,and giving away one to Lin Yu seemed of little consequence.As long as the animosity between the two sides could be resolved,that was all that mattered.

"I find the Zhao Yun whom Governor Gongsun sent just now to be rather remarkable.Could Governor Gongsun allow him to accompany me?"Lin Yu deliberately made the request in an offhand manner.

"No problem at all!"Gongsun Zan readily agreed and summoned Zhao Yun.

"Zilong,from this day forward,you shall follow this gentleman and obey his commands."

Zhao Yun's face registered astonishment,yet he could do nothing but clasp his hands helplessly and reply,"I will obey your orders."

On Liu Bei's part,he couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly.This military general named Zhao Yun,despite not holding a high rank,had an air of grandeur about him,clearly marking him as no ordinary man.If circumstances permitted,he too would have liked to have Zhao Yun in his service.Alas,for now,he could only watch helplessly.

"Then I am deeply grateful to Governor Gongsun!"Lin Yu struggled to contain the excitement welling up within him.The issue with Liu Bei could be dealt with at a more opportune time.But if he let this chance to recruit Zhao Yun slip away today,he might never get another.

Who was Zhao Yun?He was one of the renowned Five Tiger Generals of the Three Kingdoms era.Loyal and valiant,he was a master of martial arts,brimming with courage,and well-versed in military strategy.He had spent his life on the battlefield and remained undefeated in countless battles,earning him the title of the Ever-Victorious General.Among all the military generals of the Three Kingdoms,Lin Yu held Zhao Yun in the highest esteem.

Having successfully acquired Zhao Yun and snatched away a potential subordinate from Liu Bei,Lin Yu was in an excellent mood.Coupled with Gongsun Zan's warm and generous hospitality,the subsequent banquet was filled with an atmosphere of great harmony.Everyone was engaged in merriment,drinking and chatting as if the earlier unpleasantness had been but a fleeting dream.After a sumptuous repast,Cao Cao and Lin Yu rose to take their leave.

On the way back to their camp,Lin Yu could scarcely conceal his joy,a broad smile gracing his face.

Cao Cao glanced at Zhao Yun following behind them and inquired with curiosity,"Just for obtaining a young general,why are you so elated,sir?"

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Lin Yu thought to himself,This is where your lack of vision shows.Fortunately,I've managed to secure Zhao Yun.Otherwise,when he performs those legendary seven in-and-outs at Changban Slope in the future,we'll see what you have to say.However,he merely offered a mysterious smile and said,"Lord Cao,what is your opinion of my second brother,Dian Wei?"

Cao Cao had witnessed the fierce battle between Dian Wei and Guan Yu with his own eyes that very day.At the mention of Dian Wei,he couldn't help but nod in praise."Your sworn brother is truly formidable.Even great generals like Yuan Rang and Miao Cai pale in comparison.He can surely be counted among the premier heroes of this era!"

"To be honest,the capabilities of this Zhao Zilong are on a par with those of my second brother,"Lin Yu said with a proud smile.

Hearing this,Cao Cao's mouth gaped in astonishment,and he turned his head in disbelief.This young man,with his youthful countenance and somewhat bashful appearance,was actually a fierce general equal to Dian Wei?

Lin Yu noticed the skepticism in Cao Cao's eyes and merely chuckled."Lord Cao,let's just wait and see in the future."

Before long,they returned to the Cao Army's camp.Lin Yu bade farewell to Cao Cao and then led 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 then 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 made the introductions.

Once everyone was seated,Lin Yu turned to Zhao Yun and offered a faint smile."Brother Zilong,I can sense that you're somewhat reluctant to follow me."

Zhao Yun hesitated for a moment.Although he remained silent,he nodded.In these tumultuous times,Zhao Yun,with his lofty aspirations,had sought refuge with Gongsun Zan,hoping to extinguish the flames of war and achieve great deeds.However,he had not been recognized or promoted by Gongsun Zan and was instead assigned to the relatively unknown Lin Yu.Naturally,he was deeply disappointed.

"Brother Zilong,in truth,what happened today is Gongsun Zan's loss but your great fortune,"Lin Yu said in a tone that was both mysterious and profound.

Hearing this,Zhao Yun's curiosity was piqued,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 failed to make good use of a talent like you,Brother Zilong.If you continue to serve under him,it will be a waste of your potential."Lin Yu paused for a moment,then continued with sincerity."I'm different from Gongsun Zan.I recognized at a glance that you,Brother Zilong,are a man of great ability.As long as you're willing to follow me wholeheartedly,we can join forces and build a magnificent enterprise!"

It must be said that Lin Yu's words were highly inspiring.After hearing them,Zhao Yun felt a rush of blood surging within his chest.Since seeking shelter under Gongsun Zan,he had been filled with frustration and a sense of unfulfillment.He hadn't expected Lin Yu to hold him in such high regard.He was on the verge of being moved to tears by this excitement.

He took a deep breath to calm the emotions within him and clasped his hands solemnly."Thanks to your kindness,sir.Zhao Yun is willing to follow you henceforth,through thick and thin."

Zhao Yun was a man of great loyalty.Due to the kindness and recognition shown to him by Liu Bei,he had remained steadfast in his support of Liu Bei,regardless of the hardships and perils along the way.Now that he had made this declaration,he was completely devoted to Lin Yu.

A great weight was finally lifted from Lin Yu's heart.With Dian Wei and Zhao Yun by his side for protection,wouldn't he be able to move about with confidence in these troubled times?Thinking of this,Lin Yu's smile grew even broader.

He grasped Zhao Yun's hand affectionately and said with a smile,"Brother Zilong,there's no need to be formal.If you're willing,let's become sworn brothers starting today,what do you say?"

"Everything is as you wish,sir!"Zhao Yun didn't hesitate for a moment and nodded vigorously.

Dian Wei scratched his head,looking bewildered.What on earth was going on?How had they acquired another sworn brother in the blink of an eye?

Among the three of them,Lin Yu's position as the eldest brother was unassailable,and since Zhao Yun was the youngest,he naturally became the third brother.

"Brother!Second Brother!"Zhao Yun saluted Lin Yu and Dian Wei with solemnity.

"Third Brother!"Dian Wei quickly 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 in no way inferior to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei!