If so, why should they not ask Xiao He whom to choose as an inside guide?
“Zhang Fei, you must be joking.
That Xiao He warned us of the coming upheaval in Xiangyang before any of us did, so he is clearly no ordinary man.
But there are thirty thousand defenders in Xiangyang, and many officers among them could serve as our inside guide, most of them men with no fame at all.” “Unless Xiao He knows every one of those officers inside and out, how could he judge who is trustworthy and who can truly be used?” Guan Yu’s words made Liu Bei give up the idea of asking Xiao He for advice.
Liu Biao had been the lord of a province, while Cai Mao and Kuai Yue were the leading figures of Jing Province, one holding military power and the other political power.
In Jing Province, even a three-year-old child knew their names and positions.
So although Xiao He’s judgment of those three was astonishing, it was not entirely without foundation.
The officers among Xiangyang’s defenders, however, were mostly obscure men.
Even someone as well connected as Zhuge Liang might not know them all, much less Xiao He, who had lived in seclusion since childhood and had only recently come down from the mountain.
If he did not even know their names, how could he judge whether any of them were worthy of trust?
“Guan Yu is right.
That Xiao He is truly a rare talent, but this matter would be asking too much of him.
There is no need to trouble him again.” So Liu Bei rejected Zhang Fei’s suggestion.
Yet when he thought of Cao Cao’s army drawing closer with each passing day and the Raid on Xiangyang already looming ahead, he knew Fancheng would only grow more dangerous.
Spies sent by Cao Cao or Liu Cong might slip into the government offices at any moment.
Relying only on Guan Guan Yinping and a few women soldiers to protect Xiao He was clearly not enough.
“Zhao Yun, starting today, take a squad of personal guards and protect that Xiao He.
Remember this well.
Just like Zhuge Liang, he may determine whether we can restore the Han, so nothing must happen to him.” Liu Bei entrusted this heavy duty to Zhao Yun.
Zhao Yun had already heard that Guan Guan Yinping had brought back a remarkable man, and he had picked up a few stories about him, so he had long been curious.
Now that he saw how highly Liu Bei valued this man, even tying him to the great cause of restoring the Han, he became even more eager to meet Xiao He in person.
“Rest easy, lord.
I will keep Xiao He safe.” Zhao Yun accepted the order at once, clearly pleased.
He immediately selected more than ten elite guards and headed straight for the inner courtyard.
But the moment he stepped into a small yard, he stopped in surprise.
There he saw a young gentleman with short hair lifting his hands and moving through smooth, measured motions, as though practicing some kind of boxing art.
Yet the style was painfully slow, with no trace of force or speed.
Beside him stood Guan Guan Yinping, one hand resting on her sword, her lovely brows tightly knit as she guarded the young man with a puzzled expression.
There was no need to ask.
That young gentleman could only be Xiao He.
“Part the wild horse’s mane…
right grasp the sparrow’s tail…
right whip kick…
left front kick…” Xiao He stretched his limbs as he muttered to himself.
Zhao Yun did not dare interrupt, so he quietly stepped over to Guan Guan Yinping and asked, “Guan Yinping, what kind of boxing is Xiao He practicing?” “Uncle Zhao Yun?” Guan Guan Yinping quickly bowed, then said, “I heard him say this form is called Tai Chi.” “Tai Chi?” Zhao Yun had never heard of it before.
He asked in surprise, “Boxing should be fierce and swift.
How can there be such a slow style?” Guan Guan Yinping gave a soft sigh and shook her head.
“He said this Tai Chi is not for killing people.
It is only a way to preserve one’s health.” Then she looked at Zhao Yun and asked, “This Xiao He learned from a master beyond the mortal world, so naturally his words and actions differ from those of ordinary people.
Did Liu Bei and the others not mention that to you, Uncle Zhao Yun?” Zhao Yun lifted his head and studied Xiao He again.
He had already heard Zhang Fei say that Xiao He was no common man, and that no one should make a fuss if he showed strange habits.
Only now, after seeing him with his own eyes, did Zhao Yun realize that Zhang Fei had not exaggerated in the least.
This thing called Tai Chi alone was already unlike anything he had ever seen.
While the two spoke in low voices, Xiao He heard them and turned around.
His eyes immediately lit up.
Under Liu Bei’s command, there was only one scholar and one warrior who could truly be called handsome, the scholar being Zhuge Liang, and the warrior naturally being Zhao Yun, so Xiao He recognized him at once.
“Could this be the famous Zhao Yun?” Xiao He stopped and walked over with a smile.
Zhao Yun came back to himself and quickly cupped his hands in greeting.
“I am Zhao Yun.
I have long heard of your name, sir, and meeting you today proves your reputation is well deserved.
By lord’s order, I have come to protect you and assist Guan Guan Yinping in keeping you safe.” The moment he heard that, Xiao He understood that Zhao Yun had come on a mission.
For a man of Zhao Yun’s standing to be assigned to protect him showed just how highly Liu Bei regarded him.
Feeling both relieved and grateful, Xiao He cupped his hands with playful solemnity.
“Governor of Jing Province Liu Bei is treating me far too generously.
To have General Zhao Yun personally protect me truly leaves me overwhelmed.
From now on, this little life of mine will rest entirely in General Zhao Yun’s hands.” But Zhao Yun did not smile.
With a serious expression, he said, “lord said that you concern the great cause of restoring the Han.
I will naturally risk my life if necessary and make sure no harm comes to you.” Seeing how solemn Zhao Yun was, Xiao He felt it was no longer appropriate to joke, so he answered with equal seriousness.
After finishing a round of Tai Chi, his mouth was dry, so he invited Zhao Yun inside for tea.
“Uncle Zhao Yun, I heard Liu Bei gathered all of you trusted men earlier to discuss matters.
Does that mean he intends to move against Xiangyang?” As Guan Guan Yinping poured tea for him, she asked the question.
Since they were all on the same side, Zhao Yun kept nothing back.
He explained everything one by one, including how Guan Yu had intercepted Song Zhong and confirmed that Liu Cong had already sent a surrender letter to Cao Cao.
“So he really was right…” Guan Guan Yinping secretly glanced at Xiao He.
Zhao Yun continued, “Following Xiao He’s advice, Zhuge Liang has already planned for lord to seize the warships in Fancheng’s naval camp, cross the river by night, and launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang.
Guan Guan Yinping, help Xiao He pack in advance.
In three to five days, we may need to escort him across the river and move him to Xiangyang.”