Chapter 3: Liu Bei’s Last Wish (2 / 2)

Zhao Yun was in a panic, quickly using his clothes to wipe Liu Bei’s face. The eight-foot-tall man, usually as strong as iron, was now crying uncontrollably.

Liu Qi felt Liu Bei’s pulse—irregular, weak, like a fading heartbeat. His own heart raced as well.

“Uncle, hold on, I’ll send someone to call for a doctor. Jingzhou can’t do without you!”

Though Liu Qi secretly hoped Liu Bei would die soon, the show had to go on. He quickly ordered Huang Zhong to send people back to the city and bring every doctor in town.

Liu Bei coughed, his breathing slowly evening out, and sighed faintly, “Since I raised my banner in Zhuojun, I’ve been determined to restore the Han Dynasty, but fate has been cruel. I’ve had no land to call my own. Fortunately, Brother Jing Sheng took me in, but… I never expected to be betrayed by villains.”

Zhao Yun clenched his fists and growled, “My lord, don’t worry, I will kill Cai Mao to avenge you!”

Liu Bei forced a weak smile, “Zilong, Guan, and Zhang are all talents who could help a king. I… am just a man of shallow virtue, I have failed you all. I… I’m sorry…” *cough cough*

Zhao Yun’s voice trembled, “My lord, no need to say more. If anything happens to you, I’ll never live alone. I’ll follow you!”

“Absolutely not!” Liu Bei suddenly grabbed Zhao Yun’s hand, urgently saying, “My fate is sealed, and I’ve already let you all down. How could I let you suffer because of me?”

Zhao Yun, tears flowing, said, “I couldn’t protect my lord properly. How could I face my two older brothers?”

Liu Bei pulled Liu Qi’s hand over, took a few deep breaths, and said, “Good nephew, I have little time left. I have three things to entrust to you. I hope you will accept them.”

Hearing Liu Bei call him, Liu Qi quickly focused, tightly gripping Liu Bei’s hand, “Uncle, please tell me, I will do everything I can.”

Liu Bei continued, “We, as the royal family of the Han, must see it as our duty to restore the empire. But, my wisdom and abilities are lacking, leading to this wandering fate. I had hoped to join with Brother Jing Sheng to defeat Cao Zhi and support the Han, but alas, I’ve been betrayed by scoundrels. Now, on the verge of death, I have no choice but to entrust this great responsibility to you.”

Even on his deathbed, he still mentioned family and connections. Liu Qi couldn’t help but want to snap Liu Bei’s pulse and be done with it. The sooner he died, the sooner he could go after Guan and Zhang.

Though frustrated in his heart, Liu Qi still wore a sorrowful expression on his face, shedding a few tears as he said, “Uncle, why say such things? You will be blessed by heaven. I will find the best doctor to save you. As for the matters of Jingzhou, we will need your help.”

Liu Bei shook his head slightly, sighing, “I am fortunate to have the support of Yun Chang, Yi De, Zilong, and others. But now, I must leave halfway. My brothers and Zilong will have no one to rely on. I hope you will take good care of them.”

What? He’s giving me Zhao Yun, Guan, and Zhang?!

Liu Qi’s heart couldn’t help but surge with joy.

In his original plan, he was going to wait until Liu Bei died and then try to convince Zhao Yun and the others. But now, Liu Bei was doing half the work for him.

Quickly, Liu Qi declared loudly, “Uncle, don’t worry. I’ll treat the generals with the respect of our forefathers.”

Liu Bei then said, “I was taken in by your respected father, and for a while, I had a place to stay. A month ago, I was fortunate to have a son, A Dou. Heaven has not cut off the line of heirs, which brings me comfort. I hope you will raise him as your own.”

“A Dou is like my own brother! As long as I have a breath left, I will care for him and his mother. You don’t have to worry, Uncle.”

Liu Qi wiped his tears hard, his eyes redder than ever, tying himself and A Dou together in his mind.

Liu Bei smiled in satisfaction, with his last strength drawing out the twin swords and handing them to Liu Qi. He took a few deep breaths and said:

“Good nephew, though you are weak and have been deceived by the Cai family, you are still the rightful heir. With the help of Zilong and the others, Cai Mao is nothing to fear.

You hold Jingzhou, enough to contend with Cao Zhi. A man should focus on his country, restore the Han Dynasty, and make great achievements with my brothers. If you do so, I can die with no regrets.”

Liu Qi took the swords with both hands and swore to the heavens, “Liu Qi will remember my uncle’s words and carry on his ambitions. I will work with the generals to accomplish great things, and never waver! One day, when the Han Dynasty is restored, the Imperial Ancestral Temple will have a place for you, Uncle.”

Taking this opportunity to swear an oath, Liu Qi set a small goal for himself for the future.

“Well said… this is a grand ambition!” Liu Bei, who had struggled all his life to restore his name, felt these words strike deep in his heart.

He grabbed Liu Qi and Zhao Yun’s hands together, “Zilong, meet the young master.”

“My lord…” Zhao Yun, with tears flowing, looked at Liu Bei’s urgent gaze, then turned to Liu Qi and clasped his fists, “Zhao Yun greets the young master!”

“General Zhao, no need for formalities!” Liu Qi quickly returned the gesture.

With that, Liu Qi had successfully gotten Zhao Yun on his side, and he was so excited his palms were sweating.