Chapter sixty-four: I would rather be a prisoner than a guest
When Zhuge Liang heard the news about Zhang Lu's defeat and the loss of Hanzhong during the march, instead of worrying, he sent a letter to Zhang Lu, hoping that Zhang Lu would join Liu Bei's army and would be willing to treat him as a guest.
At this time, Zhang Lu experienced what it means to be defeated like a mountain. When he was in Hanzhong, he could not do anything to the Yizhou army. After Hanzhong was captured, only more than two thousand soldiers escaped with him.
People still have to face the pursuit of the Xiliang army.
Soldiers kept escaping. When Zhuge Liang's envoy arrived, Zhang Lu only had more than a thousand soldiers and only Zhang Wei as a general, who was worthy of the important task entrusted to him. Yang Ang, Yang Ren and others were probably in danger.
As the leader of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, Zhang Lu didn't care much about these external things. He was only worried about the people of Hanzhong and Yizhou. When he was in Hanzhong, he also focused on preaching and constantly developing believers. His wish was very simple, that is,
He hoped that one day his followers would be able to spread all over the world, so that the people of the world would be fed and clothed without worrying about their livelihood. When he saw the people resisting the cavalry charge, Zhang Lu felt sad for a time.
"My lord, is it about Zhuge Liang sending envoys to the army?" Yan Pu asked.
Zhang Lu frowned and thought for a long time, then said: "This matter is of great importance, let me think about it."
Yan Pu actually also knew what Zhuge Liang was thinking. Jingzhou and Yizhou were close. If he could take Yizhou as his own, Liu Bei's strength would instantly increase many times. With Yizhou as his backing and Jingzhou as his springboard, Liu Bei could
He also has the strength to challenge Cao Cao and even the Xiliang army. On the surface, Zhuge Liang is supporting Liu Zhang. Liu Bei's ambition is definitely not small, and it is definitely not as simple as rescue. That is to say, Liu Zhang did not think so much in his desperation.
, even if the Xiliang army retreats, Zhuge Liang will cause a bloody storm in Yizhou. In short, Yizhou will not be as stable as before. It will either become the territory of Liang State or Liu Bei's rear area, no matter that
This result is very dangerous for Yizhou.
However, Zhang Lu was too busy to take care of himself at this time, so Yan Pu didn't say that much. No matter what Zhang Lu chose, he would follow him to the letter. Over the years, Zhang Lu's most trusted official was him, and many major events in Hanzhong were the result of
It was up to him to handle it, but the Xiliang army's attack was too sharp and they didn't give them time to react.
Zhang Lu has a great reputation in Yizhou. He promotes the Five Pecks of Rice religion and has many believers. He spreads benevolence and righteousness and wins the hearts of the people. With Zhang Lu's help, Zhuge Liang's plan can be implemented even more. Not only Jia Rong understands this, but Zhuge Liang also has a lot of support for Zhang Lu.
Lu is bound to win.
When he sent the army, Zhuge Liang only had 10,000 soldiers and horses and the fierce general Zhang Fei accompanying him. Now he has 20,000 soldiers and horses and several generals. His strength is like a snowball, enough to attract anyone's attention. With his sharp tongue and extraordinary ability,
With his strategy, Zhuge Liang was like a fish in water on the Yizhou battlefield.
He is becoming more and more confident in capturing Yizhou. In his opinion, even if the Xiliang army captures Hanzhong, and he has Zhang Lu, he can quickly equalize the disadvantage. With Zhang Lu's influence, he can attack Hanzhong.
will become simpler.
Late at night, Zhang Lu couldn't sleep for a long time. A letter from Zhuge Liang was placed together with a piece of brightly colored yellow cloth.
"My lord, I summoned a humble official late at night, what's the matter?" Yan Pu asked calmly, not at all worried about the current corrupt situation in Hanzhong.
"Zimao, you have been under my command for many years. The affairs in Hanzhong are basically handled by you. Now Liang State and Zhuge Liang have sent envoys to our army at the same time. This..." Zhang Lu said.
"My lord is only concerned about matters after the surrender. The Xiliang army dominates the world and is incompetent. Jia Rong even established the Liang Kingdom and owned Jizhou and other places. Recently I heard that Yuzhou has also been included in the hands of the Xiliang army, and Liu Bei
There are only tens of thousands of soldiers, and Zhuge Liang is the only counselor. Even if the lord is treated as a guest of honor, what will happen? How can the Xiliang army attack Liu Bei for a long time? If he surrenders to Liu Bei, after Liu Bei is defeated
, and if you turn to Jia Rong, your lord's status will be even lower." Yan Pu asked rhetorically.
"Liu Bei has been defeated in many battles, but he is a benevolent and righteous man and has a good reputation in the world, while the Xiliang army has a terrible reputation." Zhang Lu said after thinking for a moment.
"Haha, what a fierce reputation, it's just what the world's famous people say, but I don't know how many people are willing to go to Chang'an, Luoyang, or even any Xiliang Army's territory. Jia Rong truly treats the people with benevolence and righteousness, which is better than those who talk about it verbally.
Benevolence and righteousness have made the princes who are secretly powerful, and Jia Rong established the Liang Kingdom. His soldiers are at their peak in combat effectiveness, with countless generals under his command, and countless advisers. Once they attack Liu Bei, they will only be defeated. Not long after Liu Zhang took over Yizhou,
The morale of the military is not yet stable. As expected, Jia Rong's ambition is for the entire Liangzhou, not for one city or one country." Yan Pu said: "Liu Bei's benevolence and righteousness are known to the world, but Jia Rong's way of treating the people
The theory of water boats has gained so much support from the people. In recent years, we have heard that people under the rule of the Xiliang Army have rebelled. Jia Rong even completely exempted and exempted the taxes of the common people. Such an act has never happened before."
Zhang Lu thought for a long time, the muscles on his face trembled slightly, and he suddenly slapped the table and said: "I have decided to join the Xiliang Army."
"Zimao, please read the imperial edict of Liang Kingdom." Zhang Lu handed the yellow silk cloth to Yan Pu's hand.
"Well, Jia Rong understands my lord's thoughts. It is really gratifying and congratulatory for you to preach in Luoyang and even under the rule of the entire Xiliang Army." Yan Pu said.
"Zimao, you have followed me for many years and have gained nothing. After joining Jia Rong this time, I will definitely speak a lot of good words for you in front of him. With your ability, you will definitely be able to make a name for yourself in Liang Kingdom."
Zhang Ludao.
After losing Hanzhong, Zhang Lu was not angry, but felt relieved. The Xiliang army treated the people kindly, and the people of Hanzhong had a good place to go. What's more, after Zhang Lu joined the Xiliang army, Hanzhong would become even better.
Stablize.
Yan Pu was deeply moved when he heard this. Although Zhang Lu was not very good at what he did, he treated his subordinates really well.
The next day, Zhang Lu summoned his generals and announced his decision. During this period, he even gritted his teeth and said, "I would rather be a prisoner of the Liang Kingdom than a guest of Liu Bei." He even directly ordered Zhuge Liang's envoy to be killed, truly humiliating him.
He gave Liu Bei a hand.
With Zhang Lu's support, Hanzhong became more stable. After coming forward to appease the people, Zhang Lu went to Luoyang under the escort of the army, and Jia Rong would arrange a suitable position for him.
The people under the rule of the Liang Kingdom were well-off, but they had too few leisure activities. Even with the national movement proposed by Jia Rong, it still could not change the loneliness of the elderly. However, Zhang Lu's sect advocated that the people should do nothing and do nothing.
The pursuit of utilitarianism, to a certain extent, is impossible for Jia Rong to agree to. What he wants to see is that the soldiers and people under his command are all high-spirited, and whoever invades again must rise up to kill the enemy. Everyone must have a bloody spirit in their chests.
, rather than weakness.
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, there were many monks who preached. They advocated people to be kind, which had no conflict with the rulers of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The Five Pecks of Rice Sect was the predecessor of Taoism. As a native sect in China, Jia Rong still had certain feelings for him.
Naturally, I hope that Taoism can become more powerful.
When Zhuge Liang heard what Zhang Lu said after he defected to the Xiliang Army, his always kind smile disappeared and he said calmly: "Zhang Lu will regret it sooner or later if he doesn't know his master."
"Sir, our army has captured Bajun. Why not take the opportunity to attack Hanzhong and occupy Hanzhong while the Xiliang army is not yet stable." Zhang Fei asked doubtfully. After days of rapid march, their army was only a few meters away from Hanzhong.
Five days' journey.
"Yide, there are many capable people in Bajun. If you underestimate them, you will definitely suffer disaster. Our army rushes to Yizhou to support Liu Zhang, not for temporary pleasure. I heard that General Yan Yan of Bajun is brave.
There is a plan, we have mobilized nearly 10,000 troops from Bajun, which will definitely make him suspicious."
"What's the matter with being suspicious?" Zhang Fei shouted dissatisfied: "When the time comes, I will lead the army to charge and kill him, and I will keep his Yan Yan into ashes."
"Yide, you must think twice before doing anything. Don't do anything regrettable just because of the pleasure of the moment. It is not easy for my lord to have the strength he has now. And the current situation in the world is led by the Xiliang Army, followed by Cao Cao.
Occupying Yizhou is a very important step for my lord to dominate the world. You are a general in the army and you will be responsible for it in the future."
"Sir's words are correct. Fei must listen to your teacher's instructions carefully." Zhang Fei said in a respectful tone.
Zhang Fei is a very strange person. He admires a strategic scholar like Zhuge Liang very much. He is consistent in appearance and will say whatever he wants. Although he was a little dissatisfied with Zhuge Liang before, when the battle in Xinye happened, it had completely dissipated and turned into
Respect for Zhuge Liang.
"Well, General Zhang is going to inspect the army, and he must be careful." Zhuge Liang clearly understood Zhang Fei's character.
Looking at the rough map in front of him, Zhuge Liang murmured: "I didn't expect the Xiliang army to move so fast. They must have made preparations in advance to capture Hanzhong in one battle. What kind of weapons did they have to have such power?
He directly knocked open the gates of Hanzhong and attacked the city." As the prefect of Hanzhong, Zhang Lu had been congratulating Liu Yan for many years and he must have had certain strength. Pang Yi had attacked Hanzhong many times and was repelled. This shows that
Obviously, Zhang Lu must have attached great importance to the city defense of Hanzhong. Instead, it was captured by the Xiliang Army. This has a lot to do with Zhang Lu's failure to realize the combat effectiveness of the Xiliang Army. Anyway, all advantages are tilting towards the Liang Kingdom.
, I didn’t expect that my legitimate support to Yizhou was not as good as the Xiliang army.
