(In the last six hours of August, please give me a monthly ticket, and Yanzi will thank you)
East of Nanzheng City.
Under the protection of dozens of cavalry soldiers, Zhang Lu followed Yu Ji out of the city and arrived at a manor outside the city.
Stepping into the gate of the village, I saw that there were already more than ten Taoist priests gathered in the village, all of whom seemed to be followers of Yu Ji.
"Fourth brother, please come with me, I will show you my chips." With a proud and confident sneer on his face, Yu Ji introduced Zhang Lu behind Zhuangzi.
Outside the dim woodshed, several Taoist priests with swords in their backs were waiting vigilantly outside the door.
"Master." Seeing Yu Ji's arrival, the Taoist priests saluted one after another.
Yu Ji pointed at Zhang Lu: "This is your Uncle Zhang. Open the Chaimen and let you, Uncle Zhang, take a look at our strength."
"Master, my second uncle told me that this matter is of great importance and should not be taken lightly" The young Taoist priest named Qingchen next to him reminded him in a low voice.
Before he finished speaking, Yu Ji had already rolled up his sleeves and said: "Your uncle Zhang and my master are from the same sect. They are both our own people. There is nothing to be wary of. Let him take a look."
Seeing this, Qingchen couldn't persuade him anymore, so he winked at several Taoist priests and carefully opened the firewood door.
Yu Ji¡¯s mystery made Zhang Lu even more suspicious. He didn¡¯t know what kind of ghost medicine was being sold in the gourd by his fellow disciple, whom he hadn¡¯t seen for many years.
"Junior brother, please." Yu Ji stretched out his hand and made a polite gesture.
Zhang Lu glanced at Yu Ji, his eyes even more suspicious. After hesitating for a moment, he walked into the room.
There was a gasp of air in the room.
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It¡¯s night.
Zhang Lu stood outside the village gate, his face gloomy and solemn. There was still a thrilling look in his eyes.
"Fourth Junior Brother. What, now you should believe in our strength." Behind him, Yu Ji said proudly.
Zhang Lu didn't say a word, just kept silent, his eyes changing uncertainly, as if he was making some trade-offs.
Yu Ji didn¡¯t rush him, and just stared at him patiently, as if he was confident. It is expected that Zhang Lu will definitely agree.
After a long while, Zhang Lu took a deep breath, his eyes were determined, and he had made a decision.
"Third senior brother, I appreciate your kindness, but I'm sorry that I can't agree." Zhang Lu said word by word.
Yu Ji¡¯s expression changed, as if he didn¡¯t expect it. Zhang Lu actually refused him and said in a deep voice: "Why don't you agree? Aren't you afraid that Yuan Fang will destroy the business you have worked so hard for so many years?"
"The purpose of my Five Pecks of Rice Sect is to save the people of the world. How can we in turn harm the world!"
Zhang Luxian was upright and upright. Then he showed arrogance and said proudly: "Besides, I have tens of thousands of elite soldiers under my command, with the danger of Qinling Mountains in the north and the fortification of Yangping Pass in the west. I am still afraid of that kid Yuan Fang. Without your so-called help, I can still defeat Yuan Fang. attack."
"Zhang Lu, you-" Yu Ji was shocked and angry. I didn¡¯t know what to say for a moment.
Zhang Lu had already turned around, brushed his sleeves and said coldly: "You and I, brothers, have different beliefs and do not want to conspire with each other, otherwise I would not have founded the Five Pecks of Rice Sect in the first place. You and my second senior brother do not need to worry about Zhang Lu's affairs. You¡¯d better leave Hanzhong quickly.¡±
After saying that, Zhang Lu didn't look back, got on his horse, and led the crowd away.
Yu Ji looked at Zhang Lu's leaving figure, his old face became more and more gloomy, and he snorted coldly: "Zhang Lu, you think that without your help, there is nothing we can do. Hum, you will regret it sooner or later!"
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Chang'an City, the palace of King Qi.
Above the main hall, Zhang Lu's envoy was trembling and knelt down in front of the hall.
Yuan Fang sat high on the table, looking down at Zhang Lu's autographed letter, a trace of murderous intent appeared on Yingwu's face.
In his reply, Zhang Lu politely refused to become an official in the court, citing illness.
At the same time, Zhang Lu also refused to sacrifice Han Sui, and defended Han Sui's grievances in his letter.
Everyone knows that Zhang Lu¡¯s letter represents his refusal to peacefully resolve the issue of Hanzhong¡¯s ownership, and it also means that he is determined to meet Yuan Fang in war.
In the main hall, the generals stared at the envoy with eager eyes, as if they would pounce on him in an instant and tear the envoy into pieces.
The envoy was terrified, fearing that King Yuan Fang would be angry and cause his blood to splatter on the spot.
However, Yuan Fang put the letter away and said calmly: "Go back and tell Zhang Lu that the king thinks that he is kind and caring for the people, and is different from other princes, so he is open to him. As long as he is willing to surrender, the king welcomes him at any time."
The envoy heaved a sigh of relief. He was so busy that he only agreed to the promise, and then left in panic.
As soon as the envoy left, Ma Chao became angry.He said: "Zhang Lu refuses to surrender, and insists on protecting Han Sui, an old thief. It is really hateful. How can the king forgive his sin? Now that Hanzhong is captured, he should be wiped out." "
Ma Chao was eager for revenge and naturally wanted to kill anyone who protected Han Sui.
Yuan Fang is not as violent as Ma Chao. He actually doesn't have much dislike for Zhang Lu.
On the contrary, Yuan Fang admired Zhang Lu very much.
In these troubled times, the feudal lords are separatist. In order to compete for the Central Plains, the lords are not targeting the people under their rule, levying and extorting money to fill their military needs.
On the other hand, Zhang Lu, although he was divided on one side, was quite kind to the people, and except for dealing with Liu Zhang's attack, he basically did not go to war outside, wasting people and money.
Such benevolent princes are much better to the people than hypocrites like Liu Bei who talk about benevolence and righteousness.
This is what Yuan Fang admires about Zhang Lu, so if Zhang Lu can be persuaded to surrender peacefully, this is naturally what Yuan Fang would like to see.
Appreciation is appreciation, but this does not mean that Yuan Fang intends to show mercy to Zhang Lu.
Liu Zhang¡¯s fall is imminent, and Yuan Fang has no time to delay. He must remove Zhang Lu, the stumbling block, and get rid of Han Sui, the last hidden danger to Liangzhou¡¯s stability.
With his sword eyebrows condensed, Yuan Fangteng stood up, and murderous intent as fierce as ice burst out in an instant.
In the palace, the civil servants and generals were immediately in awe.
Looking around at the ministers, Yuan Fang raised his hand and pointed southward, and said sternly: "No one can stop me from unifying the world. Zhang Lu doesn't accept soft things, so he can only do hard things. Pass on my king's orders and do everything possible." The soldiers of Long conquered the sun and went south to attack Zhang Lu and pacify Hanzhong!"
The clarion call for Da Qi¡¯s war sounded again.
Yuan Fang's vow to unify the world was like thunder, shaking the minds and bodies of the ministers, making him awe-inspiring.
At this moment, these heroes of the world suddenly felt a sense of mission in their hearts, as if they were carrying the fate of the world on their shoulders.
This solemn sense of mission, as well as the desire for glory and fame, instantly ignited their fighting spirit.
passionate!
"Cruel against Zhang Lu and pacify Hanzhong!"
The ministers in front of the palace suddenly stood up and responded in unison.
The raging fighting spirit, like an erupting volcano, filled the entire hall.
Yuan Fang was also in an excited mood. Looking at the high-spirited ministers, he happily issued the instructions for the southern expedition.
On the western front line, with Zhuge Liang as the commander, he led a large force of 60,000 cavalry, heading south from Chencang, on the flat old road, facing Yangping Pass, the gateway to Hanzhong, from the west, and launched a feint attack.
Zhuge Liang's troops will be used as bait to attract Zhang Lu to station his main force at the Yangping Pass line.
On the east line, Zhang Fei led 30,000 troops and horses out of Ziwu Valley, and Zhang Jiao led 30,000 troops and horses out of Luo Valley.
These two groups of soldiers and horses also served as partial troops to contain Zhang Lu in Hanzhong.
Yuan Fang himself will command 80,000 infantry and cavalry, heading south from Xiegu, as the main force to attack Hanzhong.
As soon as Yuan Fang's deployment came out, all the ministers were surprised.
"Your Majesty, although Xiegu is the closest to Nanzheng, its valley road is rugged, making it extremely difficult to transport grain and grass. Instead of using the main force to attack Xiegu, Your Majesty, I think it is better to concentrate our troops out of Chencang, attack Yangping Pass with all our strength, and attack Nanzheng from the front. "
Fazheng was the first to stand up and expressed doubts about Yuan Fang's strategy.
The rest of Guo Jia, Jushou, and Liu Ye all agreed with Fa Zheng. Even Jia Xu, who never took the initiative to speak, seemed not to agree with Xiegu as the main offensive direction.
The opinions of all the counselors are unprecedentedly unanimous:
When attacking Hanzhong, transportation of grain and grass is the biggest difficulty. To overcome this problem, the only way is to take Chencang Avenue, and then consider how to break through Yangping Pass and capture Hanzhong.
"I have my own solution to the problem of grain and grass transportation, so you don't have to worry. Yangping Pass is the most powerful pass in Sichuan. It cannot be conquered from a frontal attack. Only by avoiding this pass can we have a chance to capture Hanzhong. The strategy has been decided. Just wait and act accordingly.¡±
Yuan Fang¡¯s views are completely opposite to those of the advisers, and he confidently claims that he has a solution to the problem of grain and grass transportation.
The counselors were all suspicious and couldn't figure out what Yuan Fang's plan was, but they couldn't stand Yuan Fang's strong objections, so they had to put aside their suspicions and act according to the plan.
So, according to Wang's order, the more than 200,000 Daqi soldiers who had gathered in the Guanlong area were immediately mobilized again.
As a feint attack division, Zhuge Liang led an army of 60,000 to Chencang and headed towards Yangping Pass.
Afterwards, Zhang Fei and Zhang Jiao, two generals, each commanded 30,000 troops and horses, set out from Chang'an and entered Ziwu respectively.? and Luogu Road, enter Hanzhong from the north.
Not long after the three armies set off, the Hanzhong side carefully reported back the news, claiming that Zhang Lu had sent his younger brother Zhang Wei, leading the main force of 30,000 Hanzhong troops, to Yangping Pass to garrison in order to resist Zhuge Liang's frontal feint attack.
Seeing that Zhang Lu's main force was all attracted to the front line of Yangpingguan, Yuan Fang made a prompt decision and led his main force of 80,000 infantry and cavalry from Chang'an, rushing to Xiegu all the way at starry night.
Two days later, Yuan Fang's army arrived at the entrance of Xiegu.
The vast Qinling Mountains stretch across our eyes. When we enter the valley mouth, which is less than a few miles wide, we will enter the Qinling Mountains.
What awaits Yuan Fang and his soldiers will be hundreds of miles of rugged and difficult valley roads.
"Your Majesty, this inclined valley is more difficult to walk through than I imagined. The army has not entered the valley yet. I think it is not too late for us to change our strategy."
Looking at the rugged valley road, Fazheng frowned and once again advised Yuan Fang.
Yuan Fang smiled and pointed his halberd towards the mouth of the valley: "I know, Xiaozhi, that you have been worried about the problem of grain and grass transportation. Didn't I already say that I have a solution? Look over there."
Fazheng raised his eyes and saw that not far away, there seemed to be a grain transport team, which was transporting grain to the valley road first.
When Fazheng saw the appearance of the grain transport team clearly, he couldn't help but look shocked and his eyes shone strangely, as if he had seen something incredible.