Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 392 Liu Zhang: What, you want me to present the map?

"Gentlemen, why are you silent? Can't you be honest with Zhang?"

Liu Zhang was anxious. He thought that he would speak directly to the point and allow everyone to express their opinions without any scruples. Why did they become reserved and held their breath, avoiding talking about anything?
Wang Lei, an official of Yizhou, saw that all the officials were silent, so he stood up from his seat, bowed and said, "May I ask Lord Ji Yu, what do you want to do? Fight or surrender?"

Unexpectedly, Liu Zhang asked directly: "If Yizhou leads its army out of Hanzhong County, will it have a chance to defeat the Qingzhou army?"

Wang Lei was speechless and shook his head, saying, "Although we haven't fought yet, I'm afraid it will be difficult to defeat them..."

He pondered for a while and then continued, "They are invincible in a field battle, but Yizhou has the dangers of mountains and rivers, and the advantages of terrain. One man can defend the pass and ten thousand men cannot defeat it. With the wealth of Shuzhong, plus the control of the border, it can at least ensure a solid foundation for ten years."

Wang Lei's words were not exaggerating at all.

As an official in Yizhou, how could he not know that Shu was fertile, with rivers, fertile fields, mountains, forests, bamboos and trees, and abundant fruits and vegetables. The people ate rice and fish, and they were not worried about hardship. It was a land of abundance.

During the reign of Emperor Xiao'an, he ordered the establishment of Wansui Garden in Yizhou County and Hanping Garden in Qianwei for raising horses. Although the scale was not as large as before, the number of horses in Yizhou still far exceeded that of Jing and Yangzhou.

In order to dispel Liu Zhang's worries, Wang Lei took a step forward, bowed and said respectfully: "Don't worry, Lord Ji Yu. Yizhou is 4,000 miles from north to south and 5,000 miles from east to west, with a circumference of more than 10,000 miles. There are 464,780 households and 1,875,535 people. It is rich in fruits and vegetables, and can be fed without grain. There are also abundant tools and equipment, and the benefits of fish, salt, copper and silver, and the convenience of floating water transport."

"Sitting on such a fertile land, we can choose whether to fight or surrender."

"Mr. Liu, although Mr. Wang's words are acceptable, they are still insufficient."

As soon as Wang Lei finished speaking, Huang Quan, who had been frowning for a long time, immediately stood up, bowed and said.

Liu Zhang was also slightly surprised by the reaction of Huang Quan, the chief clerk, so he said, "If Gong Heng has any objections, you can speak up."

Huang Quan bowed to Liu Zhang and Wang Lei, then said earnestly: "The wealth of Shu is due to the strategic location of Hanzhong and Bajun. If we can occupy Hanzhong in the north, guard Bajun in the east, go up the Han River in the north to spy on Guanzhong, and follow the Yangtze River in the south to shock Jing and Yang, if we see an advantage, we can send troops to conquer the land; if we don't, we can hold on and work hard on agriculture. This is the land of abundance, and Emperor Gaozu achieved great success with it."

"Now that the world is about to be unified, the four seas are one family, how can Yizhou be separatist?"

"What's more, Hanzhong has been lost, Bashu has not recovered, it's like a man with his arm cut off, how can we defend it? Hasn't your Majesty heard that if you defend it for too long, you will lose it?"

Huang Quan's words left Wang Lei speechless. If the princes were still fighting outside at this time, Yizhou could rely on its natural defenses to protect itself.

However, the outside world has become almost an iron plate, and Yizhou Mu Ji Yugong is not a powerful leader. If he is not from a royal family, he may not even be as good as Gongsun Shu.

When he faces the King of Han who is about to become emperor, what else can he do except comfort him?
The debate between the two shocked Liu Zhang so much that his face turned pale. He could not help but take a deep breath and asked, "Gong Heng, in your opinion, what should be done with Yizhou?"

Huang Quan also understood the implication of Liu Zhang's words, which was that he was asking him if there was any way to save the lives of his entire family.

After a moment of careful consideration, Huang Quan cupped his hands and said, "Back then, Gongsun Shu proclaimed himself the emperor and fought with Emperor Guangwu for the throne. When Wu Han, the Grand Marshal of the Han Dynasty, invaded Shu and was approaching Chengdu, he still issued an edict to persuade Gongsun Shu to surrender. He would not hold Lai She and Cen Peng accountable for their crimes. As long as he was willing to surrender, his clan would be protected. I have the edict as proof and I will never break my promise."

"It is said that the King of Han has inherited the legacy of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu. Three princes of the royal family, Liu Zhengli, Liu Jingsheng, and Liu Bo'an, were not killed. Although they were dismissed from their posts and reduced to commoners, they were able to save their lives."

"Yizhou has not yet gone to war with the King of Han. If Lord Liu brings the seal, the talisman, and the map of Shu and goes to Chang'an to present them to the King of Han, it will surely keep the clan safe and our descendants safe."

Liu Zhang showed a blank expression, and suddenly forgot to breathe. He was stunned for a few breaths before he reacted. He asked in horror: "Gong Heng, you, you actually asked me to go to Chang'an in person to present the map to the King of Han?!" "The King of Han and I have never had any intersection, not to mention that there is a rice thief Zhang Lu who is interfering. If I go and never come back, what should I do?"

If Zhang Lu had not surrendered to Liu Xuande in advance and was treated as a guest of honor, Liu Jiyu would have surrendered with Liu Jingsheng long ago. He would not have waited until today to encounter this urgent disaster.

Zhang Lu and he had an irreconcilable feud, so there was no way he wouldn't stir up trouble. Once he went to Chang'an, he would be at the mercy of others.

The life or death of his entire family depends on the decision of the King of Han.

"Gong Heng, do you have any other good suggestions?"

Liu Zhang asked with a hint of anticipation on his face.

"Alas!" Huang Quan could only shake his head, bowed and prepared to return to his seat.

Liu Zhang looked at the remaining clerks in the hall and found that they were all shaking their heads and sighing. It was obvious that Yizhou really had no choice at this moment.

Seeing Huang Quan about to return to his seat, Liu Zhang gritted his teeth and made up his mind. He called out to Huang Quan and asked, "Gong Heng, if I ask you to go to Chang'an as an envoy, and bring with you the seal of the governor of the state, as well as the maps, household registration, cultivated land, water conservancy, taxes, and grain in Shuzhong, can you convince the King of Han to swear by the Wei River that he will never listen to others and use the past to exterminate my clan?"

Liu Zhang was a little afraid that the King of Han would take revenge on him later, so he wanted Huang Quan to test the waters and try his luck. If the King of Han agreed, he wouldn't have to worry about officials taking his entire family's lives as a stepping stone to advance their careers.

"Mr. Liu, I'm afraid I'm not up to the task. It would be better to let everyone present take charge of this matter."

Huang Quan smiled bitterly and shook his head, then bowed helplessly and said.

When he heard what Liu Gong said, he couldn't help but feel a little amused. Aren't you making things difficult for me?

I, Huang Gongheng, am only a chief clerk. Although my responsibilities are great, my position is low. Moreover, at this time, the King of Han is recruiting the nobles, clan leaders and officials from all over the world to go to Chang'an.

If I meet someone randomly on the road, he might be the Right Governor of the 2,000-strong army or the Prime Minister of a county or state. What identity do I have to negotiate terms with the King of Han?

If one wants to persuade the King of Han to make a promise based on the position of Yizhou's chief clerk, I'm afraid only if Su Qin and Zhang Yi were resurrected could they do it.

At this time, Wu Yi, who was born in Chenliu County of Yanzhou and followed Liu Zhang's father to Shu, stood up and said, "Mr. Liu, the world is about to be settled. If you want to surrender to the King of Han, but do not do it with a sincere heart and apologize, you will be regarded as arrogant and willful by officials all over the world, and they will definitely rush to fight and defeat him to gain merit."

"The head of Liu Gong is regarded as a reward for obtaining money, land and houses, etc., and for meritorious service."

"The rice thief Zhang Lu must be looking forward to Liu Gong's stubborn resistance. The day when Liu Gong is brutally exterminated will be the day for Zhang Gong to sing and rejoice. As the ancients said: If you don't make a decision when you should, you will suffer the consequences. I hope you can think twice before you act."

Wu Yi's advice undoubtedly made Liu Zhang give up completely. Thinking of his own situation, he smiled bitterly and said, "Ziyuan's words have cleared the clouds for me. They are really sincere words!"

"Zhang, you should go to Chang'an in Guanzhong in person, bring the map and list, and apologize to the King of Han."

(End of this chapter)