Three Reconstructions of the Han Dynasty: I Helped Zhuge Liang Perfect the Longzhong Plan

Liu Bei frowned slightly.

Even though he had some respect for Zhang Lu at this moment, he also knew that this man could not be left in Hanzhong.

"That being said, war will inevitably lead to widespread suffering and destruction, and the peace and stability that the people of Hanzhong have finally achieved will be destroyed in an instant."

Does anyone have a quick way to win?

Gu Sulin stood to the side of the tent. Seeing Liu Bei's hesitant and conflicted expression, he stepped forward, bowed, and clasped his hands in greeting.

"My lord, I, Su Lin, dare to volunteer to go to Nanzheng to persuade Zhang Lu to surrender, thus protecting the people of Hanzhong and sparing you the trouble of waging war."

Upon hearing this, everyone inside the tent turned to look.

A hint of surprise flashed in Liu Bei's eyes, and he quickly asked, "Oh? Zimao has a way to persuade Zhang Lu to surrender?"

But as soon as he finished speaking, he shook his head slightly, his expression darkening.

"Sigh... It's easier said than done."

"Leaving aside the fact that Zhang Lu and I are fundamentally different, just because Liu Zhang killed his mother and brother, he harbors deep resentment towards my Liu family and has always been hostile towards us. How could he easily surrender?"

Gu Sulin looked up to meet Liu Bei's gaze, his tone resolute: "My lord, success depends on human effort. Although Zhang Lu is hostile to you, he is not an incorrigible person."

But I must first ask my lord, if Zhang Lu agrees to surrender, how will you treat him?

Liu Bei was taken aback, then replied, "Of course, we will make proper arrangements for you."

Gu Sulin continued, "What if he still wants to proselytize?"

Liu Bei replied seriously, "If it can bring peace to the people, why would I forbid it?"

However, if, after surrendering, he tries again to incite the people to rebel against me using the same method, I will not tolerate it.

Gu Sulin understood and replied, "In that case, I am 100% confident that I can successfully persuade Zhang Lu to surrender."

He guarded Hanzhong for more than 20 years, valuing the safety and well-being of the people above all else, and cherishing his life and his clan.

In my view, the Five Pecks of Rice sect, although sharing the same roots as Zhang Jiao's Way of Peace, is quite different.

His current secret communication with Cao Cao is merely a desperate expedient, not a genuine act of submission.

Although I am not close to Zhang Lu, I know a little about his character. As long as the plan is appropriate, I will surely make him realize his mistakes, surrender to our lord, and work together to protect the people of Hanzhong.

"Oh?" Liu Bei's eyes were full of doubt and expectation. "Zimao's eloquence is something I have always admired."

"I just wonder how you plan to persuade Zhang Lu to surrender?"

Gu Sulin's lips curled slightly, but he didn't elaborate, only saying, "Don't worry, my lord, I have my own explanation."

After a moment's thought, Liu Bei immediately decided: "Alright!"

But Nanzheng is Zhang Lu's stronghold after all. If Zi Mao goes there alone and fails to persuade him, and Zhang Lu becomes enraged and takes the opportunity to harm you, what should you do?

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao immediately stepped forward: "My lord, I have only recently joined your ranks and have yet to achieve any merit. I wish to accompany you to Nanzheng to protect you!"

"I appreciate General Mengqi's intentions, but you absolutely cannot go on this matter."

Ma Chao was taken aback, turned to look at Gu Sulin, and asked in confusion, "Why?"

Gu Sulin explained, "The person Zhang Lu hates most right now is the general."

Yang Ren and Yang Ang were his trusted generals, both of whom died at the general's hands; the natural barrier of Yangping Pass was also surrendered because of the general, who also controlled his 30,000-strong army in Hanzhong.

Now, everyone in Hanzhong sees you as a traitor. If you go to Nanzheng with us, Zhang Lu will not only ignore our advice, but will also think we are deliberately provoking him. At that time, neither of us will be able to escape unscathed.”

Upon hearing this, Ma Chao frowned, wanting to speak again, but knowing that what Gu Sulin said was true, he could only nod silently.

Gu Sulin turned to Liu Bei and continued, "My lord, I only need to take one person with me on this trip—Zhang Lu's younger brother, Zhang Wei."

Only by returning our younger brother to him can we demonstrate our sincerity and lower Zhang Lu's guard.

If my lord is truly worried, send General Huang alone with me to help me guard Zhang Wei on the way; that will suffice.

General Huang is mature and prudent, highly skilled in martial arts, and renowned for his integrity. He can keep things under control and ensure my safety on the journey, and will not offend Zhang Lu upon reaching Nanzheng.

Liu Bei's eyes lit up, and he immediately made the decision: "Good! We'll do as you say!"

"General Huang, you should go to Nanzheng with Zimo."

"Your humble servant obeys!"

……

Nanzheng.

Reports of defeats—the fall of Yangping Pass, Ma Chao's defection, and the deaths of the two Yangs—were delivered to Nanzheng three times a day.

Zhang Lu sat upright in his mansion, listening to the urgent reports from the scouts. He felt dizzy and his hands trembled slightly. The teacup in his hand clattered, and he was completely unaware that the scalding tea was splashing onto his hands.

Yan Pu whispered from the side, "Master, Ma Chao has finally rebelled."

Zhang Lu stared blankly at the gate of the mansion, and after a long while, he let out a bitter laugh.

"It must be because my secret request to Cao Cao was leaked... Am I, Zhang Lu, really so unpopular?"

Yan Pu, Yang Bai, and the others stood below the steps, their faces solemn, and none of them dared to speak.

Hanzhong enjoyed thirty years of peace, but today, it has been overthrown in a single day.

If Yangping Pass is lost, Nanzheng will be indefensible, and Liu Bei's army could arrive any day or two.

Moreover, Ma Chao also took most of the troops from Hanzhong with him, and they are now completely under Liu Bei's control.

What chilled Zhang Lu even more was that he had secretly sent an envoy to Cao Cao for help, but the journey was long and the envoy would not return for at least a month.

With no clear path ahead and pursuers behind, Zhang Lu sat frozen in his chair, completely at a loss as to what to do next.

"That brat Liu Bei captured my brother, annexed Yangping, and is pressing forward relentlessly—he's gone too far!"

Zhang Lu slammed his fist on the table, his voice cold and his expression filled with anxiety and hatred. "Issue the order: martial law throughout the city! Fortify the city's defenses! Even if I die in battle, I will never surrender Hanzhong!"

Yan Pu hurriedly stepped forward:

"My lord, you are wise. The morale of the army is wavering, and the people are uneasy. A direct confrontation would only lead to mutual destruction. We should hold our ground and wait for news from Cao Cao."

Upon receiving the order, Zhang Lu slumped back into his chair, his face ashen.

"Hopefully we can hold out until Cao Cao arrives."

He guarded Hanzhong for thirty years, only seeking peace in his region, never thinking of conquering the world. But now the flames of war have reached his doorstep, his family members have been captured, the passes have fallen, his trusted confidants have died, and his life's work is on the verge of collapse.

Just as the hall fell into a deathly silence and a climate of fear, the guard rushed in, knelt down, and urgently reported:

"Reporting to Master Shi! An envoy from Liu Bei has arrived outside the city requesting an audience. He is accompanied by two people and is also escorting... General Zhang Wei!"

"What?!"

Zhang Lu suddenly stood up, his eyes wide open, his voice trembling with shock.

Zhang Wei was his younger brother. He had been defeated and captured, and he thought he had died in the army or suffered humiliation. He never expected that he would be sent back by Liu Bei's envoy.

Inside the hall, Yan Pu, Yang Bai, and the others were also in an uproar, whispering among themselves with various expressions.

"Liu Bei captured Zhang Wei but did not kill him, and even sent General Zhang back... What is the meaning of this?"

"Is it a gesture of goodwill? Or a deception?"

"Could it be that they intend to use General Zhang Wei to blackmail Master?"

Zhang Lu was agitated, both surprised and suspicious. His face turned pale and then red. He gripped the armrest tightly and said in a deep voice:

"Liu Bei sent my brother back without any reason; there must be some ulterior motive behind it."

Was he trying to humiliate me, or did he have some other motive?

Who is the envoy? Did he give his name?