In the winter, Yizhou, and the lobby of the prefecture.

Compared with the northern country, Yizhou, located in the southwest basin, is undoubtedly late in winter. Chengdu is not affected by the ice and snow, and the provincial capital lobby, which is constantly heating, is even warmer as spring.

But the bronze carving in the hall emitted a clattering sound of water droplets, and the depressing atmosphere was particularly harsh. The Lord of Yizhou Liu Zhang was sitting in the main seat, and a hint of resentment appeared on his fair and slightly fat face. His hands shrank in his wide sleeves trembled slightly. Anyone who is familiar with his personality knows that at this moment, he is in an angry and fearful state.

Although Fei Boren, the envoy sent by Yizhou to fight back to Hanzhong, had already made a humble remark and used low-coins as a minor, Chang'an tried every means to shirk responsibility, and had no sincerity when he sent envoys to Shu. In the end, he turned against him. He sent troops to detain Fei Boren's delegation on the grounds that Liu Zhang did not entrust the convoy.

Recently, some wars about the Central Plains and Hebei have also been introduced to Shu: General Yan Yan defeated the Yuan brothers, captured Yecheng, and shocked Heshuo, and the counties and counties of Jizhou surrendered; Cao Cao was accidentally assassinated in the army of Sikong, and his eldest son Cao Pi rushed to throne. People in Yan, Yu and other places were panicked, and the situation of the three northern families in a state of harmony changed. Yuan and Cao were no longer able to compete with the powerful Guanxi soldiers and horses...

At this moment, Liu Zhang finally realized that at the beginning, Chang'an had no intention of returning Hanzhong. On the contrary, with the powerful enemies in the north being destroyed or defeated, the days when the Xiliang army came to Shuchuan were not far away.

"Chang'an has committed a treason and detained the envoys. Recently, he has defeated the Yuan family and is intimidating the north. I am afraid that he will go south soon. What should you do now?"

Liu Zhang, who had been silent for a long time, finally revealed his fear in front of all the civil and military people. He looked around at the many civil and military officials in the hall, like a drowning man struggling helplessly, hoping to catch a life-saving straw in the predicament.

After listening to Liu Zhang's words, the civil and military officials in the hall had their own thoughts, but a few people still offered suggestions.

However, with the fact that the soldiers and horses in Guanxi in the north are dominant, the Xiliang army has recently defeated the great military power of the Yuan clan in Hebei. No one dares to fight anymore and claims to send troops to recover Hanzhong. Some state officials even hint that Chang'an is only angry that Liu Zhang did not entrust a condo to send a hostage. It is better to send troops to escort Liu Xun to Chang'an City and then offer twice as many gold and silk as before. Perhaps this will eliminate the war in Yizhou.

Liu Zhang frowned and listened to these suggestions, his heart became heavier and he fell into silence again.

Although he had no opinion in his heart, he knew that those who feed tigers with their bodies would often not end up in a good end.

Those state officials can surrender without any burden, but can they?

"Don't let's go, Guanxi is strong and Yizhou is weak. If the northern troops go south, the Shu soldiers will be unable to resist. But is there no other way in Yizhou except for the quota and surrender?"

In the end, after a resultless discussion, Yizhou civil and military officials withdrew from the lobby one after another, but Zhang Song, who returned from the envoy, was kept by Liu Zhang.

Hearing Liu Zhang's words, Zhang Song's eyes flashed, knowing that the opportunity had come, he immediately got up and came to the hall, and said firmly:

"Ming Gong, Hanzhong is the throat of Yizhou. If there is no Hanzhong, there will be no Shu. This is a disaster for the family. How can we believe the words of villains, cut off flesh and feed tigers, and surrender the masses. In the matter today, the man in Yizhou should fight and the woman should be lucky. Why do we doubt sending troops?"

"this--"

Liu Zhang, who was unwilling to surrender, heard that he wanted to fight a lot of troops, and then hesitated again.

Zhang Song looked at Liu Zhang's expression secretly. He knew that if he had put forward the plan to "join Liu to attack Yan" from the beginning, he would definitely become the target of public criticism in the hall. Those remarks that had previously revealed that he "hidden evil intentions and led wolves into the house" would rise again. With Liu Zhang's weak personality, although he would not blame others for his words and blame himself, he did not dare to disagree with his own plans and finally he could only put the long-planned plan on the shelf and abandon it.

Only when the ministers are helpless and they are alone against Liu Zhang and the king and ministers is the time to really put forward their huge plans.

Because Zhang Song knew very well what Liu Zhang was worried about.

"I know that my talent and virtue are not as good as the Chinese. I can only guard the land of a state because I am under my father's mercy. The soldiers and generals in Shu are afraid of foreign wars and brave in internal struggles. If all Shu soldiers fight in Hanzhong in the north, they will be defeated and killed. If Yizhou is not protected, the soldiers and generals will be arrogant and may no longer be controlled by the prefecture."

Not dependent on his position, worrying about the outside and fearing the inside, is Liu Zhang's biggest heart disease. If he appointed a general to command the army to capture Hanzhong in the north and fail, Yizhou would soon fall under the cavalry of the Western Liang army. But if he wins, how should he treat the arrogant general who has recovered Hanzhong and has a huge prestige? Who can guarantee that the Shu general who recovered Hanzhong will not become the next Zhang Lu?

For Liu Zhang, this is almost an unsolvable problem. Unless he has the ability to lead a large army and control the generals to recover Hanzhong, it is better to sit and wait for death and do nothing.

Only when the monarch and his ministers were alone together could Liu Zhang reveal his true feelings to Zhang Song. As a foreign countryman, who had been troubled by the rebellion of Shu people since he ascended the throne, he naturally regarded Zhang Song, a scholar who was despised by the scholars in Shu, and believed that Zhang Biejia in front of him was a person who could truly entrust great things.

Zhang Song also smiled kindly at this time. This time, he was so complicated that he had found a solution for Liu Zhang.

"Since that's the case, has Duke Ming ever thought about borrowing foreign generals to lead troops to regain Hanzhong?"

"Borrow foreign general?"

Liu Zhang was stunned for a moment and didn't understand it for a while.

"What do you mean by this?"

"What Ming Gong was worried about was to send all the troops in Shu to fight for Hanzhong in the north. If you lose, Yizhou would be in danger. If you win, the generals would be arrogant and difficult to control, and it would be a vilified person. If you do this, it would be better to borrow foreign generals who had no foundation in Shu and entrust them with great responsibilities and let them command the troops to capture Hanzhong in the north. In this way, you can not only regain Hanzhong and resist the Western Liang army, but you don't have to worry about the generals being arrogant and difficult to control in the future."

After listening to Zhang Song's explanation, Liu Zhang's eyes lit up suddenly, but soon the light in his eyes dimmed again.

He also thought of Zhang Song, who was on a mission to Jingzhou, who meant to join forces with Liu Biao of Jingzhou to attack Yan, and borrow the troops from Jingzhou to enter Sichuan to recover Hanzhong. If we follow the precedent, it is not uncommon to use foreign generals to attack the enemy. However, it is not lacking in the Warring States Period. However, when it comes to the present, there are many risks.

"Liu Jingsheng had a feud with Yizhou in his early years and recruited rebel generals from Bashu, which had ulterior motives. Besides, the foreign generals ruled the soldiers in Shu, and the soldiers were afraid that the soldiers would not accept it!"

Zhang Song smiled lightly and continued:

"Ming Gong doesn't have to worry. When Song went on an envoy this time, Liu Jingsheng was old and no longer as he was, and he was afraid that his life would be short. Besides, he heard that his two sons were fighting and the eldest and the young were in disorder. Jingzhou was very worried and he would have no future. As for the fear that the foreign generals would not be able to suppress the arrogant general in Shu, Mr. Ming might as well send a letter to invite the left general Liu Xuande to Sichuan to help."

"Liu Xuande?"

"That's right, Song saw this time on his mission to Jingzhou. Liu Xuande was a man with a heart of the Han Dynasty, loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, and strategy. He has been fighting in the Central Plains for many years. He is familiar with the fact that the northern troops are weak and powerful. In the past, he led his army north to Xudu and defeated the northern troops, which shocked the Central Plains. Besides, he was also known as benevolent. He heard that Tao Qian gave in to Xuzhou when he was sent to Xuzhou, but he refused. If this person came, Ming Gong treated him with courtesy and told his family affection, he would be able to work together to collect the land of Hanzhong for Ming Gong."

"Liu Xuande..."

After hearing Zhang Song's words, Liu Zhang thought of the various benefits of borrowing foreign generals. When he thought of Liu Xuande, who was loyal, righteous and kind, he was quite moved in his heart. He was muttering Liu Bei's name, and his mind was full of thoughts, and ripples appeared in his heart.

···

"Duke Xuande."

On a deserted hill in Zhending, the northern country, thousands of mountains away from Chengdu, Zhao Yun stood in his hand holding a spear, looking at the rising snowflakes and sighing.

During this year, the land of Hebei where he was located had earth-shaking changes. The Yuan family, which seemed to be invincible in the past, collapsed at a speed that ordinary people could not imagine. After the Yuan brothers were defeated in Yecheng, they disappeared. The cities and towns in various parts of Jizhou changed their flags and scrambled to surrender to the Xiliang army. In just one or two months, most of Jizhou fell into the hands of Yan Yan in Guanxi.

The official of Zhending is also one of many people who cross the river.

The Yuan family was originally the old enemy of Gongsun Zan's army. Seeing that Yuan's hegemony was empty in the blink of an eye, Zhao Yun did not feel much regret. He only felt compassion and sighed when he saw the scene of Qianshou in various parts of Jizhou being disturbed by war, leaving his hometown and fleeing to the Tao.

Every time at this moment, he remembered what Liu Bei once said to him. To support this world, we cannot just resort to force and save the chaotic world where the principles of the country are overturned and people's hearts are in danger, and to bring this world back on track, we must rely on benevolence and righteousness and the hearts of the people.

Duke Xuande was the wise ruler who Zhao Yun had high hopes. He had extraordinary courage and a kindness to save the world and the people. Unfortunately, his life was full of difficulties and wasted. He was still wandering for half his life and was still wandering and living under others' roofs. He still has no place to establish a base.

The information that Zhao Yun, who is in Changshan, can obtain from the outside world is undoubtedly much behind. He only knows that Liu Bei is now dependent on Jingxiang and Liu Biao, and once went north to the Central Plains to use military force Ye, Wan, intending to recover Xu Du and restore the Han Dynasty, but he gave up halfway and failed.

He thought about going to Jingxiang to join Liu Bei, but the journey was long and there were many obstacles along the way. Most of the prefectures and counties he passed by were in a state of war. He was not afraid of being alone, but it was undoubtedly difficult to arrive safely with his wife and children at home.

He also thought about trying to persuade Xiahou Lan and others to walk with each other and take care of each other. Unfortunately, Xiahou Lan and others were not interested in going south to join Liu Bei, but instead had the idea of ​​taking effect on the Xiliang army that had already attacked Heshuo and was rampant.

They heard that Gongsun Xu, the son of the late White Horse General Gongsun Zan, is now serving under the tent of Yan Yan, the general of the cavalry. He followed the army to fight and recruited the remaining old subordinates of the Gongsun family to join the Western Liang army.

This made their minds come alive. Seeing that the destruction of the Yuan family in Hebei was already clear, the former Gongsun family who had to live with their tails on their daily lives had finally come to their forefront. As long as they could board the ship of Major General Gongsun, they were afraid that they would not have the opportunity to make achievements.

Therefore, these days, Xiahou Lan and the others have always wanted to persuade Zhao Yun to go to the Xiliang Army with them to meet the former Major General Gongsun Xu.

After all, the humble military position they held in Gongsun Zan's army before was not masked with Gongsun Xu. Even if Gongsun Xu was here and accepted them together, the official position they could be given was a humble position.

But if Zhao Yun can be brought with him, things will become different again.

Zhao Yun was a famous warrior in Gongsun Zan's army in the past. He had met Gongsun Xu several times and had this relationship. If he went to join him at this time, the positions he could obtain would definitely be far above everyone else.

Zhao Yun was both civil and military in the army and was generous and generous. If many villagers followed him, they would definitely not lose many benefits.

However, Zhao Yun had no intention of joining Gongsun Xu, and was even more unwilling to join the Xiliang Army. Therefore, he repeatedly refused the invitations of Xiahou Lan and others, which made Xiahou Lan and others who were still unwilling to give up are still stranded in Zhending territory.

In Zhao Yun's opinion, the reason he had to leave Gongsun Zan's army before was because he saw that the Gongsun family was not a fellow man. How could he shamelessly claim to be General Gongsun's old subordinate for fame and fortune?

As for the Xiliang army that was rampant in Heshuo, Zhao Yun had no good feelings in his heart.

Cao Yuan's army was ordered to conquer Changshan, Zhao and other places. After crossing Taihang Mountain, he was invincible all the way. However, the soldiers and generals of Guanxi under his command were actually less than 20,000. If they wanted to control this huge Heshuo land, they had to rely on those native Hebei anti-Yuan forces.

The surrendered Yuan army, Gongsun Zan's remaining old subordinates, the black bandits standing on the hills, and Cao Yuan's army all came and took them under his command one after another, which made the grand momentum of the Guanxi army swept across Heshuo.

Cao Yuan, who wanted to rule this army with a variety of members and impure minds, had insufficient military rations and hoped to support the war, had to turn a blind eye to military discipline. The military order he wanted to complete was to capture many counties such as Zhao State, Zhongshan, Changshan and other counties. As for how to make this land last forever under the rule of the General Cavalry, it was the general's staff and scholars who needed to get a headache.

Of course, Zhao Yun didn't know the inside story of these Guanxi army, so from his outsider's perspective, this Xiliang army that was conquering cities and territory had a strong military force, but it was just a barbaric army that was rebellious and ruthless and ruined people's livelihood.

It is really against Zhao Yun's own will to let himself serve such an army.

Just as Zhao Yun was scrubbing the spear rod of the spear in his hand and sighing, Xiahou Lan's familiar voice came from under the hill.

"Brother, huh,, go back to the countryside."

Xiahou Lan rode a panting old horse and rushed to the small hill where Zhao Yun was practicing martial arts. As soon as he saw Zhao Yun's figure, he immediately shouted:
Chapter completed!