When attacking Liu Biao in Jingzhou, there is no need to think that Liu Zhang from Yizhou would definitely help Liu Biao resist Chen Feng.
Yizhou is connected to Liangzhou, so Chen Feng left some troops and horses for Ma Teng in Liangzhou to resist Liu Zhang.
But there is another problem, that is, Hanzhong County, which is located between Yi, Jing, Si, and Liang, is particularly critical.
Why is it important?
Let’s do a brief analysis.
Question: Now that Chen Feng and Er Liu are at war, why is Hanzhong particularly crucial?
Answer: In today's world, regardless of the first perspective, from a third perspective, although Chen Feng now occupies the northern states, it is not yet stable. Previously, due to the invasion of the barbarians, the population of the north dropped sharply, not to mention recruiting new soldiers. There are not even enough people in the north to replant the fields.
This is also the reason why Chen Feng has so few troops now, because there are almost no people in the north. Half of the northern people who had previously fled south fled to Chen Feng's Xu and Yang prefectures, and the other half fled to Yizhou and Jingzhou.
Before going to Jingzhou, Chen Feng had ordered Sun Ce and Zhou Yu to return to Yangzhou to train more 30,000 to 50,000 new soldiers, but it would take some time.
The most important thing is that Chen Feng's logistics can't keep up. After regaining the northern states, Chen Feng's three granaries of Yang, Jiao, and Xu will not only supply the army with food and fodder, but also transport it to the northern states to assist in the recovery of the north. people’s livelihood and economy.
So now Chen Feng, who looks very gorgeous on the surface, has some problems internally, and now this juncture is very critical. Although it is true that Chen Feng has 30,000 heavily armored soldiers armed by the system, and it is no problem to sweep across the Central Plains, it is difficult to say that he will face the land of Bashu in Yizhou and the land of rivers in Jingzhou.
Chen Feng planned to go south in one go to destroy the two Lius and complete the unification, but if the sewer capsizes, just like Cao Cao after his defeat in the Battle of Chibi in the unofficial history of his previous life, he would have to rest for a long time.
It's okay to continue to forcefully go south to fight against Er Liu, but don't forget that there are Xianbei and Northern Xiongnu in the north of the Han Dynasty.
If Chen Feng and Er Liu desperately consume in the south, and the Xianbei and Northern Xiongnu in the north of the Han Dynasty take the opportunity to invade, then there will be another wave of chaos in the Central Plains, and even Chen Feng will not be able to bear it.
The main thing is that Chen Feng can fight, but is it useless to fight with Chen Feng's army? If all the people are dead, the economy is gone, and the fields are abandoned, then the country will be in decline.
Therefore, Chen Feng is now going south to attack Jingzhou and Yizhou. It is best to do it all at once. At this time, Zhang Lu of Hanzhong, who is located in the middle of the three waves of forces of Chen Feng, Liu Biao, and Liu Zhang, is particularly critical.
Zhang Lu has been governing Hanzhong for more than 20 years. In addition, Hanzhong has been unaffected by wars due to its dangerous terrain on all sides. The land is fertile and the wealth is flowing.
If Chen Feng can win over Zhang Lu from Hanzhong to his side, then his logistical burden may not only be relieved, but he will also be able to gain an additional number of troops. Moreover, Zhang Lu and other Hanzhong people are familiar with the land of Bashu, and with them as guides, they can win the battle. Er Liu is just around the corner.
Analysis completed
Return to the main line
Pang Tong also saw what the current situation was, so he expressed to Chen Feng: "My lord, my subordinate is willing to go to Hanzhong as an envoy to persuade Zhang Lu to surrender on my lord's behalf."
Chen Feng nodded in agreement, and then gave Pang Tong a few instructions before sending Pang Tong as envoy to Hanzhong to persuade Zhang Lu to surrender.
Chen Feng had heard about Zhang Lu's deeds. He used the Five Pecks of Rice to pacify Hanzhong. He was the leader of the group and had some talent. It would be a great blessing if he could recruit him to surrender. Correctly quoting some Taoist knowledge after becoming emperor will also help consolidate unity.
………
Yizhou
Hanzhong County
Nanzheng County
Pang Tong successfully entered Hanzhong and met with Zhang Lu: "I have met Zhang Shijun, Pang Tong."
Zhang Lu is the grandson of Zhang Daoling, the ancestor of Celestial Master Taoism. He is the third generation Celestial Master of Wu Dou Mi Dao. He calls himself Master Master, and his followers also call him Master Master. Pang Tong went to the countryside and followed the customs, so he called him that.
Zhang Lu said: "Envoy Pang does not need to be polite, please take a seat."
"Thank you." Pang Tong cupped his hands and turned to sit down.
"I wonder why General Chen sent envoy Pang here?" Zhang Lu could probably guess Pang Tong's purpose, but he still had to confirm it.
Pang Tong cupped his hands and replied: "My lord asked me to come here this time for your sake, Master Zhang."
Zhang Lu was puzzled when he heard this: "Oh? For my sake?"
Pang Tong said: "Yes. The reason why Hanzhong is prosperous and prosperous is all because of Zhang Shijun's good governance. This shows that you are capable."
The Five Pecks of Rice religion unites the people of Hanzhong and everyone respects you, which shows that you are virtuous..."
Pang Tong first praised Zhang Lu, which made Zhang Lu feel calm on the outside but very happy on the inside.
After laying the groundwork, Pang Tong began to point out the topic: "Therefore, Zhang Shijun, your talents are only used in this small Hanzhong County. Is it true that some of your great talents are not used at all?"
"Hmm..." Zhang Lu raised his hand to stroke his beard and raised his eyes slightly, as if thinking.
Upon seeing this, Pang Tong paused and continued: "Hanzhong is too small, which limits your true talents. To achieve great achievements, you need larger and broader land.
And my lord happens to have this, so my lord sent me here to make your Celestial Master's way flourish. "
This was actually what Chen Feng meant. Chen Feng was interested in Zhang Lu's ability. Zhang Lu's Five Pecks of Rice religion belonged to Taoism and was an orthodox Taoism. (For popular science, Zhang Lu’s Five Dou Rice Sect is the Tao of the Heavenly Master. It is also called the Five Dou Rice Sect because you have to pay five dou rice to join the religion.)
Chen Feng not only wants to dominate the world, but also export the Han culture to the world. This is the most important thing.
It's useless to conquer the territory. You have to export the cultural beliefs of the Han Dynasty to be useful. Unification of culture and ideology is the real unity, but for such a big project, someone needs help!
Therefore, Zhang Lu, the grandson of Zhang Daoling, the ancestor of Tianshi Taoism, couldn't be more suitable. Chen Feng planned to recruit Zhang Lu and then use it as a basis to perfect Han Taoism and spread it around the world.
Um?
Are you afraid that he will rebel?
Chen Feng, who has a systematic inspection, said that he has no worries in this regard at all. If the loyalty is low, don't use it for now. Recruit him first and train him slowly, and then stop using him when the loyalty is high.
"I understand what Ambassador Pang means. Let me think about it carefully." Zhang Lu said that he needed some time to make a decision.
Pang Tong said: "In that case, I won't bother you too much. This is what my lord asked me to hand over to you."
With that said, Pang Tong took out a scroll from his body and presented it to Zhang Lu: "Maybe you will understand something after reading it."
Zhang Lu asked his men to take the scroll from Pang Tong's hand.
After Pang Tong finished doing this, he left a message to Zhang Lu: "Master Zhang, if you decide, you can call me at any time."
After that, Pang Tong said goodbye to Zhang Lu and temporarily returned to his guest room, waiting for Zhang Lu's reply...
