It is said that Lu Bu, the god of war, became Cao Cao's soul.
Everyone was in a daze for a moment. Losing life was easy in this chaotic era. Survival became the greatest luxury, even for the most powerful generals.
Zhao Chen slowly opened his eyes. He couldn't save Gao Shun, so he had to keep Zhang Liao.
He asked Jian Yong: "Where is General Zhang Liao?"
"Military advisors are all waiting in the back hall."
Zhao Chen nodded, turned to Liu Bei, and said: "My lord, now is the time to employ people. General Zhang Liao and Zhang Wenyuan are rare talents. If we can get him to join us, we will definitely greatly improve the strength of our army."
When Liu Bei heard this, he was naturally overjoyed and immediately ordered Zhang Liao to be summoned.
Zhang Liao slowly walked into the front hall with his hands tied.
Upon seeing this, Liu Bei hurriedly let go of Zhang Liao and said with remorse on his face: "General Zhang has suffered!"
Zhang Liao rubbed the wrists of his hands and looked at Zhao Chen persistently with his eyes, like a sharp sword of questioning piercing Zhao Chen's heart.
Liu Bei didn't realize it, but he still persuaded him: "General Wenyuan is Wang Jian's talent. Now we are in troubled times, all heroes are rising together, and the people are suffering. As the king of Zhongshan, it is really a sin for the Liu family's descendants to not be able to bring peace to the world." . Now that General Lu has been killed by Cao Cao, the general has nothing to show for his martial arts, and he has nowhere to extend his ambitions. If you and I can go forward side by side, we will definitely be able to put an end to this troubled world. I wonder what the general wants?"
Liu Bei thought that his words would surely move Zhang Liao and make him surrender smoothly.
But who would have thought that Zhang Liao just said lightly: "Liao admires your ambition, but now that General Lu is gone, Liao has no intention of going to the battlefield again. Please forgive me."
After saying that, Zhang Liao didn't even look back and walked outside the county government office.
Liu Bei had no choice but to watch him leave.
Zhao Chen looked at the lost Zhang Liao and seemed to understand why he chose to follow Cao Cao in history.
The five constant principles, faith, are the most precious qualities.
Zhang Liao was a loyal and trustworthy person. In Zhang Liao's eyes, Liu Bei's behavior of regaining Xiapi City seemed to be an act of bad faith, which was inconsistent with what he had always believed in, so he was naturally unwilling to surrender.
In history, Cao Cao was famous for not trusting people he hired and not using people he doubted. He has 100% trust in Zhang Liao and feels at ease under Cao Cao.
So he will be loyal to Cao Cao without hesitation, even if Cao Cao is defeated miserably in Chibi.
Zhao Chen silently remembered the feelings of this moment in his heart.
The next day, Zhao Chen called Guan Yu and visited Zhang Liao together.
Zhang Liao had no expression on his face. When he saw Guan Yu and Zhao Chen walking in, he just symbolically invited them to take a seat and made some tea, but was unwilling to say a word.
Guan Yu took the lead in advising: "Wen Yuan, I know that the general is a loyal and righteous man. Lu Bu may not treat the general poorly, but now that Lu Bu has been killed by Cao Cao, why should the general suffer here? Why don't you follow my brother and plead for the people together." "
Zhang Liao shook his head and replied: "No need to say anything, Mr. Yun. Chen Gong had previously advised General Lu, saying that asking Liu Shijun for help was the same as inviting Dong Zhuo and luring a wolf into the house. But General Lu didn't believe it and thought Liu Shijun He is a noble gentleman, and stealing Xiapi was done by a villain. But Liao Wei never thought that the matter of Xiapi City had already been planned by Mr. Houde, and he used Cao Cao's help to expel General Lu and take control of Xiapi City. , otherwise you wouldn’t have tried your best to dissuade me from leaving the city, right?”
For a moment, Zhang Liao's conversation turned to Zhao Chen.
He took out a letter from his arms and placed it in front of Zhao Chen.
Guan Yu didn't know why, but Zhao Chen knew it clearly.
He did not answer directly, but silently took a sip of tea and handed the letter on the table back to Zhang Liao.
It seemed that Zhao Chen acquiesced in everything.
So what if it doesn’t default? This was all within his plan.
After thousands of plans, Zhao Chen sometimes made miscalculations and failed to include Zhang Liao's loyalty.
Guan Yu hurriedly asked Zhao Chen: "Military advisor, what is Wen Yuan referring to?"
Zhao Chen said, "Yun Chang, let's go to the North Gate to pay homage to General Lu."
After saying that, he stood up and left.
Guan Yu looked back at Zhang Liao and followed him helplessly.
The two bought some commemorative items and slowly arrived outside the north gate of Xiapi City.
Looking to the north, apart from the distant hills, there is only hazy and uncaptured dust.
Zhao Chen chose the direction facing Fu Yangcheng, lit a stick of incense, raised it above his head and bowed slowly three times, and finally inserted it on the ground.
Guan Yu imitated Zhao Chen's example and did it one by one.
But he didn't understand why he wanted to pay tribute to Lu Bu.
Zhao Chen said: "A true man stands in heaven and earth. In small things, he protects the safety of his family, and in big things, he protects the peace of the world. General Lu is a hero of a lifetime, guarding the safety and stability of Xiapi City. He is a person worthy of our respect. Since our army has taken over Xiapi City will definitely complete the goal of regaining Xuzhou, always ask for orders for the people, and work for the first Taiping."
"Chen also uses this to express his determination to fight for the restoration of peace in the Central Plains in this life."
Guan Yu heard this and sighed deeply. Apart from his elder brother Liu Bei, no one else had such ambitions.
He never thought that military advisor Zhao Chen's ambitions were as high as those of his eldest brother.
Suddenly, a sigh came from behind the two of them.
"Everyone in the world thinks that General Lu is brave and treacherous. In my opinion, he is loyal to his wife and children, and he is generous and kind to the people of Xuzhou. How can you say that such a general is not what the world calls him?" A person with no faith or righteousness?"
The two looked back and saw Zhang Liao coming slowly.
"What General Wenyuan said, Chen has been taught a lesson!"
As Zhang Liao said, Lu Bu's evaluation in "Three Kingdoms" is that "he has the courage of a lion and a tiger, but no heroic strategy, he is cunning and repetitious, and only sees profit." However, he has never been seen to protect Liu Bei's family and the people of Xuzhou. At least he did not massacre cities to vent his anger like Cao Cao did.
Zhang Liao was slightly shocked. There were only a few people who could agree with what he said, and he trusted Zhao Chen a little more in his heart.
Zhao Chen added: "It was indeed part of Chen's plan to defeat Cao Cao and take Pi City. He didn't want the general to leave the city with Lu Bu to fight against Cao Cao because Chen expected that Lu Bu was not Cao Cao's opponent. In this world, the law of the jungle is the law of the jungle. Cao Cao is strong, so naturally I will salivate over Xuzhou. Once Cao Cao arrives, Xuzhou will be in ruins. General Lu cannot hold Xuzhou, but my lord Liu Beineng. Liu Xuande is generous and kind, loved by the people. In the eyes of the world, he is the best lord, and even more so. The best choice for people in Xuzhou to live and work in peace and contentment."
After hearing what Zhao Chen said, Zhang Liao silently picked up a stick of incense on the ground, lit it, raised it above his head and bowed three times, and finally, like Zhao Chen and Guan Yu, inserted it next to the two sticks of incense on the ground.
He knew in his heart that everything Zhao Chen said was true.
But the truth is often the hardest to accept.
The wind blew away the remaining clouds and dispersed the dust, revealing a faint yellow color on the ground.
This yellow color is not gold but clay.
A little sunlight fell on the three sticks of incense, and the incense burned brighter in the breeze.
After a long time, Zhang Liao suddenly asked Zhao Chen: "Is Mr. Houde's ambition serious?"
"That is natural, it is my master's ambition, and it is even more my Zhao Chen's ambition."
"Mr. Houde was generous with his teachings before, and now he saved Liao's life. Liao will remember it in his heart. If Mr. Houde is willing, Liao is willing to follow Mr."
The speaker had no intention of saying this, but the listener had the intention. If others heard it, they would definitely have doubts about Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen quickly corrected him: "Lord Liu Xuande, generals are always welcome to join us!"
Zhang Liao nodded, acquiescing.
