Liu Zhang heard that Liu Qi had conquered Bazhong and eliminated the troubles of his two confidants. He was holding a banquet with the officials to celebrate and discuss how to exchange Bazhong for the protection of Yizhou.
Zhang Song proposed to exchange Jiangzhou for Bazhong to save him from asking for territory and going back and forth, but Huang Quan and others strongly opposed it.
Wang Lei offered advice. Liu Qi was lustful and greedy for money. It would be best to exchange money, food and beautiful women for land. Hanzhong has been lost, and Jiangzhou must not be controlled by Liu Qi again.
While they were arguing, an urgent report suddenly came. In order to gain credit, Li Yi raised troops to attack Hanchang, but was killed by Zhang Fei. He took advantage of the situation and rushed into Langzhong, forcing Pang Xi to surrender.
Liu Zhang gnashed his teeth and cursed: "Li Yi is a thief who has been arrogant for many years and has caused such a disaster."
Wang Lei, who was engaged, said worriedly: "This must be Liu Qi's trick. He has long been interested in Baxi. He wants to control Bajun and peek into our Shu."
Liu Zhang asked: "Pang Commandery is captured, how should we rescue him?"
Huang Quan sighed and said, "My lord, there is no need to worry about Duke Pang. I am worried that Liu Qi will make a fuss out of a molehill and take the opportunity to send troops."
"This... is not necessarily true?" Liu Zhang said in astonishment: "Liu Qi and I are from the same clan, and it was Li Yi who started the rebellion. He has gained the city, which is enough to vent his anger. At worst... I will give him Brazil County as well."
Huang Quan frowned and said: "Liu Qi has captured all the territory. There is no danger in Shu and he will never give up. My lord, I must take precautions early and send more troops and horses to various important roads just in case."
Liu Zhang disagreed, and told Zhang Song: "Please don't drive and go to Langzhong again. Give Jiangzhou to him in exchange for Pang Xi. The two of us will share control of Bashu, and we will shake hands and make peace."
He originally wanted to persuade Liu Zhang to surrender, but he held back the words. Liu Qi had warned him in advance that when he arrived in Chengdu, he could only secretly add fuel to the flames, not anger Liu Zhang, and not allow any correspondence to avoid harming himself.
At this time, he was eager to know the situation in the army, so he happily accepted the order, got the official documents and seals, and prepared to set off the next day.
After returning home, a confidant sent a secret letter. After reading it, Zhang Song let out a sigh of relief and sneered: "Ignorant people who don't understand current affairs should all die!"
The next day I went to Liu Zhang's house to pick up the letter. I saw Huang Quan and Wang Lei were there again, and they must have advised Liu Zhang not to cede the land.
Zhang Song did not rush him, but waited for Liu Zhang to write a letter. He suddenly sent a horse to report that Yan Yan attacked Zhang Fei's grain and grass in Dianjiang, but was captured by Zhang He's troops and lost Dianjiang.
Liu Zhang was so shocked that he dropped the pen in his hand: "How...how could this happen?"
Zhang Song sneered and said: "Yan Yan did not allow Zhang Fei's troops to enter the city earlier. He must have a grudge and did this on purpose. This move angered everyone in Jingzhou and a disaster is imminent!"
Wang Lei said anxiously: "Although Old General Yan is impatient and upright, he will never do such a stupid thing. I'm afraid it's Liu Qi's trick again."
Liu Zhang's face turned grim and he said dejectedly: "It seems like Liu Qi wants to seize my inheritance, what can he do?"
Zhang Song sighed: "Only Zhang Lu, we are helpless. Now that Pang Gong is captured day and night, who can be the vanguard? Why not... why not send envoys to apologize quickly and cede territory to seek peace."
Liu Zhang said helplessly: "We have given away all the Badi, how can we leave any room? How about adding some more money, food, and beautiful women?"
Zhang Song shook his head and said: "Liu Qi came to help in the battle, but was killed by the generals. I'm afraid that money and silk can't quell his hatred. The only way is to cut off Guanghan or Jianwei..."
Before he finished speaking, Wang Lei scolded fiercely: "Zhang Biejia, what you are doing is just adding fuel to the fire. How is it different from a seller seeking glory?"
Zhang Song glanced at Wang Lei with raised eyebrows and said calmly: "If Wang Zhi has a good idea, why not go to Langzhong and tell Liu Qi to withdraw his troops?"
Wang Lei's face turned red. Zhang Song's words today were the same as when he ceded Jiangzhou. It seemed reasonable, but in fact it was to support the enemy.
"Humph, we are loyal to the Lord, and we will die. We will never surrender our territory!"
Zhang Song sneered and said: "You have no strategy to defeat the enemy. You only talk rhetoric and claim to be loyal and good, but in fact you cause trouble. Even if you are not afraid of death, you will bring disaster to the lord and officials, as well as the people of Shu. You are really stupid."
"You, you..." Wang Lei was so angry that his veins popped out, and he cursed: "A thief who betrays his master is still so confident?"
Zhang Song said disdainfully: "If you want to die, then die. Don't bother the lord."
Liu Zhang was frightened when he heard this. He put his hand on his forehead and sighed: "What should we do?"
Huang Quan said: "Since Liu Qi entered Sichuan, he has been trying to buy people's hearts everywhere. He came with bad intentions. Now that he has lost his land, he has let a tiger enter his house. If he cuts off the land of Shu again, what will he do to add wings to the tiger? I hope my lord will think again."
Wang Lei was so anxious that he knelt down and remonstrated. Zhang Song asked who could defeat the enemy. The two of them were unscrupulous in recommending generals, so Liu Zhang hesitated.
At this time, a general sent a letter from Pang Xi. Liu Zhang hurriedly opened it, and after reading it he said angrily: "Prefect Pang, how dare you do this? I have never treated him poorly, but I gave up my father's inheritance to others. How can it be unreasonable!"
He originally thought that Liu Qi would put forward some conditions and let Pang Xi be the intermediary, but instead he persuaded him to surrender and give up Yizhou.
It was enough for others to persuade him to surrender, but Pang Xi, who was Tuogu's minister and a relative, took the lead in surrendering to Liu Qi. This made Liu Zhang feel the crisis of betrayal and separation, and he was filled with grief and anger.
Huang Quan took the opportunity to persuade: "Liu Qi's wolfish ambition is clearly exposed. Without further delay, send people to all the passes immediately, add more troops to guard Jiange and Jiangyang important places, and do not allow Jingzhou soldiers to enter."
Liu Zhang looked at the half-written letter and looked at Zhang Song: "What's your advice?"
Zhang Song sighed: "Since Governor Pang has surrendered, it will be useless to talk about peace. My lord, please quickly gather civil and military officials to discuss matters and send warworthy men to various places to protect Xichuan."
"Uh..." Liu Zhang was startled and a little disappointed: "Is there any other good idea?"
Zhang Song stood up and clasped his fists and said: "Everyone scolds me, Zhang Song, for luring a wolf into the house and asking for glory behind my back. How could I know that I am so sincere and dedicated just for the great Han Dynasty? I have taken great pains to mediate in every possible way and tried my best to bring the lord and Liu Qi to join forces to destroy him as soon as possible." Only by usurping and rectifying the imperial court can we live up to the emperor's hope of being in the palace."
Liu Zhang said helplessly: "But Liu Qi is aggressive and wants to seize my inheritance. Who can relieve my worries?"
"You can't have your cake and eat it too. Since you are going to fight, you should make preparations in advance, and my subordinates will immediately prepare money and food!" Zhang Song said goodbye, shook his head and sighed when he went out: "It's a pity that when the same clan fights, they can only call Cao Cao The thief rejoices, the emperor is in trouble, and the day of King Qin is far away!"
Liu Zhang looked at Zhang Song's back and was silent for a long time. In fact, deep down in his heart, he was vaguely expecting Zhang Song to persuade him to surrender. He was in urgent need of someone to help him make up his mind.
Huang Quan and Wang Lei were also stunned. Zhang Song suddenly changed his attitude and actually took charge of the battle with all his strength. The righteous words he just said made them feel a little ashamed.
Wang Lei hurriedly said: "My lord, rescuing troops is like putting out fire. Liu Qi is coming. Don't hesitate any longer. Immediately call all the civil and military forces to come and discuss strategies to retreat from the enemy."
"That's right..." Liu Zhang came to his senses and hurriedly ordered: "Send the order to open the palace for discussion!"
Huang Quan walked out of the house silently, feeling a little dazed. Zhang Song had hinted Liu Zhang to surrender several times yesterday, but he seemed to be a different person overnight. Did he really misjudge him before?
