Zhou Cang glanced at Yang Song, Yan Pu and others next to him, and looked a little hesitant.
Seeing this situation, Yang Ling became aware of what was happening.
He waved his hand,
"Everyone, please step aside for now!"
Although everyone was curious about what made Yang Ling so cautious, they did not dare to say anything and all stood up and left.
Only Deng Ai and Jiang Wei, who were close to Yang Ling, were left in the lobby by him.
"Reporting to the general, His Majesty passed away a few days ago!"
As soon as these words came out, Jiang Wei and Deng Ai's expressions changed drastically!
None of them thought that Cao Zhi would die at this juncture.
Yang Ling was a little surprised when he heard the news, but then he felt relieved.
After all, Cao Zhi was so poisoned that even Zhang Zhongjing’s students and apprentices were helpless.
Relying on the power of medicinal stones, it is not easy to barely extend it until the near future!
"Teacher, we...are we going back to Luoyang?"
Deng Ai asked in a low voice.
Throughout ancient times, the death of an emperor could be said to be related to the safety of the entire country, let alone Cao Wei, who had just experienced a coup.
If at this juncture, Yang Ling did not return to Luoyang.
I'm afraid there will be many people with ulterior motives who are ready to act secretly!
Yang Ling held her chin and fell into deep thought.
Whether it was to attend a funeral as a minister or to stabilize the political situation, he should return to Luoyang.
It's just that Hanzhong was finally defeated, and the situation is not yet completely stable.
Zhang Lu has not yet been wiped out, and Liu Bei is again eyeing Yangping Pass.
Once I leave, I am afraid that Hanzhong will be gained and lost again!
Seeing him lost in thought, Deng Ai, Jiang Wei, and Zhou Cang shut their mouths knowingly and waited for his final decision!
After a long time, Yang Ling gave the order,
"Go and call everyone in!"
"Here!"
Zhou Cang left quickly.
Not long after, Yan Pu, Yang Song and others gathered in the hall.
"Everyone, to be honest, I just received the news that the emperor passed away a few days ago!"
As soon as Yang Ling said these words, everyone in the hall was stunned.
They just took refuge in Cao Wei, and the emperor of Cao Wei died?
"As a general of the imperial court, I cannot be absent from such an important event. I plan to leave in the next few days and return to Luoyang."
When Yang Ling finished speaking, the crowd in the hall became commotion.
At this juncture, if Yang Ling leaves, won't it give Liu Bei and Zhang Lu a chance to counterattack?
"If the general leaves, what will happen to Hanzhong?"
Yang Song said nervously.
He was 100% sure that if Yang Ling stepped forward, Zhang Lu would fight back!
Zhang Lu managed Hanzhong for 20 to 30 years and won the hearts of the people.
As long as he raises his voice, it is not impossible for the nobles and common people in Hanzhong to turn against each other!
Once Zhang Lu retakes Hanzhong, the only thing waiting for their Yang family will be death!
"Don't worry, everyone. In less than two days, Zhang Wenyuan, the general of the Western Expedition, will arrive with elite soldiers and generals."
"With him guarding Hanzhong by then, everything will be absolutely perfect!"
Yang Ling smiled and reassured.
Although Zhang Liao is also famous, he once led 500 fierce soldiers to defeat Sun Quan's 30,000 Jiangdong army and was frightened by the news, but in the hearts of everyone in Hanzhong, Yang Ling was the safest to be in Hanzhong.
But Yang Ling had said so, and even if Yang Song and others were unwilling to do so, they could only keep silent.
After explaining everything, Yang Ling took Jiang Wei, Deng Ai and others and hurriedly left Nanzheng.
…
Yangping Pass.
After escaping from Nanzheng City, Zhang Lu originally wanted to flee east, find Yan Pu, and lead the 20,000 troops to retake Nanzheng.
But then he thought, since Yang Ling could deceive 20,000 soldiers and horses out of Nanzheng, Chenggu County must have already had a way to deal with it.
If he passes by, I'm afraid he will fall into a trap!
Looking at the dozens of people left around him, Zhang Lu felt like crying for a moment.
Just a few days ago, he was the leader of the Five Pecks of Rice Cult in Hanzhong.
But now, he is reduced to a homeless dog with nowhere to go!
Thinking of the hateful Yang Ling, Zhang Lu felt filled with hatred!
"Master, what should we do next?"
Several loyal believers asked Zhang Lu.
Zhang Lu reluctantly cheered up and began to consider his next move.
With the fall of Hanzhong, Cao Wei's territory has been further expanded, and he is afraid that the next step will be to attack Liu Bei in Yizhou.
The wisest thing is naturally to join Cao Wei.
But Yang Ling ruined everything for Zhang Lu, and his eldest son Zhang Fu also died in the hands of Wei soldiers. It was even more uncomfortable for him to seek refuge with Cao Wei than to kill him!
In this case, Zhang Lu had no choice but to defect to Liu Bei!
Thinking of this, he took a deep breath and commanded in a deep voice,
"Let's go to Yangping Pass!"
Nanzheng is not far from Yangping Pass. Zhang Lu and his party arrived at Yangping Pass the next day with all their strength.
The Yizhou soldiers guarding the city did not dare to neglect and immediately reported it to Liu Bei.
"What? Zhang Lu actually came to seek refuge?!"
When Liu Bei learned the news, he was immediately surprised.
If it had been before, he would have been elated!
But now that Cao Wei's army is attacking Hanzhong and Zhang Lu comes to defect, there is only one possibility. Cao Wei's troops have already captured Hanzhong!
"Lord, let's let Zhang Lu enter the city first, and then we can ask him clearly before it's too late!"
Fazheng on the side reminded.
Liu Bei recovered from his surprise and hurriedly ordered,
"Quick, please come in, Governor Zhang!"
Not long after, Zhang Lu and his party were welcomed into the lobby.
When they heard the whole story, Liu Bei, Fazheng, Zhang Fei and others all took a deep breath.
Zhang Lu has been entrenched in Hanzhong for so many years, and Hanzhong has been managed by him so well that it can be said to be impregnable!
Liu Zhang sent people to attack many times before, but failed to capture it.
But he didn't expect that Yang Ling would beat Zhang Lu into a loser in less than half a month!
What surprised them even more was Yang Ling's ability in this battle!
Liu Bei had been defeated by Yang Ling many times before, although most people in the group recognized that Yang Ling was superior.
But there are still a handful of people who feel that Yang Ling is just lucky, relying on Cao Wei's strong strength, strong soldiers, horses, and excellent weapons!
But the Battle of Hanzhong convinced them all!
Yang Linggui is a general of the imperial court, but he is not afraid of death and takes the lead.
He led a thousand elite soldiers through the extremely dangerous Ziwu Valley, and used strategies to play with people's hearts, and finally captured Hanzhong easily.
How many people in the world can accomplish such a feat?
Anyway, Liu Bei asked himself and felt that he did not have this ability!
Seeing that Liu Bei and everyone in the hall were silent for a long time, Zhang Lu said cautiously,
"I dare to ask Uncle Liu Huang, if he would be willing to take him in..."
When Liu Bei persuaded him to surrender, Zhang Lu was extremely arrogant and even punished Jian Yong.
Now that he had surrendered in embarrassment, he was still afraid that Liu Bei would not take him in and would kill him!
