Zhao Yunhao was so arrogant and selfless that he shut up those who were dissatisfied with the reward. The battle in the court was more dangerous than the sword and the shadow of the sword. Liu Bei passed the test in such a thrilling way, but Zhao Yun offended many people because of this. Liu Bei fought for Yizhou In order to keep the overall situation in mind, I deliberately alienated him for a long time.
During the time when Liu Zhang and his son were governing Yizhou, the nobles used their wealth and power to bully the common people, which made the people in Shu think of chaos. Eight out of every ten households in Shu wanted to be in chaos. The reason was that moral governance was not promoted and threats and punishments were not severe. After Liu Bei took charge of Chengdu, he ordered Zhuge Liang, Fazheng, Yi Ji, Liu Ba, Li Yan and other five people worked together to research and create the "Shu Ke", which was a law used to restrain the military and civilians of Shu and govern the Shu Han.
After Fazheng accepted the order, he brought up the old matters again and advised Liu Bei to accept Wu Yi's sister Wu Ran, so as to get close to the gentry in Shu, stabilize the situation in Yizhou, and set an example for the old ministers during Liu Zhang's period.
This political marriage was supported by Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong and others. When Liu Bei was hesitant, Zhuge Liang persuaded him and said that Jingzhou would not have any objections. After all, Mrs. Sun no longer had any say, and Liu Chan only had the status of heir apparent. , Lantian’s side won’t have any objections either.
Liu Bei married Wu Ran later in the year, and sent his Zhonglang Yiji back to Jingzhou to deliver a message. It was nominally to visit Liu Zhang and his son, but in fact it was to inform Lantian of the situation.
In March of the 19th year of Jian'an, Huo Jun, the governor of Zitong County, sent a flying horse to report to Chengdu urgently. Ma Chao of Xiliang came to Shu from Dizhong to join him. He is currently waiting for news in Zitong with his younger brother Ma Dai.
When Zhuge Liang used Ma Chao's name to threaten Liu Zhang, Liu Bei thought it was just a plan to break the city. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be a prophecy. He was hesitant to accept Ma Chao.
Liu Bei summoned Zhuge Liang to ask for advice, and hesitantly said: "Ma Mengqi has the courage to spread the word, but he is impatient and fierce, and has a bad reputation, which is feared by many people in Shu. This time he came to surrender in response to the advice of his military advisor. Although Bei is willing Take it in but don’t dare to use it..."
Zhuge Liang said with a smile: "Ma Chao came all the way far away from his homeland in Xiliang. The response from the border tribes without the Qiang and Hu was like a tiger falling in Pingyang. If my lord is in doubt, the high-ranking officials and generous salaries will not join the army. Furthermore, Ma Chao has a bloody feud with Cao Cao. If you use it to attack Cao Cao, you will use all your strength."
"Then can the horse be kept?" Liu Bei confirmed again.
Zhuge Liang smiled and replied: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend, my lord, there is no need to worry."
Liu Bei took Zhuge Liang's reassurance and sent his meritorious Cao Shuzuo Li Hui to Zitong to welcome the Ma Chao brothers back to Chengdu.
At the end of March, Ma Chao entered Chengdu. Based on Zhuge Liang's suggestion, Liu Bei made Ma Chao General of Pingxi, ranking first among the generals of Jingzhou and Yizhou, and held a banquet to welcome the two brothers.
Ma Chao had no choice but to defect to Liu Bei. He was defeated by Zhang He with the help of Zhang Lu's troops at the beginning of the year. Xiliang's ally Han Sui was defeated by Xia Houyuan. The Hu tribes such as Qiang and Di could not stop Xia Houyuan.
When Ma Chao returned to Hanzhong, the content of the Changjiang Newspaper had been circulated. Zhang Lu looked at him strangely at this time, secretly relieved Ma Chao of his military power, and sent people to guard him tightly. Ma Chao had nothing at this time and just wanted to survive. After passing the land, he and his younger brother Ma Dai secretly transferred from Dizhong to Shu. His general Pang De was unable to go with him due to illness.
Zhang Lu's actions also made Ma Chao resentful, so he borrowed wine to say something at the banquet: "The tribes of Xiliang have been dispersed, Xiahou Yuan will soon conquer Longyou, Cao's thieves will soon go south to take Hanzhong, my lord Ruo Tu It’s better to move to Hanzhong as early as possible, and when the time comes, I’m willing to be the front..."
Liu Bei saw that Ma Chao was very active, so he smoothed his beard and replied: "Yizhou has experienced wars for several years, the people's livelihood has declined, and the soldiers are exhausted. It is not the time to attack Hanzhong yet. Let Shuzhong rest for two years, and then it is not too late to attack Hanzhong."
"Zhang Lu in Hanzhong is not a good person. Many of his subordinates are interested in Cao Ying. Chao is just worried about missing a good opportunity..." Ma Chao said sincerely.
Zhuge Liang then explained: "General Ma, there is no need to worry. My lord is already stationed in Zitong County. It will be a matter of time to capture Hanzhong, but haste makes waste..."
Liu Bei's rewarded soldiers were not generous. Although they were rescued by Zhao Yun in time, the impact still existed. At this time, it was not a wise move at all to draw him to attack Hanzhong.
"Uh...I know..." Although Ma Chao was reckless, he was not stupid. Both Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang said so, and he made no further efforts to fight.
When the banquet scene became a bit dull, Zhang Fei suddenly picked up the wine jar and walked to Ma Chao, "Ma Chao, right? I am Zhang Fei, have you heard of me?"
Ma Chao saw that Zhang Fei was drunk and confused, and thought to himself, why was he drunk just after the dinner? Who doesn't know Zhang Fei, the third brother of the lord Liu Bei and the enemy of ten thousand people? But is this guy looking for trouble?
"I've heard about the name of General Yide for a long time." Ma Chao cupped his fists in greeting.
After hearing this, Zhang Fei shook his head and said: "You are more famous than me, otherwise why would you be given the title of General Pingxi? But you beat Cao Cao to the point where he cut off his beard and discarded his robe, which I appreciate very much. How about we have a drink first?"
"Uh... Then it's better to be respectful than obey..." Ma Chao also picked up the wine jar and drank with Zhang Fei.
Ma Chao believed that Zhang Fei deliberately pretended to be drunk to cause trouble for him. The reason should be that the official position Liu Bei gave him was too high, but how could Ma Chao, a bloody man, be afraid of alcohol?
After drinking for three times in a row, Ma Chao could no longer resist. His black face was as usual, like a normal person. He couldn't help but admired: "General Yide is indeed a huge drinker. Chao is willing to give up in a drinking contest with you." ..."
Zhang Fei pursed his lips and said, "Isn't it enough to have just a few altars? Why don't we go outside the palace to do some activities and help you sober up?"
"Isn't this bad..."
Ma Chao didn't understand what Zhang Fei meant. He had already admitted defeat, but the other party still insisted on asking for a fight? Do you want to give me a blow? But I have no intention of being competitive at all.
"Stop hesitating, come and discuss with me." Zhang Fei stood up and waved to Ma Chao.
Zhuge Liang smiled mysteriously at Liu Bei, as if saying that Yide was bullying others with hangover pills. Liu Bei looked at everything in front of him without comment. He thought Zhang Fei was trying to calm the atmosphere in this serious occasion, so he did not stop Zhang Fei's "nonsense".
Ma Chao stood up and was still at a loss when he saw Zhang Fei staggering out of the hall, but he soon bumped into another person.
The man ouched, and after getting up, he ignored Zhang Fei and went straight into the palace.
Zhang Fei blinked and wondered, have the hangover pills expired? Why are you still hallucinating?
The Iraqi citizen should be in Jingzhou now, how could he appear in Chengdu? Is he back so soon?
"Uncle Ji, what good things did Ziyu ask you to bring?" Zhang Fei muttered in hindsight.
Liu Bei was also curious when he saw Yi Ji. When Yi Ji returned to Jingzhou, he not only had to go to Quanling to see Lantian, but also moved his relatives in Jingzhou to Chengdu. It would take at least half a year to go back and forth, but he did not have three months before and after.
Yiji ignored Zhang Fei, ran directly to Liu Bei and panted and reported: "My lord, something bad has happened. Sun Quan has raised 50,000 troops to attack Jingzhou, and he has captured Jiangxia."
"What?" Liu Bei's chopsticks fell to the ground, and the noise in the palace suddenly calmed down.
