Ji Han Liu Zhang

Chang'an, Master's residence.

Zhang Lu, who surrendered Xicheng, Shangyong and Fangling to Liu Zhang, was given the official positions of Governor of Bingzhou and Envoy with Special Powers.

Of course, since most of Bingzhou was now in the hands of Yuan Shao, Duke of Wei, Zhang Lu's position as Bingzhou governor was only a remote one. He did not go to Bingzhou to take up the post, but lived in his mansion in Chang'an.

In terms of title, Zhang Lu was granted the title of Marquis of Mianyang, and his fief was 1,200 households, making him the prince with the highest fief under Liu Zhang, surpassing Huang Quan's 600 households, Wu Yi's 400 households, and Gan Ning's 300 households.

In addition, in terms of residence and travel, the Shijun Mansion in Chang'an can be described as magnificent and golden, comparable to the residence of a king or a prince. As for Zhang Lu's every travel, it is accompanied by fanfare and is extremely prominent.

As for the extremely high treatment he was enjoying in Guanzhong, Zhang Lu was grateful to Liu Zhang for his leniency. On the other hand, he bowed to Gongcao Yan Pu in front of him and said, "Without Gongcao, how could I be where I am today?"

Zhang Lu was very grateful to Yan Pu. The reason why he surrendered to Liu Zhang was that he was a Taoist and did not have much desire for power, so he could easily abandon Shangyong and go to Guanzhong to become a rich man.

Secondly, it was the persuasion of Gongcao Yan Pu. Based on Liu Zhang's character and the current situation of disputes in the world, Yan Pu believed that if Zhang Lu had surrendered to Liu Zhang earlier, he would have been treated more generously.

Therefore, under the influence of his own heart and his trusted adviser Yan Pu, Zhang Lu decided to submit to Liu Zhang, and just as Yan Pu had inferred, he received extremely generous treatment.

Although it was a bit of a pity that he lived in a turbulent time and did not achieve the achievements of Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin, but for Zhang Lu, he had nothing to be dissatisfied with as he could become a figure like Dou Rong, enjoy wealth and blessings for his descendants.

"The matter of surrender was decided by my master alone, and I was just giving him some advice." Yan Pu stepped aside from the table, avoiding Zhang Lu's thanks, and declined with a smile.

Zhang Lu had a calm expression. He shook his head and said, "I have always been hesitant about annexing Shangyong to Guanzhong. If it weren't for Gong Cao's advice and clearing my doubts, I would never have submitted to the King of Qin so early."

"If I had waited until Huang Quan's army came down the Han River and reached Shangyong before I surrendered, how could I have the wealth and honor I have today? This is all thanks to Gongcao's help."

After saying this, Zhang Lu did not wait for Yan Pu to reply. He raised his cup and said, "Gong Cao, drink this cup to the full."

Yan Pu nodded, raised his cup and drank with Zhang Lu.

Today, Zhang Lu hosted a banquet for Yan Pu, not only to thank Yan Pu for planning for him, but also to see Yan Pu off.

Although Zhang Lu was treated with favor and respect after he moved to Guanzhong, he had lost his real power and only had some honorary positions. It was unlikely that the civil and military officials who had once served under him would serve under him.

After all, Zhang Lu held an empty position and just enjoyed wealth and luxury every day without doing anything else, so the civil and military officials had nothing to do.

Therefore, for the sake of the future of his civil and military officials, Zhang Lu no longer retained these people, but recommended them to Liu Zhang, hoping that Liu Zhang could properly arrange their places and give them the opportunity to make achievements.

Among them, Gongcao Yan Pu was appointed as Liangzhou official by the Qin Palace because of his outstanding strategies and good governance. He will soon go to the account of Liangzhou Mu Wu Yi to receive orders.

"When does Gongcao plan to set off?" Zhang Lu asked with concern.

Yan Pu replied: "Tomorrow."

"So fast?" Zhang Lu was a little surprised.

Yan Pu smiled and nodded: "Since I have been appointed as an official in Liangzhou, I should be more diligent and leave earlier, so that I can arrive in Liangzhou earlier and start work earlier." "Yes." Zhang Lu nodded, and he raised his glass to toast: "With Gongcao's talent, he should not be limited to the post of an official. I think it will be just around the corner for him to make achievements in Liangzhou and be promoted to a higher position and a title of nobility."

"Your Excellency, you are too kind to praise me." Yan Pu said modestly.

"You don't have to be so modest, Gongcao. I know your talents best. Otherwise, I wouldn't have kept you by my side, asking questions and consulting you on worldly affairs." Zhang Lu said with emotion, his face thoughtful. "Today is the farewell banquet, and tomorrow is the farewell. I wish Gongcao a smooth journey and a bright future."

……

"Damn it, Zhang Lu only surrendered three counties, but he got a fief of 1,200 households... Haha... Even Huang Hanzhong only has 600 households."

A voice of discontent was heard from the government office in Chang'an, and the speaker was General Xu Meng.

"Xu Ziyu, do you think the king is wrong?" Gan Ning raised his eyebrows and looked at Xu Meng with unfriendly eyes.

"No, no." Xu Meng immediately defended himself, "I just think that the king is too lenient in treating Zhang Lu so well."

"This is just my opinion. I have no comment on what the king does..." Xu Meng added, emphasizing that he had no opinion on what Liu Zhang did, but he was a little puzzled about Zhang Lu's fief of 1,200 households.

It was normal for Xu Meng to feel resentful. After all, his fiefdom was only 120 households, one tenth of Zhang Lu's. Moreover, he had fought hard for the 120 households, so he disliked Zhang Lu, who had no military merits and only surrendered three counties. He was quite depressed.

"Your Majesty has his reasons for doing this." Gan Ning said affirmatively. Ever since he followed Liu Zhang, he had always obeyed and followed Liu Zhang's instructions, orders and actions.

Although Gan Ning had some doubts in his heart about Zhang Lu's acquisition of 1,200 households of fiefdom, he knew that Liu Zhang would not do this for no reason and there must be some reason behind it.

"Xingba is right. The king was so generous in giving Zhang Lu a fief of 1,200 households. There is indeed a reason for this." Zheng Du, an official, stepped into the room where the generals gathered.

"What's the reason?" Xu Meng asked when he saw Zheng Du had something to say.

Zheng Du smiled and said, "Nothing special, just setting an example... Zhang Lu and the king have an old grudge, which is known to everyone. However, now that Zhang Lu has surrendered three counties to the king, the king has given him the same preferential treatment. This has caught the attention of the heroes of the world, and everyone will know that the king has not held grudges and is benevolent and virtuous."

"In this way, the obstacles that Your Majesty will encounter in your future expeditions will be smaller."

"So that's how it is." Xu Meng nodded, his eyes shining brightly, as if he had been enlightened and understood the whole thing, no longer confused or having any questions.

Gan Ning nodded nonchalantly, and the small doubt in his heart was resolved. Then he asked Zheng Du about the main matter: "I wonder why Mr. Zheng came here?"

"I'm here to summon Xingba on the order of the king." Zheng Du explained the reason why he came here.

Gan Ning stood up after hearing this and followed Zheng Du out. As they walked forward, he asked in a roundabout way, "I wonder why the king wants to call me? Do you know what I am doing?"

"The Liangzhou Shaohe Qiang tribe has been slow to pay taxes this year, and there are signs that they are gathering to rebel..."

"Oh, the Qiang tribe is causing chaos!" (End of this chapter)