Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Especially Zhang Lu. In terms of popular support, his position in Hanzhong was as strong as a rock. He implemented benevolent policies and was praised by the world. How was he inferior to Liu Bei?
As for "decentralization", it seems like everyone knows how to do it.

Which territorial prince could refuse such a prime minister?
When Zhang Lu thought of this, he became more and more dissatisfied with the Han Dynasty, but he was helpless.

Zhang Lu shook his head and sighed for a long time, making Yan Pu and others blush again and again, before he spoke.

"Let's organize the army. Let's appoint General Yang Ren as the commander and lead 30,000 troops north out of Xiegu."

"No."

Upon hearing this, Yang Ren subconsciously objected.

"Master, Liu Zhang has been stationing troops to threaten Hanzhong all year round. If we withdraw 30,000 troops to the north, what should we do if Liu Zhang takes the opportunity to attack?"

"Humph!"

Zhang Lu said disapprovingly.

"You worry too much. The reason why Liu Zhang is able to achieve what he has today, defeating his brothers and occupying the land of Shu, is nothing more than the power of the King of Han. Otherwise, how could the Shu noble families strongly support such a child?"

"Now Hanzhong has also returned to Han, and we are still following the Prime Minister's orders. Even if the gates of Hanzhong are wide open and no soldiers are stationed, he should not violate the border in the slightest."

Yang Song, who had long intended to bring Zhang Lu back to Han, took the opportunity to agree.

"Master, what you said is absolutely right. If Liu Zhang attacks while Hanzhong is sending troops, it would not only mean that he does not take you seriously, but also that he is insulting the King of Han and the Prime Minister."

Yang Bai followed up.

"Yes, yes. It would be best if Liu Zhang really took the opportunity to attack and cause a commotion. Then Master could go to the Prime Minister and report Liu Zhang. Even if Liu Zhang's child is related to the King of Han, the Prime Minister would definitely not let him off."

These words made Zhang Lu's eyes light up. He suddenly had an idea and spoke quickly.

"This is a brilliant plan, let's do it."

"Ah?" Yang Bai was unable to react for a moment.

Immediately, Zhang Lu's tone became serious and said.

"The matter of the Han envoy must be kept secret and must not be leaked. After General Yang dispatches his troops, try to spread the news of Hanzhong's emptiness to Shuzhong, and induce that little Liu Zhang to send troops to attack."

Yan Pu asked with some concern. "Isn't this too risky?"

"If I don't use this as an inducement, how can I let that kid Liu Zhang make a big mistake and avenge my mother?" Zhang Lu said in a deep voice, not giving anyone else a chance to persuade him.

Even though Liu Yan was at fault for what happened back then, and that villain Liu Yan was already dead, Zhang Lu still had a grudge against him, and he even hated Liu Zhang and his brothers as well.

Even if it means taking risks, Liu Zhang must make a big mistake.

No matter what, Hanzhong has already returned to Han, and the relevant documents have been urgently sent to the Prime Minister and the King of Han by Gu Wei.

Once the document arrives, it will mean that Hanzhong has officially returned to Han.

If Liu Zhang sent troops to attack at this time, it would be a big taboo.

"It would be best if the Prime Minister and the King of Han had beaten Liu Zhang, Liu Zhang would not obey and would rebel on the spot, and then all of Liu Yan's lineage would be included in the rebellion and be killed cleanly."

Zhang Lu thought happily, feeling extremely relaxed both physically and mentally.

Hanzhong was originally part of Yizhou. Even though Zhang Lu had won the hearts of the people in Hanzhong, it would still be difficult to conceal any major actions.

For example, Zhang Lu's move to mobilize 30,000 troops in Hanzhong to march northward was sent back to Chengdu overnight by Yan Yan, the general stationed in the northern part of Ba County. Compared with the past, Liu Zhang is now more generous and fatter, watching Huang Quan, Li Yan, Wu Yi, Ling Bao, Meng Da and others quarreling over the unusual movement in Hanzhong.

Liu Zhang, who was sitting in the main seat, was leisurely sipping tea and eating cakes, as if he was watching a play that had nothing to do with me.

The civil and military officials debated for a while and gradually came to a conclusion, that is, the opportunity should not be missed, and they should order Yan Yan to send troops to retake Hanzhong as soon as possible.

Perhaps Liu Zhang did not feel anything about it, but for the civil and military officials of Yizhou, Hanzhong occupied by Zhang Lu was undoubtedly a thorn in their throat, and they would not be happy until it was removed.

In the absence of Zhang Song, Huang Quan, the head of Yizhou's civil servants, spoke up. "My lord, you should quickly send troops to retake Hanzhong and unify Yizhou."

"tui~"

Listening to the conclusions of the civil and military officials, Liu Zhang spat out grape seeds and asked calmly, "Do you think we should send troops?"

Li Yan, Wu Yi, Ling Bao and others expressed their support, each with different reasons.

"It is a pity that Hanzhong has not been recovered. If it can be recovered by you, the former lord will certainly be pleased if he knows it in his afterlife."

"Hanzhong is no longer under the rule of the king, and Zhang Lu has repeatedly used lies to deceive the people and gain control of the country. We should retake it as soon as possible."

"That Zhang Lu might want to take advantage of the opportunity to go north and seize the Three Auxiliary Territories. Now that Hanzhong has no troops, this is truly a godsend opportunity."

……

Listening to the civil and military officials talking to each other, Liu Zhang nodded frequently without refuting, but instead asked a question.

"But if I send troops to attack Hanzhong now, the King of Han and the Prime Minister will mistakenly think that Yizhou is secretly preserving its strength and taking the opportunity to expand. What should I do then?"

For a moment, all the civil and military officials looked at each other in surprise. They did not expect that this was the reason why Liu Zhang was hesitant.

Although Liu Zhang clearly stood on Liu Bei's side and spared no effort to send troops and food to help the Han Dynasty's Northern Expedition, the world was ultimately unsettled and Liu Bei only had the potential to unify the country.

In the view of Li Yan and others, Yizhou might also catch up, and Liu Zhang's previous goodwill towards Liu Bei could be regarded as a stopgap measure.

But now, as the ruler of Yizhou, Liu Zhang is facing a great opportunity to swallow Hanzhong, but he is hesitant because he is afraid that the King of Han and the Prime Minister will misunderstand him...

"My lord, the world is still unsettled. If we can capture Hanzhong, then when there is a change in the Central Plains, it may be possible for us to go north and achieve hegemony." Li Yan advised with regret.

"Do you have what it takes to be a prime minister?"

Just Liu Zhang's light words blocked Li Yan's remaining words, making his face red.

Immediately, Liu Zhang threw another grape into his mouth, chewing it while speaking slowly.

"Now that the Prime Minister's Northern Expedition is about to be completed and the world will be settled, why do we need to do this again?"

"Once the war starts, I don't know how many people will suffer, and I don't know how much money and food will be spent. It would be better to send the money and food to the Prime Minister, and he will know the intention of Yizhou."

After a pause, Liu Zhang spat out the grape seeds and said.

"Besides, it would be fine if we can successfully recapture Hanzhong, but I'm afraid that if something goes wrong, we will waste money and food, and we might even be reprimanded by the King of Han and the Prime Minister. That's not right."

"At this critical moment, I would rather do nothing than to hold the Prime Minister back. As long as the Prime Minister succeeds in the Northern Expedition, you and I will be able to enjoy wealth and honor for the rest of our lives..."

"Of course, if you think you have great talents and want to establish yourself through military exploits, I can also recommend you to the King of Han and send you to the Prime Minister. How do you think?"

Having said this, the civil and military officials of Yizhou had nothing to say. Otherwise, it would be to start a war for their own selfish desires. They could only watch helplessly as Liu Zhang ordered Yan Yan to defend the city strictly and not to advance. (End of this chapter)