In the Three Kingdoms period, the opening scene features the killing of Huang Gai, shocking Zhou Yu!

Yizhou, Chengdu

This is a corner of the southwestern part of the Han Dynasty's territory, a land of abundance surrounded by mountains.

When the whole country was engulfed in war.

This place feels like a pristine paradise forgotten by time.

Even the way the sun sets is much more languid than in the Central Plains.

In the state pastoral office,

The sounds of string and wind instruments were melodious, and the dancers' long sleeves fluttered in the breeze.

Liu Zhang, the governor of Yizhou

He peeled a lychee that had just been presented as tribute, his eyes glazed over as he watched the dancing girls swaying in front of him.

For him, the youthful vigor he once had had long since been worn away by this gentle embrace.

Governing Yizhou? Too exhausting.

As long as Zhang Lu from Hanzhong doesn't bite like a mad dog, and as long as no one snatches this fresh food from his hands, even if the sky falls, there will naturally be tall people to hold it up.

"Report—!!!"

This broke the languid atmosphere.

"My lord! Something terrible has happened! Zhang Lu is amassing troops in Hanzhong and threatening to attack Jiameng Pass! The front lines are in dire need of assistance!"

"Cough cough! Cough cough cough!"

The lychee had just been placed to my lips, but before I could even bite into it, I was startled and swallowed it whole, choking on it.

After a while.

Liu Zhang looked at the scout with a bitter expression, his tone full of complaint:

"What are you yelling about? Are you trying to choke me to death?"

"Is that charlatan Zhang Lu going to be attacked again? Didn't we just fight him last year? Why is this never ending!"

Liu Zhang waved his sleeve impatiently.

"Let that guy... let Pang Xi hold the line! Tell him I'll provide the money, supplies, and soldiers; if he can't hold the line, he shouldn't come back to see me! And don't bother me with this nonsense again!"

The civil and military officials below looked at each other, secretly lamenting that Yizhou was doomed sooner or later.

One person did step out from the line.

This person looks like an oddball.

He was short and stocky, with a prominent forehead and an ugly appearance.

Zhang Song.

"My lord."

Zhang Song glanced at his lord, whose eyes were fixed on the dancing girls.

"Although Pang Xi is brave, his forces are limited. Zhang Lu is now like a mad dog snatching food, occupying the advantageous terrain."

If this happens once or twice a year, we can afford it, but the people of Yizhou probably can't.

With all this back and forth, the people's hearts are in turmoil, and it seems even the lord will find it difficult to sleep soundly.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhang became even more displeased. He threw the lychee peel in his hand on the ground and said, "What do you mean by that? He insists on hitting me. What can I do?"

"Then what do you suggest, Yongnian? You can't expect me to go into battle, can you?"

When I was younger, I might still have some fighting ability, but now my back... you know, it's long gone."

Zhang Song sneered inwardly: You want me to hit you? You'd be lucky if you didn't wet your pants.

However, the necessary items should still be included.

"My lord, Cao Cao in the north has just pacified the Central Plains and his power shakes the world. Zhang Lu is arrogant and probably wouldn't dare to provoke Cao Cao."

"How about... our lord sends someone to Xudu, ostensibly to pay homage to the emperor and offer tribute, as a gesture of goodwill?"

"Actually, it was to contact Cao Cao."

If we could use Prime Minister Cao's reputation to intimidate Zhang Lu, or simply ask Cao Cao to send troops to teach Zhang Lu a lesson...

"Does this mean that my lord can continue to enjoy music and dance from now on?"

Liu Zhang was quite pleased. Using someone else to do his dirty work? Solving the problem without lifting a finger?

This idea is exactly what he wants.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Liu Zhang said "good" three times.

"Yongnian understands me best!"

But then he encountered another problem.

"Then who should go? It's such a long and arduous journey, what if..."

Zhang Song straightened his chest:

"Now that Song has brought this up, I am willing to share the burden for my lord!"

(Inner monologue: Everyone else is out there fighting for the world, and you, a good-for-nothing, just stay here guarding your little patch of land all day.)

With my vast talents and a map of Sichuan at my fingertips, I've long since given up on staying in this comfortable place waiting to die with you! This trip to Xuchang will be a perfect opportunity to see if Cao Mengde is truly the legendary wise ruler!

"Very good!"

Liu Zhang was overjoyed, feeling that Zhang Song looked much more pleasing to the eye today.

How can there be such a capable minister in the world? He raises the questions himself, solves them himself, and doesn't even complain about the hard work!

"Yongnian is truly my loyal subject!"

"Quickly! Pass on my order: go to the warehouse and fetch two hundred bolts of the finest Shu brocade, and also prepare plenty of gold and silver jewelry, saying it's a gift for the Emperor!"

Yongnian, please be careful on your journey. I'm in Chengdu, waiting for your safe return!

"Hey you, peel me another lychee, this time... be careful."

……

Zhang Song, accompanied by a hundred followers and several carts of Shu brocade, set off in a grand procession along the ancient plank road.

The road out of Sichuan.

It is necessary to pass through Hanzhong.

That was the territory of Zhang Lu, my mortal enemy.

The atmosphere became serious from the moment we stepped into Hanzhong.

Upon arriving at Yangping Pass, the garrison commander spotted Zhang Song's convoy.

The knife was pulled out.

"Liu Zhang's men? Hmph, that coward dares to send people through my territory?"

"It's like eating meat delivered to your doorstep—why not take it? Chop the man up, leave the car!"

"Let's see who dares!"

Zhang Song, inside the carriage, remained completely calm.

Without even getting out of the car, he used two fingers to lift the curtain.

He raised the staff that represented the Han Dynasty envoy and looked down at the guard.

"You're all blind!"

"I am a subordinate official of Liu Zhang, a member of the Han imperial family and the governor of Yizhou! I have been ordered to go to Xuchang to pay homage to the current emperor and present him with Shu brocade for imperial use!"

"What? Is your Celestial Master Zhang Lu planning a rebellion? Daring to intercept the Emperor's tribute?"

"Prime Minister Cao's army is lurking outside the pass, ready to strike at any moment. If you dare to lay a finger on me, believe me, Prime Minister Cao will raze Hanzhong to the ground tomorrow!"

This outburst of "borrowing the tiger's might"

This completely intimidated the garrison commander.

It directly struck at the Achilles' heel of Hanzhong.

Zhang Lu established the Five Pecks of Rice sect and an independent kingdom in Hanzhong, but he did not dare to declare himself emperor in name.

More importantly, Cao Cao has recently pacified the north and his power is overwhelming, so Zhang Lu is also worried that Cao Cao will attack.

To give Cao Cao a perfect "pretext for attacking" for a few cartloads of cloth is a terrible deal.

"unlucky!"

The garrison commander, his face dark with fear, finally backed down.

"What are you all standing there for? Move the barricades! Let them through! Get out of here! Get out of here now!"

Zhang Song sneered, and the group slowly passed through the pass.

As soon as he passed through the checkpoint and lowered the curtain, he spat fiercely in the direction of the group of Hanzhong soldiers:

"Pooh!"

"A bunch of frogs in a well who don't know their own mortality."