Since Dong Zhuo's collapse, Li Dao and Guo Yan have merged, Ma Teng and Han Sui have risen in Liangzhou.

When Cao Cao, Gongsun Du and others in the Central Plains rose up one after another, Ma Teng and Han Sui actually controlled Liangzhou and the Sili region west of Tongguan, which can be described as very powerful, but they were often attacked by Xiqiang and other foreign races, and never entered the eyes of Cao Cao and others.

When Gongsun Du went south and captured Xuzhou, Cao Cao raised troops to the west to contend with it, and took Hedong, Jingzhao, Hongnong and other counties, and Ma Teng and Han were defeated and retreated to the west of the right Fufeng.

At this time, Ma Teng and Han Sui were already in a gap, and there was a sense of fire from time to time. Attacked by this, on the contrary, suppressed the unhappiness in the hearts of the two and temporarily united together. However, the two knew that it was difficult to go back to the past, so they tacitly divided into two, and Ma Teng occupied the five counties of Jincheng, Longxi, Hanyang, Wudu, and Youfufeng, resisting the Qiang people from the plateau; The rest of Liangzhou County and Fengyi County were occupied by Han Sui, resisting the grassland alien races from the north.

Ma Chao led the troops from Jincheng and came to Lintao in Longxi, accompanied by the general Pang De said: "General, this time to march into Hanzhong, there are two roads to choose from, one is to go to Sanguan, through the old road, into Hanzhong, the other is to go to Fu County, through the water (mian), take Yangping Pass into Hanzhong. ”

"What's the difference?" Ma Chao said lightly.

Pang De said: "The former road is wide, which is convenient for the cavalry to march, and when it is troublesome, it is necessary to detour, and if you march from here, it will be difficult to take Hanzhong in three months." Although the latter is close, it is difficult to take Hanzhong within three months because of the urgency of the water, the road is difficult, and the Yangping Pass is dangerous, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack. ”

"Huh? Since you can't, what's the use of saying so much? Ma Chao glared at Pang De angrily, and said a little impatiently.

Pang De knew his character very well, and he didn't mind, and said: "My Xiliang Iron Cavalry has strong combat power, but the advantage is mostly in speed, if you fall into a city battle, it is really your own short to hit people's strengths, and it is not wise!" If you can give full play to the speed advantage and attack the west with sound, Hanzhong can break quickly. ”

Ma Chao was silent, seemingly thinking, but in fact he was thinking: Can you speak human words? We don't understand......

Pang De waited for a long time, but did not get a response, so he had to say again: "General, the last general is willing to lead 3,000 troops to Sanguan to attract Zhang Lu's attention, the general can lead the army to Yangping Pass, as long as Yangping Pass is taken, the rest is a smooth road, and the rapid march can reach the city of Nanzheng in a few days, at that time Zhang Lu must be defenseless, and a surprise attack can be taken." ”

Ma Chao had the heart to respond, but felt that in this way, he really couldn't show his ability, and it didn't match the name of General Shenweitian.

"This is reasonable!"

Ma Chao said in agreement, and then his voice changed, and said: "However, although Ling Ming's martial arts are not bad, his reputation is not obvious, even if he has my Xiliang Xiongshi, it will not be able to make Zhang Lu's army afraid and attract its attention. ”

Although Pound had some intelligence, he didn't think of this for a while, and said respectfully: "What the general said is extremely true! ”

"So what should we do now?"

When Ma Chao heard this, he said arrogantly: "Leave the things that attract Zhang Lu's attention to the general!" With the prestige of this general, it is enough to make him frightened, and he will inevitably raise a large army to come and block it. ”

"General, no!"

Pound De exclaimed: "The general is the master of an army, how can he take risks lightly? The matter of luring the enemy is still handed over to the last general, it really can't be done, the last general pretends to be a general, and no one who wants to come to Hanzhong has seen the general, so he will definitely be in the plan. ”

A trace of hesitation flashed on Ma Chao's face, and he was immediately replaced by firmness, waved his hand, and said: "This general has been in Xiqiang for a long time, and it is difficult to ensure that Zhang Lu did not send someone to peep secretly." If you happen to meet that person, it will not only expose the fact of pretending to be a general, but also arouse Zhang Lu's vigilance, which is really unwise. ”

Pound hesitated for a moment and said, "That'...... The general also asked to bring more soldiers and horses, just in case. ”

Ma Chao immediately said unhappily: "What? Do you think Ben is not as good as you? ”

Pound hurriedly bowed down: "The general forgives the sin!" The last sin deserves death! ”

Although Ma Chao was conceited, he would not blame his generals for this little thing, so he waved his hand casually and said, "A little thing, it's not worth mentioning!" ”

At the end, he said: "This general will lead 2,000 soldiers and horses to Sanguan, and order Ming to lead the remaining 8,000 troops to attack Yangping, and be sure to take Hanzhong within three months." Otherwise, Ben will be disgraced, and it will make you feel bad. ”

"Yes, General!" Pang De knew Ma Chao's temperament very well, so he did not persuade again.

Nanzheng, Heavenly Master's Mansion.

To say that Hanzhong is an alternative in this era, he does not rely on the government to govern the locality, but rules the entire place with a sect, which can be regarded as a precedent.

Zhang Luyin inherited Zhang Xiu's teachings and "added decorations". Self-proclaimed "Shijun". Those who come to learn the Tao are called "ghost pawns" at first, and they are believed by the Tao, and they are called "sacrificial wine", and all the leaders and subordinates; Those who lead a large number are "the head of the great sacrifice wine". There are no chiefs, and local government affairs are managed with sacrificial wine. Inheriting the teachings of his ancestors, the people are honest and do not deceive, so that the sick will surrender themselves; The offender is lenient three times, and if he repeats the offense, then the punishment is increased; If it is a minor offense, then build a hundred steps of the road to atone for your sins. In accordance with the "Lunar Decree", slaughter is forbidden in spring and summer when all things grow, and it is forbidden to drink alcohol. He also founded the righteous house, which included righteous rice and meat for passers-by to eat for free, and declared that if he obtained too much, he would offend the ghosts and gods and become ill.

As a result, a group of males swarmed, and the war in Guanzhong continued, and many people fled to the relatively stable Hanzhong, and in Guanxi alone, tens of thousands of families migrated to Hanzhong from the meridian road.

Over the years, there have been no less than 300,000 household registrations in Hanzhong, which can be said to have the trend of being the first county in the world. Of course, Liaodong and other places are different from other places in the Han Dynasty, so they don't need to be counted among them.

The huge population makes Hanzhong thriving. Zhang Lu did not expand the army on a large scale, and even made the people of Hanzhong respect. Even so, Hanzhong has grown from no more than 30,000 soldiers to 70,000 today, which can be said to be a great increase in strength.

The wealth of Hanzhong made Zhang Lu not pay attention to Gongsun Du's words two years ago. Even when he later learned that there was a bumper harvest in various places, he was still unmoved, because Liu Zhang did not buy it, which had no effect on him.

On this day, the head of the chief priest, Jiu Yanpu, hurried to the Heavenly Master's Mansion with a look.

Zhang Lu looked at Yan Pu and frowned slightly, his eyelids sank, and said, "If you have something to talk about later, let's sit quietly with this master for a while, and calm down." ”

After finishing speaking, he stopped paying attention to Yan Pu and meditated with his eyes closed.

Yan Pu had no choice but to do so. The effect was not bad, but after a while, Yan Pu's heart, which was still a little anxious, calmed down.

I have to say that Zhang Lu is still very good at appeasing people's hearts!

A moment passes.

Zhang Lu raised his eyes slightly and said, "Say, what will make the chief priest drink in a hurry!" ”

Yan Pu froze and said in a deep voice: "Shijun, Pu got the news that Xiliang Ma Teng seemed to have the intention of invading Hanzhong, and sent his son Ma Chao to lead the army to kill. ”

"Huh?"

Zhang Lu exclaimed: "But Ma Chao, who is known as the general of Shenweitian? ”

"Not bad!"

Yan Pu spat out the words lightly, and his face became solemn.

Zhang Lu was a little panicked, and lost the composure he had when he taught Yan Pu before, and asked: "Ma Chao has been shaking Xiqiang for a long time, and everyone is convinced, how should we deal with it?" ”

Yan Pu had already made up his mind, but he was worried that Zhang Lu would not take Ma Chao in his eyes and not listen to his advice.

"Shijun, there are only three roads for Liangzhou to enter Hanzhong, Yangping Pass, Baoxie Road, and Meridian Road!"

Yan Pu said carefully: "However, Jingzhao has been ordered by Prime Minister Cao Cheng, and it is impossible to come from the Meridian Road. Xiliang is all cavalry, there are few infantry troops, the road west of Yangping Pass is rugged, and very narrow, the possibility of coming from this road is extremely low. In this way, only the slope remains. ”

"Sloping Valley?"

Zhang Lu smiled, his face was full of confidence, and said: "The road in the valley is wide, but this master has already set up a guard and a juncture, and although the Xiliang Iron Horse is brave, I am afraid it will be difficult to break it." ”

Yan Pu thought so, but he still persuaded himself: "Ma Teng also knows about this, but he still sends Ma Chao to attack, he must be prepared, and Shijun should be cautious." ”

Zhang Lu was about to open his mouth to scold him immediately, but then he thought about it and felt that it made sense, so he asked, "How to deal with it?" ”

Yan Pu said: "Xiliang to the valley, the road is far away, although the horse is fast, it also takes a long time to arrive. If the master sends heavy troops to defend the palace and strengthens the guard, even if he uses tricks, he should be safe. ”

"Yes!"

Zhang Lu then ordered Yang Ang to be the general, Liu Xiong as the auxiliary, and led 10,000 soldiers and horses to the Xiegu Guard Station to garrison.

Yan Pu also suggested: "Although the road west of Yangping Pass is difficult, it is difficult to ensure that in case, Shijun can order his confidants to lead some soldiers and horses in case of accidents." ”

Zhang Lu was in a good mood, and he didn't care about Yan Pu's preface and afterword, so he called his second brother Zhang Wei and ordered him to lead 2,000 troops to Yangping, accompanied by Yang Ren, a general.