Zhang Ren has withdrawn from the army, and Liu Xie is also preparing to return to Chang'an, although there is no good news from Jia Xu at the moment, but the preparations for the westward expansion of the imperial court also need to start preparations, and in the next period of time, Liu Xie will no longer be as idle as now. But what Liu Xie didn't expect was that he had just returned to Hanzhong with Zhao Yun and others, and Jiameng Pass was in a hurry again, and the Yizhou army was once again in the pass, but this time it was no longer Zhang Ren who led the troops, but Wu Yi, and the supervising army was still Zhao Wei.

Liu Xie didn't expect Liu Zhang to be so cooperative, he just held the date and the date first, but he didn't expect Liu Zhang to directly replace Zhang Ren, only to learn afterwards that what made Liu Zhang make up his mind so quickly was not his relationship with Zhang Rentao, but that Zhang Ren himself offended Zhao Wei, the supervisor of the army. Otherwise, how to say that he would rather offend the gentleman than the villain, Zhang Ren didn't expect that his loyalty could not withstand a few words of slander from Zhao Wei, and he was imprisoned, fortunately protected by his colleagues, so there was no difference in his head, but it is impossible to recover in a short time.

Yan Pu, the guard of Hanzhong County, looked at Liu Xie with a worried face, for fear that his own son of heaven would go to Jiameng Pass again, Liu Xie smiled when he saw this, and said, "Huang Hansheng." ”

"The end will be." Huang Zhong came out of class and answered loudly. People are in good spirits at happy events, and since he joined Liu Xie's command, Huang Zhong's fate seems to have changed again, and good luck continues. The career is smooth, and the family affairs are also satisfying. Two years ago, Mrs. gave birth to a daughter for her, and not long ago came the good news that Mrs. was pregnant again. After the Huang family had a future, Huang Zhong was naturally unable to express his gratitude to Liu Xie.

"If you are asked to lead an army to attack the Sword Pavilion, how sure are you?"

“…… Probably. Huang Zhong's personality became stable, and he replied after a little thought.

Liu Xie nodded, and asked Yan Pu on the side: "Yan Junshou, do you say that it is better to hold the Bashu trade route in the hands of Hanzhong, or to hand it over to Yizhou?" ”

"Of course, it's best for the imperial court to take care of it." Yan Pu had already understood the meaning of Liu Xie's words. This time, the Yizhou army came to Jiameng Pass, resulting in a lot of losses for the Hanzhong family that had business dealings with Yizhou, and the lord Bo Yangsong had complained to himself more than once. If the Sword Pavilion can be controlled in his hands, then if Yizhou wants to block the trade route, it depends on whether Hanzhong will agree.

"It's just a saint, will this exacerbate the confrontation between Yizhou and the imperial court?" Yan Pu reminded Liu Xiedao with some worry.

"Yes, but the court is not afraid. If Liu Zhang knew the current affairs, he would still be able to sit down as the king of Yizhou Shu. But if he doesn't know the times, then the prince can't take it back. The original plan of the imperial court was suspended, and Yizhou was leveled first. Liu Xie was very confident when he said this. He does have the capital to say this, once Jia Xu succeeds, the people from the four counties that he used to guard against Han Sui and Ma Teng can be drawn out. Originally, Liu Xie planned to let these people go west to conquer the Western Regions, but if Liu Zhang came to fight with him at this time, Liu Xie didn't mind knocking out Liu Zhang's good teeth before leading his troops westward, so as to save Liu Zhang from being restless after he left.

Liu Xie's meaning is already very clear, and taking the Sword Pavilion will also have more advantages than disadvantages for the Hanzhong family, and no one likes to be choked by the neck. Taking the Sword Pavilion means that the offensive and defensive situation of the imperial court and Yizhou is reversed, and the initiative to enter Yizhou is not in Yizhou, but in the hands of the imperial court.

……

Zhao Wei didn't expect the imperial court's reaction to be so fierce this time, and he was still thinking about how to ask the imperial court for benefits in the camp, and the officials and soldiers of the imperial court killed him like a whirlwind. An army of 50,000 is a lot, but it can't be completely spread out in the narrow mountain road, and the army is quite dissatisfied with their framing of Zhang Yiren, as soon as the imperial court officials and troops came, the Yizhou army was defeated. Fortunately, Wu Yi still had a conscience and kept himself from escaping all the way, otherwise he would either be a prisoner of the imperial court or die in the chaos.

Originally, I wanted to stabilize my position in the Sword Pavilion and regroup, but I didn't want the court to seem to be really angered by what Yizhou had done this time.

First lost the army, then lost the sword pavilion, less than ten days, the door of Yizhou was opened by the imperial court, Yizhou was panicked, the family that supported Liu Zhang's troops to provoke the imperial court at this time have closed their mouths, lest the disaster come out of the mouth, and will be liquidated by the imperial court in the future.

But what he was most afraid of was not those families, but Zhao Wei, who fled back to Chengdu under the protection of Wu Yi. It was he who suggested to Liu Zhang that he use troops to test the court's attitude towards Yizhou, and it was also he who slandered to regain Zhang Ren's military power, and it was he who lost 50,000 troops plus the Sword Pavilion, a very important pass to Yizhou. Zhao Wei knew that he had to find a way to save himself at this time, otherwise he was very likely to be handed over to the court as a scapegoat.

In order to save himself, Zhao Wei had to put down his son to visit the Bai family. The Bai family was originally just a second-rate businessman in Yizhou, but after taking the line of the imperial court, the development of the Bai family can be described by leaps and bounds, although it is still not comparable with the original first-class family in Yizhou, but in time, the Bai family will be able to become one of the top families in Yizhou with the support of the imperial court. It is precisely because of this that the Bai family's attitude towards the court is dead-hearted.

In order to find out the intentions of the imperial court, the Bai family, which had a close relationship with the imperial court, could be said to be in full swing at this time. When Zhao Wei came, he saw that several acquaintances were being personally sent out by Bai Mei, the current head of the Bai family.

Zhao Wei is an official, and he is also a close minister trusted by Liu Zhang, and the Bai family can't invite even if they want to invite them on weekdays. Seeing Zhao Wei coming to visit, Bai Mei hurriedly invited Zhao Wei into Bai's house. Bai Mei has already guessed a few points about Zhao Wei's intention, but it is better for the parties themselves to speak first for this kind of thing, so that the Bai family can better grasp the initiative.

"Lord Zhao, although the Bai family is loved by the saints and has some business dealings with the imperial court, in fact, the Bai family is still soft-spoken in the imperial court, and I am afraid that it will live up to the expectations of the adults."

"Miss Bai should not be humble, today, who does not know the relationship between the Bai family and the imperial court. Please also ask Miss Bai to take a risk for the sake of the people of Yizhou. Zhao Wei hurriedly said.

"This ......" Bai Mei sneered in his heart when he heard this, but he pretended to hesitate on his face, and only said to Zhao Wei after a while: "Lord Zhao, it's not that the Bai family is unwilling to help, it's just that in the final analysis, the fault of this matter is that Yizhou provoked the imperial court for no reason. Now that he wants to do something, if there is no price, how can the court be willing to give up. ”

"What Miss Bai said is extremely true, so in Miss Bai's opinion, what price does Yizhou need to pay to make the imperial court call off the army and return?"

After hearing this, Bai Mei sneered again in his heart, and returned with his troops? It's really a fool to be the court. The Sword Pavilion is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and now taking it is equivalent to opening the door to Yizhou, and you still want to ask for it back? It's just wishful thinking!

"Lord Zhao, what do you think of this? The Bai family will convey Yizhou's intention to negotiate peace to the imperial court, and if the imperial court intends to negotiate peace, then ask Lord Zhao to suggest that His Royal Highness the King of Shu choose another sage to negotiate with the imperial court. If the imperial court has no intention of making peace, then we will think of another way. ”

"That's the best, there's Miss Laobai." Zhao Wei couldn't ask for it, and hurriedly agreed.

After sending Zhao Wei away, Bai Mei did not go back to his study, but went to a relatively secluded courtyard in the east of Baifu. This is the forbidden place of the Bai family, and it is not allowed to be approached by idle people on weekdays. Of course, Bai Mei was not among them, and after getting permission, Bai Mei was led into the small courtyard.

"Bai Mei meets Master Li." Bai Mei saluted respectfully.

"The head of the Bai family doesn't have to be polite, I also know about this matter, so I will do what the head of the Bai family wants. I believe that the Holy Lord has no intention of recovering Yizhou now. ”

"Yes, Bai Mei understands, I wonder if Master Li has anything else to remind?"

“…… There are two points, one is that the Sword Pavilion can't let it, and the other is that Yizhou wants to hand over the culprit Zhang Ren to the imperial court for disposal. ”

"My lord, the Sword Pavilion is now in the hands of the imperial court, and if the imperial court doesn't give it, Yizhou must not dare to take it by force, but Zhang Ren is now under house arrest in Chengdu, and it may not be easy to let Yizhou obediently hand over people." Bai Mei said after thinking about it.

"Huh...... The head of the Bai family didn't need to worry, just tell the saint that this was Li Ru's idea. ”

“…… Be. ”

After Bai Mei left, Li Ru pulled out the map that had been covered with a curtain before Bai Mei came in, smiled and said to himself: "How can you a woman guess the thoughts of the saint, even if Yizhou does not hand over Zhang Ren to the imperial court this time, but Zhang Ren wants to be enabled by Yizhou, then he will have to wait." ”

……

After receiving the news from Bai Mei, Liu Xie quickly gave a reply, just as Li Ru said to Bai Mei, it is not impossible for Yizhou to want to negotiate peace with the imperial court, but Zhang Ren must first be handed over to the imperial court to show the sincerity of Yizhou's willingness to negotiate peace. Liu Zhang was naturally reluctant to get the reply from the imperial court, Zhang Ren was also a good general anyway, and he couldn't hand him over to the imperial court even if he didn't use it in Yizhou, which would not only make the generals under his command feel dissatisfied, but also the possibility of being an enemy. You must know that Zhang Ren has the friendship with today's son, but Liu Zhang has always remembered it.

In order to promote this peace negotiation and alleviate his own sins, Zhao Wei was very active in Chengdu during this time, and seeing that Liu Zhang was a little unwilling to agree to the conditions of the peace talks proposed by the imperial court, he hurriedly went to persuade him personally. At this time, the news of the imperial court's increase in the Sword Pavilion also reached Chengdu.

"My lord, at the moment, the enemy is strong and I am weak, and it is really not appropriate to turn against the court. If Zhang Ren is not handed over, if the imperial court uses this as an excuse to use it as an excuse to move troops against Yizhou, then Yizhou will be difficult to protect. Zhao Wei persuaded Liu Zhang bitterly.

"It's all your fault, I have to take the initiative to trouble the court." Liu Zhang blamed Zhao Wei depressedly.

"Yes, yes, it's all because Weichen didn't think it through, and Weichen didn't expect the court to be so tough. But my lord, now that the matter has come to this, it is useless for you to complain about Weichen again, so let's think about how to get out of the current predicament first. Don't hide it from the lord, after this war, the Yizhou family has a lot of worries about the confrontation with the imperial court, and once the war really starts, the lord may not get much support. ”

“…… Who do you think would be the most appropriate ambassador for the peace talks? ”

"What does the lord think of Zhang Song and Zhang Yongnian?"

"The ugly ghost? What if the court thinks we are not sincere and teases them with an ugly ghost? Liu Zhang frowned and asked worriedly.

"The lord is too worried, although Zhang Song's appearance is different from ordinary people, he is very smart, and with him as the messenger, he will not let Yizhou lose too much."

"But ......"

"If the lord is really worried, then let Zhang Song's brother Zhang Su serve as the chief envoy, Zhang Song as the deputy envoy, and Zhang Song will hide behind the scenes to make suggestions." Liu Zhang thought that Zhang Su looked like a talent, far from being comparable to Zhang Song's ugly ghost, so he nodded and agreed to Zhao Wei's proposal.

Zhang Su, who was given the order, took his brother Zhang Song and escorted Zhang Ren, who was about to be handed over to the imperial court, and a team of people went to the Sword Pavilion. Knowing that Yizhou sent an envoy for peace talks, Huang Zhong, who was stationed in the Sword Pavilion, did not make it difficult, and let him go directly to Hanzhong. But when Zhang Su and his entourage arrived in Hanzhong, they were told that the Son of Heaven had returned to Chang'an, and Hanzhong County had no right to decide on the matter of striking troops from Yizhou. Zhang Su had no choice but to set off for Chang'an again, and on the way to Chang'an with Zhang Su and his entourage, the people of Yizhou were panicked, in order to prevent the exit of the imperial court, Liu Zhang had to wait for the results of the peace talks, and on the other hand, he ordered Yan Yan and others to actively prepare for war in order to deal with the imperial court's conquest.

Zhang Ren and Yan Yan have always been called Shuzhong Shuangbi by the people of Yizhou, and now Zhang Ren has been handed over to the imperial court by Liu Zhang for disposal, and Yan Yan, who is another wall, is naturally uncomfortable. The army has the problem of protecting its shortcomings, not to mention that Zhang Ren is also a popular general in the army. Knowing that Liu Zhang was going to accept the preconditions of the imperial court peace talks, Yan Yan and many generals in the Yizhou army unanimously opposed this decision, but Liu Zhang did not listen to their objections, and Zhang Ren was still sent away. As a result, Zhao Wei has become a thorn in the side of the Yizhou army, a thorn in the flesh, and everyone is punished quickly. It's just that Zhao Wei is very smart, and he knows that he has offended the military too deeply this time, so he is no longer interested in the job of supervising the army, he does not come to the army, and many methods that can make people die unaware of it cannot be used, Yan Yan and others except cursed a few words behind their backs, and they really didn't have a problem with Zhao Wei for a while.

……

When Zhang Su and his party arrived in Chang'an, it had been almost a month since the imperial court officials and troops captured the Sword Pavilion. This time, Liu Xie did not leave Chang'an, which made Zhang Su secretly relieved. On the one hand, he asked his younger brother Zhang Song to take the people from the embassy to stay in the post house, and he took a few people to visit several important ministers in the court, hoping to ask them to speak on their behalf, so that the court and Yizhou would stop the army.

Regarding Zhang Su's visit, Liu Xie knew it in his heart. As early as when Zhang Su left Hanzhong for Chang'an, Hanzhong's flying pigeon biography arrived in Chang'an before Zhang Su. Liu Xie was not interested in Zhang Su, but was very interested in his unattractive younger brother Zhang Song. Although this Zhang Song died early, he still has talent, but his ability to never forget is worthy of Liu Xie's attention. As for poor looks, in Liu Xie's opinion, in addition to eating soft rice, he needs a little white face, but any man with real skills, good looks are just icing on the cake, and if you want to become famous, it is not enough to rely on a good face.

Just when Zhang Su went to visit the ministers of the DPRK and China, Liu Xie also came to the post house with people. One is to meet Zhang Ren from the same door, and the other is to see Zhang Song and Zhang Yongnian, who are said to look different from ordinary people.

Knowing that the Holy One was coming in person, the chief envoy was not there, and the deputy envoy naturally had to go to the top. It's just that Zhang Song also knows that his appearance is not good, but he is afraid of scaring Liu Xie and ruining his brother's good deeds. I didn't see it, but I didn't agree with the etiquette, so I had to come out to meet Liu Xie.

Seeing Zhang Song's face, Liu Xie was not doing much, and the dynasty behind him, Ma Han, couldn't help but chuckle. Zhang Song didn't care when he heard the laughter, he was used to it, but he didn't want to hear Liu Xie already open his mouth and scold: "What are you laughing at?" Get out! Men rely on their ability to eat, and only those who have no ability need to rely on their faces. ”

Zhang Song looked up in some astonishment, and saw two big men who were obviously the Son of Heaven retreating outside the door with their heads down. But Liu Xie, the son of heaven, stretched out his hand to help himself with a smile and said: "Yongnian is not to blame, I usually don't discipline strictly, so that Yongnian has been wronged, don't blame." ”

"The saint's words are serious, and Zhang Song is terrified." Zhang Song hurriedly replied.

People with physical defects tend to be more sensitive than ordinary people, and if Liu Xie also laughed at Zhang Song's appearance like his subordinates, Zhang Song would hold a grudge even if he didn't have a seizure at this time. But Liu Xie did not show ridicule because of Zhang Song's appearance, but was angry because someone laughed at Zhang Song, which made Zhang Song have a good impression of Liu Xie in his heart, at least today's son is not a mediocre person who judges people by their appearance.

Zhang Song originally thought that the Son of Heaven was only here for Zhang Ren, but he didn't want Liu Xie to come back for himself. After entering Chang'an, Zhang Ren is Liu Xie's bag, and he can see him whenever he wants. And a talent like Zhang Song, who was buried because of his appearance, was not something that Liu Xie could see if he wanted to.

Under Liu Xie's deliberate co-optation, Zhang Song quickly made up his mind and took refuge in the imperial court. There is no way, because of his appearance, Zhang Song has been ridiculed in Yizhou. And Zhang Song is not a character who is willing to be ridiculed, he often sneers at each other, he has sharp teeth and a sharp mouth, can speak well, and often puts those who ridicule Zhang Song's appearance to say that they are embarrassed. But in this way, there are even fewer people who are willing to make friends with Zhang Song, so that Zhang Song's popularity in Yizhou is extremely poor, and he has almost no friends.

Liu Xie didn't stay in the post house for long, talked to Zhang Song, and then took people away after going to see Zhang Yi. Not long after Liu Xie left, Zhang Su also returned to the post house with people.

"Brother, you're late to come back, and the Holy Lord just left not long ago." Zhang Song saw his brother come back and said with a smile.

"What? Yongnian, why are you so confused? Why don't you leave the Holy One? Zhang Su said anxiously when he heard this.

"Brother, that's the Son of Heaven, he wants to leave, how can the younger brother stop him?" Zhang Song rolled his eyes and replied angrily. But then the conversation changed, "Brother, rest assured, the Holy Lord has no objection to this strike of the two families, and there is a chance that my brother's trip can be negotiated." ”

“…… What conditions can the Holy One have? ”

"I didn't say this, but brother, it's already thankful that the court can agree to strike the army, so it's better not to ask too much."

"Yongnian, why do you seem to be speaking for the imperial court?" Zhang Su looked at Zhang Song puzzled and asked.