Shortly after Cao Pi became emperor, Liu Bei became emperor in Yizhou.

Then Sun Quan also proclaimed himself emperor in Jiaozhou.

The only one who did not proclaim himself emperor was Zhang Lu, Hanzhong.

It’s not that Zhang Lu was so loyal to the Han Dynasty, but that Liu Bei in Yizhou, Cao Pi in Yecheng and Cao Shuo in Shouchun were all trying to win him over.

Cao Shu even sent Tian Feng and Jiang Gan to stay in Hanzhong.

Tian Feng and Jiang Gan would ask to see Zhang Lu every day.

I have heard of Cao Shu's name for a long time, and I also know that he has almost never lost since he first led the army. Although he has never had any contact with him, Zhang Lu still has deep fear of him.

As for Cao Pi.

He once led his army to Hanzhong, but although he was eventually defeated by Zhang Lu, it also shocked Zhang Lu.

As for Liu Bei, he had also sent envoys several times.

Since Liu Bei entered Sichuan, he has been in good order.

With the increase in military strength and financial resources, Liu Bei had long planned to merge with Hanzhong.

If Cao Shuo was closer, Zhang Lu would definitely not hesitate to serve him.

But Cao Shu's territory is in the east and is too far from Hanzhong. Once he is in charge of him, Zhang Lu is likely to face attacks from both Cao Pi and Liu Bei.

In either aspect, it is difficult to resist with the power of Hanzhong.

It is for this reason that he has not made a decision for a long time.

In Zhang Lu's study, Tian Feng and Jiang Gan sat on both sides, and their eyes fell on his face.

Frowning his eyebrows, Zhang Lu's face looked very bad.

"It's not that I don't want to join the son of the young master, but Hanzhong is too far from Shouchun." Zhang Lu said: "Liu Xuande and Lubu sent someone to persuade me, and Cao Zihuan also asked me to come here to see me many times. Both of you also know that Hanzhong is a small place with few soldiers and few generals and not much money and food. No one can afford to offend him."

Zhang Lu was not an official enthroned by the Han Dynasty. He started his career with Taoism in his early years, so his foundation was not very stable.

The Central Plains have been fighting for years, and Hanzhong is far away from war, and there is still some development in recent years.

But Zhang Lu is not as capable as Liu Bei, Cao Cao and others.

When Liu Bei arrived in Yizhou, he quickly managed Yizhou in an orderly manner with his talents and his own abilities.

At that time, Yizhou, which was in charge of Liu Zhang, had similar military strength to Hanzhong.

At this time, Yizhou was surrounded by hundreds of thousands of troops.

Although it was not enough to compete with the Cao family, destroying Hanzhong was not a difficult task, so Zhang Lu was of course very afraid of him.

Of course, Tian Feng and Jiang Gan knew what he was in a dilemma.

"Before we came to Hanzhong, the young master told us that Hanzhong is a treasure land. If General Zhang had not guarded him, he would inevitably not be affected by wars over the years." Tian Feng said: "I also know why the general is in a dilemma. Shouchun is indeed too far from Hanzhong."

"It's good that you can understand my difficulties." Zhang Lu sighed: "Once I swore to join the son of the young master, I'm afraid that Yecheng and Yizhou will point the finger at Hanzhong. Even if the young master sends troops to help, it's too late."

"The general is too contemptuous of the young master." Jiang Gan said from the side: "I only had the opportunity to get close to the eldest son when I fought in Chibi. He was smarter and never stick to clichés when doing things. In my opinion, although Shouchun is not close to Hanzhong, if anyone dares to be unfavorable to the general, the young master will definitely find a way to come and help."

What Jiang Gan said was from the heart, but Zhang Lu couldn't help but feel that it was a bit exaggerated when he heard it.

Shouchun is in the Jianghuai area, while Hanzhong is further west than Chang'an.

Whether Cao Pi or Liu Bei, as long as they send troops, they can drive in, but Shouchun is not easy to send a large army.

Even if Cao Shu is capable, he is afraid that Hanzhong has fallen, and the army he sent is still on the way.

Hesitantly, Zhang Lu locked his eyebrows tightly.

"General!" Seeing his inner confusion, Tian Feng asked: "Do you don't believe in the young master, or do you don't believe what we said?"

"It's not that I don't believe in both of you." Zhang Lu replied: "It's really about life and death, and I have to think about it carefully."

"We can understand the difficulties of the general." Tian Feng replied: "What the general is worried about is that he is attacked from both sides, and the young master cannot send troops to help in time. With the military strength of Hanzhong, fighting against Liu Xuande alone or fighting against Yecheng alone can still support some days. Once both sides attack at the same time, if the general wants to deal with it, it will be more difficult than climbing to the sky."

"It's still Mr. Tian who understands me." Zhang Lu sighed: "If I hadn't had these concerns, I would have agreed to Mr. Zirong long ago. How could I have asked the two of you to come and convince me again and again."

"Maybe the general thinks we are lobbyists for the young master, but that's not the only one." Tian Feng said: "Actually, we are also for the general's future."

Zhang Lu looked at him in confusion: "What does Mr. Tian mean to say this?"

"The general has been in charge of Hanzhong for many years, and he should have heard a lot of things in the world." Tian Feng said: "Liu Xuande must have understood Liu Xuande's character. Once he works for him, even if he treats the general well on the surface, no one can tell what he will do secretly. The second son of the Cao family is, the general should be more clear. He even kills his brothers, let alone the general is just an outsider."

Zhang Lu frowned and looked at Tian Feng without saying a word.

"Say something that should not be said." Zhang Lu did not say anything, Tian Feng continued, "Even if Hanzhong does not submit to the prince at this time, he will be able to hold it sooner or later. Once the general loses Hanzhong, it is still difficult to say what fate will be. Liu Xuande and Cao Zihuan are worried that the general's prestige in Hanzhong will definitely be restricted. What those who conquer the world dislike the least is to be afraid of someone. Any hero who is brave enough to be afraid of someone will definitely be eliminated. With the general's prestige in Hanzhong, will they allow you to live?"

Zhang Lu was stunned and looked at Tian Feng in surprise.

"Maybe the general thinks I am sensational." Tian Feng continued: "If you don't believe it, just follow any of them, it will take not long to confirm whether what I said is true."

In fact, Zhang Lu had long heard of some of the things that Liu Bei and Cao Pi did.

Cao Pi has never had a very good reputation, especially after he killed Cao Chong, his reputation was even ruined for a while.

Of course, Zhang Lu didn't believe that if he worked for him, he would have a good life in the future.

As for Liu Bei, many people in the world say that he is a kind elder, but Zhang Lu never believed it.

From many things that Liu Bei did, he said that his so-called kindness is just on the surface.

People like him are mostly honest on the outside but actually very cunning on the inside.

The more people in the world say how good Liu Bei is, the more they don’t believe it.

It was precisely because of this kind of intention that Liu Bei sent envoys several times but never let him down.

"You two can confirm that once something happens in Hanzhong, the young master can send troops to help immediately?" After a moment of silence, Zhang Lu asked the two of them as if he had made up his mind.
Chapter completed!