The game starts with Cao Cao as the main character, and the beauty sheds countless tears.

Chapter 474 Two Major Traitors Meet! Ma Chao: Liu Bei is to my liking!

Hanzhong

Nanzheng City

Hanzhong, surrounded by several mountain ranges on the outside but possessing a vast basin on the inside, occupies a uniquely advantageous terrain.

Nanzheng City is located in the center of the basin.

On the city tower

Zhang Lu, dressed in a black Taoist robe and holding a whisk, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom, is talking to a female Taoist priest in a black robe.

The female Taoist priest and Zhang Lu shared a resemblance in their eyes and eyebrows, making it easy to guess that they must be related by blood.

Yes, the female Taoist priest's name is Zhang Qiying, and she is Zhang Lu's younger sister.

(The dog card is supposed to be Zhang Lu's daughter, but since Zhang Lu himself is only twenty-five years old, this book changes Zhang Qiying to Zhang Lu's younger sister.)

"Brother, what are you really thinking?"

"That Ma Chao is like a jackal or a tiger, posing a great threat to Hanzhong!"

"Why did you let someone like that enter Beijia Pass?"

Zhang Qiying frowned slightly, puzzled by Zhang Lu's perplexing behavior.

Zhang Lu laughed:

"Qi Ying, I'm not as stupid as you think."

“I know that Ma Chao has a bad reputation and has no credibility whatsoever.”

"If this fellow were to gain enough power, the first thing he would do would be to annex my Hanzhong!"

"But have you ever thought about it? Ma Chao is a double-edged sword. If used well, he can play a role in taking people by surprise."

“I have no great ambitions. When the world is at peace, I will simply be a missionary.”

"But before that, I need to protect everything that the people and soldiers of Hanzhong have now. I cannot let them believe in my 'five pecks of rice' but not be able to guarantee their safety."

Zhang Qiying was somewhat confused, but when Zhang Lu pointed to the direction of Dingjun Mountain in the west, Zhang Qiying had a vague idea in her mind.

"A few days ago, Liu Zhang ceded Jiameng Pass to Liu Bei for his garrison."

"Jiameng Pass is the first line of defense against Hanzhong."

"Liu Zhang's intentions are already quite clear."

"Now, in Hanzhong, there is Cao Cao to the north and Liu Zhang and Liu Bei to the west."

“Ma Chao can be used to block Cao Cao for me, as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Cao Cao.”

"When the price is right, I, your brother, will not hesitate to sell Ma Chao's head to Cao Cao!"

After saying that, a sinister look appeared on Zhang Lu's face.

Hanzhong was not originally Zhang Lu's territory.

When Zhang Lu was eight years old, his father Zhang Wei was killed by his uncle Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng expelled Zhang Lu from Hanzhong.

Fortunately, Zhang Lu's mother had an affair with Liu Yan, and because of this relationship, Zhang Lu was treated as Liu Yan's adopted son.

A few years later, Zhang Lu, who was only sixteen years old, borrowed some troops from Liu Yan and returned to Hanzhong, gaining the support of his father's former subordinates.

Uncle Zhang Heng was eventually killed by Zhang Lu.

This story could be called an Eastern version of Hamlet. (Words to be avoided)

Moreover, Ham. Wright only managed a one-for-one trade in the end, while Zhang Lu achieved a great victory and personally killed his traitorous uncle.

But Zhang Lu's actions didn't stop there.

Liu Yan's health deteriorated, and Zhang Lu, realizing this, began to plot to break away from Liu Yan and seek independence from Hanzhong and Wudoumi.

In the last few months of Liu Yan's life, he was betrayed by Zhang Lu.

Liu Yan lamented:

"When the rice thieves cause trouble, I will certainly protect Yizhou."

Afterwards, Liu Yan's successor, Liu Zhang, attacked Zhang Lu several times, but was repeatedly repelled by Zhang Lu.

Judging from this series of actions, Zhang Lu can certainly be called a ruthless and ambitious leader, and his ability to command troops in battle is also remarkable.

But Zhang Lu's abilities didn't stop there.

As the leader of the Five Pecks of Rice sect, and later the third-generation leader of the Celestial Masters sect, Zhang Lu is one of only two warlords in the late Han Dynasty to be referred to as a "benevolent ruler" in historical records.

The other one, as mentioned earlier, is Yuan Shao.

but.

Compared to Yuan Shao, Zhang Lu's benevolent policies were more commendable.

Multiple records indicate that the people of Hanzhong had surplus grain in every household and could eat meat during festivals.

This was truly unique during the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period!

This shows that Zhang Lu was also adept at developing the economy and improving people's livelihoods.

Moreover, Zhang Lu is very self-aware.

He knew his own limitations and never considered heading north to compete with the northern warlords for the throne.

Death and the fading of one's spiritual path were not his pursuits.

……

Seeing that her brother had figured out how to deal with Ma Chao, Zhang Qiying smiled and said:

"In that case, I will say no more."

"But brother, have you forgotten something?"

Zhang Lu asked in confusion:

"What is my little sister talking about?"

Zhang Qiying smiled slightly:

"Brother, you're already twenty-five this year, and you still haven't brought me a sister-in-law!"

"In another month it will be the anniversary of Mother's death. Let's see how you explain this."

Zhang Lu was immediately in a bind.

He really has a hard time finding a wife.

There were many women in Hanzhong who wanted to marry him, but Zhang Lu was busy building up Hanzhong and didn't have time for his own romantic relationships.

There were no suitable marriage alliances with the feudal lords outside the region.

Most importantly, Zhang Lu's thinking is quite avant-garde; he fantasizes about free love.

Watching Zhang Qiying's departing figure, Zhang Lu murmured:

"I'm not in a hurry, but I'll definitely get you married off before the end of next year!"

……

Beijia Pass

Zhang Lu felt reassured and settled Ma Chao here.

As Beijia Pass was the front line against Cao Cao, Ma Chao couldn't cause any trouble, let alone lead Beijia Pass to Cao Cao's camp.

Ma Chao knew perfectly well that, given his moral character and actions, he would surely die after joining Cao Cao's camp, and even if Zhang Jiao and Zhang Daoling were alive, they couldn't save him!

Therefore, if Ma Chao were placed on the front line against Liu Zhang and Liu Bei, he might betray them.

By being placed on the front lines against Cao Cao, Ma Chao truly proved to be a "loyal subject."

Footsteps sounded beside Ma Chao, who said without looking up:

“Ma Dai, how many times have I told you not to interrupt me when I’m thinking?”

Ma Dai chuckled awkwardly:

"Brother, when I was patrolling the city wall just now, a cold arrow suddenly shot out beside me."

"I found this on the stray arrow."

After saying this, Ma Dai handed the letter, which was bound with a cold arrow, to Ma Chao.

Ma Chao frowned slightly, but once he opened it, his smile instantly relaxed.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha……"

"I knew it, Liu Bei was definitely not a good guy."

"They weren't at ease even after going to Jiameng Pass; they actually plotted to seize Liu Zhang's territory!"

"Oh? Is it that interesting?"

Ma Dai immediately understood what was making Ma Chao excited.

Liu Bei's determination to "overthrow his superiors" alone was very much to Ma Chao's liking.

Don't use excuses like "to restore the Han Dynasty".

Liu Yan and his son Liu Zhang were both legitimate governors of Yizhou, recognized by the imperial court.

As a guest general of Liu Zhang, Liu Bei intended to seize Liu Zhang's territory, which was an act of subversion against his superior.

However, Liu Bei's moral standards were far higher than Ma Chao's, and he would not choose to kill Liu Zhang.

If it were Ma Chao, killing his own father would be a piece of cake, let alone an outsider.

……